Chapter 51
Summer
We don't offer Jake much new information on Friday. We talk more about rehab, the nurses, and the physiotherapist Ray hired. As the reality of his situation settles on his mind, Jake begins to freak out. I try to reassure him that with work, he can get back to his old self. He puts on a brave face, but he’s intimidated.
Before we leave, I clip the phone arm from Virginia to his bed and leave the phone attached.
Ray promises to keep it charged and call me whenever Jake wants.
“Love you, handsome. I’ll be getting your condo ready for you and Ray, and I'll see you on Monday morning. Call me anytime, day or night, and be good.”
“Okay Sum. I wish you were staying.”
“Jake, don’t guilt her. She’s been here every day with you, and her dad found this trial that woke you up.”
“Really? Thank him for me. I’m sorry, I’m being a baby.”
“It’s okay. I would be too,” I smile. “Use that phone and call me,” I tell him, giving him a peck on the lips before grabbing my bag and walking out.
Zander is waiting for me in the hallway with his bags. A few tears drip down my cheeks as he wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Only for a few days, darling, and we have lots to do.”
“I know. He didn’t want me to leave, though. He’s scared.”
“I imagine he is, but Ray is with him.”
The drive home is long, especially with how tired I am, and it’s also raining. We arrive just as school is getting out, so Zander drops me off in the parking lot beside the guys. He’s heading to work for a while, so I leave my overnight bag with him.
Hopping out, I get hugs from Alex and Bay. “You look tired, Summer. Are you okay?” Bay asks.
“I am tired, but I’m good. How’s school?”
“The same. Nothing exciting,” Alex replies.
“Thank you again for your help with the interviews.”
“No thanks needed, Summer. Happy to help.”
I flop into the back seat of Alex’s SUV as he drives us to Charleston for the basketball game. I text Seb and E I made it, and get way too many happy face emojis from Seb.
The school isn’t far from the bridge, so the drive's short. I trudge along with Alex and Bay into the gym and up the stands to find seats. It’s nice that it isn’t crowded. “Where’s Gabby tonight?” I ask.
“Extra cheer practice. They’re trying to get back to where they were last year,” Bay says.
“Ah,” I nod. I’ve texted her a few times checking in, but we haven’t had time to talk much. I make a mental note to call her soon.
The teams enter the court, and I see Seb looking around. When he spots me, he runs up the stands. I know he wants a hug, so I get up. He picks me up in a tight hug, burying his face in my neck. “Missed you, Sunshine.”
“Missed you too, Hurry.” I can hear his coach yelling at him to get back, so Seb gives me a hard, quick kiss before setting me down and running back to the court. Smiling, I sit back down. “Such a goofball.”
“That’s Seb,” Bay smiles.
“How are Olivia and Penny doing?”
“Good. Penny’s sister is playing tennis tonight, so she went to watch. Olivia's decided she’s going to be a mechanic, so she’s been helping fix the vehicles.”
“She’s smart. I bet she’s good at it.”
“Actually, she’s not bad. The guys have her getting them wrenches and things, but she really likes to watch them work. She has her own stool to sit on and talks their ears off.”
“I can see that,” I smile. “We need to go for ice cream again when things settle down.”
“She would love that,” Bay agrees.
The whistle blows, so we focus on the game. It’s a good match, and E is playing better now that he’s away from his family. We end up winning, with Seb scoring the most points, and he and E are quick to join us after the game. “Sunshine,” Seb greets, throwing an arm around my shoulders.
“Hey Hurry, good game. You too, E,” I say, looking around Seb.
“What are we up to tonight?” Seb asks everyone.
“I believe Summer requires rest, Seb,” Alex says.
Seb looks down at me with his eyebrows lowered. “Are you okay? Are you tired? Should we drive you home? What do you need?”
Smiling, I answer. “Yes. Yes. Don’t know. Rest.” I text Zander to see where he’s at and he responds right away that he’s still at work but should be home by 9pm. “Zander's at work until nine,” I tell the guys.
“Why don’t we let Summer get some sleep tonight, and Seb can take her home. She’s back now, and we’ll see her in the morning,” Bay suggests.
“We have a plan,” Seb announces. “Night guys. Let’s go, Sunshine,” Seb ushers me towards the parking lot.
“Bye, guys.” I turn my head back and wave to them, and then I text Zander I’m heading home with Seb. When we’re on the road, Seb grabs my hand and kisses it, holding it the entire drive.
I unlock the front door for us and step inside. I missed this place. “Good to be home, Hurry,” I say, walking towards my room.
“How about a bath to relax, Sunshine? Get some of those herbs and salts.”
“That sounds fantastic, actually,” I sigh. As thrilled as I am about Jake, I’m mentally and emotionally wrung out.
“Good. I’ll hop in the shower and then turn on the bath. You get your herbs.” Seb takes his bag into the bathroom.
