This is the second part to Tutelage but will be multiple chapters. As always, I hope you enjoy it. J
Elaine, Chris, and CJ were meeting for a girls' night at a nightclub, this time. While CJ had been spending more and more time with Evan, she had still been hanging out with the other women. Tonight, she had agreed to meet them at a new club. Easily, she spied her friends near the dance floor and made her way through the crowd to get to them.
Chris saw her, as she neared their table. "Damn, woman. I hate you for looking so good," she grumbled good-naturedly. She didn't know the exact relationship between her friend and Evan - not even CJ could define it - but she knew that they were 'working out' in more than one way, and it showed.
CJ had always been naturally thin, but now, she was hard-bodied and carried herself with a litheness that was almost cat-like. It was a by-product of all of the training with Evan - and the confidence and self-assuredness that her new skills gave her. So, her mind was astute, her physical responses were very fast, and with the meditation he'd taught her to practice every day, she was calmer and grounded most of the time. Her inside finally matched the personal facade she'd always placed on the outside.
She looked at her friend and laughed. Chris was a highly attractive blonde, so she said, "Right. Like you aren't a knockout tonight!"
Elaine jibed, "What she means is you steal the show, you jerk. We're going to have to ask you to sit somewhere else. Not all of us are hitting the sheets with a sexy stud on a regular basis. Yet. You'll have to go, now, so we can catch one ourselves."
CJ quipped, "You two planning to share?"
"Ha-ha. Sit your butt down, so you're not attracting so much attention. What I'd give to have those legs... Did you have to wear a dress, tonight?" Elaine winked at her to prove she was only teasing.
"Yes, I had to. I saw it, fell in love with it, and had the chance to don it. So, for better or worse, you're stuck with me in it." CJ took her seat at the high table and crossed her legs, the flowing skirt covering her thighs but only just; plenty of knee and calf were visible - not that she was trying to attract anyone. She simply liked the way she felt about herself and was proud of how things were going, including her newly toned body.
"So. Have you heard from Evan?" Chris asked, trying to juice her for information.
"No, and I don't expect to." Despite the fact they'd been spending a lot of time together, CJ more than knew the score and was okay with it; they weren't in a relationship in any traditional sense of the word, and God only knew what Evan was doing right at this moment. Though, she did hope he was okay and would return just as he'd left - alive and physically intact.
"Well, tonight is about having fun, so let's pick out some marks and hit the dance floor," Elaine said.
"You two go ahead. I'm good enjoying the music and sipping a couple of cocktails," CJ replied.
"Suit yourself," Chris said, "I'm making my way to the bar. There's a certain stud I'm looking to pick up..."
CJ shook her head at Chris as she sauntered off. She knew full well that Chris might have fun with the guy, but the only thing going home with either of them would be exchanged numbers. Which is how CJ used to be - well, pretty much still was, save for her experience with Evan. She figured that she wasn't doing half-bad, if a one-night stand had turned into a few months' worth of time well-spent. She smirked to herself, then ordered a drink from a passing waitress.
"Jack and Coke," she said.
"You got it," and the woman was off.
Elaine hadn't left the table, yet, and was studying her friend. "You look more relaxed than I've seen you in years."
"That's because I feel more relaxed than I have in years. Things are going well, right now."
"Imagine that. You let your hair and your guard down for a couple of weeks, and the world shifts for you." Elaine jokingly huffed. Then, she said, "You've needed this, my friend. I'm glad you've taken a few chances. I'm still blown away that you left a bar with a guy, but hell, it seems like it's working out for you."
"I lucked out. We're not a couple, but we're having fun, and I don't have to worry about publicity, when I'm with him."
"I know you hate that, too. I'm more than a little surprised that we let Chris talk us into coming here," Elaine said, as she looked around the club.
"She's a persuasive little thing, but she imparted a some wisdom, when I initially declined: with what I do - whom I work with, when he's around - it's all part of the job. I need to get used to it and start learning to ignore it. Of course, Miss Chris gets to be a big part of what happens without the hassle of the press," CJ couldn't resist getting the good-natured dig in at her good friend.
Elaine laughed. "Yes, but something tells me it wouldn't bother her as much. She's a spitfire, and things roll off of her back easier than they do for me. We used to have more of that in common, CJ, but I can see the change happening in you, too. I think it's wonderful."
"Learn to meditate. It helps. Great sex doesn't hurt, either."
Elaine groaned. "On that note, I'm outta here. Don't be a stuffed shirt on that chair all night. Come dance a few numbers with us, at some point."
"I promise."
The night went on, and CJ watched her friends having fun. Truth be told, she was enjoying the people-watching and listening to good music. Her life had been so full, lately, that this was enough for her to have a good time.
She did get up and dance to a few songs with a couple of different guys, but there was nothing more to it than that. In fact, one of them seemed to take a shine to Elaine, and CJ was happy to let them wander off together. She wasn't certain, but not long after she started making her way back to the table, she thought she saw a flash go off. She sighed and figured a photographer got a shot in, before one of the bouncers escorted him out. No telling whom he or she was taking a pic of, though; this club was laden with names, as well as regulars.
"Can I buy you a drink?" a voice offered from over her shoulder. She turned to be sure the man was speaking to her and was surprised to see an old flame standing there. Jim was someone she'd taken a fancy to not long after she'd moved to LA.
"Jim, how are you?" she smiled. They hadn't worked out, but they had parted mostly on good terms. He had had issues with the hours she put in at the office - and the potential for danger. He was the first in the trend of boyfriends who didn't like her career nor the company she kept doing it. All except for Evan; he was refreshing. (She refused to count Robert Tyler as anything other than what he was - an egocentric killer.)
