Page 39 of Unwrapped
Hopefully.
After gathering our belongings, we lock up and head outside. Hudson and Sawyer help Jordana and Talia carry their bags, and Jude grabs Camille’s and Lena’s before I even have the chance to offer. I trudge toward my SUV like an idiot, unsure how to make things right.
Everyone hugs after loading up their vehicles. The guys head out, followed by Talia and Jordana, until Lena, Camille, and I are the only ones left.
Lena opens the door of Camille’s Beetle and slides into the driver’s seat. “I’m excited to drive this bad boy. Nice meeting you, Dean. Get home safely.”
“You too, Lena. Merry Christmas and happy early birthday.”
“Thanks.” She grins and starts the car. “Well, I’ll let you two chat while this warms up. Take your time, Cami.” She closes the door.
My heart pounds in my chest when Camille meets my gaze with desolation in her beautiful green eyes. “It was nice to see you, Dean.”
I step closer to her. “Nice to see me? You say that like we didn’t spend the weekend pouring our hearts out to each other. You say it like this is ... goodbye.” I can barely push the word out.
“It is, isn’t it?”
“Not even close. Look, I don’t know what I did, but I’m sorry,” I stammer, knotting my hands in my hair.
She squeezes her eyes shut. “I’m sorry too.”
“Sorry for what?” She has nothing to apologize for.
Regret shines in her eyes when they finally meet mine. “For getting carried away. The truth is, I can’t do this.” She motions between us. “I know I suggested it before, but I really can’t handle a long-distance relationship. I need so much more than that. Besides, our history is too complicated. There are other people to think about.”
“I don’t give a fuck about anyone else.” My voice breaks, and my chest caves in as I try to process her words. “They don’t matter.” The realization arrives eleven years too late, but I’ll do everything in my power to fix the damage I’ve caused.
“But they do, though. They matter an awful lot.”
Yeah, they do, but so does she. I reach out to take her hand, but she pulls it back.
She slowly shakes her head. “You forget how well I know you. You caredeeplyabout how other people feel. I’m not faulting you for that—it’s a wonderful trait to have—but I don’t want to be the reason you’re at odds with your mother. It’s not fair for me to put you in a shitty position like that.” She shrugs and blinks rapidly. “I like your mom. I respect her. I respectyou, Dean.” She releases a shaky breath. “And family comes first.”
“But I want you.” My lame protest doesn’t do the cleaver cracking my chest wide open any justice. All that’s left of my pathetic heart plummets to the ground, turning the pristine, white snow a deep scarlet. God knows I’d rather bleed out than feel what I’m feeling. “Camille, please. I want you.”
I’m ready to fall to my knees and beg her to reconsider. Wrap myself around her legs. Tie myself to the bumper of her little blue clown car, so she can’t leave.
But, like always, I do nothing.
“I want you too.” A tear rolls down her cheek. “But I need more than you can give me.”
A million thoughts collide in my head. I open my mouth to explain my plan, make sure she knows I’m ready to face Ryanafterthe wedding, but the finality of her words renders me mute.
The truth is, she’s undeniably right. She deserves more than I have to offer. She should have a man who can take care of her. Hold her in his arms every night. Make her laugh. Dry her tears. Prepare a nice dinner for her after a long day. Support her writing endeavor. Learn and grow with her. A man who can welcome her into his family without fear of tearing it apart.
I could be that guy if she’d give me some time to figure things out, but it looks like she’s already made up her mind.
My eyes burn, nostrils flaring with my attempt to keep my composure. “So, I guess that’s it, then?”
“Yeah,” she whispers, as tears stream down her cheeks.
“Merry Christmas,” I croak, swallowing tightly.
I clench my jaw instead of telling her how much I love her, or begging her not to leave me, because she clearly doesn’t want to hear those things from me. She already made her decision.
“You too. Please take care of yourself, Dean. Maybe I’ll see you at our next reunion.” With that, she makes her way to the passenger’s side and gets into the Beetle, closing the door with a loud thud.
Rooted in place, I can’t move or breathe.
