A/N: Okay so I really don't like the way this came out, just becuase when I went back through it I thought things went a little too fast. But if I change it now, I'll have to change the course of the story a little bit, and I don't really have the time or patience to do that lol. But I do have to say that there is some Jommy in this chapter, which should make you guys a little happier. I'm happy you guys have been reviewing on this and I really appreciate it! Keep reading!
Sorry I haven't posted in the past few days...I had a busy weekend, and then I got sick. Isn't that fun? lol but I should be posting a bit faster now.
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Chapter Three
Sadie walked down the steps, scanning the room for Tommy. She spotted him talking to Rachel, her stare narrowing at the pair. Reaching the main floor she sauntered over to Tommy, sending him a genuinely greedy look.
"Hi, I don't think I've properly introduced myself. I'm Sadie Harrison," she spoke with a perfect smile. Tommy returned the gesture, focusing his attention over to her.
"Nice to meet you, aren't you Jude's sister?" Tommy asked, Sadie's confident smile falling a fraction of an inch.
"Yeah, but I don't feel like talking about her right now."
"Of course you don't," Tommy replied with knowing smile, not failing to notice suggestive tone in her voice. It intrigued him, yet he bet that she would be like any other girl to cross his path: self-absorbed, obsessed, and easy.
Lost in his thoughts, Tommy caught a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning his head his face froze at the sight of the woman before him, his mouth slightly agape. Jude descended down the stairs one step at a time, searching the room for somebody. Tommy knew he shouldn't be staring at her, but before he could tear his eyes away, Jude looked straight at him.
Jude froze when she saw Tommy's gaze on her. The intensity in his eyes caught her off guard, temporarily stunning her. Removing her gaze as quickly as possible from his, she realized he wasn't the only one staring at her and proceeded to walk the rest of the way down the steps.Idiot…she cursed herself.
Sadie's smile fell completely from her face upon seeing where Tommy's attention was directed at. Oh yeah, like she could look that good on her own…she scoffed, trying to gain Tommy's attention once again.
"So Tom, this mansion is absolutely amazing!" Sadie gushed to an unfazed Tommy.
"Yeah…sure," he mumbled, clearly not listening. Striding past Sadie, he came to a stop in front of Jude at the end of the staircase.
"Hey," Jude said, surprised when her voice came in just above a whisper.
"Hey back," he replied with an intrigued smile. Despite the fact he was a womanizer and used to be in a boy band, Jude felt the corners of her mouth tug upward involuntarily. Reminding herself of this fact she instantly snapped out of her trance-like behavior, trying to make a less awkward conversation.
"I see you've met my sister."
"What? Oh, yeah I just met her," Tommy said, finally able to shake
"Yeah we were just talking about how wonderful this mansion is," Sadie intruded, putting an arm on Tom's shoulder.
"We were? Oh yeah, that's right," he said obviously more interested in Jude. Sadie glared at Jude, once again regretting her decision to give her younger sister a make-over.
"Hey Tom, I really want to see the backyard. Do you want to come and show me?" Sadie asked, wanting to get him far away from Jude. Tommy heard Sadie, but his gaze still lingered on Jude.
"Um…sure yeah, backyard, cool," he'd begun, turning to Jude, "Do you want to join us?" he asked, staring into her gray-blue eyes. Before Jude could respond, Sadie quickly interjected.
"No, she wouldn't be interested." Then turning to Jude, "Don't you have to call Mason? I'm sure he'd love to hear from you."
Before Jude could protest, Sadie led Tommy away and into the backyard. Jude stared after them, mentally laughing at her sister. I can't believe Sadie is jealous, of me. That's definitely a first. She of all people should know I won't give in to Tommy. But that doesn't mean I can't tease him a bit. She thought smirking to herself. However, the looming presence of his smoky gaze haunted her, sending a chill up her spine as she watched the pair retreat to the backyard.
Meanwhile…
Tommy & Sadie
Walking through the backyard with Sadie, Tommy's mind kept drifting back and forth. From the mansion, the girls and wanting to get the show over and done with, he couldn't help but notice that none of the girls had really captured his interest so far. Well, they were all gorgeous, but they were all inexplicably…the same. Except one: Jude. But in reality, he didn't even know her. So how did he know she was any different? Maybe it's the way she handled herself when they first arrived. In the past few years, she's the only girl he could remember seeing that didn't shy away from him or fawn over him like he was royalty. Or maybe it was just the thrill of not being able to date her that attracted him.
