“Damn man,” Alton sighed as he ran his hand down the side of his face.
Guilt had been consuming him for weeks and Courtney’s admission about Cam intensified it. Alton was happy when Cam got locked up, but now he felt like shit. He was always intimidated by his friendship with Courtney because of the history that they had. Now, he was realizing that Cam wasn’t such a bad person after all. Alton was a good dude too, but good men often made bad decisions.
“I need to tell you something Courtney. I know you’re gonna be upset, but this shit has been bothering me for a minute,” Alton admitted.
“What’s wrong?” Courtney asked.
Alton didn’t answer, but he grabbed his phone to show her the video that he’d made while he was in line at the bank that day. He explained to her exactly what he saw as she watched it all unfold before her very eyes. The quality of the video was perfect, but Courtney didn’t know who the person was in it.
“Oh, my God, Alton! We have to go show this to Nora. Cam wasn’t lying. Somebody really did set him up!” Courtney yelled.
“I’ll do whatever I can to help. I’m sorry baby. I should have said something a long time ago, but I was being a jackass. I was so worried about keeping him away from you and he was the one trying to keep us together,” Alton replied.
“You’re a lifesaver Alton. Nora is gonna be so happy to see this. Cam’s grandfather can use this to get him out. Let’s go baby,” Courtney said as she grabbed his hand and rushed out of their house.
***
“Calm down Demi. You’re gonna make yourself sick with all this crying,” Isis said as she rubbed her sister’s back.
Cam had been in jail for seven weeks and Demi hadn’t been the same since then. She hated being in that big house all by herself, so she always wanted somebody to sleep there with her. Cam’s mother was there with her most of the time and his cousin, Lacey, always kept her company. Demi even got her nieces over there a few times, just to have some companionship.
“I just can’t believe that this is happening. Why now?” Demi questioned as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
They were in a semi-crowded restaurant, but no one seemed to be paying attention to them. Imani invited them to New Orleans Food and Sprits for lunch, and Demi had been crying since they got there.
“Stop crying Demi. You and Cam are gonna be alright, but you need to stop comparing that man to Kamari’s punk ass. I don’t blame him for not being bothered with you right now. He needed you and you gave him your ass to kiss,” Imani fussed.
“I told him that I was sorry, but he didn’t want to hear it,” Demi said as she broke down and cried harder.
“Imani!” Isis yelled. “You’re making shit worse.”
“I’m sorry, but I love her too much not to keep it real,” Imani replied, right as a group of people walked into the restaurant.
“Ugh, we just had to see his ass,” Isis said when she spotted Kamari walking in with his friend Lawrence and two other women.
Demi hurriedly dabbed her eyes and tried to get herself together. She didn’t want to give her ex-husband the satisfaction of seeing her crying, but it was too late.
“Fucking with lames with have you crying every time,” Kamari smirked when he walked by their table and dropped a napkin on the table in front of Demi.
He hadn’t seen Demi since he went to her that job that time and he wasn’t trying to. Kamari had been occupied with his own problems and Demi wasn’t one of them. He’d heard that Cam was in jail and that served her right. She left and divorced him for a nigga who couldn’t even keep his freedom for very long. Kamari was still fighting his own case and he didn’t have time to worry about anyone else’s. He was out on bond, but his charges weren’t dropped. His time had been spent looking for Asha and trying to get his money right. He couldn’t do much on his own since he was fighting an open charge, so Lawrence was handling everything for him. Kamari still had money, but not nearly as much as he had before. He regretted turning Demi away with the money that she offered for the sale of their house, but he would never go back and beg her for a dime. His pride wouldn’t allow him to. He hated that he still loved her trifling ass, but he couldn’t help it. If he thought he could beat the charges that he was fighting, he would have begged her for another chance. If he got off like he was being promised to, he was getting his wife back, no questions asked.
“His punk ass makes me sick. I hope that’s not his new woman because she looks like she got a dick,” Imani said, making Demi and Isis laugh.
