Craving Absolution
Page 86

My body sagged in relief.
It was over.
Chapter 49
Farrah
By the time we got back to Cody that night, Cecilia was getting a rash from the drugstore disposable diapers the police had provided, Tommy’s body was being located and the scene examined, and someone had given Cameron a shirt to wear.
I’d cried when Cody finally showed up with my dad, and though he’d never admit it, I think he did too.
The cops were still calling Cameron my son, and neither Cody nor Slider corrected them as we left the station. It didn’t matter, anyway. The case was pretty cut-and-dried kidnapping and self-defense, and even if they’d tried to do anything with Cameron they would have failed. Grease was Cameron’s godparent—Trisha had left a will.
The men had brought a minivan to come pick us up, and as I cuddled next to Cody in the backseat on our way back to Eugene that night, I filled them in on all the things we’d learned from Tommy. They were in complete shock, but as I told them more, they seemed to start putting it all together. Later, Cody would tell me it was like the missing puzzle piece that answered a bunch of questions they’d had about the Portland deal. I didn’t ask what the questions had been. Frankly, I just wanted to put it all behind me.
It took hours to say hellos and good-byes at the club, everyone wanting to hug us and make sure we were okay, and by the time we were driving home in Gram’s car, I was ready to drop.
“I’ll get some pillows and blankets for the couch,” I told Cameron quietly, looking over Cecilia’s new car seat that was buckled in between us. “We’ll find a new place soon so you can have your own room.”
“I don’t mind the couch,” he answered anxiously.
“Dude. You’re not going anywhere,” I told him firmly. “You belong with us, okay?”
“Yeah.” His voice was almost inaudible.
“You sure you want to stay with us?” I asked. “Because seriously, dude. If you’re staying, you’re staying. You can’t go crying to Grease if I yell at you for leaving the toilet seat up.”
A small smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “I’m sure,” he replied.
And that was that.
We hadn’t really talked about where he would live or what would happen after we’d left the police station, but as we’d stood up to leave the club, he’d walked silently over to my side carrying a small duffel bag of clothes. I guess when I’d told him all those months ago that he was welcome at my house anytime, he’d taken that literally.
Of course, calling him my son in front of four armed police officers probably sealed the deal.
“I’m making breakfast whenever you wake up in the morning,” Gram informed me as we climbed out of the car to find Cody waiting next to his bike.
“I’m making coffee!” Lily called out, blowing me a kiss as she headed toward Gram’s apartment.
“Let’s go inside, Ladybug,” Cody whispered softly, kissing my lips before moving me out of the way so he could get Cecilia out of the car.
My little family made our way over to my apartment door, and I paused outside it, searching for my keys before realizing I’d left them in the ignition in my car. I shuddered at the memory.
“I’ve got it, baby,” Cody said, handing his keys to me so we could unlock the door.
As I walked in the room, my eyes widened at the sight of flowers covering every available surface.
“Holy hell!” Cameron gasped.
“Watch your mouth,” I replied automatically, my gaze roaming the room.
“Uh, I was apologizing this morning,” Cody grumbled as he set down Cecilia’s car seat on the kitchen table on top of what looked like daisies.
“It’s gorgeous,” I called back. “I’m going to get Cam a blanket.”
I hurried down the hallway to grab a blanket off the end of my bed, only to change my mind at the last minute and pull my quilt from the bed instead. Then I made my way back into the living room and sat next to Cameron on the couch.
“I’m gonna lay Cecilia down,” Cody informed me, looking between me and Cameron. “’Night, Cam.”
“’Night, Casper.”
As soon as we were alone, I reached out and grabbed Cameron’s hand.
“Sometimes shit happens that totally sucks,” I started, pausing when Cameron snorted. “Shut up. Sometimes things happen that totally fucking suck, and even though we think we’re fine with it, eventually we’re not so fine with it.”
I met Cameron’s eyes, giving him a sad smile. “This is my quilt. You probably saw it when we were staying at the club.” I paused as he nodded. “I’m giving it to you.”
I stood up and waited for him to lie back on the couch before flipping the quilt out so it floated over his body, covering him from neck to toes. Then I sat down again at his hip.
“Bad shit happened to me too, you know? If you ever want to talk to me, you can. If you don’t, that’s cool too. But this quilt right here? This was made with love, and it was given to you with love, so if you ever find yourself not okay with the bad shit that happened and you don’t feel like talking to me or Cody about it, well, wrap yourself in this. Okay?”
My throat clogged with tears as he sniffled once, and I stood from the couch. “We’re right down the hall. Yell if you need anything.”
I made it to the entrance of the hallway before I heard his voice, sounding so young it was like a punch to my chest. “I love you, Farrah.”