Final Rehearsal Dinner

Janet

After a strenuous and stressful few months, we were ready to kick off the first show of The Velvet Rope Tour in as little as a couple of days.

The room was filled with laughter, clinking glasses and light conversation. Everyone was talking except Shawn and I. She wouldn't even look in my direction unless she had to. It was hard considering we had to work so closely together, specifically on a few numbers where we had to interact.

Amelia giggled across from me and pulled me out of my head. God definitely had a sense of humor as deja vu crept up on me. I realize this was the exact seating for the very first rehearsal dinner. Shawn seemed happy and even though I was hurt by our more than non existent friendship, I knew that I'd brought it on myself. She glanced at me and I quickly looked away.

Tina stood up and tapped her fork against her glass. Everyone silenced and gave her their full attention.

"I just wanted to thank everyone for coming tonight. You all look so amazing!" She said.

Gil popped his tongue. "We know!" Everyone started to laugh.

Tina continued. "I just wanted to say that you kids have worked your asses off and Janet and I couldn't be more proud of you. This one is going down in history baby!" She said as everyone cheered and she pointed at me. "Should we let Dunk say something?"

Everyone began to chant, "Speech!" over and over. No matter how many times I shook my head, they just grew louder. We were beginning to disturb the low chatter of the restaurant.

"Okay okay." I laughed and motioned for everyone to settle down. "You guys know what you mean to me. The reason we're all so close is because of the work we do together. You are more than just "The Kids" to me. You are more than just my friends. You're my family and I love you all so very much." I blushed as awes filled the silence. I smiled at Tina sitting at the head of the table on the other end. "You have whipped our asses in to shape girl and because of  you we are ready for this. And I wanted to say... thank you T. I'm so greatful for you." She stood up to walk over to me. As she passed the others, a man no one recognized brushed past her and walked right up to me. Joey stood up and headed in my direction.

"Are you Ms. Jackson?" He asked. I held my hand up at Joey.

"I am, how can I help you."

He handed me an envelope. "Then this would be for you ma'am. Enjoy the rest of your day." He said and walked away. Joey followed behind him, beginning to raise hell and demanding to speak with the manager at once.

I stared at the envelope in my hand and immediately started to open it.

"Dunk I don't think you should open that now sweetie." Gil said. I looked at him, pulled the paper out and unfolded it.

Shawn

All eyes were on our table. Everyone in the restaurant, guests, waiters, even a few cooks had come out from the kitchen. The tension in the room was thick. My heart was beating fast as I just watched for Janet's next move.

She was just standing there. Everyone was on their feet. Joey could still be heard arguing with the manager about how a random guy with no reservation was able to get into the restaurant and that close to Janet in the first place.

"Um," Janet said. Everyone's attention focused back on her. "Thank you all for such a beautiful evening." She was on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry but I need to leave you all early tonight. Please stay and enjoy yourselves, on me Of course. The limo is out side. I got a VIP booth at the club for later. Drinks on me. Sorry guys." She grabbed her purse and glanced at me. The look in her eyes was heartbreaking. She looked away and walked out of the restaurant while the rest of us just watched in silence.

I looked at Gil. He was already looking back at me with worry in his eyes. I looked at Amelia.

"Do you want to stay tonight?" I asked.

Amelia nodded. "I am hungry and I kind of wanted to dance." She replied. "Then again, Janet was really upset when she walked out of here. It doesn't feel right to continue all of this without her, you know?"

I looked at her and smiled. "You're very sweet. She wanted everyone to enjoy themselves though and it's not the first time she had to bail early. Let's just have a good time tonight and not worry about other people's stuff, cool?" She nodded and hugged me.

I glanced at Gil over her shoulder. He was looking back at me, shaking his head. He looked around at everyone and scoffed. Gil grabbed his things and quickly walked out of the restaurant. I knew he was upset with me. He was angry with everyone but this had nothing to do with me. If he wanted to go after Janet he could, but I was finished chasing her. I promised myself that I would make it right with him later.

