Love Me or Leave Me Alone 3

by Nikisha Mock

  I had taken the week off work. So had Darren, which I was very surprised about. He was showing me a side of him that I hadn’t seen before. I was happy about it. It was starting to feel like things could really take off for me and him. I was ready to enjoy the ride.

  That first night, after checking into the hotel, Darren told me not to worry about anything. He ordered room service. While we waited, he ran me a warm bath. He went away to allow me time to soak and take in the real reason why we were here in Florida.

  After my bath, we ate and had a little wine as we talked about everything. I told him how much I appreciated him being with me. He told me to stop thanking him because that’s what a man is supposed to do for his woman. That’s right, his woman. I was Darren’s woman. That night, I made love to my man like never before.

  Chapter 31

  Eva

  I met Yanna at her place because she told me she was putting Cam out. She needed someone there in case he decided to act foolish. I wasn’t sure how much help I would be if he did but hey, that was my girl. We had each other’s backs. By the time I got there, she was in her room. She had most of his stuff in one of those big gray tub things.

  “This fool got me all the way messed up. It’s bad enough that I caught him letting that skank Ice suck his dick but ever since then, he’s been the one coming in here with mad attitude. I am not the one. I already told him to have one of his boys to bring him to help him get his shit,” Yanna said while throwing jeans and tees into the tub.

  “I still can’t believe he would really try that at your job. He can go get head from any chick at any strip club, so why do that at the one you work at?” I asked while shaking my head.

  “I don’t know. I don’t care. Ice has been walking around there smirking at me. All the while, she probably been sliding down the same pole that I have. That ain’t cool, no matter how you wanna try to flip it.”

  I heard a car door slam outside. Here comes the drama. Cam burst through the door mad as all hell.

  “The fuck you think you doing, Yanna?”

  “I’m putting your shit in this tub so you can take it with you. I don’t want you here anymore.”

  “Oh like that, huh? You think you can put me out like that?”

  “I moved you in like that so putting you out is the same damn difference. Go tell Ice to move you in since she like you so much.” Yanna said, using quotation marks when she mocked him.

  Cam looked pissed. He shook his head and laughed a little but I was sure it wasn’t because he thought this was funny. He walked past Yanna, into their walk-in closet, and started pulling out shoeboxes. I guess he didn’t want her tossing his high dollar sneakers around. Either that or he had stuff stashed in the boxes, who knew?

  All of a sudden, we heard the front door slam. Then Chris, Cam’s friend, was yelling.

  “Yo! Five-O man, five-o!”

  I didn’t even know people still called the police that but nobody had to tell me what he meant. Yanna and I froze and looked at each other. I said a silent prayer that Cam didn’t have any drugs in this house or we were all likely going to jail. Cam looked like he would pass out as he put the boxes back down. He walked into the living room as the pounding on the front door began. We all walked in behind him. As Cam opened the door, we could see two police officers at the door and a few others near their cars in front of the house.

  “Cameron Williams?” one of the officers addressed Cam.

  When he nodded his head, the officer said, “Mr. Williams you are under the arrest for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill Jerome Axston. Put your hands behind your back, sir.”

  Yanna dropped the shirts that she had been holding at the time. I stood there, mouth hanging open. Chris shook his head. Cam took a deep breath then turned around for the officers to cuff him.

  “Chris, call DeWitt for me. He knows what to do. Yanna, baby, I need you right now. Don’t do this to me,” was all Cam had the chance to say while being read his rights.

  He was then escorted to the awaiting police car. Chris walked out once the police drove off. I could tell he was pissed too. Yanna and I sat at her kitchen table, still in shock at what had happened.

  “I knew it. I had a feeling Cam was gonna end up going to jail behind that stupid shit. That’s another reason I had been contemplating putting him out. The mess with Ice really pushed it over the edge. I guess I should be really upset right now but I’m not. Cam knew what he was doing when he was running around here trying to play hard. I hope he doesn’t end up having to do time for something he says he didn’t do but I can’t feel sorry for him. Not right now,” she said.

