"Cam, did you hear me?" Summer said with her brows drawing together. "I know the music is obnoxiously loud, but I don't think I could talk any louder. I already feel like I'm shouting."

I shook my head.

Summer's eyes blinked a couple of times.

"It's not the music... I... um..." My eyes trailed down the length of her appreciatively. "I can't think about anything. That dress..." Summer was wearing a yellow off-the-shoulder cocktail dress that fell mid-thigh. This dress was sinfully made. The bodice hugged her like a corset accentuating her waist.

Then her hair was parted in the middle, but it was pin straight, silky enough that it shimmered under the recessed lighting. Summer looked outrageously gorgeous.

But my favorite bit from the look was the accessory hanging from her neck. The pendant I made her months ago.

Nervously picking up on the fact that I was checking her out, Summer smoothed a hand through the ends of her hair.

"You know Phoebe did my hair earlier. Your Mom helped too." She informed me.

I had no idea, but I had to thank them later. Summer was perfect from head to toe. Not that her appearance didn't affect me daily, but today, it felt like cupid hit me with two arrows, and I didn't know how to act.

I didn't want these words to miss her ears, so I pulled her close to me and whispered. "I love it." I felt a shiver of pass through Summer before I stepped back, dropping my arm.

I wasn't going to draw any more attention on us than I needed to.

"You look pretty hot yourself. Remind me to take a picture of this so I can cherish this moment."

I'd wear a suit every day for the rest of my life if it made her grin the way she was right now.

I rolled my eyes. "Better yet, how about you steal one from Mom? She took a bunch earlier, saying she needed some for the photo album."

Summer nodded. "I'll have to tell her to share!"

She looked around the place. "By the way, my grandfather is here. Somewhere. He saw the bar and kind of rolled off."

I chuckled. That sounded like Johnny.

"I saved you a seat at our table. And as a heads up, I told Mom I was bringing a date."

I waited for her to hit me with the "but" that I knew was coming.

"But I didn't say it was you."

There it was.

"Summer..." I closed my eyes, trying not to stress how bad of an idea that was.

"Don't worry. She won't cause a scene here."

That eased none of my worries.

"She won't be sitting at our table. And I got grandpa Johnny to back me up. So I promise it'll be okay." Summer kissed my cheek, and for once, she didn't have to stand on her tiptoes to do it, thanks to the high heels she was wearing.

"Alright. I trust you."

A smile lit up her face. "Say that one more time. It was nice."

I chuckled. "No way." I reached for her hand, "Let's go grab our seats before everything starts."

Johnny made his way over to us before the MC could officially open the event. He was assisted by Natalie Adams, one of the local reporters at the news station that screwed me over.

"Thanks, Nat," he told her, giving her a thumbs up.

"Sure thing Johnny." Then Natalie looked at us.

"Natalie, this is my granddaughter Summer Bennet...."

They greeted each other. Before Johnny could introduce me, Summer interrupted.

"Grandpa, how do you two know each other?"

"I'm a friend of her father's. We go way back."

Summer nodded.

I felt Natalie's attention on me. "Cameron St. James, right?" she said, reaching over to shake my hand. "It's nice to meet you. I used to write some sports articles on the hockey team. I was always impressed with your wins. I can't wait to see what'll you'll be bringing to the ice this season. My little nephew is a huge fan."

She couldn't be serious. Everyone knew my circumstances. How could she say that? My response got lodged in my throat. I had to clear it multiple times.

Summer's hands landed on mine as she offered a warm smile.

She spoke for me. "Cam might not be playing this season."

I blew out a grateful breath. I should have been able to say that.

Natalie frowned. Her eyes bounced between the two of us. "That sucks. I donated money to the fundraiser for new uniforms last year. Trust me. If anyone wants to see you on the ice, it's my nephew and me. As a matter of fact, before the night is over, we should snap a pic together so I can brag about meeting you. I'm gathering cool auntie brownie points. Supposedly, I lost a few when I insulted this idiotic YouTuber the other day." She sighed with annoyance. "I can't explain what kids see in some people, but okay."

"How are you two still a fan?" I asked, my bluntness surprising even me.

"I'm not one to drink the Kool-aid. The rumors and gossip around me don't easily influence my thoughts." Natalie's eyes cut to Summer and Johnny. "You have some good people backing you, and they believe in you. That says more than some newspaper headline. So don't worry about all those fake fans." She flicked her wrist.

I nodded, taking a few seconds to come up with a reply but all that came out was, "Thank you. I really appreciate that."

"Eh, don't mention it."

I assumed the other two seats at the table would be filled by people that wouldn't be as accepting as the company I had now, but luckily, they remained empty.

The event went off without a hitch. People came by to greet Summer and Johnny. Then Natalie, who everybody kept getting asked about her partner who was on vacation in Hawaii, and Natalie mentioned multiple times that she was jealous. And we teased her every time she mentioned it.

I saw Summer's mom mingling with a few people, working the room with the mayor. She made more rounds than his wife, laughing and sipping champagne. She fit right into that crowd.

I didn't miss the moment she spotted me at their table. Summer had waved, and her mother forced a smile. For most of the evening, the mayor and her avoided our table, which was fine with me. It made this night more pleasurable.

Dinner was fantastic even though we were served those tiny bite-sized meals that you saw at those Michelin 5 star restaurants on tv. Summer's tummy had grumbled multiple times, protesting the portion sizes. I promised to take her out for a real meal after the event.

But then Johnny and Natalie got offended that they weren't invited, so it was going to be a group thing again. And I didn't mind that at all. The four of us, we're having a blast anyways.

Towards the end of dessert, I excused myself to use the men's room. I shot a text to my mom letting her know that I was having a great time, and I sent a few selfies of me, Summer, and the whole dinner gang.

