"Do either one of you want to tell me what the hell is going on?"
"Yea Devine, why don't you tell Momma what's going on?"
"Cameron…"
"Why don't you tell him about the attitude you've had with me all night? You were downright cruel to me. Oh yea, what about the bitch in the bar all up on your lap? Anything else I'm forgetting?"
"No you've got it all I do believe."
"In case you don't remember, payback's a bitch, especially from me. That's exactly what Steve was Momma, payback."
"Baby Girl, I know you're upset…"
"Upset doesn't begin to cover it. Here goes the Canadian Jackass giving me a ring, promising never to hurt me, to trust me, and all this other apparent bullshit, yet he falls back into his old habits. I'm not a doormat anymore Momma."
"Cameron, baby, please…"
"You take this time away to decide what you want. If it isn't me, yea I'll be hurt, but at least you'll be honest with me. If you do want to be with me, some things are going to have to change. I don't think I need to spell them out or anything."
Cameron removed the promise ring J.P. gave her and placed it in his palm.
"Until then, I want you to hold on to this. I wouldn't feel right wearing it until I know you'll keep the promises you made with it. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I am going to head home for the evening. It's been a long night."
Cameron exited the stairwell, leaving Momma and J.P. standing there in silence. That was until Momma spoke.
"I could think of a lot of things to say to you right now, but I'm only going to say this. She may be mad and upset right now, but she's right. You need to decide what you want from her. She's been through enough hell already to last her 20 lifetimes, she doesn't need anymore from anyone else. She loves you; that is easy to see. That's why she's giving you the opportunity to walk away if you want. She loves you enough to let you go. Take her advice, and use the time you have apart to think. Hopefully, you can come to a decision you can live with."
With that, Momma walked out of the stairwell. J.P. stood there for a few minutes, debating on what to do. Should he run after her, or should he leave her be? He wasn't for sure. The only thought that kept repeating itself over and over again was the fact he did love her even if he did have a fucked up way of showing it lately. He wanted to make sure she knew that before he left for God knows how long. J.P. exited the stairwell and stood by the vending machines. As Cameron passed by, apparently on her way out of the front door, he snatched her by the arm, and pulled her back into the stairwell. Before she could even think, she felt J.P.'s lips passionately on hers. She knew this could be the last time she ever experienced this. That thought in it self brought her to tears. J.P. felt her tears as well as his own on his cheeks. As their lips finally parted, J.P. couldn't help but stare in Cameron's eyes and hope this time apart would help them heal.
"I love you, so much. That's why I'm going to take your advice and think things over while I'm away. I don't want to hurt you anymore, sweet."
"Then why did you before?"
With that, Cameron walked out of the stairwell, and out of the front door to her car as Cyndi was waiting in their usual parking spot. Steve had called Cyndi asking if she could come pick Cameron up as she wouldn't be riding with J.P. tonight. As Cameron got in the car, Cyndi immediately noticed that she wasn't wearing her ring.
"What's wrong?"
"Not now Ma. Just leave me be."
"What did he do?"
"Not now. I just want to go home."
"I'll be right back."
"Cyndi! Wait!"
Cameron's plea was lost on deaf ears as Cyndi was already out of the car and half way to the door. Cameron got out, knowing she'd probably have to stop her from doing something. When Cameron entered the front door to the hotel, she saw Steve in front of Cyndi not letting her into the dressing room. As she went over towards them trying to get Cyndi out of here, she couldn't help but notice J.P. and Bill Deshields, the owner of the hotel in a heated argument by the entrance of Bill's office. As J.P. tried to walk away from him, Bill grabbed his arm and began to plea with him.
"Devine please. I'll do anything for you."
"I don't need you to do anything for me but leave me alone! Get it through your head."
At that moment, Cameron immediately changed direction, headed for J.P. So that's what they were talking about while ago outside. As Bill saw Cameron coming their direction, he let go of J.P. Bill's eyes locked with hers, causing J.P. to turn around and find out who was now in their conversation. When he saw Cameron standing there, he had to fight to hide the small smile that wanted to appear on his face. He knew Bill was definitely in some trouble.
"Please, don't stop molesting him on my account."
