Page 27 of One Night Redemption

"Camden!" Cassie runs to me, full throttle throwing herself into my arms.

I catch her easily, lifting her up, twirling her around. "You're in a good mood."

"Who wouldn't be with margaritas and so much queso my blood type is cheese? Thanks for catching me."

Her cheeks are flushed, eyes shining brightly in the dim light of the square. "Are you feeling good?"

"So good. This is exactly what I needed."

"I'm glad." I hold her up, her legs locked around my waist.

Everyone waves their goodbyes as they start to head out, leaving just me and Cassie there. Bellehaven still has the lights up from Christmas, but instead of looking like a winter wonderland, it resembles more of an enchanted forest. She and I are gazing at one another, before she licks her lips. "Let me down, Cam."

I do as she asks. "Can you stand okay?"

"I'm perfectly capable." She grabs my hands in hers. "Hear that music coming from the bar over there?"

"I do." It's some country song that likens back to the nineties.

"Will you dance with me?" She questions, her eyes showing the trepidation at asking me. The fear of rejection.

"It would be my pleasure." She reaches up, slinging her arms around my neck, I close my hand around her waist. Together we sway to the music echoing around us, not giving a shit about the people passing by, looking at us like we've probably lost our minds. All I care about is making Cassie happy and being worthy of the feelings that she's had for me for so long.

"Can we twirl?" Her voice is soft in the quiet of the night.

I smirk, grabbing her hand, and turning her around in two circles. Instead of stopping, she keeps going until she spins so many times she crashes into me, holding on tightly.

"I'm dizzy." She giggles.

"Hang onto me, I'll never let you fall, Cass."

Strong fingers grip my arms as I hold on tight. When I can tell she's got her footing about her, I pull back, moving my hands up to her cheeks and framing her face. I don't think about what's going to come out of my mouth, I don't measure the words. For the first time in my life, I let them flow. "I love the shit outta you, Cass. Your zest for life, the easy smile you have for everyone, the way your eyes twinkle when you're super excited about something. I love it all, and I'm sick of being scared that I'll be weak for admitting it. I love you."

Silent tears stream down her cheeks as she gazes up at me. "I love you too, Cam. Nothing more, nothing less, just all the love that I have for you."

There, in the middle of the square, the lights shining, the fountain flowing, and “Neon Moon” playing from some dive bar, I finally get over my fear of feelings, and become the man I always hoped I could be.

Chapter

Twenty-One

Cassie

Sweet baby Jesus. I’ve got a fucking marching band playing inside my skull. I’m afraid to open my eyes. The sun will melt me like the bad guys in Raiders of the Lost Ark. “No more tequila.” Just saying the word makes my stomach churn.

“Damn you, Ashley,” I whisper, still afraid to utter anything with real volume.

“Suck it up, buttercup,” Cam calls gleefully from the doorway. It’s clear that he’s enjoying my misery. “If you can’t handle your liquor, don’t fucking drink it.”

I lift one shaking hand, middle finger extended, and then let it drop back to the bed. The effort was just too much. Cracking one eye open just enough to peer at him through my lashes, I remind him, “You weren’t complaining last night.”

“Hell no I wasn’t. Drunk Cassie has a kinky streak and I fucking love it.”

Yeah. When I have the strength, I’ll be mortified by the things I did. The things I asked him to do. Fucking hell. But for now, I can’t focus on more than taking one breath after another without puking. “You are a merciless bastard, Camden Fellows. The very least you could do is bring me something to cure this cotton mouth.”

“McDonald’s coke on your bedside along with a couple of Tylenol and, when you’re up to it, breakfast is in the kitchen.”

I shudder at the thought. But the coke ... omg. There is nothing better for a hangover than a McDonald’s coke. Rolling over, I reach for it like I’ve been stranded in the desert for days. And that first sip goes all the way to my soul.

---