Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love
Chapter 105: A Dream Team

Chapter 105: A Dream Team

"Idiot..." Jared muttered softly, his thumb gently brushing away the trails of her tears. He hated that she felt she had to thank him for something that should have been theirs to share all along. He realized then just how much she had been yearning for this moment, for the possibility of a family.

Leaning down, he pressed a tender kiss to her lips, lingering there as though to reassure her without words. "I love you, Jerica," he murmured, his voice steady and filled with conviction.

Her hands rose to his face, holding him there as she kissed him back, her lips trembling but determined. The tears kept falling, but they weren’t heavy—they were freeing, a release of everything she had held inside.

Jared cradled her closer, burying his face in the crook of her neck. Words felt inadequate, but he would make her understand—not with promises but with actions. This wasn’t just her dream anymore; it was theirs.

He kissed her again, deeper this time, as though trying to convey everything he couldn’t articulate. His own emotions swelled, a mixture of guilt and love. How could I have let her yearn so much, so silently? But there was no room for regret now—only resolve.

"I’ll show you," Jared said, his voice thick with emotion. "I’ll show you how much I want this too. How much I want you. Us. A family..." He trailed off, overwhelmed by the rawness of his feelings, but Jerica heard him.

Her tears slowed, replaced by a soft, glowing smile as she nestled into his embrace. Her heart felt full, not just with hope but with love for the man who was now fully hers in every sense of the word.

Together, they lay there in the quiet intimacy of the moment, the future stretching ahead of them like an unspoken promise. Jared held her closer, his lips brushing her hair as he let himself imagine it—their life together, their family, their own little world.

Jared stirred before dawn, the soft rustling of leaves outside pulling him from sleep. He shifted slightly, careful not to disturb Jerica, whose peaceful expression captivated him. Her face, softened in slumber, looked free of the worries and frustrations that had weighed her down during the trip.

He sat up quietly, pulling on his shoes and preparing for a jog with a few others in the group. But before leaving, he couldn’t resist taking a moment. The early light filtered into the tent, casting a warm glow over her sleeping form. He adjusted the blanket, ensuring she was snug and comfortable, then leaned down to kiss her forehead.

His hand moved instinctively to her belly. For a moment, he froze, his palm resting gently over the spot where his thoughts now wandered. A faint smile played on his lips as a mix of excitement and curiosity bubbled within him. Is his junior already in the making? The idea was almost too surreal to grasp. Can I start dreaming about our child now?

The thought filled him with a warmth that spread through his chest. Jared gave her one last lingering look before quietly stepping out, his mind racing with visions of the future—a child with Jerica’s fiery spirit and his stubbornness, or maybe the other way around.

In another tent, Harold’s eyes fluttered open, greeted by a sight he never imagined would bring him such joy: Lila curled up beside him, her hair a soft cascade across the pillow. His fingers reached out on their own, running gently through her hair. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake, her lips parting as she exhaled softly.

Harold’s heart swelled. He had always considered himself a man with a plan, someone who thrived in control. Yet, nothing about Lila was planned, and that unpredictability made her feel even more precious.

He stretched lazily, letting the warmth of the moment sink in. The soft morning light seeped into the tent, and faint sounds of movement from outside reminded him they were not alone in their bubble of bliss.

Then it hit him.

"Uh-oh!" Harold bolted upright, his heart pounding.

Lila, still drowsy, turned slightly but didn’t stir. Harold’s mind, however, was in overdrive. If anyone sees her here... He rubbed his face, his mind flipping through the potential fallout. Everyone knew he was engaged to Chelsea Gover—a relationship dictated by convenience and family ties, not love. If word got out about Lila, the consequences would be devastating for both of them.

Panic surged as he heard footsteps approaching the tent. Harold scrambled, trying to think of a way to explain if someone pulled the flap open. His usual wit and charm abandoned him, leaving him frozen and useless.

"Mr. Braddock..."

A voice called his name, unfamiliar and formal. His pulse quickened. This is it.

He leaned toward the tent opening, ready to face the inevitable, when another voice interrupted, sharp and authoritative.

"Mr. Vaughn!"

Jerica’s voice carried through the morning air. Harold recognized it instantly and felt his body sag in relief. He heard her engage the person outside, her tone casual but firm, diverting their attention. Harold strained to hear her words, but whatever she said seemed to work.

The footsteps retreated, and Harold leaned back against the tent wall, exhaling loudly. He pressed his hands over his face, willing his racing heart to calm down.

"Thank you, Jerica," he muttered under his breath, a wry smile tugging at his lips. He peeked down at Lila, still fast asleep, blissfully unaware of the chaos he had just avoided.

I’ve got to get her out of here,

he thought, but even as he contemplated their next move, he couldn’t help but admire her peaceful expression. For all the mess he’d likely have to clean up later, Harold couldn’t bring himself to regret a single thing about last night.

Later in the day, Jerica wandered into the open area where the group was preparing for team-building exercises. She wasn’t particularly thrilled about the activities but decided to join in to pass the time. She scanned the crowd, her arms crossed, waiting for someone to choose her for their team.

To her growing dismay, no one stepped forward. She shuffled awkwardly, trying not to let the sting of being overlooked show. Just as she was about to withdraw from the group altogether, a familiar voice called out.

"Jerica, over here!" Lila waved enthusiastically, her bright smile cutting through Jerica’s apprehension.

Relieved, Jerica joined her friend, her heart easing a little. Lila had always been the kind to notice when someone needed a hand, and Jerica appreciated her all the more for it.

As they stood waiting for the rest of their team to form, Jared and Harold walked over together.

"Guess we’re with you two," Jared said, his tone warm but carrying an edge of determination. His eyes lingered on Jerica for a moment before shifting to assess the others.

Harold grinned, his easygoing charm contrasting Jared’s focused demeanor. "Looks like we’ve got a dream team."

Jerica couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. "You two? On the same team? This should be interesting."

She wasn’t wrong. The moment the games began, it was clear that Jared and Harold brought an intensity that was hard to match. Jared’s competitive streak was sharper, his strategies precise and calculated, while Harold’s approach was looser, relying on charisma and quick thinking. Despite their different styles, their mutual drive to win created an undercurrent of rivalry even though they were technically on the same side.

Jerica found herself admiring the two men for different reasons. Jared’s focus and discipline were qualities she deeply respected and loved, while Harold’s ability to adapt and make others laugh in high-pressure moments added a touch of levity. The way they fed off each other’s energy, pushing each other to perform better, was fascinating to watch.

During one particularly challenging task, Jared’s sharp instructions clashed with Harold’s improvisations, and the two bantered in a way that was both amusing and productive. Lila leaned toward Jerica and whispered, "I think they secretly love competing against each other more than actually winning."

Jerica chuckled, nodding in agreement. "It’s like watching two sides of the same coin."

When the final round came, their team’s cohesion, driven by Jared’s precision and Harold’s adaptability, led them to victory. The rest of the group groaned, half-expectedly, as their team was declared the winner.

"No surprise there," someone muttered from another team.

Jerica smiled, glancing at Jared and Harold. She couldn’t deny it—being on their team had been thrilling.

As the group dispersed, Jared walked over and ruffled Jerica’s hair playfully. "Told you we’d win."

Harold came up from the other side, throwing an arm around Lila’s shoulders and grinning. "You’re welcome for the carry," he teased, earning a swat from Lila.

Jerica stood there for a moment, watching the camaraderie between the four of them. For all the awkwardness she’d felt at the start, this had turned into one of the more enjoyable parts of the trip.

And for the first time, she thought: Maybe this camping trip wasn’t such a bad idea after all.