Facing Me, page 18
Hunter looks over at her from the kitchen, nursing a beer. “And who the hell died and made you ruler of my chair bitch?” He snaps.
“Don’t make me call your friend from the diner.” She taunts, flipping through the channels. Hunter shudders, making me giggle.
“Oh no, he’s having Minnesota flashbacks.” I tease. “No means no, right man?”
“Suck my left nut.” Hunter says, but grins.
“So, Hunter, I hear you were conspiring with Daisy and Henry to get Aiden and I back together.” I toss out, sitting on the couch between Gray and Aiden. Hunter stands, walking past Mack, lifting Daisy into his arms before flopping her into Gray’s lap.
He flops into his chair sprawling out like a damn dog in the sun. “If you’re gonna rat out my Oscar worthy performance then you aren’t sittin’ in my chair.” He huffs changing the channel on the T.V.
“I didn’t rat us out, asshole. That was my husband, Judas Cole, here.” She huffs, crossing her arms over her chest; Gray bites back a laugh.
Hunter laughs, “Ah, well. At least now I can take credit for it. Too bad my Tiger Lily isn’t here, once she informed me things could be getting heated with Cam and Luke, I had to get the ball rollin’.” Hunter says, making my eyes go wide.
“What?” I shriek, looking around the room. “How the hell does everyone know everything around here except for Aiden and me?” I feel like a camera crew is about to burst through the doors any second and yell ‘Gotcha’. I mean, shit, what the hell is going on here? Everyone conspiring to get me here, prove to us that we couldn’t move on, all in the hopes to get us back together? “Y’all have been watchin’ too many conspiracy shows or something. Did it ever cross your minds that we would eventually figure shit out on our own?”
“No, and I’ll tell you why Camaron. Because you two were both so miserable no one could stand it anymore! Moping and sulking like a bunch of damn children with your heads so far up your asses, ugh!” Daisy shouts, throwing her hands up in the air. “Hell, even Luke knew deep down he never had a shot with you, Cam. Your heart was already given to Aiden. We all know I’m right.” She says. Everyone, even Gray, nods in agreement.
“Well I’ll be damned. So that phone call with Chase?” Aiden asks, scratching his head.
Hunter smiles proudly, “I would like to thank the Academy for this nomination, because I am such a badass actor.”
“Answer the question Cunterson.” Aiden growls.
“Yes, she called me but I totally played that shit off and explained to Daisy as soon as you left so she knew we had to move things along. I believe Daisy calls it a violent shove in the right direction?” He asks, earning him a wink from Daisy. “Our original plan was to have Cam come in when baby momma got a more rounded.” Hunter chuckles, “But between Chase calling and then the shit with Jackoff, my God, it was like it all fell into place without any of us trying.”
“I can’t believe this shit.” Aiden mumbles, wrapping his arm around me. “We’ve been duped.”
“Oh shut the fuck up,” Gray scolds. “Seriously, you two were both miserable from what I saw and now things are good. You’re welcome, now let’s move on, stop at a little chapel so you two can get hitched, then hit Macon like a bomb went off!”
“No!” I shout. Looking at him, I smile. “I know he’s it for me, but we just got back together. I don’t think we’re going to rush into rings and all that. Plus, there’s the tour, the fest, the baby, and…” I ramble before Aiden kisses my cheek.
“And, when I propose, you will all be the first people we tell.” Aiden says, ending the conversation, letting me relax.
“I’m going to go grab my guitar.” Gray says, sliding Daisy onto the seat as he stands. “Maybe we should practice doing what we get paid for?” He teases, and then walks down the aisle.
“See, now everything is as it should be.” Hunter says, mockingly. “The universe is in perfect balance with itself; now the bacon and booze shall be plentiful, says the almighty shaft.”
“What the hell?” Gray screams from the back of the bus. Before anyone can stand, his boots echo up the aisle. His large frame stopping in the doorway, holding up the remains of his now smashed blue Fender in his arms. “Henry, we need to call the damn police, now. Someone broke in while we were eating; the bedroom and all the bunks are trashed.” He growls angrily.
