Not So Broken (West Coast College Book 3)

Chapter 41

Cameron

"Hey, Cooper. How've you been doing?" I take a sip of my coffee I got fresh from Maeve, balancing Ava's tea and pastries carefully in my hand as I glance around the store, trying to spot her.

Cooper raises an eyebrow, obviously surprised I've stopped by. The first in over a month. "Better than you've been." He lets out a breath, shaking his head. "I'm sorry about your friend. Ava told me how much he meant to you and...I'm sorry for your loss."

My chest puffs and I force the unexpected tears away. "Thanks. That means a lot from you. Who knew Cooper could be such a teddy bear?"

"The only reason I'm tolerating you is because of my daughter upstairs. Don't let it get to your head."

I almost ask which one then remember who I'm talking to. I just nod and press my lips tight together, praying Ava pops up as I wander around.

It's been a few days since she texted me, asking to come over. She hasn't let me stay the night again-which I always respect and leave after she's fallen asleep once my babbling relaxes her body enough to let her actually doze off, something that she's been struggling with.

I still text her throughout the day, asking how she's doing and if she'd like me to pick up dinner for her. Anything she wants or needs, I'll bring it as fast as I can for her.

We haven't talked a lot though, avoiding all conversations about anything that's happened the past month.

Allie said it's probably better to wait until she's ready and I couldn't agree more but it's hard since all I wanna do is tell her how sorry I am.

It's been pounding rain these past few days so it's not a big surprise when I find Ava upstairs under the sunlight window in the corner reading.

She loves the rain and I wonder if she can feel it pounding against the roof.

"Hey, Ava." I tap over my heart three times. I love you.

A blush has always covered her cheeks when I've done it so far and I know it'll be awhile for her to get used to me signing.

"Hi, Cameron. Why are you here? Did I miss something?" A crease forms between her brows as she glances at her phone.

I shake my head, taking a seat beside her on the floor. Handing her the tea, I see the books spread around her. "What's with all of those?"

Her lips push together, finger circling the rim of her cup. "Just tabbing all the damaged books so we know to sell them for cheaper."

The black rain clouds thunder loudly outside and I smile as I watch Ava gaze out the sunlight window, her lips parted as we both watch the rain pound and lightning flash.

Standing, I brush my jeans off and extend my hand. "Dance with me, Sunshine."

She blinks, staring at my outstretched hand before signing, "What?"

I nod my head towards the rain and her eyes follow mine. "Dance with me. Please?"

Her nose wrinkles and she shakes her head, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "I don't think so. I just washed my hair and it's already frizzy."

Rolling my eyes, I crouch in front of her, grabbing her fidgety hands. "I'll wash it for you, Ava. Just...please dance with me, Sunshine. Dance with me like they do in your romance books so I can tell you how much you consume me. How much I fucking love you."

A blush coats her cheeks and she nibbles on her lower lip, her head slowly nodding. "Okay."

Another inhuman grin spreads as she takes my hand. Her brows shoot up to her hairline and she pokes my cheek before she realizes what she's doing. "I'm sorry. Just haven't seen you smile like that in a while."

"Only for you, Sunshine."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ava

Swallowing, I let Cameron lead me down the wooden stairs and onto the empty street, the thunder and lighting having seemed to scare everyone inside.

And here the two of us are, standing awkwardly in the middle of the pounding rain before he captures my hip with his one hand, threading the other through mine and we just start swaying.

"God, I love you, Ava. My Sunshine."

My heart stops at how easily he signs it, that if he were to say it outloud, it would seem he was asking about how my day was, how work was. Something so nonchalant that my blood rushes from my skin.

"You know how people say home is not so much of a place but a person? I wanted a home so badly that when you came bursting into my life, I immediately knew, Ava. I am hopelessly, painfully and obsessively in love with you. My fucking home is you. Wherever you are, wherever you go, I'll be right there beside you because it's the only place I want to be. Can be."

There's a pause as he gathers the words and my body shakes as I wait, smiling when he absently rubs my lower back.

"Your so fucking kind. And so fucking smart and so incredibly talented. And beautiful." He breathes, his hand coming up to stroke my cheek. "So absolutely beautiful. God, I'll spend the rest of my life saying it, cherishing you, spoiling you with books and flowers, giving you as many hugs and kisses you deserve-which is millions, by the way."

A watery laugh bursts out of me at that because I love hugs. Almost as much as I love him.

"I'll spend the rest of my life trying to be the man you deserve. The person who you can proudly call your boyfriend. The person you want to share everything with. The person you want to spend every second with when you're not buried in your Kindle and I'll spend as long as it takes to be that person for you. I love you so much, Ava."

Tears burst free and Cameron swallows me up in his arms, my tears soaking his shirt as I cry happily with my face buried in his chest, the rain already had drenching us the moment we stepped outside. "You really mean that? All of it?"

Cameron smiles like he knows I need the conformation and nods, grinning when I bury myself against him again. "I love you too, Cameron. So fucking much."

"I know, Sunshine. And I'm sorry I took it for granted." He signs and before the guilt has an opportunity to ruin this amazing moment, I grab his cheeks and kiss him like I'm starved.

He groans against my lips and I smile. I did that!

His fingers weave into my hair, the promise he made about washing it not forgotten as he deepens the kiss even more. Tugging on my bottom lip, his tongue slips into my mouth and I feel myself make a yelp of surprise and his chest chuckles against mine.

I tap over his heart three times. I love you.

He taps right back. I love you.