Page 108 of Close Knit

“All right, that’s enough,” he says, but with him, it’ll never be enough.

Chapter 29

Cameron

Daphneand I walk along the stone path behind my family’s property, my siblings’ laughter fading with each step. The night sky is heavy with stars. A cool breeze sweeps through, and I shrug off my jacket and place it over her shoulders. Then I wrap my arm around her, drawing her close.

My eyes are heavy, and exhaustion weighs on my muscles.

Even when I’ve managed to sleep this week, it’s only been for a few hours before I wake up covered in sweat from yet another incessant nightmare. I slink out of my childhood bedroom and run this path into the woods for hours. But no distance has been enough to keep my brain from replaying my fuckup with Overton.

But since Daphne arrived a few hours ago, I’ve found a few moments of silence.

I’ve missed her.

She adjusts the collar of my coat, looking up at me. “Do you think your family liked me?”

“Is that even a question?” I raise a brow at her. “Don’t be surprised if you get some adoption papers in the mail.”

Seeing her with my family, fitting in naturally, just confirms my feelings for her. She’s meant to be by my side.

“They also adore you. When you slipped away to the restroom, Frankie told me that if I hurt you, I’d have to answer to her and Dante.”

“They’re harmless,” I assure her. “Just intense.”

She giggles. “I loved them. You seem to be doing a little better than when I last saw you.”

If only she knew what was ripping me up inside.

Are you her new charity case? Is she trying to fix weak little Cameron Hastings?

I shake the thought from my mind.

Be present.

“I’m staying focused.” I attempt to make my tone lighthearted. “This way.” I lead us up the stone stairs to my old stomping grounds. The motion lights flicker on, casting a glow over Daphne’s face and illuminating the lush grass. The pitch is serene. Goalposts stand silent, nets swaying in the cool breeze. I glance over at her awestruck expression. “Here is where I first fell in love with football.”

I don’t tell her that it’s a feeling I’d forgotten until her.

“Time me,” she says.

“What?”

“Time me! I want to see how long it takes me to run to the goal.” Daphne bolts across the field, only to halt a few yards later. “Scratch that. Running is a terrible idea. I don’t do running.” She huffs, bending over.

“Why do you think I chose to be a goalie?” I approach her.

“Because you’re a smart one, Goose.” She rights herself, twirling around with her arms splayed out toward the sky. Her sweater dress hugs her legs in a ridiculously mouthwatering way. “In gym class, I was always the kid walking laps and picking flowers. Or I became target practice during dodgeball.”

“Your school sounds fucking horrible. If I could, I’d make those kids my target practice.”

“If only we had each other back then to beat up our bullies.” She smiles, and I’m glad we have each other now. She follows me to the goalpost, and we lie right below the net. “So,” she says, keeping her eyes on the stars above.

“So?”

“Are we going to talk about the fact that you called me your girlfriend at dinner?”

Fuck. A slip of the tongue, as casual as it felt. I had hoped we’d have a proper conversation about it rather than me blurting it out in front of my family like an idiot.

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