Breaking Hollywood [CAMREN]

Chapter 36

Lauren

Normani's been gone for ages. Well, it feels like ages. It's actually only been just over an hour.

She said she'd call me once she talked to Calz. But I've heard nothing so far.

What if she didn't believe her, and she doesn't know how to tell me?

Either way, it doesn't matter if he believes her or not. I have the truth now, and I can do something about it. I won't have those bastards using and slandering my name like that.

I should call Chris. He'll know what I should do. I have no clue what time it is in Japan, but this is an emergency.

I've just pulled up his number to call when there's a knock on the door.

Normani.

Gucci jumps off the bed and runs to the door. She starts jumping around in excitement in front of it. "Baaahhh! Baaahhh!"

She can probably sense it's Normani at the door.

It's bad news. I know it is. If it were good news, she would have called me, like she said she would.

She probably just didn't want to tell me over the phone.

I put my phone down and pad over to the door. I scoop Gucci up in my arms and then open the door.

"Camila." Her name comes out in a breathless rush.

The surprise of her being here knocks the air from my lungs.

I only saw her less than a day ago, but it feels like forever, looking at her now.

She looks exhausted. Dark rings under her eyes.

But she's still beautiful.

"Hey, Speedy," she says in that husky, deep voice of hers.

And my mouth dries.

She's here, and she called me Speedy. That's got to be good, right?

"Baaahhh!"

Gucci starts wriggling in my arms, so I put her down. She bolts to Camila and starts jumping around her legs. I've never seen her act this way around her before. Normally, she head-butts her.

The one time she should head-butt her, and she's whoring it up around her.

Traitor.

"Hey, Gucci." She bends down and picks Gucci up, holding her.

I stare at them, my heart flipping in my chest.

She's never held her before. But she's holding her now.

Tears fill my eyes. I don't know why.

She looks at me. Guilt flashes through her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" I try to make my voice sound strong, but it doesn't work.

"Can I come in?" she asks.

"Okay." I stand back, allowing her in the room.

She walks in, and I close the door.

She puts Gucci down on the bed. Then, she turns and walks back to me, stopping a foot away. "I spoke to Normani."

"Where is she?"

"She just dropped me off and went back to my apartment." She rubs a hand over her hair. "Normani told me everything. Fuck, Lolo, I'm so sorry I didn't believe you." Her head drops in shame.

My heart breathes a sigh of relief. But my chest tightens in pain at seeing her so beaten down like this. "It's okay, Camz. Honestly. I know the evidence was pointing straight in my direction, and I can understand why you were taken in by it. Do I wish that you had believed me when I told you it wasn't me? Of course I do. But I can understand why you didn't. I think, if I were in your situation, I would have struggled to believe you with the overwhelming evidence."

"You would have?"

"I think so." I nod. "I probably wouldn't have kicked you out of the apartment, and I probably would have at least let you try to prove your innocence. But, yeah, I'd have struggled with it, too."

"You're a better person than I am."

"It's true." I bite back a smile.

"No, you are." She steps closer. "I'm so sorry for everything I said. Will you forgive me for being weak and stupid and for being an absolute jackass to you?"

"I forgive you for the shitty things you said to me. But, as for the other stuff, there's nothing to forgive. We are both victims in this whole thing."

She's staring at me, confusion in her eyes. "I thought..."

"What? That I'd be angry?"

"Honestly, yeah. I was expecting you to kick my ass hard. I had this whole speech laid out. I was going to tell you how sorry I am for ever doubting you. That I will never doubt you again. That I love you. So much. Like I've never loved anyone before. And that I need you to forgive me. And I want you to come home, Speedy. I was ready to beg if necessary."

"Really?" I lift a brow.

"Really." She comes close to me, her nearness and the scent and strength of her stealing my breath. She drops to her knees before me.

I stare down at her. Then, I run my fingers through her hair.

Her eyes close. Then, she presses her face to my stomach and wraps her arms around me.

I feel her body shudder against mine.

"Camz..."

"I'm so fucking sorry, Lolo. For everything." Her voice is raw, and it breaks my heart.

I lower down to my knees and take her face in my hands. "It's okay, Camz." I soothe her, brushing my thumb over her cheek. "It's okay. I love you, and everything is going to be okay. We're together now, and that's what matters."

I kiss her cheek. Her forehead. Her nose. Her lips.

"What those bastards, Digby and Bella, did to you, putting your past out there for everyone to read about...it's despicable. And I know you're worrying about what people might be saying...but it doesn't matter, Camz. None of it. What matters is you and what an amazing, kind, generous, and beautiful woman you are. A woman who stepped up for his kid brother when he needed him most and did what he had to do. Not many people would have been able to handle the situation you found yourself in. Most would have stumbled at the first hurdle. But not you, Camila. You got on with things, and when the chance to escape was offered to you, you grabbed it with both hands and made something of yourself. I admire you so much. I think you're the bravest and strongest person I've ever met, and I count myself lucky to know you."

She's staring at me, her eyes glassy with emotion. "You're wrong," she says roughly. "I'm not the strongest person you know, babe. You are. You're fucking incredible, Lauren. And I love you so very much." Then, she seals his mouth over mine and kisses me deeply as she tightly wraps me in her arms.

And I know that, this time, she will never let me go again.