We Both Can't Be Bae

by Borderhouse Publishing

  Sonya: It was fine, how was yours?

  Cameron: Where do I begin? It started out fine. My whole family was here, even my sister. I hate that my brother had to leave today but I enjoyed spending time with my whole family. Things got crazy when I went to Malcolm mama house

  Shay: Oh lord, what happened down there?

  Sonya: That’s sweet that you had both of your siblings home for thanksgiving but do we even wanna know what happened at Bertha’s house?

  Cameron: I wasn’t hungry because I ate at my parent’s house but went down there anyway because I promised him that I would come. When I refused to eat, I got called stuck up, trifling and I don’t know what else by his mama and aunts.

  Sonya: What did Malcolm say?

  Cameron: NOT SHIT!!

  Toya: Lord, y’all couldn’t get along on Thanksgiving…just give up lol

  Cameron: And I’m pregnant

  Toya: BY WHO?

  Shay: OMG

  Sonya: Lord hammercy

  Cameron: I’m shame to say, but I really don’t know who it’s by, but the chances of it being by Keith outweigh Malcolm’s chances a million to one

  Toya: Girl!!!! What are we gonna do with you?

  Shay: How far along are you?

  Cameron: Probably only about a month or a little over. I really don’t know

  Sonya: This is some non-stop drama. How did this happen? I mean I know how, but how?

  Cameron: I forgot to take my pills

  Shay: You need to try the Mirena

  Toya: Have you told Keith?

  Cameron: Nope, it took a lot to tell y’all

  Shay: So what are you gonna do?

  Cameron: Honestly I haven’t even thought about it. I just bought and took a test when I got home. This shit wasn’t supposed to happen. My life is a mess

  Toya: Wellll…never mind, I’ll hush. You better be smart though. You are dealing with two men who both want kids.

  Cameron: I know. Well I’m about to take a shower and try to stay calm so that Malcolm will really leave tomorrow. I’ll talk to y’all later.

  Cameron ran a hot bubble bath, poured herself a glass of Moscato not even thinking about being pregnant and grabbed her phone to text Keith.

  Cameron: Hey bae, what you doing?

  Keith: Thinking about you, what you doing?

  Cameron: Sitting in the tub, sipping some wine, and thinking about you

  Keith: Damn, I wish I could be in that tub with you

  Cameron: Me too

  Cameron: He leaves tomorrow so I’m chillin tonight, trying to keep the peace

  Keith: I’m really ready for you to leave that nigga.

  Damn I don’t wanna have this conversation right now, Cameron thought.

  Cameron: Me too bae, but I can’t just up and leave. His crazy ass will kill both of us

  Keith: That nigga ain’t the only one that got heat

  Cameron: We will figure it out. I promise. I love you!

  Keith: I love you too

  After Cameron finished with her bath and put lotion on, she put one of the pads on that she had just bought from the store and climbed into bed. She didn’t realize that she had drifted off to sleep until Kingston ran and jumped into the bed hugging and kissing her. “I saw Carlie,” he said.

  “Carlie, who is Carlie,” Cameron asked. I know this motherfucker didn’t have my baby around that white Callie bitch, Cameron thought.

  “He talking about Kayla, my cousin,” Malcolm said while stuttering. Cameron didn’t believe him at all and she let it be known by the look on her face. “Can I sleep with you mommy?” Kingston asked.

  “Sure you can baby. I would love that,” Cameron replied while kissing him.

  “Mommy and daddy want to sleep alone tonight buddy,” Malcolm said while winking at Cameron. “I won’t be able to fulfill any of your fantasies tonight, I have a visitor,” Cameron said to Malcolm as nice as she could. Cameron took Kingston’s clothes and shoes off, put on his pajamas and put him next to her in bed. Malcolm hopped in bed between them and Cameron rolled her eyes. After Kingston was asleep Malcolm started rubbing on Cameron. She shifted and told them that her period really was on. He kept rubbing and when he reached between her legs and felt the pad she had on he said damn and turned over and went to sleep. Cameron smirked and scooted further away from him. Yes, Cameron said to herself. She just didn’t know what she could do to make herself want to have sex with Malcolm.

