Athica Lane: The Carpino Series (17 page)

“I was bumped, I’m okay.  Really, it’s all good,” she barely smiles.

“Would you quit telling me everything is good and fine?” I say.  “Nothing looks good and fine here, Paige.  You’re hurt, not to mention sitting on my ex-wife’s couch and my kids are scared out of their minds because their mother left them alone.”

“Cam,” she whispers and I feel Cara tense in my arms.  “They’re fine.  It’s over.  You need to talk to the police so you can take them home.”

I pull in a breath and turn to the officer, “Where is my ex-wife?”

“We’re trying to figure that out ourselves.  We need to ask you some questions,” he looks to Cara before finishing.  “Alone.”

Looking to Cara, I say, “Go sit with Paige and your brother.  I’ll be right outside talking to the police and then we’ll go home.”  Cara hangs on tighter and it’s all I can do not to throw a fucking chair through a window.  I soften my voice, “Go sit with Paige, baby.  Let me get this done so we can go.”

“Okay, daddy,” she utters her first words, her voice small and scared. 

She slides down my body and Paige holds her other arm out for her while looking at me.  The EMT is packing up his stuff while giving instructions, “If you start feeling dizzy or nauseated, you need to go to the hospital.  The bump on your head is small, you should be fine.”

Paige looks to him and nods as she pulls Cara into her other side, grimacing. 

Fucking hell.

I turn to head back out the door, pulling it shut behind me and say, “What the hell happened?”

The officer goes into detail about the shit that went down tonight because of fucking Bekki.  My blood boils as I think about my kids being scared and how they could have been hurt.  And I think I just might boil over when they describe how they saw Paige being tossed to the wall by the thugs she confronted to keep my kids safe.

“Dispatcher told her to stay put but she waded in anyway, kept emergency on the line.  They couldn’t hear much, but she tried to stall them until we got here.  We scared them and they knocked her around trying to get by.  We’re still trying to piece it all together.  We caught one and are holding him on an outstanding warrant, but the other two got away.  He’s in the process of being booked as we speak.  We’ll know more when we can question him, but we want to know what they have to do with Ms. Montgomery.  Figure we’ll find out more when we find her, but she’ll be taken in for Child Endangerment. You have any idea where she is?” he asks.

“No clue,” I answer.  “But you can bet I’m calling my attorney as soon as I get home.  No way are my kids ever coming back here.”

He reaches into his pocket.  “I’ll need your contact information.  Already have Ms. Carpino’s.  She might need to come in for more questioning.  Your son filled us in on what happened before we got here.  I hope we won’t have to question the kids again.  Here’s my card in case you need anything else from me.”

I take in a big breath as he hands me the card and seethe, “My fucking ex-wife left my kids?”

“Yeah,” he confirms what I know.

“And she waded into that shit by herself?” I tip my head toward the apartment.

This time he shakes his head no, but looks exasperated, “Apparently.”

I look out to the parking lot trying to grasp the whole fucking situation. 

“She your girlfriend or something?” I hear and look back to the cop.

I cross my arms and breathe out before saying, “She’s somethin’.”

“She was smart and did the right thing.  Until she waded into that mess with three men who could decimate her, that is.  That wasn’t smart, but your kids were in there alone and she seemed hell-bent to not let anything happen to them.  I’m not sure if you’re lucky or not, that one seems to have a mind of her own,” he grins. 

“I’m learning that,” I say under my breath.  “Can I take them home now?”

But before he has a chance to answer I look down and see fucking Bekki drive into the parking lot.  She hurries out of her car and starts to panic as she sees police everywhere.  When she looks up and sees me, realization washes over her face that she’s been caught.

“That’s her,” I say to the cop, but he’s already started moving, talking into his radio.  Two other officers quickly exit the apartment and follow.  They meet Bekki at the bottom of the stairs where I head after them.  As soon as I see her, I rumble, “You left them alone.”

“Cam, no.  I can explain!  It was only for a little bit, I had no choice.  I had to go back to work—it was important!” she starts to scream as the police toss her purse to the ground and move her to the wall, frisking her.

“Is your name Rebekah Montgomery?” the cop asks.

“What?  Um, yes,” she rambles.

He pulls his cuffs out and starts to Mirandize her as she starts to cry, going on and on about how she couldn’t help it and she’d be back soon. 

