FALLING FOR SHAWN

Chapter 11 - Launched Into the Stratosphere

Camila sat in the restaurant feeling shell shocked and trying to appear like she was having a good time.

"What's up mija?" her mother whispered.

"I have a headache," Camila said quietly.

"You want to go home?" She did, but it was too early, the food was only just being delivered. It would seem rude when she was one of the stars of the video. She flicked a glance at Shawn at his seat on the other end of the table. He was laughing and joking with Connor and Sam but she could see his heart wasn't in it and she saw Connor looking at him strangely when he was unaware of it and knew he was worried about what was going on with him. Well, he'd find out soon enough. Shawn was going to FaceTIme with his family and tell them, and then he was telling Andrew, and after that he would tell his friends. She was starting with her Mom, they would then ring her Dad and Sofi, and then she would tell Roger. She would let her other friends and team members know after that.

Shouldn't they feel a lot happier about it than this? Sure, having to tell everyone they had been hiding it for months was going to be difficult, but look at him, and look at her, they were both miserable about this. She should have told him about having dinner with Matthew, but to be honest, it was such a non-event for her that she barely even thought about it. Even thinking that she felt guilty, because it wasn't entirely true. Oh, the non-event thing was true, but she also knew she should have told Shawn. She could make the excuse that 'nothing was going on with her and Shawn' during that time but they both knew that wasn't true. And later, when things WERE going on, she had time to tell him and didn't.

She realised that was what was wrong. If they were to do this thing, there had to be honesty between them. There had to be trust. And they had to tell each other how they felt. It had to be a good thing, they needed to be happy about sharing their....what? Relationship? There was too much left unsaid. She pulled out her phone and texted him.

I don't think we should tell anyone just yet, we need to talk about this a bit more.

She saw him pull out his phone and see who texted, then he looked at her. She stared back and then he read the message and she saw him tap an answer. A moment later it came up on her phone.

Come to the hotel tonight.

She looked at her Mom, chatting with Dave, the director. She might have to come clean, or at least tell her the truth of where she was going. Well, better start being honest, or partially honest, right now.

OK

The rest of the night dragged on, and two hours later people started to drift off and she saw Shawn saying goodbye to his friends. She could tell they were asking him to continue on somewhere else and he was saying no. She turned to her Mom as soon as she was no longer talking to anyone.

"Mama, I have to go see Shawn at his hotel, we have some things to discuss. I'll be home late."

Her Mom looked startled and scanned her face, nodding slowly.

"Of course mija, do what you have to do. If you are not coming home, just send me a text so I don't worry."

Camila felt her heart swell. Her mother was so amazing. "OK, I will."

She saw Shawn leave and without hesitating she followed him. He looked shocked when she went straight to his car and opened the passenger door, climbing up into the seat.

"Come on then," she said. "Let's go before anyone sees us."

***

Just like every other stage of their relationship so far, tonight had been a rollercoaster but he was glad he wasn't planning on going home to break the news to his parents, because it didn't feel right. Even though it had been his suggestion. There was something still left unsaid between them, she was right. He offered his hand and she slowly reached out and took it, and he held it while they drove, until he needed it when they reached the hotel car park. They went up in the private guest lift and straight into his suite. He threw his keys on to the kitchenette counter and turned on the lights.