Authors: Cat Mason
*Camaron*
After cleaning
up in the bathroom, I slide back into bed, curling against Aiden. Almost
automatically his arms wrap around me, his face pressing into my neck.
His breath rushing along my throat right now is more comforting than any words
he could ever say. The warmth of his body against mine, keeps me grounded;
reminding me that this, here and now, is the most real thing I have ever felt
in my life. Feeling completely content, I fall asleep wrapped in nothing
but Aiden.
***
Sometime later,
I roll over finding myself alone in the enormous bed. Sitting up, I
realize Aiden must have covered me and left the room. Wrapping the sheet
around my body, I pad out of the bedroom and up the hall. I hear a guitar
strumming and stop, worried that Hunter has come over to work on something;
until I hear him. Aiden’s voice echoes through the room and down the hall
as he sings. The calm and controlled strumming of the guitar now
accompanied by his gravelly voice, makes me melt. Aiden sings about
someone being everything that makes sense in his world, the cure-all for his
pain. Leaning against the wall, I watch his muscles ripple in his arm as
he plays; his foot tapping on the floor, eyes shut tight while he pours his
heart and soul into every word.
As if he can
feel me watching him, Aiden’s eyes open; but he keeps playing, eyes locked on
mine. I’m fifteen feet away from him, while he sings to me, but every
word caresses my skin like a kiss. I can see why Daisy loves when Gray
sings to her, being his is one thing; but knowing that every word of a song he
sings, even if he didn’t write it, is for me. It’s a high I have never
felt. Aiden’s words wash over me, he repeats over and over about how
tangled up in me he is; that everything else may be a lie but I’m his
truth.
Once he finishes
the song, I have tears streaming down my face. He smiles nervously,
sitting the guitar on the stand next to the couch. His cheeks flush,
“Sorry I woke you, baby. Hunter left it here the other night.
Sometimes I play when I can’t sleep.” He says, crooking his finger. “Come here,
you’re too far away from me.”
My feet move
without another thought, until I am standing in front of him. Aiden yanks
the sheet from around me, tossing it to the couch; then pulls me into his lap.
“I’m tangled the fuck up in you Cam, I heard that song on my IPod today and
thought of nothing but you. There’s so much shit I need to say to you;
all these things you deserve to hear, but I can’t get the words right in my
head. The way I feel about you, how damn much I need you…”
Brushing my lips
over his, I stop the conversation. Taking his hand I lace our fingers
running them down my side along my tattoo. My own official collar; though
if Luke had known that was my reason, he would have never done it for me.
I want Aiden to know exactly what this ink means to me. That even if I
tried to go on, he was never out of my thoughts or my heart. “I know, Aiden;
the longer we were away from each other, the harder it got. Even when I
forced myself to ignore the pain and move on, the only thing that kept me
grounded was this.” I mumble against his mouth, while our fingers run along the
script again and again. “You show me everything I need in your kiss and your
touch, Aiden. Words are overrated, overused, and a lot of times end up
being meaningless. Hell, people can say ‘I love you’ today, but then take
it back tomorrow; I don’t want that kind of relationship. I’ll take a few
kisses from you, or slaps to my ass,” I wink, wiggling my ass in his lap. “Over
a bunch of overused words that anyone can say and few really mean. Even
if I didn’t want to admit it, I knew you loved me long before you said it,
baby.”
Lying together
on the couch, we talk about anything and everything until the sun comes up,
shining through the window. Our time alone, just the two of us, is over
soon; in a matter of hours we will be on the bus. Luke and Chase will be
gone, and we will be heading to Georgia to play a show tomorrow. To my
first concert as manager, all the loose ends to tie up, the details to work
out; I live for the excitement. Especially knowing it is something that I
believe in: Shaft. They are so talented. Tad’s stupid ass nearly
ruined them, costing them so much. Knowing all the possibilities of where
they’re headed makes me honored to be a part of it all, but nervous too.
I am here to take the reins so that they can concentrate on the music.
Camaron Allen has to have her game face on tomorrow when we meet the vendors
and make sure this concert shows Macon, Georgia and even Ironsound what Shaft
is capable of doing with the right people backing them.
After I get dressed,
I kiss Aiden goodbye, before going down to my room to pack my things up. “I’ll
see you downstairs in about an hour.” He murmurs against my lips. “Tad may be
around, so don’t go anywhere alone.”
