Page 88 of Keep Me

“Okay, but can I finish watching the game first?” I ask.

“We need to get back to your place. My team needs a debrief and we need to get started as soon as possible,” he stresses, his jaw clenched tightly with each word.

“You go ahead then. I’ll stay here.”

“Do you think I’m clueless, Camille? I know what you’re doing.”

More tears wet my cheek, my breath unsteady as I speak, “I’m not doing anything. I need to talk to Ryker in case this is all true…I need to say goodbye.” My voice cracks, my chest aching at the thought. “I’ll have him bring me home.”

Idris looks conflicted, his dark brown eyes searing a path right through me. “Fine,” he relents. “But it’s not a goodbye. We’re getting you out of this.”

I nod, unable to say much more.

“I’m having the team meet at your place. I told them I’d be there in fifteen. Text me if anything else happens, okay?”

“I will.” I half smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. I make my way back when he leaves with one name running in my mind.

Ryker.

The thought of saying goodbye to him is like a weight on my chest. I can’t do it, but I have to protect him. I love Ryker more than anything or anyone in this world, and in order to make sure he’s happy, I have to sacrifice my own happiness.

He won’t be able to keep me forever, like I imagined in our happily ever after, but I’ll cherish what we had for the rest of my life, no matter how painful it’ll be to hold on to the memories.

I text Jasmine as soon as Idris leaves and tell her to meet me by the concession stand. I can see her once I round the corner, right where I asked her to be. My chest caves in once more, because I’ll be losing her too.

“Cami.” Jasmine’s brows pinch as she rushes toward me and envelops me in her arms. “What’s wrong?”

I wrap my arms around her, squeezing her tightly. “I have to go home.” I sniffle.

Jasmine pulls back slowly, her eyes pooling with tears. “Why do I feel like you won’t come back?”

I shake my head as another tear slipped through. “I don’t know if I am.”

“What’s going on?” she asks, pulling me off to the side so no onlookers can watch.

“My dad called me, and I have to get married to someone in a neighboring island in order to save my country or else he’ll ruin Ryker’s life, as if the guilt from our country going under wouldn’t be enough,” I tell her.

Her mouth pops open. “This isn’t real life.” She huffs. “This just doesn’t happen. How is this happening?”

“I don’t know, but I can’t test my father. My brother’s security team is looking into the validity of everything he said, but it’ll take hours. I don’t have that kind of time.” I stand taller, gathering what little confidence I have left to see this through.

“This isn’t fucking fair,” she cries, pulling me in for another hug.

I shake against her, our sobs mingling together. “I know, but I need you to do me a favor.”

She pulls back, looking at me with sadness. “Anything.”

“I need you not to tell anyone where I’m going. My brother’s team wants me to wait here until they figure it out. But I’m going to head to the airport now. The sooner I get there and assess what is going on, the more help I can be to figure out what I can do to get out of it,” I explain. “And I need you to tell Ryker. I…I can’t say goodbye to him. Tell him I love him and that hopefully I’ll be back for him if he wants.”

I know it’s going to hurt him if I leave without giving him a reason why. He specifically asked me to never do that, but he’d convince me to stay, and I need to be out of here sooner than later.

“So there’s hope you’ll be back?” Jasmine brightens a little.

“I can’t promise anything, Minnie. But I’m going to try my best. You can count on that.” I pull her into another hug, hoping this won’t be the last time I see her.

Once we part, I walk down the hall, beginning my journey back to Lorsica.

With hopes that I’ll be back where home truly is.

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