Chapter 56
Summer
Saturday morning I offer to pick Bay up for the physics labs, and Olivia's behind the counter when I get to the shop. “Summer!” She yells, getting off her stool and running towards me. She slams into my legs, wrapping her arms around me.
“Hi Olivia. Are you working hard already?”
“Nah, we aren’t open yet. I have to help fix a Mustang this morning, though. It’s gonna be a big job cause the transmission is broken. What’s in the container?” She asks, peering at the plastic container I have in my hands.
“Wow. That is a big job. Why don’t you open it and see?” I ask, handing it to her.
She walks over to the desk, climbing back onto her stool. Taking a minute to get the top off, her eyes get huge when she sees what’s inside. She grabs a brownie and takes too big a bite. “Squirt. You’re gonna choke. Slow down,” Bay says, coming through the workshop door.
“Morning,” I smile.
“Morning, Summer,” he says, putting the top back on the container.
Olivia has finally swallowed the big bite she took, and there’s chocolate all over her face and hands. “So good. They’re all for me, right?” She asks.
“I was thinking you could share them with your dad and the others, Olivia,” I say.
She thinks for a minute, then nods. “Okay.” She grabs the container and thanks me before heading through the doors.
Chuckling at her, I ask Bay if he’s ready to leave. “Ready,” he smiles.
I drive us to the school where Alex is just pulling in. “Morning, Alex,” I greet. After a hug, he says good morning to Bay before unlocking the side door to the school. That’s one thing I’ve noticed about Alex. Since his breakup, I now get hugs in greeting all the time.
We follow him to the physics classroom. I turn on the lights when he opens the door and pull out the lab handouts. The guys help me set up the first lab that Bay assists me with while Alex sets up the next one on the bench behind me. We repeat that pattern the entire morning.
While we work, I ask the guys to fill me in on their lives.
Alex and his dad are doing really well, and he’s happy.
Steven travels for only one or two days at a time before returning home.
He has applications ready for several colleges, which I groan about, but he just smiles and tells me he’ll help when I’m ready.
Bay is busy but good. They hired a new mechanic who started this week.
He’s young, only 18 years old, but has been working on cars since he was little, and Bay thinks Olivia has a crush on him.
One of the older guys retired to Florida with his wife.
He’s working on college applications but still isn’t 100% sure what he wants to do. “What about Penny?” I ask.
“She’s good.”
That is not a big description. “You guys okay?”
“We’re fine, Summer,” he looks up and smiles.
Taking the hint, I change the subject and ask about E. Seems he hasn’t heard from his family at all. He’s stressed about not having his inheritance, but is happier now. “He really wants you and Seb back,” Alex comments.
“I know, but he has some work to do on himself first, and I just can’t right now,” I say, shaking my head. I’ve got too much on my plate to deal with my relationship with E, which probably sounds bad, but it’s where I’m at right now.
“He has been cooking for me and my father most nights, trying new cuisines. I think he is planning on talking to culinary schools in the new year.”
“Good. I’m glad. He should be a chef.”
We break for lunch and hit the diner, then get back to work.
Alex researches ways to increase memory and form new neural connections in the afternoon, while Bay assists me, and we finish just after 3pm.
I leave copies of my lab work on the teacher’s desk.
Alex has a list of things that may help Jake that he emails to me.
I thank them both profusely for their help today before I drive Bay back to his house.
He lives in a bungalow behind the shop. It’s older but well-maintained and clean, and you get a sense of home as soon as you enter.
There’s homemade paper garlands everywhere, and they have a lovely tree in the corner of the living room by a fireplace.
I take a deep breath of fir-scented air as I follow.
“This place is outstanding, Bay,” I smile.
He looks like he doesn’t believe me. “What? I’m serious. I like it. It feels like home.”
Bay smiles, leading me into the kitchen.
He offers me an iced tea, and we sit at the round wood table.
I ask him a few questions about the precalculus final since that’s the one I’m most worried about, and we chat about Christmas gifts and Penny before I hear the door open around 5pm.
A whirlwind makes a beeline for me. “Summer!” Olivia hollers, skidding to a stop beside my chair.
“Hi Olivia. How is the Mustang?”
“It’s still broken, but we’ll fix it up,” she says confidently. “I have two brownies left, and Dad said I couldn’t eat them until tomorrow,” she pouts.
“Because you had four already today,” David says, coming into view.
“Hi David.”
“Hi Summer. Thanks for the treat. They were tasty,” he replies.
