“Correct,” Zander replies.
“We’ll take care of Sunshine, Z. You know that,” Seb waves.
“Thank you, but I’d like someone to stay here with her when I’m gone for just one night, but to stay with one of you guys during the block of night training.”
“How long will the night training be?” E asks.
“We haven’t set the schedule yet. If the training has to be completed all at once, it will take a full week. If not, then probably two 4-night stints. It would be four weeks in total.”
“We can handle that, Z, right, guys?” Seb asks. All the guys nod in agreement.
“Thank you. The training will start next week. I won’t have the schedule until I meet with the Commander, but the night training will occur towards the end of the four weeks. It’s short notice for what days I’ll be away.”
“Summer can stay with me during night training. I have two extra bedrooms,” Alex offers. “We will figure out the one-night stays as they come up.”
“Are you guys sure?” Zander asks one more time.
“We’re good, Z. Don’t worry,” Seb tells him.
“Told you,” Troy smiles. “He was worried about interrupting all your lives with school and sports and everything.”
“It’ll be okay, Zander. Take the job,” I tell him.
He looks around at all of us, then back to me. “Are you sure you’re comfortable with this? I don’t want you to be lonely or feel abandoned.”
I squeeze his hand. “I won’t, and I don’t. We’ll still see each other, and you can call and text me when you’re not flying. I’m good with the guys being here or staying with Alex, I promise.”
“Okay. Well, thanksthanks, everyone. This is a big contract for us and will open the door for more contracts in the future.”
We finish the pizza off, and I bring out some baked goods for dessert. The guys decide to stay and do homework, so Troy, Nick, and Zander move to the living room while we work at the table. It’s nice with everyone working around me. I really enjoy nights like this.
I get a text from Sue with her flight schedule that evening. She’s arriving at noon on Friday.
Chapter 40
Everyone seems excited about the long weekend at school in the morning, and teachers are having a hard time getting students to focus on classes.
Cara is waiting at our usual table when Alex, Nick, and I arrive for lunch.
“Hell no,” I say. “I’m waiting by the door for Seb.” Nick and Alex follow without a word to wait with me. When I see Seb, Bay, and E approaching, I tell them Cara is waiting by our table. “What do you want to do?” I ask Seb.
“Let’s go outside and eat. She has to give up eventually,” he replies, looking weary from having to deal with her all the time. She’s been trying to talk to him in every class they share, although more subtly than when she got detention in AP English.
We walk into the cafeteria and head straight for the doors leading outside, but Cara sees us and walks our way. Gabby notices and cuts her off, getting right in her face. I head that way as the guys continue outside, with Nick following me. “Stay the hell away from my brother. You’re out of your mind, Cara,” I hear Gabby say.
“You can’t believe everything they’re saying, Gabby. I’d never hurt Seb,” she implores her.
“But you already did, Cara,” I tell her, coming to stand beside Gabby. “Take a hint and move on. He doesn’t exist to you anymore.”
A few of the girls I’ve seen Gabby hanging out with come over to stand beside us in support. Cara looks around the cafeteria, drops her head, and walks out. I nod at Gabby, then Nick and I join the guys outside.
After saying hi to Reesa, I dig into my lunch. As we’re getting up to go to class, I wish Reesa a Happy Easter and get a thank you in response. It’s the first time I’ve heard her talk, I think. She’s very soft-spoken.
Nick is holding something in his hands by my locker when Alex and I approach, so I can get my gym bag. “What’cha got there?” I ask.
He shows me a bouquet of lilies. The exact kind I always buy for Lily bee. That has to be a coincidence. No one would know about them down here.Don’t freak out, Summer, I tell myself.
“The note says to have a Happy Easter,” Alex tells me, holding a typed note up.