I smiled when I saw her response.

"I don't care if the event is almost over. I want security to escort him out. Make up an excuse and say he threatened me. That wouldn't be hard to believe knowing his past. Get the reporters to capture photos too. That'll make some exciting news for tonight. Right after my very charitable donation."

It wouldn't take a genius to guess who this douche was talking back. I hadn't said more than two words to him, and there he was planning to frame me and get me dragged out of the building as I did on his front yard.

No thanks. Handcuffs aren't my thing.

"Seriously?" I said out loud before I could catch myself.

The mayor faced me. "Let me call you back."

"You got balls, kid." He spat, sizing me up.

I had a comeback for that, but I kept it to myself. I was trying to make safe decisions here.

"In here." He opened the door to his right. "Let's chat."

"I'd rather not. I'm just on my way to the restroom, SO if you don't mind.

"That's fine. I'll just post a notice on the salon tomorrow telling your Mom to pack up her shit and leave my building."

I pivoted, heading into the stupid room. It looked like nothing more than a conference room.

"Talk," I ordered. I almost added, "make it quick."

"You're on my time." He leaned against the large oval table, a few feet away from me.

Getting impatient, I raised a brow. Any day now.

The mayor chortled. "How do I put this nicely. If I have to tell you one more time to shut your mouth and stay the hell away from Summer, the repercussions of your disobedience are going to be worse than I promised."

I snorted.

"You think because some celebrity likes the salon that it will save it? It would be nothing if I tarnished your mother's reputation as I did with yours. One-click, one dial away from news stations nationwide, and it all goes to shit. And..."

I lifted a hand. "Shut up."

"Excuse me?"

"I don't think you need hearing aids at that age, but I'll repeat it. SHUT UP." I crossed my arms, watching him straighten his stance. "I don't care. You want to start a fight. You'll get one. You're not going to walk all over me anymore and hold those petty threats.

"Gosh. I could've spent my whole life not knowing you, but instead, I have to keep the knowledge that my sperm donor is a conceited power-hungry asshole. My greatest blessing was not just growing up without you around. It's also the fact that I didn't inherit your ugly ass face to match. Now that would have been something." I chuckled dryly. "God was kind of enough not to do that to my mother."

The mayor nodded slowly. Then in the blink, he snapped forward with his fist connecting to my jaw.

Shoot. That hurt like hell.

I didn't need a mirror to know my lip was busted. "And as for Summer, you're not going to interfere."

"The hell I won't!" His hands captured my collar, and he pushed me up against the wall. If I wanted to break free, I could have, but I didn't wanna lay a hand on his man to give him ammo against me.

I could take a hit. I've got plenty of those on the ice.

"I love how they've all turned their backs on you." The mayor was seething. "You little shit. You thought you could bring me down, just like your mother tried to, but I won again. No one cares if I touched that woman without permission. I knew she wanted it. Was her going to say 'no,' going to do to stop me?" Did he just admit to rape? "And then she birthed you, my bastard son, as a result. I would have paid any amount of money to go back in time and force an abortion."

My breaths came out in sharp bursts. "YOU SON A B-"

Johnny clapped, and my eyes shot to his over the mayor's shoulder. How long has he been standing there? "I might be in a wheelchair, but if you don't get your hands off my boy, I'll put you in a wheelchair all your own. And you're going to need some dentures to replace the teeth I will knock out straight out your filthy mouth." The old man cracked his knuckles. He was ready to throw some hands.

But Johnny wasn't the only one in the room. Natalie was standing behind him with her cellphone pointed at us.

The mayor's eyes widened as his grip on my collar loosened. I shoved his hands away, no longer feeling the need to defend myself. They've seen it all already.

"Nothing to see here, Johnny. It was self-defense. This kid had the nerve to talk back to me, and after everything, he's done. It seemed only fair. I didn't want another black eye and...."

The mayor brushed his hands on his slacks like he had gotten them dirty from touching me. He needed holy water to wash those hands.

"I love how they've all turned their backs on you. You little shit. You thought you could bring me down, just like your mother tried to, but I won again. No one cares if I touched that woman without permission, and she birthed you, my bastard son, as a result...."

The colossal ass grin on my face was an indication that I would kiss karma if it had a human form.

"Wow, this is going to make one heck of a story, don't you think Natalie," Johnny said with a chuckle.

"If you ever...." The mayor threatened, slowly raising his pointer finger at her.

"I'm sorry, what was that? Say it louder for the folks on my social media to hear you." Natalie held up her phone higher.

The mayor blanched, and I wanted a photo of that expression slapped across newspapers everywhere. Hello New York Times.

"Oh no, please go on. You were threatening your son and me." The smile on Natalie's face was nothing compared to her lifting the middle finger behind the camera phone. Her energy matched a certain someone that I knew.

Some of the mayor's bodyguards swooped in a few seconds later, removing the speechless man from the scene. But I could hear the ruckus from the crowd outside.

I let out a long sigh. My hands fell to the table before me as I struggled to catch my breath.

The truth was out there-no more secrets.

I could fix everything, and my Mom didn't have to lose her salon. People would defend us. They would listen to her story now. They would listen to me and understand why I did what I did and why I wasn't sorry.

So why did a part of me feel a little shaken? The blood pumping through my ears wasn't helping either. I closed my eyes, trying to find some peace.

"Cameron!" I heard my name but didn't budge.

I felt Summer slam into me with her wrapping around my waist. "You're okay. It's all gonna be fine. I'm right here."

My hands shook a bit. My fingers curled into the extra fabric of her dress.

"Summer..." I mumbled, craving her sunshine more than anything.

She hugged me a little tighter, and I melted into her.