by M. Robinson
“Says the man who came to her rescue.”
“I did it for my kids. They love her.”
“Did you watch her shake her ass for your kid’s sake too?”
I looked at him, cocking my head to the side while opening the driver’s door.
He lifted up his phone, answering my silent question, “Cameras. I’m sure you know all ‘bout ‘em.”
I growled again.
“Wanna tell me what happened tonight? What made her wild out?”
I simply stated, “I’m an asshole.”
“Oh, honey, I already knew that.”
Despite my splitting headache, I scoffed out a chuckle.
“She lives off Rosen Blvd, apartment 301.” He smiled wide. “Her jammies are in the top drawer.” Nodding toward the gun tucked in my slacks, he added, “Want me to get rid of the gun?”
Ignoring his last statement, I thanked him, slid into my car, and drove off. The ride to her place wasn’t long, and if I thought the streets surrounding the club were bad, they were nothing compared to the shithole she lived in.
I pulled up to the front of the six-story building that should have been condemned. The old brick was crumbling, a few windows had been boarded up, and the front entrance lock was dangling off the metal frame.
“How the hell do you live here?” I rasped, gazing at her passed out silhouette as I parked my car. Making sure I could still see it from her apartment window, or else I’d definitely be waking up to a stripped-down car.
Is this why she doesn’t own a vehicle?
More dark thoughts loomed in the back of my mind as I carried her up the wrought iron stairs to the third floor. Taking in all the peeling paint and graffiti on the walls throughout the dark, dingy halls with every step. The smell of drugs ran rampant in the air, and who knows what else on the way to her apartment door.
Needles.
Pipes.
Cigarettes lined the crevices in the corners of the shithole she called home.
It stirred memories of how many homes I was placed in that looked exactly like this. Causing me to feel like the worst piece of shit, not knowing the conditions the woman who was taking care of my kids lived in.
Bailey would be so ashamed of me.
For fuck’s sake. Could this get any worse?
“Hey! Who the hell are you, and what are you doin’ wit’ my woman?!”
I jerked back. A little boy was suddenly standing in front of me with an uneasy expression on his face.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me, punk! I know ‘bout predators like you. Givin’ drugs to girls, so you can do whatever you want to ‘em! I ain’t gonna let that happen to my girl! I’m callin’ the cops!”
“Little man, calm down,” I reassured, nodding to him. “No need to call the cops. I’m her boss.”
“You’re Dr. Pierce?”
Did she talk about me?
“Yeah.”
He reached out his hand. “Let me see your driver’s license.”
“Alright, fair enough. But let’s get Camila inside first and then I’ll show you.”
“Fine.” He abruptly turned and opened the door to what I assumed was his place. “Ma! I’m stayin’ at Camila’s!”
“You’re staying?”
“I don’t know you,” he replied with attitude in his tone. “Just cuz you’re her boss don’t mean shit to me.”
“Watch your mouth, kid.”
He rolled his eyes. “My name’s Curtis. I ain’t no kid. Come on.”
I followed him because what other choice did I have at this point. He pulled out a key from his back pocket and unlocked her sorry excuse for a door. The boy led me inside and turned on the lights, nodding toward her bed in the corner of the smallest, shittiest studio apartment I’d ever stepped foot in.
The whole space looked like it was falling apart at the seams.
If it wasn’t for the fact I lived two hours away and she was three sheets to the wind, I’d drive us back to my place instead. Too late for that now.
I gently laid her down on the mattress, propping her head up with a pillow. I removed her shoes next and grabbed the throw blanket at the end of the bed to cover her still body.
Reaching into my back pocket, I turned and showed the little man who was watching my every move my ID.
“Alright, I see you. It don’t mean you won’t hurt her.”
I grinned, I couldn’t help it. This boy reminded me so much of myself at his age. Fearlessly protecting his loved ones.
“I feel ya. Man to man, I respect that. How about you help me make sure she’s okay?”
“Of course, she’s my girl.” He shrugged.
I tried not to let my worry for her take hold, telling myself she would be fine as I checked her over. She didn’t stir once while I took her vitals, making sure she didn’t have signs of alcohol poisoning and I didn’t need to take her to the ER to get her stomach pumped.
She was going to be hungover as all hell in the morning, that much I was sure of.
“So you’re a doctor?”
“Mmm hmm.”
“What kind of doctor?” Curtis asked, as I shined a light into her glossy eyes.
“Surgeon.”
“You like to cut people open?”
“If I have to.”
“That don’t mess wit’ your stomach?” he added, warming up to me when he realized I didn’t mean Camila any harm. “I hate blood.”
“You get used to it.”
“Anyone ever die?”
“Unfortunately, it happens.”
“That don’t make you sad?”
“It did at first but like anything in life, your mind becomes desensitized after a while.”
“What’s desensitized?”
I chuckled. “Gets used to it.”
“I wish my mind would desensitize wit’ vegetables. Camila’s always makin’ me eat ‘em and they’re gross.”
I sat down on the bed, checking her pulse. “They’re good for you.”