“Glad you like them. I’ll get out of your hair. Thanks for the help today, Bay. You saved my butt.”
“You’re welcome, Summer. I’ll walk you out.”
“Me too,” Olivia pipes up.
I grab my backpack and follow the two of them outside to my Jeep. “How come you’re leaving Summer?” Olivia asks.
“Do you remember Bay telling you about my friend Jake?”
“Yup, he was in the hospital.”
“That’s right. I’m going to visit him.”
“Oh okay. You should bring him brownies too.”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll see you guys later,” I say, hopping into my Jeep. I wave to both of them before backing out and heading home.
Zander is grilling on the back deck with Troy and Seb when I get home. I drop my backpack in my room before grabbing water and joining them. “Hi.”
Seb jumps up and pulls me into a hug. “Sunshine. I was bored all day. I even cleaned my room.”
“It’s about time, too. It was a disaster zone in there,” Troy replies.
Chuckling, I take a seat at the table. “Hello darling. All studied out yet?” Zander asks.
“Yeah. My brain is fried, but I’m all caught up in physics now. How are you, Troy?”
“Good Summer,” he smiles.
“Do I need to make anything to go with the steaks?” I ask.
“No. We already made salad, and there are potatoes in the oven,” Zander says.
Troy and Zander go back to talking about some work stuff, so I lean closer to Seb. “Did you talk to E today?”
“No, was I supposed to?”
“No. I just thought you might've with the rest of us stuck at school today.”
“Nope. I cleaned, took Gabs to the mall, and relaxed on the balcony.”
“Steaks are ready,” Zander calls, so Seb and I grab the potatoes, salad, plates, and cutlery.
We enjoy a delicious meal at the patio table as the guys laugh and joke around.
It’s relaxing and just what I needed after a really long week.
“Darling, why don’t you take Seb with you to meet Jake tonight?
” Zander suggests. “He has to meet all your friends at some point.”
“Can I, Sunshine? You know, I really want to meet him. Is it too soon? I’ll behave, I promise. I’ll even be quiet if you want,” he says excitedly.
I've been considering introducing the guys soon, but I figured I would have him meet Zander first. Seb might be the best choice, though, since he’s so friendly. “Let me ask Jake,” I say, stepping inside to call. The phone rings several times before Jake answers. “Hi Sum.”
“Hey handsome. What do you think about meeting one of my guy friends tonight? Are you up for that?”
“Sure. As long as he knows I won’t remember him for a while,” he replies in a deadpan voice.
“He knows handsome. We’ll be over soon. Do you want me to pick up anything?”
“No, I’m good. See you soon. Love you.”
“Love you too. Bye.” I go back outside and let Seb know he can come.
He’s very excited to finally interact with Jake, so we clean up the dishes, and I grab the coconut cream I made for him before leaving, and Seb offers to drive my Jeep.
Once we get there, I place my hand over Seb’s arm to prevent him from getting out.
“Hurry. Will you be okay with my kissing Jake on the cheek and telling him I love him?”
His face softens. “Course Sunshine. We’re gonna be best friends and share you in every way,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows.
“I know you love us both, and you’re not trying to be sneaky or anything.
I promise I’m fine with all this. Tonight I’m just your friend.
Later, when Jake's ready, I know you’ll tell him about us.
Have you thought about what will happen if Jake doesn’t want a poly relationship? ”
Nodding, I sigh. “Yeah, and I’m not giving you up, but he’s an easygoing guy, and I think he’ll wrap his head around it. I’d hedge my bets on it anyway,” I shrug.
“Good. Let’s go meet my future best friend then,” he smiles.
We head inside and up the elevator to the condo. I knock on the door, and Ray answers. “Hi Summer.”
“Hi Ray. Do you remember Seb? He’s one of the guys who helped with your condo.”
“Nice to see you again, and thanks,” Ray smiles.
We settle around the island. “How was today?”
“Good. Will had him playing games on the tv today that were voice-activated. I’m going to head out right away to get groceries and things if you’re good here?”
“Yup, go ahead.” I walk into Jake’s room with Seb bouncing behind me. “Hey Jake,” I smile, kissing his cheek. “This is my friend, Seb.”
Seb comes up beside me. “Hey man, nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Jake replies, looking him over.
I say hi to Janus and introduce Seb, then turn back to Jake. “I made you a treat. Coconut cream without the pie part. Interested?”
“You know I am. Thanks, Sum.”
