It's Either Me Or Her: A Side Bitch Story

by Tiece

  “No, I’m good.” Brooke responded. She stood up and grabbed her purse and keys. She pulled out a pair of Gucci sunglasses, and then placed them on her head. “I don’t have anything else to talk about.” She responded with a little attitude.

  Dr. Jackson shook her head. “Brooke, if I offended you in any way I apologize.” She said. She wanted her to come back. She wanted Brooke to see that she still had a lot of issues that she needed to work on. She firmly believed that Brooke’s issues with her past were the problem that was causing her relationships to not work out. She knew for a fact that she was very insecure whether she wanted to admit it or not.

  Brooke shook her head. “I’m good. I don’t think I need to come back” She responded. She headed out the door without even giving Dr. Jackson a second look or a chance to say anything else.

  On the walk to her car, she pondered over what Dr. Jackson had suggested. Maybe the Doctor was right? Maybe I should tell Chase about my past, at least some of it. She thought, She could at least tell him about her being hurt, but just leave out all of the other stuff like her being a sex addict, and Q being a king pen that loved her lifestyle. Yeah I think I will do that. She thought to herself while taking out her vibrating cell phone.

  She rolled her eyes like the person that was calling her could actually see it. “I don’t have any, Sasha,” she answered in a nasty tone.

  “I wasn’t even calling you for no money,” Sasha responded a little taken back by her sister’s attitude.

  “Yeah right,” Brooke said not even believing her. Sasha was Brooke’s oldest sister that she barely got along with. She was married with three kids and had a husband who was a lazy bum that didn’t like to work. Sasha had to work three jobs just to keep the bills paid and clothes on her children’s backs. Any little extra money that she had her husband would use it to gamble with. There had been plenty of times that he actually took their bill money and spent it. Whenever that would happen, Sasha would call Brooke or her parents asking to them to borrow money. She never liked to give it to her, because she knew that she would never get it back like Sasha promised. Plus, she felt that if her sister would put her foot down her husband would do better.

  “Naw for real, Brooke,” Sasha said in a serious tone. “I really didn’t call you for that. I was calling to tell you something important that I think you should know. It’s about Quinton.”

  Quinton, Brooke thought. She immediately stopped walking at the mention of his name. “What about him?” She questioned.

  “He’s looking for you.

  I ran into him at the Mall and he asked about you. I told him that you moved years ago, but I didn’t tell him where. He told me to let you know that y’all got some unfinished business to handle.”

  “That was it? He didn’t say anything else?” Brooke questioned while her thoughts raced a million miles a minute. She was scared out of her mind. There was only one reason that Q was looking for her and that was because of the money that she’d stolen from him. Damn, she thought to herself. “You didn’t tell him where I was, did you?” She questioned Sasha as she started back walking to her car.

  “Brooke, are you listening to me? I just said I didn’t.” Sasha responded.

  “I didn’t hear that part, but good.” Brooke replied. “And, make sure you don’t tell him, either.”

  “I won’t, but Brooke what’s going on?” Sasha nosily prodded. “Are you hiding from him or something? Is he the reason why you decided to move to Atlanta with mom and dad?”

  “Nothing is going on, Sasha. I just don’t want him to know where I am.” Brooke said changing her voice so she wouldn’t sound concerned. She knew her sister was just fishing for information, but she wasn’t about to let her nosy butt know anything.

  “Are you sure?” Sasha asked. “He seemed pretty upset when I told him that you had moved.”

  “I’m sure, he probably just got mad, because I just up and left him like that.” Brooke lied.

  For some reason, Sasha wasn’t the least bit convinced that her sister was being honest. She felt in her heart that something was up with the whole Q situation. She wanted to ask more questions, but decided against it. She had heard some stuff about Q, and the fact that he was looking for Brooke didn’t sit too well with her. She figured Brooke probably thought she was just being nosy, but she was actually really concerned. “Okay Brooke,” She reluctantly said. “I got to go and get dinner started. I was just calling to let you know that.”

