Cameron The darkness was so thick it could suffocate, but instead of escaping, I huddled into it. I had made it my friend because I couldn't afford it to be my enemy. There was someone calling for me, but I couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from. The voice sounded familiar, as though I had heard it since the beginning, but it was tinged with desperation. Cameron, no! I woke up with my ears ringing. I could have sworn I heard a gunshot. What the fuck? My heart pounded against my chest and my skin felt cold, clammy. These nightmares were doing a number on me. The digital clock on the bedside table showed it was only 3:40 a.m. There was no way I could go back to sleep now. I rose, padded my way to the kitchen in the dark to get some water. Opened a cupboard, grabbed a glass. I was placing it under the sink when I accidentally slammed it against the lip of the counter. It shattered in my hands. "Shit!" Blinding light pierced my eyeballs as I hit the switch, saw my hand dripping blood on the floor. "Shit." I threw the broken glass in the garbage and washed my hands in the sink. I'll live, I thought as I surveyed the damage. My hand was fine, but there was a gash on the side of my wrist where the broken shard must've dragged between my skin and the counter. Strange what I expected to be wounded was intact, and the thing that I least expected to be wasn't. Life had a funny way of fucking with you. I quickly bandaged it and cleaned the floor. I went back to the cupboard and was about to get another glass when I changed my mind. Opening the fridge, I grabbed a bottle of orange juice and drank it, sighing as it eased my throat. This was probably Caleb's or Levi's, but whatever. If they put it in here, it's mine. A gunshot, I mused as I recycled the empty bottle. That came out of nowhere. I was almost sure my recurring nightmares didn't include that before. Where the hell did it come from? I shoved it away, decided to stop thinking and work out. The weights felt good as I lifted them in each hand, winced when I felt a slight sharp sting on my wrist. I noticed it started bleeding again. "Shit." Doesn't matter, I thought, continuing my workout anyway, but my blood was soaking the bandage. Don't be stupid. I heard Kara's voice in my head. I let out a small laugh, amused that my brain knew exactly what she'd say, and cleaned the weights before I jumped into the shower. By the time I stepped into my office it was already five. I booted my computer, spent an hour answering business emails, sorting receipts and paying bills. It was as enjoyable as a toothache. The ping from my phone distracted me. Thank fuck. Spitfire: Good morning, Bigfoot. You coming to see me today? I leaned back against my chair, felt a grin split my face. It was winter break. She didn't have any classes and the office at The Yard was closed for three weeks. Do you want me to? Spitfire: Are apples red? I was just about to reply when she texted again. Spitfire: Nvm. That was lame. There are also green apples. Of course I want you to...come. No pun intended Spitfire: Sorry. I just woke up and badly in need of a coffee brain right now She was probably still in bed, all warm and soft. I sucked my bottom lip in my mouth, licking it. Imagining her taste. The expression on her face. The sexy little noises she'd make. Where are you? Spitfire: Disney Land. Where else do you think I am? I chuckled. Wish you were in my lap. Or on your knees. Or on top of me, riding my cock. I swiped a hand over my face. Spitfire: I miss you Can I come over right now? Spitfire: Okay. I guess that means you miss me too Let me show you how much when I get there We loaded Kara's things in her dad's truck and mine. I made sure to grab my work gloves and wear a long sleeve shirt so she wouldn't see if my wrist started bleeding again. She might bench me if she saw it. With the help of the men renovating her house, the heaviest furniture was dealt with earlier than expected. She thanked everyone by buying three buckets of chicken and drinks. My woman knew how to treat people right. Her friend Ponytail was nowhere to be found. Dylan mentioned Ponytail had another gig, whatever that was. Maybe he was a gigolo. It was the day before Christmas Eve, and Mike said they were closing tomorrow until boxing day. I learned that it wasn't just Kara who worked nonstop. It was every member of her family, Dylan included. It was obvious to anyone watching them that they were a family, a unit. The respect and deep affection they had for each other was something I rarely see. If I felt a longing to be a part of it, I tucked it away. It was sunny outside, melting the snow on the roads. We chatted on the porch for a bit. Mike was telling me a story about a Bugatti he saw the other day, zooming past his shop. "You don't see those around here on a normal day," he said. I nodded, but it was hard to give Mike my full attention when Kara and Dylan were giggling on the other side of the porch. We had just finished painting it and it would still be wet. Kara was writing something on the column using what looked like a pin. When she was finished, she grinned at Dylan who grabbed the pin from her and jotted something too. "Look at my kids. Vandalism at its finest. All right, Cameron, take care of my girl. Hey, kiddos!" Sister and brother looked up. Although they don't look anything alike, the grin on their faces looked similar. "Dylan, grab your gear and let's go. Kara, sweetheart, call me anytime you need anything, you hear?" "Thanks, Dad. I will." "What were you writing?" I asked once Mike and Dylan left. "Nothing," she said, eyes shifting to the three takeout bags on the bench. She picked them up, handed me one. "Let's go inside and give everyone this chicken. I'm sure the men must be starving by now." "I guess you don't want me to see whatever it is." She was trying not to grin, but she sucked at it. She always wore her emotions on her face. "There's nothing there. Seriously. Come on." She went inside without waiting for me. If she thought I'd leave it at that, then she and I better go back to the drawing board and start from the beginning. I brought my fist to my mouth, biting into my knuckle as I saw her handwriting. Kara had written her name, a heart, then my name on the column. Under it, in different writing, says 4eva. Must've been Dylan who wrote the last part. I schooled the stupid grin on my face as I went inside, searching for her. She was busy chatting with the crew in the living room where they had set up a makeshift table, so I placed the bucket of chicken on the table and stepped into the kitchen to wash my hands, then circled back. I leaned against the doorjamb, watching Kara serve food. She laughed with them, joked around, topped up their drinks. She was so...damn awesome. I must have done something great in this life for her to have found me. Whatever is was, I had no clue. But I'd take it and very much would like to keep it. Suddenly she looked up and her gaze met mine. My heart slammed against my chest. Kara looked down for one quick moment, and there was a very subtle movement of her lips where they part just a little, and then one side of her mouth lifted just a fraction. I would have missed it if I wasn't paying attention, but I was. Like always when she was around. Not only did I find it alluring, but it made it more irresistible because she did it unconsciously. As though she was thinking of a secret that she had no intention of sharing. Like the time we fucked at my cabin a couple of days ago. I hadn't been able to stop thinking about it. "Are you hungry?" she asked, crossing over to me with a plate of food in her hand. I nodded, looking at her. "Yeah." "I saved you a plate."