Landon raises his glass.“To Cam, the smartest—and nerdiest—person we know.Congratulations, man.You deserve this.”
“Here, here!”Blaze adds, clinking his glass against Landon’s.
Leanne leans back in her chair, a mischievous smile on her face.“Okay, but seriously, what’s the plan now?Law school?Changing the world?Becoming president?”
“Definitely law school,” I laugh.“One step at a time, Leanne.”
Fox wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.“Whatever he does, he’s going to crush it.And if anyone says otherwise, they’ll have to deal with me.”
The room bursts into laughter, but Fox’s words stay with me.His belief in me feels like a warm, steady light, cutting through the doubts I try so hard to hide.
As the night winds down and the apartment grows quiet, Fox pulls me aside.He hands me a small, neatly wrapped box.
“What’s this?”I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“Graduation gift,” he says, grinning.“Open it.”
Inside is a sleek leather portfolio with my initials embossed in gold.Tucked inside is a handwritten note:Because you’re going to be the best damn lawyer this world has ever seen.Proud of you always—Fox.
I stare at the note, my vision blurring with unshed tears.Looking up at him, I manage to whisper, “You’re unbelievable, you know that?”
He shrugs, his grin softening.“Only for you, Cam.”
I pull him into a kiss, and for a moment, the world feels perfect.No matter what challenges lie ahead—law school, career hurdles, life itself—I know I won’t face them alone.
53
The Start Of Something New
Thehospitalcorridorfeelsendless, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare on the white tiles.Each step toward my father’s room feels heavier than the last, like wading through quicksand.My palms are clammy, and I can hear my own breathing, shallow and uneven.
I stop outside his room, staring at the closed door.This is it—the moment I’ve dreaded for months.My heart pounds in my chest, and for a fleeting second, I think about walking away.
But I can’t.
I push the door open.
Inside, the room is quiet except for the faint beep of the heart monitor and the hum of machines.My mother sits by his bedside, her face pale and tear-streaked.She looks up as I step inside, and her expression softens.
“Cam,” she whispers, standing and wrapping her arms around me.Her embrace is warm but trembling.
I glance past her at my father.He looks smaller and frailer, his skin pale and sallow.His once-commanding presence is now a shadow of itself.
“You came,” he says, his voice weak and rasping.
I sit down on the edge of his bed, taking his hand in mine.It feels cold, and fragile, like it could shatter at any moment.
“Hey, Dad,” I manage to say, forcing a smile I don’t feel.
“How are you, son?”His words are slow, each one taking effort.
“I’m… alright,” I reply, my throat tightening.
He nods faintly, his lips curving into a weak smile.“I’m glad… glad you got into law school.It’s what we always wanted for you.You’re going to be fine.You’ve got your mom… and that boy who loves you.”
His words catch me off guard, and I stare at him, my vision blurring.
“I’m sorry,” he says, his voice breaking.“I’m sorry for the way I treated you.For the things I said.You didn’t deserve that.You were just a boy in love, and I… I didn’t see that.I let my pride and fear blind me.”
