He gave a small wave. “Don’t worry, I understand. It’s okay.”
“There’s a box of pictures and things he gave me in my room. I’d like them to have them. Memories are all they have of him now.”
“I think that’s a lovely idea, sweetheart,” my mom said, hugging me tightly. “You have a good heart.”
I didn’t know how to answer. My heart didn’t feel very good. There was still a lot of turmoil inside me when it came to Clay. “Do you care if Hunter and I get cleaned up? We brought extra clothes since we left in the middle of the night.”
“That’s fine. Dylan, feel free to use the guestroom and bathroom down here.” Mom gestured down the hallway.
“Thanks,” he replied. “I’ll run and get our stuff out of the car.”
An hour later, I balanced the box I was holding on my hip and lifted a trembling hand to knock at the door. I was incredibly nervous, which seemed strange since I knew this house almost as well as my own.
“Cami! What a surprise!” Kathy Bradley glanced at the box in my hand before looking out to where Hunter was sitting in the Camaro at the curb. “What brings you here?”
“Is it okay if I come in?” I asked, fidgeting restlessly with the box in my hand. My throat suddenly felt dry. It was odd to feel like a stranger with people I’d known my whole life.
“Of course you can.” She opened the door wider, and I cast a glance back at Hunter before turning to step inside. “George, Cami’s here.”
Clay’s dad appeared in the hallway, a surprised expression on his face. He looked as uncomfortable as I did. “Hi, Cami,” he said.
They both stared at me expectantly.
“How’ve you been?” I grimaced at my choice of words—so much for making small talk. “Don’t answer that,” I quickly blurted out. “I simply wanted to come by and give you some things.” I held the box out toward Kathy. “I thought you might like these pictures of Clay. There’s a few things he gave me in there too.”
His mom’s eyes watered as she took it from me. “Cami, we’re still so sorry about what happened. We don’t know what we can do to make it up to you.”
I raised a hand to stop her. “You have nothing to apologize for. What happened wasn’t your fault. I’m not even sure it was Clay’s fault. He was obviously sick. I’m sorry I didn’t notice in time to get him some help before things got so far out of hand.”
His parents stood there quietly not saying anything. I fumbled trying to continue.
“I want you to know I don’t blame you, and I want you to have these pictures so you can remember happier times with him. Regardless of what happened, he was still the best friend I ever had. I wish things hadn’t gone down as they did. I still miss him.”
Tears dripped down his mom’s face and his dad sniffled. “Thank you, Cami. Your concern for our feelings means a lot.”
“I also wanted to put some flowers on Clay’s grave today, if it’s all right with you.”
His dad nodded. “I think Clayton would like that. Thank you for thinking of him.”
A few awkward moments passed. I didn’t know what else to say.
“Okay, I guess I should go then.” I moved for the door. “Thanks for letting me drop by unannounced.”
“Cami,” Kathy called out and I stared at her. “You’re always welcome here.”
“Thank you,” I said, my own eyes tearing before I turned and slipped out the door.
“How’d it go?” Hunter asked, firing up the engine as I slid into the seat beside him.
“It was . . . interesting . . . good, I think. I definitely caught them off guard.”
“Well, hopefully it will help them in their path to healing also.”
“I hope so too. They’re good people.” I stared at the house, my gaze wandering to where I’d often seen Clay standing at his bedroom window, smiling as he watched me walk up the sidewalk. The curtains were closed now, and I wondered if his room was still the same on the inside.
“Where would you like to go?” Hunter asked, interrupting my trip down memory lane.
“To the movie theater,” I replied, turning to give him a tiny smile.
His eyebrows raised, and he gave me a concerned look. “Are you sure about that?”
I nodded fervently. “I need to do this.”
He gave a big sigh. “Okay, if that’s what you want. You know this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I wanted you to have a day away from everything.”
“I know, but it’ll help me close the door on some things I’ve been keeping buried inside. I want to heal as well.”
