I Heard It All Before

by Chenell Parker

  “Don’t flatter yourself baby girl. A strong wind can make my dick hard, so that ain’t nothing to be proud of. Get your shit and see yourself out of the complex,” Cam said as he dropped the bag and attempted to walk away.

  “Baby, wait,” Asha said as she grabbed his hand and held it in hers.

  Cam looked down at her hand and let his gaze linger for a while. A small smile crept up on his face as he replayed a few things over in his head.

  “What happened to the nigga who was taking care of you and shit? I thought he was putting you up in a house and all that,” Cam inquired.

  “He did, but that’s not what I want. I’m miserable without you, Cam. Even he knows how much I love you. And stop trying to act like you’re so innocent. I know what happened in the bathroom with you and Courtney the night you went to jail. And I know that you’re still fucking that desperate bitch. I wonder what her husband would say if he knew that she was giving it up to her ex nigga in a car.” Asha frowned.

  “The fuck,” Cam said, wondering where she was getting her info from. A light bulb went off in his head and he didn’t have to wonder for long.

  “We’ve both made mistakes Cam, but I’m willing to forgive and move on. You have to be willing to do the same,” Asha said while looking deep into his beautiful eyes.

  “Nah, I’m good on you, Asha. Besides, you shouldn’t have to lower your standards by being with a broke nigga like me. Broke doesn’t look good on you, remember,” Cam said, reminding her of what she had told him not too long ago.

  He would have been a fool to ruin what he was trying to build with Demi to go backwards with her. He didn’t care that Demi was still married. Asha didn’t even have a comeback, so she watched as Cam walked away and went back inside. She wanted to say more, but she had already said too much when she left him. Cam was making her eat her own words and they didn’t taste very good. Asha grabbed her bag and threw it in the trunk. Her first plan didn’t work, but she had more tricks up her sleeve than a magician. There was no way that Cam was gonna live the good life without her being right there by his side. That’s exactly where Asha felt as though she belonged.

  Chapter 19

  Cam pulled up to Randy’s shop around eleven the next morning and spotted Kobe out front talking to a customer. Two other employees were busy painting a car, but Randy wasn’t outside with them. His car was there, so Cam knew that he had to be in his office. After talking to Kobe for a minute, he made his way to the office and knocked on the door. When he was granted access, Cam walked inside and found Randy sitting behind his desk.

  “Damn nigga, I thought you dipped out on me. You said you were taking a few days off, not a few weeks,” Randy said when Cam walked in.

  “I had a lot of shit going on man,” Cam replied.

  “All the customers been coming through looking for you. I know we lost some business when I told them that you weren’t here,” Randy added.

  “But, what’s been up with you? We haven’t talked in a minute,” Cam said.

  “Same shit, different day. Business as usual.” Randy shrugged.

  “How is Nia? I haven’t see her in a while,” Cam stated.

  “She’s good. You know how she is. Just work and school,” Randy replied.

  “What’s up with the marriage thing? Did you propose to her yet?” Cam asked.

  “Nah, I ain’t said shit yet,” Randy answered.

  “What’s the holdup?” Cam questioned.

  “Man, I don’t know. I guess I need to make sure that she’s ready to wear my ring on her finger,” Randy answered.

  “I don’t understand how you’re gonna do it,” Cam said.

  “How I’m gonna do what?” Randy asked as he adjusted his glasses.

  “How are you gonna get her to wear your ring? It’s gonna be kind of hard to do, since its sitting on Asha’s finger,” Cam said while looking his childhood best friend in the eye.

  “Wh… what?” Randy stammered nervously.

  “Just keep it real nigga. You broke up with Nia a month ago, so don’t even fix your mouth to lie,” Cam informed him.

  Nia and Lacey were tight, so she called his cousin for a shoulder to cry on when her boyfriend of six years ended their relationship abruptly, for no apparent reason. Cam and Kobe hated to hear about the breakup, but they decided not to say anything until Randy mentioned it first. Cam knew that they were having some minor problems, but he didn’t think it was bad enough for them to separate. He and Kobe through it was strange that Randy never said anything, but they let it go. They were both aware that people handled their emotions differently. Randy was their boy and they would be there for him if he ever needed them.

