Page 35 of Sixty Days Of Summer

"You ready to show me, Scar?" Nate asks, glancing sideways at me.

I nod, forcing a smile. “Yeah, sure.”

Poppy and my mom stand up, their hands full of plates as they encourage everyone else to do the same. The room buzzes with activity as plates clink together and chairs screech against the floor.

“She’s so good, Nate, we might just let her stay in and let you take a permanent vacation. Better watch out!” Theo teases, with a wide, playful grin. I can see how much more at ease he is now that Nate is back home; his relaxed demeanor is a stark contrast to the tension he’s been grappling with.

Theo’s attention shifts as Alex comes bounding up to him, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Do you want to see the animals I got from the sanctuary, Uncle Theo?” Alex asks eagerly, practically bouncing on his feet.

Theo’s face lights up with a wide grin. “I thought you’d never ask,” he replies. “But I’ve got to make it quick—I need to show Uncle Nate how Aunt Scarlet’s stealing the spotlight in the band!”

Nate and I watch in silence, both of us smiling as Theo gets up and follows Alex toward the front door.

“You okay?” Nate asks, noticing my quiet demeanor. “You seem a bit off.”

I glance over at him, feeling a pang of vulnerability. “Just a little worried about messing everything up, I guess.”

Nate gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “You’ll be fine, Scar. I’ve seen you handle way worse, and I know you’ve got this.”

His confidence in me eases some of the tension I’m feeling. “Thanks, Nate. I just hope I can live up to everyone’s expectations.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Everyone here has your back, Scar, and we all believe in you. I know I do.”

I nod, taking in the nearly empty room. The kitchen is alive with the rhythmic clatter of dishes and the steady hum of running water as Poppy and Mom chat, their voices blending with the sounds as they finish up the last of the plates and stack them in the dishwasher.

“You’re gonna have a blast, Scar,” Nate says. “Just remember to enjoy every moment.” He slowly rises from his seat, moving cautiously due to the stiff cast and the immobilization of his arm. Looking down at me, he asks, “Ready to head over to the studio?”

“Yeah.” I push myself up and walk alongside Nate as we leave the house.

Stepping outside into the soft twilight, heading toward Ace’s place, Nate’s mood undergoes a noticeable change. “You know,” he mutters, his voice filled with intensity, “this shit with Beck isn’t over. If I ever cross paths with him again, I’ll kick his ass.”

I turn to him, shaking my head. “Nate, drop it. I don’t want to think about Beck or any of that right now. I’ve got enough on my plate without adding that mess to the mix.”

As we approach Xander's place and are just about to walk past it, the front door swings open. Theo and Alex step out, and Alex's excitement is infectious. "You should have seen it, Uncle Theo! It was like they were in the wild—so different from the zoo. Sometimes, it was even hard to spot them!"

Theo chuckles, ruffling Alex's hair. "Sounds like a trip me and Uncle Nate need to experience too. Maybe we’ll all go together one day."

“Really? You’d take me with you?” Alex asks eagerly, his eyes lighting up as he bounces down the front steps.

“If your mom and dad say it’s okay, you can definitely come,” Theo replies with a warm smile.

As soon as they reach the bottom of the front steps, Theo falls into step beside Nate, while Alex dashes around to squeeze between Nate and me. I watch as Alex slips his small hand into Nate’s. “I’m glad you are home, Uncle Nate,” he says.

“Me too, Alex,” Nate replies, his smile widening as he looks down at the little boy. The warmth in his gaze reflects the deep bond he now shares with his nephew.

“Where’s Dad?” Alex asks, his eyes scanning the area.

“I think he’s at the studio,” Nate says. Before we can say anything more, Alex releases Nate’s hand and sprints down the driveway towards Ace’s house.

The three of us watch Alex’s excited sprint, his tiny legs propelling him swiftly as he races up the front steps and disappears into the house.

“I want one of those,” Theo says. “Never been interested in having a kid before, Alex.”

“Me too,” Nate agrees with a chuckle.

“Well, you two have to stop sleeping with those groupies first and find someone to settle down with,” I reply. As soon as the words escape my mouth, I realize my mistake. As Nate and Theo exchange a glance, a heavy silence settles, the weight of my comment about Bianca hanging between us.

“Sorry, guys,” I say, with remorse. “I didn’t mean to bring that up.”

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