Page 61 of Fortunate Miracles
“I’ll schedule a meeting with him then.”
“Thanks,” Seb nods as Zander joins us.
As we’re eating lunch on the patio furniture, E shows up. He looks tired, but is acting like everything’s fine. Seb gets up and dives into the water before E sits down. It must be hard to see him. I join him after saying hello to E. “Hi Hurry.”
“It hurts so bad sometimes, Sunshine.” Seb looks so devastated.
“I know. You still have the rest of us.”
“I do,” he says, pulling me in for a hug. “Part of my heart is just missing, ya know? And with Nick gone, it’s just wrong.”
Nodding, I hug him back, and then we just float around while the rest are still eating.
We play a few rounds of volleyball after lunch.
Seb watches E all afternoon, trying not to be obvious. E is smiling and talking, but I know he’s stressed out and sad. Other than saying hi they haven’t talked directly to each other.
While Seb and I are resting on loungers, Bay takes a seat beside me. “Hey. I talked to E, and he’s heartbroken, but he doesn’t know what to do.”
“How about leaving his grandparents and choosing us?” Seb replies.
“I agree, but I also don’t understand their world. We aren’t from money, Seb. It’ll never make sense to us,” Bay replies.
“Yup. I’m happy I’m not wealthy, but if I were, I wouldn’t choose it over people, ever.” Seb says.
Steven calls for attention late in the afternoon. “Everyone, I just wanted to thank all of you for caring for Alex when I was away. I have much to make up for, and I will work hard to do so. If any of you ever need anything, please reach out, and I’ll help in any way I can. It’s a genuine offer with no strings. Ya’ll are always welcome at our house,” he smiles.
It’s not long after his speech that we gather up our stuff to leave. I notice Steven talking briefly with E, so maybe he’s setting up a time to meet, like Seb wanted.
Chapter 35
Summer
Ceres offered to continue training me while Nick is away, so we go for a run at the school track with Holly after school. She’s been observing me, and I feel bad that I can’t tell her everything, but we all agreed it’s better this way.
“So how are you really doing, Summer?” she asks after we’ve stretched and start jogging.
“That’s a loaded question, Holls. I miss Nick. E and I are awkward as hell. Seb is sad, but Alex is happy.”
“Yeah, that was a shock about the engagement being over. They’ve been together for so long. I had no idea he wasn’t happy.”
“He definitely wasn’t happy.”
“So how long are you going to have a bodyguard?”
“No set time frame.”
“Look, you’re a good friend, and I respect your privacy, but I’m worried about you. You’ve lost E, and now Nick is gone, and no one is saying where or why. You still have a bodyguard because of a stalker nobody is saying anything about. I thought maybe it had to do with Nick’s dad, but he’s gone and Ceres is still here.”
“I’m sorry I can’t go into all the details with you, Holly. Some of it isn’t my story to tell, and other stuff is because the fartherremoved you are, the safer you are. I don’t want you getting caught up in anything like you did last year with Ben.”
“Fair enough. Just know I’m here if you want to talk about whatever.”
“You’ve the best Holls. Thank you.”
Ceres puts me through an intense workout at home with Seb’s help, and we're both wet pool noodles when we’re done. After showers, Zander arrives home with dinner.
On Friday after school, my phone rings in the middle of the basketball game. Checking it, I see it’s from Zander. I show it to Alex and nod towards the hallway. “Zander, hang on. I’m walking out into the hallway. I can’t hear anything.”
