Chapter 25
The following week, E has his cooking class that I got him as a Christmas gift, and Seb is going with him this time. This class is for main courses instead of desserts, so we eat really well during lunch at school.
I pick up Dad after school on Friday to join Markus in the park for setup and checks, with Seb and E following in E’s truck.
Alex and Bay are diving, but will join us later with Troy and Gabby if we need them.
Markus has been here most of the day, so the cages are up and the stands are being set in place.
Tents, canopies, mats, tables, and supplies should be here as well.
I grab my checklist from the back seat, then Dad and I look for Markus.
We find him near the cages. “Hey Markus,” I call.
He waves and then walks towards us. “Hi Summer, Z, boys.”
“What do you need help with?” I ask.
“I need to find another official. One called in sick just a few minutes ago. Can you go through the supplies that were dropped off and make sure we have everything? They’re behind the cages.”
“Sure can," I respond. An unmistakable pile greets us between the stands and the cage.
Dad, Seb, and E move and call out items as I check them off my list. Finn will be on security overnight to make sure no one messes with anything.
This park is well lit, but Dad brought in extra floodlights for tonight and Saturday to help security do its job.
It takes less than two hours to ensure we have everything.
I feel bad that I can’t be here in the morning to help, but Markus already knows about my track meet, and he has a crew to set up the tents and equipment for him.
He also has more sponsors this year, so he’s hoping to make a tidy profit.
The tournament was advertised all over town and online too.
Something we didn’t have time to accomplish last year.
Alex texts me after the dive meet, but we’re almost done, so I tell him to go home. The guys are staying at Alex’s house tonight, and I will join them overnight on Saturday.
Seb and E hang with me while Dad gets his employees set up for the night. He’s got 3 people working until 1am and then another three from 1am to 7am. When he’s ready, I get a hug from Seb and E before I drive Dad and me home.
Saturday’s track meet is at my school. I made more protein granola bars last night, so after packing lunch and my bag, Dad drives us to school. Seb wanted to come, but he’s the announcer again this year, so he couldn’t.
Dad sits with Holly’s mom as I join my teammates under the canopy.
Jake, Will, and Ray arrive just before the distance run begins, so I wave to them and cheer as Jaxon starts his race.
My three races are at 8:30am, 10am and 1pm today.
Despite being distracted, I win my races, as do Holly and Jaxon.
I might have pushed a bit hard, because my legs are sore. Oh well.
I spend a few minutes talking to Jake before we need to head to the MMA tournament. Jake's coming to the final match tomorrow.
Markus thought ahead and designated a staff parking area, and it’s a good thing he did because the crowd is massive.
Grabbing my lanyard and clipboard, we get out.
I texted the guys when we left the school so Bay and Alex could meet us at the edge of the staff parking lot.
“The number of people is insane, guys,” I greet.
“It is. Classes are full, and the stands are full. We even have food trucks parked along the edge of the park,” Bay tells us.
I’m surrounded as we get to the entrance.
Troy's there, along with two other Finn employees.
After Dad checks in, we follow Alex to the tents.
I say hello to Seb and E, who are sitting in the shade, and then Dad excuses himself to check on the rest of his employees.
“Sunshine. I missed you. Did you win your races?” Seb says, coming in for a hug.
“Me too, Hurry, and yes, I won all three today. So, update me, are there any issues? What do I need to do?”
“Classes are ending soon. We need to ensure people clear out, and the next groups can enter,” Alex tells me.
“Lead the way.” I have Alex in front and Bay behind me as we make our way through the crowd.
Two classes are already finished when we stop outside the ropes.
It looks like they added a second rope about 10 feet away to keep the crowd back, and I smile at the two Finn employees stationed in front of the crowd.
The teachers, all from Markus’ martial arts academy, are responsible for checking tickets as they let people enter their area.
We have two kids’ classes and two adult classes up next.
For the most part, people are behaving. One teen tries to stay for a second class despite only paying for one, so I call Jensen over, which solves the problem. Bay is concerned about a few of the parents, so he and I hang back while Alex moves on to the cages.
The parents are allowed to stand just outside the ropes to watch their kids, but Bay was correct; an overly obnoxious dad is disrupting the class, telling his son what to do.
Jensen asks him to leave nicely, then not so nicely, as he plants him in the main crowd right in front of him, and I hide my chuckle behind my hand.
The rest of the afternoon is more of the same.
Checking in and managing issues. I catch Ceres in the ring for a few minutes but don’t see his family.
As the last match ends, Seb thanks the crowd for coming and tells them the tournament will resume in the morning.
It’s over an hour before everyone is out.
The guys and I grab a bunch of food from the food trucks for our group after the last person leaves.
We sit at two picnic tables and chow down.
Dad is working the first night shift tonight, so I hug him goodbye before I leave.
I grab my bags from Dad’s truck, tossing them into Bay’s Honda, then he drives us to Alex’s house.
Despite being so busy all day, any moment of quiet brought thoughts of Nick to the forefront of my mind. He should be here today, kicking ass in the cage. My heart ached all afternoon, but I put on a brave face. “Are you okay, Summer?” Bay asks me. My face must give my thoughts away.
“Just missing Nick today.”
“Me too. It's weird without him.” He squeezes my hand briefly.
“Yeah, it is. I wish we received more information than he’s alive every few months.”
“We all do. Hopefully, he'll come home soon.”
We arrive, and I gather my bags to trudge up the stairs, my energy waning along with my mood.
I excuse myself and grab a shower right away.
The hot water fills the shower with steam, but instead of relaxing my sore muscles, it makes me even more tired.
Leaning my head on the tile wall, a few tears mix with the water.
I’m very emotional today. Not sure why, life is pretty good.
I must have been in here a while because Seb enters the bathroom. “You alright, Sunshine?”
