“They’re not proper dates, Summer,” E replies, speaking to me like he’s explaining a simple concept that I should understand.
“Oh? Cause your grandparents think they are,” I reply, tapping my finger on the table. “Those girls think they are,” tap, “and anyone in attendance will think they are,” another tap. “So explain to me how they aren’t dates, E,” I say, feeling tears gathering in my eyes.
“Sunshine is right. They are dates, E. I agreed to keep us a secret, but not for you to date anyone else.”
“Okay. I wasn’t thinking of them like that, but you’re right. I’ll tell grandmother to cancel all those.”
“What if she refuses?”
“I won’t hurt you guys like that. I promise. Besides, she approved of you,remember?”
“E, the chances of me being able to go to every single one of these aren’t great. What happens then?”
“Then I'll go solo or I won’t go,” he shrugs.
“What if they threaten to withhold your inheritance if you don’t escort these girls or don’t go to a function?”
“I have an advantage. They need me now. They want me as heir, not my father. That should give me some say.”
Shaking my head at his optimism, my hand turns into a fist on the table. “I don’t share your faith, E.”
“It'll work out, Summer. You’ll see.” E gives me a side hug. “What time are you and Nick going to see Beth?”
“In a few minutes, actually. I’ll call you guys after,” Seb waves before hanging up.
We say goodbye, and then E helps me clean up the kitchen, but I still feel uneasy about everything. E is underestimating his grandparents, and I think he was going to escort those girls. That hurts, even if it means nothing to him.
I tell E I don’t feel like cooking tonight, so we just have sandwiches and homemade pickles. We settle on the couch and find a movie to watch until Zander gets home around 7pm.
Once E leaves and I catch up with Zander, Seb calls, so I walk to my room for some privacy. “How did it go?”
Seb exhales, “not good, Sunshine. According to her boyfriend, she’s using again. She’s been in and out of the apartment all week. He’s not exactly supportive and told her to get cleaned up or find another place to live. He has no idea where she is or who’s giving her the drugs. I left a note for her with him, but I don’t know what else to do.”
Not another friend with family issues. “I’m so sorry. I know you were enjoying getting to know her again.”
“Yeah, I was. It’s sad, ya know? Maybe she’ll go into rehab again.”
“Hopefully, she will.”
“How are you doing? E hurt you earlier.”
There is no denying that. “He did.”
“E surprised me too, but I genuinely don’t think he thought of that as dating. He wouldn’t date other people. You know he needs a connection to someone first.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ll get over it. It just stung, and Alex was here, so I didn’t want to say anything since we’ve kept quiet about all this, but then I realized he’s the only one of our friends who doesn’t know, and that’s not right either. It wasn’t intentional that he’s the only one that doesn’t know, and I don’t want him hurt because of that, but I’m not sure the best way to tell him.”
“Damn, girl, take a breath,” Seb chuckles. “But yes, Alex should know. I’ll tell him we're exploring our feelings and keeping it quiet for now. What are you feeling though, Sunshine? Are you happy with us? Still overwhelmed? Are we still testing the waters?”
“I'm happy about the four of us. Not declaring anything makes it less overwhelming somehow in my brain. We just are, and it works. I think we’re past the testing phase.”
“Good. All good. I’m happy too.”
“Alex told me he’s going to have a face-to-face talk with his dad when he comes home at the end of the month.”
“About damn time.” We chat for a while longer before hanging up. I rejoin Zander on the couch to watch an action movie before bed.
Chapter 14