Chapter Thirteen
Up Shit Creek Without A Fender
*Aiden*
“What the hell do you mean trashed?” I shout, jumping to my feet. Everyone scrambles to their feet in the chaos; Mack calmly stands and raises his hands.
“No one goes back there.” He shouts over the hysterics. “Can’t afford anyone tampering with the evidence any more than it has been already. Whoever it was could have left fingerprints; set that on the table.” Mack says, gesturing to the remains of Gray’s guitar.
Luckily, by the time Henry turns the bus around, we make it back to the diner just as the police arrive. After combing through the entire bus, they don’t find much other than Hunter and Gray’s guitars destroyed and our beds all ripped up. They take finger prints, statements from each of us, along with inventories of what we are missing or been destroyed. Other than that, there isn’t much anyone can do.
The police are busy pulling the camera footage from the diner’s parking lot security camera. So, while they review the tape, we wait. Cam is pacing the length of the bus while searching for replacement guitars for the guys and trying to get things we need for the bus. Luckily, they cleared the living area for us to stay in so we didn’t have to go back into the diner; Grayson and Daisy are cuddled on the couch while Hunter paces the kitchen. My fingers thump out a beat against my legs as I sit on the bus steps, Henry and Mack flanking me on either side, watching Cam continue to pace.
“Great news,” Cam says, ending her call, “Two new guitars will be waiting at the venue. Everything else that we need replaced, I’ll pick up later.” Walking over, she drops to the step below me in a heap and leans back against my legs. “This day can really be over any damn time it wants to. I’m over it.” She huffs, in frustration.
“It has to be Tad, Aiden. Who else could it be?” Daisy mumbles behind us.
It’s my guess too; but when I turn and see the fear in her eyes, I can’t say the words. “Why don’t we wait and see what they find on the tape before we go jumping to conclusions, Daisy. Worrying won’t do you any good right now.” I say, turning to wrap my arms around Cam, pulling her body back against my chest. I inhale deeply, her scent calming me. I would bet my last dollar its Tad doing this, the fact that he is getting so close to us pisses me off. My eyes dart around the parking lot looking at every car, scrutinizing every person I see walking in and out of the diner and gas station.
The door opens, the two officers we spoke to before walking toward us speaking back and forth to one another until they reach us. Cam and I stand, the professional business woman in Cam shakes their hands, asking about leads. “Well, Ms. Allen, we appreciate you being so patient. We’ve reviewed the tapes after talking with all of you and looking over the bus itself. After close inspection of the photo you’ve provided of Tad Johnson, compared to the man seen on the tape exiting your bus, we’ve decided it can’t possibly have been him. We can keep the file open, but you all are free to go.”
“Are you sure?” Cam asks in disbelief. “I know I already explained the phone call when he threatened me, and with him jumping bond, I was sure it was him.”
“Well ma’am, sometimes these things just happen.” The officer replies. “I can show you the piece of film if you’d like, but the man is shorter by at least half a foot, blonde and possibly heavier as well. He was heavily layered for this time of year, so we can’t be sure.”
“Okay,” Cam says, looking to Henry, who now looks really pissed off. “Henry, would you come with me please? We can both review and see if he looks familiar since you’ve been on tour longer than I have.” Henry and Cam follow the officers back into the building, I turn clapping Mack on the shoulder.
“I’ll be back on the bus, man.” I say to him, before climbing the steps.
By the time we get the trash and everything that was destroyed bagged up, Cam and Henry are walking out of the diner. Hunter and I are carrying bags to the dumpster, while Cam shakes the policemen’s hands before they climb into their squad car and leave. Her eyes meet mine as they walk over toward us. Throwing my bags into the trash, I hurry over to her. “So, who did it look like?” I ask, my eyes darting between them both.
“It didn’t look like Tad.” Henry spits, in irritation. “Though, what does my opinion matter? I mean, my family gets threatened and nobody tells me anything about it.”
Cam’s eyes zero in on mine; yeah, so I may have forgotten to mention that piece of intel to Henry earlier. I look at Henry and blow out a breath. My hand scrubbing over my head, “Henry, it was just before we stopped. With everything happening I forgot to tell you. I wanted to pull you aside and tell you without Daisy hearing.” I say apologetically.
