Precious Consequences(64)

Hannah stands and jumps over the back of the booth. She comes to my side and in this moment I can’t be more grateful for her support. She already knows everything, so this is of no surprise to her.

I hand Ari over to Hannah. “Please take her to the car, I’ll be there in a minute.”

Hannah walks away and Ari waves at Cam from over Hannah’s shoulder. “Bye Cam. Wuv you.”

Cameron waves. “Bye Princess. I love you too,” he whispers. My heart sputters and I feel the ache deep within my bones. Minutes pass and they feel like hours. My stomach is in knots and this has proven to be too much to deal with a second time. So I make a choice - now that’s out in the open, I can let it go and leave the shame, and indignity that I’ve carried for so long in the past, where it belongs.

“How old is she?” Kyle asks abruptly.

“Two and a half,” I reply.

He thinks on it for a minute, and I can hear him trying to figure it out. “But that means…”

“She was born eight weeks early, in July 2012.”

He swallows hard, recalculating it in his head. “She’s mine,” he states with a shaky voice. “Fuck me, she’s mine.”

I nod, “Yes.”

Kyle starts to speak but I beat him to it. “I forgive you,” I tell Kimber. “I know why you did it.”

“Did what?”

“Recorded that video of me and Kyle. I know why you did it. And I forgive you.” Her face drops, realization making it’s way into her eyes.

Having had enough of this conversation, I turn my back on them and walk out the diner quickly, fumbling with my keys when I get to my car. Hannah is leaning against the back passenger door, holding Ari.

“Hayley!” I don’t need to turn around to know its Cameron. I could be a deaf mute and still know that voice. Without looking at Hannah, I ask her to get Ari into her car seat. I keep my back to Cameron, hoping he’ll get the hint that I don’t want to talk.

“You lied to me,” he says angrily. “You told me Ari’s father wasn’t in the picture. Why?” He’s talking about Kyle, which I find odd considering what he’s just found out about my past.

I spin around and my words come out rushed, thick with indignation. “I told you he wasn’t in the picture, and he isn’t.”

“You didn’t tell me he has no f*cking idea that she even exists!” he snaps.

I step closer, until his heaving chest brushes against mine. “It was never about you. It was about Ari, and protecting het from my past, and my mistakes. I wish I could tell you that I regret not telling you, but I don’t. And what does it matter to you now anyway? You’ve clearly moved on.”

Cameron’s jaw does that ticking thing again and he knits his brows in what I can only interpret as confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“You and Rachel. She told me you started calling her after your dad died, which is why you never responded to my calls or texts.”

Cameron’s face twists as rage creeps across his stoic features. “She said what?”

I sigh. “I’m tired Cameron, and I need to get Ari home. I really think you need to talk to Rachel about this.”

“But I’m asking you, Buttercup.” Cameron recognizes his mistake, calling me Buttercup, but his tone is soft and takes on a hint of that caressing quality that still makes my insides go all gooey.

“Why is it so important?”

“Because I f*cking miss you, and I’m trying to figure all this shit out. I wanted to talk to you after dad’s memorial service, but you couldn’t get away from me fast enough.”

“I miss you too,” I whisper, looking down. “But I can’t do this right now, Cam. Please. I’ve had as much as I can handle for one night.”

Cameron’s hand comes up, as if to touch me, but he thinks better of it. It feels too awkward with him, too unnatural after everything that has transpired between us. His shoulders sag and he rubs his nape. “Okay.”

Our eyes stay locked for a second, and it’s long enough for me to catch the silent hope that sparks in the depths of his irises. He backs away so that I can get into my car. Hannah is in the passenger seat and by now I know it means wherever I’m going, she’s going too. I look out my window one last time, and see that Cameron has already disappeared. I start the car and pull out of the parking lot, heading home, even though Ari and I haven’t eaten yet. But all I’m thinking about is what’s going through Cameron’s mind after finding out about my history, and if it would stop him from giving us another try. Do I want us to try again?

** ** ** ** **

I stir from my restless sleep and hear Ari’s giggles travel up the stairs. “Should we wake your mommy up?” I hear Hannah ask. She opens my door, and peeks inside.

“Wake up, mommy!” Ari chimes. Hannah tosses her onto the bed and she laughs as she crawls over to me. I sit up and Ari falls into my lap.

“Has aunty Hannah been giving you sugar all morning?” I tease, tickling Ari’s ribs gently. She wiggles around and flops onto her side. Hannah takes a seat on the edge of my bed. “I made waffles for breakfast,” she says, watching Ari and me with an amused expression.

“Ah,” I laugh. “That explains it.”