Page 90 of What Should Have Been Ours

His lips part like he wants to argue, but no words come out.

“Stop,” I plead softly. “Just stop trying to protect me. Let me do this with you. Please.”

His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. Then, after a long, painful pause, he nods. “Okay.”

I let out a shaky breath, relief and fear warring inside of me.

Wes finally speaks from across the room, his voice coming out rough. “I hate all of this. But if there’s anyone else who’s as stubborn as you, Cam, it’s Gabrielle. I wouldn’t fight with that one.”

Kinsley lets out a small, watery laugh, rubbing her hand down Wes’s arm. “Yeah. You don’t really stand a chance there.”

Cam huffs a quiet laugh, but the smile doesn’t reach far. The room falls silent again. But this time, it’s a little lighter. Less suffocating. Maybe it’s just knowing we have each other that’s making it more bearable.

Eventually, Wes and Kinsley head out to grab coffee, leaving just me and Cam by ourselves. The second the door closes behind them, I move, climbing up onto the hospital bed beside him, pressing my body close, curling into his chest. He stiffens for half a second before relaxing into me, his arms instinctively wrapping around my back.

“You’re not supposed to be in the bed,” he murmurs against my hair.

“Let them try to kick me out,” I mumble back.

His chest rumbles with a quiet laugh, then he exhales. “I don’t deserve you.”

My throat tightens up at his words. “Shut up.”

“I’m serious.”

I tilt my head up, meeting his gaze. “And I’m serious when I say that if you try to push me away again, I’m going to hurt you.”

A slow, tired smirk tugs at his lips. “The love of my life, threatening me into submission.”

The love of my life.

I tuck the words deep into my heart, hiding them away like a secret love note.

Cam sighs, his hold on me tightening. “I don’t know what’s going to happen this time.”

“Neither do I.”

“But I know one thing,” he continues, voice softening, “if I have to go through this again, I’m at least relieved I have you by my side again. I might try to push you away for your own good, but selfishly, I would never want you to leave.”

Tears prick my eyes, but I push them away, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “I’m not going anywhere.”

We lay there like that, holding onto each other and soaking in this moment of calm before the storm.

34

Cameron

My parents are coming in today, and I’m nervous. I never wanted them to see me like this again. I never wanted her to see me like this again. I never wanted to see any of this again.

But here we are.

By the time my mom arrives, she’s crying before even making it fully through my door, which, yeah—that’s about what I expected. My dad is holding her shoulders, his expression tight. He looks just like he did when I was a kid, trying to keep it together for the both of them, trying to act like we’re not about to relive one of the worst times of our lives.

Gabrielle stands from her chair, and suddenly, my mom is pulling her into the tightest hug. “Gabrielle,” she breathes out, squeezing her. “Oh, sweetheart, it’s so good to see you again.”

Gabrielle lets out a surprised laugh, hugging her back. “You too, Mrs. Hayes.”

Mom pulls back just enough to cup her face, her eyes shinning with tears. “Look at you. You’re just as beautiful as ever.”