  Chapter 21

  One Week Later

  Malcolm left a week ago and Cameron was beyond ecstatic. He was still a little salty because he couldn’t get any, but Cameron paid him no mind. The few days leading up to his departures were torture, he even told her to let him look and see if her period was really on but she told him to shut the hell up. Then, he started complaining about being away from home once again which made Cameron bite her tongue so hard she drew blood. She just needed him to leave by any means necessary. They finally said their goodbyes and she was free.

  She wanted to turn some flips when he left but was scared that he would come back if she celebrated too much. Of course he still called constantly but that was better than him being at home in Cameron’s eyes. She had just dropped Kingston off with her mom, and was at home getting ready for Toya’s birthday dinner. Keith was going to get one of his friends to drop him off and then ride home with Cameron and spend the rest of the weekend with her. She couldn’t wait. A whole uninterrupted weekend with him would have her on cloud nine. She was also excited about Toya’s dinner because the people she invited were always laid back and the atmosphere was always pleasant.

  Cameron decided to go out on a limb and wear some red Jessica Simpson pumps with a black fitted dress by Marc Jacobs. She had just the right accessories to make it pop. Once she was done getting dressed she applied her make-up, including her favorite lip stick which was Ruby Woo. After grabbing her cell phone and purse, she checked herself in her full length mirror one more time and headed for the door. She turned her XM satellite radio station to THE HEAT and sang every song the came on. That station was the shit. She called Keith to make sure that everything was straight on his end and he let her know everything was all good. She thought about texting Toya to let her know that Keith was coming but she decided against it. Everything should be fine; she thought to herself and continued having her own little party.

  She pulled up to the restaurant about ten minutes ahead of time and spotted several familiar cars. She decided to go on in and when Keith called she would just walk back outside to meet him. Cameron walked in and spoke to everyone who had already made it then struck up a conversation with one of Toya’s cousins who had done her hair a couple of times before. The girl was so gifted with her hands that Cameron didn’t know why she didn’t have her own salon. “Girl you look good. And you’re wearing heels! Oh shoot,” Toya said to Cameron. “I decided to try something different and step outside the box but please believe I got my flats in my purse. You look great yourself.” Cameron replied. “Thanks girl,” Toya said. Toya had on a pink blazer with a multi-color mini skirt over tights. She always wore heels so it wasn’t a shock that she was rocking some bad black

  Christian Louboutins. Everyone was looking cute and feeling good.

  Shay and Sonya walked in looking fierce. They sat down next to Cameron and began talking about nothing particular. Just as the waitress came to take their drink orders, Keith called Cameron’s phone letting her know that he was outside. She excused herself and walked out of the restaurant to meet him. He was thanking his friend for the ride when Cameron walked up and hugged and kissed him. Neither of them saw the car that was slowly coming towards the entrance because the head lights were not on.

  They made their way back into the restaurant and as soon as Keith walked in, all eyes were on him. “Well hello Keith Edwards, long time no see,” Emily, one of Toya’s friends said. Toya noticed the look on Cameron’s face and discreetly asked Emily how she knew Keith. She didn’t want any drama a
t her dinner. Emily told her that she knew him from college, he use to talk to her roommate at the time. Toya sent Cameron a text filling her in because there was no telling what all she was thinking. Toya knew Cameron all too well and was well aware that she really wanted to pop off just that fast. She would probably fight over her “bae” Keith before her “bae” Malcolm. She told the girls that it’s easier to call them both bae so she doesn’t say the wrong name and they all just laughed at her. The dinner went very well with everyone enjoying themselves. They all made plans to meet up at Rick’s after the dinner to continue the celebration except the love birds. Cameron and Keith were among the first to leave. Cameron had already told Toya that this was going to be a much needed relaxation weekend with Keith. She was ready to enjoy her man without any distractions. Toya told them that they didn’t have to rush but Cameron was ready to get home so she told them all she would catch them later.

  Keith told Cameron he would drive so he hopped in the driver seat. He noticed that she needed some gas and fussed at her about letting her gas tank get to E.

