Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
ENTERTAINMENT TODAY
JULIANA
After my perfect weekend, I didn’t even mind when Ralph’s beak nearly took out my wrist on my run to the cafe.
I should’ve known something was off by the line down the street before I’d even unlocked the doors to open.
I smiled in confusion as what felt like the entire town trailed in.
Sandy…Beverly and Carol. Bosco was even beaming. He’s usually here at opening, so that wasn’t too unusual, but then he handed me a dried rose and gave me a little sideways almost-smile. Miss Idella and Emmy…all giggling.
A highlight was when Bosco did a low bow when he saw Miss Idella.
It was like someone had spiked the coffee, but I was the only one serving coffee so far.
Suzanne was off, and Papa Hector and Uncle Hal hadn’t made it in yet.
It wasn’t until noon that it all made sense.
The door slammed so hard that the bell nearly fell off. Jackson stormed in like a thundercloud, and Dove rushed behind him, looking apologetic. He was flushed red, his jaw tight. He barreled up to the counter, and the cafe went quiet.
And then he shoved the phone in my face with the picture of Camden and me in full color, kissing.
So that’s why the whole town was smiling at me like they were in a cult all morning.
Fast-forward to now and Camden’s declaration of love. I can hardly believe it.
But he dips me back and kisses me, to the cheers of everyone in the cafe but Jackson, and then it feels real. He loves me! And I love him. God, how I love him.
He straightens and carefully lets me go, then turns to Jackson and motions toward the back.
“Can we all talk where it’s a little quieter?” he asks Jackson. He takes my hand and looks down at me. “You too, if you can?”
I nod.
“Aww, do you have to?” Beverly asks. “We want to know what happens!”
The cafe explodes in laughter.
“Don’t worry, we’re here to entertain you,” Uncle Hal says.
Grandma Nancy and Grandma Donna walk in just then, and Uncle Hal holds his hand out with a flourish.
“See? The day has already gotten more entertaining!” he says, winking at Grandma Nancy.
She harrumphs and looks around the room suspiciously.
“What’s going on in here?” she asks.
“I’ll fill you in on everything,” Uncle Hal says, holding out his arm.
She’s so flustered, she takes it.
Jackson’s been distracted like I have been, but I nudge his arm.
“Come on, let’s go to my office. It’s through the kitchen,” I tell Dove.
Jackson grits his teeth and nods, his hand in Dove’s as they follow us back.
“Is Uncle Hal making the moves on Grandma Nancy?” he asks incredulously.
“Duh, where have you been?” I snap.
I do not have the patience for him right now.
He shudders.
I close the door behind us, and for a second, we all just stare at each other. I feel a little bad that Dove has come into all this drama, but if she knows my brother, her husband, at all, she must know that he comes with a shitload of drama.
“I’m sorry you had to find out like this, man,” Camden tells Jackson. “I was waiting until you got back from your honeymoon to talk to you.”
Jackson scoffs. “Right.”
“Believe it or not, it’s the truth. I couldn’t wait any longer, but I wanted it to be in person.
I’ve loved your sister for a long time, but I’ve held it in and pushed it down deep because of my love for you and the promise we made to each other.
But I can’t do it anymore. She means too much to me.
She deserves to be treated like a queen, and I want to be the one to do just that for the rest of my life. ”
“But you never stay in a relationship. Ever,” Jackson argues.
“No, I haven’t,” Camden says. “Because my heart was already taken.”
I get a lump in my throat and blink fast. I’ve wanted this for so long that it doesn’t feel real now that it’s happening.
“I’ve tried to fill that void, sure,” Camden adds. “But you’ve always been more of a player than me, and look at you now, settling down. You said you wanted that for me too, and I have it. Can’t you be happy for us?”
“Maybe it’s the close proximity,” Jackson says. “Windy Harbor is small, and it’s not like there are a ton of other options out there…”
I whirl around to face him, and he flinches.
“How can you say that about her?” Camden asks.
“The way we knew you’d react is what has affected our relationship more than anything.
I could sense her holding back at times.
We both love you so much and want your approval, but if you love either one of us, you’ll get on board with this.
You really think I’d ever hurt your sister? ”
“You’ve hurt her for years,” Jackson says, his voice low.
That hits me hard, and it looks like it guts Camden.
“You’re right. I have,” he says softly. He takes my hand and runs his fingers over mine. “And I don’t know how to forgive myself for that or for the time I’ve wasted with her.”
“We’ve both hurt each other,” I say, barely able to see through my tears as I look at him. “If we’d just been open about our feelings all along, it would’ve saved us and everyone around us a lot of hurt.”
Jackson sighs. “I can’t believe you’ve loved each other all along.
That’s just crazy. I mean, maybe a part of me always knew you’d prefer each other over me any day, but…
I didn’t want to go there. Because if it didn’t work out, then what would happen to our friendship?
I’d always pick my sister.” He makes a face at me, and my heart softens.
He’s a big lug, but I love him.
“I love you both, and I don’t want to jeopardize my relationship with either one of you over this.” Jackson points at Camden. “Just know that if you hurt her, I will hunt you down and make your life a living hell.”
Camden laughs. “You and Erin will both make sure that I suffer forever if I hurt her.” He squeezes my hand. “We’re in this for the long haul, right? At least I am,” he says when I don’t say anything back right away.
“I am too,” I say softly.
“And there are no more secrets between us.” Camden faces me and puts his hands on my face. “I love you. I want to be with you for the rest of my life.”
I swallow hard and then nod. “I want that too. I love you.”
He leans in, his forehead against mine as we stare at each other.