They yank her around and I look at my fucking ex-wife who has put me through hell for years and say, “You can kiss your kids goodbye.  I can’t believe even you would pull this shit.  I’ll do everything in my power to make sure they never have to see you again.”

“Cam, no.  Please!” she screams as they pull her to a cruiser, stuffing her in the backseat. 

I turn to the cop, “Can I take them home now?”

“Yeah.  We’ll keep in touch,” he says.

I move to fucking Bekki’s apartment, I hope for the last time ever, to collect my kids and Paige.  I need to get them the fuck home.

It’s late. 

It was already mid-evening when the kids called me and we had our scary rigmarole, then we talked to the police and EMS.  I told them I was fine and didn’t want anyone fussing over me, but they insisted.   I guess they arrested Bekki while the kids and I were inside waiting on Cam.  Cam did what he could to buy time so the kids didn’t have to see their mom being carted away in the paddy wagon.  Well, maybe they didn’t cart her off in the paddy wagon, but I’m going to pretend they did.  She’s just that mean and awful of a mom that if anyone deserves the paddy wagon, it’s Bekki with an i. 

While Cam was buying time, he insisted the kids get any and all things they might want from their mom’s apartment.  I’m not sure if the kids caught on to this, but I sure did and hope it meant they won’t have to come back here for a long, long time, if ever.  What was sadder was they didn’t have much they wanted, nor did they question Cam as to why.  They just grabbed their favorite things, and after the paddy wagon rolled out, so did we. 

Cam made me come with them even though I insisted I could drive.  He said he’d arrange for someone to bring my car to his house.  He didn’t seem like he was in the mood to be argued with.  If truth be told, he was so angry, I found him a little scary.  So off we all went, and on the way to his house, he pulled out his phone to make a call.  En route, we stopped by The Shed where Zeke was waiting in the parking lot. 

Cam held his hand out to me and demanded, “Keys.”

I dug for them in my purse and gave Zeke a hesitant smile.  I decided now wasn’t the time to inform him I wouldn’t be at boot camp tomorrow after being shoved against a brick wall by an AC/DC fan.  He’ll just have to figure it out on his own when I’m a no-show.  This is the perfect opportunity to bow out of boot camp and I’m taking it.

Cam drove us to his house in continued silence. 

Then he got his kids ready for bed like normal, but tonight he asked if they wanted to have a campout.  This bought the first smiles I’ve seen from both Jordy and Cara all night. 

I thought it was a weird time to have a campout as it was already late, until I saw what happened next.  Both kids zoomed to the basement, a place in Cam’s house I’ve yet to explore.  I followed slowly and heard what sounded like an air compressor.  I walk into a large rec room with ping pong and air hockey tables, plus more toys and kid stuff scattered all over.  I’m not surprised to find it a bit of a mess, but at least there’s not trash lying about. The basement is huge and there’s a hallway off to one side, hinting there might be more rooms.  I look the opposite direction and Cam is through a set of double doors. 

As soon as I enter, I’m taken aback.  Cam has a media room.  There’s a large—and I mean large—screen on the wall with a projector suspended from the ceiling.  The room is filled with oversized cushy furniture.  It’s not super pretty but it does look like you could sink into it for hours and it might not be a big deal if you spilled your popcorn.  He’s moved the coffee table to the side and is bent on one knee, filling a second mattress with the air compressor I knew I heard.  Cara and Jordy come running out of the hallway with blankets and pillows. 

“I wanna pick the movie!” Cara screams.

“No, I’m picking the movie,” Jordy argues.

“I’ll pick the movie,” Cam decides.

“Cool,” Jordy mutters.

“Nooo!” Cara whines.

“Go make the popcorn, it’s too late for Cokes.  Only water,” Cam instructs.

Jordy jumps up and Cara trudges off, grumpy from not being able to pick the movie. 

“Should I help them with the popcorn?” I ask.

“They can handle the microwave, but you can if you want,” he says looking at his task, plugging up the mattress. 

“Cam?” I call, wondering if he’s ever going to talk to me after all that’s happened tonight.

He looks to me and he’s pissed when he growls, “I can’t get into it now.  Not with the kids up.  I’m hanging on by a thread here, about to fucking snap.”