That was bad boy Tommy Q for you, always wanting what he can't and shouldn't have. The aura of the forbidden was always more tempting. Yeah, maybe that was it.
Turning his attention back to Sadie, Tommy was finding it hard to get into a conversation with her. He was barely listening to her talk, seeing as how half of her ramblings were annoying comments about the mansion or his Boyz Attack days. At least I don't have to talk much. But Jude was right, she does talk a lot. He laughed at this thought, causing Sadie to stop and turn.
"What are you laughing at?" she asked curiously.
"Oh nothing, just something I remembered from earlier. Do you want to go back inside now, it's getting dark out here," Tommy suggested motioning to the backdoor leading to the kitchen.
"Sure, we can hang out some other time," Sadie replied sadly. Tommy turned toward her, touching her face ever so slightly. Even though he was done with the pop band days, some habits never changed, including the girls.
"That's a definite possibility, how about tomorrow? I can show you the rest of the house," he offered flashing his award winning smile. Sadie's mood was uplifted instantly.
"That sounds awesome! I can't wait. Yeah now that you mention it we should be getting inside, it's getting a little chilly out here," Sadie commented.
"Ok, see you tomorrow," Tommy said, watching Sadie enter the house.
Once gone he mentally kicked himself in the head, knowing once again that he was giving another girl false hope. What the heck is wrong with me? I'm hitting on Sadie, yet all I can think about is her sister?! Her younger sister! That's just sick. Why am I always screwing up my life making wrong decisions? He thought making his way slowly to the back door. But it's not wrong to talk to her is it? Wait, I can't just go into her room for no reason. No, that's a bad mistake right there. Opening the door he stepped into the kitchen glad to find no one was there to make conversation with. Glancing toward the main hallway, the stairs tempted him. All he had to do was walk up them and he'd be able to talk to her. Just talk to her, nothing bad. Nothing bad at all…
Back to Jude
Walking through the different rooms of the mansion, Jude couldn't help but feel bored with her sister and Tommy gone. I might as well call Mason, I don't have anything else to do, and I can't sit around here anymore watching my sister hit on Tommy.
After returning to her room, Jude changed into a pair of gray pajama pants with a baby blue top, wanting to be more comfortable. She crossed her room and looked through her purse for her cell phone. She took it out and dialed the all familiar number that was Mason's. She listened to it ring three times before he picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey how's my favorite Instant Star?"
"Hey Jude! How is your 'vacation' so far?" Mason asked excitedly.
"Surprisingly good, although I was about to kill Sadie on the plane," she said with a bright smile. Mason laughed on the other end, the scene playing out in his head perfectly.
"I can see it in the tabloids now: 'Jude Harrison: Murderer or Psychopath?' hmm….not too good for karma Jude." Jude laughed through the receiver.
"I guess not. But it would've been worth it."
"Very true," he began, "So tell me, how is the 'pointless musician who makes his living by shaking his ass onstage'?" Jude had to try to stifle another laugh at remembering the number of wonderful quotes she had said about Tom Quincy.
"Okay maybe I was a little irrational there. He actually isn't too annoying. I talked to him a little bit today." Mason paused on the other end.
"Are you OK Jude? This is the same Tommy that you made fun of for years. I will never forget that impression you did that night before my tour."
Jude laughed thinking back to that night. They went out partying at a karaoke bar and Mason made her go up and sing. However she thought he was putting on one of her songs, when really it was a Boyz Attack song. Jude glared at Mason at first, then decided to have some fun. She sang horribly off key on purpose and started shaking her butt. That got a lot of attention from the guys while Mason just stood in the back laughing his head off.
"I'll admit that was pretty awesome," she replied, still laughing, "But seriously, past butt shaking aside, he's not what I thought him to be…"
"Jude, if I'm not mistaken, I would think that you have some feelings for Mr. Hotbod? I mean who can resist that Quincy charm?"
"Mr. Hotbod? Are you kidding me?" she said trying to keep herself from hyperventilating. Coming from Mason that statement was just oh too funny.
"So is that a yes?" he asked trying to get an answer out of her.
"No Mason, even though my opinion of him has slightly changed that doesn't mean I don't think he's an arrogant womanizer. Let's just say it's very fun to tease him. Not sure Sadie likes that though," she said smirking.
"Since when have you cared what Sadie thinks about you?"
"I don't, but it's just fun to see Sadie jealous. It's not every day I see that deep crimson red shade on her face. I think the steam coming form her ears accompanies it well."
"Which is code for, I want Quincy," Mason intervened.
"How is that code for 'I want Quincy'? That is the farthest thing from my mind right now," Jude stated to an unconvinced Mason.
