Not One For Love (Camren)

Chapter 6: Blinking Stars Go Blind

Shawn rubbed the back of his neck and glanced towards the man beside him. "Um, hey Mila." He waved, his arm limp, and straightened himself. He glanced again towards the man, and Camila narrowed her eyes, remembering the day that she caught Shawn on their bed, fucking another person. She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. "Again, I ask. What are you doing here?"

Flinching, the lanky man ran his fingers through his hair. "Look, I know I shouldn't be showing my face here and stuff. Especially after you caught us..." He bit his lip and eyed the man who nodded at him as a sign of encouragement. "But I just want to apologize for what I did to you." He locked eyes with Camila and for a split second, she was taken back to the time when she loved Shawn. Once, but no longer.

"I need to get my stuff back." Shawn continued, stepping closer slowly, so Camila wouldn't back away. "And I know it's not much, but it's all I have. And Austin—" He glanced at the man beside him again. "He wants to meet you." Shawn ducked his head and smiled, the side of his cheek tilting up to make his laugh lines more prominent. "Or, you know. I can just come back. That's cool too."

Camila gnawed on her bottom lip. It wouldn't take too long for Shawn to retrieve his things—she already packed them in boxes. She stepped aside and allowed the two men in her home. She led them upstairs and into the guest room where no one slept in. That was where she stored the boxes, the remnants of her life with Shawn. "It's all in there." Camila told him.

Shawn nodded. "I know." He smiled and stood there, looking at Camila. She had no idea what was running through his brain, but the fact that Austin, who Camila assumed to be Shawn's boyfriend, seemed like a good man. A great guy for Shawn. He was well-dressed and a head shorter than him. He had a genuine smile, a deep voice, and a proud walk.

"I'll leave you two to it, then." Camila said. Before Shawn could say anything else, she stepped out of the guest room and into her bedroom. She locked the door, pressed her back against it, and stared at the beams of sunlight streaming across her neat bed. It felt so unfair to see Shawn, happy with someone else, while she stood alone with an empty bed and an empty life, only nourished by the paid hours she was able to spend with Lauren.

She took a deep breath and summoned her mask of calm. She will not hide away. She will be strong in front of Shawn and Austin, maybe even offer them a snack. Exiting her bedroom, she stalked down the hallway and peered in through the crack of the door. Shawn was sitting on the edge of the bed, his hand clasped in Austin's. They were speaking in low murmurs, soft voices that were too private for Camila's ears.

But before she could successfully slink away once more, Austin turned and saw her by the doorway. "Hey, Camila." He smiled easily and stepped back from Shawn, yet their hands remained clasped. "Thanks for organizing Shawn's stuff in boxes. Our place is small, so it's nice to not have to open the boxes we don't really need."

"It was nothing." Camila said. "I was just wondering. Do you two want snacks?"

In the kitchen, Camila was making a pot of coffee and heating a loaf of banana bread in the toaster. Shawn was telling her about his new job in a grocery store. It was not high-paying, he said. But it gives him something to do while His band members find them gigs in dingy bars or pubs where no one goes to for the live music. And it helps with the groceries since he could get them cheaper.

Camila watched them while she prepared the coffee in the pot. This was not the Shawn she was used to. He was lighter, happier, and he often took Austin's hand in his as if he can't do much without him around. She was happy for him—for them. And it was a relief to not hate Shawn anymore, even after being cheated on, when it meant that at least... One of them was happy and requited in love.