"Little girl…"
"It's Baby Girl, but you can just call me the queen bitch. I'd advise you to leave him alone Bill."
"Really? And if I don't?"
"I'll make sure you do."
"What's it to you anyways?"
"I'll tell you. That one right there belongs to me. There's not anyone man or woman enough to try and take him from me either. You can go ahead and try, but I wouldn't recommend it."
"You talk a big game little girl."
"I'm more than willing to back it up too, believe that."
About that time, Steve and Cyndi hear the argument now going on. As they walk over, Steve notices Bill getting all up in Cameron's face.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. The last guy that got in my face suffered a broken nose, a bruised sternum, and several cracked ribs. Just think, he was half your age. Imagine the damage I could do to you."
J.P. grabbed Cameron around the waist in an attempt to pull her away from Bill. He knew this could get ugly quick. Steve came over to help him get her away from Bill. As they finally got her back by the banquet room, Mama was coming out of there. The second he saw both Steve and J.P. with death grips around her waist, he knew something was wrong. Suddenly he heard the office door slam and Bill come walking back down the hall towards the front door trying to leave. When Cameron spotted him, she immediately began fighting against the two men holding her in place. J.P. pulled her to him and made sure Bill could hear what was said.
"Baby, he isn't worth it. Please calm down, baby."
With a huff, Bill walked out of the front doors, got in his jeep and quickly left. It was then and only then when Steve and J.P. released Cameron.
"Steve you mind telling me what the hell that was all about?"
"Actually, I'll take this one if you don't mind. Bill wanted to talk to me in his office. Thinking nothing of it, I went in there, and he began propositioning me to have sex with him. Finally after about the fifth time of telling him no, I got up and walked out. I got about two steps from the door, and he grabbed me, saying he'd do anything for me and a bunch of other bullshit. All of a sudden, he let go, and his attention went to Cameron who, unknown to me, was standing behind me. Then this is what happened:
"Please, don't stop molesting him on my account."
"Little girl…"
"It's Baby Girl, but you can just call me the queen bitch. I'd advise you to leave him alone Bill."
"Really? And if I don't?"
"I'll make sure you do."
"What's it to you anyways?"
"I'll tell you. That one right there belongs to me. There's not anyone man or woman enough to try and take him from me either. You can go ahead and try, but I wouldn't recommend it."
"You talk a big game little girl."
"I'm more than willing to back it up too, believe that."
After that, he got in her face:
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. The last guy that got in my face suffered a broken nose, a bruised sternum, and several cracked ribs. Just think, he was half your age. Imagine the damage I could do to you."
That was when Steve and I pulled her away from him and over here. She was defending me from him."
"Baby Girl, I admire you for defending him, but you've got to keep that temper in check."
"Mama, he and I may be having our issues right now, but until anything definite is decided, we are still together. I'll be damned if I'm not going to defend what's mine."
That line in itself made a small smile appear on J.P.'s face. Cameron happened to notice that smile.
"What are you smiling about over there?"
"Nothing at all, my dear. Absolutely nothing."
"If you all will excuse me, I do believe it's time for me to head home."
"Cameron?"
"Yea?"
"I meant what I said in that stairwell."
"So did I."
The next morning, JP flew out to Canada. Cameron meanwhile woke up sick as hell. She never had suffered from hangovers before, but she had never put away as much alcohol as she did last night either. Her mind couldn't help but wonder where JP was and what he was doing right now. She missed him. Her heart hurt with sadness at the thought of how they had left things. She stayed in bed the majority of the day. She had tried to eat, but nothing would stay down. Cameron wasn't sure if it was because of nerves or her hangover. The next day, she felt the same way. Kat began to worry. She walked into the bathroom after Cameron had just finished emptying her stomach what seemed for the umpteenth time today.
"Sweetie, are you okay?"
"I dunno. Yesterday, I thought it was just a hangover. Hangovers don't last more than 24 hours."
"Tell me about it. You still haven't eaten anything have you?"
"Nope. Get nauseated by the smell of food, much less try to eat it."
While Cameron cleaned herself up, Kat went into the other room where Cyndi was.
"Something's wrong with her. It's more than just a hangover too."
"I'm calling her mom."