by C. Shell
Nate grins back at me and one of his hands moves from my cheek to the base of my neck where he gives it a gentle squeeze. “Most definitely.”
I flush from the compliment. “Thank you,” I mutter, letting loose a nervous giggle.
“I mean it,” Nate says. “Dex is a lucky bastard to have you as his girl. I know he can be a handful, but if you seriously want it to work out between you two, then you need to talk to him. Let him know exactly how you’re feeling and don’t hold back.”
I snort a laugh. “And you think that will transform him overnight from being a possessive crazy boyfriend into someone who is thoughtful and caring?”
Nate gives me a small grin. “No, not at all, but Dex needs to know that he’s gone too far. He means well, but sometimes he gets so lost in his own shit that he can’t see the bigger picture.”
I roll my eyes and nudge Nate’s shoulder with my own. “Who would’ve ever thought we would be sitting here one day with you giving me relationship advice?”
Nate bursts out laughing. “No shit. This is definitely not the future I saw for us.”
I stiffen at his choice of words. Sitting in Nate’s lap suddenly doesn’t feel as innocent as it did only moments ago. I sneak a look at him and see what he hadn’t said, what he was holding back from me. The simmering heat in his eyes worries me.
We stare at each other and the tension in the room shifts. I watch in awe and fright as Nate’s eyes dart down to my lips. My heart is pounding so hard and fast I am certain he can feel it. Neither of us move, we are both so still it feels as if time has frozen.
My phone rings, the sound ominous and loud in the quiet room.
As if a bomb has gone off, Nate and I shoot up from the couch. Attempting to put as much space between us as humanly possible, our limbs get tangled together. One minute I’m half-standing trying to regain my balance, the next, I’m sprawled out on the floor and Nate is hopping around the room clutching his smooshed balls. He’s mumbling incoherent words, but I catch a curse or two aimed my way, not that I blame him.
When I fell, I did the natural thing and reached for something to hold onto. That something was Nate’s precious jewels. Needless to say, they didn’t stop my momentum. With the grace of an elephant, I get back on my feet and manage to answer the call before it drops.
“Hello,” I answer, and press the phone close to my ear.
“You sound out of breath. What are you doing?” My eyes skim over Nate, who has propped himself against the wall and is breathing in and out of his mouth like a woman about to give birth.
I roll my eyes and answer Cam’s question in half-truths. “Just helping Nate get some chores done. What about you?”
“My mom is driving me insane again. I think she might be off her meds again.”
Getting settled on the floor, I lean my head back on the seat cushion with a heavy sigh. “How bad is it this time?” I ask, knowing that whatever comes out of Cam’s mouth won’t be good. It never is. For as long as I can remember Cammy’s mother has had to take medicine to keep her mood swings in check. For the most part, she does well, but on the off chance she forgets to take her pills things can get a bit crazy around Cam’s home.
“I woke this morning to her jumping on my bed like a toddler. She said that she wanted to go have a girl’s day together. At first, I thought she was being funny, but considering it wasn’t even light out yet, I told her that I wanted a few more hours of sleep. Next thing I know, she burst into tears, sobbed like a baby, and accused me of hating her.”
I run a hand down my face, half aware of Nate sinking down next to me. A nerve on the side of my jaw clenches as I think of the constant turmoil and hurt Cam’s mom inflicts on her. She’s never physically hurt Cammy, but the emotional shit she’s laid on her is enough to make your head spin.
“I’m so sorry, Cam. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Not really,” she says, her voice drenched in sadness. “My dad has already been in touch with the doctor and they’re working on getting her medicine regulated. Until things get settled back down here, I was hoping I could go hide out at your house for a little while. Do you think you will be at Nate’s much longer?”
I pause and turn to Nate, my gaze finding his. His arm lifts and I’m pulled into his body, his arm going around my shoulders and anchoring me to his side. His touch doesn’t feel sexual but comforting, and I immediately melt against him.
