BELONGS TO ME

Chapter 48

Dual pov

Camila

It was well after midnight when my brother finally decided he could no longer hold back and called Lauren. I met Carl at the bottom of the stairs, and we piled into his Tahoe, Shawn and the others already tucked inside.

We didn't speak much on the ride back to the beach house, and by the time we arrived, everyone was ready for bed.

Once again, I didn't get much sleep, the events of the day looping through my mind, thoughts of what might have happened whirling around. It's hard, not knowing if what I see is a memory or a twisted fantasy that stems from the desperate need to know I find myself burning in.

By the time the sun rises, I'm already getting out of the shower and heading straight for the first place I felt the need to be.

As I suspected, she's up and spots me through the bay window.

With a small smile, Ally pushes open the door, her hair a messy pile on her head, her eyes tired.

"Camila, hi." She ushers me in, retaking her place at the counter, where she's mixing a bottle for her son. "What are you doing up so early?"

"I... Ally."

Her eyes lift to mine.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" She frowns.

When I pin her with a knowing look, she sighs, walks over and wraps her arms around me.

"Trust me, Camila. I understand."

I nod, squeezing her back and blowing out a long breath when she lets go.

"Any chance you could use a little more sleep?"

Nerves swim through me as her steps pause, and she glances over her shoulder. But then she walks to me. "I could use an uninterrupted shower..."

Chewing at my lip, I nod, take the bottle from Ally's hands and curve around the corner.

I step up to the bassinet, quickly turning to Ally before she's gone.

"Ally."

She halts.

"Thank you."

With a small smile, she nods, and then she disappears down the hall.

I run my hands along the edge of the plush blue blanket, and as my face comes into view, Troy Jr's eyes find me.

"Hey, buddy," I whisper, chuckling when he kicks his feet.

With a deep breath, I gently lift him into my arms, his little cooing sounds warming parts of me I was afraid to feel.

As I lower into the rocking chair with him in my arms, moisture builds in my eyes, but it's not from sadness. I'm not really sure what it's from. All I know is that the baby in my arms is precious. He latches onto the bottle with ease, his hands coming up to cover mine as if he's determined to hold the thing himself, and a low laugh leaves me.

"Already trying to be a man."

I look over to find my brother stepping through the kitchen.

"Hey." I squint, looking him over. "I didn't know you were up."

He nods, comes to sit beside me, and as soon as Troy Jr spots him, he smiles around the nipple of the bottle. Carl chuckles. "What's up, my man?"

"Or maybe you didn't know I was up. Carl?"

He shrugs, falling into the chair on the couch beside me. "I walk over in the mornings sometimes. Justin's gone for work a lot and Keana stays busy too."