Chapter 12
A few days later, we celebrate Mom’s birthday.
Zander helps me make a cake for her, and we take it over to Jake’s condo.
I light the candles, and Jake helps me blow them out after singing Happy Birthday, and Ray, Jake, and I share stories about her as we eat.
It’s happy and bittersweet. The more time passes, the more I can focus on the happy memories, although I doubt there will ever be a time without sadness.
The next day after school, when I get to Jake’s condo, I find silence greeting me when I enter. Ray pokes his head out of Jake’s room with a grim look on his face when I call out. Rushing to his room, I see a shell-shocked Jake talking to Cameron on a video call. “What happened?” I whisper to Ray.
“We had some unexpected visitors when we returned from physiotherapy today. Jake’s step siblings were loitering around the building when we got home. They didn’t acknowledge me or Will, but were very interested in speaking with Jake.”
My eyebrows hit my hairline. “Wow.”
I walk over and settle on the edge of his bed as he finishes his call to Cameron. “Hey handsome. I heard you met some interesting people today.”
“Yeah…interesting.” He seems confused and stressed.
I grab his hand in mine and stroke the back of it with my thumb.
“Colette and Joseph. My stepbrother and stepsister. They wanted to meet me, I guess. They’re staying in the area for a few weeks and want to get to know me.”
That is a surprise. “Do you want to get to know them? What about your mom?”
“They said she was in New York, and I don’t know. They seemed nice enough,” he shrugs. “What should I do?” His brilliant sapphire eyes connect with mine, looking lost.
“Well, that’s something you’ll have to decide. We can’t make that decision for you. With the court order to keep your mom from contacting you, it could get complicated,” I offer.
“I know, but it wouldn’t hurt to talk to them if Mom's in another state. Feel them out.”
“It sounds like you've already made your decision, Jake.”
He gives me a small smile. “We’ve already lost so many people. I can’t pass this opportunity up, Sum.”
“Okay, then talk with them. Did they give you a phone number to contact them?”
“No, but they said they would be back at the same time tomorrow. I’ll talk to them then.”
Nodding, Will slides Jake over so I can lie with him. I can’t say I’m not worried about this new situation, but I can understand his need to get to know his step siblings. He rapidly lost his mom and entire life, so wanting a connection is natural. It’s the ramifications I worry about.
Friday after school, I quickly visit Jake to get an update on his step siblings before meeting Alex and Bay for the basketball game.
Colette and Joseph seem keen to get to know Jake but aren’t interested in interacting with Ray or Will to the point where they refuse to speak to them.
Ray’s guess is that Jake’s mom has poisoned the well, so to speak.
I can tell it hurts Ray, but he told Jake not to worry about it and that he didn’t want to interfere with his relationship with his step siblings.
I don’t like their rudeness, but this is Jake’s decision. He wants me to meet them on Sunday.
The basketball game today is against the team we beat in the championship last year. As I’m putting my blue jersey on that Seb got me, I notice two scouts taking seats in our section. I bump Alex’s elbow, jerking my chin towards them.
Alex gazes over before smiling. “USC and our local university. Seb will be excited.”
The guys play an outstanding game. Seb and E are in sync, feeding each other the ball, and we easily win the game.
Our rivals seem to have lost quite a few players, and their team's struggling.
The scouts make their way to the bench to shake hands with the coach, who calls Seb, E, and Jonathan over.
Jonathan is a guard, often playing beside Seb, and a senior.
I wait anxiously in my seat as they chat. E shakes hands before excusing himself to the locker room, but Seb remains. I notice Troy’s knee bouncing behind me as Gabby joins us.
Finally, Seb and Jonathan leave, and the scouts walk out.
I hope it’s good news. Seb is counting on a scholarship to pay for college.
Gabby tells us that one of the seniors on the cheer team received a conditional scholarship to a university in North Carolina last week.
As long as she remains healthy, she has a full ride.
Despite not wanting or expecting a scholarship myself, it’s exciting to see others getting rewarded and making plans for the future.
Seb and E join us shortly after, Seb carrying his bag, not bothering to shower.
Troy and I stand right away as Seb comes jogging up the steps, a huge grin showing his straight white teeth.
“Got two colleges interested. They’re talking full rides.
” He does a happy dance in front of us as Troy pulls him into a hug, and we offer congratulations.
“Why did you walk away, E?” I ask.
