There’s a row of lockers near the entrance, so we put all our stuff in one. All the guys strip out of their clothes and just leave their shorts on. I gulp, avoiding eye contact with the exposed muscles. High school boys should not be this cut. Chickening out, I decide to leave my t-shirt and shorts on. “Come on, Summer. Let’s grab a tube.” Bay nods towards the river as the rest of the guys head for the stairs to the torpedo run.
The beginning of the river run is to the left of the water slides. Bay grabs a large red tube from the stack and holds it steady for me to get on. I smile over at him in thanks as he gets his own tube. He clips a piece of rope between our tubes to keep them close, then gives me a shove and hops into his. I pretend not to notice his very defined abs contracting with the movement. Wetravel downwards on an incline for a few seconds to get momentum, then it’s a fairly flat course with the water current keeping us moving. Passing the pool, I hear a holler and see Seb flying down the slide. “That looks like it would give you an awful wedgie,” I remark.
Bay barks out a surprised laugh. “Yeah, we learned that lesson after the first trip years ago. That’s why all the guys have their legs crossed going down.”
I nod and watch as E flies down next. I miss Nick going as we’re heading past the pool now. The river meanders far to the right of the pool area through a lush, albeit fake, tropical paradise. I lean back in my tube, enjoying the sound of the water and the sun on my face. Bay stays quiet beside me as we travel through the area. We leave the tropical forest as we float around the slides. There are large murals painted on walls hiding what I would assume to be an ugly view. I recognize one as Rainbow Row and many of the trees and flowers around the area.
As we near the start of the course, I see the rest of the guys getting their own tubes ready. The course turns right and then circles back to the starting point when it flattens.
“Perfect timing, Sunshine,” Seb calls as he bumps into my tube after his descent. He reaches over and clicks a rope onto my tube. I feel a minor bump and look back to see E and Nick joining us, clicking into the nearest tube.
All of us just relax and lie back, enjoying the ride. I’m not sure how long we float, but we circle the park several times. Someone’s stomach growls, and I look back as everyone laughs. “Time for dinner,” E announces.
We get out the next time we reach the starting point. Bay jumps up, grabbing my tube, while the guys pile the rest to the side. We go over and get our stuff out of the locker. The guys are mostly dry now, and I just need to dry my legs and feet, then slip into my sandals. “Where do we want to eat tonight?” E asks.
“I’d like a shower, so let’s hit a drive-thru,” Seb suggests. Everyone agrees, so we meander back to the cars. Seb stops and orders a ton of burgers and fries for everyone, then he drives to his place. I text Zander that I’m having dinner at Seb’s place. Apparently, Troy showed up at my house thinking we were all still there. Zander says Troy is going to hang out with him and eat pizza.
It’s only about 15 minutes west of the water park to Seb’s house. Seb lives in a nice condo complex. There are three tall white vinyl buildings with individual balconies, forming an arch around a large parking area in the middle. Trees, shrubs, and grass fill the grounds, and they look well kept. Once we all park, I help carry all the food up to the top floor. We walk into a living room with two sofas and a kitchen behind it. A large island with seating faces the living room. A short hallway on the left has two doors. There’s a hallway on the right with three more doors.
Seb and Nick grab some paper plates and iced tea as we sit around the island and eat until we’re all full. Seb turns to me after he cleans up. “Sunshine, you can use the hall shower if you like. I can grab some of Gab’s clothes for you.”
“Thanks, but I brought a change of clothes with me.” I smile as Seb shows me to the bathroom. It’s spotless, which I appreciate. I grab a quick shower using what I assume are Gabby’s products and get dressed in leggings and a long-sleeved t-shirt.
Seb is just coming out of a room down the left hall, freshly showered, when I enter the living area. Bay passes me with a smile before heading into the bathroom.
“So this is home, Sunshine. Come on out to the veranda.”
I follow him outside. The view includes pine trees and a marshy area with water. It’s beautiful and quiet. “It’s a nice condo, Seb.”
“Yeah, it’s in a good area. Troy and Gabs are on the right, and Nick and I have the primary bedroom. I’m still trying to get Troy to take the primary back, but he refuses. Says it’s the biggest room, so Nick and I should have it,” heshrugs.
“That’s very generous of him. Wait, Nick lives here?” I wasn’t expecting that. Where is his family?
“Yup, since about 6 months after we got Gabs. A story for another time, Sunshine. It’s not mine to tell.”
I nod in understanding. Not my business. Nick seems like a very private guy. He would be angry if people spread his history around.
“Come join me on the couch,” Seb says, walking back to the living room, where I take a seat on the other end of the couch. “Come closer, Sunshine,” he smiles, “leave room for E.” I slide over beside Seb. “So, how are you doing? Feeling comfortable with us yet? What do you want to do for the rest of the night? Movies? Tv show? Did you have enough food?”
“I’m overwhelmed, but doing okay. Getting there, but I’m surprisingly comfortable with you. We can watch whatever you guys want. I’m full.”
“I’m glad you’re comfortable with me, Sunshine,” Seb says with a sweet smile, lifting his arm to rest on the back of the couch.
Nick and Bay join us, taking the other couch. “What are we watching?” Bay asks as Nick turns on the tv.
“Have you watched the Back to the Future movies, Sunshine?”
“I’ve seen the first one,” I reply.
“Nick, man, bring up the second movie, will ya?” Seb asks.
We settle in to watch. E joins us just as the first scene plays out on the tv. The guys concentrate on the movie, occasionally commenting on the special effects. It’s…enjoyable. Although I don’t know these guys well, they seem to have accepted me into their fold without question or complaint. I can almost pretend it’s just another movie night back in Virginia with Mom, Lily bee, and Jake. Almost.
Bay volunteers to drive me home after the movie. I get an enthusiastic hug from Seb and then follow Bay downstairs. Bay’s Civic is clean and well-kept, and he turns on a rock radio station as hedrives. When a familiar song that Mom loves comes on, my breath hitches.Don’t cry, Summer.“What’s wrong?” Bay’s concerned voice reaches through the cloud of grief.
“Sorry. Mom loved this song.”
Bay immediately changes the channel. “No need to apologize. My mom passed 4 years ago, and I still find it hard.”
