Making It Up To You

Part Two

"When I caught you and Joss on the deck of The Haunted Star, I was jealous." Dev said, attention on Cam for the moment. "You two did nothing wrong, but it felt like you'd betrayed me somehow. In any case, things didn't get so bad until Mike's memorial. It was at the reception that I ranted to Brando about how Josslyn had friendzoned me. I didn't realize how much I was letting the anger and resentment take over. I overheard Joss telling Carly about her journal when she was discussing the dance. She said that she'd put the journal away in her memory box that was in the basement. She wanted to just...live her life and not just write about it. I went back home and snuck down there and took it. The journal entry I showed you was fake, Cam. I practiced until I'd forged Joss' writing perfectly and then went to the hospital to show you it."

Dev watched as three sets of eyes widened in realization and continued when he saw Cam's mouth open. "I liked that it made you hurt and embarrassed which was really shitty of me. And then I threw the journal away. At the same time, I convinced Joss to not call you or Trina up to go out on the lake and watch the stars, even though she really wanted to. I told her that she was cramping your style. She didn't want to go after that. Anyway, I kept continuing on, pushing you two apart. I knew why you weren't calling her. I didn't stop even though you were both hurt and angry. And then the incident on Joss' birthday happened. I got angry and said horrible things to two of my friends because I was angry at being rejected. I said awful things about you to them and accused Joss of treating me like garbage even though that wasn't true at all. And when she asked me what was wrong and said she didn't want to lose me, that I was like family to her, I brought up something I knew would hurt her. Oscar. I told her that anyone she got with would never be good enough for her. That she'd always compare them to Oscar. I really regret it. Seeing Joss and Trina out on the terrace and hearing their hurt and anger made me realize how badly I'd messed up. That and how you defended me, Cam. I didn't deserve it at all and you really trusted me, too." He stared down at his hands which were scratched up from the explosion, not wanting to look up and see the expressions he knew he'd be met with.

He felt a hand touch his cheek all gentle and soft. So delicate it almost made him want to sob. The slim fingers of that hand lifted his chin up so he'd meet their eyes and he saw Josslyn's gaze on him.

"I'm not saying that what you did was okay. It wasn't. And I know that at least for me, it might take some time for you to gain back my trust. But you regret what you did, don't you?"

Dev nodded in affirmation, bottom lip trembling. "I do. When I thought I was going to die, one of the most important things to me was that you three knew how sorry I was. I mean, you all accepted me and brought me into your circle. You gave me the family and friends I never had." His fingers twisted in the scratchy blanket that covered his legs but his gaze was steady. "I mean, Joss, you were mourning your boyfriend-and I know it was hard for you to have to lie about who I was to your father and friends, even if they know now. You shouldn't have been put in that position in the first place, but you immediately accepted it. And I didn't make it easy. I realize that." His eyes went to Trina and Cam then. "And when you two found out that I wasn't actually Sonny's cousin, you kept the secret anyway. I'll do whatever it takes to be the type of friend that you three deserve. If you two are willing to give me another chance."

Trina bit her lip and exchanged a look with Cam from where she sat beside him. They seemed to have a conversation with their eyes before she tilted her head to the side at the look saw in her friend's eyes. She knew that the boy had desperately needed a close guy friend after Oscar's death. Cam loved she and Joss more than anything but there was only so much that the two of them could understand. She knew that there were definitely things Cam felt more comfortable discussing with Dev than he ever would trying to discuss it with his two best female friends. Her gaze went to Josslyn then and saw the same look of home reflected in the blonde's eyes. Josslyn who saw Dev as family, a brother. Who had been distracted by the pain of losing Oscar, at least a little bit, by the boy who had no connection to him. That's when Trina knew what her answer was. As much as she was angry at Dev and wanted nothing more than to punch him, Josslyn and Cam mattered to her more. Finally, she spoke. "Fine. We'll give you another chance."

Dev's eyes filled with hope then and he opened his mouth to speak.

Trina held up her hand, palm facing him to stop him. "But just know that if you mess up again, if you hurt Josslyn or try to manipulate Cam again, you won't get any more chances. I won't let you around either of them." She said it fiercely, dark eyes narrowed. Her tone showed that she definitely meant business.

Josslyn and Cam didn't say anything but Dev could tell that they both agreed with Trina's warning. "I promise. I won't mess up like that again. You three mean way too much for me."

Trina studied his face carefully, looking for any tells that showed he wasn't being truthful. Content with what she saw, she finally gave a small smile. "Well okay then." She replied. "That's good to know. Now onto less stressful things, did Joss tell you about the party she and I have planned for you and Cam once you're both released from the hospital?"

Dev shook his head in amusement as Cam did the same. "I can't say she did." He looked at Josslyn who looked embarrassed.

"It's nothing much. Just some food from the bakery and some tacos from the Mexican restaurant the four of us like. Nothing too overwhelming." Josslyn replied, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"It will be this weekend. The day after you're released since Sonny did promise you your favorite dish of his and Cam is going to have the cake his brother made him." Josslyn continued.

Cam and Dev exchanged a look before Cam replied, "Looking forward to it."

Things were hardly perfect. It would take some time to get over what Dev had done and to trust him again. They were all willing to take that chance, though and work through everything to the best of their ability. After all, the explosion had showed all of them what was important.

The End