The Ties That Bind Us: (The Ties Duet Part One) by Danda K. (chromebook ebook reader TXT) 📕

scream and beg, the more he presses it down slower and more deliberate.

I cry out even louder, “Daddy, please!” 

I jump up out of my sleep, sweat drenching my back and neck. I feel around the dark car to confirm it was just a nightmare. I reach behind my back, feeling the rough patches of skin still sensitive to the touch. I grab my water bottle and chug the contents inside.

Sitting up on the bench, I lean my head back on the metal wall behind me for a few minutes, allowing my heartbeat to slow to its natural rhythm.

My brain is on full speed ahead now, so I start to think about how my day unfolded. How Jaxon is the first person, besides Milla, to ever put any effort into knowing me. I’m not naive. I know this can go up in flames at any second, but I think I want to see where it goes.

When he asked me to meet him, I decided to give him a chance, just like I did with my best friend so many years ago.

But this time, it’s scarier because I feel things for Jaxon that I never felt for Camilla, for anyone.

Even as friends, these feelings leave me open to getting hurt by him in ways I can’t even imagine. For the first time, I’ve allowed a man inside. I have to put some trust in his hands and hope he’ll take all these pieces of me that I protect at all costs, and protect them, too.

My phone lights up and dings with a text. It can’t be Milla because I’m sure she and Shane are already “making up.” I reach over and pick it up. The screen says it’s eleven-thirty, and underneath the time, I find a text from, who I assume, is Jaxon. He saved his name as “Charming.” I shake my head. There really is no end to his need to be as obnoxious as possible.

I put my glasses on and read the text.

Charming: Did you know that every star you see in the night sky is actually bigger and brighter than the sun?

Cameron: Did you know that although the sun appears yellow and white, it’s actually considered a blue star based on its peak wavelength?

Charming: The fuck? I didn’t even know stars have colors other than bright. I just downloaded this Random Facts app on my phone and got my first notification. Thought I’d share it with you.

Of course, he did.

Charming: So, the sun is blue, huh? Don’t let me find out you’re an undercover nerd, Nyx.

Cameron: Rather be a nerd than a cat person.

Cameron: A cat person who knows way too much about romance novels. 

Dots appear like he’s typing and then disappear.

Charming: Hey, don’t judge me. Only a man completely comfortable with his masculinity would relish in that particular book genre.

Cameron: If you say so.

Charming: Will I still be seeing you this Sunday? Or did I make you nervous with the admittance of my guilty pleasure?

Cameron: It’s gonna take more than that for you to have ANY effect on me at all. 

I lie through my virtual teeth.

It takes a couple of minutes before the dancing dots appear again.

Charming: Then I’ll have to step up my game.

Charming: Night, Nyx.

Cameron: Good night, Jaxon.

I put my phone and glasses away inside my Jansport and attempt to sleep again.

It isn’t easy, though.

It’s clear Jaxon has more than just an effect on me; he’s rewiring me. He’s taking the vessels attached to my defective heart and breathing life into them. When I’m with him, I feel different, like I belong. Making me hopeful that, maybe, there is a place for me in this world.

Thirteen

Cameron

The next four days go rather quickly but are disappointing. I called a few more places, trying to find an apartment, but nothing stuck.

Jaxon and I have been talking and texting nonstop since Wednesday. I found myself running to Starbucks to charge my phone much more often than before. I filled him in about Thomas, minus the location, my attempts to find a place to live, and about the stores where I’ve applied to work.

I’ve learned he’s part Irish and Greek and has a wicked ex-girlfriend. Despite his difficult upbringing, Jaxon is the epitome of optimism. I think it may not only be his light that draws me to him...but his similar scars. I began to look forward to his calls and texts, and when time went by where I didn’t hear from him, I actually missed him.

I spent my Sunday cleaning the few clothes I packed when I left my dad’s and managed a quick shower in the bathroom at the beach. Usually, the beach showers are outdoors to wash off the sand, but private bathrooms were added when they made changes to the boardwalk. I’m not complaining, though.

After I showered, I tried to style my wet hair to the best of my ability without straightening it. I separated it into two sections and added a French braid to each. I figured tamed waves were better than messy ones. I decided to let my hair dry throughout the day in the braids and release them later when I got ready to see Jaxon.

Who the hell am I? Since when do I care about how I look to a guy?

After grabbing myself a bite to eat at Starbucks, I log into work a bit and charge both my laptop and phone before heading back to the trains to figure out what to wear.

Suddenly, nerves stab through my chest. Is this a date? Am I going on a date with Jaxon?

Of course not. I’m sure he’s just taking pity on me.

Unsure of where we stand, I figure I owe it to myself to look as good as I can. Let’s face it, he’s undeniably gorgeous, and I’m, well, me.

I decide to wear my dark blue skinny jeans and a white V-neck T-shirt. It’s a relaxed fit, but still not as loose as my other ones,