8. Chapter Eight
Eight
Chapter Eight
Cricket
I wake to the sound of waves outside the window and the soft, steady rhythm of Cameron’s breathing beside me.
For a moment, I don’t move. I just lie there, cocooned in the quiet warmth of morning light, his arm wrapped around my waist, our legs tangled under the sheet. My body is sore in the best possible way—used and cherished. Every inch of me feels different somehow, like something shifted overnight. Like I shifted.
His chest rises and falls against my back, his skin warm against mine. I close my eyes again and let myself sink into the feeling of being held, truly held. Not out of obligation or instinct, but something deeper. Something real.
My hand finds his over my stomach, fingers threading through his, and I smile softly to myself. I wasn’t sure what I would feel this morning. Fear, maybe. Regret. But none of that comes. Only contentment and a quiet, aching sort of joy.
Last night wasn’t just sex. It was everything I hadn’t let myself want. Connection. Comfort. Craving. And it was him. Cameron.
I turn slowly, careful not to wake him, and prop myself on one elbow so I can look at him. His face is relaxed in sleep, mouth slightly parted, lashes resting on sun-kissed skin. He looks younger like this. Softer. But still impossibly handsome, his dark hair mussed from sleep and my hands.
I trace the curve of his shoulder with my gaze, remembering the way he moved above me last night. The way he whispered my name like it was something holy. The way he kissed me like he never wanted to stop.
God, the way he made me feel .
I bite my lip, heat blooming across my cheeks, not from embarrassment, but from the memory of how completely I let go with him. How right it felt. Like every doubt I had faded with every touch, every breathless kiss, every whispered word in the dark.
He stirs beside me, eyes fluttering open, and the second they find mine, something tightens low in my belly.
“Morning,” he murmurs, voice low and rough with sleep.
“Morning,” I whisper, smiling.
He reaches up, brushing a piece of hair from my cheek. “You’re even more beautiful in the daylight, you know that?”
I roll my eyes, but my heart stumbles anyway. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m serious.” His hand finds my waist beneath the sheet, tugging me gently closer. “I haven’t slept like that in I don’t know how long.”
I rest my palm on his chest, right over the steady beat of his heart. “Me neither.”
For a while, we just lie there, wrapped around each other as the morning drifts in through the window. I don’t want to think about what comes next. I don’t want to think about reality or distance or time limits. I just want this.
“I know we said this week was supposed to be simple,” I whisper eventually, my voice quiet, as if I say it too loudly, the moment might break. “But it doesn’t feel simple anymore.”
He nods, eyes searching mine. “No. It doesn’t.”
“I’m scared,” I admit. “Of what happens when we leave this place. Of how easily this could fall apart.”
“I know,” he says. “But I’m not going anywhere. Not unless you ask me to. I meant what I said, Cricket—I want more than just this week.”
I press my forehead against his chest, heart pounding, body aching with the weight of everything I feel for this man. It’s overwhelming. Terrifying. It’s also the first time in a long time I’ve felt brave.
I lift my head, meet his eyes, and kiss him again—slow and sure and full of everything I don’t have words for yet.
“Okay,” I whisper against his lips. “Then let’s not waste a single second.”
We get out of bed, dress covering up all the important bits in case Abby is awake, and head to the kitchen for coffee.
As I sit down with my coffee in Cameron’s lap, there’s a knock on the door, and I hear Natalie’s voice as the door opens.
I look at Cameron to see if he’s freaking out because Natalie is about to catch us, but he just smiles and takes a sip of his coffee.
The front door closes, followed by the unmistakable sound of flip-flops smacking against hardwood.
“Cricket?” Natalie’s voice rings through the cottage. “You up? I brought muffins from that place you love—wait, what the hell? ”
Cameron’s hands drop instantly, and we both turn toward the kitchen entrance just as Natalie freezes in place, paper bag in one hand, eyes wide as they land on him… then slowly drop to the shirt I’m wearing. Recognition flashes in her expression.
“Oh my God,” she blurts, taking a step back. “ Did you sleep with my dad? ”
I go red instantly. “Natalie—”
“I mean, I knew you two were vibing, but I didn’t expect to walk into it. ”
Cameron clears his throat. “We weren’t doing anything—”
“You were kissing her neck,” she snaps, holding up a hand. “Please. I’m begging you. Spare me the visual details.”
I press my lips together to stop laughing. “Do you want a muffin or…?”
She narrows her eyes, then sighs, dropping the bag onto the counter. “Yes, I brought blueberry and lemon poppy. But I’m gonna need a minute to mentally separate you from my dad, thanks.”
Before anyone can respond, Abby walks into the kitchen.
“Morning!” she calls brightly, then stops short as she takes in the scene: me, wearing Cameron’s T-shirt. Cameron, shirtless and flushed. Natalie dramatically face-palming against the counter.
