by S. Moose
“Nothing,” she sighs, “just happy.”
“Me too.”
“Have you gotten any news about Alan?” I shake my head, “I’m sorry. I know you’re trying hard to find him.”
“It sucks. He should know what happened. As soon as he turned eighteen he left the house, and I’m not sure where he went. He told me not to worry about him, that one day he’d come find me.”
“And until that day happens just keep praying for his safety.” I nod. Pulling out a small box, I hand it to her. “Ayden?” She sits up facing me and opens the box. Bringing her hands over her mouth, she jumps up and down and throws her arms around me. “Thank you so much. The necklace is beautiful.”
“Read the back.”
“Forever. A and C.”
Wiping tears from her eyes I lean in and kiss her, tasting the sweetness of her lips. God, I love this girl.
Cam
SPEED DATING WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I think I've met every type of man there is to know. The first guy looked at me and said I would do. We sat there for three minutes in silence. The next few guys were okay, and then I got back-to-back eighteen year olds. Both thought I could make a hot cougar. Sure I was flattered, but no. Just no. There was no one attractive, and it was a waste of time.
Scrubbing the makeup off my face and changing into something more comfortable, I head to bed and text Bev.
Me: Never again! That was beyond a waste of time
Bev: Oh whatever you had fun, admit it
Me: No I did no
The doorbell rings, and I get up to see who is at the door. It’s late, and I wonder if it’s Ayden. Angela is on the other side of the door with a bottle of wine in both hands.
“Hey, girl!” She says, coming inside and walking to my kitchen.
“Angela, hey. What’s going on? It’s kinda late.”
She waves her hand, “I know, but Jamie’s out. Bev and Dylan are hanging out with Gretchen, and I want to chill and drink.” I watch her pour a glass of wine for me and she walks over, handing me the glass. Making herself comfortable on the couch, she crosses her legs and turns to smile at me. “You looked amazing tonight. I’m so glad we met and had fun.”
Taking a sip of the smoky, red wine, I smile. “Yeah, it was okay. I don’t think I’d do it again. I think I’m done trying to be in a relationship. I want to have fun and live a little, I guess. Bev thinks I’m too uptight, and I tend to think the same thing.”
She rubs my knee. “Well, you’re fresh out of a relationship, and you need to make decisions. It’s normal to feel this way. I think you’re gorgeous, and you need to embrace it.”
“Yeah, I guess,” I agree and drink more of the wine.
Before I know it, the empty bottles of wine scatter across my island. Angela and I are now on the living room floor listening to music and singing. Hanging out with her tonight has taken my mind off Ayden and how pathetic my love life is.
“You’re so fun to be with,” she slurs, “I like you a lot.”
“Me too!” We laugh and fall to the floor. I don’t think I’ve been this drunk in a while, and I miss it.
The doorbell rings and Angela jumps up. “It’s Jamie!” She skips to the door and jumps in his arms. I watch the scene in front of me. Her legs are wrapped around his waist as she attacks his mouth and his hands attack her ass. It’s kind of hot to watch.
Angela throws her head back and Jamie looks at me. Suddenly feeling small and uncomfortable, I get up and wave. “Hi, I’m Cam.” Jamie smiles and puts Angela down. He walks over to me and gives me a one-armed hug.
“So nice to meet you,” he tells me; his voice is smooth and deep, silky. His lips touch my cheek, and his hand rests on my lower back. “Did you and Angela have fun tonight?”
I nod and look at Angela. She’s against the wall, licking her lips and laughing. I have no idea what’s going on and I’m not sure what to do.
“Yeah, it was fun. Thanks for picking her up. It’s nice to meet you.” I try to remain as polite as possible.
“You as well. Come on, Angela, let’s get going.” She pouts at us, but quickly bounces and comes to me, kissing my lips.
“Bye, honey! I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Ah, okay. Sounds good.”
They leave, and I lock the door. Standing in the middle of the room, I touch my lips and really think about what the hell just happened. The only girl I’ve ever kissed was Bev, and that was on a dare.