“Yeah, okay.” Henry says, with a resigned shrug. “No more keeping shit from me. I can’t protect anyone if I don’t know what threats there are. Cam explained what the conversation was about to the police so I heard all that, anything else I need to know about?” He asks, eyeing both of us.
“No.” We both say in unison, just as Hunter walks up behind us.
“Get my ass out of Buzzkill USA, and take me to Macon, Big Man. I’m cravin’ peaches, and not the kind from fuckin’ trees.” He smacks his lips, shuffling toward the bus in front of us. “Macon rhymes with bacon bitches, now bend over and touch your toes I’m goin’ in with dry hose!”
“I’m worried for his sanity.” I tease, taking Camaron’s hand in mine.
She giggles; the sound is like music to my damn ears. My fingers tighten, curling around hers, making me relax for the first time all day. I acted like a complete ass before. My own twisted jealousy causing me to claim Cam in a damn diner bathroom, only then to lash out at her childishly when I should have just talked to her. My Wildcat didn’t take my shit, her tossing it all back at me surprised me. I’m just glad that everyone knew what we needed even when we didn’t. God knows I was punishing myself. Though, I almost feel bad for beating on Luke’s ass when he was in on this to a point too. Almost. He did kiss my girl, so I’m sure he wasn’t suffering for his efforts. The thought of how much time we wasted eats at my damn gut like a disease. I am determined that I won’t waste anymore. As quickly as we both jumped to answer that we weren’t getting married any time soon; now that the idea is on the table, the more tempting it is to make her mine. The ultimate proof of ownership: Cam having my name. It is going to happen, that you can put your damn money on, just not for a while.
Getting the bus back onto the highway, it isn’t long before we are all settling in front of the television arguing over DVDs to watch for the rest of the trip. “By the time we get there, you dumbasses will have figured out what to watch.” Henry teases from the front of the bus.
“I say we need a laugh, no blood and guts.” Cam suggests, looking at me. “Aiden…” She teases, knowing that the bloodier and scarier the movie, the more I love it.
“Fine, I couldn’t give two shits what we watch.” I chuckle, “Just no crying chick flick movie.”
“I second that.” Daisy and Gray say in unison. “I don’t need any more reason to cry than just breathing.” Daisy adds.
“Georgia state line, assholes,” Hunter says, as we pass a huge sign. “I’m about to load the porn of the week on CocknLube.com if someone doesn’t choose something good soon.”
I shudder at the realization that we are in Georgia. Before we go back to Nashville, I will come face to face with my mother. The last image I have of my mother is of her covered in blood on our floor. Henry had been given rights to us soon after, and didn’t allowed us to testify at the trial. He had seen enough that night; besides, my mother had pled no contest. I guess with all the evidence of abuse and neglect, she got cut a pretty decent deal from the district attorney, instead of getting life. It ended up being pretty cut and dry. That was that, we moved away from Georgia and started over where no one knew any of us.
“When is our appointment?” I blurt to Hunter, who just laughs.
“You mean our scheduled visit with our mother?” He asks, “You can say mother, Aiden. She is our mother.” Hunter snaps out, hopping up from his chair. He climbs over my legs, walking into the kitchen for a beer. “I mean she was a shitty one, not a mom, but she’s our mother.” Popping the top, he takes a long swig from the bottle. “I mean we can’t pick the bitches that shit us out, can we?”
“You’re a crude bastard.” Daisy spits, flipping him off. “Not everyone is made to be a mom I guess.” She shrugs.
“Nope, but you’ll be a good one. You take care of us fuck ups, so, a baby will be a piece of cake.” He says with a wink.
“So, when is it?” I ask again.
“Day after tomorrow. The prison they transferred her to a few years ago isn’t that far from Macon, so it won’t be that bad.” Hunter says, pulling up something on his phone. “Visiting starts at eleven.” He says leaning against the wall, not taking his eyes off his phone. “Then, in two weeks, she gets placed in a transitional facility about two hours away or some shit.”
“Yeah, as long as she stays here and away from me then we’re good.” I mumble.
“You gotta come to terms with shit eventually, bro.” Hunter says, tossing his bottle into the trash. “Can’t let that shit fester. Stress leads to impotence.”
