Linstead: Undercover Mission

Life Can Go Two Ways

She looked over her shoulder, realizing she was still in bed. Her eyes fluttered open, connecting with the hint of sunshine breaking through the windows. She squeezed her eyes back shut as she heard one of her roommates zip open his bag and retrieve god knows what.

She shifted around the bed, hoping to land a better angle. She opened her eyes once the movements started again, and watched what she was hoping wasn't happening.

He picked up the bag in his hands, knowing he shouldn't. He had a good life. Nobody needed to know of his past. Everyone saw him as a perfect boy, but nobody knew the other side of him that started to show again. He surveyed the room, nobody there to witness him. He only saw a figure in one of the beds, with ginger hair fanned against the pillow. He looked at the three white pills in front of him. The ones he got from Brandt in the hallway last week, and swallowed them. He felt the guilt slide down his throat along with the pills. The pills that would make his pain slip away.

He was an addict like his parents, right? Yes, his parents were murdered. Probably from a drug deal gone bad. It was still a cold case. Always would be. But, addiction runs in the genes. One night of experimenting at a party turned into two, three nights, and now here he was. An addict. Nobody knew.

His grandparents always wondered where all the pills went.

If they were ever home, they might have caught on.

But nope, he was always on his own.

He practically jumped out of his skin when he heard his name. He spun around, shoving the bag of pills back into the bag. "Hey," He smiled cheerfully, walking her to take a seat next to her on her bed. "You slept in late, Kam."

Kami smiled, acting as if she was asleep. She knew what he was doing. "What can I say?" She coughed, attempting to do away with the grogginess. "It's vacation and nobody woke me up." She yawned, laying her head back on the pillow. Jaxton laughed, resting his hand on her shoulder. She rolled out of his way, despite how good his touch felt on her skin. "What time is it?"

"It's about ten. We need to meet everyone down for breakfast in a few. Want me to wait up for you?" Jaxton asked, studying her features. She was gorgeous.

"Sure?" She replied, sitting up and popping her neck. Her feet hit the carpeted floors as she threw on some sandals. "Let me brush my teeth and throw my hair up."

Jaxton nodded, making the bed for her. He had to be careful. He liked Kami, but he also knew how curious she was. He shut off the television, and waited by the door for her.

"Ready?" She asked, her dimples showing as she cheerfully led the way. "Do you have a room key?" Jaxton nodded in response, watching as the elevator doors closed behind him.

#####

"I can finally cross this off my bucket list," Jay grinned as they sat down in their designated seats. It had been a long time dream of his to come watch the Cubbies play during Spring Training. And last December when Erin mentioned a family vacation, he immediately agreed.

Erin rolled her eyes at her husband's excitement. "I'm glad we could experience this together." He rubbed her shoulder, kissing the side of her head.

"Thank you," He whispered into her hair. "For being my wife and giving me the greatest gift of life." He was so proud of where she, they were. He didn't think his partner would ever recover after Nadia passed. Not when she down spiraled with her death and went to her mom for stress relief. The only thing Bunny did was coax her throat with alcohol.

"Thank you," She replied, looking up at Jay. "For saving me."

"I'll always be here to pick you up." He kissed her head again, pulling away to take a drink of his alcohol he got at concessions. "Where are the kids?"