Not wanting to think about tonight, I head to my room, get in bed, and pull the covers over my head.
The next morning, I wake up and get ready. Heading out to grab coffee and a bagel, I silently sit in my car and eat breakfast while waiting for Bev to text me back. I’m getting Grayson today from Ayden’s house, and I’m doing everything I can to avoid seeing him. It’s almost 9am, and I have to go. Groaning, I finish my bagel and make the short drive to his house.
Just as I’m about to ring the doorbell, Ayden answers the door, taking me by surprise.
“Good morning, Camila. Come inside” Guiding me inside, his hand rests on my lower back, and I freeze. Turning around to face him, I still can’t talk. “Camila?”
“Hi Ayden,” I let out, “is Grayson ready?”
“He was whining a little, so I put him down and he went back to sleep. Why don’t you stay until he wakes up? Would you like coffee?” I shake my head, not wanting to be here. I look around his house; everything is the same.
We stand silently for what seems to be hours. I see his free hand move toward me, but he pulls it away. His right hand is still resting on my back and I don’t want him to move it, but I do.
“Come sit down.” I do as he says and we sit on the plush black couch. The fire is going, and it’s warm in the living room.
“So, what’s new?”
“Nothing, Camila. Everything is the same.” He looks at me with an odd expression. “You never texted me back the other night.”
“I didn’t think your texts needed an answer. I went out and had fun. It’s not a crime.” I feel my temper rising. I ignored him last night and didn’t want to deal with all the questions. “Why do you care?”
“Because I do, Camila. You looked amazing last night, and you were out around single and horny fucking men. How do you think that’s supposed to make me feel?”
“Oh, whatever. I don’t want to talk to you about this. Nothing even happened so no worries.”
“Nothing happened?”
“Nope,” I tell him, “not a damn thing. See, that’s the thing; I can be honest with you and let you know what’s going on, unlike you who keeps me in the dark.” He shakes his head and gets up. I know he’s annoyed, but frankly I don’t care. “I need to know what happened to you, Ayden.”
“I know,” he says, “I can’t. Not yet. The scars of my past are too deep. I did a lot of shit that will make you hate me, and I can’t risk that.”
“But you’re risking us not being together.”
“Don’t you get it?” he asks, reaching for my hand again but pulling away. “I’d rather you hate me for not letting you in than have you hate me when you find out everything I’ve done. I can’t bring you down that path. I won’t.”
“It’s my choice to make, and I hate that you’re making my decisions without considering my feelings.”
Ayden kneels down before me and places his hands on my knees, “I am thinking about you and your well-being. That’s why I can’t let you in. But I am here, Camila. I’ve agreed to give you space and raise our son together.”
His hands resting on my knees bring me back to the nights we spent together. He’s still the only man I love and the only man I want to be with. The memories make me shudder, remembering how good he feels. I need him. I need us.
“You better go, Camila. I’ll drop off Grayson when he wakes up.” I look at him and fully see the anguish on his face I’ve never seen him look so broken. He looks pale, and the dark circles under his eyes match mine. I reach out to touch hi
m, and he pulls away. I’m not prepared for a life without Ayden. I’ve lived it before, and I barely survived.
“What? Why?”
He stands up and keeps his gaze on me. “I love you enough to let you go. I’m damaged and too emotionally fucked up. That’s all you need to know.”
“This is our chance to be together again, and you’re throwing it all away.”
“You did that all those years ago. Everything I went through, to get back to you, to bring you back to my life, happened because you changed your mind and left me alone to fend for myself.”
“I never left you! I was on the bridge—”
“Enough, Camila!” He shouts. “Enough. I’m done. Don’t keep pushing me. I’m not used to all these fucking emotions. You being here, you being back?” He pauses and looks away. “I wasn’t counting on having you still being in love with me.”
