Capturing dreams dreamca.., p.4
Capturing Dreams : DreamCatcher MC, page 4
Cameron
Even with my doctor prescribed anti-nausea medicine, I’m still experiencing morning sickness—morning, noon and night, thank you very much. The bathrooms in this place and me have become very well aquatinted. I could tell you about every crack and crevice in each one of them. I know intimately where the paint is peeling and chipped, I can also tell you how many tiles line the ceiling.
My stomach rumbles from hunger, but I’m afraid to put anything in it. Crackers, mashed potatoes and soup are all I’ve even been able to tolerate. And even that’s questionable depending on the day and hour. This kid is trying to make me look like skeletal bones, not that I’m complaining on that aspect of things. I’ve lost the ten pounds I’ve been struggling to get rid of for a couple of years now. I just never imagined this would be the way I’d come about getting rid of them.
I try to see the silver-lining with the loss of my stomach lining, but it’s the only thing I can wrap my head around. I’m finally not struggling to wake each morning and go to bed each evening with Gunner plaguing my mind. Don’t get me wrong, I miss him, but it isn’t so hard anymore. I know if I’d stayed, I would’ve never moved on from my obsession and love of him.
He’s been in control of my heart and mind since I was such a young girl. I almost had those childhood dreams in the grasp of my hand, but just like everything else in my life, I couldn’t hold on tight enough and it slipped from my grasp. As I’m busy in my contemplations of my life, I hear the bell jingle above the door letting me know I have a customer who needs to be waited on. I walk out of the back where I’ve just grabbed a can of soda and drop it when I see the two men standing at the check-in desk.
“What? How?” I stammer out.
“Hello, Cameron. We’ve come to take you home.” I know I look like a fish out of water with how many times I’ve opened my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out.
“What?” I squeak out. Good one, Cam, it’s not like you already asked that particular question. Apparently, pregnancy has stolen my ability to communicate. Another wave of sickness swamps me and I place my hand over my mouth and run to the bathroom. Not thinking, I didn’t stop long enough to lock the door behind me.
“You sick?” Gunner asks me, and I want to comment with a ‘ya think’ Mr. Captain Obvious? But right now, the snarky comments will have to wait, I’m otherwise busy. “Cam! What’s wrong with you? You need a doctor or something?”
“Or something?” I mutter, standing up and flushing the toilet. “What the fuck are you doing here, Gunner?” I ask while washing my hands.
“Already answered that before you even asked,” he sulkily replies crossing his arms over his chest. “Now, answer mine, you sick?”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” I reply, attempting to brush past him.
“Not so fast. We need to talk.”
“There’s not a damn thing we need to talk about.”
“Lies, there’s plenty. Now, I suggest you find a place for us to talk privately, or I’ll start spewing our issues out to the public. What will it be?” Fucking hell, I know he’s serious, he has no issues airing our dirty laundry if it gets him what he wants.
“Fine! Let me call Stella and get her to come and take over my shift. You’re going to owe her one, it was her day off!” I pout and stomp my way to the front—again.
God! No one has the ability to make me more angry than him. Demanding asshole! Who the hell does he think he is ordering me to leave my shift? I get to the front and dial up my friend.
“Kruger,” I acknowledge.
“Beauty,” he responds, winking at me.
“Cut it out,” Gunner growls at his friend.
As soon as I’m off the phone with Stella, I let them know to wait on the couches while awaiting for her arrival. Her curiosity is the only reason she agreed to take the rest of my shift. Plus, I know she secretly is curious about Gunner and wouldn’t mind getting to put her two-cents in where he’s concerned. I almost dread her walking through those doors, I’d like to put off this conversation with him indefinitely. Actually, I’d enjoy the look on his face if I could send him packing and make my escape. I’ve got enough money saved that I could move on if I really wanted to. But I love my job and Stella has been a godsend.
5
Gunner
I sit here watching Cameron and am enraptured by her movements. I can see the anxiety on her face and want to rush to her and wrap her in my arms. I know that’s not an option right now, especially before she hears the truth of what transpired in that bathroom with Judy. I hate that she jumped to conclusions and believed the worst about me without even confronting me on the issue. It’s not like her to run without attempting to put me in my place.
“She’s avoiding you, Gun. How are you going to get her to listen? I can already see the hellcat’s claws out and you haven’t even gotten her alone yet.”
“She’s not getting a choice.” The bell jingles over the door and I look up to see a beautiful woman who has ‘disaster’ written all over her come briskly walking into the lobby. She glances our way, stops and looks Kruger up and down, then her eyes land on me. She tilts her head to the side like she’s trying to figure me out. Good luck, sweetheart. No one’s even gotten close other than my girl. And even she’s proven she doesn’t know me as well as she thought.
“Which one of you is the infamous Gunner?” She places her hands on her hips and gives us a threatening look.
“That would be me, darlin’. I don’t know about being infamous and all, but I’m glad you’ve heard of me.”
“Oh, I’ve heard about you…” before she can continue, Cameron walks up to us. She taps her friend on the shoulder and shakes her head no. “Whatever,” she throws her hands up in the air and walks behind the counter.