  She had a tired look on her face. I understood exactly what she meant. Sometimes you were all out of cares to give.

  “He still might be able to get bail. Of course there has to be enough evidence for a trial. Wait to see what happens when you hear from him again,” I said trying to sound positive.

  “But that’s it, E. I am not waiting on him to call me. I’m still putting his stuff out. I pray all goes well with these new troubles he has found himself in. I fell in love with Cam fast. I did things in a way that I normally wouldn’t do. Look where that got me though. I’m done with that. It’s time to get back to me. I will text Chris to come back and get Cam’s stuff or it will be sitting outside on the porch. It might sound coldblooded but seeing him in that back room with Ice was way worse.”

  “I know that’s right. As long as you’re comfortable with whatever decision you make then it cannot be wrong. Hey, not to skip the subject or anything, but did Ciara call you?”

  “Yeah she did. That is so said about Miss Judy. I told her I can be on a flight down there in no time if necessary but she said everything was okay.”

  “I know I told her the same thing. I cannot believe it. She said Darren went down there with her, which made me a little more at ease. I’m surprised but I’m glad she’s not down there to deal with her emotions by herself. Darren seems like an okay guy even though we haven’t really met him.”

  Yanna shook her head in agreement. “Yeah, that was really nice of him to drop everything to go down there to be with her. Speaking of guys, please tell me what’s up at home. You good now? Is Dr. Jekyll behaving now?” she laughed.

  “So far, so good. I haven’t heard anything else from Bryce. Tyler and I are doing real good. He even got a new gig teaching a boot camp at the gym so that’s positive,” I said, grateful that for once it looked like there was less drama my way.

  “Hey, right about now, I would trade you honey. Ty’s a good man. If things blow over easily with Bryce then you are lucky so remember that for next time,” Yanna said.

  “There will be no next time, trust me. Girl, I am horrible at cheating. I almost had a full-on panic attack when my mama told me about those damn balloons and flowers,” I said. We both laughed a little.

  “I have been thinking about getting back in the gym anyway so maybe we can stop by one of Tyler’s classes soon? That should be fun. You get to surprise your man at the same time. Show up with all that booty in some cut tights and have him all discombobulated in front of the class,” Yanna laughed.

  “Hey, that’s not a bad idea. He said he’s set to start next week so we can go to his first class to surprise him,” I smiled at the idea.

  We chatted a little more and then it was time for me to meet the kids when they got off the bus. Each one of us had our own individual issues going on but one thing that remained constant was our support of each other. We were going to need it to get through all this, I had a strong feeling.

  Chapter 32

  Ciara

  As the week came to a close, I was already wishing I had more time to spend with my mama. She was back home after only my second day there. I was thankful to not have to spend all our time visiting at the hospital.

  She explained to me that the doctors had given her the option of removing both her breasts in an effort to prevent spreading. She said she was still thinki
ng it over. I was all for it. If removing her breasts meant that she could beat this beast named cancer, then shit, I was all in. Chop ‘em off! I knew it was easier for me to say that because I wasn’t the one making the decision. The night before I was set to leave, I spent the entire afternoon with my mama, talking and enjoying being with her.

  “I should have come down here to visit you more, mama,” I told her honestly. I tried to fight back tears.

  “Now, don’t go doing that to yourself, Cici. Never apologize for living your own life. I knew you would move away from here once you graduated school. It’s something you always said you would do. I wasn’t surprised when you chose a college out of state. I was actually happy for you. Ciara, you have always been a bright star that was way too unique to stay down here. As with life, things happen. Days turn into weeks that turn into months, then years. When we talk, that’s good enough for me because it lets me know you’re alright. But you don’t have to come running down here every other month because I know that’s not realistic.”

