So I was grounded for the next few days.

Mom only excused me today because I liked to visit Gramps on Sundays.

But I was banned from watching TV, and I nearly lost my laptop privileges until she realized I needed it for school. And I was allowed to have my cellphone when I was going out, but when I got back home, I had to hand it in.

I wouldn't consider this a harsh punishment by any means, but it was the worst one I've ever had.

I was the kid who obeyed her parents, rarely got in trouble, and mostly got good grades in the few advanced classes that I've managed to take.

I didn't think Mom knew what to do with me at this point. Between the fight, I stepped into the middle of my outburst during dinner and me escaping to a friend's house without permission. Mom looked like she had her hands full for the first time.

Well, every kid goes through a rebellious phase, right. I guess this was mine.

I let out a dry laugh as I got out of the car. I should feel bad about all of this, but I regretted nothing. I was helping a friend, speaking my mind, and... okay, the last one was a bit impulsive. I could admit that much, but I've spent months wondering what could have come between Cam and me. I wanted to run to him and tell him when I found out. I wanted to clear everything all up. But there was still the pesky missing fact that Cam hadn't given me his reason for his actions. Did I care? Yes and no. Yes, because it must have been a pivotal moment in his life, and no, because it was Cam. I trusted him, and there was nothing about that night that he could tell me that would change my mind about him.

This goes without saying, but when Cam was ready to talk, I'd be all ears. Until then, I'll have his back, and I hoped that would be enough.

I pulled my phone out of my back pocket. I was still debating whether or not I should publish my drafted blog post. It was about the businesses possibly getting demolished because the mayor wanted to rebuild on it. I didn't specifically mention the salon, but it was one of the few businesses on that street that would be affected.

I still couldn't believe it... No, actually, I could believe that the mayor was capable of something this petty. The plans for the hotel didn't come to fruition until a month after Cam's arrest.

But let's say that the mayor did have plans for this hotel four months ago. There were multiple unoccupied lots in the town and a few creepy yet abandoned buildings that he could also transform. It just doesn't make any sense, and it was not right.

I didn't know if the other business knew what would happen yet, but I think they should be. If this was going to move forward no matter what, they should have time to prepare. Who knew when the mayor would pop in with the wonderful news.

I mentally rolled my eyes.

Staring back down at the screen, "I should it publish and get it over with. What are the odds of this blowing up anyway? Plus, it'll feel like a slap in the face to the mayor if it goes public sooner rather than later." A smirk found its way onto my face. "Yup, I'm going to do it," I whispered, watching the post go live.

I walked with a bit of pep in step this morning. I might as well take in all the fresh air and limited freedom.

I greeted everyone at the front desk before heading down to Gramps' room. I knocked once, noting that it was quiet on the other side.

Anyone would assume Gramps was sleeping, but I knew better. That man never slept, let out took a nap.

I turned the doorknob slowly, peeking my head in before sliding the rest of my body through the tiny slit I made.

Two of my favorite guys were sitting at the table by the window with a chessboard between them.

I smiled, taking a mental picture of the two of them.

Quietly, I closed the door behind me.

"I'm kicking his ass," Gramps told me.

Cam slapped his palms on his thighs, letting out a harsh sigh. "Hold your horses. I have a couple of moves left."

I went to check out the action. "Umm..." This wasn't looking good for Cam. Gramps had him beat, and the poor guy wouldn't see his last play coming until it was too late.

Cam glanced up at me with a smile. I would tell him to accept defeat gracefully, but I didn't want to see that smile go. So I reciprocated it, giving his shoulder a slight squeeze. He rested his hand over mine for a split second before letting it fall. He was staring intensely at the board.

Gramps narrowed his eyes on me, knowing I was giving Cam not only comfort but false hope. Or it could be that Gramps has noticed a change in our behavior towards each other.

A few weeks ago, Gramps told me that he had been trying to set Cam up with this granddaughter for days with no success. Cam hadn't known I was the one and only granddaughter. If Gramps liked him before, the odds were it wouldn't change now. At least one of the adult figures in my life liked Cameron St. James.

Cam moved to his left, and I bit my bottom lip. I've played enough Chess to know that that was the wrong move. Gramps was going to eat him alive.

I bet you ten dollars that Gramps hadn't told Cam he was a 5x Chess Champion back in the day.

I stood hovering over the board, calculating both of their next moves.

Cam wasn't terrible at Chess. He's lasted longer than the average person. Either that or Gramps had pitied him enough to take it easy in the beginning.

Gramps' lips curved up into a wide grin a few moves later. "Checkmate," he rudely knocked over Cam's piece letting it fly off the board and onto his lap.

Cam frowned, looking down at the piece, not bothering to pick it up yet. Then his eyes met mine, looking like a wounded rabbit.

I rubbed circles on Cam's back. Poor thing.

Cam slid over the two snickers bars.

Gramps snatched one up, ripping off the wrapper to take a big bite. He closed his eyes, savoring the moment with a big moan.

