Chapter 37
As we're sitting at breakfast in the morning, Zander says, “Easter is coming up soon. I was wondering if you wanted Sue to come visit?”
“What, really?” I wasn’t even tracking the holiday.
“If you want, we can invite her,” Zander says. “Troy, Seb, Gabby, and Nick usually have Easter dinner with me here.”
“I’d really like that. I’ll text her today to see what she thinks. Thanks, Zander,” I reply, placing my dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
“No thanks needed,” he waves me off.
As we drive to school, I text Sue to ask about Easter. She’s thrilled about coming to visit and said she’ll text with flight information as soon as she books her ticket.
I remind myself of all the points Sarah and I went over Saturday as Zander pulls in front of the school.
Seb and E are both waiting for me on the steps today.
I get hugs from both of them as we head inside, where we find the rest of the guys at my locker.
I'm switching out my things when Bay calls, “Incoming.”
Looking up, I expect to see Ben, but it’s Cara and gang heading our way, and she has tape or something over her nose. “Fuck,” Seb says. “Let’s go outside. This could get ugly.”
We follow him out the side door, away from everyone else. I step close to Seb and grab his hand as E grabs the other. Nick, Bay, and Alex stand in front of us as sentinels.
“You bitch,” she spits when she gets in front of the guys, glaring daggers at me. “You broke my nose.”
“I’m surprised you remember because you were so drunk,” I say.
“I wasn’t that drunk. You interrupted Seb and me and wouldn’t leave. I remember everything. I told Daddy to sue you for attacking me unprovoked. You’re going to pay, bitch,” she says, venom oozing from her.
“If you were sober and remember everything, then I will advise Seb to sue you for attempted rape and drugging,” Alex responds. “I will hire him a better lawyer than your daddy.” Oh! Go Alex.
She steps back as if Alex had slapped her. “Wh-what are you talking about? I didn’t drug anyone.”
“Seb was unconscious when I entered the bedroom. He wasn’t aware of anything happening. So, either you knew he was drugged and unconscious, didn’t care, and intended to rape him, or you’re lying and were too drunk to function. Which is it?” I ask.
“He was fine. We were having fun. Tell them, Seb,” she says, looking at him desperately.
“I was drugged, Cara and I have the blood work to prove it. I didn’t know I was on that bed with you. I’d never make out with you, let alone fuck you,” Seb says in a dead voice, looking over her head at the school. E and I lean closer in support.
“No,” she shakes her head. “You were fine.”
“He was far from fine,” E responds. “He needed a doctor and an IV all night and didn’t wake until the next day. I suggest you walk away now and never come near any of us again, Cara.”
“I would forget your vendetta against Summer as well. That will not end well for you,” Alex adds.
Her friends grab her and start pulling her away. “No,” she shouts. “Seb, I’d never hurt you,” she yells. “Please believe me, Seb. I’d never hurt you,” she cries as her friends pull her around to the back of the building.
“Well, that’s over at least,” Bay says, turning and squeezing Seb’s shoulder.
“Are you okay?” I ask Seb, wrapping my arm around his waist.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Feels surreal,” he says, seeming to come out of a daze. E gives him a kiss on the cheek, then we walk back inside to go to class.
Morning classes go by without a problem, and then Nick and Alex walk beside me to lunch.
I’m really hoping Cara doesn’t show her face.
We find the guys outside with no sign of her, and I breathe a sigh of relief for Seb.
We join them and have a pleasant lunch together.
Reesa joins us as usual. I still haven’t heard her speak to anyone, and it’s getting weird.
I say hello and get the usual smile in return.
It doesn’t seem to bother the guys, so it must be normal.
Gabby comes by to check on her big brother and me as we’re eating.
“Hey Sunshine. I was thinking about staying for your practice after school. I can monitor things while you’re running,” Seb offers.
“Thanks, but I’ll be okay. I’ve got Holly and Jaxon with me, and the coach will be there.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind,” he says, looking worried.
“I’m sure. I won’t go anywhere alone, I promise.” He nods and returns to his lunch.
Afternoon classes go well, and I still haven’t seen Ben. I think I did really well on my chemistry quiz, so I’m happy about that. Alex walks me to my locker after class, where Nick is waiting for me. I grab my gym bag and take a deep breath. “Ready?” Alex asks.
“As I’ll ever be,” I nod.
“I am joining you today, as this is my study period. I will work on my biology class from the bleachers.”
That’s so thoughtful of him, but I want to minimize interruptions for the guys. “Alex, you don’t need to do that.”
“I would feel better if I did, at least for today. We need to talk to Jaxon as well.”
I relent, knowing enough about Alex that he’ll join me, no matter what I say. I’m secretly grateful, too. “Okay, thanks.”
We head to the gym, and Nick walks me to the locker room doors, then breaks off as Alex takes a seat partway up on the bleachers.
Ana and Stacey are in the locker room, but I don’t see Cara.
I quickly change, rub in my cream, and head out to stretch, then match up with Jaxon on the track. “Hey Summer. How ya holding up?”
“Alright. Haven’t run into Ben yet.”
“He’s in the gym. That’s some crazy stuff that happened to you guys. I’m sorry we didn't see anything.”