“Yes, Sir.” I
reply, winking at him sassily.
Aiden pulls me
into his arms, grabbing my ass with both hands. “I’ll be sure to redden this
sassy ass again; just as soon as we get some time alone.” He says,
slamming his lips to mine. My tongue runs against his lips, begging for
access, but he denies me. His fingers dig into my ass, lifting me so that
our mouths are level before pulling back. “If I give in and kiss you like I
want to, Camaron, you’ll end up naked on that couch while I fuck you.
Can’t afford to miss the bus, those assholes couldn’t keep a beat without me.”
He winks before lowering me to my feet again. “Go pack, and do it fast.” Aiden
slaps my ass, making me yelp. I walk down the hall toward the elevator,
shaking my ass the entire way just for him.
Checking my
phone, I have about a dozen missed calls from an unknown number, along with
another dozen from Tuesday, and Dustin, who has become the bane of my
existence. Jackson’s assistant has been blowing my phone up ever since I
agreed to meeting with them before the
Rock
For A
Cure Fest
on Saturday. I’ve been negotiating and discussing
everything between meeting times and places, and the fact that Jackson wants a
public apology from Aiden and the other members of Shaft. Hell, that ass
even wants Daisy to apologize for things that make no rational sense. Due
to the fact that the guys dodged a huge bad publicity bullet with Tad; I
decided it is best to finesse the situation for now. My manners and
patience are running thin so I text Tuesday letting her know we will be ready
in an hour and ignore the calls from Dustin.
Walking up to
the door of the suite I share with Chase and Luke, the door flies open before I
can grab my key from my pocket. Luke walks out, followed by Chase,
pulling their rolling suitcases behind them. “Hey guys, gimmie twenty minutes
and I’ll walk down with you. We’re dropping you two at the airport before
we head to the bus.” I ramble.
Luke looks at
me, with a sad smile. “Listen Cammie, we’ve had fun. Our flight leaves in
a couple hours, we’re just gonna take a taxi. I already called them,
they’re waiting downstairs now.”
Chase’s face is
puffy, her eyes red and splotchy from crying. The broken expression on
her face rips at my heartstrings; I don’t know if I want to hug her or find out
if I need to remove Hunter’s balls. Chase isn’t the type of person to
scream and cry into her ice cream and tell me everything. No, she bottles
it all up, dealing with it all herself. I watch her face, trying to catch
anything that would tell me if something happened between her and Hunter.
I would bet, though, something happened; either last night or this morning that
has her running without telling him goodbye. I nod, silently, planning my
revenge on a bacon loving, microphone slinging bastard. Once I find out why,
I will be killing him. I can always bring Daisy in on this too, beating
Cunter’s ass would cheer her up and get her mind off of Tad for a bit.
Win, win situation if I say so myself. “Chase, you okay Sweets? Do I need
to choke him with his mic stand?” I ask when she walks over and gives me a hug
goodbye.
“I’m fine, can’t
expect a leopard to change his spots, right?” she hiccups, telling me that she
is anything but.
I nod, “You’re a
shit liar.” I murmur, hugging her hard, knowing she is hiding shit from me and
probably even Luke. “Call me later. I’ll miss the hell outta you babe.”
Pulling away, I
grab Luke’s hand with both of mine. “I don’t like goodbyes, you know?” I choke
out, pushing back the tears. I’ve had so few really great people in my
life that I don’t like letting any of them go. Of course I love Aiden and
I can’t leave him. It would be like cutting out my heart to leave him
behind. Even if I know this is how it has to be; it isn’t making it any
easier to watch Chase and Luke go.
Luke hugs me tight,
kissing the top of my head. “Cammie, I’m a phone call and an airplane ride
away. You’re apartment above the shop isn’t going anywhere. Along
with a job, if you ever need it.” He squeezes my hand. “You don’t need any of
that though, Cammie. You’ve found you’re place, here. Aiden’s the
one” He says surely. When I drop my gaze to my feet, he pulls my chin up,
forcing me to meet his eyes. “He is Cammie and you know it too. You know
what else? I’m glad I got to see it; it gives me hope that
I’ll find mine someday.” He kisses my cheek and walks away. I watch
from the doorway of our suite as Chase and Luke disappear onto the
elevator. The doors closing in finality, but I know Luke is
right. Aiden is the one. “Luke, you’ll find yours. She better be
amazing because I don’t think anyone will ever be good enough for you.” I
mutter, shutting the door to my suite. Luke tended to me while I was
weak, like a baby bird. He helped me flourish, finding my way back to
where I belong: with Aiden. He was there for me when I needed him, never
asking anything in return but my friendship. Men like that are few and
far between. I only hope that he finds someone worthy of that;
because if she isn’t, I’ll be his protective sister from another mister,
standing with Chase ready to boot her ass to the curb.