“Well, follow me,” Cam huffs before marching away. I get up and sprint to catch up to her. It doesn’t take long since my legs are longer than hers. I grab her hips to slow her down.
Whispering in her ear I say, “You can run, Cameron. But you can’t hide, not from me.” Her body shivers and I grin, knowing that I still affect her…well, her body anyways. It’s a starting point, one I’m hoping to take full advantage of.
She turns and looks over her shoulder narrowing her eyes at me. “Kruger, you coming?” she inquires, and I know it’s because she fears being alone with me.
“Nah, I think I’m gonna stick around down here and get to know your friend better,” he winks at her and I want to shove my knife in his eyesocket. What is up with him winking at her? It makes the beast inside of me want to rip out of my skin and fight for what’s mine.
Instead of starting a fight with my brother, I grab her by the wrist and pull her towards the direction we were initially traveling. “You don’t even know where we’re going, Gunner. Slow down!”
“Then lead the way,” I emphasize by swinging my arm out in front of me.
“You have five-minutes once we enter that room before I’m kicking your ass out. You talk, I’ll listen, then we’re done.”
“Believe what you want. But I’m not leaving that room until we hash out our differences. Don’t test me on this, Cameron.”
She stops in the middle of the hallway and crosses her arms over her chest. “Then we won’t be going any further than this spot right here. Say what you’ve gotta say then leave. I’m tired and just want a hot bath and bed.”
“Sounds good to me,” I state, grabbing her arm and dragging her down the hallway. This isn’t any place I imagined her holing up at, it’s dingy and old and I swear it’s close to becoming condemned. “Why here?”
“I don’t know exactly what it is you want me to tell you. Gunner, stop! We just passed my room.” She starts dragging me back since I have a firm grip on her. When she pulls out her key and opens the door, it’s got a rank smell permeating the air. It makes me instantly angry that she’s laying in this room night after night breathing this. “You can have a seat over there.” She turns on the lights and I see a broken-down avocado chair. If I sit in that, I may break it! Oh well, if it breaks at least it will be an excuse to get it the fuck out of here. Not that it should matter, after tonight she won’t be staying here again.
Fuck that shit.
Ain’t happening while I’m around.
I walk over and take my seat, only the legs wobble and I know that my weight is too much for its overused ass. She goes and sits on her bed leaning against the headboard. I know she’s putting as much distance between us as possible, but I am not liking that shit…not one bit. “Talk,” she demands.
“Fine, here’s the deal, I must not have meant as much to you, as you always proclaimed, I did and that shit pisses me off.”
“That’s not…”
“Am I talking or not?” She pouts, but clamps her mouth shut. “As I was saying, you jumped the gun and left your family and friends behind without speaking to me first. You let your imagination and insecurities get the best of you. You’re not a little girl anymore, Cameron. It’s time to deal with things the way adults do and move forward. I can’t believe that after the night we spent together you’d just assume that I’d jump into fucking some club slut. Did I not make promises to you that night? I’ve always been a man of my word and have never broken my oaths. To anyone, ever! Did I really mean that little to you?” I glance over her way, begging her to answer. Tears gather in her eyes, but she doesn’t say a word or look in my direction.
Not being able to sit still any longer, I get up and begin pacing the room. The quietness from her has me restless and ready for a fight. Finally, after what feels like days she responds, “You have to put yourself in my shoes, Gunner.”
“And how well are those shoes fitting you, Cameron?”
“Very tightly,” she complains. “If you didn’t screw Judy in the restroom, then what the hell did happen?” She finally looks in my direction, so I walk over and sit in front of her on the bed.
“Nothing, not one motherfucking thing. I was taking a piss and she came in the room. She made advances towards me, but I shut that shit down. We argued for a bit and I informed her she was walking a fine line. Needing to get out of that enclosed space with her, I rushed her out that door. The reason my fly was down was because in my haste to retreat, I didn’t zip up and was in the process of doing that when you came upon us. I swear to you, Cam, on my ma, pops, Charlee and brothers, nothing transpired from her continuous attempts on me.”
“And how many women have there been since I left, Gunner?” The jealousy in her tone makes me push further.
“None, and that’s the damn truth.”
“You expect me to believe you’ve been celibate since I left?” She rolls her eyes, and I have to force myself not to grab her and throw her over my legs and paddle her ass red.
“Believe it or not, it’s the damn truth. I promised you there wouldn’t be anyone but you from that day forward and I’ve kept that. Can you say the same?” I raise my eyebrows because if she has been with someone else, their blood will be coating my hands.
“There’s been no one else,” she looks me square in the eyes and I see the truth behind her words.
“Good,” I lean over and slam my lips on hers. I pull her onto me to where she’s straddling me. “Fucking hell, you can kiss,” I rasp out. Wishing I’d been the one to teach her how, but knowing that I’d let it happen so she’d gain some life experiences before I claimed every inch of her, and tied her to me forever.
“We need to talk, Gunner.”
“Later.”
“No, now.” She scoots away from me and I hate the loss of her warmth.
“I want you,” I bark out.
“Let’s see if you still want me once we’re done talking,” she sasses as she walks over to a drawer and pulls out some paperwork. She walks over and tosses it next to me on the bed.
