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In the crowd, familiar faces wear confused frowns as they clap to the beat. A few of them whisper and survey the crowd in search of someone. I’ve never been happier to be hidden than I am right now as the lyrics to Kenya’s Melody resonate inside my chest.
Although Khadijah gives life to the words, I hear Cameron in every lyric. His heart bleeds on the stage and it takes all I have inside me not to rush him during his performance. As Khadijah belts out the last notes of Kenya’s Melody, the first fireworks light up the night sky.
While I convince myself to be patient, that Cameron will be busy for a while, he rushes off the stage and grabs my hand.
“We have a conversation to finish,” he says as he drags me away. “Where did you park?” He follows my directions. “While everyone is busy watching the fireworks, take me home.”
I nod and start the car. When we arrive, Jazzy’s car isn’t in her usual spot, which only emboldens Cameron. He carries me upstairs to our bedroom.
“Now, where were we?” He bends down until his knees hit the ground.
I follow suit and take his hands in mine. “Will you entrust your heart to me again? I promise I’ll take better care of it than the last time around. I know I have a long way to go when it comes to trusting people, but you aren’t just anybody. You have my full faith and my heart. There will never be room for another.” I stare into Cameron’s eyes. “Um, do you mind taking those out?” I point to his contacts.
“Right.”
“I just ruined it, didn’t I?”
Cameron grins as he pops out the lenses from each eye. “Not at all. I also have something I need to say.”
“But there’s no need when I was the one—”
He presses a finger to my lips. “You had your chance, and I have some beautiful thoughts to share. It would be a shame if the time I spent practicing goes to waste.”
“Okay, rock star, you’re up.” I smile, confident that he won’t reject me.
“You know about my home life before I lived with the Houstons. You also know that I’ve been on the run from myself for a long time. The funny thing is, although I was running, I never moved. Then I met you, and all of a sudden I didn’t want to run anymore. I want to walk on your path, share in your triumphs and even your sorrows. Because at the end of the day, all my paths lead to you.”
Someone deserves all the panties thrown at him. Why are you still wearing yours?
“Okay, you totally nailed your speech.” I launch myself into his arms and pepper kisses across his face.
“Yeah?”
“Uh huh.”
Now, please, don’t fuck shit up again and make me come out to talk to you. Do you know how precious my sleep is?
I give Keating a silent send off, knowing that as valuable as her harsh criticisms are, I won’t need her in the future.
“Give me… a rating… on a scale… from one to ten,” Cameron says in between returning my kisses. “Ten means my little lamb also forgives me.”
I ease away from him, feeling heat build in my body. “You know what happens when you call me that.”
Cameron grins. “I think I need you to refresh my memory. I’ve missed my little lamb. A lot.”
EPILOGUE
Kenya
Screaming kids race from inside the house to our newly renovated backyard. The outdoor space is more kid friendly, a must now that we’re hosting our one-year-old’s first birthday party.
The rooms on the first floor look like cartoon land on speed with bright decorations and gifts covering every surface. Visions of my spoiled baby flash before my eyes. I shake off the image to move within the hectic atmosphere and greet parents and soon-to-be parents whose children will grow up with our daughter, Yasha.
The party is larger than I wanted. Between Cameron’s industry friends and half the population of Escondido Bay vying for an invitation, I was outvoted on the invitation list and the games.
Outside, I search for my husband and daughter, but it is difficult to find anyone. Grown men compete with children in the line to the inflatable bounce house. Women from G-mama’s Silver-Haired Baddies Motorcycle Club man the grill and bar, ensuring no adult falls asleep standing in the middle of the crowd or wilds out on too much alcohol. The one group that will cause trouble is hidden amongst the other attendants. Their ring leader, my glamma, is also somewhere in the crowd.
By a stroke of luck, I glimpse Jazzy’s silhouette. She sees me at the same time I move toward her. “Where’s Easton? I ask.