  “Yeah, we did break up. What’s your point?” Randy asked as he nervously fidgeted with some objects on his desk.

  “I just don’t understand how you could leave a good, educated, hard working woman like Nia, for a money hungry bitch like Asha. Her head game is fierce, but it ain’t that serious dude,” Cam acknowledged.

  Cam wanted to be shocked, but nothing that Asha did surprised him anymore. He would be lying if he said that he wasn’t hurt though. Not by her actions, but by his best friend’s betrayal. When Asha showed up to his house the day before, Cam didn’t think anything of her trying to get back with him. What he wasn’t expecting to see was the same ring that Randy had shown him a while ago, gracing her finger. When she grabbed his hand, he had to study it just to be sure he wasn’t tripping. Things started to make sense to him then. Asha knew way more about his wrong doings than she should have and now he knew why. Randy, his boy, his best friend, and employer, had sold him out, all behind some pussy. Cam had even thought back to the day that he’d seen Lo at his job. Lo wasn’t there to see him; he was there for Randy. Asha wasn’t playing dumb because she really hadn’t sent Lo there for him. He was there for her other nigga. Her leaving him couldn’t have come at a better time. Cam would rather die and be buried next to his father before he shared his money and home with her.

  “Man, fuck it. Yeah, me and Asha are together and we’ve been together since you were locked up. She needed a man to be there for her and I was that nigga. I wasn’t trying to do you dirty or nothing, but it is what it is. She chose me and you need to accept that,” Randy confessed, making Cam chuckle.

  “The fact that you’re sitting here acting like Asha is a prize is funny as fuck. The same bitch who showed up to my house yesterday and begged me to take her back,” Cam laughed.

  “Nigga, please,” Randy snickered. “You work for me. The fuck she wants with a nigga who barely makes twenty dollars an hour? You couldn’t even afford to keep a decent roof over her head. We’re getting real money nigga. Not that chump change that you wait for me to pay you.”

  “Nigga, you’re talking like I didn’t help you pay for this shit. It was my money that got you here to begin with. The fuck is you saying,” Cam snapped.

  “Yeah, well, it’s my money that’s making it happen now,” Randy noted.

  “Bruh, you ain’t even bout this life that you’re trying to live. You ain’t built like that and you know it. Hell, Asha knows it too, which is why she recruited your stupid ass. She could never get a real nigga to go out there head first and do what you’re doing. Fucking with Lo is the quickest way to get your stupid ass caught up.” Cam shook his head and laughed.

  Randy was a lame and his actions proved just how much of a duck he really was. He felt played by how Cam was talking to him. Granted, Cam was more into the streets than he and Kobe were, but he was learning his way around. Cam was just mad that the woman that he was in love with loved his best friend instead. Randy wished Asha would have left him while he was in jail, like she was supposed to. Instead, she ran her stupid ass up there to visit him until he was released. Randy played it cool, but he was really starting to wonder if what Cam said was true. When he got back home with Asha’s food the day before, she wasn’t there. When she did come back, she ignored him when he asked her where she was. He kn
ew that Asha still had feelings for Cam, but she assured him that she loved him more.

  “Fuck you, Cam. It doesn’t feel too good to be on the losing end, huh? I’m on top for once and that shit is killing you,” Randy bragged.

  “You sound like a straight up hoe. Just remember that when you play pussy, you’re bound to get fucked,” Cam warned as he got up and walked out.

  “Fuck outta here ole broke ass nigga!” Randy yelled to his departing back.

  He was happy that everything was out in the open because he was tired of sparing Cam’s feelings. He was tired of hiding his relationship with Asha and he wanted everybody to know that they were together. Asha gave him the rush that he needed, after being in a dead-end relationship with Nia for so long. Asha was sexy and spontaneous, everything that Nia wasn’t. There was no comparison in the bedroom because he was Nia’s first partner. She barely knew how to move, and he was tired of trying to teach her. She needed a schoolboy on her arm and Randy was not the one. He was a businessman and hustler, thanks to Asha, and he wouldn’t change anything about his new life. Money was flowing from all angles and that made him and his woman happy.

