27. Daphne

Chapter 27

Daphne

December 22

Hastings Rumors Remain Unconfirmed as Premier League Plays Their Last Game Before the New Year

December 22

Cameron Hastings Benched for the Remainder of the Season? Lyndhurst FC: No Comment on His Return

Goose

Got any plans for Christmas dinner?

Daphne

Movie marathon and knitting :)

Moms are leaving at dawn and Juni is working all day.

Goose

Feel like a trip to Mill Valley? We’re hosting a dinner.

There will be lots of people here and my family.

It’ll be fun.

Daphne

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What should I wear?

What should I bring?

Goose

Yourself.

Be ready at 10am.

Daphne

Okay. :) 3

“We’re happy you’re home, sweetheart,” Dani says, scooting closer to me on the picnic blanket. We’re cliffside in Wilder Ranch State Park.

“It’s really nice to be here with you guys.” I smile.

Every year, my moms, sister, and I hike the easy trail to watch the whale migration. Some years, it’s an endless ocean, but this year we’re lucky. Though, despite my favorite golden brome and coastal sage scrub, my heart is still tugging at something that feels like homesickness.

I miss the wacky Wednesday nights with the boys. Planning sessions for the retreat with Rosie at Petal now you’re running your own show.”

A few days away from London has given me the clarity I need to understand my next steps.

I love our family fortress, but even King Arthur had to leave his castle to fight dragons. My dragon is an internet troll, and my magical sword? Knitting needles.

“Honestly, I’m not the only person in the world who has been cyberbullied. I can focus on that during my retreat in March. If it goes well, maybe I’ll take my retreats global and spread a message about the importance of compassion and care.”

My family stares at me, their mouths open in a mix of excitement and surprise. Juni always knew what her purpose was. As soon as I was born, she was treating me like one of her patients, from bandaging scraped knees to protecting me from harm.

I always thought I needed a real job. Sure, knitting was my passion, but was that enough? I wish someone had told me that my life is whatever I make it. That it would take time to find a thing that ignites every cell in my body—combating bullying is that thing. This is me saying yes to myself.

“That sounds incredible! Maybe one in Athens? We’ve been dying to go there,” Dani laughs.

“Or Sydney!” Juni chimes in.

“Let’s see how London goes first,” I say, feeling lighter.

“We’ll support you every step of the way.”

We huddle together for a group hug, and for a while, we enjoy the afternoon, spotting giant whale tails splashing in the distance, picking wildflowers, and lying on our backs to watch the clouds. A perfect family afternoon.

Then Juni opens the third Tupperware of snickerdoodles and passes us each one.

“So, about the boy. I still can’t believe the odds of you two living in the same building,” Dani says.

“Maybe it was fate?” Prim smiles.

“You’ve always been a hopeless romantic.”

“Correction, hopeful romantic.” Prim nudges Dani.

“Hopeful or hopeless, I hate that Cameron brought all that bad energy into your safe space, Duckie,” Juni says.

“It wasn’t his fault,” I assure them. “I won’t lie, those trolls hurt and scared me, but I’ve had a month to process it. And here’s the thing: if I want to make a splash on a global scale, I need to get used to being in the spotlight. Which means I’ll have to deal with internet trolls.”

“Yes, but Juni’s right, we saw some…stuff about him online and—” Prim starts.

“And was everything those girls posted about me true?” I bark, becoming defensive. I want my family to see the man I see, not the one the world sees.

A man who’s so much more than some headlines could capture.

It’s wild how social media can lift people up on a pedestal one minute and yank the rug out from under them the next.

“But it was his fans doing the bullying.”

I glare at my sister.

“All your sister is trying to say is that this friend seems to have created a lot of drama in your life.” Prim rests her hand on my shoulder.

Why won’t they hear me?

“Cameron is someone I care about deeply. He’s been helping me with my Yes Year. He was there for me when the article broke. I trust him. Along with all my new friends.”

“Do you want to be more than friends?” Dani breaks through their sympathy, clearly sensing that I’m not in the mood for any more coddling.

“Think so. I do like him a lot.” A lot. “You guys would too. He’s sharp, kind, and his smile—oh, his smile. It could light up an entire city if it ever decided to stay awhile.”

“You must like him if you’re speaking in rhymes,” Juni says.

Prim breaks out into song. “His smile could light up a city!”

“Do wop.” Dani joins her, snapping her fingers. “If it could stay awhile!”

“You guys!” I roll over, laughing.

My heart flutters. Cameron’s married to football. But maybe, just maybe, there’s room for a person in his life too. A person who truly gets him.

“This could be a hopeful romance story after all.” Prim smiles.