Chapter 23
Alex and I decide to go with Dad to the gun range on Sunday morning.
Alex has been here more often than I have and is pretty darn good now.
I’m hitting the target regularly, but the bullseye is still elusive.
He follows us home as both dad and I pack our bags.
Dad is going to Savannah again tonight while I’m staying with E and Alex.
I could stay here alone, but we’re all more comfortable with one of the guys here or with me staying with them. Knowing Seb, he’ll be at Alex’s too.
Hugging Dad goodbye at his truck, I remind him to say hello to Sarah for me when they have dinner. Alex follows me to Jake’s condo, where they play video games for a few hours as I watch. After Alex and Ray leave, Jake and I relax on the deck with smoothies. “Did you behave today, handsome?”
“Yes, you worrywart. I realize I was hindering my progress. When were you going to tell me you had boyfriends?”
Smoothie spews from my mouth, landing on me and the patio floor. Coughing, I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand as I try to breathe. Did he just…
Slowly, I hesitantly look over at Jake with my mouth hanging open, terrified of what I’ll see. A closed lipped smile and sad eyes greet me. “Wh…what did you just ask me?”
“Don’t freak out, Sum.”
“Uh…” Fuck! I was planning on talking to him soon, but he went and blew that out of the water.
I’m not ready for this talk. I was going to write an entire speech and practice it for the occasion.
My heartbeat is becoming a gallop, twisting into a sprint.
Breathe, Summer, just breathe. One moment at a time.
“Look,” Jake interrupts my freak out. “You love me, and I love you. Am I your boyfriend? Because you are mine. My everything.”
Looking over at him after a deep breath, I answer. “Yes.” My voice is raspy from choking and the abrupt conversation.
“Good. I’ve had months to come to terms with this Sum.”
Say what now? My eyes must look cartoonish with how big they are.
“I’ve watched the way the guys look at you. All your friends are half in love with you, or more. Especially Seb. They’re all affectionate, not in an inappropriate way, but the chemistry is evident.”
Oh my gosh! I’m going to die of mortification. He’s known for months? I just…my mind isn’t processing this news.
“Seb suggested the audiobooks I’ve been listening to in the mornings after physio. One guess what kind of books they are.”
“Reverse harem,” I whisper.
“Bingo! They’re full of action too, some mystery, and there's even a few paranormal ones. By the way, why do I like paranormal stuff now, and I hated it before the accident?”
“Oh, ah, Mal, your nurse in Virginia read you paranormal books all the time.” I think I’m numb, in shock. Focus Summer.
“Interesting. Anyway, I initially freaked out, but I decided to just watch for a while because I knew little about that type of relationship.
Seb told me he and E were bisexual, and he mentioned a group that was three guys and a girl that you all knew.
I started reading the books and talking to Cameron about it.
I was bitter for a short time, but Cameron helped me see it from a different point of view.
“You never wavered in your belief and support of me. When everyone else left, you stayed faithfully, and you never gave up. Seb told me you still called me your boyfriend. How can I be mad? It would be unrealistic for you to remain single for the rest of your life. There was no hope of my waking.
“Then, when the trial happened, you put your entire life aside to be there for me. You still visit me every single day. I know,” Jake says, placing his hand over his heart. “In here, I know how you feel about me. How deeply you love me.
“You are selfless, so there is no other choice but for me to be selfless too. Is it strange to think about? Yes, but I’ll be damned if I let you get away from me. You’re clearly capable of loving more than one person. So tell me, who's in your harem?”
I’m still frozen, stunned when he stops talking, and hot tears are trailing down my cheeks. I must be dreaming. How did I not catch on that he figured it out? “Did Seb do a terrible job of hinting to you?”
Jake shakes his head no. “No one said a word to me. I figured it out myself. I can be smart sometimes too.”
Tentatively smiling, I grab his hands in mine. “Are you really okay with this, because it doesn’t seem real.”
“I am Sum. Promise.”
A torrent of tears spill over as I throw myself at Jake, a river’s worth of moisture leaving my body.
I can’t believe it. I get to keep Jake and my guys.
There was a steadily growing fear clawing at my mind, telling me I’d need to choose.
I ignored it, but it was present, watching and waiting for me to let my guard down.
Leaning back, I pepper his face with kisses as he laughs. “Tell me this is real again,” I beg.
Jake pinches my side hard. “Oww! Dammit Jake. That hurt.”
“See? Real.” His smirk turns serious. “I don’t think I’ve said the words out loud, but thank you for being you. For loving me and staying with me. I’d never have this second chance at life if it weren’t for you. Love you, Sum.”
The tears start again. “I love you so much, handsome.” I place a soft kiss on his lips before wrapping around him again.
We sit in the fresh, warm air as I tell him about Seb, E, and Nick, and how we came together, including the breakup with E. I spend a little extra time talking about Nick since he and Jake haven’t met yet. “What about Alex and Bay?”
I explain about Reesa first, then the conversation between me and Bay during our camping trip.
He’s surprised I’m not dating them, I think.
“So, three out of five then. I can handle that.” Smiling to myself, I continue to talk as Jake asks questions about the guys.
To talk so freely about this is refreshing, and he doesn’t seem uncomfortable at all.
Jake really must have spent a lot of time thinking about this. Another small miracle.
When Ray returns, I take my leave, driving to Alex and E’s place. Mrs. Grant lets me in as I jog up the stairs to the apartment. Opening the door, I enter to find Seb, E, and Alex on the couch watching tv.
As Seb jumps up for his hug, the tears start yet again.
Burrowing into his chest, I hold him tight as I dampen his shirt.
“Sunshine?” Seb pulls back to look at me.
He sees the tears and wraps me back in his arms. “Hey, hey there. Whatever it is, we’ll fix it, Sunshine.
Please don’t cry.” He sways us back and forth as I catch E and Alex approaching.
Once I compose myself, I loosen my hold on him to wipe my face. “What happened?” Alex asks. “Are you injured?”
“No, nothing like that.” Blowing out a large breath, I try to loosen my muscles. “Jake asked me how many boyfriends I had today, completely out of the blue.”
“Oh, shit.” Seb pulls me close again and begins rocking.
“It was actually amazing. Jake figured it out months ago and spent that time processing his feelings. He’s okay with it. He still wants to be my boyfriend and is good with you three.”
Seb stills. “Really? You’re not shitting me?”
“No. I couldn’t believe it either. But we talked for over an hour. It’s true.”
Seb picks me up under my butt and spins me. “Hell yeah!” I giggle as he twirls us across the room, half spinning and half jumping.
When he finally sets me down, E picks me up, burying his face in my neck. “I’m so happy,” he whispers.
“Me too, E.” We smile at each other as he puts me back on the ground.
“Congratulations. I am happy for all of you,” Alex adds. When I catch his eye, he opens his arms for his own hug. Why not?
We settle onto the couch after I drop my bag in my room. E makes us popcorn while I text with Dad. We don’t stay up late with school tomorrow. Seb and E squeeze me between them in bed, and I sleep so peacefully.