Janet

I finally woke and blinked a few times, momentarily forgetting where I was. I sat up on the edge of the bed, clutching my side as I tried to fully wake myself. When I walked into the living room, I saw Gil and Shawn curled up together on the couch, fast asleep.

He'd made it.

I smiled to myself. I was so lucky to have such amazing people around me.

Quietly, I walked into the kitchen and pulled out my phone. Shawn was right—I needed to call my doctor. Rene had hurt me badly. It hurt just to breathe. I finished the call and set my phone down just as Shawn walked in, yawning sleepily.

"Good morning, beautiful. Coffee?" she asked with a sweet smile.

"Morning—and yes, please. I see Gil made it last night."

She laughed. "Yeah, he did. He ran in here yelling for me to grab my bat and my sneakers. Homeboy was ready to go to war."

I laughed, hugging my waist as I adjusted myself in the chair. Shawn handed me a cup of coffee and sat across from me. I watched her for a moment before speaking.

"I called my doctor, like you suggested," I said, breaking the silence.

"Good." She nodded. "So he's coming here?"

"Yeah—if you're okay with that."

"Of course. That's not a problem." She took a sip of her coffee, then set the cup down. I reached for her hand and held it tightly.

"Thank you. I don't know if I said that last night." Words couldn't fully express how full my heart felt.

She brushed her thumb against my cheek. "J, I think you should stay here. It's completely safe. I can always stay at a hotel or—"

"Or stay with me, bitch. Hashtag sleepover," Gil said, making his dramatic entrance into the kitchen. He poured himself a cup of coffee, kissed us both on the cheek, and sat down.

I looked at Shawn. "This is your space, and if I stay here, I definitely don't want to be alone."

"Then stay with me," she said gently. "Gil's place isn't far. Preston's even closer now. Everything you need is right here."

"Are you sure?" I asked again.

"I want to protect you, J," she said simply.

⸻

My doctor arrived within the hour. Gil and Shawn waited in the other room while he examined me.

"Your ribs are badly bruised," he said. "I don't think any are broken, but I can't be sure without an X-ray, Janet."

"I can't go to the hospital," I said, feeling anxious and embarrassed. "Please—just help me."

He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Okay. Come to my office tomorrow morning. I'll set up a private room—just you and me. No nurses. We'll call it a routine checkup."

"Thank you, Doctor. There's one more thing." I explained what had happened in the bathroom.

"Janet, have you called the police?"

"I'm not calling the police on my husband. I don't need that kind of attention right now—but I do need to know I'm okay. There's a lot of pain and swelling." He sterilized his hands and put on gloves.

The bruising on my inner thighs shocked him. His eyes met mine briefly before I looked away, trying to ignore how uncomfortable I felt.

"There isn't much I can see from here, but I can feel the swelling. Did he use protection?"

"Yeah," I snapped. "He took a second to put on a condom before raping me." I covered my face.

"I'm sorry—I had to ask," he said quietly, resting a hand on my shoulder.

"I know. I'm sorry." I pulled Shawn's robe tighter around myself and sat up. "He didn't... finish in me. He'd never risk me getting pregnant. Are we done?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'll see you tomorrow morning." He handed me a wrap. "This should make moving a little easier until we get the X-rays done."

I nodded and walked him to the door. "Thank you—and I'm sorry for snapping. I had a rough night."

"I understand. I'm here for you anytime, Ms. Jackson."

After he left, Gil and Shawn stood as I walked into the dining room.

"What did he say, Dunk? Are you okay?"

"He doesn't think my ribs are broken, but he wants an X-ray to be sure. Everything else just needs time to heal." I looked at Shawn. She wouldn't meet my eyes. "Shawn? Are you okay?"

"I'm good," she said.

⸻

Shawn

I lied.

I wasn't good at all.

I'd messed up. I was angry at her for bringing Rene around, and I wanted her to be jealous. Seeing the look on her face when Amelia approached me gave me a twisted sense of satisfaction. I wanted her to feel what I felt every time I saw her with him.

Snapping out of it, I stood up and walked into my room. Gil followed.

"Shawn, look at me," he said.

I paced for a moment, then stopped and glanced at him.

"I know what you're thinking, and it's okay to feel that way—but this isn't about you right now." He pointed toward the kitchen. "She needs us. She needs you. So get this shit out of your system and help her through this."

He squeezed my hand. "I love you, Sexual Chocolate."

"You know I hate when you call me that."

"I know—but you look like a Milk Dud." He laughed. "I'm gonna say goodbye to Dunk. Don't worry about rehearsals tomorrow—I'll talk to T." He turned to leave, then paused. "Thank you for saving her. You were her knight in shining armor last night."

He blew me a kiss and walked out.

I needed to burn off some steam, so I pulled on a pair of shorts and a tank top.

Call me old-fashioned, but it keeps me in shape. A few minutes into my workout, I slipped into my zone. I didn't even notice Janet standing behind me.

"Shawn?"

I stopped and turned to her.

"Did I say something to upset you?" she asked.

I stared at her in disbelief. After everything she'd been through, she was worried about me.

"Of course not, J," I said gently. "I just have some things on my mind. I promise—you didn't do anything wrong."

"I'm still really tired," she said quietly. "Will you come lay with me until I fall asleep? I don't want to be alone right now."

She held out her hand. I pulled off my gloves, tossed them aside, and took it.

My heart was pounding out of my chest, and there was no hiding it. We climbed into bed, and she snuggled close to me, her head resting on my chest. My heartbeat had to be thunderous in her ear, but she didn't seem to mind. Her fingers brushed mine—just lightly at first—then slowly intertwined with them. I closed my eyes and let myself breathe.

"Did you know I was jealous?" she asked.

My eyes fluttered open. "Did you know?"

"I wasn't sure," I admitted. "But I wanted you to be."

She lifted her head and looked at me. "Why?"

I struggled to hold her gaze, but I couldn't look away. "Because I was. I always have been. I may not have known all the details about you and Rene, but I could see you weren't happy." I turned my head, blinking back tears.

"Shawn, I—"

"You don't owe me any explanation, J," I said quickly. "He's your husband, and I'm just the dancer who fell for her boss."

I slid out of the bed and walked out of the room.