Everyone settled back down as dinner was brought out to the table. It was nice having Amelia around my friends. Everyone was very nice and treated her like she was just another one of the kids.

Once we were at the club everyone was all over the place. The VIP booth was full of girls, the music was loud and I was sitting off to the side watching Amelia being sandwiched by two of the other dancers. I shook my head and laughed. She was having the time of her life.

I glanced down at my phone and started a text to Gil.

Me: Is she okay?

Gil: Now you care?

Me: Do I really have to explain why I didn't leave with you?

Gil: No Shawn you don't. I get it and I don't blame you, but just remember you were friends first. She just told us how much we mean to her. She said we were family, but while she is here going through shit, where are you guys?

Gil: Fuck off. She's good because I got her.

I shoved my phone back into my pocket and sighed, trying to shake off the feeling of guilt. I tipped my glass back and finished the rest of my drink. Our view from the booth was insane. I walked over to the rail and looked over the crowd.

"Shit that is a lot of people." I said, bobbing my head to the music. I squinted my eyes. "The fuck?" I glanced back at Amelia. "I'm gonna go the restroom." She smiled, shot me a thumbs up and continued dancing.

I made my way down the stairs and right underneath our booth on the dance floor, there was Rene. He was wasted, one girl on his front another behind him. I stood there for a moment, watching him until he finally noticed me and smiled.

"The fuck are you doing here?" I said. "It hasn't been 90 days yet has it?"

He laughed. "Nah not yet, just felt like breaking out early you know. Got me some blow," He held his drink up. " Something to drink and some pussy for later if you know what I mean." He grabbed the girl in front of him, pulled her close giving her a sloppy kiss.

My skin was crawling. He was fucking disgusting. "What happened to that weak ass motherfucker that was begging on his knees for his wife's forgiveness?" I said but he ignored me as he continued to dance. "I bet my pussy tasted good on her lips huh, oh wait," I said. "She wouldn't let you get close enough to even taste it." I mocked.

He pushed the dancing girls off of him and stood in my face. "Shut your fucking mouth."

"Or what bitch!"

We were beginning to draw attention and Amelia called out my name as ran down the stairs, fighting through the crowd to get to me. She put her hands on my shoulder.

"Baby come on, let's go please." She said. I glanced at her and back at him.

Rene smiled and nodded. "Yeah baby, go home," he stepped in closer, making sure I could hear him. Security was near, I could see their lights now. "But before you go," He said. "Make sure you tell her that I want every penny she owes me." He scoffed and shook his head at me. "Look at you. You're so pathetic and blind. Even if you do have her heart, you'll never have it publicly. You will always be just another one of her fucking secrets." He said and smiled. I clenched my teeth, looked at Amelia and turned to walk away. "You're welcome." He said. I lost control and hit him.

Before I knew it was picked up and carried out of the club by two men twice my size.  They sat me down on the curb and made it very clear that I was no longer welcome there.

Amelia walked out the door and looked around for me. There was still a line of people wrapped around the building trying to get in.

"Over here baby." I said dusting myself off. I looked at her. "I'm so sorry. He's just such a fucking pig."

"No, I know baby, he deserved what he got." She said and grabbed my hand. "That is going to be a nasty bruise. It's not broken or anything is it?"

I moved it a few times and it hurt but it was fine. "I'm good, I can cover the bruises with makeup." I said. "Can we please just get the fuck out of here now." I asked smiling, slightly embarrassed since it was my idea to go out in the first place. She smiled and nodded. "I'm sorry for ruining our night."

"It's okay Shawn. Can we go to my place tonight though?" She asked and smiled sweetly.

"I'd like that. Finally trusting me enough to be in your space?" I'd never actually been to Amelia's place before. Not for any reason except my place was just always closer.

She laughed. "Mmhm I do." She pulled me close and pressed her lips against my ear. "I can't wait for you to invade my space." She said and kissed me softly.

"Let's get out of her then." I replied.