The Bet

Thirteen shows into the tour and it was finally time for everyone to take a break. They had a week off before the concert was to resume in Toronto. Every show since opening night was sold out and Janet was more than great fun. She'd had her doubts because of previous cancellations for her last tour but the fan love was shinning bright.

As much fun as she was having, Clarke was excited to have a week to rest. She'd gotten the chance to see Janet every night on stage right in front of her but they hadn't had anytime alone in over a week. Gil had suggested that they stop with the late night hotel sleepovers and Janet agreed.

"The media is all over her right now. Cameras are watching and following her every move." He said. His words replayed in her mind. Clarke understood and didn't want to do anything to jeopardize the progress of Janet's tour.

The talk of a possible relationship between them had died down ever since TMZ ran the story. It seemed like they were about in the clear with the press. Clarke had called Gil earlier that day when she wasn't able to get ahold of Janet.

"Dunk is busy Daddy I'm sorry. She is headed to an interview as we speak." He said.

The disappointment in Clarke's voice was evident. "I guess I thought we would have time to see eachother while on a break."

"Unfortunately a break for us just means meetings for her babe. I'm sorry. I'll make sure she calls you as soon as she has a free moment. I promise." He said.

"Thanks Gil, love you... bye." She was really disappointed but she knew it wasn't anyone's fault. Thats what happens when you're girlfriend is famous.

"Girlfriend..." She said aloud to herself.

They had said I love you hundreds of times by now but Clarke still didn't know what they were. They never discussed it. Clarke wanted to address it but knew to do it only when the time was right. After all, Janet was still married.

On a lighter note, Gil suggested that Clarke and Brylee get to know each other better. He also suggested that once the tour resumes, that they should room together for the remainder of the tour. "It will be good for the both of you. You are more alike than you know. Plus it will help your vibes on stage." Both girls were open to  the idea and made arrangements to hang out over the break.

Clarke didn't realize how close she and Brylee lived to each other. It only took her 15 minutes before she arrived at the house with the powder blue door.

She knocked and waited.

The door opened finally. "Hey Hot Shot." She said smiling. Clarke laughed holding up a bottle of champagne.

"I brought some bubbly." She said and handed it to her. Brylee stepped aside, allowing Clarke to enter her home.

"I love your place." Clarke said looking around. "Next time you'll have to come check out my crib. Man these high ceilings are so dope."

"Thanks and most definitely! I'm hosting lunch, so you can cook us dinner next time." Brylee said from the kitchen. She came back into the with some finger foods she had prepared and a corkscrew for the champagne. She handed it to Clarke and cleared the table of her books. Clarke looked down at her watch before opening then. It was only noon. "I guess it's 3 o'clock somewhere."

They both started to laugh as Clarke held the bottle steady between her legs. She attempted to open it with a bit of a struggle.

Brylee laughed quietly. "Are you sure you've got that?" She said watching Clarke's face turned different shades of red.

"I got this." She and pulled hard, turning the cork back an forth until it was lifted enough out of the bottle. She wedge her thumbs into it, pushing until... Pop!

Brylee dodged the cork as it flew right past her and into the wall. She looked back at Clarke and they both fell out laughing.

Brylee took a seat on the floor next to the table. "So tell me... how did this thing with you and Janet happen? I didn't even know she liked women.

Clarke went into the whole story, telling her about the first meeting at the studio to all the things Emory had done to break them up.

"So are you guys still friends?" Brylee asked as she sipped her glass of champagne. Clarke shook her head.

"Nah not really. We haven't spoken in awhile. I think it's best though." Clarke said. "She had become so jealous and with the shit she pulled, I can't put Janet in that kind of position, you know?"

"Well she is very lucky to have you. Ive been working with her for long time now and I haven't seen her this happy in a long time." Brylee looked over at Clarke and smiled.

"You think she's the lucky one?" Clarke asked jokingly. "It's been hard lately though. We haven't been able to spend any time together and I get why. I just, I guess I miss her."

"We see her all the time Clarke."

"Yeah but it's different. She is always surrounded by people, whether it be fans, others in the crew or cameras. We haven't had any kind of alone time. It's frustrating."

Brylee grabbed the bottle and refilled their glasses. "That sounds tough. I'm sure things will calm down. I can tell that she really cares about you. Just be patient, she'll find the time."

"Yeah." Clarke said and shrugged.

They talked for hours. Brylee told Clarke about her being raised by her father. Her mother had left home when she was young, to follow her dreams as singer.

"She left one day and just never came back." She explained. "I ended up her looking for her when I turned 21. While I was here, I saw that auditions were being held for some famous singer. I tried out and here I am still doing it years later."

"Did you find mom?" Clarke asked curiously noticing that Brylee had completely skipped over that part in her story.

"I did." She nodded. "I found her in an alley in West Hollywood. She'd become a junky." She looked away and wiped her eyes. "My dad tried to warn me but I didn't listen. I couldn't save her. She overdosed and I lost her a year after I moved here."

Clarke touched her hand. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah." Brylee forced a slight smile.

"And your dad?" Clarke asked.

Brylee stood up grabbing the empty bottle of champagne. "Cancer, apparently I couldn't save him either." She said and walked out of the living room and into the kitchen. Clarke sat there for a moment, then stood up and followed.

Brylee stood against the kitchen counter, her back was towards Clarke. She looked back briefly trying to hide her tears. "Sorry, it's the damn champagne. It gets me all emotional."

"I lost my mom too, breast cancer." Clarke said. Brylee turned to face her. "I know how you feel. I don't have any family. It's just me."

Brylee held out her hand and pulled Clarke into an embrace, hugging her tightly. They let go slowly and their eyes met. They stood there for a moment, not saying a word.

Clarke was the first to snap out of it. "Um, I should uh, I should probably go. I don't want to miss Janet if she calls." She said nervously. Brylee nodded.

"Yeah, of course, it's almost 6 anyway and I'm supposed to meet up with some friends and go out tonight." Brylee said putting the empty bottle in the trash finally.

"Wanna do dinner at my place tomorrow night?" Clarke asked. For the first time she couldn't make eye contact with Brylee.

"Depends... can you cook?" Brylee asked.

"Are you kidding, I'm a fucking beast in the kitchen!" Clarke joked.

"Don't toot your own horn or anything." Brylee said as she walked Clarke towards the door. She opened it and Clarke stepped outside looked at her and smiled. "Hey, things got a little weird. I feel like it was kind of my fault. I'm sorry about that."

"Nah it was the champagne. Don't worry about it Okay? Dinner tomorrow night tho!" She said. "Bring your appetite." Clarke yelled back at her as she walked down the pathway to her car.

Brylee watched until she drove off. "What the fuck Brylee?" She said to herself as she walked back into her home.