Page 47 of Finish Line

I shake my head, dislodging those thoughts and the slight frown on my face. “I normally spend Christmas with Dom and Mav.”

“I’m sorry,” Shelby says, saddened by my father’s actions.

She understands what it’s like having an absentee parent. Granted, her circumstances are different from mine, but our feelings about it are similar.

I smile at her. “I’m not. I’m here in this gorgeous place with the girl I love. I couldn’t ask for more.”

Taking a deep breath, Shelby squares her shoulders. “I would like to try to go out.”

Trying not to look too excited at the prospect, I nod. “Perfect. Just tell me, and we’ll come right back.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

SHELBY

On Christmas morning, Cam is sleeping across from me. Our hands are intertwined in the middle of the bed.

I have a surprise for him. I texted Nick to ask if he could send my Serenity and Cam’s bike here. It’s so beautiful here, and I miss riding my bike. Nick told me not to worry, and he would take care of it.

They arrived yesterday while Cam was surfing, and I can’t wait to show him.

“I can hear you thinking,” he says, his eyes still closed.

“Sure, you can. Merry Christmas, Cam.”

He opens his eyes. “Merry Christmas, beautiful.”

I squeeze his hand and let him go. “I’m going to go make us some breakfast, and after that, I’d like to Facetime some friends and family.”

After we finish eating, Cam put the dishes in the dishwasher.

“Are you ready, beautiful?” he asks, nothing but love in his tone.

I shrug. “As ready as I’ll ever be. But could you please stay? Just in case?”

“Sure, let’s sit outside, and we can use the table to put the computer on.”

Cam sets everything up, and I Facetime Paige first. I haven’t talked to her since Hannah vanished.

“Shelby!” she screams, making me jolt a bit at the volume.

“Hi, Paige.” I wave.

“I’ve been so worried about you. Cin told me that you were kidnapped. You came back, then disappeared again. Where are you?” She word vomits her questions.

“I’m somewhere safe. I apologize for being a horrible friend.”

She shakes her head. “You’re not. But, Shelby, what happened?”

“I’ll tell you what I can and am comfortable with, but please don’t ask for more.”

Paige catches from my voice that this is a big deal.

I explain what happened without going into any detail, and by the end, she’s in tears.

“I left because I need time to heal,” I finish.

Now that I’ve said it out loud, it sounds selfish. I talk to Paige for a bit and promise to talk more later, then I dial home. The first face I see is Cin.

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