Chapter Eighty Four
Tiffany opened her eyes and smiled as Emme pulled away slowly.
“You’re going to be late,” Emme murmured.
“Let’s play hooky,” Tiffany suggested.
Emme raised one white eyebrow. “Tiffany Duke, star student, suggesting hooky? I like.”
Tiffany giggled. She had stopped Emme’s to bring her coffee and doughnuts before class, and they had wound up making out and snuggling on the sofa.
“My first class got cancelled,” Tiffany admitted, making Emme laugh.
“I won’t complain.” Emme kissed her.
***
Cam sat on the bench, watching the pigeons coo as they strutted about. He had found himself here frequently recently, watching the birds and mulling things over.
“Jesus, it’s freezing out here!” Dean said as he joined him. He handed his friend a cup of coffee. “We couldn’t meet somewhere warm?”
Cam just smiled. Dean wasn’t fond of the cold, but it had never really bothered him.
“What is so important you dragged me out here instead of the café?” Dean sat next to him, sipping his own coffee.
“No one to possibly overhear.”
“Overhear? That’s very clandestine of you, Cam. Maybe the pigeons are spying on us,” Dean said sarcastically. “What’s going on?”
“I need advice.”
“You know we live together, right? Where it’s nice and warm?”
“And your girlfriend is constantly around, or mine.”
“Shit, Cam, get to the point.”
“I’m breaking up with Aralyn.”
Dean froze, his cup against his lips. He lowered the cup. “Say that again?”
“I’m breaking up with Aralyn.”
Dean stared at his best friend. “After everything you two have been through, fought through, to be together, you’re going to breakup with her? Have you lost your mind?”
“No, I’m perfectly sane.”
“Cam, you’ve been in love with her since we were fourteen. You fell in love with her the first time you saw her. Why on earth are you breaking up with her?”
“Because things suck right now and our relationship is deteriorating,” Cam said flatly. “She needs to focus on school and she barely has time for me.”
Dean studied him. “There’s more to it than that. I know you, Cam.”
Cam stared out over the park. “I can’t be with her right now, Dean.”
Dean shook his head. “Cam, what is going on? You’ve been acting weird for weeks.”
“I just…I need some space, Dean. I just can’t be with her right now.”
“Is this about Ellen?” Dean asked quietly. “And what happened?”
Cam didn’t answer.
“Cam, have you talked to Aralyn? Or are you shutting her out too? Because I know her, and she will start pushing until she gets answers.”
“I need a break. From her. From here. I’ve got that internship coming this summer, too. It will help to put some distance between me and…here.”
“Do you not love her anymore?”
“Don’t be stupid, of course I love her. I love her too much.”
Dean sipped his coffee. “I’ve known Aralyn Duke a lot longer than you, Cam, and trust me when I say if you don’t have a damn good explanation for why you’re breaking up, you probably won’t get a third chance.”
“She’s obsessed with joining the Marshals, and her schedule is so crammed, there just isn’t time for me. We’ve talked about it, believe me. I’m sick of talking about it.”
“Then why did you want to talk to me? You knew I’d try to talk you out of it!”
“To see if you could,” he admitted. “But you can’t. This is what’s best.”
“For who?” Dean demanded. “You’re both going to be miserable!”
“She’ll move on quickly,” Cam said quietly. “She can throw herself into school, work, martial arts. She won’t even know I’m gone.”
Dean muttered several swear words under his breath. “Cam, you are one of the most logical, level headed people I know. So, trust me when I say this is a really freaking stupid idea!”
Cam didn’t answer, his eyes vacant as he stared ahead.
***
“Hey Jim, what’s up?” Brian answered his phone when he saw his friend’s number pop up. He was sitting at his desk, reviewing the day’s patients on schedule. One of his favorites was coming at eleven. Brian worried about this one; he suspected the boy’s mother had Munchausen by proxy, constantly dragging the boy in for some random ailment that didn’t exist.
“Not much, just hoping to catch you before you busy.”
Brian knew that tone. “What’s she done now?”
“More of the same,” Jim sighed. “She got pretty nasty the other day and it’s just been rolling around in my head.”
“Is she getting any better at all?”
“No. In fact, I think she’s still getting alcohol smuggled in. She looks terrible. If the alcohol doesn’t kill her, I suspect her liver will.”
Brian sighed. “I’m sorry, man. I know we all wanted her to get better but…”
“I know. You know, I can handle her screaming at me but when she starts in on the kids, that’s where I draw the line.”
“Her usual?”
“Yes. I’ll never understand, Bri, how someone can hate their own children so much. She can hate me all she wants, but the kids…”
Brian sipped his coffee. He and Jim had covered this ground many times, but it always brought Jim low.
