Page 50 of Finish Line

I suck in a breath. “Each day is different. One day, I crave touch, and the next, if you touch me, I’ll die.”

“You're doing so much better with being touched. I’m proud of how far you’ve come,” Cam praises me.

I smile at him. “It’s the same with the guys. My heart keeps saying I love them and miss them so damn bad, but my head tells me how easily they gave up.”

I turn more in my seat to face Cam. “They gave up when you didn’t.” I tilt my head curiously. “Why didn’t you?”

“My life is nothing like Mav’s and Dom’s. Their mom and dad screwed them up, big time. I only have daddy issues.” He rubs the back of his neck, chuckling lightly. “I must admit, I was surprised Luke was hypnotized so easily.”

“I’ve been thinking about that. It shouldn’t matter why they succumbed to hypnosis.” I shrug. “It happened, and trying to figure out why they did won’t make a difference.”

Glancing out at the ocean, I take a minute to think through the words I need. “Everyone is entitled to their thoughts and feelings. The main problem I have isn’t the doubts, it’s that they didn’t talk to me about them. All of you told me we had to be open and honest for this thing to work. Yet, we kept things from each other.”

I stop, inhaling to calm myself. “But if we want to move forward from this, we need to start fresh and rebuild. I love them all, Cam, but with what happened to me, I can’t have them doubting me again.”

“I understand, beautiful.” He threads his fingers with mine when I place my hand in his. “I’m here for you. I brought you a small gift. Will you open it before you call the twins?”

I squeeze his hand, which rests on my lap. “You didn’t have to buy me anything.”

He hands me a rectangle box. I open it, and inside is the infinity symbol with a diamond. “This way, you always know that I’ll love you forever. The diamond is my birthstone.”

“Can you put it on me?” I turn around and let him put on the necklace. I gaze down at it. “I love it. Your present is out in the driveway. It’s not really a present, though.”

A grin splits his face before he hops off the couch and running out the front door like a little kid on Christmas.

I laugh at the image and walk out behind him.

“You brought our bikes down! Awesome!” Cam skips around his bike. “Hawaii has some cool trails.”

“Can’t wait.” I smile, pausing to gain the courage I need. “I love you, Cam.”

Cam’s eyes widen, and I see a slight sheen of unshed tears. “I love you, Shelby. Can I kiss you?”

I nod.

He slowly steps forward, his eyes never leaving mine. His head lowers as I wait breathlessly. The warmth of his lips touch mine, and I didn’t realize how much I missed kissing him.

He doesn’t push for more, just pressing our lips together, not touching me anywhere else.

My stomach performs somersaults like it did the first time I met him, which makes me remember my goofy Mav saying he couldn’t believe Luke overthrew the ball and my gruff Dom demanding he get off me. Luke had run over, asking me if I was hurt.

I miss them so much. It’s time. “Let’s call the twins.”

We return to the couch, sit, and call the boys.

Mav comes on the screen. “Hey, butthea—” He stops, clearly expecting Cam since we’re calling from his computer. “Oh, Shelby. Hey, Princess.”

“Hi, Knight,” I reply, using my nickname for him. “Merry Christmas.”

“It is now. I miss you so much, baby. I’m so sorry for everything. Dom and I never made any bet. Even while I was under, I never had sex with anyone. I’m an ass for having d?—”

“Mav, calm down.” I interrupt his rambling. “I forgive you. It wasn’t fair for me to expect you not to have any doubts about our relationship. It’s so new… You know what? It’s Christmas, and I don’t want to discuss that today. How are you feeling?”

Mav’s shoulders relax the second I say I forgive him. “The first few days were rough, but it’s getting easier. I remember you saying you dealt with this while on the streets after fleeing Ashland. A lot of confusion and headaches. You’re tough as nails. Cam, you better be taking care of our girl. Otherwise, I’ll deprive you of my gorgeous body.”

I didn’t realize how much I missed his stupid jokes until now. They are a part of me as I’m a part of them.

“I miss seeing your beautiful face every day in school. It’s not the same when you’re gone.”

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