Page 76 of Cut up
The Spinnaker is already busy when we arrive, sunlight gleaming off the water outside the wide windows. The smell of grilled seafood and garlic butter wafts through the air, making my stomach growl even though Lucas made us breakfast just a couple of hours ago.
Danielle and Tyler are already there, tucked into a booth by the window. Tyler’s arm is stretched across the back of the booth behind Danielle’s shoulders, and she’s laughing at something he just said. I raise my brows at Lucas, who just smirks.
“Just mates, huh?” he says under his breath.
“Shut up,” I whisper back, elbowing him as we walk over. Danielle gets up and gives me one of her signature hugs.
Tyler gets up and shakes Lucas’s hand like he usually does.
“How are you Babe?” Danielle asks me.
“I’m good. I’m really good.” I say, feeling the relaxation of the last 24 hours rolling off me.
“How about you, whatcha been up to?” I reply.
“A bit of this, and a bit of that. Just exploring and swimming. Nothing special.” She shrugs, she’s not telling me the whole story. But I won’t pry. Knowing she’ll tell me eventually.
“Sounds great. I have lots to tell you.” I whisper. “We’re going to the ladies.” I say out loud to the boys and start to pull Danielle with me.
“But you just got here.” Tyler says.
We both shush him and walk off.
Once we’re in the bathroom. Danielle says, “Okay, spill.”
“We had sex, again.” I put my hand over my mouth and Danielle squeaks with excitement.
“I knew it, I knew you would! Ahh, Cam! The way that man looks at you. You’re in love, aren’t you?”
“No, it’s too early for that. But I’m into him. A lot. He’s honestly so fucking perfect. I’ve lived with him for almost two months and there are zero alarm bells. And girl, our chemistry—especially in the bedroom—it’s nuts.” I practically swoon thinking about him.
“I love this side of you. I’ve never seen you like this. Like seriously Cam, you have a glow. You got a Lucas glow.” She winks at me and smiles proudly.
“I know. But I’m so scared. It’s too soon, I can’t like someone else yet. It’s not right.Right?”
“Cammie. Honestly, time is a fickle thing. I’ve seen peoplebe with someone for years and never really feel true love. And then seen others fall in love, truly and completely after only weeks spent together. They literally redefine what it means to be happy. Love doesn’t have to fit into a time frame for it to be right.” Danielle tells me and man, I believe her.
She’s right. Life is too short to deny myself happiness. And that’s what Lucas makes me. Happy. I want to give this a go with him.
“I love you.” I tell her and give her a big hug.
“What’s happening with you and Ty by the way?” I ask her. She stiffens a little.
“Nothing. We’ve just been hanging out. As friends. There’s seriously no point in starting anything. Especially if I leave Coevey Bay.” She looks disappointed. I’m kind of in shock.
“What do you mean,leaveCoevey?” I try not to sound upset. She can’t go.
“I was planning to tell you today. I think I’m going to leave. My sister Freya, she’s pregnant and she really needs my help when she has the baby, the dad wants nothing to do with it. She’s alone there. I’m thinking I’ll take the van on a trip on my way back to Sydney. I’ll come back eventually but I just don’t know when. I’m not someone who’s meant to stay still.” She tells me, and as much as I hate the idea of her going, I understand it. I understand her.
“I understand Dani, as much as I’ll miss you. I get it. I don’t know what I’ll do about my living situation without you. It’s been hard enough finding a rental as it is.” I try to hide my disappointment but it’s obvious.
“I’m sorry Cammie. Maybe you could just stay with Lucas?” She suggests. And I like that idea way too much, but I really wanted to have some kind of independence.
“Yeah. Maybe…” I play with the ends of my hair. “Come on, we better get back out there.”
The rest of the lunch is relaxed—full of teasing banter, clinking glasses, and the kind of comfortable conversation that makes time slip by unnoticed.
For a while, I forget about everything else. It’s just… good.
