The Cartel Part 2: A Thin Line

2

Once inside all the ladies began to cook, Kelsey avoiding Lisa, paying more attention to Justine. Although the kitchen was tense. Paris, being Paris grabbed a bottle of red wine, turned on some music to lighten the mood..

The men stayed upstairs in Shamar's man cave watching the football game, while the kids ran through the house from the gym to the game room partially being supervised by Natalia who was on her phone ..

Justine kept a close eye on Kelsey, seeing her kinda in a daze.. She knew that even though she offered her assistance to get away from Shamar, Kelsey needed to hear it from someone younger than her and who understood what she was going through..

Clearing her throat, she looked up from the pie she just stuck into the oven.. "Girls.." Justine called out and even though Lisa looked up from cutting the vegetables being nosey... Justine directed her next few words elsewhere, "Paris and Kelsey, why don't ya'll take that bottle outside and I'll finish in here.. You know I don't like having too many people in the kitchen when I'm cooking so.." Waving her hand towards the backyard, "Go.. Go have girls talk outside, me and Lisa can finish up the rest.." Grabbing another bottle of wine from the counter with two larger wine glasses she thrusted them towards the door, and pushed them out of the kitchen without giving them a chance to object..

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Both Kelsey and Paris looked at each other and laughed at Justine's tactics to kick them out of the kitchen.. But they were both grateful to be away from the heat for a few minutes especially since the alcohol was starting to kick in ..

"Thank God for Justine.." Kelsey said with a chuckle as she took a swallow from her wine glass "I don't know how much longer I was gonna be able to play mommy and me in there before something slick came out of my mouth .." Both of them sitting down by the fire pit, Paris lit it as she laughed at Kelsey

Not wasting anymore time Paris cut to the elephant in the room "So.. You gonna tell me what happened? Or are we just going to ignore and not speak about why you got half of the MAC store on your face?" Gazing over at her best friend, she noticed that Kelsey was truly focused on the fire instead of her words..

Taking another deep sip of her glass, she finished it off then grabbed the bottle refilling it to her need, taking in her silence she continued. "OOo-kay.. So tell me.. No.. Wait let me guess.. It was time to pay luxury taxes?" Sighing Paris knew first hand what the issue was as she did the quotation marks with her fingers ..

Not turning her attention away from the fire pit Kelsey frowned "You know what.. Just shut the fuck up.. Don't act like you know when you don't.. I've been dealing with his shit for far longer than when you came along.. I mean.. Damn P.. You supposed to be my friend.. the fuck you making a joke of it for ?!" Kelsey broke her silence, having a few tears escape her eyes, she looked over at Paris.

Looking up towards the house to see if anyone was watching from the windows, seeing no sign Kelsey continued. "I just can't do this.. I can't take this bullshit he's putting me through anymore. I mean fuck .. it's.. The late nights, no phone calls and I am walking on egg shells about every damn thing around here.. I can't remember a time I spoke to my husband without flying across the room or a day I don't need to pretend to be happy with him when I'm not.. I just can't do this.. I can't breathe when I am around him, and when I'm not around him I'm thinking about ways to keep him, where ever he is.. SO.. Paris you don't get to act like you know what I'm going through because you got it easy with Shane.." Kelsey explained now out of breath

Looking at her friend, "You know what you're saying right?" Paris sat her glass down and waited for her sister in law to answer her .. "Oh wait you think I had it easy when I came to you and practically begged you for help? But you acted like I was some ungrateful bitch complaining and now.. Look at you, wanting to do what I did, you don't get to tell me I got it easy Kelsey .. You were the main cheerleader in Shane's corner convincing me to stay !!" Paris replied

Turning her head away, "You have no fucking clue-" Kelsey downed the rest of her glass then picked up the bottle placing it to her lips and drinking from it instead of her glass.

"Believe me I do.. So let me guess you're thinking about leaving .. but we both know you're going to come back like you've done in the past. So that's how you teach him the lesson. Right? I mean come on Kelsey, be honest here - we both know you ain't going no where. You love Shamar too much.. You'll never leave, you never do.." Paris was sure of her words..

Turning her full attention to Paris, "Who's side are you on!" Kelsey yelled, "I'm telling you I am tired and I wanna leave.. But bitch your response is I am some gullible confused bitch.. Damn I thought we was better than that P.." Giving a look of disgust towards Paris she got up from her seat, grabbed her almost empty bottle of wine, then headed towards the house..

As she reached the back door Shamar stood watching her as she approached, Kelsey bowed her head and side stepped him into the house. On her way in he grabbed her arm.

"Kelsey.." Shamar's gruff voice came out demanding

Looking at his chest, keeping her face neutral, "Yes Shamar?" Kelsey held her composure, hiding the fact her heart was beating in fear as well as in frustration.

Bringing himself close to her ear, "Are you good?" Shamar tugged her closer with his lips almost touching her earlobe.

Plastering on a fake but realistic smile, "Of course why wouldn't we?" Kelsey almost had to laugh at her supreme acting skills, guess the liquid courage gave her the boast of having a silver tongue. Smiling confidently at herself.

Kissing the side of her face, "You know I love you right and I'll make it up to you.." Shamar turned her head to face him giving her a peck on the lips, but tasting the wine in return. He tightened his grip on her arm showing his displeasure, then pushed her towards the inside of the house hearing her stumble to catch her balance on the marble floor ..

The bottle of wine she had in her hand slipped and shattered into pieces on the floor ..

"The fuck Shamar ?!" Kelsey yelled as she bent down to pick up the pieces

"I got a big deal happening tonight Kelsey, the last thing I need is you fuckin drunk !!" He yelled

"I'm not drunk .." She said

Pulling her up from the floor he looked into her eyes and the way they were glossed over he knew she was definitely intoxicated ..

"Kelsey-" Cutting him off Kelsey put her hand up

"Don't worry Shamar, by tonight I'll be the perfect trophy wife you married me to be, I'll look damn good on your arm and you'll see me more than you hear me so what the fuck are you complaining for ?!" She replied with irritation in her voice

Her argument with Paris had her on edge .. looking out by the pool she noticed Paris was watching them argue as Shane sat next to her ..

Laughing, Shamar shook his head "I don't know what your problem is but you better get yourself together .." He said right before walking away ..

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