  After getting himself together, Randy stood up from his desk, preparing to go check on his employees. He was sure that Cam was still gonna work for him because that was his only source of income. He still had mad love for his boy and he didn’t want things to end the way they did. When Randy opened the door to go out, he was met by a closed fist to the face that knocked him on his ass and sent his glasses flying across the room. Blood gushed from his nose and it felt like it was on fire. When he looked up and saw Cam standing there, Randy held his bloody sniffer and started scooting backwards.

  “I’m not about to hit your scary, punk ass no more, but you better respect a real nigga when you see one. And just so you know, I quit lil bitch,” Cam said with a smirk as he turned and walked away.

  ***

  “Are you okay Cam?” Demi asked as he rubbed ice over his slightly swollen knuckles.

  She was surprised when the security guard told her that Cam was in the front lobby waiting to see her. Cam gave her a rundown of what happened the night before with Asha and not too long ago with Randy. He seemed to be handling it better than she would have if she were in his position.

  “Man, I’m straight. I don’t give two fucks about Asha, but I’ve been knowing that nigga Randy since middle school,” Cam said, shaking his head.

  “It’s almost lunch time. Do you wanna go grab something to eat, my treat?” Demi asked.

  “Yeah, but stop always trying to treat a nigga, Demi. I’m capable of paying for us a meal,” Cam said with a little more bass in his voice than he intended.

  “I’m sorry Cam. I just know that things are kind of rough for you. I’m not trying to offend you,” Demi replied.

  “I’m sorry baby. Come here, I need to talk to you about a few things,” Cam said, reaching his arms out to her.

  He pulled Demi on his lap and inhaled the Versace Yellow Diamond perfume that wafted from her neck. Demi’s chocolate skin glowed under the light in her office, temporarily making Cam lose his train of thought.

  “What’s wrong Camden?” Demi asked, concerned.

  “Nothing is wrong, but I just need to be honest with you about a few things,” Cam answered.

  “I’m scared to hear it, but I’m listening,” Demi replied.

  “No, it’s nothing bad, it’s about the house that we went and looked at,” Cam stated.

  “What about it? The rent is high, isn’t it?” Demi assumed.

  “No, the house is mine. There is no rent. I own it. My pops left it to me in his will,” Cam admitted.

  “Are you for real?” Demi asked while looking at him skeptically.

  “I got the deeds to prove it. All I have to do is furnish it and move it. He left me some money too, so I’m good on that as well. I just want to thank you for always trying to help me out though Demi. I was with a woman for years who never even offered. I appreciate that more than anything,” Cam praised.

  “That’s so good Cam. I’m so happy for you.” Demi smiled while pecking his lips.

  “I thought you said we couldn’t kiss and stuff no more,” Cam reminded her.

  “That was a friendly kiss boy. Keep that python in your pants,” Demi laughed as she got up to get her purse.

  “That muthafucker is big, huh?” Cam said, laughing with her.

  “Shut up and let’s go,” Demi said as she led the way out of her office.

  “Why they got you in this small ass, pissy smelling office? You’re family now. They better recognize that shit,” Cam said as they walked towards the exit.

  It was his first time being in his family’s building and he didn’t like how they had Demi set up. She was right next to the bathroom and she could clearly hear each time the toilet was flushed. Just like she’d said, Cam and his father’s picture was the first thing that was seen whenever someone entered the building. He never realized how much they looked alike until he really studied the photo.

  “That’s the new-hire office. A million other offices have become available since I started, but I’m still stuck with that piece of shit. It could be worse, so I’m not complaining,” Demi replied as they walked out the front door.

  “Camden,” a male voice boomed from one of the offices that they passed by.

  Cam turned around and came face to face with his grandfather, Carrington and his father’s wife, Amy. As usual, she had a scowl on her face, but his grandfather’s smile was a mile wide.

  “Hey, how are you?’ Cam said as he shook the older man’s hand.

  “Better, since I’m seeing you. Your grandmother and I have been trying to contact you,” he replied.

  “Yeah, I know; I’ve been kind of busy lately,” Cam replied.