He reached over and took my hand. “I hope you know how proud I am of you. You’re truly one of the strongest, sweetest people I’ve ever known.”
I didn’t reply, but continued to hold his hand as we drove through town. My thoughts wandered off again as we passed the high school. My last few days there had been rough, full of stares and whispers—even name calling in some cases. People had called me a nark, and a cop lover. I didn’t say anything back to them. I may not have been a nark, but I did love a cop—fiercely. I’d never told Hunter about what I’d faced after he left me. It would have made him angry, and I didn’t want to distress him. He was already upset about how things had gone before he’d been able to contact me again. It had become something we didn’t really talk about. It was easier to pretend everything was normal.
We parked in the back of the theater. It was too early for it to be open yet, but I knew the staff would be inside getting things ready for the first movies of the day. I tried the door and it swung open. Hunter held my hand as we walked down to the office.
Jon was inside at his desk, and his face lit up in surprise when he saw us at the door. “Hey kids,” he said warmly as he stood and came to give me a hug and shake Hunter’s hand. “It’s good to see you. What brings you here? I thought you were both living in Tucson now.”
“We are,” I said, shifting uncomfortably. “We came for the day. I visited with my parents and decided to confront some of the things that have been giving me nightmares since I left.” I had never come back to work after Clay attacked me. I couldn’t bear to be here. “I was wondering if you’d let me into the old theater?”
He pondered my request for a moment. “Are you sure?”
I nodded. “I think it will help.”
“Alright then.” He stepped out the door and began walking toward the staircase.
“Don’t you need to get the keys?” I asked, knowing he always kept it locked to prevent it from being disturbed.
He shook his head. “No. I’ve changed a few things since everything happened. After they finished with the crime scene, I decided to keep the place opened. There’s no reason to lock it where it can be abused again.”
We climbed to the top of the stairs, and I walked to where the great wooden doors were flung wide open. It was strange to see them that way. I closed my eyes as I remembered screaming and pounding against them for help while I was trying to escape Clay.
“I’ll leave you two alone. Take all the time you need.”
“Thanks,” Hunter said as Jon walked away. He took me by the arm. “You ready to go in?”
I couldn’t speak, so I just nodded again. I was afraid of the images flashing to the surface in my mind. We walked to the doors and entered the space, and I let out a surprised gasp.
Nothing looked the same. The chairs were gone and all the carpeting was removed, leaving only the wooden floor behind. The wallpaper had been stripped away and the walls freshly painted. The stage was also gone, taken clear back to the far wall, and a giant, new digital screen was mounted there.
“Well, well,” Hunter said, glancing around impressed. “Looks like Jon decided to open a new theater. Obviously it’s still under construction, but it looks great.”
I couldn’t help the smile that crept to my face. “Nothing even looks the same.” I turned around, taking it all in. “I love it! I’m so glad he decided to use this space. I was alwa
ys so sad it was sitting here going to waste.”
“This poor old room has had a tortured past, hasn’t it?” Hunter agreed. “Maybe now it can be filled with happier memories.”
“I hope so,” I said, spinning around to look at everything again. “I’m glad I came here. Maybe the nightmares will stop now—they’re of a place that doesn’t even exist anymore.”
He wrapped his arms around me and held me close. “I hope you find the peace you’re seeking.”
“I will,” I said determinedly, taking a moment to enjoy the safety of his arms. “Are you okay too? This was where you were shot after all. I guess I should’ve asked if you felt all right with coming here.” I felt horrible, realizing I’d been so involved in my own trauma I’d failed to think of his.
“I’m fine, Goody. The only demons I have are regrets that I wasn’t able to figure things out sooner. I wish I could’ve protected you better.”
“Please don’t feel badly. You did the best you could under the circumstances. Things would’ve been much worse if you hadn’t intervened.” I continued to hug him.
“I don’t even want to think about it,” he whispered, his grip on me tightening.
