Chapter 49 Brunch
Brunch
When I wake up this morning, I feel ecstatic, like I could jump out of my skin. I’m buzzing with excitement, not just because of the plans I’m starting to make for my future, but because… I’m in love with Lucas.
It’s been a long time coming. We finally admitted how we felt about each other.
He slowly chipped away at the walls I’d built around my heart and somehow slipped inside, melding into all the broken pieces like he was made to fit them.
Something clicked into place, like the final piece of a puzzle, making me feel whole again.
I don’t know how it happened, or when. I wasn’t ready for love, and I tried to fight it. But he became one of my closest friends, and the chemistry between us? It’s electric. I’ve never felt anything like it.
I smile as I stretch my body out in the bed, Lucas’s bed. He’s not there, just me and Gizmo. I roll over and reach for my phone. Ten missed calls. All from Sean.
I frown, chewing my lip. I don’t even remember unblocking him, but I must have at some point. Why is he calling me?
I’m not going to call him back. I won’t even check the voicemails. He can go to hell.
I’m meeting Sarah and her daughter Georgia for brunch at my favourite cafe, Gloria’s, this morning. I get out of bed, pushing thoughts of Sean out of my mind. I shower and slip on a cute white dress for the occasion, one that always makes me feel pretty.
When I walk in to the cafe, they’re already seated on the patio. Sarah stands to greet me with a warm hug.
“Camille! You made it. This is my daughter, Georgia.” Georgia, the spitting image of her mother with baby-blue eyes and her hair a light shade of copper, she gives a shy wave without getting up from her seat. “Hi.”
“Hey, Georgia! So nice to finally meet you.” I smile and slide into the seat next to them, picking up a menu. “The eggs benny here is really good,” I say as we scan the options. “What are you two thinking?”
“I think we’ll get that too,” Sarah replies, setting her menu aside.
When the food arrives, I decide it’s the perfect time to bring up the news.
“So… I’ve made a big decision. I’m leaving Snips. Rhonda’s selling, and I’ve decided I’m finally going to open my own salon.” I pause, nerves bubbling in my chest. “I want you to come with me, work with me? Please, Sarah? I can’t do it without you.”
She doesn’t look surprised.
“I actually overheard Rhonda talking to you the other day,” she says with a small laugh.
“I’ve been waiting for you to tell me. I even started looking for other jobs in case you turned it down.
” She reaches over and squeezes my hand.
“And of course I’ll work with you. I’d love to.
Now spill—tell me everything.” Relief floods through me.
“It’s a beautiful spot on the Esplanade—coastal, earthy vibes. I just ordered all the furniture and equipment. Still deciding on a name, but once that’s locked in, we could be open in a couple of weeks.”
“Oh, Camille, that’s amazing. I’m so happy for you. Let me know if you need help with anything, okay?” I nod, overcome with gratitude. We dig into our meals and toss around potential salon names between bites, laughing and dreaming out loud.
Then my phone buzzes in my pocket.
It’s Lucas.
I smile unashamedly. I can’t believe that I miss him already. It’s like he’s always stuck on my brain. I’m never not thinking of him. I can’t wait to go home and see him again.
I’m still smiling at my screen when an unknown number flashes across it. I hesitate, then answer.
“Hello, this is Camille.”
“Hi Camille, this is Poppy from Coevey Bay Memorial Hospital. Am I speaking to Camille Torres?”
“Yes… this is she.” My stomach tightens.
“I have you listed as an emergency contact for Sean Abrams. He was brought in last night.”
Sean? Why am I still listed as his emergency contact?
“What happened? Is he okay?” My voice sharpens. I don’t love him anymore—but I did once. That kind of care doesn’t disappear overnight.
“I’m sorry. He was found in the bathroom of a nightclub early this morning. He overdosed. He’s in a medically induced coma. We need you to come in as soon as possible.” I freeze. My mind races.
“I… I’ll be there right away.” I hang up and look to Sarah. Her face is full of concern.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
“It’s Sean. My ex. He overdosed. They… they said he’s in a coma.” I can barely get the words out.
“Go,” she urges softly. “Call me later, okay?”
I nod, grabbing my bag with shaking hands and heading straight for my car. My body goes into auto pilot, like I’m not really present.
