Well first of all, I'd like to apologize for not updating in so long, I've been really busy between work and trying to get a car and I'm so sorry! And second, thank you to all of my readers who defended me and supported me since I've been accused of "stealing" someone's story. I'd like to point out that I've never even read this other story that I've supposedly copied. I skimmed through it this morning and I will admit that there are some similarities however, I did not copy or steal anyone's story, they do have the same general idea and some things are alike, but I will not admit to stealing a story when I didn't and anyone that feels I did or does not want to continue reading my story, I'm sorry to see you go but that is your right and I will continue writing my story with or without your support. I appreciate all of my readers and followers and I love you all very much, so here's the next chapter!
Zach's Point Of View
"Daddy, what's wrong with mommy?"
It's been three weeks since we left the hospital. Three weeks since Cammie…changed.
"Mommy's just tired sweetie. How about you go put on your jacket and shoes and we go get some ice cream?"
Kat instantly perked up at the mention of ice cream and scurried off. I walked toward my bed where Cammie was sprawled on top of the comforter, her hair in knots and her dress riding up. I could smell the alcohol on her from the other side of the room. It was no use trying to wake her, she'd developed a routine in the last few weeks. She sleeps until three in the afternoon- on the nights she does sleep- and then it's a whirlwind of fighting; screaming, crying, slamming doors- all by Cammie- while I tried to calm her down. Finally, she puts on some skimpy outfit and disappears for the night. She tells me not to wait up, but every morning she comes in and collapses into bed. Sometimes it's one and she smells like she's been smoking, other times it's four and you could get drunk just off the smell of her. She came in this morning around two thirty and there was still just a dusting of cocaine under her nose and I nearly lost it. But like always, it was only a matter of seconds before she was fast asleep.
"How is she?" Macey asked softly, poking her head in the door.
I sighed, resting my head in my hands as I perched on the edge of the bed. Tears were threatening to spill but I bit them back. I had to be strong, for Kat and Cammie.
"She came in around two thirty. She'd been doing coke. She's been like this since. I don't know what to do anymore Mace, I'm worried about her."
"We all are Zach. She's just taking this really hard. She went through unimaginable torture thanks to Catherine and she finally thought she was safe and then not only does Catherine suddenly reappear, but she kidnaps your daughter."
I knew she was right, she'd been right about a lot of things lately. Macey had been picking up the slack with Kat, helping me get Cammie into bed and overall just been a great friend. You read that right, Macey McHenry and I are friends. Best friends actually.
"Why don't I take Kat out so you can have some time alone?" She offered and I accepted, grateful for the help.
"You're not half bad McHenry." I joked, pulling her in for a hug before she left.
"Right back at ya, Goode."
I sat back on the bed, moving closer toward Cammie as I ran a hand through her tangled hair, removing the knots.
"Kat misses you." I whispered, moving my hand to her back. "She doesn't understand what happened to mommy."
She shifted slightly and her eyes met mine. Her eyes were no longer bright and energetic, but worn and glazed over.
"I'm sorry." She whispered and through the haze, I thought I saw a glimpse of the old Cammie, the Cammie I'd held tight in her strapless red dress as we danced through the Grand Hall. But just as quick as it appeared, it was gone.
Cammie's Point of View
The air was clouded with smoke in the small bar but the music was pumping loudly through the speakers that lined the walls. The bartender slid another drink in my direction as a familiar head of brown hair took the seat beside mine.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were smarter than this, I mean you were a Gallagher Girl, after all."
I rolled my eyes, turning away from him but apparently he wasn't going anywhere.
"I'll have what she's having."
The bartender nodded and I took a little satisfaction in seeing him check me out in the corner of his eye. I'd "borrowed" the leather mini skirt from Macey's closet last week and the stilettos heels were a Christmas gift.
"You never answered my question." He said matter of factly, sipping his drink and talking to me casually as if I hadn't clearly been trying to ignore him.
"What are you doing here Josh?"
He shrugged and smirked, and maybe it was the alcohol but some deep part of my brain told me that his smirk wasn't nearly as sexy as the one of the boy with red eyes, and a tired face who was waiting up once again for me to come home. But then again, maybe it was the alcohol that also told me that even though Josh wasn't the one I wanted, he would do just fine anyway.
"What's your poison?" He asked, pulling a bag of white powder from his pocket as he gently led me to the bathrooms.
Five minutes later, I couldn't get enough of Josh's lips on mine as my back was pressed up against the cold tile of the bathroom wall.
A knock on the door broke us apart and I giggled as Josh and I walked past an angry looking woman who rushed into the bathroom.
"Who knew a Gallagher Girl could be so much fun?" Josh mocked and for some reason, in that moment, his words made my blood run cold.
"I need to go." I mumbled, trying to pull out of his grasp, but Josh held tight. "I said I need to go." I repeated, louder this time, attracting the attention of nearly everyone in the bar who stared as I yanked my wrist from Josh's hand and stumbled out of the bar.
The streets of Roseville were empty and I shivered a bit as the wind blew against my scantily clad legs. I wasn't sure why I left or where I was going, my mind just told me I needed to get out of there and even drunk and flying on cocaine, I knew to trust my instincts.
Tears streamed down my face as I stumbled the two miles from the empty streets of Roseville to the dark mansion where my best friends, daughter, and sort of boyfriend lie silently sleeping. Or so I thought.
"Cammie." Zach's voice wasn't harsh, or mean. He wasn't yelling or trying to pick a fight. He wasn't accusing, he sounded…understanding. And for the first time in nearly a month, instead of crawling into bed and pretending I was asleep to avoid his questions, I let another tear slide down my cheek as I crawled into his waiting arms.
"I don't deserve you." I mumbled, brushing a stray tear and trying to pull away but he held me firmly in place.
"Don't say that, everyone makes mistakes."
"No, Zach. I don't deserve you. I've been horrible, I've been drunk, on drugs, I haven't spent time with my own daughter in weeks, my best friends don't even recognize me. And you, you've taken on the responsibility of raising a daughter you just met all on your own, you wait up for me every single night, you don't fight with me, you don't yell at me and I just made out with Josh in a dirty bar bathroom for a little bit of coke. I don't deserve you."
At the mention of Josh, Zach went stiff and I finally wriggled from his grip. He was staring at me with an expression that looked equal parts hurt and anger, but he didn't yell and he didn't tell me I was right, he simply took me back in his arms and played with my hair soundlessly for hours, until I could finally sleep.
When I woke up, Zach was gone and my heart dropped into my stomach. Of course he wouldn't stay with me, I mean why would he? I had hidden his daughter from him for years, I'd caused his engagement to end and when I found out his mother wasn't dead after all, I'd spent almost a month incoherent while he sat patiently waiting for me to come to my senses and to repay him, I'd made out with Josh for cocaine. I couldn't blame him for leaving. I'd put all this on him and we weren't even back together.
Just as I was about to roll over and let myself drift back into a peaceful sleep, the door swung open. And there was Zach, along with Macey, Bex, Liz, my mother, Abby and Mr. Solomon.
"What's going on?"
"You have a problem Cam." Macey said carefully, as if she were afraid her saying so might make it worse.
"But we're here to help." Liz added.
"Whether you like it or not." Bex finished.
And as I scanned the faces of my mother, my aunt, my favorite teacher, my three best friends and the only boy I've ever loved, I realized that maybe, sometimes, it was okay to accept help. Especially when it comes from the people you love.
I didn't want you guys to think the Cammie and Zach are back together, they've still got a bit of a ways to go before we have our favorite couple back, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy a little Zammie.