Page 21 of The Moments You Miss
“Fine.Fine.“ I relent as Hazel squeals with excitement, and Cameron lets out a quiet laugh. I look back at Cameron smiling, his laugh melting through me and soothing me like a balm to my soul.
I don’t know what it is about seeing two people I care about being together, but I feelcomplete. Like all the pieces I’ve been slowly falling into, they are here to put me back together. With care and gentleness that I’m just getting accustomed to thanks to Cameron. All the heaviness in my life that has suddenly reared its ugly head as of late, so it’s nice to have things be quiet for a moment. It’s nice to feel like this place could be home for me.
Then again, it’s more about the people than the location, isn’t it?
Chapter 16
Chokehold
Leyla
The three of us head towards Cameron’s car. He didn’t bring the Maserati today which slightly bums me out; though, he mentioned that it was getting detailed. Cameron opened the door for Hazel, her smile beaming, although her eyes portrayed skepticism. Making his way over to me, Cameron smiles andlovinglyplaces a kiss on my lips. I can’t describe how I know it’s lovingly other than I justfeelit.
“You okay, Cherry?” he whispers, eyeing my carefully. Over his shoulder, I can see Hazel glaring at him with dramatic incredulity.
Failing at totally holding back my laugh, I am chuckling a bit as I reply, “Yea babe, I’m fine. Overwhelmed, but a good overwhelmed.” Cameron watches me with his grin growing to goofy proportions.
Even though I want to get lost in today with them and fully let go just like they want me to, I can’t deny a heaviness that’s still on my chest. And before I get in the car and start this day with the two of them, I need to be honest with Cameron about it. I fidget with the fabric of his shirt as I pull him nearer, all the while avoiding eye contact. “I think I’m still exhausted from last night. I can’t shake the feeling that someone’s watching me. Like no matter where I turn someone… is watching me.”
A shiver runs through my body as Cameron’s hands run up and down my arms. A gentle caress is a feeling that I don’t know how to process. He’s almost too good to be true.
“Cherry, I know what happened yesterday was horrible. I know your sanctuary was tainted by darkness, and they took away your feeling of safety. I hate that there was no way for me to prevent this...” He bites his lip and it seems like he drifts off for a moment. When he comes back, he’s focused and intense in the eyes, while his hands remain gentle. “After our fun today, why don’t we sit down and order you some security equipment for your apartment? A doorbell camera, window alarms, and any other neat gadget the internet comes up with. That way, none of this can happen again.” Cameron’s voice is so soft and careful, yet strong and affirming at the same time.
I try to fight the burning in my eyes from what this man is doing for me— to me. “Yea— yea, I think that will be good.” Clearing my throat from the tightness that was creeping into it, I continue. “I think maybe it’s time to tell Alex, too– Detective Alexandra, I mean. But that’s something I can do later.”
It’s almost imperceivable but something flashes over Cameron’s face though it’s gone in a moment. Cam’s eyes connectwith mine, as he starts moving his hands down my arms once again. “Okay, now take a deep breath and shake out your hands.”
He gently grabs onto my clenched hands and opens them up, interlacing our fingers. I nod and listen intently to his words, a deep breath in and out, then a shake of my arms. Once I’m done, he pulls my hands up to his lips and kisses each knuckle. A moment of silence passes between the two of us, my shoulders curve inwards with relief.
“Such a good girl.” Cam beams at me, my worries and fears slipping away. “Let’s go before Hazel starts complaining.” He opens up the front car door for me, letting me get in. I turn around to a stunned Hazel who sat in the backseat of the car with the world’s most devious smile.
“Girl, you got itbad,” Hazel blurts out before Cameron gets into the driver’s seat. Heat creeps up my cheeks as I turn back around wishing there was a way for me to crawl into a hole. Cameron turns to me with a knowing grin, and I laugh awkwardly.
“Okay, we ready?” Cam queries as he backs out of the parking spot. When there are no objections, we head off to the rage room just forty-five minutes out of town. The ride there is anything but quiet, as Cameron puts on some playlist with songs from the 2000‘s. Hazel’s and my eyes light up, Cameron’s lips twitch into a dorky smile that ignites my blood like a powder keg.I could just eat him up.
We sing our hearts out, Cameron joining in on a couple songs and I’m almost sad that our ride is coming to an end. The three of us make our way to the rental desk; unabashedly, I’m all smile as we walk in.
The three of us walk into the rage room and we’re immediately bombarded with the sounds of alternative music echoing through the space. FromAshes to Embersis setting the tone for the day and making this all feel like fate— I’ve beenobsessedwith this band for months. It has me grinning like a mad woman. Cameron breaks off from our little trio to finish something with the man who checked us in.
Hazel whirls to face me, her eyes burning a hole into my soul. I flinch preemptively to the impending outburst. “One, what the fuck?! You’ve been holding out on me howgoodthis man is! Like, since when did he become such a gentleman instead of some dorky kid that skulked around group?!“ Hazel whisper yells at me as she hits me playfully. “Two, you’reactuallyfalling for him, aren’t you? ‘Cause after what I just saw when we left, fuck I think I might be falling for him if you aren’t.“ Her final words are swoony and breathy as she tosses a glance in Cameron’s direction.
My face fully doesn’t portray the thousand emotions raging war with one another inside of my chest—a hot spike of jealousy being new.I know she’s joking and trying to get a rise out of me, and I hate how easy it is. Should it be a red flag I’m feeling this strongly already?Stop. I’m trying to ruin my own day. A day that the woman in front of me, and the man who is stealing my heart at record speed, planned for me.
A smile curves from my pursed lips, letting out a soft laugh. “I am, Haze– like, it’s so bad, he’s been fucking nothing but a gentleman. He’s made me breakfast, fucked me senseless, and also gave me the best cuddles after a panic attack.”
I look at her exasperated, throwing my hands up, putting on a fake temper tantrum with no real malice in my actions. Hazelnudges me, and her eyes widen as she sees Cameron walking back– with Simon in tow.
My heart begins to race, because what thefuckis Simon doing here of all places? I quickly hide my concern as Cameron walks up to us, wrapping his arm around me and smiling wide.
“Look who I found! I figured the more the merrier for the room. Hope you guys don’t mind, plus you remember Simon, right?” Cameron gives me a gentle squeeze and this imperceptive emotion flashes over Simon’s face that goes unnoticed by everyone but me.
“T-thanks Cameron. What a c-coincidence running into you guys here. D-Detective A-Alex had me scouting out some p-places for the youth p-program. I-I had no i-idea you were going t-to b-be here,” Simon stutters out as he gives an unsettling smile. I don’t know what it is, but the vibes that come off of him make me so uncomfortable. Hazel, on the other hand, being her happy-go-lucky self, smiles and nods.
“Fuck yea! Let’s go break some shit!” Hazel shouts over-excitedly.
We don’t really get more than a moment to react to Simon joining our group and then the teenage worker walks up to us, giving the orientation spiel. After going over the introduction and rules, he leads us to the room we’re going to be in for the next hour. He hands us the PPE, a gown, and safety glasses. We’re then shown a wall of tools that we can use; there are sledgehammers, baseball bats, golf clubs, wrenches, and more. I can’t help but smile as we all grab our tools and the timer starts.
There’s a bunch of tables, computers, and plates lining a fake living room and kitchen. Unexpectedly, flashes of my past bubble tothe surface just at the sheer impression of these rooms accompanied with the sensation of impending violence. I try my best to push them out of my mind— not here, not now. The four of us get the okay to begin, and we all just stand around at first, not really wanting to be the one to start. Cameron smiles wickedly, a gleam in his eyes as our gazes connect.
