“How weird is it that Kayla hasn’t taken one dig at Cami’s mom for the last two hours?” I laughed under my breath as Madison spoke.
“Right. I was kinda hopin’ they would go at it for a little bit longer. It definitely makes for good entertainment.”
“Damn straight.”
“Language, Madison.” Kayla’s voice broke through our private conversation like a bolt of lightening.
“Whatever you say, Mom.” I joked.
“You better be good Glenn, or I’ll have your wife kick your you know what.”
“What’s a you know what?” I laughed knowin’ damn good and well she wasn’t about to curse in front of Mia.
“Very funny, Glenn.”
“So, what cities are you boys headed to this time?” We all sat back in shock as Olivia started a conversation with all of us.
I glanced over at Madison, not sure whether or not to answer. “Um…well, we’re headed to the east coast. We start in Savannah, and work our way east and then north. I think we have a total of eight states that we are performin’ in.”
“Wow, that’s quite a bit. You sure you’re going to be able to handle Glenn being away that long, Cami?” I knew what she was doin’, and I for one wasn’t gonna stand for it.
“Cami’s a big girl. She’ll be fine. Besides, she has Kayla and Joey to help her with whatever she needs, and she’ll be busy workin’ and startin’ school.” I looked over at my wife to make sure that she was okay with me answering for her. When she gave me a shy smile, I knew she was fine with it.
“Look Glenn, I know you’re her husband, but I do believe my daughter can answer for herself.” Man, I had never wanted to hit a woman more than I wanted to in this very moment.
“Mom, stop it. Glenn’s right. I’ll be fine.”
“Well at least I’ll be here for you for the next couple of nights. I’ll make sure to keep your mind preoccupied.”
“I’m sure you will.” Kayla muttered under her breath, even though the entire room heard her loud and clear.
“Kayla, you’ve never been one to bite your tongue, why start now?”
Now Cami’s mom was just egging it on, and I had the distinct feeling that Kayla wasn’t going to give in lightly. I sat back just waitin’ for the fireworks to start goin’ off, but to my utter surprise, Kayla just sat there. Instead, Madison took it upon himself to say something.
“Ms. Holt-“
“Please call me Olivia, dear.”
“Ms. Holt, I know I’ve only just met you, but if you are going to talk to my fiancé that way, I’m gonna have to ask you to leave my house.”
Cami’s mom sat back, baffled at what just happened. I don’t think even in her wildest dreams she thought Madison would be the one sayin’ somethin’ to her. Cami stood and started sayin’ her good-byes before things could get too heated or out of control.
“Thanks so much for having us over you guys. It’s starting to get late though and Glenn and I have plans before y’all leave later. So, we’re gonna head out.” She hugged Kayla and then Madison before she made her way over to Mia, who was on the floor playin’ on her baby mat.
“I guess I’ll see you in just a bit.” I gave Madison a half hug, then made my way over to Kayla. I hugged her and whispered quietly in her ear. “Please keep an eye on her and call me if there is anything to worry about.”
“You know I will.”
“Thanks, Kay.” She just smiled and nodded, and I took that as my cue to leave.
When I got over to Mia, she was busy batting around her dangling toys. “Miss Mia, what are you doin’? You be good for your mommy and auntie Cam-Cam okay? They’re gonna need as much help as they can get to stay sane for the next couple of weeks. Uncle Glenn will miss you. See you in six weeks, baby girl.” I placed a chaste kiss to Mia’s cheek before I stood up. For some reason everyone in the room was starin’ at me.
“What? She’s my niece too. I’m allowed to talk to her like a baby if I want.” When nobody responded, I continued. “Oh shut up. Y’all suck.”
“Its okay, bro. I’m the exact same way with her. It’s just nice to see you in your element. You’re gonna make a great dad.”
“Thanks, Madi.” I took off out of the house and down the steps before Madison got a hold of me and put me in a headlock. “Come on, dude. I gotta go.”
“Fine, ya big baby. See you in a few hours.”
“Yeah yeah.”
