Page 19 of His Other Half

Chapter 8

Josie

Cami set another bagon the couch. Josie stood in the living room of her apartment, watching her friend slowly go through the process of packing. After two weeks, Cami wanted to sleep in her apartment for the first time since her rescue.

"You're welcome to stay here longer." Josie looked around the small room. "We could take out the couch and move your bed in here."

Cami straightened and put her hand on her flat stomach. "My parents will arrive in two days, and I have to clean the apartment before they get here."

"I could help."

Cami lifted her chin. "You've done more than I can ever thank you for."

She shook her head. "You would've done the same for me."

"I would." Cami approached her and held her hands. "I need to do this for the baby. When she or he is born, my child will only know a strong mom who loves her...or him."

"You are strong." She squeezed Cami's hands. "That never changed."

Cami smiled, but the sadness remained in her eyes. She understood what Cami was trying to do. Concentrating on the baby, which the doctor confirmed was doing well, gave her something to focus on.

But she'd heard the cries at night as Cami struggled to push what had happened to her out of her mind and the fragility that clung to her everyday life as she moved throughout the day.

Banks had given her five days to stay home with Cami, and over the last week, when she'd gone back to work, Cami survived alone in the apartment by herself during the day. She'd stayed by the phone and kept the apartment locked. Help was only a call away, and of course, Josie had checked up on her multiple times and ran home for lunch every day.

"Your parents are going to be happy to see you." She let go of Cami's hands and moved over to the couch, picking up a bag.

Cami joined her, gathering the rest of the sacks. "Talking about my parents..."

"Hm?"

"It's good that they're coming to see me. I can tell them the story about how I was irresponsible for taking off." Cami wrinkled her nose. "And tell them I'm pregnant."

"Cami," she said softly. "They're your parents. They love you."

"I know, and that's why I don't want to stress them out."

"You need support."

"I have you."

Letting the subject drop, she nodded. One lie always grew until it would be impossible for Cami to hide what really happened to her. Maybe when that time came, she'd be strong enough to face how close she was to losing her life and the baby.

"I don't want the Tarkio members getting arrested when they saved my life. Deep down, I know my parents wouldn't either, so I feel okay about keeping this from them."

Their crimes were committed for Josie. She was the one who asked them to go to the casino. If it wasn't for her dad selling her to Askook, Cami would've continued living her safe life.

"Okay, let's get you all set up in your apartment." She opened the door, looked out, and stepped two feet to her right, and waited for Cami to unlock the door.

Keeping watch behind them, she would never let down her guard again.

Cami walked into the apartment and stopped. Josie followed and shut the door.

"Does it stink in here?" asked Cami.

"It's only because the apartment has been shut up." She put the sacks on the floor. "Let me open the window—"

"No, don't." Cami inhaled deeply. "I'll clean and light a couple of candles. I'm sure you're right, and once I stay here, the smell will go away."