Page 2 of Mending Scars

The grin I had spread wider, making my cheeks feel tight. “Morning, baby.”

Pulling me to him, he pressed his lips to mine. I had stopped trying to fight him on that, even though I was mortified by my morning breath. I thought it was sweet that kissing me was still the first thing he wanted to do when he woke up.

We had spent the night at his apartment, where we usually stayed on the weekends. I couldn’t be at mine when Kamden drowned himself in alcohol, which was how he spent his Friday and Saturday nights. I had tried to stop him multiple times, but it only escalated things, especially with Ryker being so protective over me. I didn’t want to watch the two men that I loved fight, so I let Kamden be—at least for the time being.

I hated watching Kamden burrow himself deeper into his hole. Even though therapy had helped in the beginning, he was slowly sinking into an all-consuming depression. I prayed I could bring him out of it, but I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to. I’d still be buried in mine if it wasn’t for Ryker.

The brush of his knuckles down my cheek brought me out of my thoughts. “Ready for breakfast?”

“Yeah. I want to check on Kamden first, though.” Turning away from him, I reached for my phone on the nightstand. I quickly dialed Kamden’s number, but his phone went straight to voicemail.

Damn it.

I pulled the phone away from my ear before getting out of bed. “Went straight to his voicemail. I’m going to go over there and make sure he’s okay.”

Ryker threw the covers off and slid to the edge of the mattress. “I’ll go pick something up.” He stood and walked toward me, then wrapped his muscular arms around my waist. My hands wound around his neck as he dipped his head to kiss me again. When he pulled away, I was left in a haze from his kiss, as usual.

God, those lips.

Ryker smirked knowingly when our eyes met. He made me feel like a giddy school girl, even after being together for so many months, which may not have been long for most, but was sort of a record for us. Neither of us were relationship people, and I definitely never thought I would have a love like the one Ryker and I shared. Some things still took some getting used to at times.

I stepped around him, my face heating as I headed for the bathroom. I could hear him chuckling softly as he followed behind me, apparently amused by his effect on me.

When we finished getting ready, Ryker and I left his apartment together. My place was only the next building over, so I walked there while he hopped in his truck and drove out of the parking lot.

I thought moving out of our old complex would help, but it didn’t seem like it was. Kamden was still having trouble coping with killing Kaleb, no matter what I said or did. He had even started skipping his therapy sessions.

When I reached my apartment, I slid my key into the lock and twisted the knob. Anxiety knotted my stomach when I entered, worry for Kamden eating at me since he hadn’t answered my phone call. “Kam?”

He didn’t answer.

Probably passed out, wasted.

I made my way to his room, and the door was wide open. Kamden lay face down, wearing a muscle shirt and a pair of gym shorts. A half-empty bottle of Jack was tipped over on the floor beside the bed. Kamden’s arm dangled over the side of the mattress next to it. “Kam?” I slowly crept toward him before sitting beside him.

No response again.

His mouth was wide open and drool dampened the pillowcase.

I gently shook him on the shoulder, but he didn’t stir. I jostled him more forcefully, making his upper body shake. He grumbled obscenities and moved slightly, but didn’t wake up. I continued to shake him, and he finally jerked awake, sitting up and roughly grabbing me by the forearm.

“Kam! It’s just me—it’s Kaiya!” My heart pounded as I attempted to pry my arm from his grasp, pulling at his fingers with my own. He squeezed my arm so tightly that I knew I was going to have bruises.

His glazed, bloodshot eyes darted over me before he let go. “Sorry,” he muttered, rubbing his hands over his face. I couldn’t help but notice his stubble—it looked like he hadn’t shaved in days.

I pulled my arm to my chest protectively and rubbed it with my other hand. Glancing down, I could see bruises from Kamden’s fingertips already forming.

Shit. Ryker’s going to be pissed.

When I looked back up at Kamden, he had his elbows on his knees, cradling his head in his hands. His eyes were closed, and his face was scrunched in discomfort.

“Let me get you some water,” I said as I stood. I walked to the kitchen and grabbed a water bottle out of the refrigerator before returning back to Kamden, who was still in the same position.

Sitting back down next to him, I nudged his arm with the water bottle and handed it to him. He took several slow sips before laying back on the bed and groaning.

“You need to stop drinking so much, Kam. I’m worried about you.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine,” he mumbled, draping his arm over his eyes.

---