Facing Me, page 10
“Get the fuck out, Cunter. I’ll be ready in twenty.” I snap out, trying to reign in my temper.
Chuckling, he pats my shoulder, “That’s not even enough time to tie her down. What the hell man, you slackin’?”
“Not everything is about sex, Hunter.” I bite out, glaring at him.
Jumping off of the bed, he gropes his crotch and thrusts his hips, “It’s always about fuckin’ little brother. If someone says it’s not; then they’re lying like a motherfucker and need an orgasm or ten. I will volunteer as a cock donor when they start the outpatient procedures, along with my other talents in the ‘provide an O’ area. It’s always there in the back of your mind, no one can deny it. No matter where I am, no matter what I’m doing, Aiden, I’m thinking about dippin’ my wick into the wax.” He says tossing a wink to Cam.
“One of these days, that wick is gonna come back mangled, asshole.” She says, blowing him a kiss with her middle finger. “Now, get the hell out.”
“I’m like Pooh to the honey, baby. Gimmie that sweet stuff.” He sings. Cam flings a pillow, hitting Hunter square in the face. “You know, that’s hurtful. I’ll just pack up my balls and leave then. I know when I’m not wanted.” He huffs, leaving the room.
“Obviously, he doesn’t.” Cam says with a laugh, climbing out of bed. “I have to go change. I’ll meet you guys in the lobby in half an hour.” She rambles, trying to shimmy into her dress.
Bouncing up off the bed, I grab her arms, effectively stopping her from running. “I know what you’re doin’. You’re not runnin’ from me anymore, baby. Take a breath, go change. We will ride to the studio, together. After we handle shit today, you and me…” I say gently brushing my lips over hers, “…are going to come right back here and talk. I want answers, plus I’m sure you have some things to ask me.” She just nods; I kiss her again. “Later.” I whisper, releasing her and head into the bathroom.
One quick shower and a change of clothes later, I walk out into the main room of the suite finding Cam gone and Hunter digging through a fast food bag. “I can see how it is goin’ to be now twat-glazer. I bring you food and what do you do? My own brother kicks me out of play time, without even a look at the goods.” He mumbles around a mouth full of bacon. “I mean, shit, I smacked your ass. I’d even pull your hair if you’d grow it out a little.”
“You know it’s not like that with Cam, Hunter.” Punching his shoulder with one hand, I grab the burrito on the table with the other. “This burrito better not have any bacon in it, asshole.”
Hunter rubs his shoulder, “No bacon for you. I’d generously share my bitches, even my booze…” He tosses out, clutching the bag tightly to his chest. “But, I do not share my bacon. Even ‘Starvin’ Fuckin’ Marvin’ would be S.O.L. This pig is mine.”
Rolling my eyes, I inhale the burrito in two bites, bouncing the wrapper into the trash with a flick of my wrist. “Even Kobe would be proud of that move.” I gloat with a huge grin, “Let’s go piggy boy, we’ve got magic to make.”
“Whatever. You’re just excited to ride to the studio with our manager.” He teases with a wink, “I need to have a talk with Daisy later. It’s only fair to hire me some pussy too. Is ‘Tax-deductible-Twat’ the correct legal term, bro?” He asks, scratching his chin.
My fist meets his already bruised jaw with a loud crack. Hunter slams back against the wall, cracking the dry wall. “Haven’t you already had your ass handed to you enough in the last week, Cunter?” I growl. “You never talk about Camaron that way. She’s. Spoken. For.” I bite out angrily, just waiting for him to say the wrong thing, because I will pound him into the rug without another thought.
Hunter’s eyes widen, both hands fly up in surrender. “Alright, I get it. Shit, let me go.” He says shakily.
Shoving away, I pace the room. Knowing that I don’t want Cam to see me unhinged, I try to calm down. Hunter stares at me, not saying a word. My mind is racing with worry. Cam has been down in her room getting ready, with him. That fucker is probably talking her into leaving me again. Instead of me hurrying to the lobby, or, better yet, her room, I’m up here fighting with my idiot brother. “Sorry man, let’s just go.” I mumble.
