Chapter 38
CHAPTER 38
C ry for You
Maribel
I have the phone on speaker as I sit curled into myself on this hotel bed. I’m sobbing so hard my ribs hurt. I knew I shouldn’t have answered the call.
I was nervous and my emotions were all over the place as my phone started to ring. I had just finished dying my hair and was in tears because I hated it. I’m not a redhead.
Ximena thought it was a good idea to change the color of my hair. I didn’t go with blonde because I thought it would be too attention-grabbing with my deep-brown skin. The cinnamon or auburn color, if you will, doesn’t look bad. It’s just a reminder of why I had to dye it in the first place.
I didn’t expect Cameron to plead with me to stay with him. Hearing this big, strong man sound so broken as he pleaded for his family nearly broke me.
However, I know what’s right for all of us. I can’t go back, and he can’t rush here to me. I won’t even be here long. I’ll be gone before morning.
Finding those cameras scared the shit out of me and Ximena. She immediately understood how important it was for me to disappear. She snapped right into action.
It was a good thing we had started texting our plans. We don’t know if there was audio to go along with the visuals on the other end of those videos. I still can’t believe he was recording my life.
Ximena suggested we place the cameras back where we found them. I only packed the essentials, making sure to do so out of sight of the cameras. Placing my things in garbage bags, we then took out the trash and I left out of the apartment as if it was any other night where I was going to meet up with friends.
The song ends and I swipe at my tears. “Cam, I should go. I’m going to have to dump this phone. You won’t be able to reach me on it again. I’ll call you from a burner once I’m settled.”
“What about the security guys?” he chokes out and I can tell he’s been crying on the other end.
“You can hold off on that for now. I don’t want to draw any attention to myself. I should be fine where I’m going.”
I don’t tell him where I’m going or who I’m going to stay with. The less he knows, the better. I don’t really know the people I’ll be with.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Will you promise me something?”
“Anything.”
“Promise me you’ll be safe. Protect yourself, Cam. Learn how to use a gun if you have to. Don’t let him take you from us.”
“I already know how to use a firearm, darlin’. You know about these hands.”
I can’t help the chuckle that comes from my lips as he tries to deliver the last part like a New Yorker through his Texas drawl. My heart aches as I realize how much I’m going to miss him.
“Keep Cal safe too. Nothing can happen to him.”
“Fuck,” he hisses, making my heart race.
“What? What just happened?”
“You’ll see when you watch the draft,” he says.
“Cam, I’ll be traveling. I don’t know if I’ll get to watch.”
“Cal shaved to propose to Nicole. We look exactly alike right now.”
“Shit.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure it out. You just try to watch if you can. I want you to know where our new home will be when this is all over.”
I smile as I cover my stomach and dare to dream of us as a family. Then my smile falls as I begin to feel like a home-wrecker. Kay didn’t ask for this.
“Cam, maybe we shouldn’t. This isn’t fair to Kay,” I whisper.
“Don’t you worry about that. You let me deal with her. I love you, baby. I’ll be with you two soon.”
“Love you.”
I close my eyes as tears continue to spill. The call cuts off, leaving a hole in my soul. I find “Cry For You” on my phone and place it on repeat as I cry myself to sleep.
This hurts so bad.
Cameron
I climb out of the car to head back inside and hand Bernie back his phone. My daddy is on his way out the door as I go to step inside. He freezes and cups the sides of my face.
“Cameron, what’s going on?”
I shake my head. This has turned far more dangerous than I anticipated before. I don’t know if I can keep my family safe all on my own.
“Speak to me, Cam. I’m your daddy. If I can, I’ll make it right. What is it?”
“Not here. I need to get a haircut and make some calls in a private place. Not my place.”
I think of the cameras in Amina’s and don’t feel safe making arrangements there anymore. I’m also going to cut my hair off. Cal and I look too much alike with the long hair.
His is longer, but if you’re not paying attention to the details, you won’t make the distinction right away. I need there to be no doubt that I’m Cameron and he’s Caleb. I need to protect him as much as I need to protect Amina and my unborn child.
“Come on, I have a place. I’ll have my barber come to us. You can explain everything to me on the way there,” Daddy says.
I rush inside to give Bernie the phone. When I return outside, my daddy is waiting for me. I relax a little, knowing I’ll have help with all of this.
“I sent Jerry home. I’ll ride with you.”
I nod and head to Amina’s new truck. I’ll give it to her someday, I’m just hoping it’s someday soon.
***
“Well, damn. I knew there was something special about that little lady,” Daddy says as he sits with his forearms draped over his thighs.
We’re sitting in two leather accent chairs facing each other. My father brought me to one of the bars he owns, and we came down to the basement to have this chat. Most of his places have these private rooms for VIP customers.
The room is soundproof, and you have to have a key card that comes with a private membership to gain access. I’ve just spent an hour filling him in on all that has been happening. Hearing my own words out loud has left me with a plethora of feelings.
“She is special. She’s worth everything I’m about to do,” I reply.
“Now that there is my grandbaby and its mama. There ain’t no way you’re handling this on your own. My only problem is how this will affect Kay.
“I may not want you to rush into things with her and I want you to end up with the one you love, but it ain’t right to lead the girl on, knowing you don’t plan to stay with her.”
“I’ve been thinking about that, but I’m not about to place Amina and the baby in danger by telling her the truth.”
My daddy sighs. “This could get ugly, Cameron.”
“I know, Daddy. I know.”
I’ve been spinning things in my mind, trying to figure out how to handle this. I don’t want to hurt Kay, but I don’t want to place Amina in danger either.
It already seems like Kay has a problem with Amina. I’m not asking her to be Amina’s best friend, but I need to know I can trust her when it comes to my family. I need to know our friendship truly means something to her.
“You’re definitely going to need that prenup,” Daddy says, pulling me from my thoughts. “Let me think things over and I’ll talk to my attorney to make sure you’re covered.”
“I don’t want to leave my baby with nothing. Maybe I can offer something, knowing I’m going to divorce their mama.”
“Slow down. My gut says you need to take caution.”
Frustration fills me. I don’t understand why he’s so against my relationship with Kay. I wish I could say this is new, but it’s not. Daddy has been side-eyeing Kay since my junior year in high school.
“Why are you so sure about Amina but you have questions about Kay? You’ve known Kayleen all her life.”
“I have, but you yourself said you were the first man Amina has been with. I could be wrong, but I believe that girl would do just about anything for you.”
He shrugs. “Kayleen comes from different stock. Them girls have a system on how to nab a man like you. I know her mama. I know yours. I know what they are willing to do to secure the luxury a man like you promises.”
“You really think she’d try to pass off someone else’s baby on me?”
“Are you about to marry her to save and hide the woman you love? People will do anything when they’re desperate.”
I run my hand through my hair. I’m about to cut all my locks off to protect my baby brother. Daddy has a point. I blow out a breath and lift my gaze to the ceiling.
“Here’s our guy. Larry, my boy here needs a cut, and I could use a cleanup. We’re headed to the draft in the morning. Make us look good,” my father croons.