Off Limits

39. A New Chapter

When we arrived back home from seeing a movie that made us both cry, we needed something to brighten the mood. Sam removed herself from the car, unsure of what's about to happen that will forever change her life. I love marriage, I love the thought of weddings and happiness, but it also scares me. I've seen marriages end and love being lost. That's the thing you never know. You take a risk with the person that has shown you unconditional love and wants to share it with you forever.

I've done an excellent job keeping my mouth closed and keeping this information from Sam. I didn't want Cameron to uninvite me, knowing damn well he couldn't if he tried.

"Riley, what are you doing?" she asked, seeing me stop a few inches behind her.

I awkwardly sighed and scrolled down my phone before glancing back at her. I couldn't help but notice her outfit, and she's going to be happy. The reason I say that is Sam always wanted to make sure she looked good in her proposal pictures she posts. Yes, she already knew she was going to be cliché and post, "I said . . . yes." on social media.

I lied. "My Mom is calling. I'll meet up with you in a second?"

She nodded and continued to walk into the dark house. I waited for her to grip around the door handle before peeking through the open glass. Right as she walked in the door, she screamed loud enough for the neighbors to hear.

"Cameron?" Her voice cracked.

I glanced at the beautiful rose petals decorating the house. The lights were off, but multiple candles outlined the hearts and sat on every table. My heart even melted at the sunflowers sprinkled around the roses. Sunflowers happen to be Samantha's favorite flower. Within seconds of looking around, the waterworks came.

My best friend cupped her eyes as she sobbed with joy. "Cameron, this is beautiful." She slowly wiped her eyes. "Stop! You're doing this right now?"

Cameron's face turned beet-red as she stood before him, crying. With a smile, he pulled her into a hug and said, "You're making me nervous."

Sam melted into his chest. "Well, you're making me cry."

After pulling away, he ran his hands down his pants and grabbed both of her hands. With a deep breath, he spoke, "I honestly never knew what love felt like until I met you. It could have smacked me in the face, and I wouldn't have known. We spent years learning about each other—years trying to figure out the things you love, the things you hate and witnessing the amazing woman you are. No, it hasn't been easy. There were times we were both at our lowest points, but I wouldn't want to be on this journey with anyone but you." It brought tears to my eyes when Cameron sniffed, holding off from crying. He looked directly into her watery eyes and finished. "I can't imagine my life without you ever. I love you more than anything, and I promise I will be the best husband that I could ever be. Well, if you want to marry me."

He slowly rose up on one knee and dug inside of his pocket. He shot his head down enough to open the small box and place it in front of her, watching her eyes glisten with the candles. "Samantha Grace Collins, will you marry me?"

Sam broke down in tears as she glanced at the gorgeous ring. She couldn't even get the words out of her mouth, but when she did, she screamed. "Duh! I knew it was always you."

She placed her left hand in front of him as he slowly slid the beautiful diamond ring on her finger. I watched him grip her into a hug before I walked into the door. Both Dylan and Joey cut from around the corner, with big smiles on their faces, seeing the happiness on their sister's face.

After the engaged couple shared hugs and kisses, I wrapped my arms around them both. "Cameron, that was so beautiful," I admitted.

"Shit, he made me cry," Dylan said before he and Joey took turns congratulating them and patting Cam on the back.

"You're seriously a part of the family, for good." Joey looked him deep in his eyes with pure bliss. I know he's so happy for his sister. She's in the arms of someone that adores her.

I yelled. "You know what that means?"

Sam looked at me with a big smile. "What?"

"We have a fucking wedding to plan."

After everyone settled down from the proposal, Cameron and Sam took the party upstairs. I stepped outside, witnessing the unknown number calling me again. I took a deep breath, knowing it's my Dad. I debated answering this call for many reasons; I wasn't sure what to say, and I'm so happy for my best friend, and I didn't want my mood ruined again.

But for some reason, Joey's voice instantly ran through my mind, and I answered. I placed the phone to my ear slowly and hesitated to speak. "H-hello?"

A single tear rolled down my eyes, hearing his voice. I haven't heard a voice since I was a kid—a voice that left me in so much pain. I slowly closed my eyes.

"I can't believe you answered. Riley, I—"

I swallowed. "I answered because I don't want to regret anything. I don't know you, and you don't know me, but I'm willing to listen for my sake and my Mom's."

He breathed out and spoke in a deep, fatherly tone. "I have so much I want to say to you that I probably can't do over the phone. But I'll start by saying, I know this is tough, and you'll probably never forgive me. I understand that. What kind of man runs out on his family? And why did it take me so long? The answer to that is I was terrified of this moment. I can't continue living knowing I missed your entire life, Riley. I'm so sorry for everything I did to you. The pain, the suffering, everything. If you let me, I'll make up for everything."

I didn't know what to say at first. I couldn't help but cry. If I'm being honest, I don't know what I feel. Whatever it was, it made tears pour from my eyes.

"I know nothing I say will make anything better," he continued. "Over the years, I've come to realize a few things. I've never been myself since I left you both, and every second that passed, I wanted to fix everything; I wished I could've sooner."

I clenched my jaw and loudly gulped. "I-I hope you know I need time to process all of this. I will say that if I accept to talk to you when I return home, you can't run back out of my life when you pick and choose. I'm not going to start a relationship and deal with you leaving me again. I'm trying so hard to be a better person and leave my old ways in the past. This means that I don't want to live my life with regrets and mistakes. Can you tell me that won't happen?"

He quickly replied, "I can assure you I won't leave again. I know you don't believe that, but I want to show you. When you come back home, can we meet? I want to talk. I'll explain everything and just hope you allow me back into your life."

I sniffed. "I'll let you know when I come back home."

"Okay. Okay, that's a start."

I exhaled. "I'll talk to you soon, right?"

"You have my number."

I hung up the phone in shock. Who am I? Before, I probably wouldn't have dared to listen to anything he has to say and continued to live my life without him. I would continue to fight my Mom on her trying to mend her friendship with this man. I would continue to push him out of my life and try my hardest to believe I'm the reason people run out on me. If I at least talk to him, I can get the closure I never got. I don't know how to process everything. And I'm scared to open up to him, and he walks off. There's so much going on in my life right now that I need to close. I need to close up my old life and start a new chapter.