Waiting for you (Part 1) (4 page)

                      Please come home

“Hey Cams, me and Aspen are going over to Liam’s place after work tonight. Want to come along?” Davey was practically begging her with his eyes.

“I don’t know Davey.
Kind of tired” Cammy said she was even though she was just worn out emotionally from the roller coaster ride of Hayden being in California, and nothing had gone as planned. All she really wanted to do was go home, shower, put on Hayden’s tee shirt, and lay on his side of the bed, smelling the sheets that were covered in his scent, covered in the remnants of their lovemaking from when he was there. Cammy missed him so badly. Her heart was aching for him. She had lost weight and looked tired. These months had really taken its toll on her.

“Come on, what else you doing?”

“Fucker” Cammy felt like crying.

“I’m sorry
Cams that came out wrong” Davey hugged her.

Davey and Aspen, his tall, dark beauty had been going strong for months now, and he hadn’t strayed once. She was staying at the house nightly and they had become
inseparable, like Cammy and Hayden, until he left for California. Aspen was always nice to Cammy, and they had a mutual friendship and of course Davey in common. Cammy just wanted Hayden.

“Ok, I’ll go” A sudden flash of anger at Hay being gone made her say yes.

Davey and Liam from Lyric had struck up a friendship, even though he was ten years older. His band was recording a new cd in Detroit, which was actually his hometown. Liam lived in a massive penthouse in a place called The Tuscany. Cammy had never been there before, but Davey had always filled her in on the details. Maybe a few hours in a different situation would work for her tonight, take place of the thought of Hayden’s face that swam in her head all day long.

The new store was up and running and they were doing a great job keeping it afloat so far. Cammy and Davey had to put in a lot of extra
hours and muscle, but being groomed by their dad they had a handle on how it all worked from the start. Dean would come in at least once a day and make sure that they had everything under control. The money was good, and Cammy loved being around her family all day and the music that filled her ears made it all worthwhile. She was glad she didn’t pursue college and Davey stayed. She swore in her head that she would never leave Michigan, this was her home forever. Hayden was her home. If only he were there. Cammy was worried he wouldn’t come home. Every conversation they had lately was about whom he met or who had what. She wondered if he was being faithful to her, not being able to fathom the thought of him with someone else.

Liam’s car and driver came to pick them up just as they were closing the store for the night. Aspen had arrived, wearing tight jeans that hugged her body a little too much, a tight red shirt and high heeled black boots. It was overkill on the outfit, but Davey dug it. Aspen was
20; she had flawless black skin and gorgeous dark eyes that had a golden glow to them. She wasn’t skinny; she had meat on her bones, but in all of the right places. She was a dental assistant, so her teeth were flawless of course. She wore her long black locks wavy. She was so far extreme from what Jalen was, and older than Davey, but they really liked one another, that was apparent when you watched them together, so attentive to one another.

Davey and I had no change of clothes, so we went in our jeans and
store shirts.

The car pulled up to The Tuscany, a 15 story penthouse hotel that most of the people there lived in full time. It was massive, framed in pillars and plants, iron bars over the windows to make it look as if you were in a Tuscan villa. The doorman opened the glass doors for us and we were greeted by the concierge who called Liam’s suite, the
n an elevator attendant took us up to the 15
th
floor where the elevator doors flew open and we were greeted by Mr. Griffin.

“Hey guys. What’s up? Please come on in.” Liam was giving Davey a hug and kiss on the cheek for Aspen. He turned to Cammy and looked surprised to see her there.

“Cammy? Did not expect to see you here” Liam said, dumbfounded.

“Hi Liam
, Davey invited me.” Cammy was embarrassed. Why didn’t Davey tell him beforehand so this wouldn’t be so awkward?

“No, no, no, this is great. Come in, come in.” Liam gave her a hug, which she reciprocated half assed.

They waked straight into the great room; a mixture of blacks, reds, blues and greens on the walls, like someone had splashed paint everywhere. It was different, but looked pretty cool. There were a few couches scattered around the room with giant throw pillows on the floor. There were big mirrors and medieval style art on the walls, knights in the corners of the room. This was way different than Davey described. Everything was in its place, organized, and coordinated, a bit OCD maybe. Cammy could know see why he was so smitten with him as a friend. He had it all she could tell by looking at his surroundings.

“Guys, Davey and Aspen are here, and this is Davey’s sis Cammy” Liam protested to the
people scattered about the room. There were about 6 other people there, all guys.

“Hey” a chorus of voices shouted back.

Cammy sat down on one of the blue velvety couches, near the windows that overlooked the city. What a view below, the city lights were amazing from way up on the 15
th
floor. Money gets you things that you only dream of for sure. Her phone buzzed and it was Hayden. She quickly snatched it up and to her ear.

“Baby. Hi.”

“Hi Cams. How is my girl?”

“It’s late, what are you doing up at midnight?”

“Just went out with Dad and some of the new employees” He sounded upbeat and happy.

“Oh, I see. That’s nice” Cammy felt let down. She didn’t want Hayden to have a good
time; she wanted him to be as miserable as her.

“Where are you, work? Sounds busy.”

“We are at Liam Griffin’s penthouse.”

“Who is we?”

“Me, Davey, and Aspen. Why?”

“Why are you there?” Hayde
n was angry. Cammy could hear it in his voice.

“Davey asked me to come along because I am so fucking sad.”

“To Liam Griffin’s?”

“Why are you mad Hay?” Cammy got up from the couch and wandered around the penthouse until she found the kitchen where no one was. She had some privacy to talk.

“It’s just because it’s him, he wants you. Why would you go there?”