“Oh hell yes, ” Abby grins, hands on her hips. “I knew it!”
“I hate this,” Natalie mutters. “This is my villain origin story.”
Cameron rubs a hand down his face. “Okay, maybe I should—”
“Stay right there,” Abby says, pointing at him like she’s directing a crime scene. “I want every detail. When did it happen? Was it last night? Did you light candles? Was there music?”
“You are literally asking about my dad’s sex life , ” Natalie groans.
“You’re the one who walked in early in the morning after you knew they had a date,” Abby says with a shrug.
I let out a laugh, ducking my head. “Can we all take a breath and maybe drink some coffee before launching an interrogation?”
Natalie exhales and grabs a muffin. “Fine. But I’m going to pretend he’s not here for the next fifteen minutes.”
“I’m gonna go to another room,” Cameron offers, already backing toward the living room with his coffee.
“Please do,” she mutters.
Abby turns to me, her voice dropping into something just for us. “So? Was it everything I imagined?”
My face warms again, but I nod, unable to stop the grin that spreads across my lips. “Yeah. It really was.”
Abby squeezes my arm. “Good. You deserve that.”
And as Cameron settles onto the couch with a smirk and Natalie loudly pretends not to look at him, I can’t help but laugh. Because yeah, this is chaotic. Weird. A little awkward. But it’s also kind of… wonderful.
After a quick debrief about my night without too many details, quiet falls over the kitchen.
Natalie sips her coffee thoughtfully, glancing toward the window, her expression fondly distant. “I’ve missed days like this, being at the beach, surrounded by family. It reminds me so much of summers in Star Mountain, back when Dad used to—”
Her voice trails off as she sees the confusion flickering across my face. My heart skips a beat at her words, my mind snagging sharply on that name—Star Mountain. My hometown. A strange unease twists sharply through my chest, though I’m not sure why.
“You know Star Mountain?” I ask carefully, voice barely audible, heart beginning to race.
Natalie nods casually, completely unaware of my sudden discomfort. “Oh yeah. My dad spent years there. It’s a beautiful place, isn’t it?”
I look at Cameron, who’s starting to get off the couch and head back into the kitchen. My throat tightens sharply, a wave of disbelief and confusion crashing over me. “Cameron lived in Star Mountain?”
“Sure did,” Natalie says cheerfully, completely oblivious to the turmoil within me. “We left years ago when his business took off, but he loved it there. He still owns a house just outside town. Says he might retire there someday.”
My head spins softly, a thousand questions racing frantically through my mind. Cameron mentioned knowing Star Mountain, but never said he lived there. How could he possibly keep something like that from me?
Natalie’s brow furrows gently, finally noticing my obvious discomfort. “Cricket? Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know,” I whisper, heart aching softly as confusion overwhelms me. “Cameron never mentioned anything about Star Mountain to me. I—I don’t understand.”
Her eyes widen softly, guilt and surprise evident on her face. “Oh—I’m so sorry, Cricket.” She looks to her dad, who’s walking into the room. “I had no idea you didn’t know. He must have assumed you did.”
“I don’t think he did,” I whisper numbly, feeling utterly lost. I look up at Cameron. “You never even hinted at it.”
“I’m sure he wasn’t intentionally hiding it,” Natalie insists gently, eyes soft with worry. “Dad would never deliberately hurt you.”
I swallow tightly, emotions roiling sharply within me—hurt, confusion, betrayal. “Maybe not deliberately. But this changes things.”
Mumbling a quiet apology, I hurry from the cottage, feeling suffocated and desperate for air. Outside, the beach suddenly feels foreign, strange, and unfamiliar. How could Cameron keep something so important from me? Why would he do that? Did he already plan for things to end, and wanted to make sure I didn’t know how to find him?
I make it to the edge of the water before Cameron catches up to me. Anger and hurt flare brightly in my chest as he strides toward me. My heart is pounding sharply.
His smile falters, concern flickering gently in his eyes. “Cricket? What’s wrong?”
“Star Mountain,” I say tightly, voice trembling with suppressed emotion. “Why didn’t you tell me you lived there? That you still have ties there?”
His eyes widen softly in surprise, his expression quickly shifting to one of quiet regret. “Cricket—I can explain.”
“You deliberately kept it from me,” I accuse softly, eyes stinging sharply with tears of confusion and hurt. “Why would you do that?”
“I didn’t deliberately hide it,” he insists gently, stepping closer, desperation evident in his voice. “Cricket, please listen to me. Things were already complicated—I didn’t know how to bring it up without risking everything.”
“You should’ve trusted me enough to tell me anyway,” I whisper, pain evident in my voice. “Finding out from someone else hurts more than the truth ever could have.”
“I know,” he whispers helplessly, regret softening his expression. “Cricket, I’m sorry.”
