Author's note: I really really enjoyed writing this chapter. Now that Tommy and Jude have moved into a new level in their relationship, it's time to start playing with the dynamics of the characters again. And ofcourse, whenever there are explosive personalities around, there's always drama. The next question is: Despite all the drama and personal conflicts, can Tommy and Jude keep it together during the tour? Who knows? Loved this chapter. Let me know what you guys think. Please Please Please R&R. Love your reviews! Smiles.
The next afternoon…
Okay. Someone answer this simple question for me. What is it about charity events that bring out the worst in people and the best in people? I mean, come on. You're supposed to be committing acts of good will for the underprivileged and the ill right? Yeah…well right now the only thing I was contemplating was homicide. Yep, that's right—nice good ol' fashioned knife in the back murder. You've played that game Clue right? I could just see a headline right now saying 'It was Singer Jude Harrison in the unfinished bathroom with the jigsaw.' What? Too demented maybe? Hmmmm.
Anywho, I was sitting outside in the sun with at least an inch of sunscreen plastered to my face while photographers grabbed as many photographs as they could of Jude Harrison at her latest set up.
So if you're wondering, here's the rundown. Darius got a call from Rolling Stones saying they were sponsoring a charity event for an orphanage that had retained some damage and was falling apart. Therefore, they asked 'what's the best way to get publicity?' Which they also believed had an easy answer. Give Jude Harrison a hammer and tell her to help build a new one that's what. Hah! These kids were lucky if this place would even stand when we were done with it. Not to mention that there was also a mini carnival going on. There were tables set up all over the place with a makeshift stage in the center for entertainment. Thank God I had already finished my stint with that. Now all I had to do was get through the building (which I was discovering I had no talent for), the kids' softball game, and well, who knows what else. And while I was contemplating a way to get out of the pie eating contest, I was allowing myself the privilege of throwing murderous glares at the adoring female fans who were ogling Tommy (who by the way was hammering something while wearing an unbuttoned cotton shirt with nothing on underneath it). Okay, so it was hot outside. And? Put the damn shirt back on anyway! Ugggghhhhh.
Not paying attention, I managed to send my own hammer straight down onto the end of my thumb. Damn it! Ow! I sucked vigorously at it as I noticed a shadow fall over the unfinished doorway where I stood.
"Having problems, Jude?" Spied asked teasingly as I threw him a look that said 'Easy boy. Entering PMS territory.' I mean it's not like I didn't get to lie next to that beautiful, hard-planed chest of Tommy's at night anyway. Yeah, well, so what? Patsy sidled up next to Spied as she ran her fingers down the sides of her leather-lined halter-top. If she didn't have a major heat rash by tonight, then God was being way too good to her.
"Have you seen the stuff at this place? I'm considering setting up shop." Patsy said in glee as she picked up a screwdriver. I raised a brow at her as she actually started to work on the house with that thing. Oh yeah. That was going to last long (said sarcastically). I sat down wearily, taking a break from the pounding as Spied shoved a bottle of ice-cold water under my nose.
"Bless you." I said dramatically as he smiled and sat down next to me.
"Think we'll make the next episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition?" I asked jokingly as Spied laughed and waved at Kyle and Wally who had sauntered over.
"More like Junkyard Wars." He reiterated as I shrugged and looked again at the small group surrounding Tommy.
"Worried much?" Spied asked playfully as I elbowed him in the ribs. He groaned as I stood up to pick up my useless hammer. If I could manage one uncrooked nail, we'd be doing good. And then the absolute unthinkable happened. I heard "The Voice."
"Well, well, well, well, well. If it isn't Jude Harrison looking her finest. Tell me, is the smell of sweat a new brand of perfume?" The voice finished gleefully as I stared in horror at Patsy's leering face in front of me. No! It couldn't be! I turned around slowly almost as if I was in one of those B rated horror movies where the director seems to think that the slower the action, the more intense the moment will turn out. Trust me, I didn't need slow motion to feel the fire that burned in me now. Oh, just what this tour needed!
"Eden. How are you?" I asked with absolute fake enthusiasm as Eden cocked her head to one side authoritatively toward a beautiful long-legged goddess standing next to her.