  They headed towards the closest store when they left the restaurant. After he pumped the gas and went in to pay for it, a car pulled up and almost hit him before he opened the door. “WHAT THE FUCK!” he yelled. He was about to cuss the driver of the car out until Phebe jumped out. He couldn’t do anything but drop his head when he saw her. “WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING WITH THIS BITCH?” Phebe screamed at Keith while pointing to Cameron.

  “WHO THE FUCK YOU CALLING A BITCH?” Cameron screamed back while getting out of the car. Keith stood between the two women while they argued back and forth both reaching around Keith trying to throw the first punch. A few people had stopped and were staring. One girl had her phone out and it was obvious that she was recording. Phebe was able to push Cameron and make her stumble then Keith turned to Phebe and pushed her toward the car she got out of. The girl that was with her never got out or said a word. He yelled and told Cameron to get back in the car. She wanted to knock the fuck out of Phebe for pushing her but didn’t want to continue making a scene at the store; plus she could tell that Keith was pissed off so she got back in the car. Keith was standing there talking but she couldn’t hear what he was telling Phebe.

  Within minutes he was getting back into the driver seat of her car.

  Phebe stood there for a few minutes yelling and cussing them both out, but Keith just drove away. “Damn I guess she followed me up here,” Keith said to Cameron after about two minutes of silence. “She’s following us now,” Cameron said while looking back.

  “FUCK!!” Keith screamed. “She wasn’t supposed to even be here this weekend,” he continued. She said this was her weekend to work. Keith’s phone started ringing non-stop. When there was finally a break from his ringing phone Cameron’s phone started ringing. “Don’t answer that phone,” Keith told her in a stern voice. Cameron wanted to answer but she didn’t want to start an argument with him.

  They had been riding for about forty-five minutes with Phebe and her friend still trailing them. She kept calling and flashing the lights trying to get him to stop. Cameron thought she was going to run into the back of her car a few times. She would have if Keith would not have sped up. Keith was in Cameron’s hometown, but decided it was best not to keep their original plans and go to Cameron’s house. He didn’t know if Phebe knew where Cameron lived or not and he didn’t want to be the one to disclose that information to her. He also didn’t want to make a scene and cause her nosey ass neighbors to come outside. It didn’t matter if there was drama in the day or night, they would always be there.

  He chose to drive another twenty-five minutes to his parent’s house and Phebe continued to follow. He couldn’t get away from her no matter how hard he tried. He picked up his phone and called his mom and briefly told her what was going on. When they reached his parent’s house his mom was already standing outside. He hated to put her in the middle of his madness but he didn’t have much a choice at the moment.

  Before Keith could get out of the car Phebe had already parked and jumped out of her car. “Stay in the car,” Keith told Cameron. She rolled her eyes at sat there. She almost wanted to slap him as bad as she wanted to slap Phebe. Keith and Phebe yelled and screamed at each other. His mom tried to get them to be quiet but of course they didn’t listen. It was good they didn’t have neighbors right beside them. Cameron heard Phebe telling Keith that she couldn’t believe that he would pick a trick ass bitch with a husband over her. She called Cameron all kind of names. His mom kept trying to get them to calm down to no avail. “GET OUT THE CAR YOU STUPID ASS HOE ASS BITCH!” Phebe screamed at Cameron while rushing towards the car. Keith grabbed her and told her to chill the fuck out and don’t call Cameron a bitch anymore. “You protecting this married ass skank?” Phebe asked Keith in disbelief.

  She broke away from him and rushed towards the car again. This time she was able to open the door. Cameron hopped out and Phebe swung at her, hitting her on the shoulder. Cameron swung back but ended up hitting Keith because he jumped between them. Cameron was able to hit Phebe on her right arm then one time in the face after Keith stumbled and fell. The two women cursed each other out while trying to get the best of each other. Keith’s mom had ran in the house to get his dad. Through the screen door, he looked as if he didn’t want to get involved in the drama but came out of the house anyway. Keith stumbled again because he couldn’t control his women, and Cameron was able to push Phebe down. Keith’s dad grabbed Cameron and pulled her back right before she was able to jump down on Phebe.

