Chapter 24

“What’s it with you women? I mean almost all of you have cheated on or was the other half of an affair where the woman was cheating on their partners. ReallyDana was cheating on Tonya with Alice. Bette cheated on Tina. Jenny cheated on her fianc with some European woman, who was cheating on her girlfriend. Shane was with that rich lady who was cheating on her husband and now this. You guys are a regular fucking episode of Melrose Place.” Zo said shaking her head and using her hands to talk and point out all of her match ups.

“Wait what do you mean and now this?” Bette asked while Carmen just sat there looking as if she was trying to match everything up in her mind.

“Thanks for the recap, Z.” Shane growled ignoring Bette’s question.

“No problem.” Zo smiled sweetly then winced when Carmen squeezed her hand.

A phone started ringing and everyone looked at their cells.

“It’s mine!” Alice said before answering. “Hello? Hey you, how are you doing?”

Alice’s eyes shifted guiltily causing Shane to realize it was Andie.

“Yeah she’s right here. Hold on.” Alice said and handed Zo the phone. “When are you going to get your own cell phone? It’s like fucking Shane without a computer.”

Zo rolled her eyes at Alice and spoke into the phone. “Yo!” She laughed slightly. “Alice just asked me the same thing. What’s up?”

Shane watched her closely, her heart beating loudly in her ears.

“No, I can meet you there. Give me a half an hour. Can I bring Carmen? Cool, later.” Zo closed the phone and handed it back to Alice.

“We gotta go.” Zo stood up and pulled Carmen to her feet. She turned and smiled at the other women and then her eyes settled on the sulking Shane. “I will call you. So answer your phone.”

Shane nodded as the two left.

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Andie was sitting at the bar that was empty at Velvet’s. She looked up at the stage where a young Puerto Rican girl was practicing her routine.

“Looking good, baby girl.” Velvet said as she walked past the stage and towards the bar. Andie turned on the stool and watched the small raven beauty. She had never seen Velvet in regular clothing and she looked just as classy as usual in her indigo blue tank top with the logo of the club on the front and black jeans. Her coal black hair lay straight over her shoulders.

Andie slipped off her stool and moved to Velvet with a smile on her face. Velvet looked Andie over; she looked tired, but still beautiful in her torn jeans and a tight tan t-shirt with white lettering that pulled across her chest saying “Rock Steady”

Andie ran a hand through her black chunky hair before hugging Velvet tightly.

“You look gorgeous, Andie.” Velvet kissed her cheek. “What are you doing back from the tour?”

“Well, we” Andie started but then she stopped when she saw Zo and Carmen walk in holding hands.

“Hey ladies.” Zo said hugging Velvet. “You look hot as always.”

Carmen walked straight to Andie and wrapped her arms around her. She pulled back and placed her hands gently on Andie’s cheeks, guiding her to look into her own brown eyes. Zo had told her about Shane and Tarin on the way to the club.

“How are you?” Carmen asked.

She looked into the smoky eyes and then saw Andie’s bottom lip quiver. But Andie composed herself and forced a smile.

“I’ll be ok, thanks. It’s good to see you.” Andie’s silky voice managed to say.

“So And, what’s up?” Zo asked.

Andie looked between Zo and Velvet. “Velvet if Zo and I get this song together. Would you perform to it?”

“Absolutely, just get me the music. I’ll come up with something.” Velvet smiled.

Zo glanced at Andie; she knew that when Andie came up with something with short notice, it meant that she was going to be up all night practicing. She sighed and propped her arms on the bar counter. “So..when are we performing this?”

Andie grinned and looked between Velvet and Zo. “In two nights.”

Zo pressed her head against the counter banging it lightly on the cool marble, groaning.

“If you guys are back from tour, what’s the hurry?” Velvet asked letting her hands rest on her hips.

Andie took in a breath knowing that what she was about to say might upset Zo.

“Because I’m going up to Vancouver to hang with Brody and the guys. I’ll be staying with them until they are done touring.” Andie said quietly.

“Ok, cool, we should get started then.” Zo said standing up straight.

“Wait, Zo. But after the tour, I’m going to Seattle to kick it for a while.” Andie said carefully. “I was hoping to work at your club, Velvet.”

Velvet gazed at Zo and Carmen and then back at Andie. “Of course, I’ll get in touch with the assistant manager there.”

Zo seemed to ignore Velvet and stepped closer towards Andie. “For how long?”

Andie stared into Zo’s clear sapphire eyes. “I don’t know.”

Carmen looked nervously at the two women. Zo glanced back at her and then she turned grabbing Andie roughly out of earshot.

“Do-Not-Do-This!” Zo said through clenched teeth.

“Zo, I need to. I have to think and try something else. You have to understand that.” Andie said quickly.

“Oh, this is me you are talking to Andie, don’t give me that bullshit. You are fucking running.” Zo crossed her arms over her chest. “Listen, I talked to Shane today and I want you to listen to what happened.”

Carmen watched as Zo talked to Andie. She didn’t move until Velvet touched her shoulder.

“You ok?” she asked.

“I’m just nervous. What if Zo leaves with Andie?” Carmen whispered.

“You never know, Carmen. She may surprise you.” Velvet rubbed her shoulder softly.