"I'm doing good, and you...well, suffice it to say, you look fantastic." His appreciation was easy to read, even if he hadn't offered the words.
Indeed, she was a lovely sight. Her shag-cut hair had grown out but was still in a trendy unkempt style, and she'd had the stylist add intricately-placed blonde highlights during her last visit. She'd also started doing her makeup differently. Then, there was the dress - a Greek style tunic with a V-neck with an attractive black-and-white pattern. Not many women could pull it off, but she was able to do so easily. Coupled with her tan and black high-heeled sandals, she looked good. Most importantly, she was comfortable in it.
"Thank you. I can see that time has been kind to you, too. You're looking well." She smiled because it was nice to see him, but she wasn't overly enthused about his seeming interest.
"So, can I buy you a drink?" he asked, again.
"No more alcohol for me, tonight, but I'll have a water with you. When you get back from the bar, take a seat, and we can catch up," she said, motioning to one of the extra chairs at the table.
"Great," and with that, he turned and was quickly lost in the crowd.
He returned several minutes later, saying, "It's a madhouse, tonight," as he sat down.
"I can see that. It's my first time here, but I like it. Less crowded would be even better."
"Good luck with that. It's in too hip a spot to be anything but packed. So...I haven't seen you in the news, lately. Business not as exciting, these days?" He was teasing, but she wasn't amused.
"You find entertainment in us risking our lives?" She was calm but raised a brow at him. No need to go into the fact that she'd been office-bound for the last several months; it was about to change.
He looked a little flustered at her response. "No, no. I'm sorry because that was crass of me. It's just that you're not in the news much, anymore. It was how I kept up with you."
"Hmph." She laughed at this. "I can't believe you even wanted to keep up with what I was doing, Jim. You weren't exactly happy about my choice of careers. But, I suppose if you watch the news, you couldn't help but catch snippets. To answer your question, business is good. I've been working on the corporate side of things for the past few months, but that's changing. Stay tuned; you'll probably be seeing more of me..." She trailed off but gave him a half-smile.
They talked about inane things for another half-an-hour, and she finally asked, "So, why are you really here, Jim? I know you didn't come over to catch up because you aren't overly interested in our conversation. It's getting tedious talking with you," she said honestly.
He sighed. "I'm sorry. I should have known better than to try and keep up a false pretense with you for long. You were always good at reading people. The truth is that I think I want to hire you, rather Houston Investigations."
She looked at him seriously, then. "What's going on?"
"Well," he looked down at his glass, then back up at her, "I'm going through a divorce, and to say it's been rough is putting it mildly. We have two-year-old twin girls, and she wants sole custody, but I'm not about to let her succeed. She lies, she cheats..." He stopped himself. "I'm sorry... I need help proving that she has dangerous hobbies, and I want my girls away from her. Essentially, the environment she exposes them to - when she's high as a kite," he ended.
"Oh, Jim. I'm so sorry. Tell you what. Come by the office tomorrow, and Roy and I will speak with you about it. We'll figure out where we need to begin, okay?"
"Yes. Alright." He looked away, then back at her, "Thanks, CJ. I appreciate it. I really do."
They both stood, and she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow. Stop by anytime. I'll be in the office all day."
He gave her a quick hug and a tentative smile, before he left.
"Who was that?" Chris asked, as she and Elaine walked up to the table.
"An old friend. He's going to drop by the office tomorrow; he wants to hire us."
"Gotcha. Can't go anywhere without getting hit up for business, can you?" Chris teased.
"Not really," CJ agreed. "Hey, you two. I think I've had my fill for the night. I'll probably be leaving soon."
"I'm right behind ya," Elaine agreed. "My feet are killing me."
"I'm good-to-go, too. This has been fun, though. Maybe, we can come back again sooner rather than later." Chris looked at CJ and Elaine, her expression fairly screaming "hint, hint."
CJ laughed. "Alright, Chris. We're receiving you loud and clear."
Chris smiled. "Great! Then, let's go. I've got plans in the morning, anyway. Breakfast with the cousins."
"If Pam's there, tell her hi for me," CJ said, as they started making their way to exit.
"Will do. She's supposed to come."
"Is this the twin sister I've heard all about but have never seen in the flesh?" Elaine asked.
"Yeah, and you probably won't get to meet her for a long time. It's hard for me to see her; she's too much of a gypsy, but she's in town for now and promised to come to breakfast."
At this point, they hit the cool night air outside the club, which was a welcome change from the heat inside.
"Whew! You don't realize how hot it is, until you step out," Elaine marveled.
"Agreed," Chris said. "Anyone want to go for coffee?"
"Count me out. I'm going in early to catch up, in case Jim was serious about hiring us; I told him that he could drop by anytime," CJ said. "Besides, I can't believe you got me out on a weeknight, Chris."
"Hell, tomorrow is Friday. What's the matter with pushing it?"
"I'm with Chris," Elaine said. "Sometimes, you've gotta let your hair down - even it if goes against the grain."
CJ shook her head at her friends and laughed. "You two are incorrigible. I guess it's why I love you so much! Well, I'm out of here. Chris, I'll see you in the morning, and Elaine, I'll give you a call during the day. I imagine we'll be doing something again tomorrow night and/or Saturday?"
"Count on it," Chris said. "I'm milking the fun we're having till the cow runs dry."
Elaine and CJ shook their heads.
"Bye, you two. Catch ya tomorrow," and CJ headed to her car.
On the drive home, she thought about her conversation with Jim. There was something else going on, there, but she couldn't know what it was. So, she tabled her questions until tomorrow, when she would grill him more about his wife and her extracurricular activities.