Page 18 of The Moments You Miss
I walk out of the cafe to start heading home. It’s only a few blocks away but the chilly October air has definitely started to set in, and I make a mental note that I should pull out my heavier sweaters. I quicken my pace and hurry home, both to start getting ready for our date, and to get out of the cold. I finally get home and when I make it upstairs, I have this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.
A cold gust of air hits me as I walk through the front door of my apartment, and sitting smack in the middle of the floor of my place is a fucking funeral bouquet. A photo of my parents positioned in the middle of it. I can’t fucking breathe. I feel the walls closing in on me.
It’s October 21st. The day my parents were murdered. The day that changed my whole life, and I had been so wrapped up in my own head that I didn’t fucking realize that it was today.
My parents’ death anniversary is today. The person who’s been stalking me since I was sixteen did this weird flower shit again, and this time it wasn’t just left somewhere outside, or in public without me seeing. They had beeninmy home. I stave off the impending panic attack and try to call someone, anyone. My fingersfumble my phone out and I press the first number that pops up. He answers on the first ring.
“Hey you–” Cam cuts himself off and the only sound on the line is me, hyperventilating. “Leyla?”
I can’t speak, the world around me is spinning, and my chest feels ungodly tight. I think I can hear Cam talking on the phone, but I’m not sure. I sit on the floor of my apartment, fully unaware of how much time has passed. I flinch as the door to my apartment flies open.
“Hey– Hey, Cherry...” Cameron’s soft voice pulls me out of my disassociation. Had he been close by or something? Was it time for our date? I’m so out of it, I don’t really know what’s happening, but he’s here. He’s here with me, he’s here.
“Baby, what’s wrong– what ha–what the fuck?”I watch his eyes fall on the floral arrangement lying on the floor behind me. His face pales as he looks at me. “Leyla, I need you to tell me what happened, okay?”
He hedges then. “Let me take care of this, you don’t even have to worry about it.”
Cameron’s jaw ticks as he looks at the arrangement, he immediately scoops me up in his arms, and carries me to my bed, where he crouches down in front of me. “Cherry, you stay here, okay?I’m gonna get rid of that, and then I’ll be right back.” I absentmindedly nod, my eyes following him as he picks up the flowers then disappears out the door.
I close my eyes for just a moment, and the next time they open, it’s the next day. I’m awoken by the soft breath of another on my cheek. Someone’s arms are wrapped tightly around me and Ifeel safe. I slowly turn over so that I’m facing Cam. He stayed, the entire night he stayed, and didn’t leave me alone. I cuddle into his warmth reflexively, laying in contentment. Cam must have felt me stir, as his arms squeeze me, then he’s slowly pushing off me and glancing down at me.
“Hey, Cherry, you okay?” His brows bunch, a little crease forms on his forehead.
“Yea, yea, I’m okay… I-I didn’t mean to bother you… I’m so sorry… You should go Cameron— I mean it’s okay if youwantto go. I’d absolutely understand if you didn’t want to be here…“ I’m primed to keep going but he slaps his hand over my mouth gingerly and laughs just as softly.
“Leyla, let me make one thing very clear. I want you— your fears, your anxieties, your happiness—you. There is nowhere else in this world that I’d rather be than right here.“ Cameron reaches out and runs his hand through my hair. His touch alone is all the comfort I need at this moment. But I don’t deserve it.
“Uh,no.This is the second fucking time you’ve had to come to my rescue. Clearly, my life is a mess, I’m an even bigger mess, and there are so many other people out there who would besomuch more mentally stable than I am.“ My voice gets stronger as I go on, my insecurities pushing their way through to the forefront of my emotions.
Cameron sits me up, grabs my chin, making me look him in the eyes. “You don’t have to exist in your pain alone, okay? I’m here because I want to be here. I want to be around you, spend time with you, and learn all aboutyou. You are magnificent. You’re so fucking smart, funny and brave… Being with you is the most alive I’ve felt in years.”
He removes his hand from my chin and gently rubs the back of his finger across my cheek. “You can run, scream, and push me away all you want, Cherry; but I promise you that I will stop at nothing to prove you aremine.”
I exhale and blink, leaning in slowly, and placing a soft kiss on his lips.
“I’m yours,” I whisper, brushing his lips with my own. He adjusts his legs on the bed so that there’s space for me. He holds his arms open and without hesitation I’m in them. Being surrounded by his warmth and safety is something that I can get used to. Iwantto get used to it.
I sit in his arms for what feels like forever, and once my heart isn’t going to explode out of my chest, I look at him and smile softly. My hands gently tracing over his arms. He must feel me staring, because his emerald eyes connect with mine as my smile widens and he smiles too.
“Hey,” I whisper out, the smile still not leaving my face.
“Hey, Cherry,” Cameron whispers back to me, gently placing a kiss on my forehead. “So, what’d you do yesterday?” He says sweetly, not once breaking eye contact with me. His smile and that damn dimple appears, and I instantly feel the calm settle over me. I melt into him and look up.
“I got some homework done, spent it at the cafe yesterday.” I purse my lips, scrunching my face as I think about what else I did yesterday besides come home to my literal nightmare. “Oh!You’ll never guess who I ran into at the cafe. Simon Maher, from group. Literally don’t know what’s in the water, but he’s definitely just as weird as he was when we were kids.“ I scoff and shrug. “But I’mbeing too judgy, aren’t I? Maybe we should plan a day to hang out soon. I could use some friends in town.”
“No shit? Yea, we would hang out all the time when we were kids. I’m kinda shocked he’s back in town, I haven’t seen him in years.” Cam looks down at me and smiles, “We can definitely see if Simon wants to meet up for drinks or something. Plus, I’ve got a little surprise planned for you, so this could be fun to include him in my secret plans for you,” he teases me and gently places a kiss on my cheek.
“What secret plans do you have in store for me?” I query and pull out of his hold, but Cameron’s having none of it and ropes me back into his embrace. I laugh playfully, but he just gives me a gentle squeeze.
“That’s for me to know and you to find out,” Cameron teases once more, and I let out a laugh. “But for tonight, it’s just us now, okay? I’m not leaving you alone. I mean, if you’re okay with–”
“Yes–absolutely yes… please stay,” my voice is trying to hide the underlying panic from seeping in too much. “Stay, Cam.”
So he does.
Chapter 13
Close Call