“She doesn’t hate them, Jim. She hates herself. And she uses them as a weapon against you.”
“I know,” Jim sighed. “I keep telling myself that, hoping I’ll believe it.”
Brian looked up as his main nurse, Sheila, stuck her head in the door to say good morning. “Ready in ten!” she said cheerfully.
“Am I making you late?” Jim asked, having heard her.
“Nah, that was my ten-minute warning,” Brian chuckled. “She keeps me on schedule.”
“Speaking of she…” Jim hinted.
Brian went quiet. “There’s a she,” he said cautiously.
Jim smiled to himself. “I know about Bernie, Bri.”
“You do? How?”
He and DI saw you on Valentine’s Day at dinner, said you looked awfully cozy.”
Brian exhaled slowly. “Look, Jim, I know how you feel about her,” Brian began.
“It’s okay, man. Clearly, she prefers you, and let’s face it. I’m still married. She’s a crazy ass drunk, but she’s still my wife, and I’ve got three traumatized kids as well. I can’t compete with a single, good looking doctor,” Jim said lightly. “Besides, it would have been incredibly unprofessional, and I have to admit, I’m so lonely any female is going to catch my eye.”
Brian snorted in amusement. “I didn’t mean to start seeing her again, it just kind of…happened. And I should have told you.”
Jim shrugged. “I don’t need the details. As long as you two are happy, I’m good. And from watching her lately, she’s pretty happy.”
Brian couldn’t help but smile. “Really?”
Jim nodded, hearing the smile in his friend’s voice. “Yeah, she’s definitely happy.”
“I’m glad to hear it. You know we’re almost old enough to be her father.”
Jim grimaced. “Yeah, if you were getting at what, fourteen, fifteen? And she’s plenty older than your daughter. You sound happy, Bri. Happier than I can remember seeing you in years.”
Brian chuckled, tapping his pen on the desk. “I can’t deny I am, man. She’s something special.”
Jim forced himself to sound pleased.
“I…I don’t know. It’s kind of early but…I don’t know. I haven’t felt like this since…”
Jim nodded, even though Brian couldn’t see him. “Talaitha.”
“Yeah. I’ve never known someone like Bernie. She’s had this incredibly interesting life and has all these crazy stories. She’s been all over the world and just views life differently than anyone I’ve ever known.” Brian took a drink of coffee.
Jim wished he had heard some of those stories.
“I sound like a teenage girl,” Brian rolled his eyes at himself.
It’s good to see you so happy.” It really was, Jim just couldn’t help but wish it wasn’t with Bernie.
“Show time!” Sheila chirped, pausing in Brian’s doorway.
“Don’t let me keep you. It was good to talk to you.”
“Same here. Let’s get a beer soon.”
“You got it.”
***
Tiffany smiled at Emme. Her cousins’ oft-double dates had turned into triple dates, with her and Emme sometimes joining them.
But Tiffany discovered she didn’t always want to be with the others, and she had spending more nights at Emme’s. Their physical intimacy had accelerated quickly, and Tiffany had realized she enjoyed being with a woman as much as a man. She fell asleep at peace afterwards, Emme’s arms around her, and she liked the feeling of another woman’s body against hers.
Emme was gentle, and kind, and mischievous and fun loving, and Tiffany loved being around her. Tiffany hadn’t told her parents yet, but she didn’t think they would care. Her cousin Riley was out. No one in the family cared about such things, and Tiffany looked forward to introducing Emme to her parents soon.
Tonight, they were at Emme’s apartment, snuggling on the sofa watching a movie, wine glasses half full. The movie had quickly been forgotten though as they began to touch and kiss. Tiffany rarely instigated the intimacy, still feeling shy, but was always receptive. Tonight though, she leaned over and started kissing Emme’s neck, to her girlfriend’s delight. They had had the ‘talk’ last week, agreeing they didn’t want to see others and committing to each other.
Tiffany kissed Emme slowly, Emme’s fingers caressing her face. She wanted to explore tonight and was feeling bold, and gently shifted so Emme was laying under her instead of on top of her.
“You okay?” Emme whispered, her eyes closed as Tiffany kissed her neck lightly, Tiffany’s hand moving to the buttons on her blouse.
“I’m great,” Tiffany answered breathlessly. “You?”
“At your command, darling.”
***
Brian wiped the yellow paint from his cheek as he pulled the goggles off. Bernie removed hers as well, with a wide grin.
The magenta paint on her face made her brown eyes deeper, he thought, unable to resist smiling at her.
“See? Told you paintball was fun!”
Brian laughed. “Yes, it is. Even for an old guy like me.”
Bernie kissed him long and slow, leaving him breathless. “You're my old man,” she murmured.
