Chapter 55 – You're Not Ready

Kwest: "Take care, man."

Tommy: "Alright, bye." He said and hung up. Kwest smiled to himself and went in search of Jude.

Kwest knocked on the locked door hoping to rescue Jude.

EJ: "Who is it?" he heard EJ screaming.

Kwest: "Kwest, is Jude in there?" he asked looking at the door.

EJ: "She's getting ready, same thing you should be doing. We're leaving in an hour."

Kwest: "Can I talk to her?"

EJ: "No, she's getting dressed. Go home, get ready and come back here. Tell Tony to do the same." She yelled through closed doors. Kwest knew there was no help for Jude this time so he followed EJ's advice, told Tony to get ready and meet them back at G Major. He walked out of the building and headed home to get ready himself.

About an hour later, Jude accompanied by Kwest sat in the lobby of G Major waiting for Tony to show up and EJ to get finished putting her make-up on. Just as EJ came down the stairs, Tony walked in with the receptionist at his arm. They were both laughing and their hands were around the other. Jude jumped to her feet annoyed for having to wait.

Jude: "You're late." She said. Tony stopped laughing and looked at her.

Tony: "Chill Mom, I'm here. Hey you look hot." He said looking her up and down. Jude suddenly felt self conscious of her appearance and looked at her self in embarrassment. This wasn't EJ's best work, for sure. She had made her wear a black mini skirt (and by mini she meant mini. If she sat down or even tried to accomplish such a task she'd have the drunken guys drooling for sure) and a white top, showing so much of her breasts that her nipples were ready to fall out. To top it off EJ had made her put on a pair of what Jude liked to call hooker-boots. She rolled her eyes at Tony whose hand was around Tania's shoulders and just walked past him. EJ and Kwest followed Jude and then Tony with his date. Once outside they separated into two cars, Jude deciding to hitch a ride with Kwest while Tony and Tania drove with EJ.

Half hour later, they parked and made their way to the club's entrance. Tony was paying all his attention to Tania (Jude knew he planned on getting busy tonight), EJ was talking on the phone since they had left G Major and Kwest was sticking close to Jude. It felt comforting to have Kwest close by. Jude pushed her way through the crowd of people that were trying to get inside. They walked passed the huge line outside and stopped in front of the bouncer. He immediately recognized Jude and Tony, smiled and opened the door for them to enter. The people in the line began to complain but Jude just ignored it. Being famous had its perks once in a while. Once, inside Jude felt all out of place. There was a huge bar at the far corner to her left, no help since she wasn't old enough to drink. She looked around to find the dance floor of people already feeling and touching all on each other, no help since she couldn't dance to save her life and she had no one to dance like that with. She looked up to find a second floor. She guessed that that's where the VIP rooms were, no help again since she didn't request a VIP room. By the time she absorbed everything, Tony was already dancing with Tania, if that's what you want to call it. She was basically on top of him with one of her legs wrapped around him. Jude shivered at the sight in disgust. Kwest laughed noticing her grimace.

Kwest: "You want something to drink?" he asked nodding to the bar.

Jude: "Alcohol? I could use something strong." she asked hopeful but knew the answer.

Kwest: "Try again…….." he smirked and shook his head.

Jude: "Fine, I'll take a Red Bull." She said. Kwest nodded.

Kwest: "EJ?"

EJ: "Pink Pussy." She said still yelling into her phone. Jude broke out in laughter at the drink's name but decided to go with Kwest rather than having to listen to EJ's conversation. When she turned around EJ was off the phone and talking to some guy.

Jude: "Looks like it's just you and me buddy." She said to Kwest who had ordered the drinks already.

Kwest: "Could be worse." He shrugged handing her the can of Red Bull.

Kwest: "Hey, I gotta say hi to some people, publicity and all, you'll be Ok for a few minutes by yourself?" he asked pointing to the DJ.

Jude: "Yeah, go." She smiled.

Kwest: "You sure?" he asked thoughtfully. He wasn't sure about leaving her all by herself, especially dressed the way she was.

Jude: "It's me. I'll be fine." Kwest smiled, took his drink and walk off to the DJ. Jude turned to the bar to set her Red Bull down and then noticed EJ's Pink Pussy just sitting there. She turned to look at EJ who was already dancing with the guy she just met. More like feeling on each other then dancing. Looking around, Jude noticed no one was paying attention to her, so she took the drink and sipped it down in a few big gulps. She felt herself relax a little and continued to check the scene out.

