The Ties That Bind Us: (The Ties Duet Part One) by Danda K. (best books to read for knowledge txt) 📗

I look around the rest of her back and notice some smaller burns. They all seemed to be randomly placed. The crescent is the largest and most prominent, though. It’s around four inches from top to bottom. I clench my jaw together so tight I almost feel my teeth chipping. I’m seriously contemplating getting out of this tub right now and finding that piece of shit and burying him six feet deep.

She turns around to look at me again. “I’m gonna get out.” Kissing me on my lips, she stands up and climbs out of the tub.

I eye her shoulder again as she wraps the towel around her body.

A crescent moon. The symbol for the goddess Nyx.

Thirty-one

Jaxon

Thanksgiving is a week away, and I decided it’d be a great idea to invite our friends over to celebrate. I invited Sayeed, Sam, and Morgan. Cameron invited Camilla, Shane, Tegan, and Kim.

Gelissa’s calling me from random numbers now, so it’s getting even harder to avoid her. Since I’m still waiting to hear back from the tech guys for Cameron’s computer, I accidentally answered a few of the unknown number calls. The second I heard her venomous voice, I immediately hung up.

I know there’s nothing good coming from the other end of that line, just another way to manipulate me like she’s done so many times.

“It isn’t even Thanksgiving yet. Please explain why we’re currently putting up Christmas decorations?” Cameron adjusts her new glasses as she pulls more tinsel out of a box.

Carrying in our six-foot artificial spruce, I lay it behind the couch. “I’m sorry if I like to feel jolly for more than twenty-five days out the year.” I cut the strings around the tree so it can open up.

“Trust me, Charming, you’re jolly for way more than twenty-five days out of the year.”

Magnet runs from the bathroom and checks out the merchandise. I wrap my hands around his furry stomach and carry him away. “Don’t get any ideas, serpent. It’s a Christmas tree, not a cat tree.” I place him in the bathroom sink and head back to my project.

“Somebody’s got jokes today, I see.”

Cam shrugs and continues taking out some new Christmas ornaments, stockings, and lights. I wanted her to experience her first Christmas with all new decorations. The fact that she was never able to enjoy any holiday as a kid really makes me feel like shoving both her parents into a furnace and flipping the switch. Even as bad as my foster years were, we at least got to experience a little bit of Christmas.

In reality, I don’t give a shit about making the house look like Santa’s workshop, but I want Cam to feel everything. Especially since it’ll be our first Christmas together. I usually put up a small tree and hang my stocking along with Magnet’s, Sayeed’s, and Sam’s.

Since Sayeed learned I had no family, he’s made it his mission to make sure I have one now. He takes part in Christmas with me even though they don’t celebrate as Muslims. Sam loves the idea of presents, so we’ve exchanged since the first year I moved in.

But this year, I’m going all out.

For her.

Because she may not know it yet, but she’s going to love this time of year.

Cam holds out two stockings with Magnet and Jax on them. “Where should I put these?”

I point to the space next to the TV. “By the fireplace, obviously.”

She rolls her eyes and places them over the small black heater that looks more like a wood-burning stove. I usually hang all of our stockings around it.  ”You’re forgetting one, Ebenezer.” I reach into the bag on the coffee table and reveal her white and blue sparkly stocking.

I go over and place it next to mine, while Magnet’s, Sayeed’s, and Sam’s hang on the other side of the fireplace. I catch the look of surprise on her face as I hang up the stocking, but it’s gone as quick as it appears.

By the time we finish, the apartment’s covered in twinkling lights, and our tree is glowing and decorated. Cam is playing “Baby It’s Cold Outside” on her phone as she makes hot chocolate for us to drink during a Christmas movie. I knew she’d be a sucker for early Christmas decorating, just like I am.

◆◆◆

Thanksgiving Day’s already off to a fantastic start. The turkey’s been in the oven since early this morning, and Cam’s in the kitchen blasting “The Taste of Ink” by The Used as she makes homemade mac and cheese.

Apparently, all I’m good for is preparing a salad. I’m not complaining- salad’s almost impossible to fuck up. And Cameron’s a damn good cook. So I’ll stay in my lane.

I walk into the kitchen, and the sight of her in her white apron and tight jeans has me feeling all types of fucking grateful. Approaching her side, I watch as she melts cheese in a pot over the stove. I grab a spoon out of the drain board and start to dip it in to taste the dairy gold.

Cameron slaps my hand away. “It’s not done yet. And I’ll never get anything done if you continue to eat it all before I finish.”

“I’m your taste-tester, baby. It’s always good to have another palate’s opinion.” She lets out a groan, adds some cheese sauce to my spoon, then brings it to my mouth.

“That’s it, you’re not eating anything else until later.”

I shoulder bump her, remembering our rendezvous in the bedroom earlier. “Oh, really? That’s quite a different tune from an hour ago.”

She slaps my shoulder. “Out.”

“Alright, alright, geez. Relax, Gordon Ramsay.” I grab myself a beer from the fridge, head back to the living room, and collapse on the couch to watch the game.

Sayeed and Sam showed up about an hour ago. He made some naan and kebabs and also brought a cheesecake. The rest of the clan arrived shortly after, minus Kim, who had to cancel to care for her ill grandmother.

We’re just sitting down and filling our