“You’re a jackass, but at least you made Demi smile,” Isis chuckled.
“She sure did and, now, I’m ready to eat,” Demi replied.
“Our food better be on the way out. We ordered twenty minutes ago,” Imani said.
As soon as the words left her mouth, the waitress came over and started sitting their plates on the table. They wasted no time digging into their food and all three women were stuffed in no time. Demi forgot all about Kamari being there but, when she looked to her side, his eyes were right on her. He chuckled when she gave him her middle finger and turned his attention back to his female companion.
“Stupid bitch,” Demi fumed as she rolled her eyes.
“Yes honey, my bitch is back. Ain’t no more tears boo,” Imani clapped as she took in Demi’s tearless facial expression.
“Let’s go y’all. We don’t need to be in here fighting,” Isis said while waving their waitress over.
Since it was Imani’s treat, she settled the bill and met her sisters out front by her car. She drove, while Isis parked her car at Demi’s house. As soon as they drove away from the restaurant, Demi’s phone rang, displaying Nora’s phone number.
“Hey Ms. Nora,” Demi said when she answered the phone.
“Demi!” Nora yelled, “I need you to get over here as soon as you can!”
“Okay. Is everything alright?” Demi asked.
“Yes! Courtney and her husband are here and Carrington is on his way over. My baby is coming home!” Nora yelled excitedly before she hung up the phone.
That was all that Demi needed to hear. She yelled for Imani to head over to Nora’s house to see exactly what she was talking about.
Chapter 38
“That dirty muthafucka!” Imani yelled as she, Demi, and Isis looked at the video on Courtney’s husband’s phone.
“Imani!” Isis scolded.
“No, she’s right; he is a dirty muthafucker just like she said. Got my baby sitting in jail because he can’t let go,” Nora fumed.
Demi and her sisters were speechless when they saw the video of Kamari taking things from his car and putting them into Cam’s truck. It was broad daylight, so there was no mistaking who he was. Courtney’s husband had even recorded his license plate as it pulled out of the parking lot. Demi wanted to cry all over again. Cam was telling the truth and she felt like shit for not believing him.
“Cam is so hardheaded. I used to always tell him about locking up his truck. Everybody knows that he never does, so setting him up was too easy,” Courtney replied.
“I used to fuss at him about it too, but I bet he’ll learn his lesson from now on,” Nora argued.
“That son of a bitch. I want his ass put under the prison for this shit. I want a warrant out for his arrest and I want my grandson released immediately!” Carrington yelled as he paced Nora’s floor with the phone up to his ear.
They didn’t know who he was talking to, but he was heated. Alton had sent the video to his phone and he forwarded it to someone else.
“I just don’t understand. Kamari didn’t even have a bond when I looked into the system. I didn’t even know that he was home until he showed up to our office that day,” Demi noted.
“He’s the reason why I had to hire extra security, but he’s gone too damn far this time. This is unacceptable and I’m gonna get to the bottom of it. I wanna know how he got a bond after everything that he was charged with. I don’t care if he was a first-time offender.
I want to know what attorney helped him out and why,” Carrington argued.
“I can’t believe that Cam had to spend his birthday in jail because of Kamari’s stupid ass,” Demi said as she started crying again.
“It’s okay Demi, he’s gonna get out of there soon,” Nora promised as she sat down next to Demi and pulled her into a hug.
“You damn right he is. It’s too late to do anything right now, but I’ll be at the court house bright and early in the morning,” Carrington swore as he walked out of the house.
Alton felt like shit as he looked around at all the damage that he had caused. No, he didn’t plant drugs in Cam’s car, but he had the proof of who did. He’d had it for several weeks and didn’t do anything about it. No one seemed to be upset with him, but he was mad with himself. His insecurity had caused him to do something that was completely out of character for him and he was ashamed.
“I… uh, I just want to apologize to everyone,” Alton spoke up over the silence in the room.