Reaching out and touching his shoulder he doesn’t say anything and neither do I. Our worlds are colliding together again and it's confusing for the both of us. We say things out of anger, and push each other away. It's not healthy, for either of us, to feel this way and lash out. Maybe we need this break to compose ourselves.
Sharp
THE COLD WIND BLOWS, hitting my skin, causing my throat to close. I close the jacket around my body and look for somewhere to sleep. I don’t know where I am or what day it is. Everything is blending together. I look up to see if I recognize the buildings around me or even a street name. The darkness is blocking my view, and it’s too damn cold to figure out where I am.
Walking a few more miles, I find an empty building and rush inside. Pushing open the door, garbage is strewn all over, but in one room there’s a mattress. It’s dirty as fuck. I don’t see anyone, and it doesn’t look like anyone’s been here for a while. Getting comfortable on the mattress, I take out the picture of Camila and kiss her lips, hoping she’s in a warm bed dreaming of me and feeling the kiss.
I’m about to close my eyes when arms begin pulling me up. I look around and see shadows.
“Get him in the car.”
“Wait!” I scream. “Please don’t hurt me. I’m sorry I was here.” The person holding me throws me in the backseat of a dark SUV and closes the door. I frantically look around and see two people getting in and shutting their doors.
The SUV drives away, and I’m looking around, trying to figure out how I’m going to get out. I can’t die tonight. Shit. I need to find a way out and survive. I need to find my way back to Camila.
The passenger turns around and hands me a water bottle. “Drink up, kid. You look like shit.”
Quickly grabbing the water bottle, I twist off the cap and drink it all. Damn, the cold water feels good. Leaning back in the chair, I watch where the SUV is going and wonder what’s going to happen.
“Don’t worry kid. You’re in good hands. Marco’s going to like you.”
Marco? “Am I in trouble?”
“No, kid. Don’t worry. We have that house for people like you. Runaways and kids who look like they need a place. You’re working for Marco now.”
This doesn’t sound good.
An hour later we pull up to a mansion and I get out of the car, following the two guys up a hill and into the house.
Inside there are sculptures and priceless pieces of art surrounding the foyer. We walk down a hall and into the lavish kitchen. I’m about to sit down when I hear a familiar voice.
“Ayden?” I turn around and see him.
“Alan? What the fuck? You’re alive?”
“Guys, a minute please,” Alan says, and the two men who brought me in leave the kitchen. He turns away and turns back again. “I thought you died in the fire.”
“No, I got out. I tried calling you, but your number was disconnected. Wait, you’re Marco now?”
“I’m going by my middle name. Too many people know me, and I needed to start fresh. So, how’d you end up in Rochester?”
“I’ve been catching rides with people. I left Atlanta, and Camila was supposed to come with me. She changed her mind. I had to leave and start over though.”
“I’m sorry, man, but now that you’re here you’ll have a place to stay. I’ll protect you.” Alan, or Marco, comes over to me and brings me in for a hug. For a moment I forget the pain attached to my heart and let someone take care of me again.
The days pass. Soon I’m working for Marco at his restaurant and helping him out around his home. After he left Deb and Winslow’s, he went and found his parents. I don’t really know the whole story, but I guess his dad’s some mega hotshot government official and gave Marco everything he needed. Since he didn’t want a scandal, Marco’s parents pay for whatever he needs, no questions asked.
With money comes power; with power comes enemies.
Waking up in a cold sweat I gasp for breath. I let out a groan and fall back on my pillow. The nightmares are coming back, and I don’t know how the fuck to handle it.
The day comes to an end and I have one thing on my mind: pussy.
I’m expecting a date to be here any minute. Playing with my cognac, I take a drink and set down the glass.
“Sharp?”
I look up to see a petit woman with long dark brown hair, chestnut colored eyes and a skin-tight dress showing her small, but very perky, breasts.
“Have a seat, Cora.” She smiles and sits across from me. “Thank you for accompanying me this evening.”
