The accident happened so fast that I didn't even know what had hit us. But I would never forget the blood splattered all over the car interior and the devastating shatter of glass when my aunt was ejected through the windshield.
Jenny and I were in shock, just staring at the carnage around us, hands clutched so tight that it was like we had been sewn together. Aubrey's cry quickly turned to a wailing scream, when no one came to her aid. That was probably what made the man decide to retrieve her first.
Aubrey's baby carrier had been forced upward and twisted metal from her door separated us in the back seat. A man appeared in the side window, and the second he saw us, he diligently set out to rescue our screaming baby sister. Frantic and fumbling, he got the door open and retrieved her from the seat.
Jenny pried at her door hysterically, but it wouldn't open, and there was no other visible way out of the car. I noticed a metal object piercing through Jenny’s leg, attaching her to the wreckage, and I wondered if she even knew that she was trapped. Recognizing the reality of the situation, we both began to cry, holding each other’s terrified stare, waiting for someone to save us. The man cleared Aubrey from the mangled car, then came back to us just in time.
"My leg," Jenny cried, frozen in horror, when she finally realized her damage.
The man caught her attention. “Duck your heads,” he hollered.
We both did, without question, but we never stopped crying. The man smashed out the window and climbed on the back of the car, reaching in for me. I slipped out of my seat, with nothing more than a scratch, but didn’t let go of Jenny until the man pried our fingers apart. He lowered me to the ground and my boots crunched the broken glass beneath my feet.
“Run,” he yelled.
"No! My sister!" I wailed, terrified for Jenny’s life.
He leapt from the trunk of the car and rushed me, kicking and screaming, to where my baby sister was wiggling in the wet, snowy grass. What the man didn't know at the time was that he only had time to save one of us. He chose me.
He knelt next to me, and ordered me to stay. "It's not safe near the car. I’m going to save your sister,” he reassured me, “but I need you to stay here. Understand?”
I had nodded my head out of fear, and lost my eyes to the wreck that was once my aunt’s car. My aunt was lying unconscious on the ground in front of it, my sister pinned inside, and all I could think to do was hush Aubrey, my voice trembling between whimpers, as I stared at the man ripping at the car, trying desperately to free Jenny from it.
The man kicked the car and howled. "Where the hell's the fire department." He stomped quickly to where my aunt was thrown on the ground and dragged her closer to us. "She'll be okay. She's breathing," he assured me, though her arm was mangled and her face was covered in a dark smear of blood.
He swiped his bloody hand over his forehead. "I can't get her out. She’s stuck pretty good,” he told me. “We'll have to wait for help."
I could hear the faint sounds of sirens calling far in the distance. "Please, mister. Help my sister," I begged. I was afraid for Jenny, and didn’t like her being left there all by herself. She was scared and injured and all alone.
The man shook his head, showing his defeat and helplessness, but dutifully spun around to return to the demolished heap for his final attempt to save my sister. As he reached the car, there was a horrendous explosion and the hood surged in flames. The man stumbled backward, blocking himself from the fire, unable to get anywhere near the car without injuring himself.
I screamed for what seemed like forever, as the sirens grew nearer by the second. "No! No! Jenny!" I hitched Aubrey higher into my arms and rocked her more aggressively, crying to myself, while Jenny's own cries turned into a blood curdling scream. I had sensed her death then, tasted the blackness in my throat, but I could never prepare myself for that very scream to haunt me for the rest of my life.
There was nothing I could do but watch the powerless man pacing around the burning car, as Jenny - my other half - burned helplessly inside it. Her hysterical scream rattled my very existence. I could see the man struggling with his conscience, his face twisted in an agonizing frown, while we waited for the fire department only a minute away.
What I would never forget was Jenny’s horrific shriek, and then the awful moment when the screaming stopped. That sound continued to haunt me to this day and had consumed what was left of my childhood. My own parents were unable to look at me, without being overcome with sadness, and no amount of therapy could ever repair the gaping, black hole inside of me.