  It seemed like it took forever to finally separate everyone and afterwards Keith started crying, saying he didn’t mean for any of this happen. “I’M READY TO GO HOME!” Cameron screamed.

  “WELL TAKE YO BITCH ASS HOME!” Phebe, screamed back at her. Keith’s mom pulled Phebe towards the house and his dad pulled Cameron toward her car. He tried to push her toward the driver seat but Keith hopped in it before she could. Cameron went around and got in the passenger seat and he sped off, leaving Phebe standing in his mother’s yard screaming and crying. His dad didn’t say a word because he truly felt his son’s pain and no one had any idea just how much.

  On the way home Keith started talking about Cameron leaving Malcolm and him leaving Phebe again. He accused her of loving that drama shit and having two niggas that she called bae. He had heard her more times than one call Malcolm bae and she always said she was just trying to keep him calm, but he was over those excuses. He told her that he had put everything on the line and it was time for her to make a decision. As she sat quietly listening to him, she decided to text her girls to let them know what had just happened.

  Cameron: Y’all ain’t gon believe what the fuck just happened!!

  Sonya: Oh lord, do we wanna know?

  Cameron: Phebe followed Keith tonight and waited until we left the dinner then followed us to the store. We all go into it.

  Shay: OMG!! NOOO

  Toya: WTH?? What happened after that? I know that didn’t end like that

  Cameron: She followed us all the way to his mama house. We passed a few licks but I couldn’t get her like I wanted to. I wanted to beat the fuck outta her. His mom and dad had to help break everyone apart.

  Sonya: Goodness. The drama just never ends huh

  Cameron: We headed to my house now

  Toya: We? Who is we?

  Cameron: Me and Keith

  Sonya: What in the hell?!

  Shay: What? Where is Phebe?

  Cameron: She was standing her bitch ass in his mama yard crying and screaming when we left

  Toya: So, you mean to tell me that this girl done followed y’all from town to town, y’all end up at his mama house, fuss and fight, and then he leaves her, his fiancé, standing in his mama yard and is headed home with you???

  Cameron: Yep. Now he asking when am I gonna leave Malcolm so he can leave Phebe and we can be together. He talking about I like this drama

  Toya: And what
’s your answer?

  Cameron: I don’t know. I don’t think he is serious

  Sonya: I’m starting to think you like this drama too chile

  Shay: Lord Lord Lord!! Y’all are crazy!!

  Toya: You don’t think he’s serious, but he left his fiancé standing in his mama yard and is headed home with you? SMH!! Damn you can get two men and I can’t get one.

  Toya: Phebe gonna fuck y’all up! You better hope she don’t get in touch with Malcolm

  Cameron: She don’t know how to get in touch with him

  Shay: Really? These small ass towns

  Sonya: I just don’t know what to say

  Cameron: Everything will be ok. I’ll figure it out.

  Cameron stopped texting but had no idea how she would figure it out or how anything would play out.

  ***

  Chapter 22

  Cameron sat at her desk feeling extremely stressed at work on Monday morning. She was even looking stressed. She had bags under her eyes and her hair was a mess and on top of that she had no energy to put on any make-up which was out of her character. She had just gotten her hair done a few days ago but it was hard to tell. Her hair was always on point, so anyone who saw her in her current state knew that something was terribly wrong. Knowing that she looked a hot ass mess, she sent her beautician a text to see if she could squeeze her in as soon as possible. She was a loyal customer so it shouldn’t be a problem.

  The pleasant and relaxing weekend she had envisioned was far from that, in fact it was the complete opposite. The only thing that went according to its plan was Toya’s birthday dinner. To make things worse, Phebe was calling and texting both her and Keith’s phones nonstop. Cameron even expected her to pop up at her house, but she never did.

  After Keith kept whining about her leaving Malcolm, she was mentally drained and ready to go to bed. She was tired of explaining to him that it wasn’t as easy as he thought. He had broken up with Phebe several times before but her clothes never left. They weren’t even married and never really broke up but he couldn’t see her point of view. For the first time since they had been together, they didn’t have sex while spending the night with each other. Neither initiated anything because they were both pissed off at the complicated situation they had created.