Streamline (57 page)

“I’ll send her to you as soon as she gets here,” his mother had promised as she sat on the side of his bed. “But, Leo, you’ve been through hell, and you need to rest.” She cradled his face and kissed him on the cheek. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.” Questions about his father, his mother’s accident, and their family’s future had swirled through his mind, but Leo put them aside.

They’d start figuring it all out tomorrow. “I love you, Mom.” An hour later, his brain was working overtime, caught in the past as he awaited the future. Memories of Audrey flooded him — the first time he’d caught a glimpse of her skinny dipping, their easy banter from the start. Then all the swim practices, pasta dinners, and study sessions they’d shared, cautiously disclosing deeper hopes and fears, though still keeping their ugliest parts hidden. But after Audrey’s father had gone to prison and CS had beaten Leo for his drug addiction, there was no holding back. Then they knew each other completely, their vulnerabilities raw and exposed.

Leo had risked so much to get his father to confess, and now he prayed he hadn’t lost Audrey in the process.

The door creaked, drawing him out of his reverie. And there she was.

She stood on the threshold of the dark room, the hallway lights creating a sleek silhouette. Leo sat up in bed and held his breath.

Shadows veiled her face, and he strained to read her expression. They were motionless until Leo heard himself whimper, “Audrey.” A choking sob escaped her as she rushed to him, leaping into his arms as they covered each other with desperate kisses.

He felt her hot tears on his cheek as she pressed against him.

He was in the best physical shape, but perhaps the worst emotional shape, of his life. Yet united with her, he could face anything, heal from anything.

Eventually, Audrey spoke. “Don’t you dare do that again, Leo!

Don’t you dare make me fall in love with you, make me want to sacrifice
everything
for you, make me miss you so much it hurts — it aches — then leave. You promised never to let me go! You promised!”

“I’m so sorry.” He held her tight, rocking her body with his. “I thought you’d hate me for what my dad did.” She pulled away. “Don’t you remember? In the hospital I asked how you could still love me, and you said you’d never judge people by their father’s actions. Do you think that only applies to you? Your father’s a coldhearted murderer — I can’t
believe
what he did to my dad, to my family. I’ll never forgive him. But, Leo, you’re not him!

You’re not responsible for what he did! It’s
not
your fault.” Leo looked down. CS had polluted him. How could she not blame him too?

“You broke up with me because you thought I wouldn’t forgive you for what your dad did? Well, now we know that isn’t the case.

And you broke up with me because you thought you might have to kill him?”

He recoiled. “How’d you know that?”

“Your mom told me. She called Jason on our drive back.” Audrey gazed into his eyes. “You were going to pull the trigger?” He let out a ragged sigh. “I thought I could do it…but in the end, I couldn’t. I couldn’t kill him. Because then I’d be like him. I don’t want to be like him, Audrey,” he pleaded.

“You’re
not
like him! You are sweet and kind and wonderful and giving.
Te amo,
Leo.” She brushed her lips against his, and he responded with hungry desire.

She broke away. “Oh, I’m still so mad! Don’t you know I could never be happy without you? I
need
you! When you broke up with me, I thought about drinking myself into oblivion but I remembered how awful it was when you were hooked on Oxy. I didn’t want to do that to you, or to me. We both deserve better.” Her voice rose even higher. “And then I find out you contemplated murder? That’s the stupidest plan I’ve ever heard!”

He looked away and bit his lip. “Why don’t you hit me? Let your anger out. It’ll make you feel better.”
It would certainly make
me
feel better.

“I would
never
hit you! I love you! Hitting doesn’t equal love, Leo.

Violence doesn’t make anything better. After everything your father’s done to you, haven’t you learned that?” Leo exhaled loudly.
Crap
. “You’re right. Violence doesn’t equal love.” He clenched his teeth. “And it’s disgusting I have to say this, but I am my father’s son…” He took a deep breath. “In case you’re worried, I promise never to hit you, Audrey. I love you.”

