Chapter 17: Cam – The Hike, the Kiss, and the Interruption
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Fifteen years before the main timeline, Cam (Camille Ashwood) and Dusty are teenagers. Dusty invites Cam on a hike via text; despite her reluctance, she agrees and asks him to park down the street to avoid her parents seeing his Bronco. During the hike, Cam struggles with the physical effort but appreciates Dusty’s company. He leads her to a hidden viewpoint formed by eroded rock that resembles a couch, overlooking mountains and a river. There, Dusty hands her apples, peanut butter sandwiches, goldfish crackers, and sour straws. Cam asks why Dusty has never kissed her. They share a prolonged first kiss and continue kissing as they descend the mountain and in Dusty’s truck. When Dusty parks near her house, Cam’s mother discovers them, bangs on the window, and demands Cam get out. Cam begs Dusty to drive away, but he refuses, promising to come get her later. The chapter ends with Dusty’s vow to take her far from her controlling home someday.
Key Events
- Dusty texts Cam asking her to hike; she accepts but insists he park away from her house.
- During the hike, Cam asks how much longer; Dusty tells her to “enjoy the journey.”
- They reach a rock formation shaped like a couch with a panoramic view of mountains and a river.
- Dusty produces a picnic of apples, sandwiches, crackers, and sour straws.
- Cam confesses she wonders why Dusty hasn’t kissed her.
- Dusty calls her “angel” and kisses her for the first time; she pulls away to admit she has never kissed anyone.
- The kissing continues on the hike down and in Dusty’s truck.
- Cam’s mother appears at the passenger window, yelling at Cam to get out.
- Cam asks Dusty to drive away; Dusty refuses, saying it will only worsen the situation.
- Dusty kisses Cam in front of her mother and promises to get her out of there someday.
Character Development
Cam (Camille Ashwood): In this flashback, Cam is a teenager who has never had a best friend before Dusty. She is guarded around her parents, making Dusty park down the street to avoid their disapproval. She admits she has been taught to focus on “hard work and outcomes” rather than enjoying the journey. The chapter marks her first kiss, a moment of vulnerability and trust. Her request to run away shows her desperation to escape her mother’s cold control.
Dusty (Dusty): Dusty is patient and attentive, planning the hike and the picnic to win Cam over. He uses the pet name “angel,” and despite her embarrassment, he reassures her. When discovered by Cam’s mother, Dusty refuses to flee, showing both responsibility and loyalty. His promise to “get you out of here someday” reveals his long-term devotion.
Cam’s mother: Although she only appears at the end, her yelling shocks Cam, who notes that her mother normally uses “cold disappointment” rather than shouting. Her arrival shatters the romantic moment and underscores the oppressive home environment Cam endures.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Hidden escape / safe spaces: The hike trail and the rock couch serve as a hidden sanctuary away from Cam’s disapproving family. The view faces away from town, symbolizing a world where Cam can be herself without judgment.
First love and vulnerability: The chapter centers on Cam’s confession about not having kissed anyone and Dusty’s slow, gentle approach. Their kisses represent trust and mutual desire, contrasted with the harsh intrusion of family.
Parental control vs. freedom: Cam’s mother’s sudden appearance and yelling represent the repressive forces in Cam’s life. Dusty’s promise to someday take her away suggests a hope for liberation.
Journey over destination: Dusty’s line “enjoy the journey” is a direct lesson to Cam, who initially sees the hike only as a task. The chapter later reinforces that the happiness found in the moment (the kiss) matters more than reaching a goal.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter provides the emotional foundation for Cam and Dusty’s present-day relationship. It establishes Dusty as a patient, loving presence in Cam’s life and introduces the central conflict—Cam’s mother’s disapproval—that likely shapes their choices years later. The flashback also humanizes Cam, showing her as a shy teenager discovering love for the first time, and sets up a long-term promise that may finally be fulfilled in the present timeline.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Cam ask Dusty to park down the street?
Cam does not want her parents to see Dusty’s Bronco or to know about their friendship. Her parents would not approve of Dusty, so she asks him to park out of sight to protect him and to avoid confrontation.
2. How does Dusty respond when Cam asks why he hasn’t kissed her yet?
Dusty says he was waiting for the right moment. After Cam points out that the view feels like the right moment, he asks if she wants him to kiss her. When she says yes, he calls her “angel” and leans in, gently guiding her through her first kiss.
3. What does Dusty promise Cam at the very end of the chapter?
Dusty promises, “I’ll get you out of here someday.” He says this after her mother catches them, as a vow to eventually free Cam from her restrictive home life.