Page 32 of The Moments You Miss
My body is still as I watch him go to his dresser and pull out a pair of gray sweats and an old Red Wings t-shirt. He stands in front of me, his clothes still drenched, and helps me get dressed. As if I weigh nothing, he picks me up again, and lays me down onto his cool pillow, pulling the comforter up over me. Leaning down, Cameron places a kiss on my forehead.
“Sleep Cherry, I will be right here when you wake up.” My body sags into the comfort of his bed, as I fall into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter 26
Worry Lines
Cameron
Standing in my room as I watch her sleep, my clothes are still sticking limp and heavy against my skin, but I don’t care. I can’t relax until I know she’s deep into her sleep. Leyla’s face is full of worry lines, her brow creases as she hugs my pillow tight. A shiver hits my body, and I crack my neck. Once I’ve convinced my brain that she’s okay, I finally give myself permission to get changed and stitch up my damn shoulder.
It has to be the adrenaline wearing off as the feeling burning in my shoulder crawls down my arm like liquid fire. It’s uncomfortable, but at least I’ve been able to stave off this feeling until Leyla was asleep. Glancing back to her from the bathroom, I feel this sick sense of calm settle over me. She said she’s in love with me, that she shouldn’t be, but she does anyway.
I shake my head to focus back on what was going on with my body. I open the wooden doors underneath my sink, grab my medical kit, and immediately begin cleaning up my wound.
Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.
The pain radiates down my arm and I realize how much this fucking sucks. I pull up the sleeve that is now caked onto my arm with dried— and some spots, still sticky— blood. There’s nothing I can do but wince as the shirt pulls some of the dried bloodied bits away, not wanting to make a noise and risk waking Leyla. Blood slowly drips down my arm, but I grit my teeth, ripping open the sanitizing pads and manage to make my curses just grunts as the alcohol hits the open gash.
“Damn, Cherry, you got me good,” I hiss through my teeth. Closing my eyes, I focus on the next part, which is always my least favorite part. I thread the needle and wince as I pinch together the open wound. The needle pokes through my skin. It’s no more than an inch and a half long so it won’t take many stitches. Focusing on my breathing, I continue methodically until it’s closed. Cleaning up the area around it once more, I place the gauze bandage on and tape it up. I take another deep breath as I look in the mirror, realizing that I look like utter shit.
Turning on the faucet, I splash some cold water on my face, hoping that I’m able to clean myself up completely. I turn to look at Leyla who is still sound asleep in my bed. My bed, where my girl belongs. I don’t want to wake her, but now there’s the task at hand of cleaning up the warehouse where Simon’s body lies now, untouched. Pulling out my phone, I sigh as I text Zack.
Cameron: Hey, need a cleanup. Got a guy?
Normally it’s me. I’m one who is meticulous and thorough to my standards, but this wasn’t done in the safety of my confines. This was messy and done by someone who hasn’t killed before— well, and had to deal with the consequences. Like remembering. And cleaning up blood. Damn it, what the hell am I going to do about allthat?
I put my phone down. As I sit down on the bed next to Leyla, I run my hands through her hair and smile softly. I feel the soft buzz of my phone.
Zackasaurus Rex:What kind of clean-up?
Cameron:Deep cleaning. Got a little carried away
Zackasaurus Rex:They’ll take care of it. Do you need an alibi?
Cameron:Can you scrub the cameras and put us at home, location-wise?
Zackasarus Rex:Insulted you think I haven’t already done that. Consider everything covered. Take care of her. Talk soon
Knowing that Zack has this part covered, I feel my shoulders relax for the first time all day, and my head falls into my hands. I let myself go into that place that I try so hard to avoid going into. I’m not that person anymore, I only take those out of play that truly deserve it.
An idea blooms to life in my head and I can’t help but let a curve form on my lips. Maybe once Leyla realizes what she did wasokay, I could show her the way, show her truly what good she could do for this world. We could do that all together.
I’m quickly thrown from my obsessive thoughts as I hear a soft whimper coming from Leyla, and I’m there in a heartbeat. I’m there because my girl will never have to suffer alone again— that is if she trusts me. I will make her trust me again, because she loves me, she said so herself.
My thoughts stop as she whimpers again. My tone is hushed, “Cherry, it’s just a dream. It’s only a dream, it’s not real. You’re safe, you’re home with me.” I run my hand through her silken hair, my hand a constant comfort for her so long as she wants it.
Suddenly, Leyla’s eyes fly open and she shoots up into a sitting position. She begins looking around frantically. I give her space but gently place a hand on her arm to calm her.
“Hey, Cherry-girl, you’re safe. You’re at my house.” Her dual-toned eyes stare off into the distance for a moment, until she comes back and focuses on me. “There’s my good girl.” I smile sweetly, I gently place my other hand under her chin to lift up her head.
“Are you back with me now?” I ask gently enough that I don’t startle her and send her into another spiral. Her lips purse but she nods.
“Yea, I’m here.”
I have never realized how fragile Leyla Clarkson truly is and has been, until just now. Seeing her look like she was afraid of her own shadow shatters me, but I know that she will ever be alone again. I’m going to teach my girl to protect herself, and maybe even find a sense of self again.
I love this woman. There isn’t anything in this world more perfect and flawless than her.