Hunter bends down, grabbing my sticks off the floor. He walks over to me slowly; probably afraid I will go off again. “Listen, I was out of line. We all know you love her, Aiden. No bullshit, I’m glad she’s come back to you bro.” He says slapping my back. “You were never supposed to be like me; you were always supposed to be better.” Hunter says, with a sad smile before opening the door, putting an end to the conversation. My mind now left spinning with a million fucking questions exploding through my head.
In the elevator, he’s guarded, almost shutdown. Shit, Hunter’s acting like he just got caught screwing the neighbor’s daughter without a rubber. But why? My whole life, I grew up idolizing my brother. The carefree way he lived his life, never worrying about repercussions or structure. He shoots straight from his ass and damn the consequences; that made him happy. Or so I thought… Hell, I wanted to be him, tried like hell to do everything he did, but my need to shelter and control took over. Why would my cocky, arrogant brother suddenly have a problem with me taking a few pages from his book after all he did for us growing up? Even with all the stupid shit he says and does, he will always be my hero for protecting me from our father when we were growing up. Shit, he was a kid too, but he never batted an eye.
“What did you mean, ‘I was never meant to be like you?’ What’s wrong with that?” I ask, unable to stand the silence.
For a minute, Hunter’s eyes darken sadly before he covers them with sunglasses. “Story for another time bro.” He says, shrugging me off. “Another goddamn life is more like it maybe.”
Images of my father swinging his heavy ass leather belt at Hunter, while I hide in the closet flash into my mind. I cried harder with every cracking sound the belt made. Hunter never screamed, or shed a tear. Far back as I can remember, Hunter would never say a word, he stayed silent through the whole thing. His eyes always fixed on my father’s boots. “Where the fuck is that other little bastard, Hunter? You can’t take his punishments forever. I’ll just have to make them worse then, you arrogant little shit.”
The elevator doors open with a ding, like a horse at a derby I bolt out desperate for her. My hands are shaking, my eyes searching frantically through the lobby before landing on her talking to Henry, Daisy, and Gray. Her face lighting up as she speaks, her smile is a lighthouse beacon, brightening my entire world. I’m sucked in, my feet move robotically until I reach her. My heart thumping the beat to her song the entire time, pushing all the horrible thoughts of my father out of my mind; all I need is her.
Stopping in front of Cam, everyone else is forgotten. My hands slide into her silky hair, pulling lightly. Without speaking a word, I bury my face into her neck breathing deeply. My anger and worry from earlier fade, my entire body loosening immediately as I breathe her in. Cam’s arms encircle me, wrapping me in. If she comes back to me, my world would be right again. I can feel it. She is the other half of me. This is just a taste of what is to come if I have my way.
“Aiden?” Camaron whispers softly. “Are you okay?”
Taking one more deep breath, I pull back meeting my blue fire. Cam’s eyes are a stunningly blue. They are like a fire that is burning too hot, scorching me with every look.
‘Blue flames ignite me…
I want to burn…’
The unfinished lyrics I’ve written echo on endless repeat in my head; but I manage to nod and walk out of the hotel holding her hand in mine. I don’t watch the roads, highway exits, or the street signs on the way out of town. The entire ride to the studio Abby has on her farm, I’m drowning in Cam. What I do notice is every swipe of my thumb over the pulse point on her wrist, and the way she melts against me when I wrap my arm around her. I haven’t prayed since I was a kid hiding in a fucking closet, begging God and anyone who could hear me to make him leave and never come back. Eventually I gave up, just stopped asking, but right now I send up a prayer promising whoever is listening anything they want if I never have to give this up.
*Camaron*
Aiden’s fingers absentmindedly thump against my arm the entire ride out of town. I soak up his rhythm, an erotic song on my skin, while everyone around us chatters excitedly about recording in a studio. When he walked up and dove into my neck without a word, I was shocked. Aiden never exposes himself, but in that moment I felt his vulnerability, his need for me. Only me. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see someone so exposed in my life. He gave me a piece of himself in the lobby, and is giving me more and more now. Something is changing in him, knowing what he has done in my absence hurts, but I remind myself that this is something one of those bitches could never give him. He takes comfort from me, solace, allowing me to be a soft place for him to fall. I want to know what happened in the half hour we were apart; however, I’ll wait. Right now, this just feels too right to ruin with uncomfortable conversation.
