Focus On The Music

SIX

Since Sean had a studio session and Asia had to work, Shantel and Dro offered to keep Ej until Erik got back. It wasn't Dro's first choice but he didn't hate the kid based on his dads horrible decisions.
"See, this shit comes natural. Watching my nephew helped me to know how to deal with lil niggas like this" Dro was referring to Ej who was throwing a horrible tantrum and kicking Shantel.
"Well work that magic on him. He's gonna bruise my leg"
"Aye, lil man" Dro's voice was deep and stern. "Crying ain't about to get you shit. You gotta use your words"
"Dro! Language!" Shantel scooped up Ej and rocked him. He calmed down immediately and rested his head on her chest. "I think he just wants his mom and dad"
"Or that..." Dro shrugged. "You ever thought about having kids?" He sat closer to her and wrapped his arm around her waist.
"I don't know. Not really. I enjoy my freedom"
"You'd make a sexy ass mom though" he smirked at her.
"Thanks" Shantel laughed. "Do you want kids?"
"Nah. Not really. Not right now at least. I'm still young. I haven't gotten to where I want to be in life. Once I'm secured with this music shit and I got my own crib and money saved in the bank, I'll be ready to settle down and start a family with the woman I love"
"I like that. I agree. Once I've gotten a few albums out and I'm moved somewhere nicer, I think I want a kid. Just one though"
******
"So you're sure you don't want to press charges? She was the aggressor"
"I'm sure. I just want her out my fucking house and I want to proceed with filing for full custody"
"Okay. Do you want a restraining order?" Eriks lawyer asked.
"Man, fuck that lil ass paper. How's that going to help me?"

