BELONGS TO ME

Chapter 43

Lauren

"Thanks for coming over to chat with Sabrina," Ross, Camila's cousin, says as he walks me out. "I imagine the last thing on your mind right now is football, so it means a lot that you entertained her."

"I don't want you to think I'm not interested in playing ." I turn to face him. "I am, I'd be honored to be a part of any team, especially one that wants me to transition back to my original position, but I just..."

"Can't think past the hour?"

I nod.

"Hey, I know the feeling, girl. Trust me. My world shattered for a minute too before we got to where we are now. Not like yours but—"

"Nah, don't say that. Heartache is heartache, right?"

"Shit burns either way," he agrees, offering me a hand. "You'll come to the barbecue on Sunday?"

"I'll be here." I salute the man and make my way back to Camila's beach house.

On the way, Zayn tries calling, making this his fourth attempt to reach me since Camila woke up from her coma, but I can't bring myself to answer, just like I couldn't answer Cindy or my coaches' messages either.

I don't know what to say to them, or anyone else for that matter. I imagine they've heard something, but I can't be sure, and I'm not ready to have that conversation with anyone.

Talking about what's happened will only make it realer than it already is, and I'm not okay with that.

It's not long before I reach the deck of the beach house, Harry and Hailee sitting on the couch playing on their phones. As I reach the top, Hailee looks up from hers, a smirk on her lips.

"What?" My steps slow.

She draws her legs up, snagging a chip from the bowl in Harry's lap. "Get on in there, Jauregui."

"I'm not following..."

She looks back to her screen. "You will."

With a small grin, I shake my head and walk inside.

I get a single foot in the door, and instantly, my senses are assaulted, the aroma one I could recognize anywhere, and my feet freeze, my eyes darting around the room.

Mr. Cabello sits at the table reading a sports magazine and Carl leans against the kitchen island.

And behind it, facing the stovetop, is... Camila.

She's stirring something in a pot, and if my memory isn't playing tricks on me, I know exactly what she's taking extra care tasting.

The recipe I shared with her. Made with her.

My mom's recipe.

My throat clogs and slowly, I push closer, joining Carl against the counter.

"Mom, did you find them?!" Camila shouts, dipping her finger in the spoon to taste the steaming sauce.

"No, honey, there's none back here." Mrs. Cabello comes around the corner, her face lighting up when she spots me. "Lauren, you're back. How'd it go with Sabrina?"

"As wild as expected, I'm sure." Carl pumps my elbow, and a low laugh leaves me.

"She's Really sweet and beautiful. It was a good conversation."

Camila glare at me over her shoulder then and my chest inflates.

"What uh, what were you looking for?" I wonder, peeling my jacket off and setting it over the chair. I push my sleeves up, cautiously making my way around the side of the island.