Brian drew her close, ignoring the people who glanced their way. Her declaration sent warmth through him. They had never talked about a status, just kept it at mutual enjoyment. Did she want more now? he wondered. Because he did.
*
Thirty feet away, Tiffany Duke removed her goggles, and glanced at her cousin, who was staring hard at a couple about thirty feet away. “Ari?”
“Tiff, am I seeing things or is that Brian?”
“Brian who?” Nata asked, removing her goggles.
“Our uncle, your father,” Aralyn answered.
Nat and Tiffany both turned and the three stared in amazement as their calm, level headed uncle and father stood with his arms around a woman, caught in a passionate kiss.
“Um...yes,” Natala finally said. “Who's the woman?”
The woman in question pulled away from Brian, looking up at him with a smile, and he wiped the magenta paint from her cheek.
“That's Bernie!” Tiffany squeaked.
“Holy Hannah,” Aralyn murmured. “Go, Brian!”
“That's my father,” Natala reminded her.
“Yeah. See? I told you he wasn't boring! Uncle Brian's got it going on!” Aralyn laughed
“Should we go say hi? Or leave them alone?” Tiffany asked.
Aralyn was already moving toward them.
“Ah, Hell,” Tiffany muttered. She and Nat ran after their cousin.
“Hey, Bri!”
Her uncle looked up and was visibly startled to see his nieces and daughter standing in front of him and Bernie. Aralyn had the mischievous, entertained smile she had often worn as a child. Tiffany looked embarrassed, and Natala just looked surprised.
“Ah, hi girls.” Brian was very aware of his arms around Bernie, holding her close. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“Indeed,” Aralyn smirked. Tiffany elbowed her.
“Did you guys have fun?” Tiffany asked politely.
“I totally got him to relax for a bit,” Bernie laughed.
“It was fun,” Brian agreed, wishing his nieces would leave. He knew that look on Aralyn's face. The entire family would know about him and Bernie within the hour and his brother was going to tease him mercilessly.
Tiffany also knew her cousin’s expression. Linking her arm through her cousin's, she said, “I'm glad you did, Bernie. We always thought he was a little uptight. If you'll excuse us, we have to be somewhere.”
“Where?” Aralyn asked as Tiffany dragged her away, Natala following, glancing back at her father. Brian was focused on Bernie and kissed her gently again.
Lost in thought, Natala followed her cousins.
Aralyn turned to Natala as they washed their faces in the locker room. “Nat, remember your reading about shifting relationships?”
“Mmmhmm.”
“I always thought Bernie had the hots for Jim, but it looks like she and Brian and are definitely getting hot and heavy.”
“It does fit,” Natala said.
“Does it bother you?” Tiffany asked.
Natala shook her head. “No, I just didn't expect it to be Dad. I never thought of him and Bernie as a match, but it feels okay.”
“I seriously thought she and Jim would hook up,” Aralyn pulled her sweater on over her head.
Natala shook her head. “I did too. This is a big change though.”
“I think they're cute together,” Tiffany tied her sneaker.
“Oh, they definitely are,” Aralyn laughed. “And I think Bernie is what Brian needs. Who cares that's she younger? She knows how to have fun and that's something Brian definitely needs more of!”
***
Aralyn pulled away from Cam, staring hard at him. “Cam, please talk to me,” she said quietly. “I’m really trying to be patient but you’re shutting me out completely!”
Cam looked away. They were at her place, in her room. She had started kissing him, but he just couldn’t let himself respond. If he did, things would progress until he froze up and then they would both be unsatisfied and frustrated, and another argument would ensue. She just didn’t understand how disgusted he felt, how shamed he felt, having Ellen accost him in his sleep. Every time he closed his eyes to kiss Aralyn, he thought about that night.
And he wanted her. He wanted Aralyn so badly, but he kept seeing Ellen, kept seeing that damn picture that she had sent to Ari. He felt like vomiting every time he thought about the video the police had told him was on her phone. It was hard not to think about what she had been planning to do with that. And Aralyn didn’t have time for him, not the time he really needed. He had been truthful to Dean about that. They had one night a week together, a few minutes here and there on campus.
It just wasn't working. The semester only had another six weeks or so, then he could escape to Metropolis. Maybe by the time he came back, he and Aralyn could give it another try. She was taking summer classes, he knew, which meant more of the same, no time for him. Distance was what they needed; he was certain. They both needed to sort out their priorities, because while she was one of his, he clearly wasn’t one of hers.
Aralyn sat back on the bed and stared at the TV. “I don't know what to do, Cam. You won't respond to me, you won't talk to me, you won't even look at me right now!”
Cam took a deep breath. He had written and rehearsed a gentle, loving speech to end things with the love of his life, to let her go, to be gentle about it.