I cried and cried. And, though the force threatened to keep me at that dark place deep in my mind, I decided I didn’t care. Then suddenly, the bedroom door flew open and my eyes opened against my will. Edwin stormed into the room, half asleep, with darkness swirling behind him like a fog of energy.
I instantly regained control of my limbs, sprang from the bed and spun recklessly around the dimly lit room. "Where is she? Where did she go? Where did Jenny go?" I repeated, hollering at the top of my lungs.
Within seconds, I was crushed in Edwin's arms, crying uncontrollably, and any remnant of darkness had disappeared from the room. Through tear-filled eyes I could see that we were alone, and though my heart still raced with fear and horror, I could no longer sense Jenny's presence. She was gone.
"It's okay, Abs. There's no one here," Edwin said, hushing me. "It was just a bad dream." His voice was but a soothing whisper.
"No," I cried, my sobbing mouth pressed against Edwin's smooth chest, my left hand pounding on him. "She was here. And she was trying to kill me."
CHAPTER EIGHT
I COULD FEEL THE one sunray that had snuck its way through the edge of the blinds, before I even opened my eyes, bringing with it a feeling of warmth and peace. It was a new day. That one ray of sunshine had escaped the cold, but I wouldn’t be so lucky. I scooped up my phone and slipped back into my bed. After rubbing my sore eyes, I checked my messages. The first text was from Edwin.
If you need a shoulder to cry on, you know I’m here for you, Abs.
I think I re-read that message a good one hundred times before gaining the nerve to check the next one that was from Cameron.
Abby, I am really sorry. Please let me make things right. Will you meet with me today? A public place is fine with me, if that’s what you want. I know we can work through this.
A tear choked my stone-dry throat. What I wanted was a baby. If by make things right he meant giving me that, then I was game.
I replied to his message and agreed, knowing I wanted it to work out as bad as he did. Then I messaged Edwin to tell him that his shoulder wouldn’t suffice. I would need a gigantic bucket to collect all of my tears.
Satisfied that I was doing the right thing, I tossed my blankets aside, swung my legs off the bed and dropped my phone into my purse. I stood up, stretched for the sky and yanked open my blinds, letting the sunlight flood my room of shadows. I walked past my dresser, stopped in front of the mirror and poked at the dark circles under my eyes.
I frowned at my reflection. "Oh, that's attractive." I considered covering it up before leaving my room, but decided against it.
Edwin knew I was ruined. He had seen me at my worst before and this would be nothing new for him. I dragged my ass down the stairs, clanked a bowl onto the table and snooped through the cupboards, not surprised by how little food I found stocked there.
After one bite of my cereal, Edwin walked into the kitchen. "I thought that was you," he said, before asking me countless questions that all went unanswered.
I slurped up what was left of my milk, rinsed out my bowl in the sink and spun around to face him. One sentence would give him the answer to all of his hidden suggestions.
"We did not break up. I just needed a night to think."
"If you say so." He gulped back the rest of his breakfast, then bumped past me. "If you ask me though, you're in for trouble if you need a break this early in the relationship."
I carefully shrugged my aching shoulders, then twirled around to explain myself. "We're having a difference of opinion, but it’s nothing we can’t get past."
Edwin chuckled to himself and it kind of hurt my feelings, but I wouldn’t admit that to him. "I’m sorry, Abs. But if anyone knows how stubborn you can be, it's me." He turned to face me, and I wished he hadn’t set those aqua eyes on me.
"Thanks a lot. You're really helping." My sarcasm effectively blocked the trembling in my voice, but I couldn't stop the tears from coming. Then, like a fragile child, I began to cry. "I can't believe I'm doing this in front of you,” I blubbered. “It's so embarrassing."
“The last thing I want to do right now is upset you more. I was just afraid he hurt you," Edwin said, stepping toward me and taking my hand.
He did. Emotionally. "Cam would never lay a finger on me. He respects the woman that I am."
Edwin pulled me into his arms and nudged my head onto his shoulder. Those arms had always brought me so much relief in my times of need and now was no exception. I tightened my grip around him, but he broke my hold to look at me.
"I've been known to lend a good ear, if you need one," he said, not letting me get too close.
