There's No Way

Bonus Chapter: That Night

A/N: Surprise! The following chapter is an omniscient POV detailing what actually went down during their drunken night in chapter 5, "Tequila" (referenced again in chapter 59, "There's No Way")

Enjoy!

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Just as Camila finished plating the arroz con pollo she heard a knock at the door. Excited to greet her co-worker turned friend, she quickly ran over to the door.

"Perfect timing!" she exclaimed. Shawn flashed her a wide grin, holding a bottle of tequila in one hand and two shot glasses in the other. Camila looked down at the shot glasses curiously.

"I didn't know if you would have some or not..." he explained with a shrug as he stepped into her apartment.

"Oh please!" she said dramatically. "You think I'm some kind of rookie or something?" Shawn just laughed and followed her lead into the kitchen. As he looked around her apartment, he couldn't help but admire her colorful decor.

"Your apartment is really nice, it's very...you."

"Is that your nice way of saying I'm messy?" she laughed, noticing the way he eyed her piano and guitar in the corner.

"No, no!" he laughed. "I just appreciate your authenticity." Their eyes lingered on one another for a brief moment before Shawn finally broke the tension that was steadily building. "Hey, didn't you promise me a cheer-up playlist?" Camila happily nodded before moving over to where her phone was plugged into the wall. She connected her phone to her bluetooth speaker before pulling open her Spotify and pressing play. Anne Marie's "2002" immediately began playing throughout her apartment.

"Really?" Shawn said as he jokingly rolled his eyes.

"What? This song is 100% scientifically proven to cheer people up," Camila responded. Shawn just smiled and shook his head.

"Alright, alright...I'll admit — it is pretty catchy," he laughed. Camila went over to her fridge to grab the lime wedges she had sliced up earlier as well as some salt from the cabinet, setting them down next to the tequila and shot glasses he had brought.

"Shall we?" Camila asked. Shawn responded with a shrug.

"Party has to start sometime; might as well be sooner rather than later." Shawn poured them both a shot. They clinked their small glasses together before downing the burning liquid. Shawn couldn't help but chuckle when he noticed Camila's lack of reaction to the strong liquor she had just consumed.

"What? Didn't think I'd be able to handle it?" she questioned. Shawn just laughed and shook his head.

"Color me impressed, Cabello."

Music continued to ring out and shots continued to be poured, and soon enough they found themselves sitting at Camila's piano as he tried to teach her how to play "Piano Man" by Billy Joel. Unfortunately, the alcohol that they had already consumed was making it difficult for him to do any teaching or for her to do any learning.

"I think I'm too drunk for this," Shawn slurred.

"I think maybe piano lessons should be a sober thing," Camila said as they both laughed at their current state of intoxication. They looked up at each other and maintained eye contact for a few moments before Camila blurted out what had happened earlier that day. "I saw Carly today," she said honestly. He gave her a blank expression before sighing and looking back down to the keys of the piano.

"Yeah? How's she doing?" He nonchalantly fiddled with the keys in order to maintain composure.

"Well, she seemed okay — that is, until I kind of...told her off?" Camila said cautiously, unsure of how he would react to her snapping at his ex.