Chapter 20
SHELBY
CHAPTER TWENTY
On Cam’s birthday, he and I wake early to watch the sunrise from our boards and to go surfing for the last time.
Rain clouds dot the sky, and rays of sun stream through them to warm my face.
“Wow, I’ve never seen something so beautiful before,” I mumble.
“I have,” Cam says.
When I glance over at him, my face heats from his scrutiny.
“I don’t think I can thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me these last few months.” My fingers trail through the water.
“I didn’t do much other than stay away from you.”
“You did a lot more than that.” I splash him. “You helped piece me back together.”
“I’d do anything for you.” He glances over his shoulder. “This wave is for you. Go.”
While I was spending the day with Cam, Nick fixed dinner, shrimp, crab, and lobster.
I fold my napkin and place it on my plate. “Who knew you’re such a great cook.”
Mav rubs his tummy. “It was one of your best dishes.”
“Thanks.” He pushes his glasses up.
“You cooked, so I’ll do the dishes.” I stand and collect some dishes. “Since we can’t go outside because of the rain, why don’t you go watch some TV? When I finish, Cam can open his presents. Then I was thinking we’d play Cards Against Humanity. How’s that sound?”
“I’ll help you with the dishes,” Paige says.
“Sounds good to me.” Cam kisses me, throws his arm over Mav’s shoulder, and follows the others into the living room.
After Paige and I finish with the dishes, we have some cake.
“This is delicious, Shelby. Thanks for making it for me.” Cam takes another bite.
I put my fork down on my plate. “It’s nothing special. It came out of the box.”
“Still amazing,” Cam says around a mouthful of food.
Paige hands Cam an envelope. “This is from Sam and me.”
He opens the envelope, pulls out a piece of paper, and takes a second to read it. “Thank you. It’s a gift certificate to the garage I use to service my bike.” Cam waves the piece of paper in the air.
Mav chews on his bottom lip and hands him a blue-wrapped box. “This is from me.”
He opens the box, then pulls him in for a quick kiss. “Thank you.”
Luke leans forward. “Well, what is it?”
Cam pulls out a helmet.
“I asked an engineer at Knight Technology to create a new, lightweight helmet for you.” Mav points to the side of the helmet. “He included Bluetooth, so you can talk while riding.”
“Wow, that’s cool. I love the design on it.” Cin holds out her hand, and Cam hands it to her.
“It glows in the dark,” Mav says as Cin twirls the matte black helmet with lightning bolts.
Mav stands, then kneels. In his hand, he holds a small box. “Luke stole my idea when he bought the rings we gave Shelby. I brought this with me and planned on asking you on your birthday.”
He lets out a deep breath. “We’re young, so I don’t expect to do it right away, but there’s no one else I want other than you.”
He nods toward me. “And Shelby, of course. You have been with me at my lowest and my highest. I wake up every day grateful I have two people who love me. I want the world to know that I love you. Camden Wright, will you marry me?”
He opens the box.
Cam sits with his mouth open, staring at the ring. Now, I understand why Mav was so nervous. Tears form in Cam’s eyes.
“Yes.” He puts his finger out, and Mav places a black band on his finger.
Once it’s on, he throws himself at Mav, and they kiss as they roll around the floor.
“All right, we don’t need to see this,” Dom growls.
I smirk. “Speak for yourself.”
Dom apologized for what he said the other night. I told him I understood the need to protect me, but I didn’t need anyone like that. He promised to try to lighten up, but he can’t make any guarantees.
They sit up.
“Sorry,” Mav says.
“This is from me.” Dom hands him a large black box.
Cam opens it. “Like Mav’s gift, these pants contain chain mail, so if you ever crash, it will protect you from road rash.”
“Thanks, Dom.” Cam takes the pants out of the box and twists them back and forth as he checks them out.
“My turn.” I hand him the envelope first.
He takes it out and tilts his head to the side.
“I couldn’t complete this here, so I made you a picture of the jacket I’ll buy for you.” I was so busy preparing everything that I missed this, so I hope he’s not mad.
“It has my number on it.” His number is in silver on the back of the jacket, and Wright Racing is written down the sleeves. “I love it, princess.”
“I have one more.” I hand him a small box.
He unwraps, then opens it. Cam holds up a bracelet of twisted leather with a black titanium bar. Shelby heart Cam, with a date below the words, is stamped on it.
“That’s the date you fell on me. I never believed in love at first sight, but that night, Cupid struck me four times. It’s also the date color came back into my world. I couldn’t have asked for a more kind, loving, sensitive boyfriend.”
He takes it out of the box. “Will you put it on me?”
I take it from him, wrap it around his wrist, and fasten it.
He pulls me toward him. “You brought light back into our lives. I haven’t had time to give you this since I wanted the guys to have time with you, so I’ll do it now.”
He pulls out a ring with an infinity symbol engraved on it. “You know how amazing you are. You complete every one of us. I watched as my friends became alive again. For that alone, I love you. Not many girls would let their boyfriend have another boyfriend.”
He laughs. “When you’re scared or doubt us, I want you to look at these rings on your finger and remember we love you with every fiber of our beings.”
He slips the ring on my finger.
“I don’t know about you, but I need another drink after all this mush shit.” Cin stands and grabs herself another drink.
“How about we play Cards Against Humanity?” Nick asks.
Everyone heads toward the table.
Mav and Cam whisper together, then glance over to me.
My right eyebrow pops up. They walk over to me.
“You’re not upset about the ring I gave Cam, are you?” Mav chews on his bottom lip.
“No, not one bit. I couldn’t have been happier.” I hug them, then take a seat. “How does it work for those who have never played this game?”
Luke takes the seat beside me. “White cards are questions, and the Black cards are answers. You receive ten white cards.”
“The official rules say the ‘person who pooped last’ is the first Card Czar.” Mav laughs.
“It doesn’t say that.” Paige grabs the instructions.
She reads them, and her mouth falls open. “It does say that.” She chuckles and reads the instructions out loud. “The person who most recently pooped begins as the Card Czar…”
Cin claps her hands. “That doesn’t sound so bad. Let’s play.”
“Before we start, does anyone need a drink?” Nick asks.
Nick pours drinks for everyone. The first round is funny, but as the night goes on, the crazy factor of the game escalates.
The alcohol may make it funnier, but I’ve never laughed so much.
Some of the things the cards come up with are too funny. One answer makes Mav spew beer. Unfortunately for Dom, Mav spewed the beer all over his face.
The room drops silent before Sam snorts, causing us to bust out laughing. Even Dom chuckles as he wipes his face off on his brother’s shirt, making Mav shout indignantly. Life should be about having fun and laughing at stupid shit.
We’ll be okay with everything that’s happened to us and whatever may come because my guys are with me.