“I’ve got a few more loads of laundry to finish before I leave. Jimmie should be home, and even if he isn’t, you know where we keep the extra key. Mi casa es su casa. I think there is some leftover pizza in the fridge if you’re hungry. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“You’re a godsend. Thank you, Addy,” Cam says, her voice sounding clearer.
“That’s what friends are for. Call me if you have any problems getting in.” I end the call feeling as if the weight of the world is pressing down on me.
“I take it Cammy’s mom is acting out again.” Nate’s comment doesn’t surprise me. Cammy’s mom's problems are not a secret. Nothing really is when you live in a small town. Plus, not all her mother’s meltdowns happen behind closed doors. Just off the top of my head, I can count off one that happened at the grocery store and two at school during our middle school years.
“Unfortunately, yes. Her dad is handling it. Cam just needs a place to stay until it blows over.” I sigh, leaning my head against his shoulder as I let the tension drain from my body. “I’m sure Jimmie is home. He’s good at distracting her when things turn to shit.”
“Do you need to leave?”
I consider his question but am quick to shake my head. “We’ve been through this enough times that I know she’ll be okay without me for a while.” I nudge his shoulder with my own. “Besides, a promise is a promise. What kind of friend would I be if I let you go running around town in dirty underwear?”
“Not a very good one,” he agrees. There is a gleam in Nate’s eyes that I haven’t seen before. Being the chicken that I know I am, I don’t try and guess what it means.
“As my mother would say, there is no rest for the wicked. Let’s go fold some undies.” With that said, I get to my feet and head back to the laundry room with a pep in my step and a huge smile on my face.
Chapter Eight
I watch the clock as it ticks down the last minutes until school lets out and our winter break begins. This last week of school has been hectic, which is odd because normally we have little to no school work before a major holiday.
For some that might have been a reality, but not for me. I was met with make-up tests, which required me to study when I should’ve been packing for our upcoming skiing trip. I don’t even own a pair of gloves. How in the hell as I am to stay warm and toasty when I don’t have the proper clothing? I’ve never seen snow, so this trip is a first for me in many ways.
I’m nervous! Understatement of the century. Try a fucking wreck.
I’m a walking, talking ball of nerves that can’t eat, sleep, or function without running scenarios of me tumbling down a mountain, being eaten by bears, dying of hyperthermia, or falling and breaking every bone in my body. I’m a klutz on a good day and if that wasn’t scary enough, this is my first ever unchaperoned vacation! I need to calm down, and my stupid breathing tricks aren’t doing the job. Maybe I’ve become pessimistic, but after the hellacious year I’ve had, it’s hard to assume anything good will come out of this vacation.
“You’re doing it again.” Cam’s voice draws me out of my mini freak out. Turning in my seat, my troubled eyes clash with her happy ones.
“Doing what?” I question, my brow raised. “What are you talking about?”
“You’re glaring at the clock like you want to tear it down and stomp it into the ground?” A glint of humor lightens her eyes. “What did that poor thing do to you to deserve such hatred?”
“I'm ready for school to be over,” I relent, a small whine in my voice. “I’ve got so much to do b
efore we leave and I don’t have a clue how to get it all done in time.”
“You’re not packed yet?”
I toss my arms up, frustration thrumming through me. “Packed?” I laugh out loud. “Cam, I’m not even through shopping yet. I have a list of shit that needs to be purchased before I can even begin worrying about packing it all in.”
Her face pales. “Oh shit. This isn’t good.” Her tone turns accusatory. “Why are you just now telling me about this?”
“I was planning on skipping last period and running to the mall to do some final shopping, but then Mrs. Bakers saw me heading to the parking lot and threatened to call my mom if I didn’t go back to class.” I motion to the stupid slow-moving clock on the wall. “I don’t have enough warm clothing for the trip and not enough time to get to the mall before we leave for the airport. I’m going to freeze to death, Cam!”
