Shawn

There was no protest from me this time as Tina turned to leave. I felt embarrassed and betrayed. I was pissed off and I had every right to be. Just a glance in Janet's direction and I could see a battle going on in her heart and mind. It was evident on her face.

"T, wait." She said running after her and grabbed her by the hand. Tina slowly turned to face her. "I'm not going to lie, this hurt." She said. "But I want to fix this. I know that things won't go back to normal over night. I'm gonna need some space, but you're my sister and sisters fight all the time. I've wronged you in the past and I'm so sorry for that. I forgive you. Do you think you can forgive me too?" Janet asked with a hopeful look in her eyes.

Tina wrapped her arms around her neck as they held each other and cried for a moment. They then turned to face me. Tina approached me cautiously and held her hand out to me again.

"I just-" She begin to say, but I shook my head. I'd already heard enough. "Shawn can we just talk about this?" She asked.

"In as little as 24 hours this little secret that you and my wife have been keeping has turned my life upside down." I said, growing increasingly frustrated with the tears that were now falling from my eyes.. "You were in my wedding T. You let me stand up there, in front of all of my family and friends and marry someone that I don't even feel like I really know anymore." I stood and walked towards her. Her eyes followed. "Then you come in here talking some bullshit about protecting me?"

"I thought I was helping you." Tina said.

"Well do me a favor, don't ever try to help me again." I said turning away from her.

"Shawnette I love you. Amelia does too." I turned around quickly and got in her face.

"Yeah? Just not enough to tell me the truth before I wasted half my FUCKING LIFE!" I yelled and felt Janet's hand on my arm. "We're not friends." I said as I turned away from her and walked back into the kitchen. I stayed there until Janet joined me just moments later.

She approached me from behind. I glanced at her over my shoulder as I poured myself another drink.

"Mind sharing some of that with me?" She asked sweetly and held out her empty glass to me. "Also the food is here, and another bottle of wine."

"Is she gone?" I asked as I handed her glass back. She nodded and took a sip. "Good."

We stood there for a moment. Janet looked at me and smiled.

"You know what always makes me feel better?" She asked . I already knew what she was doing. I laughed and shook my head. "Come on, please. Are you scared I might kick your ass?" I've always loved how competitive she is.

I let a slight smile show. "Fine, but let's get some music going. Do you remember the score?"

"Of course, I'm ahead." She said and headed for the living room.

"Bullshit." I said walking close behind her. "1999, the back of Preston's car. I beat you, while the car was in motion making it a tie."

Janet turned on the radio in the back ground while I moved chairs to each end of the table. We split the French fries so they we had an equal amount and Janet ate the extras. It was game one.

"Ready for this ass whoopin'" Janet mocked, rolling her neck.

"Bring it Dunk." I said, grabbed my first fry and tossed at her. Like a pro, she caught it in her mouth on the very first shot. Janet smiled and poked her tongue out at me before doing a cute little happy dance in her chair. "Okay boo, I see you." I said as we continued on.

We were at die tie, with our last fry in hand.

"How about we make it interesting." She said, grinning deviously as she dipped her fry in the ketchup they'd left in a little cup to the side. I shook my head and laughed.

"Seriously?" I asked. "No were not doing this."

"Awe is that baby scared?" She mocked.

I shifted in my seat and got ready. "Let's go." I said. She licked her lips, readied her arm and threw it.

The whole thing happened in slow motion. I watched it fly through the air towards me but as I opened my mouth, it hit me right in the face and fell onto my shirt getting ketchup everywhere. Janet fell to the floor, holding her stomach as she laughed.

"Oh that's funny?" I said dipping my fry as I narrowed my eyes at her. She giggled.

"Alright, take your best shot." She said. I gave it a quick toss and she caught it with ease. Janet squealed and jumped up and down as she celebrated her victory.

Janet

"I haven't done that in so long." I said as I helped Shawn put the chairs back where they belonged. "I forgot how much fun that was." For a moment Shawn just stopped and stared at me.

I finally saw what Tina was talking about. No one has ever looked at me the way Shawn does. It caused my heart to flutter and I looked away shyly.

"I better get cleaned up before I start to smell like ketchup." She said. I nodded and laughed.

"There are plenty of towels in the restroom, I don't think that I have anything for you to wear though."