The atmosphere in the S.U.V. changes the minute Henry turns off the engine. It’s no longer calm and casual, it’s anxious and adrenaline filled. The guys are itching to get in there and do their stuff. Aiden only releases me long enough to step out of the vehicle then pulls me against him again. Abby and Jameson come walking out of the house, meeting us in the yard. Jameson is holding a little girl to his chest, and a little girl is running along behind them, dragging a wagon full of stuff behind her.
“You guys ready to lay some track?” Abby asks, rubbing her hands together.
“Hell yeah!” Hunter shouts, walking up behind us with his bass. “We were born ready.”
“Good.” She says with a grin. “No more bullshit, check it at the door. It’s time to get to work, recording as much as we can before you go back on the road Monday.”
“Hi, I’m Izzy. Aunt Tuesday says we can play outside.” The little girl says, looking up at me. At the mention of Tuesday’s name, Hunter shudders a bit, making me wonder what happened between them to make him so nervous. He clutches his guitar case protectively in front of his body when a woman, who I assume is Tuesday, walks outside, making me stifle a giggle. I’ve never seen Hunter so nervous around a woman before. “Do you want to play with us?”
I glance over at Daisy, desperate for help, because the adorable blonde in front of me wants an answer, but she is staring all dreamy-eyed at the little girl in Jameson’s arms. The pregnant bitch has totally caught baby fever. Earth to Daisy? I don’t know how to handle the little people! The little girl just stares up at me waiting for my answer. “Yes, Camaron will play anything you want.” Aiden answers for me before pressing a kiss to my forehead. “She’s all yours until we’re done in the studio.”
She takes my hand and pulls me with her. Abby shakes her head with a little laugh, then they all walk down to the studio. My free hand reaches back yanking Daisy along with me. “Come on Preggers, you’re coming too.”
Izzy sits us at an outdoor table, handing us each a handful of Barbie clothes, shoes, and accessories that I don’t even own in real life. “Seriously, why does she need headbands? I mean, they don’t even stay in.” I grumble at the naked doll, making Daisy laugh.
“It’s pretending, Camaron; she can go shopping and buy them.” Izzy says, as if I am a complete moron. How the hell are kids so damn smart? I mean, seriously, little three foot geniuses who absorb everything like a freaking sponge.
“Yeah, Cam, use your imagination.” Daisy huffs playfully.
I pin Daisy with a glare, since cussing her out in front of Izzy wouldn’t be the best idea. “Izzy, can I have the green shoes? They match this outfit better.”
She looks up with wide blue eyes and smiles bright, “Nope.”
Daisy just laughs, “Just pretend those are green Cam.” She teases, when Tuesday flops into the chair next to us with the baby in her arms.
“They’ll be at it most of the day. Here you go, Sophia, play with the toys.” She says, steadying the baby onto her feet, next to the wagon. Sophia looks up at with a scattered tooth grin, making Daisy’s eyes go misty.
“Aren’t you the most adorable little lady?” Daisy coos to her, handing her a doll from the wagon.
“Attention ladies and lawn gnomes, she’s got baby fever. Please keep that crap away from me, I’ve been vaccinated.” I tease. Daisy rolls her eyes, but Tuesday chuckles.
“Where is Luke and Chase today, Cam?” Daisy asks, from her spot on the ground where Sophia has now plopped into her lap.
“Seeing the sights of Nashville, or something, I guess. I told them we would be busy all day; that I would see them tonight.” I answer, trying not to remember my talk with Luke when I went to change after staying the night with Aiden. He was far from happy and let me know how concerned he is about Aiden’s behavior last night. “We had a disagreement this morning when I came in to change.” I say, before clapping a hand over my mouth. Shit! Too late to take that back now Cam.
Daisy eyes brighten; her smile spreading to fucking vivid HD MAX. Smug Bitch. “Oh, I knew it! I’m so happy Cam!” She claps her hands together making Sophia mimic her. “Everything’s back as it should be.”
“No, it isn’t.” I snap out, carefully. “I don’t wanna go back to that, Daisy, neither does Aiden. There’s a lot for us to talk about without everyone’s two cents, Sweets. You and Gray went off and got married without anyone’s help or opinions, didn’t you? I think, at the very least, Aiden and I can figure out whatever this is while you focus on baking that baby.”