“I told them I wanted to be a chef. Culinary schools don’t have basketball teams.” Shrugging his shoulders, he smiles. “They told me to contact them if I change my mind, but I won’t.”
“I’m glad you're staying true to yourself, E. You’ll be an outstanding chef.” I squeeze his hand briefly, which earns me a megawatt smile, his amber eyes shining.
Troy asks for more details from Seb. The scouts have been monitoring him since last year and will return for the championship tournament in April. Assuming Seb continues to play as he has, the colleges will have an offer in writing at that time, with all the details, and Seb is over the moon.
On Sunday afternoon, I drive over to meet Jake and his step siblings.
I admit I’m nervous. If they ignore me like they have Ray and Will, I think Jake will go off on them.
Jake met them outside the condo building 3 days in a row, and he invited them up to the condo today for a visit.
Again, I don’t think I would've invited them into my place, but Jake cleared it with Ray first.
Taking a fortifying breath, I ride the elevator up. Knocking on the door, I find it unlocked, so I let myself in with a yelled hello. Ray's in the living room with the tv on when I enter. “Hello Summer,” he smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Hi Ray.” I toss my jacket onto the back of a dining room chair. “How are you?”
“Fine Summer. I hope today goes well for Jake.”
“Me too,” I nod. “Hang in there.” I pat his shoulder before walking to Jake’s room. He’s off to the side of his bed already, napping, so I slip in beside him and say hello to Will. “How long has he been out?” I ask quietly.
“An hour,” Will replies. “I would like to stay in the room when his step siblings arrive.”
“I agree.” Just then, Jake stirs. Brushing his hair from his forehead, his eyes lazily blink open and zoom in on me.
“Hey Sum,” he smiles.
“Hi handsome,” I reply as the doorbell rings. I start to get up, but Jake tells me to stay, so I get comfortable beside him.
A minute later, Colette and Joseph walk into Jake’s room.
There’s no resemblance between them and Jake except that they have various shades of blue eyes.
Joseph is over 6 feet tall and lanky with dark brown curly hair, while his sister is shorter than I am with almost black, curly long hair and an hourglass figure.
“Hello Jake,” they say almost at the same time. Kinda creepy.
“Hi. I want to introduce you to Summer, my best friend and girlfriend.”
I sit up and hold out my hand across Jake for them to shake. “Nice to meet you guys.”
They both look as if they just tasted something sour and don’t offer their hands to shake in return. Dropping my hand, I lean back again to let Jake take over. I look up to see his lips in a thin slash across his face as his body tenses.
They must realize he’s angry as Joseph looks at me and says hello before elbowing his sister. She scowls but nods her head at me with a quiet, if reluctant, hello. Okay then.
Jake seems to relax a bit at that, and they talk about random things, asking each other questions back and forth and sharing stories.
They seem to like Jake, and I notice them spending a lot of time playing up New York and their family.
Jake tries to include me, but the siblings are quick to steer the conversation away.
It’s subtle and not rude, but I notice it.
When Jake gets tired, Will stands and tells them it’s time to leave. Colette gives Jake a kiss on his cheek, and they go without a ruffle.
That was…interesting.
“What do you think, Sum?” Jake asks with a yawn.
“What do you think, handsome?”
“They seem nice, and they’re eager to get to know me, but they were rude to you,” he frowns.
“They were,” I nod. “What is the endgame here, Jake? Where are they staying? Did they give you a phone number yet? How long are they staying?”
“I don’t actually know. That’s strange, right?”
“Yup. Be careful, handsome.”
He nods with a hum. “I’ll make a point of getting those questions answered tomorrow. It’s time their rude behavior stops towards Dad and Will too. That’s not okay, and I got swept up in the excitement of this, but I shouldn’t have let it go on at all.” He looks over at Will. “I’m sorry, Will.”
Will waves him off, not bothered.
“I’m glad you’re going to say something to them. It’s not okay to treat your family and friends poorly.”
“Ah, crap, I feel terrible now. Dad,” he calls.
Ray steps into the room a few moments later. “Yes, son?”
Jake apologizes to him as well, and it makes my heart swell that he’s doing the right thing. Jake is kindhearted and just got caught up in the moment. I know he’ll make it right.
Ray leaves to get groceries while I stay and visit for a few hours. Seb shows up, and we watch a movie and order pizza for dinner.