CREE (3 page)

“I…I can’t hold on.” She shuddered, clenched around him, and screamed out his name as her eyes rolled into the back of her head. “Cameron!”

He continued to drill into her and a moment later, his hot seed erupted like a volcano. Cameron growled into the side of her neck to muffle the sound.

Their hearts raced as they both tried to come down from the euphoria of their love-making. Cameron rained down kisses on her forehead and all over her face. “God, I missed you.”

“I missed you too and I’m so glad you’re home.”

*****

Several hours later, after another but slower bout of lovemaking, Cameron held Cree in the crook of his arm as their bodies lay entangled with each other.

Her head lay just underneath his chin. She couldn’t get enough of touching him as she drew imaginary circles and lines onto his washboard abs. Cree whispered into the darkness, “I had an entire elaborate dinner planned for us.”

He picked up her hand and kissed it. “Sorry babe. But, my mouth watered more for you than for food. I’ve been thinking about this moment ever since I bought the train ticket.”

She tried to snuggle closer. “Me too. I couldn’t sit still all day at work just knowing I would finally get a chance to touch and feel you. Today,
finally
, I wouldn’t have to rely on my memories. Six weeks Cameron is too long.”

Cameron’s body tensed. “I know. I wish we could afford to visit more often. But….” His voice trailed off. “We can only do the best we can for now. I just thank God I’ll be graduating soon.”

She nodded her agreement.

He hated not being able to provide Cree with everything that she deserved. The only reason he didn’t completely lose it was because he knew that one day he would. He’d give her everything her heart desired and more.

Cree whispered into the darkness. “We didn’t eat. Are you hungry?”

“I can wait until morning.”

“I have steaks marinating.”

“Steaks? That sounds…expensive.”

“They weren’t too bad. They were on sale, and I used my discount at the store.”

Skeptical, Cameron raised an eyebrow. “Come on babe we’ve got to save every penny we can.”

“I know. That’s why I used the extra money I made from doing a sewing job to buy a few things.”

He was feeling uneasy. “You had a sewing job?”

“Yes, Lillian Anderson asked me to make her prom dress, and she gave me three-hundred and seventy-five dollars to make it.”

Frustrated, Cameron expelled a breath as he ran his fingers through his hair. “You didn’t have to do that. You work hard enough as it is.”

“Come on Cam, I knew you would say that and that’s why I didn’t tell you.” She could feel the energy changing in the room and not for the better. “I just wanted tonight to be special. The order came out of nowhere. She needed a dress, so we helped each other out. I really did get a great deal on the steaks.”

He squeezed his eyes shut for just a moment. “I just
hate
that you have to work so hard.”

She kissed him on his chin. “I know, but it’s not forever. Hopefully, you’ll get that residency in Jackson, and before we know it, things will be different.”

The anger immediately left his body only to be replaced by guilt.

Cree kept talking. “I managed to save a hundred and forty dollars of that money.” She looked up into eyes that reminded her of a deep ocean and smiled brightly, “So, maybe we can even do a movie or something this weekend.”

“A movie? You want to do a movie? Because I don’t want to leave this bed.” Cameron’s fingers caressed her stomach and slid down further.

She moaned, then laid her head back down on his chest. “Not even to eat?”

“Hmm…food or you?”

Cree laughed. “Both but mainly food.”

“I guess I’ll need to eat food at some point to keep up my strength with everything I have planned for you.”

“Well, when you put it like that staying in bed the entire weekend works too.” Cameron wasn’t the only one who couldn’t keep his hands to himself. Cree slid hers down his taunt stomach and lower until she could gently, but firmly, grip his semi-erect member. “Actually, being with you like this is pretty perfect.”

“Mmm…perfect isn’t even the right word for it.” He nuzzled against the side of her face while giving her sweet little kisses and enjoying her touch. “But, you earned that money so we can do whatever you want. If it’s movies then we can do that too.”

Cree yawned as she stretched her naked body against his. Sleepily she responded, “We’ll play it by ear. I might just take you up on your offer.”