“Be right back,” I smile. I quickly scoop some into a bowl, put the rest in the fridge, and grab a spoon.
Seb is talking to Jake about basketball when I return, so I go around to the other side of the bed and set the bowl on the side table.
Giving him a small spoonful, he makes a humming noise as he chews. “That’s so good, Sum.”
“Glad you like it,” I smile. “I left the rest in the fridge for you.”
I slowly feed him the cream as he and Seb talk about sports. Seb is patient, allowing Jake to swallow before asking questions. When he’s finished, I give him water, then Seb gets serious. “Okay Jake. I need embarrassing stories about Summer when she was younger. I have none.”
Jake gets a twinkle in his eye as he thinks. “Jacob Brian Miller. Don’t you dare. I have just as many stories about you, probably more.”
“Oh, there must be some good ones if she’s pulling your full name,” Seb smiles.
“There are,” Jake responds.
“Seb, I’ll ask our friends for your most embarrassing stories.”
“We’ll shit. Never thought of that. Fine. Jake, I’ll hit you up another time.”
“Sorry. I can’t remember new people,” Jake replies.
“Don’t worry,” Seb says, waving him off. “You and I are gonna be good friends in no time. In fact, I have an idea. Be right back.”
“He seems nice,” Jake says.
“He is. Seb helped set up your condo and did most of the painting here. Have you been able to recognize Will or Janus at all?”
“Janus was sort of familiar today, but I couldn’t tell you who she was when she walked in with Dad.”
“That’s an improvement, Jake. You’ll get there,” I tell him, grabbing his hand.
Seb comes back in with paper and tape, hanging the paper beside Will’s printout. It’s a picture of Seb, and it says, new friend. “Jake, I’m Summer’s friend Seb, and now I’m your friend too. Next time I come visit, you’ll have a reference,” Seb beams.
“Good idea,” I tell him.
Seb and Jake talk more about sports, and Seb tells him about the weather here and how I freaked out during the first thunderstorm.
That leads me to tell Jake about Mara and the connection to gardening we have.
By 9:30 pm Jake's tired, so I kiss his cheek, tell him I love him, and that I’ll be in the living room until his dad gets home.
Seb squeezes his hand, saying goodbye too, then follows me out.
We sit on the couch, and Seb turns on the tv.
“Sunshine, your other boyfriend is hot,” Seb tells me.
“I know,” I wink and then giggle. “You were great with him tonight.”
“I’m glad we met. He seems to be handling everything well.”
“He’s doing amazingly. Ray and I have a therapist lined up for him when he needs one, which could be anytime, but most definitely after we tell him our stories.”
“When is that gonna be?”
“When Jake settles into a routine and remembers his nurses. Ray will go first, then me.”
I hear the front door open, so we get up to help Ray. He has a shopping cart full of stuff and looks tired. “Hi. Were you able to get everything you needed?”
“Most of it,” he replies. We help him unload everything onto the island, and Seb offers to bring the cart back downstairs.
“Ray, maybe you should set up a delivery service, or even pickup once a week. You look tired.”
“It’s good for me to get out of the house once in a while.”
“True, but maybe you could get deliveries and use your downtime to hang out with Zander, to go to a movie or something.”
“I’ll think about it,” he smiles. “I have to do online ordering anyway, since I couldn’t get everything. How was Jake?”
“Great. He and Seb talked most of the time about sports. I made him coconut cream, and the rest is in the fridge.”
“I bet that was a hit. I’ll give him some more after lunch tomorrow.”
We are just finishing putting everything away when Seb returns. “Jake's sleeping. Do you need anything before we leave?”
“No Summer. I’m good. You guys get home.”
“Okay. Goodnight Ray.” I drive this time so I can drop Seb off at his condo. Once I park in front of his building, Seb leans over and kisses me passionately. We’re both breathing hard when we pull back. “Thanks for letting me meet Jake tonight, Sunshine.”
“I’m glad you did,” I smile. “Good night, Hurry.”
“Night,” he says, leaning over to give me one more kiss before getting out. “Call me later,” he waves.
Once he’s inside the building, I drive home. Zander is in his office when I get there. “Hi. I’m back,” I say, sticking my head inside.
“How did the introduction go?”
“Great. Seb hung his picture beside the others.”
“That sounds about right,” he smiles. “What’s the plan for tomorrow?”
“Shopping, gift wrapping and Jake.”
“Okay darling. I’ll be out shortly,” Zander says.