“Yeah.” My raspy, low voice causes Seb to pull the shower curtain open to find me slumped against the wall.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m emotional, missing Nick,” I mumble.
“Come on out, Sunshine. Let’s get you dried off. We’re all feeling it today with the tournament.”
I turn off the water and step out. I should’ve known the guys would be missing him extra today too. Seb gently dries me with a fluffy towel, and then I get dressed. He brushes my hair as I lean against the counter. “Sorry for being morose. I know you miss him too.”
“Nothing to apologize for. Besides, your period should start soon. I’m not saying you have PMS, but you get emotional just before it starts, which is natural and not a big deal at all. And don’t worry, you’re not cranky, you just have heightened feelings.”
What? “Do you follow my cycle, Hurry?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?” He tilts his head, a tiny frown forming on his mouth.
Aww. “That’s sweet, Hurry.” I twist my hair into a bun when Seb's done. Dropping my bags near my bed and checking my phone, I see he’s right. My period should start today. Huh.
Seb takes my hand, guiding me to the couch. He pulls the blanket off the back and wraps me up like a burrito, then sits me between his legs in the corner to snuggle. He’s the best.
The guys play video games while I relax. Warm and safe and loved, I drift in and out of consciousness. When the guys decide it’s time for bed, Seb carries me to our room, and I wave to Alex and Bay over his shoulder.
As Seb sets me down, a cramp hits my belly. Unwrapping the blanket, I rush to the bathroom. While there, I get ready for bed, only half awake.
I shuffle back into the room and flop onto the guys’ bed. Seb chuckles and wraps me up, becoming the middle spoon. I feel E’s hand rest on my hip as sleep once again pulls me under.
Sunday morning, we’re up early. E has breakfast burritos to go, all warm and wrapped in foil. He even made a thermos of tea for me. We all file into Alex’s SUV this morning, and I text with Sue while he drives, not having time for our weekly phone call.
The crowd isn’t as crazy this morning. Saying hello to the Finn employees we pass, we check in with Markus first, and I have time to wander through the booths today before the first match.
There are many shops set up this year selling all types of sports equipment, and Markus’ students are selling drinks.
I catch Ceres in the fighter’s tent after my browsing, so I stop to say hello. “Hey Ceres.”
“Summer,” he nods.
“Is Neve coming today?”
“Yes. In a few hours with the baby.”
“I’m so excited to meet her. I’ll try to find her later. Good luck today.” I get a nod as we leave. Ceres reminds me of Nick: strong and quiet. Today, it brings fondness instead of tears.
The morning goes quickly as we stay busy checking in and putting out fires. The crowds increase around 11am after church. We eat at the food trucks again for lunch, and we bring tacos to Seb and E since Seb doesn’t have time to leave.
The consolation match begins at 1pm today, and I stay in the tent with Seb and E.
We don’t really have a view with the sizable crowd, but that’s okay because I don’t know the fighters.
During the match, I see Neve entering the fighter’s tent.
Telling the guys, I walk next door to meet their little baby girl.
I haven’t seen Neve since last July at the tournament in Columbia.
I got updates from Ceres when we crossed paths, but those came secondhand from Dad once Jake’s trial started. “Neve,” I call.
“Summer! I’m so happy to see you.” Neve looks incredible. Tired, but still glowing.
“Me too. How are you? You look amazing.”
“Tired, girl. So damn tired, but happy.” She looks lovingly at Ceres, rocking and talking to their daughter quietly. “Come meet Charlotte.”
I step over with her as Ceres lowers his arms so I can see Charlotte.
She’s gorgeous with fine light brown hair tufts but not a full head of hair yet, blue eyes and a Cupid’s bow.
Neve has her in a yellow dress and bloomers.
“Hello little one. You are beautiful,” I coo.
I get a gurgle and smile, laughing as she lifts a fist in the air.
“You guys did well. She’s perfect. Where are your other shadows? ”
“Getting food.” Neve rolls her eyes. “We need to catch up soon.”
“Why don’t you guys join us at the beach house next weekend?”
“I would love that. Thanks.”
“Great. We’re driving down Friday night and will be there all weekend. I hope you can make it. I’ll leave you to visit. Good luck Ceres. Nick would expect you to win today.”
A small smile lifts the edges of Ceres’ lips with a nod, so I excuse myself to rejoin Seb and E.
Dad joins us in the tent before the final match. “Hi darling.” He wraps me in a quick hug.
“Hey Dad. Ceres is in the championship, and I met Charlotte.”
“I hope he wins this year; he’s a good man. Now tell me about the baby.”
I fill him in as Seb announces the final two fighters. Ceres’ opponent is from the Columbia area. I don’t recognize his name, so this must be his first time. We all pull chairs in front of the tent to stand on so we can watch the match.
The other fighter is fantastic; agile and quick, and it seems Ceres has adopted his fighting style since last year. I couldn’t name what style he’s using, but his focus is more on offence.
The match is so close we have to wait for the judges’ decision, but Ceres comes out the winner.
We holler for him as Markus and the 3rd place winner join them.
His opponent is shaking his head, arms waving as he talks to who I’m assuming is his coach.
He doesn’t cause drama when he accepts his winnings, though. Thank goodness.
We wait inside the tent while the crowd clears. Markus asks Dad to take a few photos, even including me in one, despite the little effort I put in this year. “So how was it this year, Markus?” I ask once he’s done with picture taking.
“I don’t believe we’ll use the park again, as crowd control was an issue. I’d like somewhere with better facilities, too. We have plenty of time to find a better venue,” he smiles. “The crowds pleased the sponsors, though. I’ll let you and Alex know how we fared when the dust settles.”
“Sounds good,” I reply.
The crowd disperses slowly. Dad checks in with the remaining Finn employees, and then he drives us home.