“Well all I want is you Hayden Brock and you aren’t here. I told Davey I would go, he practically begged me. Don’t be mad baby. You are out with people I don’t know and I’m ok with that”

“But not Liam Griffin.  I’m coming home tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Cammy lit up inside. It was only
Wednesday; she would get more time with him before he went back.

“Yea baby, tomorrow. Flight comes in at 10. Can you get me?”

“Why would you even ask? I’ll be there. Oh God I miss you so much.” Cammy wanted to cry.

“I have to go sweetheart. I love you too. Bye baby.”

And before Cammy could say goodbye, Hayden had hung up. He was probably calling Davey to make sure he watched out for me. Hayden was sounding different, more professional, and mature. He had turned 19 this summer, but Cammy supposed being around professionals and all of the staff in this new practice was making him this way. Just as long as he didn’t lose sight of whom he was.

“Boyfriend?”

“What?” Cammy turned around and saw Liam standing at the island in the kitchen.

“Yes, you met him before at your signing.”

“Right, right” Liam said.

“I’m sorry
Liam; it was rude of me to just walk around your house without an invitation”

“Please Cammy, mi casa, su casa” Liam extended an arm out as if he were
a matador doing an ole to a bull in a ring.

Liam looked so different from when she had met him months ago. He was in faded, ripped jeans with a white shirt on. His hair was still black, wavy and messy
like when she first met him. He was constantly running his hands through it, tousling it around. He was barefoot, relaxed. His eyes were hazel with hints of green and amber in them. Liam had a bit of stubble on his face and long sideburns. He actually was attractive to Cammy. She felt bad for looking at him like this because she felt like she was betraying Hayden.  Liam was a celebrity, an artist, a musician, an older man, who had seen more than Cammy ever had, experienced more than she probably ever would in her life. One couldn’t help but be intrigued by someone like that, especially when you are standing a few feet away from him in his ultra-cool kitchen that looked as if it were from a movie set.

“Want a drink Cammy? A smoke?” Liam asked her.

“Sure, soda is good. Thank you”

“Soda? Boy you are a good one aren’t you?”

“Excuse me?”

“I meant, you don’t party huh?”

“Not really Liam”

“That’s good. Davey told me you were a cool chick. Davey’s a great guy, beyond his years. We get along really well”

Liam reached into one of his two fridges and got Cammy out a coke. He pulled a blue glass from the cupboard and put it up to the fridge dispenser for ice then poured the coke into the glass. He walked over to her and handed her the glass. Cammy took it from him and they touched hands for a second. Liam looked at here and smiled. She knew that he had it for her. He was cocky, arrogant. Cammy drew her hand back and said thank you. Liam stared through her.

“Have to smoke outside
if you want one”

“I don’t smoke Liam” Cammy remembered how Hayden tasted after he had smoked a cigarette. She hated how he smoked and he had cut down to just a few a day. But every once in a while, she enjoyed the taste of him after watching him inhale, exhale and relax with each puff. It reminded her of the first day they meet and she took him to the roof to smoke
at St. Mary’s. The first time when their hands touched and they knew that there was magic between them.

“Going through something Cammy?” Liam asked her, touching her arm.

“Sort of. Hayden is in California.”

“School?”

“No work.”

“How long?”

“Don’t know.”

“You want to go somewhere and talk?”

“We are talking here Liam” Cammy said sternly.

“Sorry there Cammy. You just
mesmerize me.”

“
What?” Cammy felt her face heat up with she was sure a great shade of red. She didn’t embarrass very easily.

“You are really fucking beautiful. You are a complete package. I would never have left your side if I were your man.”

“It’s not like that Liam, but thank you”

“Hey anytime you need to vent, call me.” Liam took Cammy’s cell from her jeans pocket and p
ut his number in it, then tucked it back into the front pocket of her jeans. He purposely brushed her hipbone with is hand and gave her hip a squeeze before he let go. Cammy wasn’t sure if she was uncomfortable or turned on by that.

“Thanks Liam, I’m good. Your house is great. How is your new stuff coming along?
” Cams changed the subject right away.

“Music is coming along, something I wouldn’t mind doing to you”

“What are you talking about?”

“Coming along. All of me on your what five seven frame?”

“Wow, you sure are forward Liam, did you not hear me say I have a boyfriend that I love very much?” Cammy was pissed at this point.

“And I am not a little tramp that loves your music and wants a piece of you! Thank you for the drink, can your driver take me home now please!” Cammy started walk away but was not sure what way she came and how to get out of the kitchen to the elevator.

“Everything ok Cams?” It was Davey.

“Yes Davey, just ready to go”

“Already?” Davey looked let down.

“It’s me man, I ran my fucking mouth. I’m sorry Cammy, please accept my apology for being my usual self, an asshole” Liam
said sternly.

“Liam, what the fuck?” Davey yelled at him.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Never mind, I’ll stay for a while. Davey find Aspen, I’ll be right there.

“You sure sis?”

“Yep, be right there” Cammy smiled at Davey as if to say it was all good. Davey left the kitchen.

“Liam, look I am not interested ok. If you want to get to know me as a person or as Davey’s sister, that’s fine, but I am not going to jump you or whatever it is girls obviously do for you to make you like this, I’m not like that ok?”

Cammy was in Liam’s face and was trying to get her point across. Liam was letting her spit it all out, actually loving the show. He smelled her lip-gloss rolling off of her lips and watched her eyes while she got in his face. He wanted Cammy, like no other. He could have any girl he wanted because of who he was, but it was clear that he wanted her, with our without Hayden in tow.

“Got it Cammy.”

Liam grabbed her hands and stopped her fingers from pointing in his face. Cammy pulled her hands away from his grasp, took a breath and calmed down. She picked up the drink she had set down on the island and took a sip.