Page 17 of Forged Forever

Despite it being chilly, the sun is out working to dry the dew-misted landscape, and the road is quiet, so we run around the neighborhood. We both have earbuds in, so there’s no conversation, but it’s comfortable. Alex has often been my running partner on Mondays and Saturdays since Jake moved here, so his stamina has improved. He still can’t finish my run, but we have a routine where I circle him and I’m still within sight.

I offer for him to shower first when we return despite us both being soaked through our clothes. South Carolina might not experience winters like up north, but with humidity levels over 90%, it’s impossible to stay dry outside. Chugging some electrolyte water, I talk with Dad, who's looking at windows to replace the ones at the front of our house. He’s also debating replacing the green shutters.

I take my shower when Alex is finished. He and I spend a few hours making the muscle cream and lotion for Jake, and we discuss some new research he came across regarding short-term memory.

Zander grills us burgers for lunch while I make homemade fries and coleslaw. He stops at Finn to pick up a few guns before driving over to the gun range after lunch. It’s located northwest of here, across the river.

When we arrive, I see an outdoor range on the left with a long, worn wooden table; people standing behind it shooting at targets staggered at various distances across the sleeping grass. A one-story, large grey cement building with barely any windows sits in front of us with no markings visible. We follow Dad inside, where he greets the man behind the counter by his first name. “Good to see you, Stan. This is my daughter Summer and Alex. Do you have two spots open side by side?”

“I do Z,” he replies, sliding over two clipboards and pens. “You know the drill.”

Zander grabs the clipboards, walking over to a counter on the left. “Please fill out these forms so you can train. If you’ll give me your driver’s licenses, I’ll get them copied while you do that.”

We hand over our IDs and then fill in the forms. It’s basic info with an explanation of the rules, and we have to agree to a background check. Once we finish, we hand them to Stan. He gives our driver’s licenses back, compares our paperwork to some type of report, and then files it away. “I had him run background checks on you last week since I knew we were coming today. Saves time,” Dad tells us.

We follow him through a door into a long, narrow hallway with glass on the top half of the right wall. You can see lanes with people shooting. Dad goes to the very end and opens a single door to the last two lanes.

He teaches us how to dismantle, remake, and care for our weapons before going through safety procedures. Once he’s satisfied we have that down, he hands us safety glasses and ear protection. I go first, loading my weapon before lifting it to aim at the target. Dad adjusts my stance and grip, and I am ready to take my first shot.

Flicking off the safety, I take aim and fire one shot, and the bullet hits the bottom corner of the paper target. Switching the safety back on, I set it down. “That recoil is no joke,” I comment.

“It is at first, darling, but you will adjust. The recoil caused you to lower the gun enough to throw off your shot. Try again.”

I take several more shots before I feel like I can handle the recoil, and then Alex takes his turn. He shoots three rapid shots before flicking the safety on and setting his gun down. “Showoff,” I mutter.

Alex smiles at me, moving to the next lane so we can both practice shooting with Zander going between us, offering tips.

We spend an hour there before Zander calls a halt. Packing up the guns and safety equipment, Zander drives us back to Finn to return everything to the safe. We grab some hot chocolate on the way home. “You both did well. With some more practice, you’ll be hitting the bullseye in no time.”

We decide to visit the range again next Sunday. Alex is interested in getting his carrying permit, which Zander promises to help him with.

Chapter 10

On Wednesday after track practice, I swing by to visit Jake. He has a huge grin on his face when I enter, sitting on the lift chair in the living room. “What’s up, handsome?” He slowly stands with the help of the chair, but without Will. “Oh my gosh, Jake! I’m so proud of you.” Rushing over, I wrap my arms around his waist for a proper hug.

He gets shaky quickly, so I help him retake his seat, planting my butt on the armrest. “Pretty neat, right?” He winks, a beautiful smile on full display, happiness oozing from his pores.

“Incredible. You’ll be walking in no time.” Will reclines Jake’s chair and then leaves us to chat.

“How was school and practice today?”

“Not bad. Nothing exciting. Seb is still scowling at Gabby’s boyfriend every time he sees them together, and it’s funny. Adam is quiet, so he avoids Seb like the plague.” Speaking of Seb, he and E show up for a visit. Jake's a little unsure of E, but he's familiar. After we clear that up, he excitedly tells them about being able to stand today. We end up watching sports while Jake naps. E helps Ray make supper, and Dad stops by to eat with us.

Saturday morning, I run with Bay in the park. I enjoy spending time with him alone because he spends his spare time working or with Penny these days. I’m still crushing on him despite the months that have passed. We chat about everything: school, Jake, Penny, Olivia, diving, and track. After showering, he helps Zander and me switch out the front windows. In the afternoon, we pick up Olivia to go swimming at Alex’s pool. Troy's coming over to help Zander with the window trim, and then they're catching a movie.

Seb stayed overnight with E, so they, along with Alex, are already in the pool when we arrive. Olivia can swim, so she jumps right into the pool, her clothes flying everywhere as she runs towards the water. Bay rolls his eyes, picking up after her and setting them on a lounge chair. I drop my items on the next lounger, a wet body plastering to my back just as I finish undressing. “Hi Hurry,” I smile.

“Missed you, Sunshine,” Seb murmurs into my neck with a kiss before lifting me and running towards the pool.

“Hurry!” I shout as he jumps, plunging us into the warm water. I surface, spluttering and wiping my face as Seb comes up in front of me. I swish an armful of water at his face as he laughs.

“Geronimo!” Olivia hollers before flying off the lower diving board, hitting the water in a cannonball.

I suck in a breath, worried about her diving. Bay swims up to us, reassuring me she’s a fish in water and has been swimming here for years. Sure enough, she surfaces, doing the doggy paddle to the edge of the pool, and then running back to the diving board.

Seb and I join Olivia diving on the lower board while Alex, Bay, and E use the high dive. Olivia has more energy than all five of us combined. I end up in the hot tub with E as the others dive for rings at the bottom of the pool. “How ya doing, E?”

“Good Summer. I enjoy cooking most evenings in the big kitchen, and I’m trying Brazilian dishes next week.”