Page 74 of Fortunate Miracles
"Shall we say in an hour? You boys still need to check into the hotel," Zander says.
We all agree, so I give Jake a kiss and let him know we'll be back in the morning to see him. The guys and Zander say goodbye to Jake as well, as we grab our bags to leave.
We split up in the parking lot after I tell Seb our room number. Once we get to our room, I freshen up in the bathroom and then I flop onto my bed. "I was thinking we'd leave after lunch tomorrow, darling. That will get us home before dinner," Zander says.
"Okay, that works. Thanks for including Ray today."
"He's a nice man. Lonely, though. He's going to be in our lives, so I'm hoping we can be friends."
"He's actually hilarious, or he was," I frown. "Adventurous, too. I hope he can get back there once Jake wakes up."
"What are you thinking regarding Jake, darling? After he wakes."
"How so?"
"Ray lives in Michigan, and we live in South Carolina."
"Well, he'll be in Charlotte a week or two before being discharged. I'm hoping Ray will stay here for rehab and not take him to Michigan. I know Jake won't want to go way up there, but he's not 18 yet, although he will be soon. If Ray can't leave his job, could we take him home with us?"
"That might be possible," he nods. "We'd need a medical power of attorney and to retrofit the guest room. Possibly home care, too. If Ray agreed, I don't have an issue with it."
I get up and hug Zander. "You're the best. I hope you know that. If I had the option to pick a dad, I'd pick you."
"Oh darling, you're going to make me cry again," he smiles.
A knock on the door interrupts us. Zander dries his eyes before answering, finding the guys waiting. "Sunshine, we're across the hall, two doors down," Seb greets, coming over and dropping onto my bed. "Are we doing anything after dinner?" he asks, looking between us all.
"No plans," I shrug.
"Let's just rent a movie and stay in," Bay suggests. "I'm too tired this week to do much." I look closer at him, but he's not obviously tired.
"Are you feeling okay?" I ask.
"Yup. Just worked a lot this week and didn't sleep well last night."
Nodding, I take a seat beside Seb. "So, what food trucks are we going to, Alex?"
"There are five," he smiles, pulling out his phone. "A dessert truck with homemade ice cream and cake, one with sweet and savory waffles, a bbq truck, gourmet burgers, and one with wood-fired pizza."
"Oh man, let's try them all," Seb moans, rubbing his belly.
"We can each order from a truck and share," Zander suggests. "They all sound good."
"Sold!" Seb announces, punching his fist into the air.
Bay takes a seat on the couch, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. Alex tells us the plane has returned to its owner and the medical bed is back in Virginia. I thank him again for arranging and paying for it all. The plane and bed completely slipped my mind once they were out of sight, my focus solely on Jake. Zander and he talk about the luxury plane while we wait to leave. "How are you doing, Hurry?" I ask quietly.
"I don't know. E and I are awkward as fuck. He sits with us, and he talks to Alex and Bay, but we don't really speak. I miss him so much."
"I know," I reply, taking his hand in mine. "I miss him too, but I don't know how to get through to him. Has he said anything about his situation?"
"Alex and Steven talked to him, but Alex didn't know if it helped," Seb shrugs. "Jake is hot," he whispers near my ear.
"I think so," I smile.
Zander tells us it's time to leave, so we gather at the elevator, and Alex drives us over to the park. It has a large parking lot, but it's busy, so he parks at the far end. The guys chat with Zander as we walk across the grass to the food trucks. I spot Ray standing off to the side and call his name. He looks over and waves at us. There's lots of picnic tables spread out on the grass, but most are full. I spot an empty one on the left edge. "Guys, I'm going to grab that empty table," I point. "Someone want to go with me?"
"I will," Bay offers, so we break off as the rest keep walking towards the food.