“I know that. Jeez, Gray and I will never live down not telling you guys first, will we?” She asks, rolling her eyes.
“Probably not, but feel free to try. I do like shoes.” I say, turning to Tuesday. “So, what happened with Hunter? He seems scared of you. I like that, a lot.” I tease, leaning my hands on the table.
The next few hours consist of baby crazy Daisy playing with Sophia and Izzy, while Tuesday lets me in on the details of her multiple attacks to Hunter’s crotch while he was in full-blown Cunter mode. I hear about all the drama with Jackson and Aiden beating him stupid in the hallway before the show in front of everyone. “I mean he totally deserved it.” Tuesday explains, “but damn if he would’ve kept going…” She shudders. “It wouldn’t have been pretty, that’s for sure. Does he go all ‘loose cannon’ like that a lot?”
“No. Aiden is the most controlled person I’ve ever known. Honestly, Hunter is the most trouble.” I answer, shocked that Aiden is who she is concerned with. I mean she has met Hunter right?
“Well, they’re our problem. If they pull any shit, it’s up to us to deal with it.” She says, gesturing between us. “That’s why I ask. We have to keep them in line, but I’m sure you’ll do just fine with that.” I nod, just as the guys all head toward us.
“I say we could totally be a boy band.” Hunter suggests, “I mean, other than the fact that I’m the only pretty one, and, well, I am the only one that can dance…” He shrugs, looking at Abby. “Cam already made me a costume, plus I already have a kick ass name.” Hunter jumps up on top of a bench and throws out his hands. “We could be the Shaft Street Boys.” He sings out, shaking his ass on the bench.
Aiden yanks Hunter’s knee, making him fall to his back on the grass. “Stupid ass, what would our first hit be? ‘As Long As You Suck Me’?” Walking over, Aiden leans down and kisses the top of my head. “Besides, I don’t wear skinny jeans asshole. That’s like wrappin’ an anaconda in saran wrap; my snake needs plenty of room to breathe.”
Hunter fumbles up from the ground, waggling his brows, “So, Cam’s a snake charmer? I’d love to watch her blow on my instrument.”
“Careful, Cunter, I may have to enforce a bacon ban while on the bus.” I say, standing up from my seat.
Hunter leaps over the bench, walking over to me calmly with an enormous smirk. “I’d inform you how good eating the right meat is for your well-being, sweetheart, but I’d like to keep my screw attached to the driver, if you catch my drift.” He chuckles. “Don’t fuck with my bacon, and I won’t be a problem. It’s a great compromise.” Turning to Abby, he blows her a kiss, “It’s been real, Red. Catch ya tomorrow.” He tosses out, then heads for the front of the house.
“Come on Daisy.” Gray says when Jameson lifts a sleeping Sophia off of her lap. “I think you’ve had enough practice today.”
“She was wrapped up in baby fever all day long Grayson. You’re so screwed.” Tuesday teases. Gray smiles and rolls his eyes, grabbing Daisy’s hand he lifts her to her feet.
“Oh, that’s right, you’re pregnant.” Abby says looking at Daisy. “We can get the schedule tacked out so that you’ll have free time around you’re due date. We’ll have you record new stuff for another album then.” Looking at Aiden she grins, “That means that jumbled shit in your head better make sense by then.”
“Won’t be a problem,” Aiden replies. Grabbing my hand he starts in the direction Hunter went. “We’ll see ya.”
Taking two steps for every one of his, I try to keep up with Aiden’s pace. “Is something wrong with your counts? You’re rhythm doesn’t get jumbled up.” The words come out in a rush, his brown eyes snapping to mine in shock.
“There’s nothing wrong with the percussion, Cam.” He says climbing into the backseat. “It’s the lyrics.”
“Lyrics,” I ask curiously. “That’s Grayson’s thing isn’t it, honey?”
“Yeah, honey, isn’t that what we said too?” Hunter shouts, kicking his feet up on the dashboard.
Aiden flips the bird with one hand, while grabbing mine with the other. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, baby. Time we fixed that.” He says, kissing my cheek just as everyone climbs in, anxious to get back to the hotel.