  “Okay well, thanks for telling me.”

  “No problem, Sis.” Sasha responded. “Talk to you later.”

  “A’ight,” Brooke hit the end button on her phone and got into her car feeling stressed. Knowing that Q was looking for her had her feeling a little scared. Even though she was in Atlanta, that didn’t help her feel any better. She knew that it would just be a matter of time before someone tipped him off. Being that he was a king pen, she knew for a fact that he could come and find her if he wanted to a long time ago, but why hadn’t he up until now? Could it really be about the money? She pondered.

  Brooke’s phone vibrated again on the passenger seat and she picked it back up. This better not be Sasha nosy ass calling me back. She thought while looking down at the phone. Seeing that it was a message from Stacy, she quickly opened it. Oh, hell to the fuck no!

  ***

  “I can’t believe this, negro. Brooke is going to kill his ass.” Stacy said while placing her phone back down on the table. “Can you believe that shit?” She asked her husband David who was sitting across from her.

  They were at a restaurant eating lunch when she happened to spot Chase coming in with a young woman. Not only was he with a woman, but he also had Mason with him. The minute Stacy could get her thoughts together, she grabbed her cell phone, and then took a picture. She couldn’t wait to send it to her home girl.

  Stacy’s husband, David, just sat there shaking his head at his wife. “I don’t know why you took that picture. I told you about getting caught up in other people business. You’re going to get enough of doing that one day.” He responded in a disappointed tone.

  “Are you serious right now?” Stacy questioned in disbelief. “That’s my best friend’s man over there with her son hanging out with another woman. That shit ain’t right.” She shot at her husband. She glanced over again where Chase and the unknown woman were sitting a couple of tables down from them. She couldn’t believe Chase would be that disrespectful. Being out with another woman was one thing, but having his son around her took the shit to a whole nother level. She frowned her face up with anger as she watched them act as if they were a little family.

  “I didn’t say that it was right,” David argued. “I just said that you should stay out of their business.”

  “Whatever,” Stacy responded with a slick roll of the eyes. “Brooke is my best friend. I know she would do the same thing for me if she saw you out playing house with another woman. It’s only right that I let her know.”

  “First of all, you don’t have to worry about that, because I’m not a cheater,” David said. “And second of all, you know how Brooke is. You know she wouldn’t hesitant to show up here and act a damn fool.”

  “Good, that’s what her ass need to do,” Stacy said with an angry shake of the head. “Matter of fact, I hope she comes. That was my main reason for sending her the picture, anyway.” She added with a sly grin on her face.

  “Awww hell,” David responded. “Let me hurry up and eat, because if she shows up here,” he said wiping his mouth like he was in a hurry now. “I don’t want any part of that drama.”

  Stacy laughed at her husband as she glanced over at Chase one more time. Dirty ass negro. I hope Brooke whoop’s his ass and the bitch he’s with, too. She thought before focusing her attention back on her food.

  ***

  Meanwhile over at Chase’s table, he sat laughing at something Rayne had said. “I’m glad that you’re more relaxed now.” He grinned at her knowing how uncomfor
table she was at first being with him and Mason alone.

  After spending about an hour at her apartment discussing business and playing around like two teenagers, they had decided to go to the studio so Rayne could record more of her vocals. On the way there, Brooke had messaged him to pick up Mason from the daycare. Since taking Rayne back home would’ve been out the way, he took her with him.

  Once Mason got into the car he started to complain about how hungry he was. Chase decided to stop at a nearby restaurant to get something to eat. At first, Rayne wasn’t feeling the idea, but after he had convinced her that they weren’t doing anything wrong, she agreed.

  “Yeah, well I still think that this is a bad idea,” Rayne said looking around the restaurant like she trying to see if she knew anybody there.

  “Quit looking around like that,” Chase said with a shake of the head as he laughed a little. “And, why you keep saying that this is a bad idea? It’s not; which is the reason why I changed the order to take-out instead of us sitting here and eating it.”