“It's over,” he blurted out, his speech disappearing from his mind.
Aralyn stared at him. “What? What's over?”
“Us,” he whispered, feeling ill.
Aralyn sat up, her ponytail falling over her shoulder. “What are you talking about?”
“It's time to end this, Aralyn. End us.”
Her mouth fell open. “What?” she whispered.
“Look, you're too busy for a relationship. I’m dealing with a lot of shit right now, and I'll be gone all summer. I don't see any point to us dragging this out.”
Aralyn gaped at him. “Dragging this out? Is that what you think of us?”
Cam sat up and faced her, keeping a tight rein on his emotion. “Face it, Ari, this isn't working. And I need some space.”
“You’ve been complaining for months that I don't have time for you and now you want space? Cam, will you make up your mind?”
“I love you,” he said simply. “I always have. But neither of us has what we need to make this work right now.”
“Are you freaking kidding me?” Aralyn demanded, her temper flaring. “Things get a little rough and you just want to end it? What the hell, Cam? After last fall, after all the garbage with Ellen, all those months apart, you're willing to just throw in the towel? I deserve more of an explanation than that, Kent!”
“It's that simple, Aralyn,” he said quietly, standing up and facing her. “I love you. I know you love me, but this isn't working, and it's best to call it quits before things just get worse.”
Aralyn just stared at him. “What are you talking about, Cam? I know things have been rough but I’m trying to get through it with you! You have to stop shutting me out!”
Cam felt his stomach clenching into knots.
“Ari, you know I’m right. We haven’t been good for a while, since the semester started.”
“Did you meet someone else?” she demanded. “If there’s someone else, just say so!”
Cam shook his head.
“No, of course not. Ari, there’s never been anyone else.”
“Then what the hell is going on? I’m not going to just accept that we can’t get through this, whatever this is!”
“Please don’t make this more difficult than it is,” he said softly.
Aralyn crossed her arms over her chest, her temper bubbling. “Well, boo-hoo, Princess. I’m sorry this is difficult but you don’t get to just throw everything we’ve been to each other out the window without a real explanation!”
“Ari, we’re not working, I know you see it.”
“Is this about Brad? Because I’ve got him under control. He’s not a problem.”
“No, it’s not. He was a blip on the screen before but he’s irrelevant in this. But he’s a prime example of a reason that we’re not working. You should have seen him coming a mile away.”
“Is it because of Ellen?” she demanded.
Cam grimaced. Why on earth had he thought she’d be calm about this? Dean had warned him.
“She’s a big factor, Aralyn, and what she did that night.”
“Cam, please tell me what is going on with you,” Aralyn said softly. “Don’t just walk out on us.”
“Aralyn, I have thought this through for weeks.”
“Weeks?” her eyes bugged out. “You’ve been thinking about breaking up with me for weeks??”
“And if we were in tune with each other you’d have realized it,” he said quietly. "Aralyn, you have to realize this, us, aren't working."
Aralyn stared at him, her anger manifesting in tears. “I can’t believe you’re doing this,” she growled through clenched teeth. “Cam, we can work on this!”
Cam desperately tried to hold his cracking heart together. “No, Ari, we can’t. I need some space, and you need more time in your day. This is what’s best right now. I have the internship in a few weeks, and I need to focus on that.”
“So what, you go play in Metropolis for the summer, then breeze back in and expect to pick up where we left off?” she demanded.
Cam shook his head. “I can’t even begin to guess what will happen when I get back.”
Aralyn’s eyes blazed with fury. “You don’t get to just waltz in and out of my life at whim! I’m not going to be sitting around crying and eating ice cream because you decide to run off!”
She’s hurting, he reminded himself. She’s furious and she’s upset. “I’m not running off, Aralyn, but I’m doing what I need, what we both need.”
“Fine,” she snapped. “Then go! And don’t let the door hit you on the way out!”
He walked to her as tears spilled from her eyes, and kissed her gently, tasting her tears. “Good-bye Goddess,” he whispered, before releasing her and leaving.
Aralyn grabbed a pillow and threw it at the closed door, tears streaming down her face.
Meet the cast in full & see the family tree!
Author’s Notes
- a giant yee-haa! To Ronda, my lovely editor. All mistakes are mine!
- I never thought I'd be a Jix Author for twelve years, wow!
- A huge thank thank you to you, the community, for all of your support over the years.
- It's been a tuultous year for me since the last chapter of this was posted, but I am back in writing shape, so look for more to come soon, and in other universes!
- A very special thank you to my bff Lori, who helped inspire me to start writing again and is always a great sounding board for ideas, just like the old days. Love you, girl!
- Word Count, 2,720
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