E and I work around each other getting lunch ready for everyone. The salad turns out fantastic as the guys and Zander demolish the food and dessert.
“What time is the soil being delivered?” Seb asks.
“They said early afternoon, so anytime now,” I reply.
“Let’s get the beds finished then,” Bay tells us, gathering his glass and plate to put in the dishwasher.
“If you guys are okay without me, I’ll clean up here, grab a shower, and get some prep done for the wedding Saturday,” Zander comments.
“Thanks for your help this morning,” I smile.
“Of course. See you guys later.” He waves, then walks toward his room.
The rest of us head back outside. Nick takes a turn with the rototiller as we continue to gather grass clumps. Shortly after we begin, there’s a horn beep. I look up to see a truck approaching the driveway. “I’ll direct them,” Bay offers and jogs towards the truck.
The truck backs up near the garden beds and dumps a gigantic pile of soil on the ground. Bay grabs a wheelbarrow and shovels from the garage, and the guys haul soil to the finished garden beds. I continue to clean out grass clumps as Nick finishes tilling the last two beds. When I finish that, I help spread the soil out in the beds.
It takes us until 4pm to get all the soil placed, and we are all sweaty and tired. “Thank you, guys, so much for today. It would have taken weeks to do alone.”
“Happy to help,” Bay smiles.
“I need a shower or a pool,” Seb groans.
“There’s the water park,” E offers.
“Hell yes!” Seb shouts. “Who’s in?”
E and Bay nod as Nick gives a grunt. Everyone turns to me. “What do you say, Sunshine?”
“I’m not sure…” All I can think about are my scars and a bathing suit. I’m not ready for that yet.
“Taking your hand, Sunshine,” Seb cautions, as he pulls me over to the dining set on the back patio to sit down. “I can feel your hesitation. Is it the crowd you’re worried about?”
“That’s part of it,” I admit.
“The place is enormous, so that shouldn’t be an issue. What else in on your mind?”
“Nothing,” I automatically answer, looking down at the grass.
“I know that’s not true. You’re still hesitating. Can you tell me what you’re concerned about?”
I look up at Seb. He looks serious. It’s not the goofy guy looking at me right now. “If you choose to trust me with your concerns, I promise I won’t tell a soul. I just want to make you comfortable so you can enjoy the water park with us, Sunshine.”
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and whisper, “I have scars.”
Understanding fills his eyes. “From the accident?” I nod. “Then they showcase your strength. They’re nothing for you to be concerned about with us. Troy, Z, Nick, and I all have scars, too. Mine are from my prick of a sperm donor,” he tells me, lifting his shorts. I can see a scar running along his thigh. Next, he pulls his shirt over his head and turns around. On his back is an angular line from his right shoulder down to below his left shoulder blade. He turns around and looks at me. “Do my scars make you see me differently?”
“No, not at all.” I quickly assure him.
“Do they make me less devastatingly handsome?” He smirks.
“No,” I blush, looking away.
“Sunshine, I promise you, your scars won’t bother any of us. If you’re not comfortable in a bathing suit, then wear shorts and a t-shirt to the water park. But I’d love for you to come with us.”
He's so sincere. How can I say no? The guys have been working hard all day to help me too. “Okay. I need to make a call first.”
“Thank you for trusting me, us. We’ll clean up the tools and then go to my place and get changed. We’ll come back and pick you up, okay?”