Cam snorts before her expression turns to one of pure determination. “I think we need to divide and conquer to make this work.” She tears off a sheet of paper from her notebook and smacks it down on my desk. “Make a list of everything you need. I’ll go to the mall and find it all while you start packing. That should shave off at least an hour or two. Enough time that we can still grab a ride to the airport with Jimmie.”
I stop myself from rolling my eyes and pick up the pen off my desk. I begin writing down a list of all the necessities needed to make this trip happen. I even go as far as writing down my sizes just in case she forgets, although I’m not sure how she could, considering the amount of clothing she borrows from me on a weekly basis. The more I write, the more items pop into my head. By the time I’m done over half the paper is covered in ink. Setting the pen down, I sit back in my seat and pass the list over to Cam.
“Damn,” she hisses through parted lips. “You weren’t lying about being behind on things.” Her eyes rove over the list and the more she reads the more animated her facial features become. Her head shakes in frustration as she peers up at me. “You’ve known about this trip for weeks. How can you not have snow boots and a decent jacket by now?”
I grab my backpack off the floor and start stuffing my binder and notebook back into it. The bell is close to ringing and I want to be ready to go when it does. “I told you, I’ve been busy catching up with school work. Plus, I took a few extra shifts at work this week, so I would have some extra spending money while we’re there.”
“Of course, you did,” she says in a sarcastic tone. Clamping her hands on her hips, she gives me a no-nonsense look. “This won’t be an easy list to fulfill in the just a few hours, but I’ll make it work. Just leave me enough room in your bags for it all to fit.” The bell rings high and shrill, indicating that the last class of the day is indeed over. Cam grabs her book bag and all but drags me out of class, leading us with purpose through the throng of kids racing to the parking lot.
“Did you bring your car today or are you getting a ride home with the guys?”
“Nate and Jimmie had some errands to run after school. I brought my car.”
“Okay,” she says, pushing her way past a football player taking up too much residence near her locker. I keep my head down, but follow her step for step to avoid any collisions. After storing away our bags and school materials, Cam slaps a hand on my shoulder and leads me to the parking lot.
“Jimmie said we had to be at the airport by six o’clock, so we need to hurry. I’m going to straight to the mall and you need to go home and pack. If you think of anything else you need between now and then, text it to me.”
I nod slowly as my eyes trace over the parking lot, taking in the congestion of kids running around, everyone loud, rambunctious, and flat out thankful for the beginning of winter break.
“Let’s do this,” I call out as I run down the steps and take off across the lot to my car parked near the back. “See you back at my house,” I yell over my shoulder before unlatching the lock and scooting in behind the wheel.
Just thinking about what the next week will bring has my stomach swarming with butterflies. Some of it is from nerves, but most from excitement. I’m ready to depart this town and go someplace fresh where no one except those nearest to me know me. For one week, I get to be free from the judgment of others without having to constantly look over my shoulder.
At least, that’s the plan.
Chapter Nine
Dex
I’ve never enjoyed flying, then again, I’ve never tried it with Addison draped over my arm. The moment the wheels left the tarmac, she tucked herself under a blanket, positioned my arm into a makeshift pillow, then before the flight attendant could even offer us a beverage, she was out like a light.
It’s time to wake her up and I don’t want to do it. I can’t remember the last time Addison slept this hard and so…peacefully. She hasn’t had a nightmare or talked in her sleep once since the plane took off. Waking her now feels wrong, and yet, I don’t have a choice. The snippy flight attendant has already warned me once that we are nearing descent.
Focusing on the task at hand, I give Addy’s shoulder a nudge and when that doesn’t work, I cup her head in my hand and lift it off my shoulder. Her hair falls to the side, giving me a glance of her beautiful face and pouty pink lips, and just like always, the sight of her steals my breath away.
“Jelly Bean, we’re almost there. Time to get up, baby,” I say is the softest tone possible. I don’t want to scare her, not now that she’s relaxed and not fretting about everything.