Well, then.  There’s my answer. 

You know what?  I’m sorry he’s hanging by a thread and I know he’s out of his mind pissed about Bekki.  I can’t imagine how it feels to have your kids put in danger, but I’ve had a rough night, too.  He wasn’t the one on the phone with his kids when they were scared.  He didn’t have to confront three scary guys, even though the police were
slowly
on their way.  And my guess is, he doesn’t have a headache right now or a throbbing shoulder and elbow. 

I narrow my eyes, glaring at the raging brick wall staring back from across the room before turning on my bare foot to march up the stairs and help with popcorn.  Of course he would only have microwave popcorn.  I make a mental note to buy them the real thing.  And I’ll get M&M’s to sprinkle on top.  It’s better with Candy Corn, but you can only get those in the fall with pumpkin beer.

I hear the doorbell as I’m stomping into the kitchen and change direction.  I see Zeke through the panes and open the door to greet him with a tired, “Hey.”

He tosses me my keys, “Sweet ride.”

“Oh, thanks,” I answer, rolling my eyes. 

“What’s wrong?” he grins.

“Nothing.  I have a headache.”

“You have a headache?” I hear coming from behind me and Cam walks up, with his frown still plastered on his face.

“I’m fine, but now I can go home.  I’ll take something and go to bed,” I say and turn to Zeke.  “Thanks for bringing my car.  Oh, and I won’t be there tomorrow.  Don’t wait on me to start the torture.”

“Why won’t you be there?” Zeke asks.

“You’re not going home,” Cam says, snatching the keys out of my hand. 

“I am,” I snap, snatching them back before turning to Zeke.  “I had somewhat of an incident tonight.  I’m not going to feel like throwing the garden hose around tomorrow.  Or, maybe ever.”

“What incident?” Zeke noses.

Faster than me, Cam snatches my keys,
again
, and holds them up high out of my reach, “Darlin’, you’re not going home.”

“You’re going home?” I hear and we all turn toward the opening of the family room where Cara’s standing.  She’s juggling a bowl of popcorn, a tiny bottle of water with a blanket that looks so loved, it might fall apart.

“You can’t go home!” Jordy yells, his voice laced with something that cuts through me.  It’s not as bad as earlier, but a bit of the panic returns.  “You live in an apartment, too.  You got hurt.  What if those people come back?”

I don’t know what to say, so I’m glad Cam steps in and softens his voice, “Buddy, you’re home now and nothing’s going to happen.  You’re safe here and Paige isn’t going anywhere tonight.”

Jordy looks to me frowning, “You’re not leaving?”

I sigh and look into his big brown eyes that are crinkled with nerves, “No, sweetheart.  If you want me to stay, I’ll stay.”

I see his little boy shoulders fall, the tension releasing from his taut body.  He doesn’t smile, but he does give me a relieved look.  He and Cara turn to the basement stairs to settle in for their campout.

“Man, what happened tonight?” Zeke asks.

“I’ll tell you later.  I won’t be in tomorrow.  I’ve got things I need to take care of.  Can you look after shit for me?” Cam asks.

“No problem.  I’ll check in later—see if you need anything,” Zeke says.

“Thanks,” Cam answers and starts to shut the door.

“Bye,” I call and barely see Zeke’s white grin before Cam swings the door shut, locking us in.

“You have a headache?” he crosses his arms while frowning.

I do have a headache, but I’ve decided I’ve had enough of Grumpy Bear Cam for the night.  I give him The Ice and turn to follow the kids toward the basement.  I have no idea where this is going between us, but I’ve decided that from now on, Grumpy Bear will always get The Ice.  Especially when I don’t deserve his Grumpy Bear.

The kids are settled on their air mattresses chomping away on popcorn with Ariel snuggled up against Cara.  But I stop when I see the movie that’s cued up and ready to go on the Blu-Ray. 

“What’s this?” I ask.

“McLintock!,” Jordy mutters with a mouthful of popcorn.

“This is what we’re watching?” I ask.

“Yes,” Cara groans.  “I told you Daddy likes Junwane.”

“It’s good.  The old Indian guy is the best part,” Jordy says.

“No, it’s not,” Cara whines.

