I sat in the car crying in the parking lot of a local park picnic area down the road from the studio. I pulled down the visor to study my throbbing cheek in the mirror. I was bright red with a purplish center. Nathan was right. It was going to bruise.

My phone dinged rapid fire on the seat next to me. I was so lost in my head that I failed to see or hear that I had a ton of missed messages from Cameron coming through.

Cameron: You left this morning without even saying goodbye.

Cameron: Jess, are you there?

Cameron: You aren't mad at me, are you?

Cameron: I'm sorry if I screwed something up again last night.

Cameron: Please tell me if I did something wrong.

Poor Cameron thought I ran off this morning because of what happened between us last night. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Waking up next to him this morning had done the complete opposite for me. It only reaffirmed how strongly I felt for him.

He was my life; he held my heart in his hands.

I was completely and totally in love with Cameron Nash and that was why I had to give Nathan the money. I had to protect the man who meant the world to me.

Me: You didn't do anything wrong. I'm sorry I didn't answer earlier. I had a lot of things to do for work this morning.

I was lying to him and it made me sick. He deserved the truth but, I couldn't give it to him. The bubbles popped up to let me know he was typing.

Cameron: I was really worried about you when I woke up and you weren't here. Are you able to come back today so we can talk about some things?

I hesitated a second before responding. I was a sniffling, blubbering mess. What just happened with Nathan had shaken me. Cam would know right away that something was wrong and I wasn't ready to tell him. I needed some time to collect myself before I went back to see him. I'm not sure if going back today was the best idea for my head right now, but I definitely wanted to spend more time with Cameron.

Me: Going home to change first. I might be able to come over a little later.

Cameron: Take your time. I'll be here all day.

When I got back to my house, my Norwegian besties were sprawled across my parent's living room furniture. They both looked like they were hit by a bus and then backed over. I wasn't the only one who had a rough night.

"You two don't look so hot." I tried to smile to lighten the mood. I instantly regretted it when my cheek began burning again.

"You don't either. Did our Cameron get a little rough last night?" Stells asked, pointing to my cheek.

"Oh no, you know how drunk I was. I hit my face on something." I couldn't even come up with a good lie to tell Stells. How was I going to explain my face to Cameron or my family?

"Ohio, very underrated club scene." Sven moaned as he held an ice pack on his head.

"So, it's the club's fault?" I challenged.

Sven gave me a dirty look. I guess it was the wrong time for Jessa sass.

"How long are you staying?" I went into the living room to lay across them. I needed to be surrounded right now and fortunately for me, they were both there. They both complained under my weight but snuggled up to me like they always did. The comfort they gave me was very welcome right now. I debated on telling them what was happening to me, but they didn't know about my past with Nathan. I didn't want to drag them into my drama if I could avoid it.

I was starting to hide things again from everyone I loved. I wished I was stronger and could just let it all out, but I didn't want to bring anyone else into this chaotic mess I called my life.

Stells stroked my hair off my face tenderly and I pushed my head into her hand harder. I really enjoyed it when Stells played with my hair and it always helped take some of the weight of the world off my shoulders. She had a soft, sweet touch that made me feel like everything would magically find a way to work itself out.

"We leave tonight." Sven sighed. He looked a little saddened that they were leaving so soon.

"Why such a short trip?" I was heartbroken. They made my world a little louder and hectic, but they were like a beacon of light that kept me moving. If I pulled that plug, the room would get a lot dimmer. I could go back with them today and leave this all behind, let it all go away without another look back.

If I left, I knew this would be the last time. I would never come back. Returning home had been really rough for me; I couldn't go through this again.

The gray-eyed, golden-haired boy flashed through my mind. My head was telling me I couldn't leave him like that without talking with him about it first. Even if I didn't know how long I would stay for, at this point, I had made a decision.

I was staying for him. At least for a little while longer, just until we sorted some things out between us.

"I have to be in the recording studio tomorrow. You know that thing you are supposed to be doing too." Stells jabbed at me.

"Yeah, responsibilities. Got it." I rolled my eyes at her.

"Someone has to pay the bills." Stells smiled and kissed my forehead.

"Do you two need anything? I was thinking of taking a short nap and then heading back over to Cameron's house later to hang out a bit. You both can come with me if you want." I blushed a little even thinking about the naked boy I left in bed this morning.

Stells saw my smile and shook her head. She pushed me up and waved for me to go upstairs.

"Are you sure?" I asked, feeling like a bad host.

"Go on, we will be leaving soon and you don't need the two of us ruining your fun." Stells leaned back against the couch dramatically.

"I can tell him no or ask him to come over here instead." I offered.

"Don't you dare. Go enjoy yourself. Tell our Cameron to be a good boy." Sven winked and pushed me up from the couch. He smacked my already sore butt cheeks and I grimaced. I would have to tell Cameron to go a little easier on me next time.

If there was a next time.

I went upstairs to lay down for a bit to get some much-needed rest. But, of course, I found myself on the losing end of the battle. Exhaustion and nervous energy never went well. I tossed and turned for two hours straight hours until I finally gave up. It didn't help that I still had Cameron's clothes on. His scent was all over me, driving me mad. Every time I moved or shifted, it rose up and surrounded me.

Add in the Nate confrontation and threat, there was no way my brain was going to shut off on its own. In my mind, I felt like I did the right thing by giving him the money to go away. I did what he wanted and I thought that would be the end of it. It never even crossed my mind that he may want more than that. I wasn't even sure what he actually wanted from me.

I got up and changed into some leggings, an oversized sweatshirt, and put on a ton of concealer to cover my red cheek. I was ready to go see Cam. I felt like we needed to talk about what was going on between us, even if I couldn't talk to him about Nathan's accusations and blackmail. Even though I didn't remember last night, I knew something happened that changed things for him and me. It did for me, at least. I wasn't going to be able to sit idle with him on my mind.

I jogged back down the stairs and caught my mom covering up our houseguests with a couple of blankets. They were both passed out on the couch with Puddles laying between them, guarding them like a good little paperweight so they wouldn't blow away in the wind.

"You headed out again?" Mom smiled and covered Puddles up too. He let out a satisfied snort at the attention. She tucked him in like a little burrito and he was snoring seconds later with his tongue hanging out.

"Cameron asked me to come over," I answered like it wasn't as big of a deal to me as it really was.

"I'm glad you two are talking again. It didn't feel right not seeing you two together anymore." She said as she tucked her hair behind her ears and gave me the wise mom look.

"Just because we are talking again doesn't mean we are together," I argued back.

"No, of course not." She smiled and walked over to give me a hug. "I am so happy for you. I haven't seen you smile like this in ages. It looks beautiful on you, babygirl."

"We are not together." I groaned when she squeezed me too tight.

"Right. Not together. Got it." She winked back at me as she walked out of the room.