I gave him a look.

"Okay, I feel bad. I conned you." His laughter said that he felt anything but guiltily over his win. "But how about we play another match? Winner takes that snickers bar and," Gramps reached into his pouch for twenty dollars then slammed it onto the table.

"This bill right here." Gramps doubled-tapped it with his pointer finger. "You can recruit Summer if you want. I think she could be a bit useful. Might even out the playfield for you." He smirked. He wanted a rematch with a more of a challenge. Okay, I was game.

Cam furrowed his brows. His skepticism was evident.

I pulled out a chair, sliding it over by Cam.

"We should up the ante a bit." I took out the box of granola bars I had brought for him then placed it on the table with a thud. There was no way Gramps would hold back with one of his fave snacks on the line.

He nodded, scratching just below his chin. "You're playing hardball. I like it." He clapped his hands together.

Sam looked between the two of us. "You think you can take him." He nudged me with his elbow.

I nodded, lining up the pieces into position.

"I'm a 2x chess champ." His eyebrows shot up. "Or I was back in elementary." I shrugged. "Gramps over here was a 5x time champ in his teen years." I blew up his spot.

Cam's face became blank as he met Gramps's eyes. "Not cool, Johnny. I thought we were friends."

"Sorry, kid. Nothing comes before me and my snicker bars." He took another bite of it, chewing inhumanly slow.

"It's okay." I wrapped my elbow around Cam's. "We got this."

Gramps snorted, giving us an eye roll.

An hour into the match, and I think I had dear old Gramps sweating bullets. Now and then, he would look over at his beloved box of chewy bars with a frown tugging on his lips.

Cam suggested a few moves, and I put them into consideration if they appeared to give us the upper hand.

Gramps was hunched over having a staring match with the board thirty minutes later.

He knew I had him. Cam had a good feeling too, but he still couldn't be sure.

Gramps made a much-anticipated movie. He hadn't known where else to go, but I didn't think he saw how he had given me the entire game.

"So Cam, what should we do with our winnings? Maybe grab some fast food and ice cream?" I said to him with a wicked grin.

Gramps gasped, finally seeing my move after a few seconds.

"I'm burnt toast," he muttered.

"I like burnt toast." I made my play and, "Checkmate," I said triumphantly.

Gramps leaned back into this wheelchair, combing one hand through his hair.

Cam cheered, fist-pumping the air. Then he gave my cheek a quick peck. "Good job, Sunshine." He winked, his eyes twinkling from the sunbeams in the room.

"T-t-thanks," I stuttered, feeling my cheeks warming up.

"I can't remember the last time I lost a match," Grumps mumbled. His snickers bar was long forgotten as the box of granola stole his attention once again.

"I was kidding, Gramps. You can have the granola. I put it there for motivation so you wouldn't take it easy on us."

His face split into a grin. "Smart thinking."

Cam handed him the box. "Truce."

"Were we ever at war?" Gramps replied.

"After you flicked your Knight at me, yes."

We all busted out in laughter.

"So you two...." Gramps pointed between the two of us. "Are you guys going steady?"

Cam looked to me, and I did the same. "It's..." we said at once, then paused to let the other finish.

Cam chuckled, and I smiled because I couldn't help myself.

"We haven't put labels on it, but I think we're kind of exclusive," I said.

Cam was cheesing even harder now.

"For future references, I'm okay with this as long as you two don't get married before or during college and or make me a great-granddaddy before my time."

All of that was a bit much for us to think about because we've barely gotten into our senior year of High school. I worried that Cam would be panicked or something at the mention of those things, but he was super cool. "Is there really a good age to make anyone a great grand?" I asked him.

"Yes. In like 7 or 8 years tops. I'm not old enough to be called Gramps and great Granddad at once."

"Fine, fine," I laughed. "Deal."

We spent the next few hours watching episodes of Arrow. It was our favorite show. I hadn't known Cam was a fan until he mentioned that he could wait for one of the villains to die in a particular episode. He said his uncle got him into over the summer.

I'd spent the majority of the day relaxing and having a great time. One of the nurses even snuck us in a few slices of pizza when that staff manager had ordered.

When 3 p.m. came around, I got a text from Mom demanding that I come home. I hadn't told Cam about the night before since I didn't have my phone until this morning. And I also didn't want Gramps to overhear the drama.

Cam said he was going to head home too, and we were saying goodbye to Gramps when Dolores down the hall was making a fuss.

The nurses and her family tried to calm her down.

She was yelling something about how one of the salons in town canceled their appointments last minute.

I turned to Cam. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"That we should scoop up all those clients?"

I nodded with a grin. "You think your mom and her team could manage?"

"No doubt."

So we entered Dolores' room told her about scheduling an appointment with Cam's mom instead, and we booked her and the bridal party for Friday evening and Saturday morning.

If this worked out well, the salon's finances would get a huge boost this month, and with any luck, it would stay that way.