The Bet

"Dunk please stop pacing. It's only 1:30. Even you party longer than that." Gil said. His head going back and forth watching her. "Sit down girl, you're making me dizzy."

"I don't know Gil. It's just that Clarke and I are very connected... in ways that I can't comprehend. I feel her right now." She put her hand to her chest. "Call it love's intuition. I can't shake this feeling I have." She rested against the counter, head in her hands. Janet continued... "And she hasn't texted me Gil, not once. I never have to text her when we're apart because she beats me to it every time."

Gil stood up and joined her at the counter. "I've texted and called 5 times already." He said. "What about Preston? Just have him go inside." He said taking her hand. The worry was very evident in her eyes. "Or I could go."

"Alone? And have you burn the place down if shit looks shady... no." She joked. "Us going together... I'm not opposed to that idea." She said picking up her phone.

"Heeelloooo, we have Eissa. You can't just stroll up in there with a baby on your hip... you might need both them hands tonight Dunk."

"Already ahead of you. Wissam will be here in 15 minutes. Preston can be here in 7. He knows a short cut." She said flashing her phone screen in his direction.

Gil smiled. "That's why I love you Bitch."

"Okay I'm going to go jump into a pair sweat and tennis shoes."

"Ewww no. We can whoop ass and slay bitch. To your closet we go honey." He said grabbing her hand. "I already know what I want to wear."

"You have clothes here?"

"Hell yeah, brought some the first night I stayed here and stuck them in your closet. Stay ready so you don't have to get ready right?"

Wissam and Preston showed up with in five minutes of each other. Janet and Gil we're still getting ready. Wissam and Preston sat in the bed just waiting and watching. They glanced at each other every once in a while and shook their head.

Wissam walked them to the door, baby monitor in hand.

"I am so sorry again that you had to do this in the middle of the night Wissam."

"It's no problem at all. He's my kid too. Now hurry and go get your girl. Eissa probably won't even wake while you're away." She smiled and touched his shoulder.

"Thanks." She said getting into the car, Gil right behind her.

Gil glanced over at Janet. She looked so worried. "Hey," He said, taking her hand. "We're almost there. Stop worrying at least until we have something to worry about babe."

"Okay." She said forcing a smile and then focusing her attention back to the window.

"Dayum, Alicia out here living bitch." Gil said looking out Janet's window as they pulled up.

"The house I let go by choice was bigger." Gil laughed.

"Yaaaaassss bitch please wear that petty attitude in this house with you." He said as they got out of the car.

Janet and Gil walked in hand and hand. They stopped and looked around for a moment. Not seeing Clarke anywhere. Walking through the crowd of people Gil turned his nose up.

"Coke heads I swear." He said leading Janet through the living room to the kitchen. They also checked the back by the pool.

Mya and her friends we all naked in the pool. People were starting to come out of their clothes everywhere. Janet and Gil glanced at each other.

"I told you that we over dressed." Janet said.

"Girl let's find Clarke and get the fuck outta here." Walked back inside. Gil noticed a couple walking up the stairs. "Let's check up stairs." He said grabbing Janet's hand.

"Aye you're Janet Jackson right?" A  random guy said. He was standing next to the stairs.

Janet smiled. "Hi it's nice to meet you." She was trying to be nice. "Now if you'll excuse us."

"You wanna slide these slopes baby?" He said pushing the tray of cocaine in her face.

"No thank you." She said politely and tried to walk away. The man grabbed her by the arm.

"Don't act stuck up, come party with me." He said. Gil pushed his as hard as he could.

"No means no you fucking coke head." He took Janet's hand allowing her to go a head of him up the stairs. "Bitch."

Gil and Janet walked through hallways, checking door after door. Though they had walked in on a few people, there was still no sign of Clarke.

"Fuck, where are you baby?" Janet said checking another door.

"How many rooms does this fucking place have anyways, damn." Gil said getting frustrated. He stopped. Janet glanced at him.

"What Gil?"

"Shhh!" He put his finger to his lips, putting ear to the door at the farthest end of the hallway. He waved Janet to listen. She pressed her ear to the door carefully. "That's Alicia right there." Gil said... "and... damn why does that voice sound so familiar?" He whispered.

Janet listened for a moment. "Is that..." She looked at Gil. "Is that fucking Brylee?" Janet grabbed the door knob.