Yeah, I'm sure his good ear would love to hear what I have to say. "I don't doubt you have a strong shoulder to cry on, but you’re probably not the right person for the job."
"I’ve already let you wipe your snot nose all over my shirt; tell me I’m not the right one.”
Those words hung between us and I couldn’t balance the meaning, so I let out a snort, in an attempt to laugh, and it seemed to make him happy.
"I have to get ready. I promised Cam I would meet with him today."
"Good luck with that." His sarcasm was far from thoughtful. "At the risk of giving you good advice, maybe you should consider not lying to yourself. It doesn't make the truth go away, it only delays the inevitable."
"In English?" I asked, snidely.
"You have a bad habit of holding on and trying to make it work, when your stubborn ass never intends on giving anything up. If it’s over, just admit that it’s over."
I didn’t want it to be over. "If I hold on too long, then you let go too easily," I snapped, without thinking. This had nothing to do with him. I should have saved my words for where they were needed; with Cameron.
"I'm not trying to get you all worked up,” Edwin said. “Just trying to help. You do what you feel in your heart is right and I'm sure it will all work out for you."
I rolled my eyes, officially aggravated, and stomped away. Shit doesn't just magically work itself out.
***
I WALKED INTO THE local coffee shop looking fresh and fine; though inside, I was a crumbling mess. I anxiously paused inside the door, combed my fingers through my winded hair, and lifted my eyes anxiously to see if Cameron was there yet.
Looking straight to the back of the long, narrow shop, I found him. He was seated alone, at a small, shiny round table. As our eyes connected, he stood from his chair and his gaze was like an impenetrable force field. I couldn’t have stolen my eyes away from him if I wanted to, but I didn’t want to.
In fact, I had a desperate urge to run down the aisle and jump into his arms, to show him how much I still loved him. I managed to stop myself and instead remained completely composed. This wasn't some joyous fairy tale, where he'd tell me he wanted to give me babies and we'd live happily after. No, this was real life. I had to be realistic.
I walked slowly and reservedly toward his table. His sharp eyes dissected me and I found it difficult to walk under his scrutiny. My feet stumbled but my heart was filled with fascination. He was so stunning. Anxiety suffocated me, as I finished my awkward approach. How was I supposed to greet him?
Without a question, Cam opened his arms to me, his eyes coaxing me to accept his offer. I obeyed, collapsing in his arms from weakened knees. He held me so tight and swaddled me with love, as I inhaled his unforgettable aroma. I lifted my head from his embrace and looked up expectantly at him.
"Thank you for coming," he said, taking my left hand into his and intertwining our fingers.
A playful smirk crept onto my face. "You knew I would."
"Actually, I was afraid that you wouldn't." He sighed and lifted my hand to inspect the gorgeous ring that remained on my finger. "You're still wearing it."
"That's because I still love you," I said, finding my strength.
Cameron smiled for the first time in what seemed like weeks, and it was amazing to witness that all-encompassing smile again. He brought those masterful lips to my hand and pressed a kiss to my trembling fingers, while those squinted eyes stole all my resolve.
"I love you, Abigail. I can't lose you."
"You haven't lost me. I'm right here," I breathed.
I closed my eyes as his mouth brushed mine, and his hand smoothed tenderly over my cheek. I trembled from the electricity that unified our irrefutable bond and relished that gentle touch. Cameron tilted his head to deepen the kiss, expressing all of his unspoken feelings with his mouth. When Cam stopped, he pressed his lips tight together, squeezing his eyes shut. I tucked my chin in, hiding close to his chest, as my cheeks turned multiple shades of pink.
Cam ignored the gawkers and cupped my warm cheek to bring my emerald eyes up to his. "What do you say we go for a walk? It looks like a pretty nice day outside."
The sun had taken the chill out of the day, even with the gusty wind blowing the snow around. I nodded, not sure what else to say. Cam clasped my hand tighter and pulled me outside. I snuggled beneath my baby pink scarf to block the snow that sprinkled over us when we left the overhang of the building. We stood on the edge of the curb, then darted through traffic to cross the road.