Take Him Down A
Peg
Or Two
.
*Camaron*
After taking the
fastest shower humanly possible, I pack up my stuff, and send a text to Henry to
round up everyone. Our added security should be downstairs waiting with
Tuesday. I try pushing Chase’s tear stained face from my thoughts, but
even as I make lists on my phone and set reminders, her face keeps lingering in
my mind. Scrolling through my phone, I send a text to Daisy.
Cunter made
Chase cry, heads R gonna roll!
I hit send, grab
my bags then head to elevator. By the time I make it down to the lobby,
I’m seething. She was leaving today, he couldn’t even make last night
good for her? Shit, why do men screw everything up! Though it
seems, I’m not the only one. Daisy stands, leaning against the wall, arms
across her chest, glaring daggers at Hunter. He looks like a kicked
puppy. Slumped in a chair next to Aiden, Hunter refuses to make eye
contact with anyone. I almost feel sorry for him…almost. My heels
click across the tile floor of the lobby; Daisy’s eyes turn to me, and she
grins.
“Where’s our
girl?” She asks once I reach her. “I want her to watch while we kill him nice
and slow.” Cracking her knuckles, she turns her wicked grin on Hunter, who
winces painfully. “Have anything to say for yourself, douche canoe?”
Pulling his hood
over his head, Hunter just shakes his head. “They should be boarding their
plane soon.” I mutter sadly, exhaling loudly. “Well, we’re on a time crunch
this week, no groupies will get within thrusting distance of him for a while.”
I wink at Hunter. “Sorry Sweets, for the next bit it’s just you and your hand.”
“What the hell
is the problem with all the pussy today?” He snaps. “I’ve gotten my head bitten
off more times than I can count today. Even by my favorite baby momma.”
He pouts, looking at Daisy. “I’m so hurt. I thought what we had was
special.”
“Sorry, babe,
chicks before dicks and right now I’m thinkin’ you’re king dick.” I toss out,
“Did you think throwing her away would work?”
Hunter’s eyes
meet mine, angrily. “You don’t know anything. Leave it alone.” He
growls.
Daisy blows him
a kiss with her middle finger, Gray chuckles and wraps his arms around her.
“I’m starting to rethink your nickname
Cunter
. Can’t really call
you a cunt, you lack warmth and depth.”
“Cam!” I turn,
catching Tuesday walk through the door with guy built like a Mack truck.
He isn’t as tall as Henry, by any means, but I see him giving anyone a hard
time in a fight that’s for sure. “This is Dominick, he will be helping Henry
out with the security and, well, whatever it is you need him to do.”
I shake his hand
while sizing him up inside my head. Dominick is well over six foot tall,
red hair pulled back in a ponytail, and tree trunk arms that he immediately
crosses back over his chest. It’s a total Henry style move, which sets me
at ease. “Hi, I’m Camaron,” I say, proceeding to introduce him to everyone
else. He seems to be a good fit, but only time will tell. Henry
starts going over procedure; explaining how things go for certain situations
before bringing him up to speed on Tad.
Aiden jumps up
from his chair, grabbing his duffle. “Alright, time to head out. We need
to be on the bus in half an hour if we are going to stay on our timeline.” He
says with a smile, taking my hand in his.
“He’s right,”
Tuesday says, looking at her watch. “You just call me if you need anything Cam;
see you guys in a few days.” Turning, she waves and walks out the front doors
toward the street.
Walking out to
the ‘Burban, Daisy looks at Dominick, “Dominick, get yourself ready for the
rough and rowdy of Shaft on tour.” She teases.
He chuckles,
helping Henry toss bags into the back. “Call me Dom; rough and rowdy is my
middle name,” He winks. “I think I’ll be able to handle whatever they throw at
me.”
My eyes meet
Daisy’s and we both roar with laughter; the guys all just look at us like we’ve
gone mad. “We won’t be calling you Dom.” Daisy giggles, winking at Aiden who
just blushes.