"That's okay." She said pulling her shirt over her head revealing the wife-beater underneath. She glanced at me and smiled. "I'll be right back."

I took a seat on the couch. My eyes were closed as I hummed along to the soft music playing in the background. A sense of selfishness crept into my mind as I started to think about Shawn and myself.

The song had come to an end and Shawn still hadn't returned. I walked into the bedroom, where she stood in the bathroom mirror, just staring at herself. There was so much hurt and confusion in her eyes. I couldn't even began to understand what she was feeling.

I lightly tapped on the door. She glanced at my reflection in the mirror and turned around to look at me.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

She leaned against the counter. Her eyes focused on the floor. Shawn slowly raised them to meet mine. "This all just feels unreal... you know." She said as I joined her and leaned my head against her shoulder. "What am I supposed to do now?" She asked. "I can't go home. That life... it wasn't real."

I looked her.

"Are you sure about that?" I asked, only wanting her to be sure. "You don't have to make that decision right now. Give yourself some time Shawn." I said and placed my hand over her heart. "Your heart will tell you what to do." She put her hand over mine and squeezed it gently.

"Can I ask you something." She said.

"Anything."

"Why did you forgive T so easily?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I guess having my own shit stink helped a lot ." Hearing myself say made me fell a little embarrassed. "I've made a lot of poor choices on impulse, hurting some people I cared about in the process. But we're all human and we make mistakes." Shawn folded her arms.

"I'm just so angry with her J, but She  has been by my side through everything." She said.

"Then be mad, feel it, and once you've calmed down, talk to her." I touched her shoulder. "Want to go back into the living room and have another drink?" I asked.

"Yes please."

It was very clear after about 15 minutes that Shawn was starting to feel the wine. She was more comfortable now. She laughed, made jokes and was becoming more relaxed around me.

We'd opened the balcony doors to let the cool night air flow through the room. It was as if God has a sense of humor because I began to hear my own music on the speakers. Shawn looked at me and smiled. I shook my head.

"An hour and a half... I performed already tonight, it's your turn." I motioned for her to stand. "Let's see how much you remember... Impress me." I said and smiled.

"Seriously? You think I could ever forget?" She said pushing the chair out of the way and joined in just a the chorus of Got Til It's Gone.

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I jammed along from my seat, I couldn't take my eyes off of her.

"Wow!" I said clapping my hands. "I should have had you up there with the JTribe tonight. You're still so amazing to watch." As the song came to an end she held out her hand to me.

"Dance with me." She said as the next song began to play. I hesitated but was drawn in her direction.

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Shawn pulled me right into her arms. Her hold on me was firm, yet still somehow so gentle. We slowly swayed to the music. She had a way of looking straight into a person's soul. I knew she could feel me. My pulse was quickening beneath her finger tips. I blushed, brushing the hair from my face as she stared adoringly at me.

"Do you ever miss it?" I asked. "Being on the stage?" Shawn smiled and nodded.

"All the time." She said. "It's hard to watch our old stuff. It makes me sad because I miss it so much. Performing gave me a high that I still continue to chase to this day."

"Any luck finding it again?" I asked curiously as my hands found their way around her neck. She cleared her throat nervously.

"The high?" She asked and I nodded. "I'm convinced there is only one other thing that can make my head spin like that." She said. I smiled as I touched her clean cut and faded hair. She smiled. "Do you like it?" She asked.

"I do, but I've always loved your short hair... it's sexy to me." I said and shrugged. Woah Janet slow down. I said to myself. What was I doing? Flirting and slow dancing? My head was spinning, literally. Maybe I'd had to much wine. I laid my head against her shoulder and closed my eyes for a moment trying to bring myself back to focus.

Shawn held me tighter, her hands rubbing soothingly cross my back, like she didn't want to let go. I didn't want her to let me go.

"Janet." She said softly. I lifted my head to meet her gaze. There was more she wanted to say. Please say it Shawn. I thought.

This all felt unreal. Ours eyes had locked into each other and as we continued our dance all I could see was her. I touched her face softly, my eyes now focused on her lips. I wanted to kiss her so badly. The moment felt right. I leaned in to make my move but before our lips could touch, we were startled by a knock at the door.

I glanced at the time and then shrugged at Shawn. She had a curious look in her eyes. "Who is it?" I asked loudly.

"It's me honey, now open the door please." Wissam's voice muffled but still came through very clear from the other side.