“You deal your way, I’ll deal mine.” I bite out, ready to end the conversation. Why the hell should I care about the woman? She sure as shit never cared about us.
“Stress leads to impotence?” Cam asks, wrapping her arms around my neck from behind and kissing my cheek. “Where do you come up with this shit?”
Hunter shrugs, “I’m studying to be a porn star medic.” His grin widens, “I will prep the pussy, tending to their every need. In a recession, the best idea is to have a back-up plan. So, if necessary, I can be a jack of all trades.” He chuckles pumping his hips.
“Jackass is more like it.” Daisy snorts.
“Daisy!” Hunter cries, lunging over me, climbing onto the couch beside her and Gray. “What happened to us? You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’.”
“You’re not a lap dog Cunter, get the hell off.” She shrieks at him, while he covers her face in kisses. “You’re going to give me Hives, I’m allergic to assmonkey!”
“I need to talk to you.” I whisper to Cam. Gray nods, telling us to go ahead and use their bedroom so we can shut the door. I grab her arms when I stand up, so that she has to wrap her legs around my waist.
“Aiden!” She screams, making my dick jump to attention.
“There better not be any of those screams coming from my bed.” Daisy says pointing at us. “No funny business you two.”
“For one, there’s nothin’ funny about what I wanna do to this beautiful woman,” I smirk proudly. “Two, if I hosed down your bed Daisy, Gray would never be able to get hard in there again. His cock would feel inferior.”
“We can always wait til they go to bed, Aiden. Break in Cunter’s recliner.” Cam offers with a laugh. My face turns to meet her eyes in shock. Holy shit, did she just say that? My once shy, little Wildcat is turning into a goddamn tiger. My dick swells painfully against my jeans. How in the hell am I supposed to have a conversation with her now, with images of her bent over the arm of that chair impaled on my cock?
“That means I’ll be sleepin’ on the couch tonight,” Hunter announces, smugly, “with my video camera.”
Ignoring my brother, I hike Cam’s body further up my back and trudge down the aisle toward the bedroom. Kicking the door closed behind me, I plop us down on the mattress. Cam situates us so that I’m laying back, my head in her lap. Her blue eyes looking down at me, silently, waiting for me to speak. “I didn’t have anything to talk to you about, Cam. Just wanted to be alone with you, that’s all.”
Camaron’s hands cup my face; leaning down, she presses a soft kiss to my lips. “You never have to explain wanting to be alone with me Aiden. I know the stuff with your mother isn’t going to be pleasant and I don’t expect you to be okay with it. Hunter means well, he doesn’t want you to dwell on everything that happened when you two were growing up. I think that you two process it differently, for whatever reason, and that’s fine too. I’ll be there with you, for you, every step of it. If you want to leave all you have to do is say so.”
I nod then roll to my side before pulling Cam into my chest. We just lie there, neither of us speaking. No words need to be said, both of us are completely comfortable in the quiet. Just being together. My fingers running through her hair until her breathing evens out, I settle in, falling asleep happy, even though there is craziness all around us… I have my Cam. That’s right she’s my Cam again, and I’ll move Heaven and Earth to keep it this way.
*Camaron*
Waking up in Aiden’s arms never gets old. I hadn’t realized I had fallen asleep, but the quiet humming of the bus will do that to you. Snuggling deeper into his chest, I absorb the warmth that is just Aiden. My hands slide under the hem of his t-shirt, desperate to feel his skin. Closing my eyes, I visualize the wings inked on his back, as my fingers run along each line. I can’t really feel them, though I’ve spent hours touching them, kissing them, clawing at them; so much time, in fact, that I’ve dreamt about them every single night we were apart.
Aiden has never told me the story behind them, but I do know that he drew them. Tattered black and gray feathers, giving way to worn iron, looking like they have weathered a lot, but came away strong. From what he told me about his past, I can make a pretty good guess at the meaning. The broken soul, my fallen angel. So broken and yet I find my healing in him, my comfort. The man who exudes such control, such authority, but yet, he has this side he only lets few see. The vulnerable, intimate pieces of him that he really only gives to me.