“Yeah, I think
we’ll just call you Mack.” I reply, Aiden’s eyes meet mine, instantly heating
as they roam over my body. I blush and turn my attention back to the
others.
“Oh yeah, how
come?” Dominick asks, slamming the rear access to the SUV.
“Because you’re
built like a damn truck,” Daisy giggles, nodding at me in approval. I
love how well she and I can read each other; I realize how much I missed her.
“I get it Cam and I love it!” She claps, climbing in the seat next to Gray.
“It’s about time we have another girl back on the bus.” I bump her fist once I
slide in beside Aiden. Curling into his side I relax, while Henry steers
through the traffic.
Before I know
it, we pull up next to the bus. The
Big Bitch
, as we so
affectionately refer to our home away from hotels; sits in the empty lot of the
stadium the boys played in the other night. “I came here earlier this morning
to air her out.” Henry says, lifting the rear access to unload bags. “Once we
get this shit loaded, man, I’ll get you to help me secure the ‘Burban on the
racks. That way we can pull it.” He says to Mack.
“Sure thing.”
Mack replies.
“This time
tomorrow, you boys will be doing a sound check in Macon.” I say proudly.
Hunter runs
around the side of the ‘Burban. “Macon?” He shouts in surprise. “We are going
to Macon! Frack my frock and bind me to the bed in bacon until morning.”
Grabbing my waist, Hunter spins me in a circle, “I knew you and that tease,
Tuesday, loved me. Macon rhymes with bacon. Oh, I’m going to sing a
song about eating bacon in Macon; while I bury my face in some Georgia peach
flavored pussy.”
“There will be
no flavored anything for you.” I scowl, shoving him away. “I’m still mad
at you, asshole. Chase won’t tell me why she was crying, but I know you
screwed something up and hurt her. She should’ve put your balls in a
vise.”
Pain flashes
across his face before he masks it, making me question a lot more now.
Something definitely happened; but obviously it wasn’t as one-sided as I
originally thought. Chase wouldn’t have ended things between them would
she? I’m so confused, emotion bubbling up, tears stinging my eyes.
I was so angry with him, but now I just don’t know. “Sorry, Hunter, I’m out of
line.” I choke out, without another word I walk up the steps onto the
bus.
I shove down the
aisle, into Daisy and Gray’s room. “What the hell?” Daisy yelps, dropping her
bag. “Cam,” she asks nervously, “you okay?” Walking over to the bed, Daisy sits
down and pulls off her sandals. “Come on, we haven’t had a lot of time to talk
since you’ve been back.” She teases, waggling her eyebrows, “Aiden’s keeping
you busy.”
I nod. “Yeah,
things are good between Aiden and me. Really good, actually,” I mutter
blushing, “I’m sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Honestly, as
soon as things are good for me, something bad always happens. I get a
little taste of Heaven before Hell comes crashing down around me.”
“We aren’t even going
to think about it.” Daisy says, firmly. “Everything is coming together for the
guys, for you and Aiden, and the baby will be here soon enough.” She runs a
hand along her belly lovingly. “I don’t want to even think of any crazy
bullshit, or any asshole that is lurking about waiting to pounce on me.” The
look in her eyes tells me that she has been thinking about all the things that
can go wrong too, even if she won’t admit it. I also know that, even
though she is playing it cool now, seeing Tad last night scared her more than
she is willing to admit.
“Daisy,” I say,
covering her hand with mine. “Tad is not getting anywhere near the baby or
you. You’re not allowed to go anywhere alone until this shit is settled.”
I explain, making sure she understands. “I mean it. If one of the guys
isn’t with you, take Henry, or Mack. No discussion.”
“I had
nightmares you know?” She mutters under her breath, meeting my eyes again.
“Still do sometimes. He’s standing there with that bat.” Daisy shudders,
gasping out a breath. “He keeps swinging, but no matter how fast the guys run
for me, or how loud I scream, no one ever gets to me. I can still feel
the wood slamming against my legs in my dreams.” Her voice is wavering, as she
talks about that day. We had just left moments before, I felt so helpless
when I heard what happened.
“Hey,” We look
up to see Aiden standing just inside the doorway. “Big Man is ready to head
out.” I nod, just as Dominick comes up behind him.
“You guys are
big, bad rockers huh,” He teases, holding up a box, “who play scrabble?
Did the ball and chain literally remove your balls, or did I just get on the
wrong bus?”