When we got back to the apartment, I walked Olivia up and made sure she was safely inside before Cami and I took off. I didn’t have anything too spectacular planned, but it was definitely a moment she wouldn’t soon forget. When I got back to the car, Cami looked like someone had just ran over her cat.
“What’s goin’ on, baby?” I rubbed her leg in a soothing motion tryin’ to get her to open up, but it didn’t seem to be working.
“It’s nothing, really. So where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise. That okay with you?” I glanced over at her as I started backing out of the parking space.
“I suppose.”
Suddenly I knew exactly what was wrong with her. “Cam, you know I’ll be back before you even have time to miss me.”
“I know, it just sucks.”
Twenty minutes later we were pullin’ up to the infamous swimming hole. I put the truck in park and tossed one of Cami’s favorite bikinis at her. “Put that on.” Before she even spoke, she was unbuttoning her pants and shimmying out of them, underwear too. I was supposed to be changing as well, but I became completely distracted when she removed her shirt and slowly unhooked her bra.
“Can I help you?”
“Nope. I’m just lookin’.” I laughed, just before I lunged at her, pulling her down the bench seat and onto her back. “Now you can help me.” I teased as my lips fell on hers.
Our kissing started out slow and sweet, but quickly turned ravenous, as I couldn’t hold back any longer. I needed her and I wanted her even more. Everything inside of me wanted to be inside of her, to feel her walls clench around my length. I let my tongue massage hers for a few minutes longer before I started to pull her bikini bottoms down, but she grabbed my hand and pulled it away.
“What are you doin?” I was speechless. She had never stopped me before.
“Babe, I think you’re forgetting one major thing. Unless you want blood all over the seat, then you should stop.”
Man, I had totally forgotten. Well blue balls it was then. I pulled back from Cami and helped her sit up. I knew she could tell that I was in pain, but I also knew that she was too, and I didn’t want her to do anything she didn’t feel up to doin’. “You wanna go for a swim?”
“Of course.”
We both ran out to the water and dove right in. The water was still ice cold, but it felt amazingly great on my nether regions that weren’t so happy at the moment. I swam over to Cami, pullin’ her close and wrapping her legs securely around my waist as I tread water. She looked absolutely amazing in the afternoon sun and I was thankful to call her mine. I pushed water back through her hair as I sat there just staring at her.
“You’re so beautiful.”
“Thanks, baby.”
“I mean it, Cam. You are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid my eyes on and I am so lucky that I get to call you my wife.”
“And I’m just as lucky, if not more so, to call you my husband. I know I’ve been unstable lately to say the least, but I promise I’ll be better. I’m just glad we get to spend this time together before you guys leave. I’m so proud of you Glenn. I know I don’t say it enough, but I am. You amaze me everyday with how passionate you are about the things that you do. Don’t ever change.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t think I will anytime soon.” We both smiled at each other and I could feel my heart begin to race. There wasn’t anything in this world that could compare to this moment. Right here and now, it was us against the world.
Chapter 21
Cami
“
Cami, do you need anything honey?”
This was the fifth time my mom had come to my bedroom door. “No, I’m fine. I just want to be alone right now.” I shoved my face back in my tear soaked pillow and continued to sob. It had been a full twenty-four hours since Glenn left, and I was seriously coming unglued.
Kayla had tried to call at least ten times. My mom refused to leave me alone and I was still having pain in my head, which the doctor said was uncommon for my injury. I cracked open one of my overly puffy eyes in search of the small yellow bottle that had quickly become my new best friend. I popped two more in my mouth and drank what was remaining of my water on the nightstand. Unfortunately, right now those small white pills were my only saving grace.
I must’ve dozed off, because I woke up to my phone ringing, and rather loudly I might add. My hand darted out from under the covers long enough to retrieve my phone, and then quickly retreated. “Hello?” I growled into the receiver.
“Hi, baby. How’s it goin’?” Glenn’s voice was exactly what I needed to hear in that moment. It was like sunshine on a cold cloudy day.