Dro is looking for you. He has Ej. Him and Shantel - Sean

Erik dialed Shantel's number to let her know that he was in his way over.
"Erik?"
"Hey, I'm just calling to let you know that I'm on my way over to get Ej"
"Okay. He's here sleep"
"Cool. Was he being a brat?"
"Only for a little bit till I calmed him down. He's been sleep one me ever since"
Erik chuckled.
"Guess I should have been more careful on choosing a baby mama..."
"Maybe"
"Look, Shantel, I'm really sorry. You're right, I was jealous of you being with Dro. He's a lucky nigga but he deserves you. He's good for you and you're good for him. I know he'll treat you right. I hope we can move past this cause I like having you around and I don't want you feeling like you have to leave because of me"
"It's fine, Erik. I forgive you. Just don't let it happen again"
"I won't. I promise. I'll see you in about twenty minutes"
"Okay" Shantel hung up.
"That was Erik?" Dro asked from the kitchen. He was leaning against the island eating a bowl of cereal.
"Yea. He said he's on his way over"
"I hope you know that nigga got a ass whooping coming when he gets here"
"Dro, I love that you're being protective of me but it's okay. Erik apologized-"
"It's not fucking okay! He kissed you even after I told him we were together! He's a disrespectful ass nigga and imma handle his ass when he gets here"
"Dro, don't fuck up my apartment to prove you that nigga"
"I ain't proving shit, I know I'm that nigga"
Shantel sat on the couch quietly with Ej asleep on her chest. Dro was leaned up against the wall by the door waiting for Erik to show up. About ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
"I got enough respect for you so I'll handle this outside" Dro answered the door and Erik was standing there. Before he could even speak, Dro punched Erik in the nose and shoved him outside.
"DRO!" Shantel yelled and laid Ej down on the couch. She ran outside to attempt to stop the fight. "DRO!"
"Dro, what the fuck?!" Eriks face was covered in blood.
"You kissing on my girl? Huh? Even after you asked if we were together, yo dirty ass still went behind my back and tried some shit with her?!" Dro swung at Erik again but Erik dodged it and swung at Dro, connecting with his jaw.
"I already apologized for that shit!"
"Nigga, fuck you!" Dro swung again and Shantel tried pulling him back but Dro elbowed her hard in the stomach, knocking her backwards onto her butt.
"I thought we was boys but obviously not!"
"Dro, we are. I said I was sorry. It was a lapse in judgement"
"Fuck you! Get your son and get the fuck out of here" Dro yelled in Eriks face. Erik walked past Dro and looked at Shantel on the ground before walking inside and grabbing Ej. He walked out and looked at her again.
"So this was a setup?" He scoffed and walked away.
******
Sean had finished up in the studio and drove over to Asia's job to pick her up. He planned on taking her out for dinner tonight. A night candle lit dinner on a yacht was the plan.
"You look nice" she reached over and rubbed her hand over his thigh. "Where we going?" She asked.
"It's a surprise but I promise you'll love it" he grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it.
"Ooo. Okay" she smiled.
"Here, put this on" he handed her a satin blindfold to put over her eyes. Asia took it and tied it over her face, careful to not ruin her makeup.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Mhm"
The car stopped and Sean parked. Cutting the car off, he got out and walked around to open the door for Asia. He took her hand and led her down a dock and onto the boat, walking her to the front so they could get a good view of the nights sky. Sean stood behind her and removed her blindfold.
"Sean...." Asia looked around to see where she was. "Are we on a fucking yacht?!"
"You deserve the best" he placed a kiss on the back of her neck and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Baby, thank you" Asia turned around and pressed her lips to his.
"You're welcome"
"Sean....I wanna tell you something. It's kind of important and honestly, I'm nervous"
"Okay..."
"I....I love you"
Sean smiled and kissed her back.
"I love you too, Asia. I'm glad Shantel introduced us. You're an amazing woman and friend. An even more amazing girlfriend"
".....and I'll be an even more amazing mother...." she looked up at him innocently.
"Yea, you'll definitely be an amazing mother. You were great with Ej"
"Well hopefully we get more practice in cause nine months come quick" she bit her bottom lip nervously.
"Nine-Wait. Are you pregnant?" Sean searched Asia's face for answers.
"Yea. I'm pregnant" she smiled. "Are you happy? I mean, I know we never talked about kids"
"Shit....nah, we never talked about kids but I do want a kid. I just never thought it'd happen. You're really pregnant? Wow, what the fuck, this is crazy" Sean rubbed his hands over Asia's stomach soothingly. "I'm a dad? I'm a fucking dad?! Fuck!" He laughed and picked Asia up, spinning her around.
******
"Shantel, I said I was sorry for elbowing you. It was an accident" Dro tried his hardest to assist Shantel with tending to her bruised rib but she wouldn't accept the help. She was pissed at Dro for causing a scene.
"I said no. You can go" she wrapped and Ace bandage around her waist and applied a heat pack to her rib.
"Why are you upset? I was defending you"
"Because I didn't ask you to defend me! I can defend myself!"
"Obviously not if you letting niggas go around and feel you up" Dro immediately regretted letting those words slip from his lips. "Shantel-"
"Thanks, Dro. I've had enough of your company today. You can leave. Get the fuck out!" Shantel yelled. Her voice was shaky and she was very upset.
"Shantel, I'm sorry"
"Take your sorry and kiss my ass! Get out!"
Dro threw his hands up and left the bathroom then left her apartment.
Later that night, Shantel laid in bed conflicted. She wanted to break up with Dro for being a loose cannon and disrespecting her but she really did like him. On the other hand, she wanted to confide in Erik and vent.
Thinking irrationally, she sent Erik a text;

You up? - Shantel
Trying to get Elijah to sleep. Whatever you did, shit ain't working for me. Wussup? - Erik
Do you really think I set you up? - Shantel
I did but nah, not anymore. Dro has always been crazy when it came to his girls - Erik
He hurt me when I tried breaking up the fight...then he said I can't defend myself - Shantel
That's why you don't get in the middle of a mans fight. Nigga is 6'9 and like 200 pounds - Erik
And I'm sure he didn't mean it like that. Tensions are high, cut him some slack. I shouldn't have gotten in the middle of y'all shit - Erik
Part of me wants to break up with him...I'm not used to being with men who gave a shit about me. Dro cares about me too much and it's annoying. I'm waiting for him to fuck up but I don't think he will - Shantel
Why do you want him to fuck up? - Erik
It's what I'm used to - Shantel
Sounds like you need to visit a therapist. That's not healthy - Erik
It's not healthy that ever since that kiss, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you touching me and fucking me. I know it's wrong but I need you. I don't want you but I need you, Erik. I need you to make me feel good - Shantel

Erik left her on read.
Two hours later;

Meet me at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills - Erik