"Can I buy you a drink?" she heard someone ask. Turning her head to the right, a young man sat on one of the bar stools and waved to the bartender. "A Pink Pussy for the lady and a Coors Light for me." He said and turned to look at Jude. "I'm Mitch." He said stretching a hand out to her. Jude looked at it hesitantly but than smiled "Jude." She said.

Mitch: "Nice to meet you." He said smiling for the first time. Jude couldn't help but notice his amazingly white teeth. He had dimples and a strange set of gray eyes. And just then it hit her, he didn't know who she was. For the first time since she had won Instant Star, she wasn't recognized. And it felt good.

Mitch: "Want to dance?" he asked her nodding to the dance floor. Jude looked at the dance floor and then back at him. She shook her head.

Jude: "I don't dance." She explained.

Mitch: "You can't be that bad. I'm a great teacher." He said taking her hand in his. Jude looked at him as he stood up. He wasn't seriously thinking of dancing with her? Good thing she had 911 on speed dial. He was going to need it after they were done.

Mitch had a nice body and so far a great personality. It was just a dance, she thought. The bartender set their drinks down in front of them and eyed Jude. She knew he recognized her but she turned her head before he could say anything. She once again drank the whole thing and let Mitch lead her to the dance floor. The music banged from all the speakers and everyone was into their own moves. She waited for Mitch to take the first step and soon enough he did by placing his hands on her hips and beginning to move to the beat. She started to move with him and felt him move closer. Her body relaxed colliding with his as his hands guided her through every step. He smiled at her and she lost herself in the beat. For a few minutes, she forgot all about the people around or the real reason she was there. She even forgot about Tommy for that instant. A few minutes into the song and Jude losing her breath they were completely grinding against each other. Suddenly, Mitch felt a light tap on his shoulder and turned around to face Tony.

Mitch: "I'm dancing with her now." He said and turned back to Jude. Jude hadn't even noticed Tony, she was too busy concentrating and trying not to lose herself.

Tony: "I'm cutting in." he said, pushing Mitch off of Jude a little. She recognized that familiar voice. Jude stopped moving and looked at Tony.

Mitch: "I wasn't done dancing with the lady."

Tony: "I wouldn't call that dancing. You were feeling all on her." He said. Jude could hear the anger rising in his voice.

Mitch: "Man, this is none of your business."

Tony: "Jude is my business and I think you're done here." He said taking his place in front of Jude, completely blocking Mitch off. Jude looked at Tony with resentment in her eyes.

Jude: "I was dancing with Mitch."

Tony: "And now you're dancing with me." He said firmly, mean-mugging Mitch. Mitch just looked at Tony and then Jude, gave her an apologetic look and turned around to walk away.

Jude: "What was that?" she asked pushing him when Mitch was gone.

Tony: "I could ask you the same thing."

Jude: "We were dancing."

Tony: "That wasn't dancing. He was feeling on you."

Jude: "Kind of like you were on Tania. Where is she?" she asked just now noticing she wasn't around.

Tony: "In the bathroom. Have you been drinking?" he asked just now smelling the alcohol in her breath.

Jude: "No." she said turning her head.

Tony: "You are such a bad liar." He cracked a smile. All of a sudden Jude was pushed against him. She stumbled right into his arms and he barely caught her. His arms wrapped around her to support her weight and keep her from falling. She dug her nails into his arms to keep her balance and keep her ass from hitting the floor. Tony grinned down at her but his smirk faded when she concentrated her gaze on his eyes. He pushed her up a little into a standing position.

Tony: "You Ok?" he asked almost concerned.

Jude: "I'm fine." She said pulling her skirt down.

Tony: "Ok, well let's have some fun." He said breaking the moment. Jude looked at him confused at first but then he started to move closer to her and dance to the music. She didn't feel like dancing but he wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her to him. Her chest ran into with his and she felt herself relax again. Tony was grinning down at her.

Tony: "Come on, Jude. I know you can do better than that." He teased. Jude smiled and flung her arms around his neck. He lowered his head against her forehead as they began to grind against each other. Everything was innocent enough until things started to heat up. The beat was becoming faster and trying to keep up with it Jude and Tony only became hotter. She felt the tension grow between their bodies as the friction only increased. His skin felt warm and sweaty against her but so welcoming and safe.

Jude felt his hand move down her right leg and settle right beneath the spot where her skirt stopped. His touch sent chills down her spine and all back up again. He knew that he was causing turmoil inside of her and he loved it. Jude could see it in his eyes. He was teasing. His fingers moved up a little as he settled it under her leg and pulled it up. Jude had no idea what he was doing but she let him take control. Soon enough her leg was wrapped around his lower back as their dancing became only more erotic. Jude was trying hard to keep her breath and to keep up with Tony but he had no trouble with it at all.

