FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Chapter 33 - A Troubled Girl

He was gone when she got up in the morning, but the cars were all there when she checked. They were all to be sold after she and Shawn left, and that was when the main building renovation would begin. It would all never be the same, just like their relationship. So he was around somewhere. She found Tally in the kitchen and he smiled sympathetically when he saw her.

"Good morning Miss Camila, I'm making you an omelette, spicy, the way you like it."

"Thanks Tally," she smiled wanly. The thought of food made her want to hurl, but she didn't want to upset him. "Have you seen Shawn?"

The smile slid off his face and he whisked the eggs more vigorously than necessary.

"I think he went for a walk, he headed toward the lakes."

"OK. Tally, please don't take it out on him. There's a lot you don't know. I won't have the omelette just now, if you don't mind. Maybe for lunch?"

"If you're thinking of following him...." he began in a warning tone. She looked at him and he saw her expression, reminding him of the words she had just spoken. "Take a hat, it's going to be a sunny day."

He whipped off his apron and left out through the mudroom. She took his advice and retrieved a hat and put on her trainers then headed for the lake. It was a pleasant day, not warm by Miami standards, but no doubt the locals were out in their vests and sunscreen. She saw him on the little jetty, sitting cross legged. The boat was moored beside him. She walked past him and plonked herself down on the cross board seat.

"Well, don't sit there all day, you know I can't row for shit."

He looked at her warily then stepped in and picked up the oars. He rowed in silence and she closed her eyes and lifted her face to the warm sun, remembering the last time they did this, the only time actually. She didn't know why they hadn't done it again, maybe they didn't want to ruin the memory. He rowed to the little island by unspoken agreement and leapt out, throwing the rope around the bollard there then reaching out a hand to help her out. He had yet to speak but it wasn't a cold silence, but more the kind where someone is too scared to ruin the peace. She had gone along with it, feeling the same way. He didn't let go of her hand, leading her to the tree and they sat beneath it. There was no picnic this time, but he passed her his water bottle and she took a swig and passed it back.

She lay down and looked up at the sky, her hands clasped over her wait. He did the same.

"Tell me what really happened," she almost whispered.

***

Shawn wasn't sure he really heard the words. He had dreamed about explaining himself to her, but at the same time he was angry that she would believe it. The media and general public had been in two minds over the story to start with, because it was out of character and the girl's story had more holes than swiss cheese, but their break up had pretty much damned him. Now everybody thought there was truth in it.

"I did a photo shoot and meet and greet before the show in Chicago. The girl was there with a friend, we did the usual. She was flirty, a bit inappropriate, that happens occasionally. I fielded it ok, but when went to take the photo, she grabbed my ass, and I wasn't happy. Her friend started to leave, she hadn't realised and I quietly told the girl that what she did was not appreciated. She smirked and said, well, I could have done this, and grabbed me in the crotch. I didn't realise her friend had returned to look for her. I was so pissed, and I grabbed her arm and leaned in to tell her to remove her hand and that was when that photo was taken. I know how it looked, but you also know that photos can be taken completely out of context, and this one was. She laughed and left and I had her placed on the ban list. No more meet and greet or q&a's for her.