Chapter 11
OWEN
I stared at the waves, trying to let the rhythm calm the storm inside me. The ocean always helped, at least it used to.
The sound of footsteps in the sand made my shoulders tense. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
“What do you want, Cam?” I asked, glancing back over my shoulder.
“I think we need to talk.” She stepped up beside me, and I hated how aware I was of every inch of space between us.
I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Yeah, I guess we do.”
“Do you want to take a walk with me?”
My toes dug into the sand. Part of me wanted to say no, to stay angry, to hold onto this hurt like armor. “I don’t know. Is your boyfriend going to jump out and attack me?”
“Come on.” She wrapped her arms around herself, and I noticed the goosebumps rising on her skin. “You were way out of line this morning.”
Our eyes met, and shame washed over me. “Yeah.” I dragged a hand down my jaw, feeling the stubble catch. “I was.”
She jerked her head toward the pier, and I fell into step beside her. The wind pushed against us, and I hunched my shoulders against it, or maybe against what was coming.
“Why did you come into my room this morning?”
“Because I wanted to apologize again.” My voice was barely audible over the waves. “I couldn’t sleep. I feel terrible about hurting you, but…” I swallowed hard. “I didn’t. Did I?”
“Yes, it hurt me, but...”
“But I was only a rebound.”
“Owen...” She stopped, turning to face me.
“I was here to make him jealous.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I know it looks like that, but you were not a rebound. I really liked you.”
“But...” I prompted because there was always a but.
“But as much as I tried to ignore it and fight it…” She sighed, her gaze dropping. “I am still in love with him.”
I knew it, but knowing and hearing it were two different kinds of pain.
“I never should have started dating you, but to be honest, I’d convinced myself that I was ready to move on. I really thought I was over him, but I was in denial.” Her eyes found mine again. “I’m so sorry for that.”
“I know...” I turned and started walking, needing the movement.
“And I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have cheated on you when I found out about you and Trystan.
I should have talked to you, but I knew we’d both messed up.
I knew we should never have crossed that line from friendship to dating, and I didn’t want to lose. ”
“Lose?” Her head cocked to the side, confusion written across her face.
I gritted my teeth. God, I didn’t want to say this out loud. “I didn’t want to lose to him.”
“Seriously?”
My head dropped in shame. “Yeah. I know it’s stupid, I’m really sorry, and I’m sorry for calling you a whore. I don’t really think that. I lost my shit when I saw his hands on you.”
Her brows pulled together, and I could see her trying to understand.
“Because I hate losing,” I admitted.
She rolled her eyes. “Sounds like we both fucked up.”
I nodded. At least we could agree on that.
“Do you think we can ever go back to being friends like we were?”
I raised my shoulders, genuinely uncertain. “I don’t know, but I know I really want to try. I don’t want to lose you.”
Her lips curved into a grin. “Me either.”
Relief flooded through me. Maybe we could salvage this after all.
“So, are you going to tell me about the girl?” she asked.
My brows raised. “Oh, are we going straight to best friend conversation here?”
“We are.”
I pressed my lips together. “Are you sure you want to...”
“I’m positive. We are friends, and I want you to be happy.”
Her smile was genuine, and I found myself smiling back. “So, are you going to see her again?”
I blew out a heavy sigh. “I think that she and I are better as friends, too. I’m not sure she agrees with that.”
“Then you should talk to her. Don’t make the same mistake twice.”
“Camryn...” Trystan’s voice cut through our conversation, tight with worry.
We both turned to see him standing there. I had no idea how long he’d been watching us, but the tension rolling off him was unmistakable.
“I’m fine, Trystan,” Cam said.
This was my chance to do the right thing. I stepped forward. “Hey, man. I wanted to apologize for this morning. I shouldn’t have talked to Cam like that.”
He didn’t respond. Just stood there, coiled tight like a spring ready to snap.
The silence stretched out, uncomfortable and heavy. “Okay,” I said, drawing out the word. “I’m going to head back to the house. I have to meet Jax in a few.”
I walked away, leaving them on the beach. They belonged together. I’d known it all along.
I wished I had admitted it to myself sooner, but the good news was I was free.