  I knew she was right but that didn’t mean that I didn’t still regret not coming more often. We always want more time when we think the end is near. I wasn’t thinking the worst, in fact I was praying for the exact opposite. However, I had to prepare myself or at least try too. Sitting there talking to my mama was so good for my soul.

  Darren and Charlie were downstairs in the basement doing whatever it is that men do when they want to give women their space. We had a really good time talking about life. Hearing my mama say she was proud of me was confirmation that I had done good, at least so far. It would be time for us to leave the next day. ,that particular night all I wanted was to stay right there, cuddled up with my mama on her bed, listening to her soft voice until she got quiet and her words turned to slow, deep breaths and those breaths turned into light snoring. I loved me some Judy Lee.

  Chapter 33

  Ayanna

  It seemed like the day for us to go to Ty’s boot camp class came out real quick. I had tried to think of everything in my power to get out of it. I knew I needed to start back working out but I didn’t mean no damn boot camp, I meant like walking, running, some cardio stuff; things like that. There was no telling what Tyler would have us doing. I was not looking forward to it, but yet here I was, at the gym changing clothes and waiting to see what this class had in store for us. I glanced around at all the different faces. There were both women and a few men in attendance. We decided to hang out in the back so Ty wouldn’t notice us right away.

  It was okay at first but after about ten minutes of warm up, that fool went into overdrive! I didn’t know I could sweat that much. The class was set for one hour. They made a huge mistake by putting a big red digital clock on the wall behind where the instructors stand because I kept watching that thing. I looked over at Eva several times like ‘girl, what is wrong with your man?’ She gave me the same confused look.

  “I almost died. I don’t think my heart is supposed to be beating this fast,” I told Eva once Tyler finally announced that we were done.

  “Girl, I don’t mind a good workout but this mess right here? Nah, he can have this. I’m good,” she said and took a huge gulp of water.

  “Oh I hope you two don’t think I didn’t see you back here trying to blend in,” Tyler said as he walked over looking like he hadn’t even broken a sweat. I wanted to spit on him. I was so jealous.

  “Yeah, you probably kicked it up a notch trying to get at us,” Eva said, playfully punching him on the arm.

  As we were standing there making jokes about the class, people were walking around, preparing to leave. Out of nowhere, this dark-skinned chick walks up, clearly wanting to talk to Tyler. It wouldn’t have been a big deal had I not immediately noticed who she was.

  “Excuse me Ty, can I talk to you for a second?” she asked in a voice way more high-pitched than I was prepared for.

  “Uh, hell no, you cannot talk to him for a second, the fuck?” I spoke before Eva or Tyler had a chance to even think of a response.

  “I was not talking to you,” she said and snapped her neck a little bit. I took a step forward to reach for her but Ty was quick with those hands. He put his arm up and stopped me.

  “Aye, we’re not about to do this in here. Chill, alright?” he said in a firm voice but not loud, causing a scene.

  “I am sick and tired of seeing this woman, Ty. You need to start talking right now, dammit!” Eva said. I looked dead at Ty waiting for his answer because I felt the same way.

  “Eva, baby, now calm down. Tiana…” Tyler started but the girl cut him off.

  “Baby? Tyler, please don’t try me in public. I will embarrass you,” Tiana spoke up.

  The last time I saw her, she never got a word in. Today, she was a real Billy Badass. This time Eva swung. Tyler didn’t see that one coming so he wasn’t able to block it. Tiana backed up but not before the tips of Eva’s fingers connected with the bottom of her cheek.

  “Bitch, you’re tired of seeing me? I’m tired of you! If it wasn’t for you, Ty would be at home with me and his baby where he needs to be!” she screamed, swinging and crying the whole nine.

  The only thing that I focused on was the fact that she had said baby. Tyler dropped his head, which told it all. Dead giveaway. This dude was living foul and Eva had no idea.

  “Tyler what is she talking about? What baby?” Eva said, now focusing all her attention on him.

