Facing Me (19 page)

“Last night?”
Aiden asks, after inhaling a chicken tender in one bite. “What did you do,
leave her tied to the bed while we were up in Daisy and Gray’s suite?” 
Henry just chuckles and shakes his head, heading up to the front to settle the
bill.

“Damn, he finds
all the good bitches.  Wait,” Hunter says jumping up, running after him.
“I should get a blow job or something, I gave her to you!”

I giggle, making
Aiden turn and arch a brow at me. “Even though I know he’s straight and that
Henry is fuckin’ with him...  I still gotta say Hunter isn’t helpin’ his
case by runnin’ after Henry, begging for a blowjob, while wearing a bikini
top.  When a girl finally nails him to the wall, I’m going to enjoy
watchin’ this shit play out.” Aiden laughs, but I can’t help thinking about
Chase and the hurt in her eyes earlier this morning.

Daisy lays her
head on the table. “What’s wrong Wildflower?” Grayson asks, when she groans.

“I’m not gonna
puke.  I’m not gonna puke.” She chants, her voice muffled by her arms.

“Aw Sweets,” I
pout sadly. “Is it really that bad?”

Gray’s eyes meet
mine in a rush, shaking his head furiously.  That must have been a bad
idea, because Daisy looks up at me, resting her chin on her crossed arms. “Yes,
Cam,
it is really that bad
.  No one tells you morning sickness
lasts all day, and into the night sometimes.  They also don’t inform you
that you crave things so badly you’d sell your soul for them.   Or
how once you get them, just the smell of it makes you so sick you heave until
you can’t stand without your husband helping you to your feet.”

“Cravings are a
new development.” Gray says, rubbing slow circles into her back. “The one thing
she wanted, Henry brought her last night for dinner, but she spent most of the
night throwing it back up.”

“Aw, well I
think I’ll get Tuesday to find you a good doctor so you can get checked out again
before the fest and ease everyone’s mind.” I reply, patting her hand across the
table.  I don’t say it, but I know all the added stress of Tad jumping
bond isn’t helping her either.  There is no way I’m telling her about the
phone call, no reason for her to worry unless I see a legitimate problem.

Hunter walks
around the corner carrying a carryout box full of bacon. “Big Man said to load
up, we’re all done here.” He mumbles cramming bacon into his mouth.  Mack
walks around the table, heading straight for him.  Hunter slams the box
shut, “None for you, bacon thief.  My luck, we’d share a cell; you for
pork theft and me for stabbing you in the sac with my fork.  I say we
compromise, you stay the hell away from my bacon and I won’t ruin your chances
to reproduce.” He tosses out.

Mack laughs,
“And here I thought we were going to be lifelong girlfriends that paint our
nails and have pillow fights.” He teases, flicking the tie around his neck.

“ERMEGHERD!” A
squeaky voice squeals from the counter. “Hunter Chesterfield, it’s you! 
It’s really you!” A scrawny man runs around the counter, launching himself at
Hunter so fast he barely has time to sit his bacon down on the table. “I can’t
believe it.  You came for me, honey!  I knew you would.  Our
love doesn’t have to be a secret I share only with your magazine clippings and
the cardboard cutouts I made anymore.”

“Um, I’m sorry
man.  I need space.  It’s not me, um it’s you.” Hunter says, as the
guy paws all over him. “You gotta back up; damn bro.”

The guy is nearly
hyperventilating with excitement. “I get off in about ten minutes and then you
and
I
,” He purrs running his hand along Hunter’s jaw.
“We can go somewhere and get acquainted.”

Diving for his
bacon, Hunter runs for the door, his eyes bugging out of his head. “Sorry man,
gotta take a rain check.  I got this show, um, and this thing.  Like,
um now and stuff.” He shouts flying out the door, running straight for the bus.

The guy walks
over to Henry who hands him a wad of cash. “Worth every penny, thanks man.”

Shoving the
money into his back pocket, he nods. “Anytime, the look on his face was worth
doing it for free.  Scared his ass so bad his dick is probably hiding in
his belly button.  My wife will never believe this.” He chuckles, heading
back to the kitchen. 

Looking at
Henry, I roar with laughter, everyone else follows along with me. “That was all
a joke?” I ask, walking toward the door. “That was awesome!”

“Two hundred
bucks is well worth the fact he was being an asshole.” Henry shrugs, earning
him a fist bump from all the guys, even Mack. “Sometimes, we just have to bring
him back to Earth and I like to get creative.  We should be good until the
fest.  Then that fucker’s head will swell up big time.”

“Maybe we should
fly the guy up to Nashville.” Mack teases, gesturing back to the diner as we
all walk through the parking lot.

“Nah, I’ve got a
better idea, just in case.” Henry says, before looking at Daisy with a
wink.  Oh shit, I can only imagine what these two have cooking.  The
thought enters my head, and I can’t quite dismiss it.  Could they? 
Yeah.  Would they?  Yeah, probably.  Did they?  Hmm, most
damned likely.   

“Daisy, I think
I’ve pretty much figured out that you were plotting to get Aiden and I back
together, but who else was in on it?” I ask, looking around at everyone.

Henry blushes,
completely giving away his guilt. “Glad you two are sortin’ your shit, but I
wasn’t in on anything Cam.” Gray says shaking his head, “Hunter, the man of
romance, though I won’t rat him out, but yeah.  One of the masterminds,
right in there,” he says, pointing to the bus.

“Traitor,” Daisy
hisses, “I can’t believe you’re ratting us all out!  I should totally make
you sleep in the shower stall tonight, Grayson Cole.” She huffs swinging the
door open to the bus. “I can’t believe it.  Fix everyone’s problems, give
him pussy and blow jobs all in between puking and managing a damn band; here he
throws a bitch under the bus first chance he gets.  Unbelievable!” She
mutters to herself climbing the steps.  Walking over she slumps into
Hunter’s chair, yanking the handle, she reclines her feet while we all file
onto the bus.

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.

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.