I pick it up and start reading, “What’s this?”
“I’m pregnant, Gun. We’re going to have a baby around Christmas time.” I’m stunned. Suddenly speechless I thoroughly go over the paperwork. I don’t scan it, I read every line in the packet. I see that she’s thirteen-weeks along and my chest pumps in excitement to know she’s carrying my baby inside of her. A protectiveness of not only her but my unborn child slams into me and there’s no way in hell I’m leaving here without her.
“We need to pack your shit, we’re leaving.”
“Gunner! I have responsibilities here. I can’t just pack up and leave.”
“Fuck your responsibilities! You and this baby are coming home with me, today. I have to get back and there’s no way I’m leaving you here on your own. Especially with a price out on your head!” The color drains from her face.
“I thought that was a ploy to get me home,” she whispers.
“I hate to disappoint you, darlin’, but it’s all the truth. Do you have any clue why they’d do this?”
“No clue, it makes no sense,” she shakes her head.
“You’re not safe on your own,” I stress.
“I’m beginning to realize this,” she acquiesces.
“You’ve been gone for too long, I can’t protect you if you’re here and I’m not. Come home, Cameron. Come willingly, don’t make me drag you from here, because I will.”
“I know you will,” she deadpans. Sighing she tells me, “I’ve got calls to make, then I’ll pack up so we can go home.”
“I’ll start packing you up while you make those calls.”
“Impatient much?”
“You have no idea.” I have the need to get her out of here. If we found her, there’s a good chance that Jamie and her father aren’t far behind.
Cameron
Saying goodbye to Stella was nearly as hard as it was to leave Charlee behind. I gave her the club’s address and phone number in case she is ever in need. I promised to keep in touch with her as much as I possibly can. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I’m following Gunner and Kruger is following behind me.
Placing my hand on my stomach, the only thing that is worrying me and plaguing my mind is keeping this little one safe. I can’t let anything happen to this innocent child who didn’t ask to be conceived. I’ll do whatever is asked of me to make sure that happens. Usually I wouldn’t let anyone force me into seclusion or hiding, but this is a unique situation I find myself in.
Who would want to believe that their own father would be willing to have their flesh and blood murdered? The fact that they want to see me dead hurts beyond anything they’ve either said or emotionally or physically done to me in the past. Yes, I left our family behind, but I in no way have ever betrayed them. I can’t honestly say the same thing when it comes to either of them.
They’ve always seemed to enjoy watching me suffer in any way, and it felt like they existed for purposely taunting, terrorizing and hurting me. It’s all I can seem to bring forth in my mind when it comes to my earliest childhood memories. They are evil and sadistic assholes. I’ll forever be grateful that Country and Gunner stepped in when they did and got me out of that house.
I may not still be alive to this day if it hadn’t of been for their quick thinking and threats to Father. He was always scared of Pops, but I hadn’t comprehended that it trickled down to Gunner and the MC as well. Pops used to threaten him every time he saw a welt or bruise on me, and they would settle for a short period of time and then begin again.
I will never allow my parents to get their hands on my baby. My child will know and grow up with love and acceptance. If I’m not around, I know Gunner will make sure that happens. Charlee will help him, I know she will love any child of ours unconditionally. She’s a fantastic mother to Hunter and is loyal to a fault. Not only where it concerns her immediate family, but her extended one too. I’m just happy I fall into that category.
She’s the one who taught me about showing the world who I am and never being ashamed of my feelings or thoughts. I love her like I would a sister, because that is what she’s become to me over the years. We’ve had a bunch of sleepovers where we confessed our darkest fantasies and wishes for our future. She knows all of my fears and trepidations. She’s the only one who knows when I can’t sleep at night, I’ll make myself a hot cup of tea and binge read romance novels.
When we hit our hometown, my stomach flutters from my nerves. I don’t want to be seen or recognized by anyone who can share that I’m back with my father. I trust Gunner and the MC to protect me, but while I’m out in the open the way I am, I don’t feel safe or protected. As we ride through, we are met by several members who end up escorting us all the way back to the club.
When we pull through the gates, the first thing I notice is Charlee standing there with her hands displayed on her hips. She’s waiting to reprimand me. I blow out my breath and get ready for the fight that lies ahead.
6
Gunner
When I back my Harley into my delegated parking spot, I notice my girl sitting in her car. I follow her line of sight and observe my sister standing there, hands on her hips and a scowl on her face. They are having an intense stare off and I’m anticipating Charlee’s top to blow as soon as Cameron steps even one foot out of her vehicle. She’s had a hard time and suffered with some depression since her best friend left her without an explanation and ended up vanishing without a trace. Not that I blame her for being upset and hurt, but I don’t want her to chase my girl away before she even gets a chance to unwind and find her footing.
She’s suffered a severe blow finding out her father, the one man who should always have her back and love her unconditionally, and her ex-man put an insurmountable price out on her. I can’t even imagine what she’s feeling about that or what she’s emotionally suffering. Her father’s always been a piece of work, but even I never imagined this would happen. No matter what, her father and Jamie will be taken out. I won’t allow them to breathe the same air as her or our child.