Halfway to the hospital, I remember—his mum. Sandra should be there, not me. I tap her name on my car’s Bluetooth and the phone rings.
“What do you want?” she snaps.
“It’s Sean. He’s in the hospital. You need to come, now. They called me because I’m still listed as his emergency contact, I’m just getting to the car park—”
“Fuck. Fuck. I’m coming!”
I hear Sean’s dad, Mark—complaining in the background, “whats that fuckin’ boy done now?”
She hangs up abruptly. Sandra’s always been civil, but if she doesn’t like you, she really doesn’t like you. His dad though, he’s even worse. I brace myself for what’s coming.
Inside the hospital, I walk to the front desk and go up to the young nurse with tawny skin who is working at the reception, her name tag reads “Poppy Phillips.”
She’s the woman who called me in.
“I’m here for Sean Abrams. I got a call.”
Poppy, doesn’t miss a beat. “Level 2. ICU. Room eight.” She points to the doors I have to go down.
I hold my hands as I walk down the corridor, willing my hands to stop trembling.
The smell of disinfectant stinging my nose.
I reach room eight and pause at the door.
Sean looks like he’s just sleeping, but the tubes and machines around him say otherwise. The steady beep of the heart monitor echoes in my ears.
There is an older woman in scrubs standing next to his bed, whom I’m assuming is his nurse just doing the rounds as she marks off notes on a clipboard.
She looks up when she notices me standing in the doorway, I’m too afraid to walk in. “Oh, hi there. Are you—” She looks down at the chart. “Camille Torres?” She looks back up me.
“I am.” I reply while still staring at Sean.
“Well, come in Sweetheart. You can take a seat here if you’d like?” She points at the chair next to Sean’s bed. I want to wait for Sandra to come. I can’t do this. I don’t want to do this. I let him go already.
I go anyways and take the seat.
Staring at Sean’s motionless face. The smells and the sounds in the small space overwhelming me. The last time I was in the hospital, it was for my mum.
I swallow the lump in my throat.
“Is he okay?” I ask.
She hesitates. “Best to wait for the doctor, Sweety. Comas are unpredictable. I’m not supposed to say much, but… I’ve been here since he came in this morning. I’ve been praying for him.”
I nod. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
She gives me a sympathetic smile. “They say he can’t hear you like this, but… you never know. Might be worth a try.” Then she leaves the room.
I stare at him in silence. Taking note of the bruises and track marks on the inside of his elbow. The paleness of his skin and tattoos that cover more of his skin. His face looks innocent when he sleeps, but his body tells another story.
Sean, what have you done to yourself? I put my hand over my mouth, sucking in a cry.
I promised myself I wouldn’t cry over him again. I thought I’d mourned him already—walked away and made peace with the fact that he wasn’t in my life anymore. But this… this feels different. Final.
If he dies… how do I grieve someone I already said goodbye to?
I don’t know if I believe in God, but I do what the nurse did. I bow my head and start to pray.
The door slams open.
“Ohhhh, my baby! My Seany!” Sandra wails as she rushes to his side—then she sees me.
“What the fuck are you still doing here?”
“I—I was just waiting for you. I didn’t want him to be alone,” I say quietly.
“So, now you care if he’s alone? After you fucking left him? This is all your fault! He’s like this because of you!” She sneers. Her words hit their target, sharp and deliberate. I gasp, stunned.
Before I can respond, the nurse and a doctor rush in.
“That’s enough,” the doctor says firmly. “Tensions are high, but let’s stay calm. We need to have a conversation—”
“She’s leaving,” Sandra snaps. “I’m his mother. She’s just his ex. Get out, Camille.”
She looks at me like I’m the poison, like I’m the one who single handily put Sean in that bed.
I take a step toward the door, but I pause.
“Please… just let me know if he’s okay,” I whisper.
She doesn’t respond. Just shuts the door in my face.
I make it all the way back to my car before the sobs break free.
My whole body shakes as I grip the steering wheel. I don’t even put on music for the drive home.
When I get there, I avoid Lucas and Tyler.
I slip past them, head straight to my room, and collapse into bed.
Gizmo curls into my side, and I cry until I fall asleep.