Julia's POV
I had to go home.
As much as I wanted to stay curled up in Camila's guest bed forever, ignoring the world, I couldn't. My dad had texted me three times, and my brothers were probably pacing like wolves outside my door.
Camila gave me a soft hug before I left, her hand squeezing mine gently. "If you need to come back, you can. Use the back door. You know the code. I'm running a few errands, but I'll meet you at the creek later if you want."
"Thanks, Cami. For everything," I said with a weak smile.
The moment I got home, I was pulled into a group hug and bombarded with questions. I gave them the minimum. "I'm okay. Just needed air. Needed to be with Camila." That was enough—for now.
But I couldn't sit in my house. Not yet.
So, I slipped away.
Back to the place where I could breathe. The creek.
The current was gentle today, water reflecting soft shards of sunlight, green and gold dancing over the surface. It welcomed me like a lullaby.
I stripped down to my swimsuit beneath my clothes and let myself fall in. The water wrapped around me like silk. Cold, clear, and honest.
I needed this—time to think.
What Antwan and Tyler had said still echoed in my head:
You don't have to choose. We'll stay, as long as you want us.
It was… unreal. Overwhelming. Beautiful. Terrifying.
I wasn't sure I was good enough to be loved like that. To deserve something so whole, so giving.
I floated on my back, staring up at the trees—until I noticed someone on the far bank.
Sitting there. Quiet. Still.
Anthony.
Not swimming. Just watching the water, his shoes half-sunk in the dirt. Shoulders heavy, posture loose in that way you carry guilt. Or regret.
I swam closer to the bank, brushing wet hair from my face. "Hey."
His head turned, surprised. Then softened. "Hey."
"Didn't expect to see you here," I said, climbing up and grabbing my towel.
He shrugged. "I come here to think. It's quiet."
I sat beside him, damp towel wrapped around my legs. "Yeah. It is."
There was a moment of silence—comfortable, then not.
"You okay?" he asked, glancing sideways.
"I've been better," I admitted. "You?"
He gave a breathy laugh, rubbing his palm down his face. "Same boat."
We sat with that.
"Can I ask you something?" I said finally.
He nodded.
"What do you want? I mean… what are your intentions? With Camila."
His head dropped a little. "I figured you'd ask."
"I have to. I saw the way you looked at her the other day. Like your whole world was standing in front of you."
Anthony swallowed hard, his voice rough around the edges. "I left because I thought I was doing the right thing. My dad… life… I thought I had to choose between her and fixing everything else. But she didn't ask me to choose. I just assumed."
Julia looked at him, steady now. "So why haven't you told her this?"
"Because I don't know if I deserve her anymore. She's doing okay. She's stronger than me. She's healing. I don't want to reopen a wound."
I exhaled. "That's fair. But love isn't about deserving, Anthony. It's about showing up. Being honest."
He looked at me, and something in his expression shifted. "And what about you? What's got your head spinning?"
I laughed softly, almost bitterly. "Two boys. One heart. Both refusing to walk away, and me stuck in the middle wondering why I'm worth any of it."
Anthony didn't hesitate. "Because you are. Don't let your fear make you small. If they're willing to make it work, maybe you owe it to yourself to let them try."
I blinked back sudden tears. "What if I break it all?"
"Then at least you didn't run from it. That counts."
We sat like that—broken, healing, human.
Then Camila appeared down the path, waving at me with a little smile. She noticed Anthony, offered him a weak one in return.
I stood, wrapping my towel tighter.
"I won't tell her," I said quietly. "Not until you're ready."
He looked up, startled. "You won't?"
"No. But you should take the chance to tell her yourself. Love like that? It doesn't show up twice."
Anthony nodded slowly. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me. Just do it."
I gave him a soft smile and jogged over to Camila.
Behind me, I hoped he was finally thinking about how to win her back. Because if anyone deserved a second chance… it was him.