  “I’m pregnant, that’s what I’m talking about, bitch. If you wanna know something then address me and I’ll tell you,” Tiana spoke as she tried to walk forward again but Tyler put one big arm up to hold her back.

  “I will slap the fire outta you if you don’t shut the fuck up!” I yelled. “Tyler, if you can’t control your hoes then you need to make sure they know who they’re dealing with because I am not the one!”

  “Yanna! Chill out. Let’s go. She has told me everything I needed to know and then some. There’s nothing else left to say,” Eva said, sounding defeated

  “But the party is getting started. Why are you ladies leaving so soon?” a voice said from behind us.

  “Bryce? Man, that’s you? I ain’t seen you in years. how you been man?” Tyler said.

  Eva fainted.

  Chapter 34

  Eva

  When I opened my eyes, Yanna was sitting beside me in a chair. Tyler and Bryce were standing over me, asking if I was okay. Bryce called me by my name. Now it was my turn to hang my head.

  “Hey, how do you know my fiancé?” Tyler asked Bryce.

  “Oh, this is your fiancé? So you’re the Tyler she’s been talking about? Wow. Small world,” Bryce laughed.

  Tyler looked confused. Inside I was dying. That bitch Tiana was off to the side but she was taking all of this in. I was sure she loved it. I heard Yanna mumble ‘Oh shit’ under her breath. I hadn’t said one word yet. Hell, what could I say?

  “Okay, how do y’all know each other that you’re talking to this man about me, Eva? Five minutes ago, you were ready to jump all in my shit about Tiana. Now my old college buddy is telling me y’all have been having conversations about me. Somebody better start talking,” Tyler said. He was getting mad I didn’t have too much for him. I was a horrible liar. This would only end badly.

  “She’s my patient. I’ve been her doctor for a while now, isn’t the right, Miss Harris?” Bryce said with this sick grin on his face. I wanted to spit on him. Oh, if looks could kill!

  “Oh word? Man, that’s crazy! Of all people, my wife ends up with you as her doctor. Well I’m proud of you, man. You always said you were gonna do the things you dreamed about. It’s good to see another black man living his dream,” Tyler said and reached out to shake Bryce’s hand.

  While shaking Ty’s hand, Bryce looked directly at me. “Yeah, I’m her doctor. When she ain’t trippin’, she lets me fuck.”

  Tiana let out a giggle. Yanna was stuck with her mouth wide open. Tyler? I don’t really know how to describe the different
phases I watched his face change into. Once Bryce made that comment about us fucking, Tyler punched him hard in the face. He landed hard on the gym floor. A crowd had gathered. I really felt bad that I was the cause of it all.

  They escorted Bryce out of the gym after he got up, attempting to swing at Ty. Everyone was forced to leave. I couldn’t believe Tiana was actually arguing about being put out, saying that she was waiting for her man. Her man. That was truly a joke. What hurt the most though was the look in Tyler’s eyes when he looked at me. In that moment, we both knew what it was. Our engagement, our relationship...all of it was over.

  Chapter 35

  Eva

  3 months later

  “Aww Ciara, I am truly going to miss you girl,” I said as I gave my longtime friend a big hug. I couldn’t believe that I wasn’t going to be able to see her every day or at least whenever I needed some girl time.

  “I’m gonna miss you too, but y’all heffas got a couple dollars. Florida ain’t but a drive or a plane ticket away,” she laughed.

  “I’m salty. Just kidding. I’m gonna miss you, Cici. You give Miss Judy a big hug for me. Tell her that Eva and I are coming down there real soon to visit y’all,” Yanna told her.

  We had gone with Ciara to the airport so we could spend those last few moments with her before her flight left. We had time to talk about life and how we ended up at these points in our lives. Ciara was going away to be with her mama while she was dealing with breast cancer. Who could blame her? I would do the same thing for mine.

  “I think what I’m most curious about is Darren? Is he really relocating to a car dealership in Florida so he can move with you?” I asked.