“Apologize for what Alton?” Nora asked.
“If I would have said something a long time ago, none of this would be happening right now,” he replied.
“I agree, but I’m not mad at you. I really appreciate you coming forward with the video. Seven weeks in jail is better than twenty-five to life,” Nora pointed out.
“Yes, thank you for what you did Alton. This really means a lot to us,” Demi spoke up through her tears.
Alton nodded in response, happy that he had come clean and helped Cam out in the process. He and Courtney stayed over for a little while longer before leaving and going to their own house.
“I’m gonna get some clothes and come to the house with you, Demi,” Nora said as she stood up and went upstairs to her bedroom.
Demi sat there deep in thought, wondering why things had played out the way they did. Kamari was an entirely different person and Demi hated everything about him. She knew that he was salty about her being with Cam, but he had gone too damn far that time.
“Okay, I’m ready whenever y’all are,” Nora said as she reappeared with her overnight bag.
“We’re ready,” Demi said while standing to her feet and walking to the front door. Once Nora locked up her house, all four women got into the car and headed to Demi and Cam’s house. Once Imani and Isis left, Demi sat up with Nora and talked until they both fell asleep on the sofa.
***
Cam felt like falling to the ground and kissing the concrete when he walked out of the prison. He was playing dominoes when the guard called his name, but he ignored it. There were about five other niggas in there with the same last name, so he didn’t think he was the one who they wanted. Cam didn’t know what his grandfather had done, but he was grateful. He spotted Carrington’s silver Bentley parked at the curb and he wasted no time rushing over to it.
“Camden, how are you?” his grandfather asked with a huge smile.
“I’m better now,” Cam said, shaking his grandfather’s outstretched hand.
“That’s good to hear. Did you make sure that you had all your belongings?” his grandfather asked.
“Yeah, I got it all,” Cam replied as they pulled off and drove away.
“And don’t you worry Camden, all charges have been dropped and a warrant has been issued for the bastard who’s responsible for this,” Carrington promised.
“Responsible for what?” Cam asked.
“Oh, I thought your mother would have told you by now. She said that she was expecting your call, so I thought you talked to her already,” he replied.
“No, the phones were broken, so I couldn’t call anybody,” Cam noted.
“Here, take a look at this,” his grandfather said while handing him his phone.
Cam’s face turned red with anger when he saw Lo’s punk ass on camera putting the drugs that he was caught with in his car. He knew without a doubt that he was set up, but he was accusing Asha of doing it. Never in a million years would he have suspected Lo. That was some hoe shit, but he was slowly finding out that Lo was a hoe.
“How did you get this?” Cam asked.
“Your friend Courtney’s husband sent it to me. I don’t know why he took so long to say something, but I’m just happy that he did,” Carrington said.
“Yeah, me too,” Cam replied.
He was shocked that Alton did anything to help him at all. They never had the best relationship and it was no secret that Alton hated him. Still, Cam was grateful and he would be sure to make that known.
“So, where to?” his grandfather asked.
“I need something to eat and you can bring me to my mama’s house,” Cam replied.
He wasn’t ready to see Demi and he didn’t want to go home yet. He still loved Demi as much as he did before, but he was hurt by her actions. Cam had never lied to Demi since the day they met and he had no reason to start. After getting something to eat, Cam got dropped off to his mother’s house. His truck was parked out front because his grandfather had arranged to get it from the pound and towed over there. Nora’s car was in her driveway, but she wasn’t home when Cam let himself inside. His phone had been dead for weeks, so he used her house phone and called her.
“Hello,” Nora said, like she was scared to answer.
“What’s up baby?” Cam said, a smile evident in his voice.
“My baby is home!” Nora screamed.
“Stop making all that noise,” Cam laughed.
“Boy, you scared the hell out of me. I saw my house number pop up and got spooked. What are you doing over there?” Nora questioned.
“Damn, I can’t come to your house no more. My truck is here anyway,” Cam replied.
