“Yeah, he does. It’s a bitch for me to get into.”
“I never thought of that.”
“We’ll you’re not exactly tall, Summer,” he laughs.
“Hey, I’m perfectly average height, thank you very much. You and Nick are giants.”
E smiles. “So, how are you doing with the move and school and everything?”
“Okay actually. You guys have been a huge reason for that.” I smile.
“We’re glad you found us. You fit right in, Summer.”
Warmth spreads through me at that comment. “So tell me something about yourself, E.”
“Okay, Summer, I’ll share three things, and you can share three things about yourself. Pick anything you want. Sound good?”
That’s a reasonable request from E. “Okay.”
“My parents don’t want me to be a chef. They think it’s beneath our family.”
“Wow, E, that’s deeper than I was expecting. You just shot that right at the bullseye. I hope you follow your heart despite what they want.”
“Thanks. I’m trying to. Now tell me something about you.” He gives me a quick smile, focusing back on the road.
“Has Seb mentioned anything to you?”
“No, he’d never. He may be mouthy, but he’d never tell us something private and personal. Even me,” he promises.
I nod. “Jake, the guy Seb mentioned this morning? He’s my best friend and boyfriend, and he’s in a coma. He was in the accident with me, and I visit him twice a week. By video call now that I’m living here.”
“You must really care for him, Summer. Sorry doesn’t mean much, but I am sorry you lost your family,” he says, giving my hand a squeeze. “I’m bisexual and demisexual, which I’m sure Seb told you, or you figured out. I’ve never been with a girl, though. I’ve kissed a few girls, but it hasn’t gone farther than that because I need a connection with someone to feel attraction and be intimate with them. Seb was my first and only.”
Geez, we’re really sticking with the heavy facts. Guess I can do that too. “I’m a virgin,” I blurt out, cheeks reddening. I can’t believe I just said that.
“My dad is an abusive asshole. Not physically to me anymore, since I’m bigger than him now. I have been for a few years. He’s military, so he’s in and out of our lives, but we’ve never moved anywhere with him. Mom stays married to him for the money and prestige. His family comes from old Southern money. That’s all she cares about. I stay with Alex when he’s home.”
“I haven’t been interested in anything since the accident. Plants, school, track, nothing. I was stuck in survival mode, even with therapy. Moving here flipped a switch in me, and it’s like I’m alive again. My therapist said moving here freed me, and my hometown kept me stuck. I think shewas right.”
E pulls into the driveway of the house and parks out front. “That was an intense way to get to know each other,” he jokes.
“It was. I didn’t intend that when I asked you to tell me about yourself.”
“I’m aware, Summer. It was strangely freeing, though.” E seems contemplative after our rapid, intense conversation.
I think about that. It was easier to blurt things out without thought or a huge discussion. “It was, wasn’t it?” I smile. “Thanks for the drive, E. I’ll see you and Seb after dinner.” I grab my bag, open the door, and look down. “Um, E, a little help down please?” E jumps out and comes around to my side. Gently grabbing my waist, he lifts me down. “Thanks,” I say and wave goodbye.
I grab water in the kitchen, then go to my bedroom to drop off my bags. After a quick shower, I call Mal. I tell Jake all about track and the guys, the wedding, and my possible new bully while I soak in the tub with the lavender oil and salts.
Zander comes home a little before 5pm. I’m asked to choose steak or chicken for dinner tonight, and he’ll help me make it. We eat and chat at the island about our day. Seb and E show up as I’m putting the last dishes in the dishwasher.
Since Zander will work in his office, we spread out on the dining table to start homework. The guys give me copies of their notes from the three novels I missed, and E actually hands me his copies of the 3 novels with highlighted sections and tabs, and they show me where to concentrate with the reading. Afterward, we move on to other homework.
After we’ve finished, I tell the guys to relax on the couch while I defrost some brownies. I fill a tray with water bottles and brownies, and bring it to the living room. Seb grabs a brownie before I’ve even sat on the couch. “Sunshine, did you bake these?”
“Nope, Sue did. She sent me here with a whole suitcase full of baked goodies we made the day before I left.” Turning to E I say, “Sue was my foster in Virginia.”
E grabs a brownie and takes a bite. “Yum. These are superb.”