“Why do grownups always say that? Just cuz somethin’ is good for you, don’t mean it taste good.”
This kid.
“So, you and Camila, huh?” I questioned, playing along with him. “How long you been together?” I added, needing to get some answers about who she was and why she was living like this.
“Years. She’s my one and only.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. She’s the best. My mom…” he hesitated for a few seconds. “Sometimes she’s not the best parent and Camila lets me crash here. She’s always feedin’ me, makin’ sure I’m studyin’ and stayin’ out of trouble.”
“Are you?”
“I try. You know, I wanna make her happy. Get a good job to take care of her, cuz she’s always takin’ care of everyone else.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah. She’s always helpin’ everyone out with food, money, you name it. She spends her paychecks on everyone in need. She’s lovin’ like that,” he paused, slipping off his sneakers. “Oh, and if your son keeps givin’ her a hard time, tell him I’m gonna kick his ass.”
I laughed, eyeing him.
“Camila don’t belong here, you know? She’s smart, she’s goin’ places.”
Not if she keeps missing classes because of me.
“Has she lived here for a while?”
“She’s lived in this town for most of her life.”
“I see.”
“Why you askin? Don’t you know anythin’ ‘bout her, since she’s watchin’ your kids?”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re too smart for your own good?”
“Camila does all the time.”
I sat down on the edge of the bed, getting to his eye level, so he’d feel like my equal and at ease with the next set of questions I had for him.
“What does Sean—”
His face suddenly fell pale white. “You know Sean?”
“I—”
“Is he comin’ here?” He
stood right up. “I’m gonna go—”
“Relax.” I grabbed his arm. “He’s not coming here. Not while I’m here at least. Alright? I got you.”
“Dr. Pierce—”
“We’re friends, Curtis. Call me Aiden.”
“I don’t like Sean. No one likes him. I mean, he’s just a bad person.”
“I gathered that. He ever hurt you?”
“No. I stay away from him. He’s hurt Camila, a lot.”
I arched an eyebrow, letting go of his arm. “He put his hands on her?”
“Nah, I don’t think so, but I don’t remember cuz I was really little when they were together. I have seen him push her around a few times. She ain’t scared of him though. Sometimes I heard them fightin’ through the walls. She was always screamin’ at him for runnin’ around on her, whatever that means. No one messes wit’ Sean though, he’s the leader.”
“The leader of what?”
“Everythin’.”
“Hmm…” Camila groaned, moving her head.
“Is she gonna be okay?”
“She’s going to be just fine.”
“She smells like a bar. Is she drunk? She don’t drink, so somethin’ bad musta happened.”
I took a deep breath, feeling like I couldn’t catch a fucking break tonight.
“It’s been a long day. How about we get some rest, yeah?”
He nodded. “You promise Sean isn’t comi—”
“I swear.”
Curtis laid down next to Camila and I sat on the couch, spending most of the night thinking about what the fuck I was going to do.
Rubbing my thumb along my lips, I watched her sleep without even realizing I was doing so. From her long dark brown hair spread across her pillow, to her pouty lips dry from dehydration, to her flushed cheeks. Her petite frame seemed smaller just lying there passed out.
She was peaceful to watch, but that alone didn’t stop the way I was feeling inside. Knowing she was clearly in danger kept me up all night.
It was a good thing I was used to not sleeping, it came with the letters M.D. after my name.
“Aiden, come to bed,” Bailey sleepily whispered in my ear, wrapping her arms around my neck from behind. “You know I can’t sleep without you.”
“I’m almost done with this chapter,” I revealed, leaning into her embrace.
“You’re so tense. Let me help you with that.”
“Bay—”
“No need to worry, Dr. Pierce. I know how to give the best shoulder massages.”
I groaned when I felt her fingers dig deep into my muscles.
“You have studied those MCAT books for the last year, Aiden. You know it by heart. Why do you stress—”
“Less talking, more rubbing.”
“I could rub other things.”
“Not tonight, Beauty.”
She sighed. “Fine, what if—”
“Tony, stop! Don’t! Please don’t!”
“You fucking bitch!”
Bailey jolted out of her skin as soon as she heard the neighbors going at it again.
“Ugh, they’re fighting!”
Even though we’d been living there since we got married four years ago, she still hadn’t gotten used to the bullshit that came with lower income housing. The neighborhood was getting worse and worse as the months went by.
I gripped onto her hands, pulling her onto my lap to look into her eyes.
Stating, “Which is why I have to keep studying, Bay. To get you out of here.”
“Hmm… Sean, don’t,” Camila stirred, causing my thoughts to shift back to her. “Please… stop… just don’t…”
Hearing her say those exact words bothered me in ways I couldn’t begin to describe. I knew right then and there what I had to do.
For my kids.
For Camila.
And maybe… just maybe…
For me too.
<>Camila<>
“Oh my God,” I groaned, immediately grabbing my pounding head before I even opened my eyes. “Why did you drink that much, Camila? Why?”
“I’ve been asking myself that same question for most of the night.”
My eyes shot open and I sat straight up. Instantly feeling dizzy and nauseous from the abrupt movement.
