“I called Sue and Mal earlier today and updated them on Jake and you,” Seb says. “I also told them you were worn out and would call them in a week or two when things calmed down.”
“I have a bunch of home-cooked meals I’ll deliver to your house tonight so you and Zander don’t need to worry about that. Oh, and groceries,” E adds.
“Gabs knows you’re super busy and said she’ll see you at school, and you can hang out when things slow down,” Seb adds.
“Olivia made you this,” Bay says, handing me a folded piece of paper. Opening it up, I see a picture of me and her holding ice creams. It says friends are forever. “She said to tell you it’s okay you're busy right now, and she’s happy your friend's getting better.”
That’s it, the tears start falling. Seb pulls me tighter against him and starts rocking me. “You guys are the best. Thank you.”
“It’s what friends do,” Bay smiles.
“Thank you, everyone,” Zander adds.
I wipe my face as we all get up to leave. I quickly put Jake’s bedding in the dryer and make sure I have both condo keys and the service elevator key before we lock all the patio doors and themain door. E says he’ll be over in an hour or two with food as I hug everyone goodbye.
When we get back to my house, I tell Seb I want to sit outside for a while. I grab two glasses of iced tea and take a seat at the table. “So you’ll be back in school on Tuesday for good?” Seb asks.
“Yeah. I’m actually looking forward to it,” I chuckle. “Routine will be good after this crazy whirlwind. I’m hoping I can introduce you guys and Zander to Jake soon. Ray and I both still need to tell our stories, too.”
“That'll be tough, Sunshine,” Seb says, taking my hand.
“Not looking forward to it, Hurry. How’s Beth?”
“I got a text this morning saying she’s good. My weekly text since she’s been in Columbia. At least she’s clean again,” he shrugs.
“So much going on, Hurry. We need a vacation.”
Seb’s phone dings with a text, so he pulls it out to read it. “Holly wants to run with you on Wednesdays after school. So that leaves Mondays with Alex or Bay or at Finn until basketball is over.”
“Okay, that works. We should go in. I still have studying to do.”
Seb sticks out his bottom lip and pouts. “I’ve got a test tomorrow and a project to finish, too. School sucks.”
Smiling, I pull him up and go inside, setting the empty glasses in the sink. Zander, freshly showered, is making popcorn. Seb gives me a hug and then goes down the hall to grab his bag. “Bye, Z. Bye, Sunshine, call me later,” he yells, waving, as he goes out the front door.
“I’m getting a shower,” I tell Zander. Once I’m clean, I grab my laptop and settle into the corner of the couch to get caught up on schoolwork.
About an hour later, there’s a knock on the door. Zander gets up to answer, and he comes back in carrying two totes. “E's here,” he tells me, so I get up and go to the kitchen. Zander's unpacking containers of food into the fridge. Grabbing the other tote, I peek inside. This one has salads, pasta, and sandwiches. E labeledeverything with his handwriting. E comes in carrying a few grocery bags. “Everything is fresh, so eat the salads and sandwiches first. Freeze whatever's left on day three. I got milk, fruit, butter, chocolate, eggs, and bacon for you. Oh, and ice cream. That should get you guys through the week.”
“Thanks so much, E. This is very thoughtful,” I smile.
“Appreciate it, E,” Zander says, slapping him on the shoulder.
“You guys have to be sick of restaurant food by now, so I thought this would help. Home cooked meals without the home cooking,” he smiles.
“Definitely,” I agree.
“Okay, I’ll get out of here. See you on Tuesday at school, Summer.”
“Thanks again,” I wave as he leaves.
We go back to the couch and sit down. “How’s E doing these days now that he’s with Alex?” Zander asks.
“Okay, I think. I haven’t really talked to him about it, but Alex and Seb said he seems happier,” I shrug.
We spend the rest of the evening in the living room. Zander watches sports, and I study. I call Seb when I go to bed, talking about random stuff until I can’t keep my eyes open.
Chapter 54
