Chapter 42
Nick
When I pull into the driveway, I see E’s truck still parked. Knowing Seb, they’ll leave at the last minute. I park and grab my bag to head inside. Alex is at the island drinking coffee. “Morning, Nick,” he says.
I nod at him, looking around as E comes downstairs. “Hey Nick, Alex,” he smiles, going to the fridge.
“Nick,” Alex calls. “You look exhausted.”
“No shit,” I reply.
“Summer is still in her room sleeping,” E offers.
“Get some rest. There are no plans for the day,” Alex tells me.
I nod and head upstairs, dropping my bag in my room before changing into a pair of shorts and walking into Summer’s bedroom.
Opening the door, I smell the fresh air.
She’s asleep in the middle of the bed with Seb wrapped around her, and I’m too tired to care.
Walking around to the far side, I crawl into the bed in front of her.
She mumbles something and reaches out, touching my arm so I scoot closer.
She snuggles into my side and settles again.
Releasing a deep breath, I close my eyes and get ready for sleep. As I drift off, I hear the bedroom door open and crack an eye to see E trying to get Seb up. It takes a few minutes before he succeeds. E mouths a “sorry” to me before leaving again.
“Nick man? When did you get in?” Seb asks, sitting up.
“A few minutes ago,” I reply. “Get out.”
“I’m going,” he says before kissing her cheek. He looks back up at me and wiggles his stupid eyebrows, then gets up and leaves the room.
He thinks he’s been subtle in asking about Summer over the past month, but he hasn’t.
Seb wants a poly relationship with us and her.
He’s been in love with Shortie since he met her, and I know he’s been talking to Neve and Ezra.
I’ve never been interested in anything but sex, but Shortie's gotten under my skin. Despite my efforts, I care about her. How can I help it when she’s always trying to take care of me and genuinely seems to want to know me?
No woman has ever put so much effort into me before.
They all just want me to fuck them or give up quickly when I’m not interested in a conversation.
I’m not about to label anything despite what Seb wants, but I haven’t been able to fuck anyone else since the night of the kidnapping, and it’s been messing with me.
It seems my dick and my brain both want Shortie.
At least when I went a few rounds with a girl, I could get a few hours’ sleep.
Now I’m tired and horny all the fucking time. This damn girl.
She breaks my musings when she swings her leg over mine and snuggles closer.
I bring my arm up, and she rests her head on my chest before falling back asleep.
Her tattoo is on display, and seeing my image permanently inked on her skin has my dick trying to wake up.
I tell it to fuck off and try to relax because I need to sleep right now.
Summer
I wake up slowly to the rise and fall of a hard chest under my ear.
Blinking, I see tattoos, not golden, unblemished skin.
Huh, Nick is here, which means Seb and E are probably already gone for the day.
The two of them wore me out last night in the best possible way.
I blush a little, remembering the intimacy we shared.
Gently rolling away from Nick, I get up to pee and freshen up.
When I return, he’s mumbling, so I grab my laptop and get back in bed, relaxing against the headboard.
I scoot as close as I can to him, and he reaches out to pull me even closer.
I set a pillow on my lap as he gets comfortable with his arm wrapped around me.
Unwinding his man bun, I finger comb his hair until he’s settled.
Powering up my laptop, I put earbuds in and start the next video from the herbal course.
A few minutes into the second video, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye.
Looking up, I see Alex standing outside on the balcony.
I smile at him, and he comes in carrying a plate of pancakes and a glass of orange juice. “Thanks,” I whisper.
“I thought you might be tied up for a while, with how exhausted Nick seemed.”
“Yeah, probably,” I smile.
“Bay and I are going for a swim. I will lock up the house when we leave. Do you need anything?”
“Can you grab my phone for me? And maybe water?”
“Of course, Summer.” He gets my phone off the dresser and hands it to me before going back outside. A few minutes later, he places a water bottle and a banana on the nightstand.
“Thank you. Have fun.”
He waves and leaves via the balcony again as I devour my pancakes.
I can tell E made them with the freshly whipped cream on top.
After drinking my juice, I set both on the nightstand before returning to my video.
I finish the second lesson but don’t want to get too far into them without taking notes, so I switch to a movie.
I can hear the noise picking up outside as people gather on the beach to enjoy the weather.