My heart aches sharply, torn between longing and confusion, trust and hurt. I step back slowly, needing distance, space, clarity. “I don’t know what to think right now, Cameron. I just need time.”
His expression falls softly, disappointment evident in his gentle eyes. “Please, don’t shut me out.”
“I have to,” I whisper, feeling tears sting sharply in my eyes. “I can’t trust my heart with someone who keeps secrets from me. Not right now.”
I turn swiftly, walking quickly away down the beach, needing distance from the confusion and ache threatening to overwhelm me. Behind me, Cameron calls my name softly, the sound painful and pleading. But I refuse to look back.
I need space. I need clarity. Most of all, I need to protect my heart.
* * *
Cameron
I stand helplessly on the beach, watching Cricket retreat swiftly, her posture tense and guarded as she moves away. My heart aches sharply, pain and regret roiling within me. How could I have been so careless? I should’ve told her about Star Mountain the moment I realized we shared ties to the same hometown.
I sink slowly onto the sand, staring numbly at the waves gently rolling onto the shore. Memories swirl quietly within me—summers spent exploring the forests near Star Mountain, nights spent stargazing from my old porch, moments filled with happiness and peace before success dragged me away. How ironic that my greatest source of joy now—Cricket—also connects me back to the home I’d almost forgotten.
“You okay?” Luke’s gentle voice startles me softly, pulling me from my thoughts. He sits quietly beside me, gaze soft with concern.
“Not really,” I admit quietly, voice tight with emotion. “I messed up, Luke. Badly.”
He sighs softly, watching the waves quietly for a long moment before responding gently. “Natalie told me what happened. Cricket’s upset about Star Mountain.”
“I should’ve told her,” I whisper, regret thickening my voice. “The moment I realized she was from there, I panicked. I didn’t know how to explain without risking everything.”
“Now, not telling her has risked even more,” Luke says gently, sympathy evident in his tone. “Trust is fragile, Cameron. She’s hurt right now, feeling betrayed and confused. You need to talk to her openly and honestly, without hiding anything else.”
“I know,” I murmur, guilt heavy within me. “I just don’t want to lose her. She means too much.”
“Then fight for her,” Luke encourages softly, squeezing my shoulder gently. “Show her she can trust you again. But first, give her the space she needs.”
“I will,” I whisper, determination hardening softly within me. “I’ll do anything to make things right again.”
Later, as evening settles softly over Love Beach, stars glitter gently overhead. I pace restlessly on the deck, heart aching with uncertainty. I decide to walk along the beach, hoping to run into Cricket.
I spot Cricket sitting quietly on the sand near the water’s edge, gazing pensively toward the ocean.
Taking a deep breath, I walk slowly down toward her, approaching cautiously. She glances up briefly as I sit quietly beside her, but quickly returns her gaze to the gentle waves.
“Cricket,” I begin softly, voice filled with quiet regret. “I want to explain everything—if you’ll let me.”
She remains quiet for a long moment, her expression unreadable in the soft moonlight. Finally, she nods gently, still not looking directly at me. “Go ahead.”
“I never intended to hide that I knew Star Mountain from you,” I say sincerely, voice thick with emotion. “Yes, I lived there for years. It was home—still is, in many ways. But I moved away long ago, chasing success and leaving behind a life I’d almost forgotten. When you mentioned Star Mountain, I panicked. I worried that telling you would complicate things or make you stop whatever was developing between us. You kept saying we were only for a week, and I didn’t want to tell you that I could easily be with you in Star Mountain. I was wrong—I should’ve trusted you enough to be open from the start.”
She remains silent, absorbing my words carefully. My heart aches gently, desperate for her forgiveness.
“Cricket, please believe me,” I whisper. “I care deeply for you. My feelings for you are genuine, real, and far deeper than I ever expected.”
She glances toward me finally, her eyes softening slightly with reluctant tenderness. “I want to believe you, Cameron. But secrets hurt. And trust once broken isn’t easily repaired.”
“I know,” I whisper, my voice filled with sincere remorse. “But I’m asking for the chance to earn your trust again—to show you how much you truly mean to me.”
She sighs softly, turning back toward the ocean, her posture tense and conflicted. “I just need time, Cameron. I can’t rush this.”
“I understand,” I murmur, heart aching gently but respecting her need for space. “I’ll wait however long it takes, Cricket. You’re worth every moment.”
She nods gently, remaining quiet. I linger silently beside her, heart heavy with regret and uncertainty. Eventually, she rises quietly, brushing sand from her shorts, her expression still distant and guarded.
“Goodnight, Cameron,” she whispers, voice tinged with quiet sadness.
“Goodnight,” I reply quietly, watching helplessly as she walks slowly away down the beach, disappearing gradually into the darkness.
Left alone beneath the quiet stars, I silently promise myself that somehow, someway, I’ll make this right again. Cricket Adams has captured my heart completely—I refuse to lose her without a fight.