Tony: "I knew you had it in you." He whispered in her ear. The tiny hairs behind her ear spiked up. His hot breath on her clammy skin didn't help matters much. All of sudden she pushed Tony away. He flew a few steps from her looking at her like she had horns growing out of her head. She had no idea what had come over her. She couldn't breathe in all that closed space. She looked him in the eyes and ran past him.

Jude ran through the dancing crowd as fast as she could, bumping into people left and right. When she finally reached the back door she flung it open and stepped outside. The cool, autumn air hit her sweaty skin, she felt as though she had gotten slapped across the face. Pushing her self against the wall for support she took a deep breath after another one and then another one. Her throat stung from the coldness and she held her hand up to her lower neck. Trying to see things clearly she began to cough hysterically.

Jude: "Jude, what are you doing?" she asked herself when the door flung open and Tony stepped out. Jude watched him as he closed the door after himself and put his hands in his pockets. He looked at her like a lost puppy. She knew he was waiting for an explanation.

Tony: "It was just a dance." He said looking at her. Jude closed her eyes trying to erase everything that happened.

Jude: "No, you don't get it." She said pulling her skirt down as far as it would go.

Tony: "Then help me understand." Jude looked at him. She felt guilty. He looked so innocent.

Jude: "It always starts out like that. I can't do this again." She said turning her head. The cold was getting to her and she shivered a little. Tony took his jacked off and put it around her shoulders. He saw how uncomfortable she was so he stepped back again.

Tony: "You can't do what again, Jude?"

Jude: "It hurts." She whispered sliding down against the wall. She just sat down in the middle of the alley, on the cold, cement floor. "It hurts so much." She whispered again shutting her eyes closed and looking at the floor. Tony went down on his knees and put his hand over her back. He stroked her lightly for comfort until she looked back up at him. Her eyes were tear-strained and she looked so defeated. He sat down next to her not caring who saw them or what they thought was going on.

Jude: "He hurt me so bad." She choked the words out, each more painful then the other. Tony knew who she was talking about. Her tears just fell freely like they would wash away all the pain. She threw herself into Tony's arms looking for comfort, any kind of human compassion. Tony put his arms around her, not really sure of himself. It wasn't every day that he had to comfort a crying woman outside a club.

Tony: "He's not going to hurt you again, I promise." He whispered to her as he stroked her hair lightly. She looked up at him, her eyes watery and her vision blurry. He smiled wanting to show her that her world wasn't over just yet. He wanted to prove to her that he could be a friend to her, a good friend.

Jude: "How do you know?" she asked.

Tony: "I won't let him." He said tugging her hair from her face behind her ears. Jude felt herself weaken and just like that she pushed herself on him. Her lips pressed against Tony's. She wanted entrance but he was like a sold rock. He wasn't responding at all. Instead of kissing her back, he pushed her away gently. She opened her eyes looking at him longingly. He just shook his head.

Tony: "You're not ready." He said and helped her up "Let me take you home." He whispered putting his arm around her shoulder and guiding her to the parking lot.

Tommy sat in his living room watching entertainment news and eating Chinese food, after an exhausting day at the studio and a new hit single. He took a bite from his egg roll and watched the paparazzo's new shot of Paris Hilton in just bikini bottoms. The screen shot played back to the E! News studio where Ryan Secrets was already smiling at the camera.

Ryan: "And once again has Jude Harrison taken the entertainment news by the horns. Seems as though the rocker has a new love in her life." He said as the TV behind Ryan showed a clip of Jude dancing really close with Tony. Tommy sat the egg roll down and put the volume up. Ryan continued "Everyone knows Anthony V from 'Creative Integrity'. On top of being a hit producer here in the States and an A list actor, Tony can now add boyfriend of Jude Harrison to his resume. The two were caught hot and heavy at a night club opening in Toronto just a few hours ago. I guess the rumors around Jude and her ex-producer Tommy Quincy weren't true after all." He said as the screen shot back to Jude and Tony in the back alley. Tony was wrapping his hands around Jude when she just went in and kissed him. The screen shot back to Ryan before anything more happened. Tommy turned the TV off. He stared at the black screen in shock. His whole world came to a stop.

Jude had moved on. She had kissed another guy and she didn't care that it was on national TV. Was it really over? Tommy's heart stung. His throat felt like a frog was stuck in it. He wanted to move but he was frozen. Reality was just hitting him right now. He was heated. Who did this Tony guy think he was? Just as Tommy was getting ready to release his anger his phone rang. He begged for it to be Jude. Just hearing her voice would help. He'd let her explain and he'd forgive her because truthfully, he couldn't handle seeing her with anyone else.

