Page 20 of Harboring Shantae

She knew right then that she never wanted to get on Trista's bad side. The woman sounded like she was seconds away from committing murder.

"I don't need to ask him since we just spoke about it, and Panther agreed to the wedding. But since I feel like you were forced to make this call and Shantae actually needs to hear the words, I'm going to pass the phone to Panther."

"Shantae?"

One word and a sense of calm washed over her. How was that even possible? Eight hours ago she hadn't even known what his voice sounded like. Now it was the only thing that could make her feel better.

"I'm here," she finally squeaked out.

"I want to go through with this wedding. Do you hear me? You're not forcing me. I want to do this." He sounded so sure. "Now get some rest. It's already close to midnight and we have a big day tomorrow."

All she could do was nod. His words played on repeat in her mind as the people around her continued to talk. She thought they were making plans, but nothing was sinking in. It was like she was an outsider and not actually present in the conversation. All she could do was replay years' worth of words. Camron's insistence that he wasn't husband material because of what his girlfriend did to him. The words she said. She had to wonder if he was making the decision because he wanted to or only because it would save her. And could she live with the selfish choice to marry him just to get out from under her father?

Sleep eluded her. After her mini-meltdown, Trista took enough pity on her to let her go to bed with the promise that they could hash out the details in the morning. It was now morning and the sheer number of details that were decided while she got her nonexistent sleep was astonishing. Apparently, they had a designer on tap who was more than willing to come with several dress choices.

Shantae made the mistake of asking why she needed a wedding dress when it would just be a quick courthouse wedding. That's when she quickly discovered just how wrong she was about what was going to happen.

Not only was she not getting a courthouse wedding, but Trista also refused to understand the word quick. Ashlynn, her apparent wedding planner, already had everything worked out. She and Camron would marry in Wes's backyard. From what she was told, it was beautiful and the spot where all major life events for the team took place. The entire thing would be catered by Leah, another woman she supposedly met last night, but she couldn't put a face to the name. She blamed it on the shock.

"Are you even listening to us?"

Shantae turned to where Trista and Ash stood at the island of Ashlynn's kitchen. That was where she had been whisked away to the night before. She couldn't even remember if she thanked the woman for allowing her to crash in her spare room.

"Thank you for opening your home to me. I don't think I told you that yesterday or this morning. That was rude of me."

Her grandparents raised her better. No amount of shock should've made her forget her manners. Her grandmother would've chastised her and then told her she needed to bake cookies to make up for it.

"No, what was rude was Trista swooping in and taking things over so that you were so overwhelmed that you didn't know which way was up. But you're welcome. My home is open to you anytime."

She quickly learned Ash was a sweetheart. She was also married to a hunky Southern man who adored her and they had the cutest little baby girl. There was no way she would be intruding more than one night. The new parents didn't need to be worrying about a houseguest. Besides, it was likely she would be living with Camron after the wedding. That was how marriage worked last time she checked. Even if it was just a marriage of convenience. They needed it to look real. Nothing screamed fake like the newlyweds living in separate houses.

"Okay, now that Shantae is aware that my people skills suck and I'm pushy, can we please finalize a few of these last-minute details? Charlotte will be here any minute and I would like to have decisions made before she arrives."

Shantae was really starting to wonder if she should be pumping the brakes on what was happening. She normally wasn't this indecisive. She went with the flow, something that was obvious considering she never fought her parents on anything. Was that what she was doing now? Was she letting Trista push her around the same way her parents did?

"I don't think I should do this." She was blurting the words out before she could fully comprehend how she was feeling.

"Why the hell not?" Trista threw her hands up in what Shantae could only assume was frustration. "Are you really going to tell me you don't have feelings for Panther?"

No, she couldn't do that because of course she had feelings for him. Saying no would be a big fat lie. That didn't mean she wanted Trista to know she was right.

"You don't know Camron like I do. His stance against marriage isn't something new. He's told me for years that he would never marry. I can't, in good conscience, make him go against those feelings. I would rather be on the run forever. I'm sorry. I just can't."

Trista was giving her an exasperated look that she never wanted to be on the receiving end of again. She didn't do confrontation well, and this moment was proving why. One look and she was ready to cave into Trista's demands. The only thing stopping her was the guilt she knew would come if she hurt the only person in life she actually cared about.

"I have a solution," Ash quickly chimed in. "Just hang on a second." Ash put a finger up and reached for her phone.

Shantae did her best to block out the look she was sure Trista was still giving her. The woman could think she was crazy all she wanted. Deep down, Shantae knew she was making the right decision.

"Hey, Hollywood, is Panther with you?"

Maybe she should've asked what Ash's solution was before she let her make a phone call. This wasn't starting out how she expected at all.

"Oh hey, Panther, sorry to bother you. Can you stop at my house real quick?" Ash paused and Shantae wished she could hear what Camron was saying. "No, everything is okay. I just think your presence is needed before any festivities can begin." Another long pause and the not knowing was killing her. A million questions and assumptions floated through her head in those few moments. "Okay, perfect. See you soon."

"How is bringing Camron here the solution?" Shantae snapped.

She didn't mean to jump down Ash's throat but Camron coming over wasn't what she thought Ash had in mind.