Chapter 764 - V2 ch236 (The End of Summer) (2/2)

The three laughed at me.

We spent the afternoon eating snacks and talking about what we expected for our sophomore year of high school. I was more comfortable with Alisha and Kaylee than I ever thought possible. They were as cool as Noah. Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click #%!d(string=12185250005052805)/v2-ch236-(the-end-of-summer)_%!d(string=51286569637696229) for visiting.

”I still can't believe you guys all got together without me.” Kaylee complained.

”It's not like it was planned.” Noah shrugged. ”Everyone just sort of came.”

”I saw the news on Insta and just showed up.” Alisha laughed, a little red in the face. ”I didn't expect to see all the guys there. I really thought I was the only one that had the idea to come.”

”You were the only one to bring gifts.” Noah said to console her.

”Yea, but Jake didn't even have one of the cookies.” Alisha looked at me like I had done something wrong.

”Sorry.” I apologized. ”I didn't feel like eating after all that. I only had soup later on. For the record, I only started feeling normal just yesterday.”

”Has it all healed over already?” She asked.

”Meh.” I shook my hand around. ”Kind of. Like, it's better, but I'm not ready to let others see me yet.”

”Guess you won't be learning to swim until next summer.” Kaylee snorted.

”We'll still have warm days every now and then.” Alisha said. She smiled at me. ”You're welcome to use my pool anytime you want to learn. We'll occasionally heat in the fall and spring depending on how sunny it is for the week.”

I gave a noncommittal nod.

Eventually the conversation shifted to something other than me. Kind of. Alisha and Kaylee were curious how things were working out with Jeremy.

I knew some reporters were still talking about Uncle Jack and what kind of price Jeremy had to pay to bail him out, but I don't think anyone knew he visited our birth mother in prison. After a couple days of addressing it, the mentions he got were less frequently about his personal life and more about his hitting. He was on another hot streak in the middle of August.

We spoke on the phone instead of him visiting me on his off day. I think Mom or Dad reminded him that I was recovering from the laser treatment because he didn't bother me by coming over.

”Jake?” He called out to me near the end of our call.

”Yea?” I answered, wondering why he needed to say my name.

He cleared his throat. ”I originally wasn't going to come to your court hearing, but...things change. And I'd like to be there. If you don't mind?”

I remembered that he wrote a letter to the judge to be read out loud. ”Sure. I don't mind. But what about your schedule?”

”It's a home game. I won't be able to stay after your hearing, but I want to be there for you. After all this...I want to be present for your new start.”

”Thanks Jeremy.” I smiled to myself.

”Oh. Is it okay if I bring Rose?” He asked.

”Does she want to come..?” I was surprised. There wasn't much reason for her to come, was there?

He chuckled. ”Hey, she could be your sister-in-law soon. She's part of the family.”

I nodded. ”Yea. Okay. I don't mind. She's nice.”

”Yea, she is.”