“Oh my god, hi. Why didn’t you call at all yesterday?” I was instantly sitting straight up in bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
“You mean today? You know our first day out is nothin’ but travel. By the time we got to the hotel, I was beat. So how was your first day at work?”
Oh shit! In all my self-loathing, I had completely forgotten about work. No wonder Kayla called me about a million times. How was I supposed to explain to my husband who was thousands of miles away that because of my drug induced coma I put myself in, I wasn’t able to make it to work? I wasn’t sure if Kayla had told Madison yet, but it was a pretty right assumption knowing her. Wait, did he say today? What time was it?
I glanced at the screen on my phone seeing it was already ten at night. To lie or not to lie? “I actually didn’t make it in.” I cringed as I waited for his response.
“Why not, baby? What’s wrong?”
Here we go. This conversation was exactly what I was hoping to avoid. “I just had a rough day. My head has still been killing me and I just wasn’t feeling like myself.” At least most of it was true.
“Sorry. Did you make a doctor’s appointment? The ER doc said that if the head pain persisted, you were supposed to go back in or go see your primary physician.”
“I know, babe. I’ll call today, I mean tomorrow. So how’s Georgia?” I had to change the subject before he started asking too many more questions. I didn’t want to lie to him if I didn’t have to.
“It’s hot.” His laugh made me smile, and suddenly my day was looking up. “The venue is really nice. Our show is tomorrow night, and then we hit the road on our way to Myrtle Beach.”
“Nice. Oh, I so wish I could be there with you.”
“I wish you could too.” I could hear someone calling for him in the background and knew exactly what he was about to say.
“I know. You have to go.”
“Sorry, Cam. You know how it goes. We gotta meet with the promoter tonight, but I love you so much Cam and I promise I’ll call you as soon as I get another chance. Get out of the house tomorrow and have some fun, love you.”
“I love you too, Glenn.” Without another word the phone went silent, and I fell back into my funk and sleep.
I woke up again at seven in the morning, and decided to take another couple of pills as the pain returned in my head. What was another day off gonna do? I was just starting to doze off again when my bedroom door flung open, hitting the wall and making the loudest noise I’ve ever heard. I quickly sat up ready to unleash my anger on whoever had the balls to disturb me. “What the fu-“
“Ah, you better watch what you’re about to say.” Kayla’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard. “Look, I don’t care what the hell is wrong with you right now, all I care about is that you fix it, and quick.”
I angrily pushed the comforter off of me and stood up. I was about to start fighting back, but my head began to spin and my eyesight went fuzzy. I tried to catch myself before I fell flat on my face, but someone else caught me instead. Kayla lowered me to a sitting position as she took a seat next to me.
“What the hell is goin’ on with you, Cam? You’re not showing up to work. You’re not answering your phone. I know what it’s like when the guys leave. I think I understand the most out of anyone, but you can’t cut yourself off from the world and stop living. They’ll be back before you know it.”
Kayla wrapped me in her arms as I let my unshed tears trickle down my cheek. “Thanks, Kay.”
“Now get your ass up and get dressed. You’re coming to work with me.”
I clambered to my feet trying not to lose my balance in the process. “Kayla, I’m in no shape to be going to work. My head is killing me. I’ve barely gotten any sleep the last two days and I just don’t feel like it, in all honesty. God, why can’t you just stop meddling in my life?” The minutes the words came out of my mouth, I regretted them. I turned back towards Kayla to apologize, but she was gone.
I went running out to the living room, but only found my mom sitting on the couch watching tv. “Mom, did you see if Kayla left?”
“Well your house isn’t very big, so yeah.”
“What did you say to her?”
“I didn’t say anything. Trust me, I wanted to, but I didn’t.”
I threw my hands up in exasperation. I felt defeated. Not only had I ostracized my best friend, but now I basically just told her to fuck off. What the hell was wrong with me? I stood at my bedroom window, staring aimlessly out into the world, trying to understand my purpose in life. Everyone else had it all figured out, or at least seemed to appear that way. Me on the other hand, I was just a big fuckin’ mess.
