10. Chapter 10
On Wednesday after track practice, I swing by to visit Jake.
He has a huge grin on his face when I enter, sitting on the lift chair in the living room.
“What’s up, handsome?” He slowly stands with the help of the chair, but without Will.
“Oh my gosh, Jake! I’m so proud of you.” Rushing over, I wrap my arms around his waist for a proper hug.
He gets shaky quickly, so I help him retake his seat, planting my butt on the armrest. “Pretty neat, right?” He winks, a beautiful smile on full display, happiness oozing from his pores.
“Incredible. You’ll be walking in no time.” Will reclines Jake’s chair and then leaves us to chat.
“How was school and practice today?”
“Not bad. Nothing exciting. Seb is still scowling at Gabby’s boyfriend every time he sees them together, and it’s funny.
Adam is quiet, so he avoids Seb like the plague.
” Speaking of Seb, he and E show up for a visit.
Jake's a little unsure of E, but he's familiar.
After we clear that up, he excitedly tells them about being able to stand today.
We end up watching sports while Jake naps.
E helps Ray make supper, and Dad stops by to eat with us.
Saturday morning, I run with Bay in the park.
I enjoy spending time with him alone because he spends his spare time working or with Penny these days.
I’m still crushing on him despite the months that have passed.
We chat about everything: school, Jake, Penny, Olivia, diving, and track.
After showering, he helps Zander and me switch out the front windows.
In the afternoon, we pick up Olivia to go swimming at Alex’s pool.
Troy's coming over to help Zander with the window trim, and then they're catching a movie.
Seb stayed overnight with E, so they, along with Alex, are already in the pool when we arrive.
Olivia can swim, so she jumps right into the pool, her clothes flying everywhere as she runs towards the water.
Bay rolls his eyes, picking up after her and setting them on a lounge chair.
I drop my items on the next lounger, a wet body plastering to my back just as I finish undressing. “Hi Hurry,” I smile.
“Missed you, Sunshine,” Seb murmurs into my neck with a kiss before lifting me and running towards the pool.
“Hurry!” I shout as he jumps, plunging us into the warm water. I surface, spluttering and wiping my face as Seb comes up in front of me. I swish an armful of water at his face as he laughs.
“Geronimo!” Olivia hollers before flying off the lower diving board, hitting the water in a cannonball.
I suck in a breath, worried about her diving. Bay swims up to us, reassuring me she’s a fish in water and has been swimming here for years. Sure enough, she surfaces, doing the doggy paddle to the edge of the pool, and then running back to the diving board.
Seb and I join Olivia diving on the lower board while Alex, Bay, and E use the high dive. Olivia has more energy than all five of us combined. I end up in the hot tub with E as the others dive for rings at the bottom of the pool. “How ya doing, E?”
“Good Summer. I enjoy cooking most evenings in the big kitchen, and I’m trying Brazilian dishes next week.”
“Oh, that sounds yummy. I’m sure Alex and Steven are enjoying all the wonderful food.”
“I hope so. Mr. and Mrs. Grant often take some home with them for dinner. Luckily, we get along well, and she always leaves me a spotless kitchen after she prepares lunch.”
“I’m glad you’re happy. When do you apply for culinary school?” Unlike traditional colleges, applications aren’t due by mid-January.
“March 1st for Charleston and the 15th for Columbia. Once they go over my application, I’ll go in and cook a few dishes for them for evaluation. I get a week’s notice to prepare the menu.”
“I have zero doubts you’ll knock their socks off, E.” He blushes as I give his hand a squeeze.
We stay in the pool for another hour until Bay can drag Olivia from the water.
Bay drops me back home so I can shower, with Olivia talking a mile a minute. Alex, E, Seb, and I are going to rent a movie at Jake’s house this evening while Ray joins Dad and Troy at the movies.
Dad barbecues burgers for us and Troy while I make potato salad, and we eat at the table inside tonight. “The windows look great, Dad. So, that’s everything then? No more renovations?”
“I ordered new shutters today, pre-painted, but that will be the last project, darling,” he smiles.
“Awesome.”
“Don’t hold your breath, Summer,” Troy adds. “He’ll find something else to build or fix. He can’t help himself.” Dad pushes Troy’s shoulder as Troy laughs.
“I’m not addicted to renovations. It kept me busy. Now I have Summer for that.”
“Maybe,” Troy shrugs. “You still have plenty of land to build another structure.” They continue to rib each other as we eat.
I fill the dishwasher after our meal and then drive myself to the condo.
As I’m climbing out of my Jeep, Alex pulls in beside me.
Seb quickly hops out, dipping me backwards and planting a kiss on my lips.
He’s grinning like a fool when we break apart.
“Well, hello to you too.” I’m a little disoriented.
Alex hugs me while I stand there gathering my scattered brain. Patting his back, I shake my head. The hurricane struck. Waving to E, Seb slings an arm over my shoulder and steers us towards the front door.
Jake is already in his lift chair when we enter, and Ray waves goodbye, leaving for the movies. Taking a seat on the couch beside Jake, I grab his hand. “Hey handsome. Ready for the movie?”
“Yeah. Hey,” he says, motioning me closer, his voice dropping. “Should we invite Janus to watch?”
“Absolutely.” I squeeze his hand. “Janus,” I call, going into Jake’s room to find her on Ray’s wheeled chair, the tv on low. “You are welcome to join us for the movie.”
“Thank you, dear,” she smiles kindly, “but I’m not a fan of action movies. Besides, I’m going to get some knitting done this evening.” She holds up a bag full of yarn and knitting needles.
“Okay. Should I close the door? It might get loud. I’ll come get you if Jake needs anything.
” She hesitates for a moment before agreeing.
Gently clicking the door shut, I walk back out.
Alex is placing a tray of snacks on the coffee table while Seb has a tray of drinks.
E is popping popcorn, so I grab several bowls to fill with ice cream.
Alex turns down the lights, and Seb rents the movie once everyone settles in with their chosen snacks.
It’s a great movie that keeps me on the edge of my seat, and we all watch without talking until the very end.
As Alex stands to brighten the room, Jake lets out an enormous yawn.
Smiling at him, I kiss his cheek as Seb grabs his wheelchair.
The guys stay close as Jake transfers himself over, and I open the bedroom door and lower his bed so Janus can help him slide onto the mattress.
She helps him get comfortable while I pull his blankets over him.
“Goodnight handsome. Sweet dreams. We’ll be in the living room until Ray comes back. ”
Jake puckers his lips, so I give him a peck before he closes his eyes. Waving to Janus, I quietly slip back out. E and Alex are cleaning up the food and dishes as I join Seb on the couch.
Alex and I spend Sunday morning at the gun range with Dad again. I’m getting better and hit the bullseye once. We stay for two hours this time, and Dad offers to continue training us on Sunday mornings until we're comfortable.