Lost One

27

❝SHANTEY❞

The calf-skin stiletto heels strutted along the floor, approaching the bar and ordering one of the event serving pink martinis. The party was at a short standstill while Toby, Peyton, and her Japanese man bun-sporting brother was out convincing Lotus not to allow her dad's behavior to ruin her time. The server was handing the martini over to her when it was grabbed by another hand, making Shantey look over to the side and watched De place the martini glass next to him.

"Hmm." Shantey looked to her brother in-law. "I been waiting on you to come tell me what you said bout me."

De exhaled and said with a sober mouth after much in take of water, "I referred to you as a 'bitch' on the ride here. I was drinking, saying shit to piss off Books and I used the situation wit our Moms and you. I'm childish and I antagonize people—something I gotta work on. I'm kinda a moron with a big mouth and shouldn't have put you in it in a way especially in front of Romeo. I respect you too much. I already apologized to nephew, now I'm coming over here to let you know I'm sorry."

Although he did call her a derogatory name, she respected the fact he apologized for his actions—which was a huge step for De'Aundre because De back then and fresh out of prison wouldn't have apologized at all. He would say what he said and leave it at that and not care who it bothered.

"You calling or referring to me as a bitch is not the top derogatory shit I've been called on my list, De'Aundre, so I do accept your apology." Shantey told him, brushing it off. "But what I will say is, if you love me but also have feelings towards me because of the hurt I caused your brother, lay it out on the table and don't be smiling in my face and doing what your mother does. Me and you bonded cause of us not liking fake shit. Don't turn fraudulent. I don't care if y'all two have your brotherly talks and you might feel a way about what I do, handle it respectfully. Just how I do for you."

De nodded. "You absolutely right. What I done was fraud-like and ain't shit gone happen like that again. Whatever issues him and my Momma got, I'm just staying out of allat."

"As you should." Shantey responded. "And let's get something straight and not repeated, the next time you disrespect my name in front of my son, it's gone be me and you and I'm not Amaury. I will fuck yo ass up. Don't take my height for weakness cause I got the bite like a Pitbull. Understand?"

Smiling on the inside, De peered down at his sister-in-law and lifted his hands in defense. "Crystal clear. I don't want no typ'a smoke."

"Good." Shantey grinned, patting his shoulder. "You can walk away from me now. I feel a little way. I should be over it by the end of the night but don't want you in my space while I do."

Smiling softly, De placed a kiss on top of her head and gave her space. Shantey placed a hold to the stem of the martini glass and for the second time it was taken from her hand and this time around it was being swallowed by her husband. He eyed her the whole time he drank it before he placed the glass on the bar counter. "You not posed to be drinking," he told her.

"Well, you clearly done that for me." Shantey motioned to the empty martini glass, staring at him as he leaned to the side on the counter. "You look real dapper tonight."