I watch an action movie first, and I’m partway into the second movie before Nick stirs.
I run my fingers through his hair as he blinks his eyes open.
He lets out a little groan as I scrape his scalp with my fingernails, so I continue.
After about 5 minutes, he sits up. Turning off the movie, I take my earbuds out. “Did you get enough sleep?” I ask.
“Yeah. Thanks Shortie,” he nods.
I look him over. He still looks tired, but the dark circles under his eyes are lighter. “Okay Grumpy. Come sleep in here tonight. You still look tired.”
He nods and gets up to stretch, his muscles bunching and flexing with the effort. I admire them for a moment, then grab my laptop and put it back on the dresser. “What do you want to do today?” I ask.
“Workout,” he grunts.
“We can do that. Grab something to eat, and we’ll run,” I reply.
He nods, taking my plate and glass with him.
I find a sports bra and shorts to change into, then text Zander.
Nick is eating fruit and a sandwich when I get downstairs, so I fill up my water bottle with minerals and water before applying sunscreen.
I get his back while he’s finishing his fruit and leave the tube beside him on the island.
“I’ll meet you on the beach. I’m gonna check in with Alex and Bay,” I say before heading out.
The guys are sitting under the canopy on chairs when I get onto the beach. “Hey guys,” I greet. I get a hug from Bay and a hello from Alex. “Nick is up?” Bay asks.
“Yup, we’re going for a run, then to spar. Want to join us?”
“Sure, but we’ll probably fall behind with how fast you run. We'll meet you there, though,” Bay answers.
“Okay, sounds good,” I say as I stretch.
Nick joins us after a few minutes, and we start off at a jog. I pick up the pace when my legs are warm, Nick and I taking off across the wet sand. We lose Alex and Bay, but they’ll catch up. We run full out until we reach the end of the beach.
I’ve tried to maintain my running routine since school finished, but I’m definitely not as fit as I was during track. It feels good to stretch my legs like this.
Once I catch my breath, I turn to face Nick.
“Come on, then, Grumpy. Let’s go,” I smile.
I’ll never achieve the level of skill Nick possesses, but I’m improving.
Seeing his obvious leg sweep coming, I jump over him, turn, and put his arm behind his back.
He effortlessly throws me off, and we begin again.
I take a run at him, but instead of grabbing him, I put my foot on his leg and climb.
Catching him by surprise, I’m able to get on his back and wrap my arms and legs tightly around his neck and waist. “Got you,” I say.
He turns his head and raises an eyebrow. “What the hell was that?”
“I dunno. You’re the expert. I was just being unpredictable.”
He tries to pull me off him, but I squeeze as tight as I can. “Damn monkey,” he grunts.
I smile as Alex and Bay come jogging up. “What did we miss?” Bay asks, trying to catch his breath.
“Not much. Just getting started. I surprised Nick is all.”
Alex and Bay smile. “Shall we make it interesting? Three on one, Nick? That should give you a workout,” Alex suggests.
Nick nods with a full smile, and he looks back at me with a raised brow.
“I’m not just gonna get off, Nick. I rarely get the best of you.
Make me get off,” I say, as Alex comes at Nick, trying to take his legs out.
My weight makes Nick slower than usual, and I hang on as long as I can until Bay trips him and we land in the sand.
I climb off and step back, waiting for an opportunity to take my shot.
We spar for a while, and Nick smiles through all of it, enjoying the challenge. We’re making him work hard between the three of us, and he’s having fun. Nick outlasts us, though he’s clearly winded when we stop. I flop back onto the sand to drink my water, as the guys join me to relax.
When everyone is ready, we jog back to the house at a leisurely pace. I run right into the water to get the sand off me and to cool down. The guys join me as we float around in the ocean.
As I make us lunch, Alex informs me there’s a sandcastle building contest farther up on the beach this afternoon.
The guys agree to enter, so we gather up supplies before walking up the beach to the contest area.
Alex pays the entrance fee before we’re assigned a work area.
The theme is aquatic animals this year, and we have three hours to complete our design.
There’s a variety of teams, from families with kids to serious-looking adults with all kinds of fancy tools.
Alex figures our best bet is a crab or a turtle. Since the guys have more experience than I do, I listen as they strategize. When the judges give us the go ahead, I follow their directions.