Page 19 of Spring Break with a Billionaire

“Not really,” I admit quietly, voice tight with emotion. “I messed up, Luke. Badly.”

He sighs softly, watching the waves quietly for a long moment before responding gently. “Natalie told me what happened. Cricket’s upset about Star Mountain.”

“I should’ve told her,” I whisper, regret thickening my voice. “The moment I realized she was from there, I panicked. I didn’t know how to explain without risking everything.”

“Now, not telling her has risked even more,” Luke says gently, sympathy evident in his tone. “Trust is fragile, Cameron. She’s hurt right now, feeling betrayed and confused. You need to talk to her openly and honestly, without hiding anything else.”

“I know,” I murmur, guilt heavy within me. “I just don’t want to lose her. She means too much.”

“Then fight for her,” Luke encourages softly, squeezing my shoulder gently. “Show her she can trust you again. But first, give her the space she needs.”

“I will,” I whisper, determination hardening softly within me. “I’ll do anything to make things right again.”

Later, as evening settles softly over Love Beach, stars glitter gently overhead. I pace restlessly on the deck, heart aching with uncertainty. I decide to walk along the beach, hoping to run into Cricket.

I spot Cricket sitting quietly on the sand near the water’s edge, gazing pensively toward the ocean.

Taking a deep breath, I walk slowly down toward her, approaching cautiously. She glances up briefly as I sit quietly beside her, but quickly returns her gaze to the gentle waves.

“Cricket,” I begin softly, voice filled with quiet regret. “I want to explain everything—if you’ll let me.”

She remains quiet for a long moment, her expression unreadable in the soft moonlight. Finally, she nods gently, still not looking directly at me. “Go ahead.”

“I never intended to hide that I knew Star Mountain from you,” I say sincerely, voice thick with emotion. “Yes, I lived there for years. It was home—still is, in many ways. But I moved away long ago, chasing success and leaving behind a life I’d almost forgotten. When you mentioned Star Mountain, I panicked. I worried that telling you would complicate things or make you stop whatever was developing between us. You kept saying we were only for a week, and I didn’t want to tell you that I could easily be with you in Star Mountain. I was wrong—I should’ve trusted you enough to be open from the start.”

She remains silent, absorbing my words carefully. My heart aches gently, desperate for her forgiveness.

“Cricket, please believe me,” I whisper. “I care deeply for you. My feelings for you are genuine, real, and far deeper than I ever expected.”

She glances toward me finally, her eyes softening slightly with reluctant tenderness. “I want to believe you, Cameron. But secrets hurt. And trust once broken isn’t easily repaired.”

“I know,” I whisper, my voice filled with sincere remorse. “But I’m asking for the chance to earn your trust again—to show you how much you truly mean to me.”

She sighs softly, turning back toward the ocean, her posture tense and conflicted. “I just need time, Cameron. I can’t rush this.”

“I understand,” I murmur, heart aching gently but respecting her need for space. “I’ll wait however long it takes, Cricket. You’re worth every moment.”

She nods gently, remaining quiet. I linger silently beside her, heart heavy with regret and uncertainty. Eventually, she rises quietly, brushing sand from her shorts, her expression still distant and guarded.

“Goodnight, Cameron,” she whispers, voice tinged with quiet sadness.

“Goodnight,” I reply quietly, watching helplessly as she walks slowly away down the beach, disappearing gradually into the darkness.

Left alone beneath the quiet stars, I silently promise myself that somehow, someway, I’ll make this right again. Cricket Adams has captured my heart completely—I refuse to lose her without a fight.

Nine

Chapter Nine

Cameron

I slam the front door harder than I mean to when I return to the house, the sound echoing through the quiet evening. My chest feels tight, my breath shallow, like I’ve been holding something in too long. I don’t bother with the living room or my bedroom. I head straight for the back deck, needing space, needing air.

I lean over the railing and stare out at the dark ocean, waves rolling gently against the shore like they don’t know or care that everything inside me feels like it’s coming apart. I replay every second of what just happened—Cricket’s eyes, full of hurt. The way her voice went soft and distant, like I’d become someone she didn’t recognize.

I hurt her. I didn’t mean to, but I did. The deck door creaks behind me. I don’t turn around.

A quiet voice says, “You slammed the door. Which, by the way, is very un-dad of you.”

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