“It’s okay. I think the guys want to talk to you about Ben. The plan is to have eyes on him, and for him not to have an opportunity to get me alone again.”
“Can do. I’ll stick close by and walk with you to and from the track. If Nick’s not in the gym, I’ll keep my eyes on you both the entire class. He won’t get to you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” I gratefully reply. Again, I’m feeling so blessed with the easy friendships I’ve made here in South Carolina.
“No worries. No one should feel unsafe like that. I’m gonna pick up the pace now, but I’ve got eyes on you, okay?”
“Yup, talk to you later.” I continue my jog and look into the gym when I can. Nick is lifting weights, practically staring a hole through the back of Ben’s head on the treadmill. At least he’s facing away from the track. Cara must be out of gym until her nose heals.
I do my usual stretch halfway through class, then continue my run. Alex joins me at the bottom row of bleachers at the end of class, while I’m stretching out again. “I spoke to Jaxon. He’s on board.”
“Good. Are you going to your locker before practice?” He has all his schoolwork already stored in his messenger bag.
“No need,” I tell him as Jaxon walks over.
“Hey Alex,” he greets.
“Hi Jaxon. Do you have her? I need to head to practice.” Jaxon promises to stay close, so Alex leaves for the pool next door. We head towards the back door to the outside track, and Nick joins us.
“Hey Nick.”
“Shortie.” He doesn’t speak to Jaxon, but neither seems bothered by it.
I’m sure students are used to his ways around here.
Nick follows us to the stands where we wait for the coach.
Ben walks by with his baseball buddies and smirks at us, but he doesn’t stop, since his coach is close behind him. Nick glares at his retreating form.
“Hey don’t you have a class to teach?” I say, pulling his attention, and get a grunt in return. “I’m okay, Nick. Get going. Jaxon and Holly will keep an eye on me. The coach is here too.”
He looks me over and nods, then leaves. Holly passes him with a wave and then joins us.
“Hey guys,” she smiles.
“Hi Holly,” I reply.
“We’re on Ben duty from now on,” Jaxon tells Holly. “We walk her to the locker room, then to one of her guys after track,” Jaxon tells her.
“Of course,” she readily agrees. “I wasn’t planning on leaving you alone with him around, anyway. I feel terrible I was drunk, and that happened to you.”
“No need. You’re supposed to relax and have fun at parties. None of us expected any of that stuff to happen.”
“Well, I’m still sorry. I won’t be getting drunk like that again. It’s not safe.” On that, we can agree.
Coach joins us, so we start practice. I make it longer in this practice compared to last week, but still not quite to the end. Jaxon and Holly both walk me to my locker, then next door to the pool.
Bay waves to me when we get there and points to the bench near the diving boards.
I thank my friends and walk over to sit.
I can’t see as well from down here, but it’s still fascinating watching everyone contort their bodies through the air.
Bay waits in the pool in front of me while Alex changes, then they switch before we walk out to the parking lot together.
“I’ll be driving you today, Summer,” Alex tells me.
“Okay, thanks. Goodbye Bay,” I wave.
“Any issues after I left?” Alex inquires after pulling out onto the main road.
“No. He smirked at me walking towards the baseball field, but that’s it.”
“Good. How are your legs adjusting?”
“Not bad. They still get sore because I’m pushing myself, but they’re manageable. How is your new dive coming along?”
“We are successful 50% of the time. I would like the percentage to be higher, but I do not believe we will need to perform the dive until later in the season. There is an unofficial meet this Friday that Bay and I are going to compete in. Rumor has it there are a few new divers in the city this year, and I would like to study them. The regular season starts the following week.”
That will be fun to watch. The meet will be in Charleston, so I’ll catch a ride with someone.
We arrive at the house, so I wave goodbye to Alex as I get out. I take a shower, then soak in the tub, apply my cream, and then stretch. Realizing I’m getting very low, I mix up a fresh batch in the kitchen. Seb shows up while I’m working. “Hey Sunshine. What'cha working on?”
“Making some more recovery cream. What are you doing here?”
“I thought we could do homework together.” He peeks over my shoulder, then takes a seat at the island to watch.
He usually does schoolwork right after classes, but I understand he will feel off for a while. “You didn’t do yours after school?”
“Nah, I worked out at the office until Nick finished class. Got a shower and now here I am.”
“Alright. I’m almost done here, then you can help me make supper.” I stop to give him a hug before continuing.
We make a casserole for dinner and start on homework while it cooks. Zander joins us just a few minutes before the food is ready. “Hi everyone. How was today? Any issues?”
“Cara got a reality check, but Ben didn’t approach me.” I tell him as I dish up three plates of food.
“She threatened to sue Sunshine for a broken nose, but she and the guys explained the reality of the drugging and her compromised position. She swears she didn’t drug me. I don’t think she’ll be an issue,” Seb informs Zander as we sit at the table to eat.
“Let’s hope not. I’m glad Ben didn’t bother you. Did the guys stay with you today?” Zander asks me.
“Yup, and Holly and Jaxon are taking care of me during and after track. I’ll be safe.”
We enjoy dinner, then Seb and I finish our homework while Zander cleans up.
Seb leaves after homework, and Zander and I watch some tv until bed.