Chapter 38
The next morning, I join everyone downstairs in the dining room, where E cooks a lovely breakfast for us all. Today’s plans are shopping, repairing, and visiting Jake.
First stop is clothes shopping with Gabby and Seb, where I grab only the essentials.
A few shorts, tees, tanks, pjs, and pants.
Next are shoes, then workout gear. The fancier stuff can wait until later.
I also get the same quilt Gabby purchased for me last year, and we find some similar pillows and sheets.
Alex and E went shopping for food while Zander and Nick were repairing the house. Bay offered to find new nightstands and a bookshelf for my bedroom.
We return to my house in time for a late lunch, courtesy of E. Everyone is back already, so we sit on the deck to eat.
I help Bay assemble my nightstands and the bookshelf after we finish eating and then add the new quilt and pillows to my bed.
Nick is helping Zander hang the new kitchen cabinet before installing a new camera.
The wall in the dining room has been painted, as has the top of my dresser.
Gabby is doing touch up paint where needed.
Seb is switching out the lock on the front door, something I questioned Zander about.
His response was that it felt like the right thing to do. Who was I to comment on that?
I leave mid afternoon to visit Jake, and Alex offers to come with me.
Jake is on the deck when we arrive, and after my hug, we take seats in the armchairs. “How was your morning, handsome?”
“It was good. Did some parasailing, but the wind wasn’t great, so I switched to a boogie board. You didn’t notice my awesome tan? I’m disappointed, Sum.” Jake shakes his head at me with a frown.
Laughing at his antics, I reply. “What are you gonna do when you can do all those things? Heck, we haven’t done most of the stuff you’ve come up with.”
“I’m sure I can come up with another sarcasm. I’ve got a second chance at life, and we live near the ocean now. There will definitely be water sports in my future,” he says as a gleam enters his eyes.
“Parasailing is possible at the beach house,” Alex says. “We would have to find a different beach for surfing.”
“Really? That’s amazing! Oh, before I forget, Alex, the tutor is starting at the end of June. Dad said I thought she was a sweet lady. I’m hoping to finish grade 11 this summer and then start senior year in the fall. Thanks for the intro.”
“Wonderful. We need to see what Nick wants to do about his schooling as well. He will have to complete senior year too.”
“He’s welcome to join me if he wants,” Jake offers.
“I will inform him of that choice,” Alex nods.
We chat about graduation and summer jobs until I head inside to make us smoothies. Regular ones for Alex and me and the brain and muscle recovery mixture for Jake.
We eventually end up in front of the television to watch a movie. After that, Alex drives us back to his house, and I find Troy and Zander in the main living room downstairs with Steven. “Hello darling, how was your visit?”
“Nice,” I smile. “Is the house ready to go?”
“Yes. I think we’re finished. The hardwood will need to be sanded and stained, but we’ll leave that for summertime, and the contractor is coming at 9am tomorrow. Gabby washed all your new clothes, and she packed a change of clothes for school tomorrow. It should be upstairs.”
“It feels crazy that I’m going to school tomorrow when so much has happened in just a few days.”
“You can stay home if you wish. There’s no rush,” Zander replies.
“No, no, it’s fine. It’s just surreal, that's all. These last few weeks should be pretty light, anyway. I’m going to head upstairs to shower. See you later.”
“We are eating downstairs this evening,” Steven tells us. “Dinner is in an hour.”
“Okay, thanks.” I walk upstairs with Alex. Gabby and the guys are lounging around on the couch, except for E, who’s in the kitchen.
“Sunshine,” Seb calls, throwing his controller to Nick, who glares at him before walking over to swing me into a hug. “I missed you,” he murmurs.
“Missed you too, Hurry. I need to shower. Be back in a few minutes.” He sets me down so I can walk around the back of the couch to my bedroom, waving to everyone and then disappearing through the door.
After a quick shower, I’m in clean shorts and a tank top, thanks to Gabby. I’m braiding my hair when I step out of the bathroom and find Nick standing in front of the window with his back to the room, hair up in his usual bun. I swear he got bulkier while he was away. “What’s up, Grumpy?”
Nick turns towards me, tattooed arms folded across his chest, showing off his muscles. Tying off the end of my braid, I step towards him as he pulls a baggie out of his back pocket. Taking it from him, I see dark brown hairs inside. “What’s this?”
“Patrick’s hair. Took it in case you wanted to test his DNA against Lily’s.”
I sit on the edge of the bed, staring at the hair. When Patrick first claimed to be Lily bee’s father, I wanted proof, but now…do I want to know? Or would it be better to keep it a mystery? Lily bee didn’t seem to care who he was when she was alive. Maybe Nick wants to find out?
Nick drops down beside me. “Your choice, Shortie.”
“I’ll think about it. I’m not sure right now.”
Nodding, he takes the bag from me and puts it back in his pocket. Grabbing my hand, he pulls me to standing and gives me a hug, then leads me into the living room. I offer to help E with dinner, but he tells me to relax, so I watch the video game battle happening around me.
We help carry food downstairs for dinner when E's ready.
The meal is delicious, as always. There seem to be several distinct conversations happening around the table tonight.
Troy, Zander, and Steven are discussing business.
Gabby and Bay are talking about Olivia. Seb and E about options for college.
I sit quietly beside Nick, his hand on my thigh, absorbing the words floating by and the camaraderie.
After we retire back to the apartment, I make sure to thank Gabby for my clean clothes. She and Troy are sleeping back home tonight while the rest of us will stay here one last night.