“The pleasure’s all mine,” she smirks, reaching over and caressing my hand. As soon as her hand touches mine, I look up and see Camila. Instead of the sex kitten I’ve paid for, I see the woman I love.
Finishing my drink, I wave for the server and order another. “Anything for you, Cora?”
“Chardonnay please.”
“An order of oysters, too.”
“Right away, Sir.”
Cora keeps her eyes on me, but I have no desire to talk to her more. We sit in silence as I look through the menu. Her hand is still on mine and instead of making things awkward, I allow her hand to remain there.
After placing our dinner order, Cora has some oysters. The way her lips are sucking the oysters should turn me on, but my attention is on Camila. I wonder what she’s doing tonight with Grayson. I wonder if they’re still awake and if she’s reading him a story.
Our entrées come and the conversation is light. I told the agency I wanted someone who didn’t talk too much since this is a one-time thing, and I don’t need to know her life story or why she’s an escort. That’s what therapists are for. I’m a paying customer.
Cora leans over. “When they told me about you and the date, I was excited. I can’t wait to pleasure you and feel you inside me.”
Instead of responding, I ask for the check and sign the bill. Taking her hand in mine, we walk through the hotel lobby and take the elevator to the top floor. Her hand rubs my thigh and cock. Fuck, I need this now.
The elevator doors open and within a few seconds we’re in the hotel room. Pushing her against the wall, I slide up her dress and push her panties to the side, plunging my fingers inside her and hearing her moan, screaming for more. Carrying her to the bed, I set her down, and soon my pants are off and her mouth is sucking my cock.
Pushing her head down more, she grasps my ass and takes me all the way in. Her fingers dig deeper, and I throw back my head. Releasing myself from her mouth, I come on her face and watch her lick, moaning in appreciation.
Sliding off her dress, we land on the bed. She straddles my face as I devour her pussy. This is what I need tonight. Emotionless sex.
Hearing her come apart, I flip her on her back, slide on a condom and just as I’m about to give her what she’s been waiting for, I look at her and see Camila. Shaking my head, I look again and see her. Fuck. She’s fucking with my god damn head.
“Are you okay?”
“Get up, get dressed, and leave. I’ve lost my mood.”
“Did I do something wrong? Do you want me to suck you again? Or do you wa
nt to play some more? I can give you a performance and show you how I make myself come.” I nod and sit down a chair, watching as she plays with her clit. Her moans fill the room, and it does nothing for me.
“It’s not working, doll. You can leave. Thank you for tonight.” Without waiting to hear what she has to say, I get up and walk to the bathroom.
“Fucking loser! I knew you were too good to be true,” she yells and the door slams.
Pulling up to the cemetery, I get out of my car and walk the trail to Patrick’s grave. Seeing the large angel tombstone, I get down on my knees and place flowers and a teddy bear at the base. My hand rests on his name, and I hang my head.
“I miss you every day,” I whisper, letting the tears fall. “I’m sorry you’re not here with us today.”
Looking up I trace his name with my fingers. Patrick Anthony Sharp. Before I came back into Camila’s life, his tombstone read Patrick Anthony VonWart, but as soon as I was able to do so, I had it changed to reflect my last name.
“Your brother is at home, Patrick. I wish you were there, too.”
I kiss the tombstone and say a silent prayer before I depart. I’m about to get in my car when I see Camila walking to his tombstone. She doesn’t look my way and I don’t blame her. Each time I think we’re going forward, we freeze and move back. Since I was able to have my time with Patrick, I want her to have the same.
Getting in my car, I start the drive to the bakery and run a few other errands for Camila. It’s been a while since we’ve all been under the same roof. I urged her to have the party at my house, but she insisted on having it at the townhouse and to keep it to immediate family only.
Not only is today for celebration, but it’s also a day for mourning the loss of Patrick.
Making sure I have everything, I head inside and help Taylor and Natalie with decorating. My eyes find hers as she’s holding Grayson in her arms, a smile stretched across her face.
“Have you talked to her?” Natalie asks, and Taylor looks at me.