The room was silent for a few minutes. Cameron could tell by the rise and fall of Cree’s chest, that she had fallen asleep.

He used his free hand to rub his forehead. How in the world was he going to tell her that he’d accepted a medical residency at a hospital in New York?

After waking up in each other’s arms and spending the morning making love, Cameron and Cree ended up going to the movies in the afternoon with Melody and David. It had been awhile since the four of them spent some quality time together.

David and Cameron stood in line to buy the tickets while Cree and Melody waited on the side. These days they were both so busy they didn’t talk as often as they’d like, but still kept in touch for the big stuff.

David cleared his throat. “I don’t know if I ever told you how proud I am that despite everything, you did it. Dr. Cameron Jacobs. Man…that’s something.”

His smile stretched wide. “Thanks. I don’t know if I ever said this but thank you for looking out for Cree and Pa Pa while I’ve been gone.”

“They’re family. You know how that goes.”

“I also know it’s a small town where some people stay on one side and other people stay on the other. We’ve walked down the middle and that hasn’t always been easy. You’ve always had the support of your parents and that means a lot.”

“Speaking of parents. Have you talked to yours?”

Cameron turned up his nose. “I haven’t and I don’t intend to.”

“I can’t say that I blame you, but I’ll always hope things change at least before you and Cree start having kids.”

Cameron shrugged. “If we can reconcile fine. If not, I can’t worry about it.”

David rubbed the back of his neck. “I…um…bought an engagement ring for Melody last week.”

Cameron turned to look him in the eyes. “Are you serious? I thought you said you’d never get married?”

“I did, but Melody deserves to have her dream wedding. I know she wants one even though she claims that she doesn’t. I can’t see myself with anybody else. I haven’t asked her yet. I plan to ask her tonight. You know how she likes to yank my chain. She might tell me no just for the hell of it.”

Cameron laughed. “You’re right about that. Melody definitely likes to yank your chain.” He slapped David on his back, “Well, I’m going to tell you congratulations anyway because that woman loves you almost as much as I love Cree.”

“Have you talked to Cree about that other thing?”

His smile evaporated. “Not yet. So, don’t say anything to Melody.”

“This is your volcano. Are you sure you’re going to do it?”

“It’s already done.”

Cameron whispered low into the phone as he checked over his shoulder to make sure Cree was still in the bedroom. “Now is not the time to talk. Cree is in the other room changing clothes or something, she’ll be out any minute. I know...I know. I’ll make the deadline.” He wiped his hand across his face, “I’m going to tell her. I just haven’t figured out how yet.”

Silently, Cree crept up behind him. “Haven’t figured out how to tell me what?” She stared at him intently while holding onto a couple pieces of fabric.

Quickly, he turned around. His eyes connected with hers. They were filled with questions. More precisely, they reflected the same question she’d just asked. Without taking his gaze away from her, he spoke into the phone. “Let me call you back.” Cameron didn’t wait for a response. He disconnected the call.

Cree blinked a couple of times. “Who was that? And, what haven’t you figured out how to tell me?”

He took the easiest question first. “That was Robert. You know him; he’s one of my study partners.”

She slowly nodded her head up and down. “Robert, yes, I do remember him. I didn’t know you two had grown so
close; c
lose enough that he knows something that I don’t.”

Cameron did his best to play it cool. Nonchalantly, he shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve lived in New York for a little over four years. It would be strange if I didn’t make any new friends. I consider Robert one of my best friends.”

Her head jerked. “Best friend? I thought David was your best friend?”

Exasperated he responded, “David is my best friend. I’ve also become pretty tight with a few other people. You know it’s okay to have more than one best friend, Cree.”

“Only, you don’t talk very much about your other friends in New York. Are there any
women
in your new network of friends?”

He could see this conversation going off the rails pretty quickly too. “Cree, I’ve met and become close with a few people. They’re mostly the people in my study group and people I’ve done my clinicals with. We’re all dealing with the same stuff, it’s easier to motivate and hold each other accountable. That’s it.”