“Then don’t. All’s well that ends well, right?” I popped up to give him a quick kiss on the lips. “Let’s go to the store and get some flowers now. I’m ready to visit the cemetery.”
I stood by myself on the grass, looking at the small metal plaque that marked Clay’s grave. Hunter stayed with the car, allowing me some time alone. I knew he had no desire to be here.
When I’d been here for Clay’s funeral, I was in complete shock, still unable to properly know what I was feeling. I hadn’t cried a single tear—my emotions locked so tightly inside myself. Today I felt only sorrow over a lost friendship and regret for the relationship we could’ve had if things hadn’t gotten weird. We’d planned to go to college and cross things off our bucket list together. I realized now, that even though we were making plans, we’d been seeing two different futures. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined an ending like this.
I stepped forward and placed the bundle of yellow roses next to the plaque with his name on it. “Yellow roses mean friendship, Clay,” I spoke. “That’s how I choose to remember you—as my friend. I want you to know I miss talking and laughing with you. I’m not sure why things had to happen the way they did, but if you want my forgiveness, you have it. I hope you’re at peace now too.”
It felt as if a giant burden was lifting from me, and I turned and walked away, knowing the door was closed. I’d never come to see him again.
Chapter Eighteen
Hunter-
“I hope you don’t mind spending a little alone time with me.”
Cami smiled. “Are you kidding? This was the best idea ever! Besides, I’ve been starved for time with you.” She flopped back onto the park grass—our impromptu picnic from Francesca’s spread in between us. I’d been unable to resist the opportunity to recreate our first date. “I can’t believe you got a whole strawberry pie too!”
I chuckled and leaned against the tree providing us a nice shady spot. “I know it’s your favorite.”
“But a whole one? There’s no way we’ll be able to eat it all.”
I loved seeing the smile across her face. She hadn’t been this relaxed in weeks. “Then give what’s left to your parents, or better yet, take it home with you as a treat for later.”
She sighed heavily, her smile slipping. “Do we have to go back? I say we forget about everything and stay here forever. I’ve missed all this.” She waved her arm in a broad arc.
“What? This park?” I teased, trying to get her smile to return.
She rolled to her side so she was facing me, propping her head with her hand. “No. Everything. Home, this town, us—how we were in this town—I miss all that.”
“Shall I call Mr. Adams?” I joked. “We could see if he’ll give us the keys to the darkroom, and we can go make out in it.” I winked at her.
She giggled. “That was heaven! I had no idea what I was getting myself into back then, did I?”
“Do you regret it?” I asked before taking a sip of my shake.
She sat up and crawled over, climbing into my lap. She placed her palms on the sides of my face and stared deep into my eyes. “Not for even one second. I love you.”
I’d never get tired of hearing those words from her. I set my shake in the grass and slid my hands around her hips. “Say it again.” I stared at her beautiful mouth, thinking about all the things I liked about her lips.
“I love you,” she said again, obliging me.
“I love you too. Now kiss me.”
She grinned. “You’re bossy today, aren’t you?”
“Are you going to kiss me or not?” I arched an eyebrow, staring at her seriously.
She bit her bottom lip and appeared to ponder. “On our first date here I spent the whole time wishing you’d kiss me with those amazing lips of yours. You fought it, though, and wouldn’t give in. In honor of that day, I think I’ll decline your order and make you suffer like I had to.”
“Wrong answer,” I replied, moving quickly so she was pinned on the ground underneath me. I lifted her hands above her head and held her wrists with one of mine. “If I remember correctly, you wouldn’t admit you liked me, and I had to do some tickling.”
“Don’t you dare tickle me again, Hunter!” She squirmed beneath me causing my body to react instantly. “If you’ll remember, you didn’t win that battle either.”
“I did win the battle—just not on that day—but I’ll win today.” I grinned as I tickled her side.
She jerked and squealed. “Oh, I’m gonna kill you!”