Looking at
Daisy, a smile spreads across my face. After all the drama since
yesterday, we could all use some fun. Standing to my feet, I pull Daisy
up with me. “Set up the board on the table Mack, we’re playin’ X-rated
Scrabble!” Walking toward Aiden, I wink. “I hope you packed
everything
,
Aiden. The bus may need a good scrub down again.”
“Big Man,” I
call up to the front of the bus, once we are settled at the table. “You in as a
judge for an X-rated scrabble match?”
“Anytime
ladies,” He chuckles, “I can’t wait to see those guys out scrubbin’ the
Big
Bitch
in neon cock cuddlers again. Hunter’s even has sequins on his
pretty panties, this time around.”
Mack’s eyes
widen, looking up at Daisy and me once he has the board set out. “I can’t wait
to see this shit play out.”
“Great,” Gray
says, sliding in the booth seat across from Daisy and me. “You can be a judge
with Big Man and Aiden. Then there will be someone to break if a decision
is tied.”
The bathroom
door flies open, Hunter strolling up the aisle like he owns the place. “Well,
it’s time to get my revenge. I’ve lost the last few bets. It’s time for a
Chesterfield sweep bitches.” He whoops, flopping into the seat next to Gray.
“You mean you
lost all of them, not just the last few.” Daisy teases, making me giggle.
“You’ve never beaten me Cunter,” she winks, “and that’s not changin’ today.”
After our usual
coin toss, Mack informs us that Daisy and I go first. "Not here a day
yet," Hunter groans, scrunching his nose, "pussy whipped by
unavailable twat already."
Daisy giggles,
"Aw, Cunter, jealousy doesn't look good on you."
"You know
what would?" He arches a brow at us, making Gray slap the back of his
head.
"Watch it
fucker," Aiden growls, hopping up onto the counter next to Mack, who is
wedged into the corner. "Alright ladies, whatcha got?" He asks,
winking at me.
My insides
churn, the ache between my thighs pulses all with one look from Aiden and his
brown eyes. His gaze locks on me as I fumble with my tiles making him
chuckle. Working words in my head, I force myself to concentrate on the
game and not on what Aiden could be doing to me instead. Grabbing five
tiles; I place my letters on the board. "B-I-N-D-S? That's kinky as
hell!" Mack says, shaking his head. "Whatcha think Henry?"
"Hell yeah, that counts Mack."
He shouts from the driver seat. "Aiden, add that shit up and high five
your girl for me." Henry chuckles, "Damn y'all, I've missed being on
the
Big Bitch.
"
Aiden fumbles with the paper and pen,
scribbling down scores. "That's eight points for the ladies, your turn
man." He says, pointing to Gray while I draw new tiles.
Gray doesn't hesitate; he lays down
I-C-K below my D. Hunter laughs, "Grayson, how original. I
mean your wife has more creative nicknames for your skin piston, but you put
dick?”
Gray just grins,
“It may be unoriginal, but it is worth nearly twice what their word got
asshole.”
Hunter looks at Aiden
who simply nods his agreement. Hunter looks over at us smugly. “Well ‘
dick
’
it is then. Go ahead ladies, no need to dick around.” He chuckles.
“Oh trust me,
Cunter, I’ve got something for you.” Daisy says with an arrogant smile. “I was
online the other night and this group on Facebook was talking about something I
think you may find interesting.” Grabbing her tiles, she lines her word up with
an enormous smile on her face. Leaning in real close, she meets his eyes
and I can’t help but giggle at the word. “Do you know what the term ‘
pegging’
means, Cunter? It’s a term your
ass
should be very familiar with.”
She bites her lip, leaning back against the seat. Hunter looks around at
all of us, waiting for someone to enlighten him on the terminology but no one
does.
Daisy crosses
her arms over her chest making Grayson chuckle. “Would someone tell me what the
fuck it means?” Hunter asks in aggravation. No one says a word, not even Aiden,
making me wonder if any of us even know what the term means. Grabbing his
phone, Hunter’s thumbs move frantically. I watch in silence along with
everyone else as he reads the search engine suggestions. Hunter’s eyes
move from left to right, his mouth forming a hard line when he looks up at her
making her giggle. “You think that’s funny?” He growls. “My favorite bacon
buying baby momma wants to play dirty? Bring it on baby; I’m ready to
wipe the scrabble board with your ass.”