The hairs on the back of her neck started to stand up and a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. Blinking rapidly, she responded, “So, that means yes. Do you tell the other women in your study group things that you haven’t told me too? Since you’ve grown so
close and all
.”

He smiled cheekily as he walked barefoot to stand directly in front of her. She was jealous. That was one thing she didn’t need to worry about. He pinched her chin between his fingers. “Never that close. The only person who’s in my heart and allowed to touch this body is you.”

Cree thought her lungs were going to explode from holding her breath waiting for his answer. She let it out ever so slowly as relief washed over her.

In her mind, their marriage was fine aside from the obvious. They seemingly had managed to do the impossible; maintain a long distance relationship for almost four years, six really.

“What does he know that I don’t? What haven’t you figured out how to tell me?”

His smile faded as he battled with himself on how much, if anything, he should say. Maybe he should just tell her everything, but if he told her everything, it would probably ruin the rest of their weekend.

Her eyes narrowed just a bit. “Cameron, what is it and why haven’t you told me?”

She was like a dog with a bone when she was like this. He had to tell her…now. Cameron dragged Cree over and on to the sofa and pulled her down onto his lap making sure to wrap his arms tightly around her waist.

She let the fabric fall to the couch. “Come on Cam, you’re starting to scare me.”

He dropped his forehead on her shoulder and breathed in her scent, “I don’t mean to, and I’m sorry for scaring you.” He exhaled loudly, “I received an offer to complete my residency at Presbyterian Hospital and I accepted.”

For a moment, she couldn’t process what he’d just said. “What? Jackson didn’t come through?” Cree was crushed. She was sure that he’d get that residency.

It would be easier to lie, but they’d always been honest with each other. He didn’t want to start lying now. “I was offered both residencies.”

“Then, I don’t understand?”

“Cree, I’ve lived in New York for a while now. I honestly think Presbyterian would be a better fit for me.”

She pulled away from him so she could see his face. “For you? What about me? What about the things we decided? My plans?” Her voice started to rise. “You accepted and didn’t even discuss it with me!”

“Look, I know you’re upset but this is my career we’re talking about. Do you know how prestigious it is for me to get accepted at Presbyterian? Jackson Hospital could never compete with what I could learn and do there. The connections I could make.”

She stood up looking down at him and folded her arms. “Cam, our life is here. My grandfather is here!”

It was his turn to raise his voice. “You don’t think I know that? That I didn’t think about how this would affect him? I love him like he’s my own grandfather. We’ll figure something out, and we’ll visit as often as we can.”

Cree shook her head. “I can’t believe this. I can’t believe you would make such a huge decision without even discussing it with me first.”

He stood up to take her height advantage away. “I made this decision for us, Cree.” His arms flailed around the room, “Do you think I like that you have to work two jobs? Or, that my wife lives in this shitty apartment? Hell no. Presbyterian will provide me with the connections I’ll need to give us the kind of life you deserve.”

Cree was hurt. She knew that the apartment wasn’t the best, but it was their home. She had tried to fill it with things made out of love for him. She swallowed deeply. “All I hear is you saying that this is right for you and your career, but what about me? I was going to go back to Jackson U so I could finish my degree.”

“You’re obviously not
hearing
me. I’m doing all of this for you.”

“No. No, you’re not. Otherwise, you would have discussed this with me.” She pointed her finger at his chest. “This is about you.”

“Cree, you’re being ridiculous. There are a gazillion colleges in New York. Pick one. I know you don’t really like the city but if you just gave it a chance, you might change your mind.”

She whispered, “My life is here, Cameron.”

“My life is in
New York
!”

Tears started to form in her eyes. She swallowed hard. “I need some air. I’m going out for a while.”

Cree turned on her heels and walked toward the door. She grabbed the car keys and her purse off the counter before leaving; slamming the door behind her. Cameron closed his eyes. He yelled into the empty apartment.
“SHIT!”
Standing in the middle of living room, doubt washed over him.
Had he made the right decision?