“He’s been asking me out and just bugging me,” I fill Zander in. “I’ve told him I’m not interested, but he doesn’t seem to care. He was at the basketball tournament over the weekend and was trying to engage me, but the guys wouldn’t let him.”
“You should have said something,” Zander tells me, anger in his tone.
“Said what?” I ask, lifting my arms up. “A guy was trying to get me to go out with him? All he did was talk to me until tonight. He never tried anything,” I defend.
“She is correct,” Alex agrees. “He was just an annoyance until now.”
Zander sighs. “Sorry, Summer, I’m just upset. You did nothing wrong.”
“So, what do we do now?” E asks.
“Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do,” Troy tells us. “We have no proof of who drugged Seb. As despicable as Cara is, it sounds like nothing actually happened to him. Seb was underage drinking, and I recognize her last name. Her wealthy family won’t allow anything to happen to her.”
“I’d like to file a police report, if Summer is agreeable, on Ben. He assaulted you, and he triggered you. I want a report on record if he tries anything else,” Zander adds. Hopefully, Ben has learned his lesson now, but if it makes Zander feel better, I can do that. “No parties for a while either, please,” Zander asks. “I think I aged 5 years when you came home. I need you all to keep a closer eye on Ben, too. If he’s around, then one of you is too. No opportunities for him to get her alone.” The guys all nod in agreement.
“Okay, I’d like to stay the night,” Troy says.
“Me too,” E agrees.
“Of course,” Zander offers. “The rest of you had better head home.” Nick gives my thigh another squeeze and heads out. Alex squeezes my hand, and Bay gives me a quick hug before leaving.
“I’m going to take a shower,” I tell the remaining people.
E follows me towards the bathroom. “Are you really okay?” He inquires.
“Yeah, I think so,” I nod. “It was a scary night, but seeing Seb like that sort of pushed all the Ben crap to the side. It doesn’t seem like such a huge deal after seeing Cara and him like that.”
“It was still a big deal, though. If you need to talk, let me know, okay?”
“I will E,” I tell him with a tired smile as I head into my bedroom for pajamas. I take a long, hot shower, but I don’t seem to process anything that has happened tonight. I’m not exactly numb, but my brain and body are both just done.
When I walk back out, Zander has set some bedding up on the couch for Troy, and they’re both sitting at the island talking. “Doing okay?” Zander asks.
“Not really processing tonight. I’m gonna call Sarah tomorrow.”
“Good idea,” Zander smiles.
“I’m gonna check on E and Seb, then go to bed. Night,” I wave. E is lying on the bed beside Seb when I enter. “Has he woken up yet?”
“Don’t think so. Doc said he’d probably sleep through the night,” E answers.
I make sure E has what he needs for the night. “I’m heading to bed. Come get me if he wakes up?”
“I will, promise. Night Summer.”
I wave goodbye and go to my room. Getting into bed, I snuggle down with Jake’s pillow.
“Summer! Wake up! It’s a bad dream.”
I shoot up in bed, knocking my head against something. “Ouch,” I say, rubbing my forehead. What is happening right now? Opening my eyes, I see E sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Sorry. You were thrashing in your sleep. I was trying to wake you,” he says, rubbing his nose.
Oh. “Sorry, nightmare,” I reply, running a hand down my face.
“From tonight?” E asks with worry in his eyes.
“Sort of. It was a mashup of tonight and the foster home. Sorry to wake you.”