I unpack my backpack and then go over to my bookshelves, looking around.
Grabbing a muslin bag, I add a mix of dried herbs for my bath, then walk to the kitchen for water.
I stop at Nick’s room and lean against the doorway.
This will always be Nick’s room to me. No one has slept here since he left.
He’s never far from my thoughts, but I’ve been so focused on Jake that I've had little time to dwell. Probably a good thing. Wondering about all the horrible things he might be experiencing is overwhelming. I root around in the drawers until I find one of his t-shirts. He didn’t leave many clothes, but I’ve confiscated the few shirts here.
I fling it over my shoulder to wear after my bath. “Sunshine?” Seb calls.
Turning, I see him in the hallway, freshly showered, with shorts and a t-shirt on. “Hey.”
He stands behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “I miss the grumpy bastard too, Sunshine. Come on, let’s get you in the bath.
” He leads me back down the hall to the bathroom, and I hang the muslin bag under the faucet that’s running.
After adding epsom salts, I go into my room to grab shorts and underwear.
“Stay?” I ask. Seb nods and shuts the bathroom door.
After grabbing a towel, I strip and get into the tub.
Seb groans, making me smile, but takes a seat on the floor against the tub.
Once the water is high enough, I turn the taps off and lean back.
“What a long week,” I sigh. I’m so happy about Jake, but I’m glad to be home.
I missed Seb and my friends and just the familiarity of this place.
“I can imagine Sunshine. It all worked out, though, and now Jake will only be a few minutes away. That'll make things a lot easier for you.”
“True, and I wouldn’t change any of it, but it’s been a whirlwind. I haven’t had a moment to just be and process, and there’s still a long way to go.”
“You know we’ll all help. It doesn’t all have to be on your shoulders. What you’ve done, Sunshine, would have crushed a lot of adults. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”
“Well, when the adult in the situation can’t handle anything, the child needs to step up.
Ugh! That’s really messed up, isn’t it? Guess I’m still a little bitter about Ray.
He seems fine now, which is the main thing, but it never sat right with me that his parents just moved away and left him there.
That makes me a terrible person, damn it. ”
“No, it doesn’t. They should've been there for Jake, but they chose the easy way out. Sure, they have trauma, but Ray didn’t even try therapy; he just gave up, and that’s not okay. You’re not a terrible person for thinking that. Will Jake get angry at his parents when he finds out?”
“Oh yeah. He’ll be furious, although he knows his mom and dad divorced. Jake is gonna be in information overload for a while, plus dealing with rehab. It’s a lot for anyone to handle.”
“He will, though. Jake will handle it. He’s gonna have so much support surrounding him.”
“Everyone has been so great. I was really lucky when I moved here, getting all of you guys and Zander. How are things with E?”
“I told him to back off in the locker room after the game. He wants us to go back to the way things were, like nothing happened, and I can’t do that. He hurt me and you. Just because he finally moved out doesn’t mean it’s okay.”
I reach up and dry my hands before running my fingers through Seb’s hair. “Have you guys actually sat down and talked about everything?”
“No, he said he’s sorry a bunch, but that’s it,” Seb shrugs. He looks heartbroken sitting here with me. It has to be killing him inside, even though he hasn’t shown an outward reaction to others. I’ve been so busy and away so much lately. They love each other so much.
“You need to have a proper conversation with each other when you’re ready. Do you want to work things out with E?”
“I miss him,” Seb whispers, a tear trickling out.
My poor hurricane. “I know you do, and I miss him, too. Take some time to talk. Maybe couples therapy or something?”
Nodding, Seb closes his eyes as a few more tears slip out. I continue to run my fingers through his hair and lend quiet support. Knowing Seb, he’s been holding a lot of feelings inside. Once his tears have stopped, he wipes his cheeks and opens his eyes. “Sorry, Sunshine.”
“Hey, don’t you dare apologize for your feelings or for crying. I love every part of you.”
Seb leans over and gives me a quick kiss. “I came over here to support you, not to have my own breakdown,” he smiles.
“You've been supporting me nonstop. We all need to break down once in a while, and I’m happy you’re comfortable doing that in front of me. Now tell me more about Gabby’s boyfriend and how Troy's doing.”
Seb begrudgingly admits he’s a nice guy and has heard nothing bad about him.
Gabby seems happy, and Troy is good. Finn isn’t super busy right now, so Zander being away hasn’t been an issue.
We talk about basketball and school gossip until my water cools.
Seb leaves, and I scrub myself clean before getting out and dressing.
We settle on the couch to watch tv with ice cream. Once we finish, Seb encourages me to lie down in my corner with a blanket over me and my head in his lap. I’m out almost instantly.
Sometime later I hear voices, and then I’m being moved. “Night, Sunshine,” I hear Seb whisper with a kiss on my cheek, then everything fades into oblivion.