I bit down on my lip as I scrolled through the comments on my last post about the mayor. I had included enough pictures and factual evidence to back up my story, even though everyone in town already knew the truth. This blog post was my take on the whole situation, and I wanted everyone to read what I had to say.
At the end of the post, I wrote that the townspeople should apologize to Cameron. While his strategy in handling the situation wasn't the best, it was understandable why he would act the way he did. And it was such a major relief to see everyone support him again.
The comments were flooded with readers saying things like the mayor is a fake and how people who judged Cam these last few months should be ashamed of themselves. It was easy to see that Cam never got to tell his side of the story. He was blamed for the crime and punished. Not to mention looked down on. The way his reputation took a hit affected his future and all those close to him.
I made the time to respond to a few comments while waiting for Cam in his jeep. He mentioned that the team was having a brief meeting. And I couldn't wait to ask for all the details.
I heard a tap on the window and jumped.
"CAMERON!" I hissed while he laughed.
Cam opened the door and rested on foot inside while his hands went to the roof. Then ducked his head in. "Replying to all your adoring fans?" he asked.
"Yup. I'm getting a lot of hits at the moment. Maybe because the mayor is trending." I shrugged. "Or it could this hockey player's rise back to glory."
There was the briefest of smiles. "It's one heck of a story, huh?"
"Yup. Crazy." I looked down at my phone, seeing more comments coming in real-time.
"Can we talk about that blog name? It's going to have to go during the revamp." Cameron so helpfully pointed out.
"Yes, I know, but it was the best thing I could come up with. You'll have to brainstorm a new name with me then." I angled my body towards him.
Cam pointed to himself with a brow raised. "Me? You want to recruit me for these things?"
"Yup. You and the girls. They're in on this too. When I told them that...." Wait a minute. I stared at Cam suspiciously.
As if he was a mind reader, a slow grin appeared. "What you thinking, sunshine?"
"H-h-how did you know? What gave it away? Did the girls tell you?" I had to backtrack and think of when I might've slipped up. But I was drawing a blank.
"Well, I stumbled across it and thought the name reminded me of you. It wasn't until I read the blog posts that I was sure."
My jaw dropped. "OMG!"
"Yeah. I've been a fan for a while. I left comments and everything. You've replied to all of them. Thanks for that, by the way. You didn't have to."
I was still staring at him in disbelief long after he spoke. "I can't believe you." I thought back to all my usual readers and their usernames. One stood out the most.
LONELYSTAR
"You're LONELYSTAR, aren't you?"
Cam nodded with pride. "The one and only." He winked. "I wanted to wait until you decided to tell me yourself. When was that going to be, by the way?"
"I don't know! I just told the girls yesterday after posting." I combed my hands through my hair and scratched my neck. Then I fidgeted in my seat. I didn't know how to feel.
"Summer?" Cam said softly. "Please stop freaking out. It's not a big deal."
I shook my head. "I feel like it is, which is funny because I didn't freak out when I told the girls. They also knew the truth before I told them too. I've concluded that I would not only make a terrible undercover agent, but I'm a crappy ass liar. I can't hide these things to save my life." I grumbled.
The laughter that came from Cam didn't make me feel any better, but it was a nice sound.
"I'm sorry. If it makes you feel any better, I think the post is well written, and you have talent. I'm proud of you for taking the step to do something like this." Cam leaned forward, and I was rewarded with a forehead kiss. YAY!
"The blog isn't half of what I wanted it to be, but I'm going to work hard on it. I have so many ideas, and I'm excited."
"I know you can do it. And I'll be supporting you the entire time." Cam sighed. "I owe you all the support in the world."
I gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you. That means a lot to me."
"I know it does. After all the events that have played out, Summer, I never want to let you down again. Okay?"
I scooted to the edge of my seat and smiled up at him. "Okay."
What came next was a promise sealed with our lips.
Cam and I made a trip to this diner downtown that we saw on social media with giant slices of chocolate chip pie.
I was there for the dessert, but Cam insisted we have some food instead of loading up sugary goodness. So we ordered some wings, mini sliders, and fried onion rings appetizers and split them between the two of us. Then when it came time for dessert, I ordered one slice of pie with a side of cookies and cream ice cream, and Cam helped me devour it. My tummy was happy.
Cam told me all about the Hockey team meeting, and I literally screamed for joy and ran around to his side of the table to hug and kiss him.
We chatted for a bit after our mini feast was over, but then Cam got a call from his mom saying she had a flat tire. He agreed to take a look at it and change it, but he wanted to drop me home.
I saw a couple of missed calls from Mom in the past hour.
I didn't mean to ignore them. I had just left my phone on silent.
She has barely spoken to me since Saturday, and this morning, when I asked her if she slept well and wanted to have breakfast with me, she blew me off with a wave of her hand.
If Mom was mad at me, I couldn't understand why. I wished she would talk to me instead of being distant. Who was the adult here?
Cam dropped me off at the front of the house. I sat staring at my mom's car in the driveway. I wasn't ready for another repeat of this morning.
"You going to be okay? Or do you want to come with me instead? Mom wouldn't mind you hanging out at the salon?"
I shook my head, giving him a faint smile. "It's alright. Plus, I got homework."
I wanted to hang out with Cam more, but we had so many other days.
"Alright. I'll see you later." He gave me a quick kiss. "I..." He started with his eyes focused on my lips. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"You already said that," I giggled.
"Hmmm... I guess I did."
I looked at him strangely. "Call me later." I opened the car door.
"Always."
I jogged over to the front door and waved back at Cam.
I would have used my keys, but coincidentally the door had been left open, so I strolled right in but cautiously.
I almost called out to Mom when the house was too quiet, but I heard her voice from the office, and I followed it.
"We can't do this anymore. I thought I knew what kind of man you were, but I was wrong. If everything they're saying is true, then I regret every part of this relationship." Who was she talking to?
I began to tip-toe down the hall and rested my ear against the office door.
My eyes could make out the scene through the tiny slit.
Mom was alone, so she must be on the phone. She turned to the opposite wall, and I saw her face. Tears were running down her cheeks, and she was red and puffy.
"This was a mistake." She wiped her eyes. "I should have known that much when you told me you would leave your wife for me."
Oh my gosh. I gasped softly, then covered my mouth. My mother was dating a married man, and she knew about it.
Another sound caught me off guard, like shuffling movement.
"I love you," he said.
That voice... I knew that voice.
I saw the man grab her face, bringing his mouth to hers.
Mom pushed him away. "Paul..." she muttered.
I backed away from the door, shutting my eyes so tightly that I wanted to will the memory out of my brain. I didn't remember that there was a vase a few feet away from me, and I stumbled into it.
"What was that noise?" the mayor hissed.
I skedaddled down the hall. I slipped on my shoes, grabbed my bag off the ground, and rushed out.
"Summer!" Mom called out to me, but I was already sprinting down the street.
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