“I know.” She looked into his eyes. “I feel safer with you than anyone.” She clung to him. “I just spent a long car ride with Jason.

He’s out of his mind worrying Cameron won’t forgive him for what your dad did. But, Leo, I want you to know I don’t hold this against you.” She began sobbing. “How could I not want to be with you?

You gave me my father back. You saved him, Leo. I’ve missed him so much.”

Leo stroked her silky hair and relief swept over him. He’d exchanged his father for hers, and he’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Leo still hated his dark parts — the self-doubts, the inability to hide his tears, the sudden fury swirling within him like a dam about to break. But Audrey had returned, and he hoped her love would keep teaching him the right way.

He squeezed her tighter and vowed never to let her go.

And he knew he meant it this time.

Jason glanced at the alarm clock, glowing red in the dim light of early morning.

5:57.

His gaze swept down the swell of Cam’s breasts, easily visible through her thin nightgown. They pressed lightly against coral-colored silk. He’d never seen anyone sleep so peacefully. In contrast to his own thrashing and twisting, Cam was quiet and still.

5:58.

He sighed. After depositing Audrey at his parents’ house — check that, his mom’s house — Jason had driven to the apartment and crawled into bed with his fiancée. He was still wearing yesterday’s clothes. He hadn’t had the heart to wake Cam and tell her what had happened. All she knew was he’d been searching for Leo, and part of him wished he’d never found his brother.

5:59.

Jason’s throat felt tighter every minute. God, he wished he could get a drink. Just one drink would make this nightmare fade away.

Well, maybe more than one.

He shook his head, hating his addiction, which still wooed him, trying to get him to believe he didn’t deserve a good, sober life. He was the son of a murderer — how the heck did he deserve happiness?

How was he good enough for the beautiful, intelligent, compassion-ate woman at his side?
Please
don’t let me lose Cam because of him.

Finally the digits flipped to 6:00, and a jarring beep resounded.

Cam groaned and blindly reached to the nightstand, her groping hand somehow locating the snooze button.

Jason tried to find his voice. “Hey, no snoozing this morning.”

“You’re here.” Cam’s lips curled into a dreamy smile as she rolled over and snuggled up to him. “Is Leo okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you find out why he broke up with Audrey?”

“They’re back together actually, I think.” Cam opened her eyes and chuckled. “They sound like some of my students. ‘I love you forever.’ Then the next day, ‘Let’s break up.’

Then five minutes later, ‘You’re the love of my life.’”

“Leo and Audrey were never like that. Their love’s deeper than most adults I know.” He paused. “He thought he was saving her by breaking up.”

“Saving her?” Cameron scooted up to rest her back against the headboard. Mussed brown hair framed her face.

“Cam, I have to tell you something. I don’t want to, but I have to.” She looked alarmed. “What is it?”

“Leo’s in Pensacola right now. He got kicked out of the Academy for snooping around, trying to prove Darnell Keaton’s guilt.”

“Did he find out anything?” She blinked repeatedly.

“He found out Darnell didn’t murder your dad.” She seemed to stop breathing.

Jason looked down, breaking her expectant gaze, and let go of her hand. “It was CS,” he whispered, daring to look back up. “My dad. My dad killed your dad.”

She looked away and pulled back from him. “Wha — ? Your?

How? No. How do you know?”

“Leo confronted him, and he confessed.” Jason felt sick. He ran his hands through his hair.

Her chest heaved as she stared at him, and he somehow managed to spill the terrible story. When he finished, Cameron’s face contorted in anguish, and she let out a horrible cry.

Watching tears cascade down her face, Jason reached for her.

When she flinched at his touch and backed away, he felt his stomach drop.

“My dad didn’t have to die!” she cried. “It’s
your
dad’s fault! He stole him from me!”