Cam’s pace slowed as he led me toward the river. "I miss you," he said, with a sigh.
Those words felt like molten lava warming my body all over. "Me too."
Urgency clawed at me, as Cam’s fingers tightened around mine. He scoped out a private place, devoid of wind, and swiftly tugged me out of the public eye. He tucked me against an old brick building, the low overhang providing a ledge of protection from the weather, and bundled me in close, his nose nuzzled against mine.
He brushed his hand down my cheek, sending pleasant shivers down my spine, then kissed me softly. "I missed this," he told me, as he kissed me again.
The cold wind blasted around us, blowing my brown tangled hair in my face. Cam gently swept it away with his fingers, so he could resume kissing me. He devoured my loneliness and delivered me to a dream state. It was all flowers and sunshine all of a sudden.
Cam drew my eyes open, his forehead wrinkled, and a crooked smile spread across his face. "Turns out it's a little too cold for a walk today," he said.
Knowing what he was insinuating, I embraced my cunning self. "I haven't warmed you up enough?" I caught when his eyes zeroed in on my mouth. Using the tip of my tongue, I traced the length of my upper lip, then bit my bottom lip to swallow my desire.
"Maybe a little too much," he replied, pressing himself against me. He kissed me again, harder this time, provoking a need that went far deeper than I wished to admit.
"Will you come home with me?" he begged.
"Yes," I rasped, as if he had just popped the question.
With a slanted smile, he locked onto my fingers and we hauled ass to his car.
***
WAS IT SO BAD for me to engage in a moment of inexplicable ecstasy with this handsome man that I still called mine? Forgetting about our problems hardly helped the situation, but we had decidedly torn each other’s clothes off, skipping foreplay, and got right down to it. I took all of him and my life shattered in his hands, until I was replete, complete and sore in all the right places.
Still wanting to feel the weight of him against me, I rolled over, lifted the thin sheets over our naked bodies and pulled him close. I snuggled back against him, closed my eyes on a tear and passed out from exhaustion.
My bra
in was still foggy after my sex-induced nap, but reality slowly crept back in with a vengeance. I had taken what was mine, but I knew it was of no use. No seed had been planted. I had to remind myself that there was no seed. Cameron could never give me my dream.
If it’s over, just admit that it’s over.
Cameron walked through the doorway and crawled back into bed, facing me. "You're awake," he said.
"Mmm, hmm,” I mumbled, softly.
His fingers teased over my cheek. "Will you stay with me tonight?" He expected me to say yes, even though we both knew it was wrong on so many levels. “Just one more night?”
As in, after that there would be no other nights? I didn’t like the sound of that, nor could I say no. I nodded and slid my hands over Cam’s chest. "How long have you been up for?"
"I never fell asleep. I was just thinking.” He paused, with a sigh. “I saw you talking to Edwin yesterday.” Cameron pulled away from me and dressed very quickly. “What did he want?"
I fumbled out of bed and slipped into my clothes, taking the hint, and replied hesitantly. "Nothing really. He was going out for lunch and asked if I'd come along."
"It looked like something to Taylor," Cam accused, as he walked across the room, putting more distance between us.
I chased after him, stunned by his sudden rudeness again. "You have no reason to act jealous like that. It was nothing."
"Nothing,” he repeated. “Just like what happened between you and Owen." When he glared at me, it was like he stuck me in the chest with an ice pick.
“Are you suggesting I'm cheating on you?"
"I don't want to believe it, but it sure doesn’t look good from where I’m standing."
He obviously doesn’t trust me anymore, so why did he take me home with him? I waved at the rumpled sheets. “All this today, for what then?"
Cameron had already thrown in the towel. “I would never deny that you’re a nice fuck.”
I couldn’t believe the words coming from his mouth. I refused to. I dug my fingers into my forehead to dull the sharp pain now striking my skull. When it didn’t work, I sighed, hoping it would air dry the tears in my eyes. "If you didn’t want me around Edwin, all you had to do is say so. You coming at me like this, though… it isn't even right."
A Twist of Fate (The Twisted Trilogy) Page 11