Ain't No Sharing You

Hugs & Loyalty

"That's what I want. Nothing less." I listened to Cat demand the amount of money she wanted.

"Ok. You do understand that we're not doing this again, right? I need all copies in all formats given to me, Catherine. I want the copies you gave someone to hold and ones you've tried to hide."

I had to be specific because she was so devious that she would try to find a loophole. I couldn't even wrap my mind around how she thinks because she was so evil.

"Actually, I don't need to talk to you because you're not the one with the money. I'm calling Brandon." She said and ended the call.

I screamed and threw my phone at the wall. This was not going the way I wanted it to go. I paced back and forth trying to come up with a way to get out of going back to Brandon. I came up with nothing. I needed to talk to the both of them together because knowing Cat she would own the life of my first born.

I repeatedly called them both with no answer. I knew what I had to do I just hoped that I wouldn't regret it. I couldn't back out of the fight and any move I made was based on pure instinct. My moment with God hadn't been forgotten, but if I ever needed direction it was then.

Jus and D had taken the kids to dinner so I had time to do what I needed to do. I found my notebook and began to write. There was nothing particular, I just needed to get everything out. I wrote down hopes, dreams, plans, fears.

Jus & D,

Don't be mad and please don't hate me. My entire life I've ran from one thing or another and now it's time that I learn to fight. I have to face my demons. Please don't follow me home. I don't want the situation messier than what it already is. I don't want you in the middle of my mess. You have the kids to raise and I'm not sure how this will end. Just pray that I've made the right decision and will continue to do so. If I never say it again know that I love you all. Just because I don't play my cards the way that you would doesn't mean that I don't have a winning hand. Thanks again for everything, especially saving my life. I'm forever grateful. I'll call you to keep you updated.

Love,

Camille

I picked up a rental and headed to the place that I was supposed to call home. I sat outside for a while before I walked up to the door and put my key in the lock. I felt like an uninvited guest in the place where I use to lay my head. I could hear Brandon walking down the hall on the phone when he saw me.

"Let me call you back," he smiled once he ended the call and walked towards me.

On instinct I backed into the door. My heart was racing and I was shaking. I flinched when he raised his hand to stoke my jaw. He put his forehead to mine and tried to peck my lips. I turned my head causing him to catch my cheek. He backed away and put his hands in his pocket and let out a dry chuckle.

"Brandon, the only reason I'm here is because I need your help. I love you, but I have to love me too."

"I'm trying to change, Camille. I'm sorry, ok?" He said frustrated as he rubbed his hands down his face.

"Sorry doesn't undo the damage you've caused. Sorry doesn't put my heart back together. Sorry can't fix me!"

"Who are you yellin at?" He asked with eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

I saw that familiar look in his eyes and I got that familiar tightening in the pit of my stomach. This is what happened every time he wanted to show me his love. I wasn't in his presence twenty minutes and he was ready to beat me. I turned around to open the door and just as I got it open he slammed it.

"Camille, you just got back. You're not going anywhere." He grabbed my hand and took me to the living room. "I'm not going to hit you."

I wiped my face as I sat on the couch. Memories of finding him with my assistant on that very couch caused me to jump up and stand next to a chair. I couldn't read him. His anger had faded, but he still wasn't my Brandon.

"What's wrong with you?" He asked. When it dawned on him he said, "Oh yeah. Her. I'll get rid of it and the bed in the guest room. I never took her to our bed, Camille."

"How much did she ask for?" I asked ignoring him.

"It's not important. Just know that we are meeting her on Saturday morning to do the exchange. We're done with her now we can work on us."

"How much?"

"She wanted a million for each tape. There are five tapes."

"Did you tell her she was out of her mind?" I got upset. "That's not what she asked for when she talked to me. That's why she wanted to talk to you without me."

"It's fine. It's less than what I was prepared for her to ask for. She gets money, you get the tapes and I get you." He said looking at me with a weird expression.

"Brandon you need to work on some things before we can even think about that. I'm not even sure I want there to be an us." I whispered the last part because as much as it was true it hurt.

"It doesn't matter what you want, Camille. This is what's going to happen. We're going to fix this and we're going to be happy." He said standing walking towards me.

He hugged me tightly and inhaled as if he was trying to breathe me in. I tried to pull back, but the harder I pulled the tighter he hugged. "Camille, I get that you're worried that I'm going to hurt you, but it's not me you need to worry about." He pulled away and kissed my forehead.

"Of course you would say that. What are you talking about?" I asked irritated and confused.

"I've always admired your loyalty," he said and shook his head, "but just know that some of the people you hug with loyalty hold knives in their hands."