I walked over to my nightstand, picking up the yellow bottle that taunted me, and threw it away in the garbage can next to our bed. I brushed my hands of all the bad that little bottle contained and grabbed a towel on my way to the bathroom. After I took a long hot shower, I felt refreshed and ready to take on the day. I got dressed and started to make my way out of my room, when a sharp piercing pain crippled me, causing me to fall to my knees while I clutched my head.
I crawled over to the side of the bed and retrieved the bottle of pills that I had just disposed of. Unfortunately, today wasn’t the day to stop taking them. I took the medication and crawled onto my bed to wait for them to kick in before I tried to get up again. Glenn was right. I needed to get to a doctor as soon as I could. Unfortunately, today wasn’t that day.
About twenty minutes later, the pain had subsided enough for me to be somewhat functional. “Mom, I’m going out for a bit. I’ll be back later. You gonna be okay here by yourself?” I honestly didn’t care at the moment, but I had to placate her as much as I could, so she would leave me alone.
“I’m fine, honey. See you later.” She didn’t look away from the tv once, just waved at me over her shoulder.
“Okay. I’m locking the door behind me.” I grabbed my purse and keys off of the counter and made my way down to my car. I had one mission today, and that was to save my deteriorating friendship with the one person in the world that knew and loved me more than anybody else.
Chapter 22
Glenn
Somethin’ wasn’t sittin’ right with me after I got off the phone with Cami. I knew my wife, and somethin’ was seriously botherin’ her. What had me worried the most was the fact that her headaches were getting worse not better. From what the doctor told us, she shouldn’t be havin’ any pain now. The worst part was that I was a million miles away and couldn’t do anything to help her.
“Hey, that mic workin’ okay for you?” Madison’s voice cut through my rampant thoughts just in time.
“Yeah, it’s workin’.” I muttered.
“Hey, what’s up? You’ve been weirdly preoccupied since you got off the phone with Cami earlier. Everything okay at home?”
I walked around doin’ busy work as Madis
on followed me, waitin’ for my answer, I’m sure. “Honestly? I don’t know. Cami just sounded real weird when I talked to her. When I asked her about the whole not showin’ up to work thing, I swear she thought about lyin’ to me, but I’m sure the only reason she didn’t was because she probably knew you told me already. That, and she’s still gettin’ that sharp pain in her head.” I threw the mic cords I had in my hand, out of frustration.
“Is she gonna go to the doctor?”
“Probably not. I swear she is the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met. It’s infuriating. Have you talked to Kayla? Did she go by the house?”
“She hasn’t text me back yet, so I have no idea. I have a feelin’ if Cami is being that stubborn though, then Kayla won’t have much better luck.”
“True. Whatever, let’s just get through this show so I can call her again. Hopefully by then she will have some answers for me.”
“I’m sorry you’re havin’ to deal with all of this while we’re on the road. Oh hey, how’s she dealin’ after the break in?”
“That’s the crazy thing, you wouldn’t even know that she was attacked. I don’t know if she just blocked it from her mind, but she acts like it doesn’t even faze her.”
“No way. What’s that all about?”
“You’re guess is as good as mine.” I shrugged.
“Hey hey, what are you bitches doin’ over here?” Bryce and Brandon came walkin’ up to us as if they didn’t have shit to do.
“Why aren’t the two of you workin’? We aren’t doin’ all this shit by ourselves. Dicks.” I chucked a small ring of cord at Bryce, but he ducked just before it could hit him and rolled off the stage. “Now you can go get that cable for me.” I laughed.
“You’re fuckin’ funny. We got the drums and shit all set up, what else do y’all want us to do?”
“There’s really not much left. Let’s break for lunch and then we can do our sound check.”
“Sounds good to me.” Brandon shouted. “Where y’all wanna get lunch?”
“There’s a small pub right up the street. Apparently they have the best food in town.” Madison looked at all of us for our opinions.
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