  “It’s still wrong, though. “Technically, you’re still with Brooke and this doesn’t look right.” Rayne pointed out. “I just don’t feel right sitting here with her son like we are a family.” She shook her head.

  “I can understand where you’re coming from.” Chase responded with a nod of the head. “Nevertheless, I’m glad that you’ve gotten a chance to meet my son.”

  Rayne smiled as she looked over at Mason’s cute face. “I’m glad that I’ve gotten the chance to meet him, too. However, an outing such as this could’ve waited till after you’ve straighten things out with Brooke,” Rayne bluntly told him.

  “Rayne,” Chase said to intervene. “I’m sorry we came here like this. You’re right.” He agreed only thinking like a brainless man that wanted to spend time with the woman he adored and his son. “We can go back to your place to eat as soon as they bring out the food. It shouldn’t be that much longer.”

  “Okay,” Rayne said feeling much better. All she wanted to do was get out of there. The cooks couldn’t prepare their food fast enough.

  “Are you good?” He questioned in a concerned tone.

  “Yeah, I’m good.” She responded while taking in a deep breath, and then letting it out. They’d had a good day and she wanted to keep it that way. She looked over at Mason sitting next to his daddy as she smiled. He smiled back which instantly warmed her heart. He was a handsome little fellow who she thought was a mixture of both Chase and Brooke.

  “Okay,” Chase smiled. “While we wait, let’s discuss what’s going to happen next with your track.”

  Rayne instantly got excited at the mention of her song. “Yes, let’s talk about that. You know I can’t wait to I hear it on the radio. Can we still go to the studio today?”

  Chase nodded his head. “Yes, we can after I drop Mason off.” He responded

  Rayne frowned up her face and gave him the side eye. “I hope you’re not expecting me to ride with you. That would be straight up disrespectful and I don’t roll like that.” She said hoping that Chase didn’t start showing any signs that he would do something like that. It would definitely make her look at him differently.

  Chase laughed, and then shook his head. “Noooooo, I wouldn’t put you in no predicament like that. I’m going to drop him off at my mom’s house. My mom wants to see him. She and Brooke don’t exactly get along so she doesn’t get to see Mason too funny unless I take him over there or if Brooke is in one of her moods and decides to drop him off herself just to get a break.”

  “Oh okay,” Rayne responded as she straightened the tense look on her face. “Ugh, do I have to meet your mom? I’m not ready for all of that.” She nervously said.

  “Rayne, baby, calm down. You can wait in the car. She won’t even know that you’re out there.” Chase grinned.

  Rayne let out a breath like she was relieved. “That’s good to hear, because I don’t want to meet her unless we’re together, together.” she repeated so that it was clear that he understood.

  “We are together.” Chase teased.

  Rayne laughed while hitting him playfully on the hand. “You know what I mean. I’m talking about when we are officially together.” She said.

  “Baby, it’s coming soon, real soon,” Chase said causing the smile on Rayne’s face to get even bigger.

  Rayne started to say something, but stopped when she spotted Brooke walking into the Restaurant. She watched in slow motion as Brooke scoped out the scenery, and then without hesitation she headed over their way. “Oh shit,’ Rayne mumbled out loud.

  Chase frowned up his face at the look on Rayne’s face. “What’s wrong?” He questioned, and then turned to look in the direction that she was looking in. Fuck, where did she come from? He thought when he saw Brooke. He immediately shook his head, because he knew that she was about to act a fool.

  Brooke came rushing over to the table like a bull seeing red, but before she could get to the table, Chase had jumped up. He grabbed Brooke by her arm and dragged her outside to prevent her from causing a scene inside the restaurant and in front of Mason.

  “Let me go!” Brooke tried to pull her arm out of his grip. “Turn me a loose, Chase.” Brooke said.

  Chase was able to get her outside without hardly causing a scene. Once outside, he tried to talk to her. “Calm down. I know me being here with her looks sketchy, but it’s not what you think.” Chase tried to tell her.