“I’m sorry, Cam. I’m so sorry!” Jason pleaded. Unable to stop himself, he reached out to her again, and once more she rebuffed him, scooting to the edge of the bed.

Cam looked down at her engagement ring. “Your dad bought me this.” She slid it off and held it away like she was dangling a poisonous spider. “This came from a murderer.”

“No,” Jason begged. “That’s yours.
I
bought it, Cam. It’s for you.”

“Take it,” she demanded, shoving it into his hand. Her voice was icy. “Take it and get out of here.”

“No, no. Don’t do this.”

He tried to give her back the ring, but she held her hands in front of her face.

“Leave!” she screamed, collapsing into sobs. “Just go.” He clenched his teeth, fighting his own tears. He pushed himself off the bed and stuffed his feet into his shoes, filled with rage at the unfairness of it all.

“This is total crap!”

Her eyes widened.

“You said no matter what happened, you’d fight for us! You promised! You’re full of it!”

Jason spun on his heel and stomped out of the apartment, slamming the door and running full-steam down two flights of stairs before collapsing in the front seat of his car. He held his head in both hands, feeling hot, angry tears seep through his fingers. He shook with fury and despair.

He’d get the biggest bottle of vodka ever made and down the whole thing at once, damn it.

Audrey’s heart pounded a panicked beat as her eyes flashed open.

At first she had no idea where she was, but then saw the Michael Phelps poster on Leo’s wall and felt his body wrapped around hers like a blanket. He radiated heat, and she felt moisture at the nape of her neck.

She’d just dreamed his father had shot him, but no, he was safe.

She exhaled a slow, steady breath.

Extricating herself, she eased off the bed. She hadn’t woken him.

The scar on his forehead had faded to just a faint line, and there was no physical evidence of this latest altercation with his father. He looked so peaceful. Audrey hoped he might soon find some waking peace.

As she padded down the stairwell, she heard a dish clank in the kitchen. “Mrs. Scott, is it okay if I take a shower?” Turning the corner, she gasped to find her mother holding a coffee mug. Her mother barely had time to set it down before Audrey leaped into her arms. She whimpered as she clung to her mother.

“I’m waiting to hear from Captain Payson, but your dad may get out as soon as this afternoon,” her mother breathed into her hair.

Audrey couldn’t even form words.

“And the answer to your question is yes,” Mrs. Scott added. “You may take a shower. There’re clean towels in the closet. I assume Leo’s still sleeping?”

“Yeah.”

“All right, get going then,” her mother said. “The second I hear your father’s being released, I want to be there.”

“Okay!” Audrey scrambled up to the bathroom. As she took off her maroon FSU T-shirt, she reminded herself to call Coach Nancy to explain her absence.

Stepping into the shower, she was enveloped by steam. As the hot water flowed down her body, she felt the shame of her father’s imprisonment wash away. Audrey closed her eyes and exhaled deeply.

A draft of cool air hit her chest, and she opened her eyes, flinching when she saw Leo peer around the shower curtain. Audrey crossed her arms over her breasts.

“Caliente
. Do you need company?” His eyes danced.

“Both our moms are downstairs!”

“I locked the door.”

Audrey grinned. “I think you actually
enjoy
the possibility of getting caught. It makes you all excited or something.” He peeled off his pajamas and joined her. “Trust me, just being with you is exciting enough.”

Audrey giggled.

The pulsating water cascaded down her back. Facing him, she fit neatly against his tall, muscular body. She grabbed a bar of lavender soap and lathered Leo’s long arms, stroking and sliding over his muscles. He worked shampoo through her long hair, and she moaned with pleasure.

“The real thing’s
so
much better than phone sex,” she murmured.

Moving her hands down his ribcage, her fingers paused at the dip between his torso and thigh. There was a curve, a dimple, in the muscular space nearing his backside, and Audrey’s hands lingered there before they moved behind him to draw him closer.

“This may require some flexibility,” he said with a suggestive wink.