"Uh huh. But you do wish you were on the show now don't you?"
Jude laughed and rolled her eyes, "You're unbelievable Mason Fox."
"Alright, alright I'll quit. I have to get going anyway."
"Yeah, don't want to keep Darius waiting," she said with sarcasm. Mason gave a short laugh.
"You know me all too well, Harrison. I'll talk to you later."
"Bye Mason," Jude said before hanging up, a smile on her face.
Truth was, Jude almost did wished she was a contestant on the show. Almost. It wasn't that she liked him, not to any extent, but playing him the way he plays other girls seemed like a fun idea. Especially after being in the mansion it all seemed so surreal to her; she may be famous, but her ways of living were far from the styles of an ex-pop star.
A soft knock suddenly punctured the silence. Filled with curiosity, Jude crossed the room to open the door, thinking it was Sadie, but wondering why she would knock.
Surprise took over as she stood face to face with Tom Quincy.
"Is…this a bad time?" Tommy asked.
"Oh, no I was just surprised," Jude answered wearily, "Come in," she added opening the door further. Tommy walked into the room and turned to face her.
"Did you need anything?" she asked curiously, still wondering what Tom could possibly want with her. The problem was Tommy didn't quite know himself. What the heck do I say now?
"Nothing, just wanted to see if you were all situated," he replied. Yeah that was real smooth; I should remember to add that one to my list of pick up lines…Tommy thought sarcastically. However his lame excuse went unnoticed by Jude.
"Yeah I think I'm doing pretty well so far. This mansion is just amazing!"
"Yeah it's actually not mine. They're just lending it to me for the show. 'It's not safe to show your real house on TV these days,' is what the producers told me," Tommy explained. Jude nodded her head in understanding.
"Well either way, it's wonderful. I'm just afraid I might get lost in it," Jude replied giving a little laugh. Tommy cracked a smile.
"Yeah to tell you the truth, it took me a whole week to get to know where everything was in here."
"It'll probably take me longer than that. So did you have a good time with my sister?" Jude asked, changing the subject.
"Yeah she's pretty nice, I guess," Tommy replied giving off a shrug.
"You guess? Most guys back home would kill just to get a date with her," she laughed.
"Yeah, well things have changed a little bit for me. Normally I would jump at the chance to be with someone like her."
"Oh yeah? What's stopping you this time?" she asked curiously, staring into his eyes teasingly. Her eyes challenged his in a staring contest with a smug grin painted across her face.
Finally Tommy spoke.
"Maybe because I've moved on to something better," he said choosing his words carefully. Jude did a mental eye roll. This guy is unbelievable. He goes for my sister then comes here to hit on me? I don't think so…she thought however not being able to shake the excitement and nervousness that struck through her. Tommy subtly took a step toward her, keeping his gaze set intently on hers.
He knew he should just walk away right now. If he knew what was good for him. Unfortunately, Tom Quincy doesn't stand up well to temptation. Come on Tom, just walk away. Or start up another conversation…do something… Tom moved forward abruptly crashing his lips to Jude's. Not that Quincy…he thought not having enough willpower to back out.
Jude was shocked to say the least. Her arms moved to his chest to push him away, but couldn't find the strength to complete the action. Rational thought escaped her mind for a moment before tearing herself away from his grasp.
Stumbling backwards she stared at him in disbelief, more so in herself than his actions. She should've expected something that low to come from him, but her reaction could've at least been a little more logical.
"Wow…" she said, at a loss for words. Jude looked away from him as Tom shifted nervously, looking down at his feet.
"I'm so sorry…I shouldn't have done that," he apologized. Jude turned her attention back to him, noticing his eyes a bit darker than before.
"It's…um it's not your fault. I just…um…wasn't expecting…uh….that," Jude stuttered, trying to regain her own piece of mind. Ok…breathe Jude. It was only a kiss…by my sister's dream guy…who just so happens to be…LITTLE TOMMY Q! Ew, Oh my god this can't be happening…she thought impatiently, shock rattling through her system. Jude started pacing subconsciously throughout her room, lost in her own thoughts.
It wasn't until Tommy threw his arms out to stop her did she notice he was still in the room. Her first reaction was to step back, but that only caused Tommy's hold to tighten on her, being forced to look him straight in the eye. Her actions were temporarily frozen, confused at how much his gaze had an affect on her. Tommy's eyes turned dark with intensity. Jude felt a punch of anxiety as Tommy leaned his head closer to hers. Not again…Jude tried to turn away just as the door creaked open…