Okay, I need to rest my head and close my eyes.  I’ll do my best to block out the John Wayne movie, but seriously, Cam’s preferences in music and movies need an overhaul.  I can’t think about this right now, I move around to the love seat and settle in the corner. 

I hear Cam come in and he brushes the side of my face, tilting it back for me to look at him.  He holds his hand out to me saying, “Take these.”

He drops two pills in my palm and shoves a glass of water my way.  That was weirdly sweet and not grumpy at all.  I swallow the pills away and see him move to the sofa, hearing ice clinking in his glass.  I see he’s poured himself a bourbon and decide not to say anything about him not offering me something stronger.  My head hurts too bad, I wouldn’t have wanted it anyway. 

The minute Cam settles, Cara puts her popcorn down and climbs up on her dad’s lap.  I look over as he pulls his tiny daughter tight to his big strong body.  Before I have a chance to realize what’s happening, Jordy’s climbing into my love seat.  He doesn’t look at me, just crawls up and grabs hold of me like he did earlier in Bekki’s apartment. 

I understood it earlier.  What we all went through was frightening, especially for the kids, I was the only adult they knew.  But for him to be worried about me leaving earlier and want to be close to me is sweet.  So sweet, I’ve got a lump in my throat. I have to blink back tears as I pull him to me and we settle deeper into Cam’s cushy furniture.  I see the movie click on and “McLintock!” flashes over the screen as I settle in for my first ever John Wayne movie. 

I hear another clink of ice and look over at Cam who’s staring at Jordy and me.  His eyes are sharp and intense before they slowly close.  He drops his head back to the sofa, squeezing them tight as I hear old western music play around me on the surround sound. 

I nestle in deeper with Jordy and can’t help but fall further.  I think I’ve been falling bit by bit ever since Cam aimed his goateed grin at me last week.  Has it only been a week?  It feels like forever, but then again, maybe it’s just because I’ve been waiting for it forever.  I never knew “it” would be packaged in muscle, would often be sweet but sometimes a little grumpy and come with two kids.   I lean down and kiss Jordy on top of his head, just because he deserves it, and look to the big screen. 

I never get to see the old Indian guy.  I fall asleep thinking Maureen O’Hara had beautiful skin. 

*****

“Baby, let go.  I need to put him to bed,” Cam whispers.  I open my eyes and feel Jordy’s dead weight being pulled off me.  He’s really a big kid. 

Cam lays him down on his air mattress next to Cara who’s already tucked in.  The movie is off and the room is dark.  I stand and head upstairs, grabbing popcorn bowls and glasses on my way.  Cam would probably leave these here for weeks.

Going straight to the dishwasher, I start to load his dishes and hear from behind me, “I can’t believe you did what you did.”

I turn and see him standing there, hips to the island with both his ankles and arms crossed.  Once again he’s frowning and I’m getting tired of him frowning at me.  I know what he’s talking about so I cross my arms right back and ask, “What’s so unbelievable about it?”

He leans forward stressing his words, “You were hurt.”

“I’m fine,” I insist.  “It wasn’t bad and whatever you gave me kicked in.  My headache is gone.”

“Darlin’, you’re about a buck-o-five and you approached three men who could hurt you with their little fingers.  They
tossed
you against a wall,” he raises his voice.  “What were you thinking?”

Okay, now he’s pissing me off, “Just for your information, I’m more than ‘a buck-o-five.’  I weigh at least one-ten, maybe more when I’m on my period, not that
that’s
any of your business.  And I wasn’t tossed, I was shoved.  Why are we arguing about this anyway?  It’s over.  Everyone’s fine.”

“Baby,” he says with zero affection as he drops his arms and stands up straight. “If you tell me everyone is ‘fine’ one more time, I’m gonna fuckin’ snap.”

“Really?” I tip my head.  “If this isn’t you ‘snapping’, I’d like to know what is.  What would you have recommended I do earlier this evening, hmm?”

He narrows his eyes before bringing his hands up to roughly rub his face.  Dropping his head, his hands slide roughly through his hair and he stares at the floor with one hand resting on the back of his neck.

“The police were on their way, I had someone on the phone who I hoped could hear what was going on,” I argue.

He doesn’t look up but he shakes his head as he stares at the floor.

“They were banging on the door.  The kids were scared,” I try and defend myself further.

He still says nothing, but his eyes squeeze tight.