Page 18 of Spring Break with a Billionaire

“You know Star Mountain?” I ask carefully, voice barely audible, heart beginning to race.

Natalie nods casually, completely unaware of my sudden discomfort. “Oh yeah. My dad spent years there. It’s a beautiful place, isn’t it?”

I look at Cameron, who’s starting to get off the couch and head back into the kitchen. My throat tightens sharply, a wave of disbelief and confusion crashing over me. “Cameron lived in Star Mountain?”

“Sure did,” Natalie says cheerfully, completely oblivious to the turmoil within me. “We left years ago when his business took off, but he loved it there. He still owns a house just outside town. Says he might retire there someday.”

My head spins softly, a thousand questions racing frantically through my mind. Cameron mentioned knowing Star Mountain, but never said he lived there. How could he possibly keep something like that from me?

Natalie’s brow furrows gently, finally noticing my obvious discomfort. “Cricket? Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know,” I whisper, heart aching softly as confusion overwhelms me. “Cameron never mentioned anything about Star Mountain to me. I—I don’t understand.”

Her eyes widen softly, guilt and surprise evident on her face. “Oh—I’m so sorry, Cricket.” She looks to her dad, who’s walking into the room. “I had no idea you didn’t know. He must have assumed you did.”

“I don’t think he did,” I whisper numbly, feeling utterly lost. I look up at Cameron. “You never even hinted at it.”

“I’m sure he wasn’t intentionally hiding it,” Natalie insists gently, eyes soft with worry. “Dad would never deliberately hurt you.”

I swallow tightly, emotions roiling sharply within me—hurt, confusion, betrayal. “Maybe not deliberately. But this changes things.”

Mumbling a quiet apology, I hurry from the cottage, feeling suffocated and desperate for air. Outside, the beach suddenly feels foreign, strange, and unfamiliar. How could Cameron keep something so important from me? Why would he do that? Did he already plan for things to end, and wanted to make sure I didn’t know how to find him?

I make it to the edge of the water before Cameron catches up to me. Anger and hurt flare brightly in my chest as he strides toward me. My heart is pounding sharply.

His smile falters, concern flickering gently in his eyes. “Cricket? What’s wrong?”

“Star Mountain,” I say tightly, voice trembling with suppressed emotion. “Why didn’t you tell me you lived there? That you still have ties there?”

His eyes widen softly in surprise, his expression quickly shifting to one of quiet regret. “Cricket—I can explain.”

“You deliberately kept it from me,” I accuse softly, eyes stinging sharply with tears of confusion and hurt. “Why would you do that?”

“I didn’t deliberately hide it,” he insists gently, stepping closer, desperation evident in his voice. “Cricket, please listen to me. Things were already complicated—I didn’t know how to bring it up without risking everything.”

“You should’ve trusted me enough to tell me anyway,” I whisper, pain evident in my voice. “Finding out from someone else hurts more than the truth ever could have.”

“I know,” he whispers helplessly, regret softening his expression. “Cricket, I’m sorry.”

My heart aches sharply, torn between longing and confusion, trust and hurt. I step back slowly, needing distance, space, clarity. “I don’t know what to think right now, Cameron. I just need time.”

His expression falls softly, disappointment evident in his gentle eyes. “Please, don’t shut me out.”

“I have to,” I whisper, feeling tears sting sharply in my eyes. “I can’t trust my heart with someone who keeps secrets from me. Not right now.”

I turn swiftly, walking quickly away down the beach, needing distance from the confusion and ache threatening to overwhelm me. Behind me, Cameron calls my name softly, the sound painful and pleading. But I refuse to look back.

I need space. I need clarity. Most of all, I need to protect my heart.

* * *

Cameron

I stand helplessly on the beach, watching Cricket retreat swiftly, her posture tense and guarded as she moves away. My heart aches sharply, pain and regret roiling within me. How could I have been so careless? I should’ve told her about Star Mountain the moment I realized we shared ties to the same hometown.

I sink slowly onto the sand, staring numbly at the waves gently rolling onto the shore. Memories swirl quietly within me—summers spent exploring the forests near Star Mountain, nights spent stargazing from my old porch, moments filled with happiness and peace before success dragged me away. How ironic that my greatest source of joy now—Cricket—also connects me back to the home I’d almost forgotten.

“You okay?” Luke’s gentle voice startles me softly, pulling me from my thoughts. He sits quietly beside me, gaze soft with concern.

---