"Fantastic! Shay's been doing a photo shoot in Europe, and he introduced me to some friends down here. I must admit it has been a gratifying experience. As a matter of fact, you may know one of them. Let me introduce you to my friend, Giselle. She's from France, and she also happens to know your producer, Tom Quincy. Seems they were a live in couple at one time." Eden finished snidely as I tried my best to keep my upper jaw intact with my bottom jaw. Okay Note to self: Remember to place Tom Quincy on a spit over a fire and thoroughly interrogate him about his past. I damn sure didn't think I could handle another one of those 'drop them out of the sky' surprises. Obviously, Tommy felt the same way because I saw him wince painfully as I glanced carefully over my shoulder at him. 'Keep it together Jude.' I thought to myself over and over again as I turned back towards Eden. It didn't take a Psychic to figure out she was baiting me. So I bit. Just not the way that Eden was hoping I would. Holding my hand out politely, I offered my palm to Giselle for a shake as I smiled vigorously.
"Nice to meet you Gazelle. Tommy's told me all about you." I said sincerely as both girls' brows knitted together in irritation.
"It's Giselle." Giselle said frothily in her 'oh so elegant' French accent. Placing my hand dramatically across my heart, I bowed my head apologetically.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I must have misunderstood the name when Tommy told it to me." I said while placing a finger to my lip as if in deep concentration. "Nope, I'm pretty sure he said Gazelle. Oh well." I remarked with a shrug as Spied snickered beside me. Trying to keep a straight face while standing next to Spiederman was not easy. It was damn hard work. I nudged him gently as Patsy stepped up beside me. Eden looked her over disdainfully before grinning sweetly.
"Your company hasn't improved much has it, Jude?" She asked with a quirked brow as I felt Patsy tense beside me. I shook my head conspicuously at her before looking Eden straight in the eye without saying a word. She 'hrruuumphed' as I stood there in silence before leaning over menacingly to whisper in my ear.
"It must be all that running you've been doing from psycho girlfriends. How many times does Tommy have to screw you before you go insane?" she asked low enough that only I could hear. Oh no, she didn't! I jumped at her, almost slamming my fist into her face before I felt Spied's arms go around my waist to pull me backwards.
"Oh you better let me go." I growled at him as I kicked my legs and arms furiously hearing him gasp loudly as my heel made deliberate contact with his groin.
"Damn Jude. What did she say?" He murmured painfully as he let go of my waist to grab his crotch. I was well on my way to really pounding her when another arm grasped me firmly—a stronger one this time.
"Whoa there, wild cat." Tom said affectionately as he kissed the top of my head gently. "Sheath those claws." He finished before staring coldly at Eden and Giselle.
"If I could take a time machine and go back in time, I would erase every part of my past including you Giselle." He said softly before pulling me away firmly. I let him drag me away as I threw Eden 'the bird' or 'the finger' whichever you like to call it. A childish gesture I know, but damn it felt good. I was just about to calm down when the announcer at the carnival suddenly picked up the microphone on stage.
"Alright. Gather round for the big softball game. Why don't the celebrities pick their kids and get out into the field." The man shouted as I threw a despairing glance at Darius who was headed toward us from the side.
"Please Please tell me you didn't sign us up for this." I said in a voice that literally bespoke of groveling.
"Oh yeah." Darius said a little too cheerily as I threw Tommy a look and headed toward a group of kids standing next to Patsy. Tom sat back against the unfinished building with an amused grin on his face as I threw him the middle finger as well. "Maybe later." He mouthed to me as my face turned a shade too red in both embarrassment and expectation. Darn him! He made it way too hard to stay angry at him. Looking back at Patsy and the kids, I groaned. How did she always manage to pick the freakiest people imaginable? We had bucktoothed Billy, freckle-faced Susie, chunky chucky, and Wild Willy on our award winning team. So maybe I'm exaggerating a little on the names, but definitely not on the descriptions. Patsy shrugged and grinned as she pointed out onto the field, and I almost laughed as I realized her intention. Giselle and Eden were coaching the kids on the opposing team, and they looked ridiculous in their sparkling clothes and high heels. Oh, this was going to be fun. Stealing a piece of Bubblicious Bubble Gum from Chunky Chucky, I smashed it into my mouth, worked it around, and blew an obnoxious bubble before slapping my hands into an empty mitt.
"Okay, let's go kick some ass!" I shouted cheerfully as freckle-faced Susie murmured disapprovingly behind me.
"oohhhh, you said the A word." She said while waving her finger naughtily at my face. I shrugged at her and scrunched my nose as I leaned over apologetically.
"Butt, maybe?" I asked insistently. She shook her head.
"Okay, Hiney then?" I asked again and once again she shook her head.
"Well then. Tush?" I asked almost on a whine as she nodded approvingly. Okay that works, I thought as I waved the kids toward the field.
"Then let's go kick some major tushes!" I said loudly as the kids grinned and ran sloppily onto the field. Hey! Maybe I had a future in child care if music didn't work out.