Her eyes flutter a moment before springing fully open. She looks around a little crazed and lost as to where we are. I sit stoic, giving her the time she needs to sort herself out and as she does, she turns and graces me with a lazy smile.
“Hey sexy,” she says. “Sorry for falling asleep on you.” She absently wipes at her mouth, then shoots me a terrifying look. “I didn’t drool on you, did I?”
I bite back a grin and lie through my teeth. “No, baby. You didn’t.” There is no way in hell I’m ruining this moment by embarrassing her. Besides, a little drool never hurt anyone.
With her hand tucked tightly into mine, the plane finishes its descent and lands in Colorado. We spend the next two hours retrieving our luggage, fetching our rental car, and then driving like old ladies across the snowy landscape as we head to our hotel. I’ve driven in some crazy weather before, but snow and ice is a new one for me.
Cammy screaming from the back seat that we were going to drive off a mountain and never be found didn’t help matters one bit. I felt a little sorry for Jimmie after we nominated him to be the one to calm her ass down. It was either that or we were going to leave her on the side of the road. That girl is nuts!
The resort we’re staying at is kick ass and luxurious as hell. Our entire vacation was an early Christmas present from my dad, something he does from time-to-time when he starts feeling guilty for being absent ninety-nine-point five percent of my life. My dad’s not a bad guy, but he is a workaholic who would rather spend all his time in the office than at home with his family. Hence the extravagant gifts.
Exiting the car, I help Addy out before moving to the trunk where our mountain of bags is stored. It’s so freaking cold out here, every inhale of air feels like it’s freezing me from the inside out. My jeans, long-sleeved shirt, and light jacket are not nearly enough coverage to protect me from the elements. From the excessive way Addy and Cammy are shivering, they’re feeling the same way.
When a young bellhop rushes out to greet us I let out a sigh of relief. “Is this everything or is there more inside the van?” he asks, a big smile taking up most of his round face.
“This is all of it,” I confirm. Stepping aside, I let him get to work loading our things onto his cart while I usher everyone inside where it's warm. The small gasp Addy lets out when she sees the interior of the hotel has me smiling almost as big as the bellhop.
“This place is amazing, Dex,” she exclaims, her voice happy and light. “I can’t believe we’re staying here a whole
week.”
I take in the tall ceiling, fancy chandeliers, polished dark wood flooring, fresh large vase flowers, and rustic, yet classy décor, and I can see how this would delight Addy. With her having to rely on her single, hard-working mother, she and Jimmie haven’t been on many vacations. Especially, not five-star ones. It might not amount to much, but I am glad I was able to give her this experience.
“I’m going to get us checked in,” I tell her. “You and Cam can look around if you like. This shouldn’t take too long,” I warn, “so, don’t go off too far.” I keep my voice light and leave out the part where I will freak out if I can’t find her when I’m done. Because, what sane boyfriend acts that way, right? I know I’m acting crazy, but it’s hard to turn off the fear that something else will happen to her and, again, I won’t be there to stop it.
Shaking off the negative thoughts, I place a kiss on the top of Addison’s head before she runs off with Cam, pointing to this and that and talking a mile a minute. “Why do their voices always get so high pitched when they’re excited?” Jimmie asks, his head shaking in confusion.
“Addy and Cam?” Nate asks. He’s got his eyes on the girls as they stand before the fireplace trying to get warm. If he wasn’t my best friend I would smack him for watching them so intently. I don’t know what is going on with him lately, but he better get his shit sorted, otherwise, he and I are going to have a problem.
“All girls,” Jimmie corrects. “They all talk like Minnie Mouse when something excites them. It’s weird.”
I ignore their continued banter and go to the desk to get us all checked in and retrieve our room keys. The bellman is waiting patiently for me with all our bags squished onto his little cart. I give him a nod and proceed to hand the girl at the counter my driver’s license and the credit card my dad slipped me before we left.