“Whoa,” I rasped out loud, blinking a few times. Thinking my mind and eyes were playing tricks on me and Dr. Pierce wasn’t sitting on my couch looking as exhausted as I felt. “What the fuc—”
He nodded next to me, cutting me off.
Peering down at my body, I noticed there was a little arm draped across my waist.
“Your bodyguard spent the night to make sure I didn’t do things to you.”
“Do things to me? What kind of things?”
He cocked an eyebrow.
“I don’t know why I just said that. Clearly, I’m still drunk.” I closed my eyes, holding my hammering head in my hands. Hiding the embarrassment that must have been evident on my face. “Jesus, I can’t even see straight.”
“That’s what happens when you drink your weight in hard liquor.”
“Well…” Unable to hold back, I spoke the truth. “If you wouldn’t have treated me like shit, kicking me out on my ass, and firing me, I wouldn’t have.”
“Well, if you hadn’t been prying into my personal business, I wouldn’t have lost my temper.”
“Well… you should learn to control your anger.”
“Well, you should learn to be a good girl and mind your own business.”
My heart fluttered as soon as he said those two words.
Good girl.
Stupid heart, stop it.
“Yeah—” we locked eyes “—well you should learn not to be an asshole.”
I swear I saw him hide back a grin, but at this point, it also seemed like he had three heads, so who knows what I just saw.
“Is that the way you talk to your boss?”
“Considering you fired me, no. That’s the way I talk to an asshole.”
He definitely hid back a smile that time, or at least I thought he did.
Curtis muttering, “Stop fightin’, I’m tryin’ to sleep,” rolling over and placing a pillow over his head made us both chuckle. Lightening up the mood.
“Oh man.” I grabbed my stomach. “I think I’m dying.”
He flinched, it was quick, but it was there.
Why did he do that?
We both sat staring at each other for I don’t know how long. Both of us lost in whatever the hell was happening between us. It was as if I woke up in an alternate universe where Dr. Pierce was suddenly in my life.
Why is he even here?
Because of me?
No.
Right?
And God chose that moment to make me recall everything that happened the night before.
Me dancing.
Sean.
Me dancing with Sean.
Aiden.
“Oh, fuck me, Aiden…”
“Excuse me?”
“Did I just say that out loud?”
“Yeah, you did.”
My eyes went wide. “I gotta eat or throw up. Maybe eat and then throw up. Something along those lines.”
“I have to be at the hospital by noon.” He stared down at his watch. “You think you could hurry it up with the dramatics and pack your bags, so we can go.”
I lowered my eyebrows, contemplating if I heard what he had just said correctly. My gaze shifted every which way before I looked behind me, thinking there must have been someone else in the room.
He didn’t just say that to me, right?
Pointing to myself, I questioned, “Are you talking to me?”
“Who else would I be talking to, Cami? You’re the only semi-coherent person in the room.”
“Wait? What?”
“You heard me.”
“No, actually I don’t think I did. Because I think I heard you say I needed to pack my bags, so we can go. Where are we going?”
There was no
emotion on his face, none. When he replied,
“Home. You’re moving in with us.”
Chapter 6
<>Camila<>
“I’m sorry, come again?”
“What part of that did you not understand?”
“I don’t know.” My hands shot up. “All of it.”
“Cami, I don’t have time for this.”
“Awesome, because—” I stood, immediately grabbing the wall for support, or I was going to fall over “—we’re not talking about this.”
“Good to know you see things my way. Where are your bags?”
“Wait, what? You’re confusing me with your trickery of being sober and me not. I don’t even know if that made sense, but it did to me. I think. I’m going to go take a shower.” I pointed to my bathroom. “And try to find my brain. Possibly throw up in the process. So things are about to turn into a shitshow, and I would appreciate if you weren’t here for another one of my, as you called it, ‘dramatics.’”
“Cami—”
“No, no, no.” I walked toward my bathroom. “Ya termine de hablar. Me voy a bañar y no estaras aquí cuando salga.”
“The hell does that mean?”
I shouted, “It means go home!” Slamming the door behind me.
I couldn’t believe the audacity of that man, and for the life of me, I couldn’t help but feel a hint of contentment that he was worried about me.
How fucked up is that?
I sighed, taking a long deep breath. Desperately trying to catch my bearings from the unexpected change of events that occurred in the matter of minutes of me being awake. It was one thing after another, and I felt awful about what I must have put Aiden through last night with Sean.
When the whole ordeal had been my fault to begin with.
The one instance I chose to take my hurt out on booze, I end up making the rashest decision to dance with Sean. If Aiden hadn’t shown up, who knows what would have happened between us.
I could be waking up in Sean’s bed instead.
The thought alone caused shivers to slither down my spine. I hated that Dr. Pierce witnessed me at my worst, but at least it was his face I woke up to and not my piece of shit ex.
I shook off the thoughts and stepped in the shower as best as I could, stabilizing myself against the cold tile wall. My body hurt in more ways than one as I allowed the hot water to soak into my skin, drench the liquor coming out of my pores.