  “I understand, but we really need to see you. We have something at our house that belongs to you,” Carrington informed him.

  “Something at your house that belongs to me,” Cam repeated while pointing to himself.

  “Yeah, but you’ll have to come over to see what I’m talking about,” Carrington replied as his focus turned to Demi.

  “Hi Mr. Blaire,” Demi said shyly when he looked at her.

  “Demi, I didn’t know that you knew my grandson,” Carrington said as he smiled at her.

  “Yeah, this is my girlfriend,” Cam said as Demi looked over at him, trying hard to keep a straight face.

  “Really? Well, that’s good to know. You got a good woman on your arm,” Carrington said with a smile.

  “Thank you,” Demi blushed.

  “Well, I won’t keep you, Camden, but please give me a call when you get some free time,” his grandfather requested.

  “Okay, I will,” Cam replied before shaking his grandfather’s hand again.

  “Why did you lie to that man, Cam? I’m your girlfriend now,” Demi said as they walked to his truck.

  “Stop acting like you don’t want the title,” Cam replied.

  “If I wasn’t married, I would gladly accept,” Demi replied, as he opened the door for her to get in.

  Demi screamed and held her chest when she saw a woman sitting on his back seat. Cam’s windows were heavily tinted, so she couldn’t see inside until the door was opened.

  “I’m so sorry. I was waiting for Cam,” Courtney said as she exited the back of the car.

  She was so busy playing on her phone that she didn’t even see when Cam came out of the building. Courtney had a dentist appointment at the building next door and she spotted Cam’s truck in the parking lot when she came out. Just like always, she entered his unlocked vehicle and decided to wait for him. She didn’t anticipate him being with another woman. He and Asha had just broken up and he was already moving on. Courtney was hoping to get a mid-day fix, but her hopes were dashed when she saw the dark-skinned beauty standing before her. The other woman was just the kind that Cam liked, making Courtney green with envy.

  “Why do you always
do that shit Courtney?” Cam laughed as he grabbed Demi’s hand and kissed it. She looked scared to death, and he knew exactly how she felt. Courtney was always hiding in the back seat of his car and that shit scared him sometimes too.

  “I’m sorry that I scared you. Cam knows how I am,” Courtney laughed.

  “Demi, this is my friend, Courtney,” Cam said, introducing the two women.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Demi said with a smile.

  “Here, start the car up and turn on the air. Let me talk to her right quick,” Cam said while handing Demi his keys.

  Once she was inside, he went to the back of the truck and talked to Courtney.

  “Who is she?” Courtney asked him.

  “Just a friend,” Cam replied.

  “A friend with benefits?” Courtney questioned.

  “Does it matter?” Cam countered.

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” Courtney replied.

  “What’s up Courtney?” Cam asked her, ready for her to get to the point.

  “Nothing is up, I just wanted to see you. It’s been a while and I need my fix,” Courtney said as she rubbed his chest.

  “I’ll call you later Courtney. We’re going out to lunch,” Cam replied.

  “You were supposed to call me back a week ago, and I’m still waiting for my phone to ring,” Courtney said.

  “I know, I had a lot going on,” Cam answered.

  “Yeah, I can see that,” she replied while cutting her eyes to the front of his truck, before rolling them up to the sky.

  Demi looked at them out of the rearview mirror, but she couldn’t make out what they were saying. She didn’t like the way Courtney was feeling all over Cam, but she didn’t have a right to say anything. She and Cam weren’t official and she still had a husband at home. Although Demi liked Cam a lot, women like Courtney made it hard for her to let her guard down with him. She could just see herself falling in love with him and getting her heart broken. She never had that to worry about with Kamari and she refused to put herself through it with Cam.

  Chapter 20

  The following week, Cam and Demi were on their way to breakfast when his mother called. She had left her cellphone at her house and she needed him to pick it up and drop it off to her. He had just picked Demi up and had to make a detour. Demi was still staying with her mother and refused to spend the night at Cam’s apartment. He wasn’t pushing the issue, even though he wanted her there. Aside from blowing up his phone all day and night, Asha never showed up to the house again. He knew that was what bothered Demi the most.