Tommy: "Hello?"

Sadie: "Heeeeeeeeeey, did you just see it?" she asked giggling.

Tommy: "See what, Sadie?" he asked disappointed.

Sadie: "Jude and her new boyfriend, isn't he cute?" she laughed.

Tommy: "Yes Sadie I saw it."

Sadie: "My sister is doing better then I thought with you gone." She said her voice calming down a little. Tommy wanted to just hang up. He couldn't listen to this but then again, it wasn't Sadie's fault. She had no idea what had happened between Jude and him.

Sadie: "Hey Tom, maybe we could go out to eat or something tomorrow night?" she asked. Tommy looked back at the TV. It was still turned off but the picture of Jude kissing Tony was clear in his head. It played over and over again.

Tommy: "Yeah." He said and hung up. Anything to get off the phone with her. Anything to make the pain and hurt go away. If he could just see Jude and talk to her face to face maybe things would be Ok. Maybe she'd forgive him and then he could forgive her. Too bad maybe's weren't facts.

Jude let Tony unlock her door and carry her inside. He closed the door with his leg and set her down on living room couch.

Tony: "How much did you have to drink?" he asked her. She barely knew her own name. Instead of answering him, she just giggled. Her phone rang and Tony got it out of her purse. He handed it to Jude and she looked at the caller id.

Jude: "Sadie, you pick up and tell her I'm dead." She said laughing. Tony grabbed the phone from her.

Tony: "Hello?"

Sadie: "Hello? Who's this?"

Tony: "Tony, so you must be Jude's older sister." He said looking down at Jude who was taking her shoes off.

Sadie: "And you must be the cute boy my sister was kissing." She said. Tony's head shot back to the club. How the hell did that end up on TV? This wasn't the right time to tell Jude. And this sure as hell wouldn't help his rep or his credibility as a producer.

Tony: "That would be me."

Sadie: "Can I talk to Jude?"

Tony: "She says to tell you that she's dead." He grinned. Jude broke out in hysterical laughter accompanied by hiccups.

Sadie: "Great, tell her to call me back when she comes back from the dead. I have to talk to her about Tommy."

Tony: "What about him?" he asked curiously. Jude obviously hadn't heard a word.

Sadie: "We're dating again. What's it to you?"

Tony: "Nothing, I'll tell her to give you a call." He said and hung up before Jude heard the news. She sat up and looked at Tony. Her eyes had this far away look in them. He set her phone on the table.

Tony: "You should go to bed."

Jude: "What did she want?"

Tony: "Nothing."

Jude: "Tell me, she only calls when she has something to show off with." She said.

Tony: "It's not important. Go get some rest." He tried sparing her the truth. He knew how much it would hurt her.

Jude: "Tony, tell me." He looked at her.

Tony: "She says she's dating Tommy again." He waited for a reaction, maybe even a blow-out. Nothing. Jude just smirked.

Jude: "Good for them." She said. Tony stood up and pulled her after him.

Tony: "Come on, let's get you to bed."

Jude: "I'm not sleepy." She said but almost fell. She couldn't walk a straight line. Tony picked her up again and carried her to her room. He sat her down and threw her sheets over her.

Tony: "I'll be back tomorrow to check on you." He said and started to head for the door.

Jude: "I want you to stay. You should stay." She said. This was definitely the drunken Jude. She pulled him on top of her and threw her arms around his shoulders. Tony turned his head so her lips pressed against his cheek instead of his mouth.

Jude: "Come on, don't be prude." She said trying to force herself on him. Tony grabbed her hands and took them off of him. He stood up.

Tony: "Don't Jude, before we do something you'll regret." He said and walked out. Jude watched him until he was out of sight. She heard the footsteps fading and then finally the outside door closed. She looked at her bedroom and then the phone on her nightstand. She picked it up and dialed the first numbers that came to her head.

Tommy: "Hello?" he said. Jude bit her lip and hung up the phone. A few seconds later she pressed redial and did the same. Once again she hung up. She clung to the phone, it felt comforting just hearing his voice. A third time she dialed the numbers.

Tommy: "Jude? I know it's you. I have called id." He said. Jude sniffed and hung up. For the last time she dialed.

Tommy: "Jude?...say something." He demanded. He sounded so far away. Jude shut her eyes and threw the phone down. She hid under the covers until her eyes felt too heavy to keep open. Everything turned black and she finally fell asleep.