  “I’m not calming down!” She yelled at him. “I can’t believe you, asshole! Why would you have my son around her knowing how I feel about her?” she questioned still struggling to get out of his grip.

  “Brooke, if you don’t calm your ass down you’re gonna cause a scene.” Chase growled. He then turned to glance over at the group of people who had stopped just to be nosy. “Y’all can leave now. It’s nothing to see here.” He snapped at them.

  “Chase, just let me go.” Brooke said.

  “I won’t let you go until you calm down. You’re not going back in that restaurant to fight. That’s not gonna happen on my watch.”

  Brooke started to cry as a feeling of not wanting to fight anymore came over her. She stopped struggling to get loose from him as she stared at him with anger. Her eyes were full of pain like he’d really done her wrong. “I can’t believe that you’d have our son around her. You’re feeling her that much, Chase?”

  Chase just stood there feeling bad that she’d caught him in a compromising position. “We’ll talk when I get home.” He said just hoping that she’d leave.

  Brooke shook her head with a hurt grin as she disappointedly looked away from him. “All I want to do is get my son.”

  “Brooke, we both know if you walk back inside that restaurant you’re gonna do more than that and Mason doesn’t need to see that side of you.”

  Brooke swallowed hard as she stood with her arms folded. She was literally shaking from not knowing what to do with the pain and anger that was consuming her.

  “I’m not going anywhere without my son,” she said with tears coming down her face. She pulled her cell phone out of her back pocket, and then messaged Stacy.

  Chase stood there just watching her not knowing what she was doing. For a minute he thought that she was going to call the police or something. She had done that one time in the past when he wouldn’t let her take Mason. It wasn’t until he heard Stacy’s voice behind him that he let out the anxious breath that he was holding.

  “There goes your mommy,” Stacy said as she walked up to them holding Mason’s hand.

  “Hey mommy,” Mason spoke with a sweet smile.

  Brooke looked away quickly as she tried hard to wipe her tears away. She also didn’t want Mason to see her crying. “Hey baby,” she spoke. “Get in your car seat. Aunt Stacy is going to strap you in.”

  Stacy did exactly that, and then closed the back door shut. She then looked over at her best friend feeling sorry for her. “Call me later girl,” She said. She and Chase gave each other the
evil eye before she walked away.

  So, that’s who called Brooke. He pondered to himself as he watched Stacy head back inside the restaurant. He turned his attention to Brooke, but she pushed him out of the way as she got inside of her car.

  Chase grabbed the car door before she could shut it. “Brooke, we really need to talk about this.”

  “I don’t know if there is anything left to discuss.” She said with a sad shake of the head. Before Chase could get out another word, she’d closed the door shut in his face, and then pulled off. He stood there with his head dropped feeling bad at how things had played out.

  Chapter 9

  A week had passed as Rayne sat on the sofa inside of her grandmother’s apartment. She sat across from the TV feeling down and out. Her grandmother glanced over at her.

  “For someone that’s about to be star, you show ain’t acting like it.”

  Rayne glanced over at her with a light smile on her face. “I’m happy about it.” She said almost with a whisper.

  “So, is that the new happy face?”

  Rayne looked over at her grandmother. “Maaaaaa,” she softly dragged.

  “Raaaaayne,” Ms. Summers mocked. “Why are you sitting around here with the long face? Since you moved out, you don’t come over and just lounge anymore. You’re usually too busy.”

  “No I’m not, Ma.” Rayne quickly responded in a low, irritated tone.

  “You know you are unless you’ve been lying to me.” She said.

  Rayne cut her eyes at her. “I’ve never lied to you about being busy. I am usually at the studio going over my vocals. I even have a vocal instructor that comes to the house. I’m also listening to different songs and instruments to make sure that I’m comfortable with the sound and if I’m feeling it. Ma, I really do have a lot going on. It’s not like I don’t wanna come here. I’m just a little occupied.” She said feeling unsure of what she really felt. She wanted to see her grandmother every day if she could, but Ms. Summers wasn’t willing to move. “We can fix that problem, you know?”