She yawned as she stretched her arms.
“About us.” Shane grinned like a schoolboy, before his expression became more serious. “We have a lot to discus.”
“D-d-discuss?” Camden stuttered. There was so much she couldn’t tell Shane. She panicked, thinking he would press her for more information than she was willing to give.
“Yeah,” he murmured as he gently kissed her brow. “We need to clear up some things about the last few years.” He paused and gazed into her eyes. “Starting with your graduation party.”
Camden jerked as if she had been slapped. She immediately began shaking her head and shoving Shane away. She did not want to think about the day he broke her heart. It was one of the worst days of her life. When she continued her struggle to move away from him, Shane gripped her wrists and moved his forehead flush to hers.
“I lied, Camden. I’ve never in my life seen you as a sister.”
The words stilled her immediately, and tears filled her eyes. “What?” Camden whispered. The words seemed to rush out Shane’s mouth, like he needed to explain everything in one breath.
“Camden, I felt the same way you did. Always, I wanted you so much, and when I came home that week, I planned the most romantic night I could imagine. After your party, I was going to take you to Rice Lake. I had a picnic planned, and I’d even bought a promise ring.”
Camden’s gasp halted Shane’s monologue. “What?!” she whispered again, this time with hints of horror in her tone. Shane’s thumb wiped a stray tear from her cheek, his expression dejected.
“I received my orders about two hours before your party.” Shane’s tone was full of sadness.
“Your orders?” she squeaked.
“I was leaving in two weeks to go back to Afghanistan. I couldn’t do that to you.” His voice was pleading, begging for understanding.
“Do what to me?” Her watery gaze locked onto his.
“I couldn’t ask you to wait for me.” Shane’s eyes became unfocused as he gazed into the distance, lost in an old memory. “The stuff I saw over there? It was awful, and there was no guarantee that I would come back alive. I couldn’t do that to you. You deserved better than that.”
A mighty, rushing rage flooded Camden as she, with renewed strength, shoved an unsuspecting Shane off her and backed into the corner of the tent. “I DESERVED A CHOICE!!!” she bellowed. Shane’s shocked expression transformed quickly into shame, and he raised his hands in surrender.
“You broke me, Shane Hunt! You ruined everything good in my life on that night.”
Shane felt his heart crack at her pronouncement. He knew tears were now streaming down his cheeks. Camden continued her tirade.
“I waited for you,” she declared. “I had saved myself for you. I thought you were my one and only, and you shattered that when you rejected me.” Camden’s words were barely a whisper by the time she finished.
Shane took a step closer to Camden as the tension left her shoulders, replaced by what could only be grief. He reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. Camden inhaled deeply and turned her tear-stained face to Shane.
“I stopped saving myself for you that night.” Her voice sounded hollow. “I stopped waiting…gave it up to Rob Harris since it was no longer important,” she murmured.
Shane’s chest constricted and he felt a fierce wave of nausea. He couldn’t help the low growl that escaped his throat. What had he done?
“The worst part?” Camden whispered. “I thought of you the whole time. I threw up after, and I spent the night sobbing, alone in my own bed.” She paused. “But at least you had Heather to keep you warm that night.” The betrayal was thick in her voice.
Shane pulled Camden tightly into his embrace. He peppered her face with kisses, as he chanted, “I’m sorry” repeatedly. After several minutes had passed, he cleared his throat and spoke.
“This was only my second time.” He gestured toward
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