Shayna starts rubbing my back in slow circles. “I know, babe. But you’re safer here with us than out there on your own. Please don’t do this. Don’t go,” she says and I look at the desperate look in her eyes. Tears are welling in her own eyes now, and how can I say no to that.
We both hear the front door open and close, my head snaps towards the noise. Now I’m on full alert mode. “Babe… Lexi… I’m home,” we hear Camden yell from the front door as we hear the thud of his bag hitting the hardwood floor and the jingle of his keys hitting the table by the door.
Shayna pleads with her eyes to me, and I give it a few moments thought and give her a little nod. “In here, Cam,” Shayna yells, even though we already heard his boot clad feet heading in the direction of our rooms.
CHAPTER 11
Cam
Friday afternoon
Ihear Shayna call out from what sounded like Lexi’s room, so I head that way. Last night we spoke on the phone and she tells me Lexi is open to the relationship but she’s worried about what I will say or think. She doesn’t know that I have feelings for her as well. I’m going sit her down and talk to her this evening. Hopefully, get everything out into the open. At the very least, let the girls begin whatever it is they want to begin. Then Lexi and I can take it slow, if she’s open to being with me also.
I’m not trying to rush it at all or even push it. I need it to come naturally if it comes at all. I don’t want to end up with the Alyssa situation all over again. I know I’m a lot to take in with the power dynamic I require in the bedroom. She may not like that, and I’m okay with that.
“Hey–” I start when I turn the corner into Lexi’s room, when I come to a full stop and the smile drops from my face by the look on both Shayna and Lexi’s face. My protective side is immediately brought to the forefront.
“What’s going on?” I ask, as I move to stand in front of the sitting women. My arms cross across my chest, and I look down at them. Shayna looks up at me, then back to Lexi. Slowly her eyes meet mine again.
“Lexi was going to leave. She thinks Jason knows she’s here,” my wife says in a low voice. I look at Lexi and her eyes haven’t left the floor yet.
“Are you sure he knows your location?” I ask her, waiting for her eyes to lift to mine. I can tell she’s hesitant, but I need to get her to talk to me. She just nods, but still doesn’t look up. I want to try and see if she responds to the real me.
“Lexi…” I say with my commanding voice. “Look at me.”
Her eyes immediately rise to meet mine and that gives me a little bit of satisfaction but then my heart drops by the brokenness in her eyes. Her eyes are red and swollen, and the tears are still falling. I look at Shayna, telling her in just a glance that I will handle this.
Shayna gives Lexi a side hug and kisses her on the cheek. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I need to check on dinner,” she says and stands. Walking to the door, she leans up next to me and kisses me chastly, before heading out and closing the door behind her with a soft click.
I look down at Lexi, who is still looking up at me. The one thing I do know is our friendship has always been based on honesty. So I won’t lie to her. I take a few steps and sit where Shayna had just been. Once I sit down, Lexi’s eyes are again downcast to the floor.
“Do you trust me?” I ask her and that makes her head shoot in my direction, as I look over at her.
“What do you mean?” she asks me.
“Do you trust me? It’s a simple yes or no question,” I say.
“Of course, I trust you Cam. But what does that–” she starts and I interrupt her.
“It has everything to do with this. If you trust me, you trust I will keep you and my family safe. I will do whatever it takes to make sure you do not come to any harm. Especially from that motherfucker,” I reply.
Her eyes once more drop to where her hands are clasped in her lap. She doesn’t reply so I take the opportunity to continue.
“How have your nightmares been?” I ask her as I gently bump my shoulder into hers.
She looks at me from the corner of her eye. “Better. Since I’ve been here, they aren’t as bad,” she says quietly.
I nod my head. “Good,” I say. “I know it’s hard to talk about what happened, and what went on that is causing them. But know that Shayna and I are here to listen if you need to talk, ‘kay?”
She nods her head and I once again bump my shoulder into hers making her give a little giggle.
“Now… no more talk of leaving. I won’t have it. You’re safe here. I won’t let anything happen to you,” I say and lay my hand on her knee giving it a little squeeze. Her eyes are drawn to where my hand is on her leg but she doesn’t move or push it off. I let my thumb rub little circles and give it another little squeeze. I see goosebumps rise on her arms and a little shiver if felt. Now that is interesting.
I use where my hand is on her thigh to help lift me to standing. I pat that area, just inside her knee. “Now, let’s go eat because that food smells delicious and I’m famished,” I say and take a few steps to the door.
I hear her stand from the bed, and quickly stop and turn to say something else, but she runs into my chest since she’s looking down still. I quickly grab her upper arms steadying her from possibly falling, and she grabs my forearms looking up into my eyes shocked.
“Sorry about that,” I say quietly. Almost like a whisper. Her eyes are focused on me but then drop to my mouth. My heart rate picks up, when her eyes once again focus on mine. The green in her eyes are almost hazel brown today with gold flecks. I’m mesmerized. I step involuntarily towards her, where we are pressed up against one another.