“Kiss. You’re gonna kiss me. Get your words right.” I laughed as she tried to twist away. “Give it up, Goody.”
“Fine! You win!” she gasped. “I’ll do it!”
I stopped immediately, letting her catch her breath for a moment. “See? That wasn’t so difficult, was it?” I grinned triumphantly.
“You’re a . . . a . . . pig!” she countered.
I laughed. “I’ve been called way worse. Besides, pigs are thick skinned, so you’re gonna have to try harder.”
She groaned and rolled her eyes. “Just shut up and kiss me already.”
“Gladly.” I kept her hands pinned above her as I lowered my mouth to hers. Sparks exploded the moment our lips touched. I’d intended the contact to be soft and subtle, but it quickly built into something hot and fiery. It amazed me how every time felt like the first time. I’d never known chemistry like this with any other girl, and I wasn’t sure what it was, but Cami seemed capable of turning my insides out. She made intensely lustful thoughts tumble rapidly through my head every time she was near. All I could ever think of was claiming her, keeping her, making her mine in every way possible.
My lips traveled to her neck, and she moaned my name as I gently sucked at her skin. The scent of her hair was like an intoxicating drug—everything about her smelled amazing. I wanted to lick her—taste her everywhere. She turned her head to the side and arched her back. I slid my arm underneath her, crushing her tightly to me.
“I’ve missed holding you like this,” I whispered in her ear. “I need to be able to touch you. This separation has been killing me.” I nibbled at her skin again.
She sighed. “I know. I’ve missed you too.”
The sound of children running and laughing close-by broke into my thoughts, and I quickly released her, rolling to my side, sad that it seemed like I always had to pull away from her. I propped my head and stared at her, running my fingers through her gorgeous red hair. “You’re so beautiful.” My gaze locked with hers. “I wish I could carry you off someplace the two of us could be alone together.”
She linked her fingers with mine, and I lifted them to my lips, kissing them each tenderly. She sighed and closed her eyes. “Are you sure we can’t run away together right now?”
“It’s very
tempting,” I agreed. It would be so easy to pick up and leave everything behind.
She sighed again. “I can see the wheels turning in your head. Forget I even brought it up, Hunter. You’re too dang trustworthy, and we both know it. There’s no way you’d abandon this case before it’s through. Your word is as good as gold.”
I chuckled. “Why do you make it sound like that’s a bad thing?”
She smiled. “I don’t mean too. I’m just tired of being frustrated.”
I laughed harder. “I give you my word—I promise to take care of any and all frustrations you may have.”
She rolled her eyes and gave me a pointed look. “Your selflessness overwhelms me.”
I lifted a shoulder casually, laughter still escaping me. “What can I say? I aim to please.”
She huffed. “I give up!”
“Good that’ll make things much easier.”
She made a grumbling noise and shoved away from me, but she was still smiling.
“Oh no you don’t!” I said as I grabbed her around the waist and hauled her back against me. “I’m not finished with you yet. I’m frustrated too, you know.”
She lifted her head and glance around the park to where the kids were playing. “Really? Are you planning on educating the entire playground on the birds and the bees?”
“Okay, okay. I get that this might not be the most appropriate place for a make out. What if we drive to the spot on the hill overlooking the city? I seem to remember having quite a bit of fun with you the last time we were there.” I gave her what I hoped was a smoky, suggestive stare.
She glanced up at the bright sky. “Sounds hot,” she replied, having none of it.
“It wasn’t before. I recall lots of wet clothing plastered to sexy curves.” My gaze flitted briefly over her before returning to her face.
“It’s called drowning, Hunter. If we’d kissed any longer in that rain storm we’d have been swept away.”
“No, I’d classify drowning as what you did in the creek.” The mood suddenly became somber. “I’ve never been so scared in my life. That’s when I first knew my feelings for you ran a lot deeper than I’d allowed myself to believe.”