Dawn in Vancouver

Chapter 45: "Truths" (Pt.2)

"Why can't I say that I'm in love? I wanna shout it from the rooftops. I wish that it could be like that. Why can't it be like that? 'Cause I'm yours"

Fragment written by Lauren Jauregui

3/3 OF THE WEEKEND MARATHON.

WHILE ON THE ROAD:

"Don't you think it's too much?" Normani said and Lauren watched her with a small smile as she drove.

"For Camila, nothing is enough," Lauren whispered softly, "We told each other we loved each other and I think she deserves something special. I thank you for coming with me and listening to me all these hours. I hope Camila enjoys the surprise I have in store for her."

"Lauren... But what can you offer her?" Lauren sighed. "You love each other but you are both married and...."

"Camila is getting a divorce," Lauren said quickly and Normani took a deep breath and settled into the car. "She wants to be with me and that man is a piece of shit who doesn't deserve her."

"And you're getting a divorce too?" Normani asked and Lauren tightened her grip on the steering wheel, staring down the road.

"I promised her I would," Lauren said softly. "And I keep my promises."

"Like the promise you made to Ryan when you married him?" Lauren's eyes widened, turning to look at Normani for a moment. "I remember those words very well because I happened to be standing next to you."

"It took you so long to tell me something," Lauren said painfully. "In reminding me of Ryan over and over again. I know you don't like Camila but if you came with me to set up a date for her I hope you'll let me enjoy the last two days I have with the woman I love. I saw your face when I mentioned the tour while you were helping me buy the roses."

"Camila is not the problem and I like her very much," Normani replied. I'm just wondering how the woman you love is going to be taken on a tour as a traveling mistress," Normani said in surprise. "Lauren I don't understand what you hope or want to accomplish with all this. Are you going to divorce Ryan?"

"I never meant to hurt Ryan," Lauren said finally parking the car on the side of the road as her hands shook. I never meant for this to become an issue in our relationship.

"Well, I guess you must have thought it was going to be a problem since you slept with her when you were both married women."

"What the hell is your problem?! Did you wait until we were both really alone to give me this whole lecture? I know you don't support what I do Normani, but nothing gives you the right to talk to me like that."

"Talk to you in what way Lauren?" Normani looked her in the eye and said, "The truth?"

"If I told you that Camila was going with us on the tour, it wasn't for you to react that way. I just want to be with her and it's the only way I can have her with me."

"As a lover?" asked Normani and Lauren saw her wanting to contradict but finally said nothing. "Do you intend to keep sleeping with her and stay married to Ryan? What a great love, Jauregui," she said wryly.

"I didn't say anything of the sort," said Lauren. "But I can't just hurt Ryan's heart by saying things rashly. I need time to think of a way to tell him so he doesn't suffer."

"He will suffer one way or another," said Normani. "And what do you plan to do about the press? Are you going to say you're in a relationship with a woman?"

"The press is the least of my concern. All I want is to find a way to tell him and not to hurt Ryan," she looked at her desperately, "I never asked for this, Mani. But what do you want me to do? I'm in love" Lauren whispered softly-. "I'm in love with Camila."