Jackson shakes his head and laughs softly. “This is fucking nuts. But I can’t really talk, can I? Dove has me by the balls––”
“Is there not a sweeter, more romantic way to put it?” Dove asks, crossing her arms over her chest.
I burst out laughing. “I think I really like you,” I say.
Dove gives me a huge smile. “I really like you too.”
“Baby, you know that you have my heart too, not just my balls,” Jackson coos. “That’s what I meant. You have my heart.”
Dove rolls her eyes and Jackson steps closer to her, uncrossing her arms and putting them around his neck. He gives her wide doe eyes, and she softens, smiling in the next second.
He kisses her and then looks at Camden and me. “I’ll make this up to you…all my assholery. I feel bad that I’ve held you guys back. Double date tomorrow night? My treat?”
“You’re really okay about all this? Just like that?” Camden asks, then lets out a long exhale.
“You said you love her, man. And I haven’t ever heard you be such a simp in all my life. So yeah, I’m gonna be okay about this. It’ll take me a while to get used to it, and I didn’t love seeing you dip her back out there and being all gross, but—”
“Get used to it,” Camden growls, and my legs go a little weak.
Jackson’s eyes widen, and he lifts his hands. “Okay, okay. Jeez.”
I shake my head, laughing quietly. “This is kind of surreal.”
“You’re telling me,” my brother says. “So tomorrow night? I’ll try to wrap my head around you guys between now and then.”
“How about something earlier in the day so Camden doesn’t have to miss more work?” I say. “If we go after the lunch rush, I’ll have enough backup to leave a little early.”
Jackson frowns. “How are you guys gonna make this work? You have to get up while it’s still dark out,” he says to me and then points at Camden, “and you are just barely going to bed when she’s getting up.”
“So far, our staffs have covered for us, but during the busy seasons or when people are out sick or on vacation, it’ll be challenging,” Camden admits. “We’ll have to put the work in to make the most of our time together.”
I smile at him and put my arms around his neck, staring up at him with all the love I can finally show.
“It’s worth it,” I say.
“Damn straight.”
Before Camden leaves for work, he grabs his phone.
Camden
Proof of life incoming…
“Watch the madness unfold,” he says, laughing.
He holds up his phone and kisses my temple. My head falls back on his chest, and I smile the biggest smile while closing my eyes. When I open them, he shows me the selfie he’s just taken. It’s perfect. He sends it and gives me a mischievous grin when he shows me what he texted.
Camden
I have a girlfriend!
Dylan
Ahhh! I didn’t know how bad I needed this in my life until I saw this picture! YOU AND JUJU! I am shook. This is perfect.
Dad
It is about time. I’m so happy, son. So, so happy. And it looks like the two of you are even happier about this. <3 Your mom would be beside herself.
Goldie
Juju will FINALLY be my sister.
“God, these people,” he says, giving me a sideways look, his cheeks flushing.
I just grin and watch what he types next.
Camden
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I just got her to come around to being my girlfriend.
Goldie
Oh, you’ve had that in the bag for a while. I don’t think it’ll take much convincing.
I roll my eyes. “Easy, bestie,” I murmur.
Noah
This is great, Camden. You guys are perfect for each other.
Tully
What they all said and a huge fucking congratulations!
But are we really going to pretend like this is news to us, fam?
We’ve been talking about it for the past twenty-four hours straight.
Ace was on the bench yesterday and sent me the picture of the two of you kissing on the Jumbotron.
We’ve been taking bets on how long it would take before you told us.
I have to say, you keep it close to the chest, dude.
Goldie
True confession: I actually knew before the Jumbotron. I’ve known for a while…
I put my hand over my mouth when I see that part. My eyes are wide when I look at Camden. I tap the phone to distract him and giggle.
Tully
WHEN WILL I EVER GET THE TWIN BENEFITS?! You’re supposed to tell me all the things!
Goldie
Juju said it was a big secret! I couldn’t do that to her.
Dad
True confession: I walked in on Juju on the phone…doing some dirty talking where she mentioned your name, son…so I’ve actually known for a bit myself.
My head falls back.
“Someone’s been keeping some secrets,” Camden sings.
“Ugh. Your family is terrible at keeping secrets,” I groan.
“Sounds like they’re not the only ones.” He chuckles.
I tap his phone again, which makes him laugh harder.
Tully
No one tells me ANYTHING.
Dylan
Same here. I’m offended.
Camden
Same here.
He winks at me.
Noah
No one told me, but I’ve been seeing the way you’ve looked at Juju since the day she moved into our neighborhood in St. Paul. So…I guess you could say I’ve known the longest.
Tully
True. I have noticed that myself. Okay, you guys are off the hook. But next time, SHARE. Sharing is caring, dammit!
Dylan
What Tull said.
Camden
You guys are unbelievable. But I guess I love you anyway.
He looks at me sheepishly, and I tug his head down and kiss him with everything I have in me.
When we finally break apart, he pushes my hair back and studies my face. “Are we really okay?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
“I’m so sorry for all the hurt I’ve caused you, Juju.
When we were kids. Now. That you’ve never known how badly I wanted you…
or how much I wanted to be standing next to you, doing every part of our life together.
I regret all the ways I’ve lashed out and tried to deflect my feelings…
I’m sorry for all of it. Most of all, for how much time we’ve lost.”
“We’re here now. Clean slate. I forgive you. I’m sorry for all the times I lashed out at you too.”
“I deserved it.”
“Yes, you did.” I laugh.
“Thank you for giving me a chance. It means everything…you mean everything to me.”