“That’s not what I meant Cam. I just thought you would have come here first,” Nora said, referring to his own house.
“What do you mean? Where are you?” Cam asked.
“I’m at your house with Demi. I’ve been keeping her company a lot since you’ve been gone,” Nora informed him.
“Oh, well, I’m going hop in the shower and take me a nap. I need to readjust to society,” Cam laughed.
He needed a haircut and shave, but that could wait. He was happy that he still had clothes and other personal items at his mother’s house. He and Demi never took their stuff home when they spent a few nights over there.
“You need to bring your ass home and talk to your woman,” Nora whispered, making sure Demi didn’t hear her.
“I’m good on that, but I’ll see you when you get home,” Cam replied.
“I can’t believe you right now Camden. She made a mistake and she apologized for it. You have an unforgiving heart and that’s a terrible trait to have,” Nora fussed.
“Alright ma, I didn’t call for all that. I just wanted to let you know that I was home. I’ll see you later,” Cam replied.
“No, you’ll see us in a few minutes,” Nora replied before she hung up.
Cam already knew how his mother was, but he wasn’t in the mood to deal with it. He didn’t want his first day of freedom to be spent arguing with anyone. He grabbed some sweats and a t-shirt and headed to the spare bedroom to shower. Once he was done, he flopped down on the bed and prepared to get a good nap in. He hadn’t been in a comfortable bed in seven weeks and he was looking forward to it. Cam had just drifted off to sleep when he heard soft taps coming from the other side of the bedroom door.
“Cam!” Demi’s sweet voice called out to him.
Cam wanted to rush and let her in, but his stubbornness wouldn’t let him. She knocked and called his name again and, again, he ignored her.
“Camden! I know you hear her out here knocking. Get your ass up and open this door before I kick it down,” Nora threatened, making him chuckle.
Nora was barely five feet tall, but she always talked like she was a giant. Cam was used to her threats, since she’d been issuing them since he was a child.
“Don’t worry about it Ms. Nora, I’m leaving. And no need for you to hide out by your mama’s house wh
en you have a house of your own. I’ll have all my stuff out by the weekend,” Demi replied as she walked away.
Cam struggled with himself for a while, but he jumped up and went after her. He ran down the stairs and got to the front porch, just in time to see Demi speeding out of the driveway.
“Damn!” Cam hissed as he ran back upstairs to put on his shoes.
He felt bad for how he’d been treating her and he needed to make it right. Demi was wrong for what she’d done, but Cam was no better. He wanted her to hurt like she’d hurt him, but he took things too far.
“No need to chase after her because she’s not going back to your house,” Nora said when she saw him preparing to leave.
“Where is she going?” Cam asked.
“None of your damn business,” Nora snapped angrily.
“Seriously Ma?” Cam asked, looking at her sideways.
“Yes, seriously. You really need to grow up Camden,” Nora fussed.
“Man, stop acting like Demi wasn’t wrong, Ma. She did me dirty while I was locked up and you act like all this is my fault,” Cam replied.
“I never said that she didn’t do anything wrong Cam, but she tried to make it right. You have a hard time forgiving and letting shit go. You’ve already missed out on a lot of things in your life because of that. How much more are you willing to lose?” Nora asked.
“Damn man,” Cam drawled as he ran his hand over his natural curls.
“Sit down Camden, we need to talk. I said that I was going to mind my business, but fuck it. I can’t take this shit no more. Y’all are driving me crazy,” Nora sighed.
“Why? What’s wrong?” Cam asked, nervous about what she had to say.
He sat down and listened to what his mother said with mixed emotions. He was happy and sad all at the same time, but he had to get his shit together. Nora went off on him again and everything that she’d said was right. Cam had a problem forgiving others and he had to change his stubborn ways, starting with making things right with Demi. He headed back to bed, preparing to get a good night’s rest once he finished talking to his mother. Cam had a big day ahead of him and he was looking forward to it.
I Heard It All Before Page 29
