Thanks for the reviews :)
Don't worry about Bram, I know I've tortured you enough with that... I actually can't stand Sam either, especially after what he and Artie said to Ryder... Such a dick move.
Note there's a slight time jump in this chapter which I will continue doing as it helps build the story up.
23rd January 2019
In early December, Brittany had seen an advertisement in the paper for an audition for a spot in the 50+ dance troupe. Brittany had immediately arrived at the audition. And a week later, she had received a call back for another audition.
As she gained a spot on the dancing troupe, the several weeks of training had only begun on the second Monday in January. Training was hard. Almost ten hours every day apart from Sunday which was a day of rest.
Brittany had found her dream. But she was alone. She hadn't spoken to Sam since Santana found out. And the last time Santana had answered a call from her was on Christmas day.
It was safe to say that Brittany missed Santana, it was like losing a part of herself. It wasn't enough to say that Brittany missed Santana. It wasn't enough to say that every day felt unfulfilled because Santana wasn't there to share it with her. Santana had been more than supportive when she had mentioned auditions; but when she had managed to get a dancing job. Santana had just stopped replying.
It hurt to think that she knew practically nothing of what Santana was doing now in LA. Her mother kept her up to date with how Santana was feeling. But she wanted to know if she was writing anymore or if she had found a job. If she had moved out of her parents place.
Brittany snapped out of her thoughts by a loud cough beside her; Brittany turned to Ryder's smiling face.
"In a trance, Britt?" Ryder asked, flicking back through his book
"Yeah, just thinking about San…" Brittany said
"How are things going?" Ryder asked, turning to look at her
"We hardly talk. I call her every day. She replies with a text hours later. I just miss the small things about her." Brittany replied, rubbing the back of her neck
"Britt, you know we're leaving for Chicago next week. Maybe you should go see her… and say goodbye." Ryder suggested
Brittany bite her bottom lip, shaking her head; "I don't know. I'll ask her first."
"You don't know how long we'll be gone for." Ryder reminded her quickly before pointing towards the entrance; "See you tomorrow."
"See you." Brittany said, as she moved to pull her phone out of her bag; Brittany tugged her bag up and over her shoulder; as she walked out.
Dialing Santana's number on her phone, Brittany leaned against the brick wall outside of the training center.
"Santana?" Brittany asked, when the phone was answered up
"Hey, Britt." Santana replied
"Hey… It's been a while since we've spoken…" Brittany said, letting her bag dropped to the ground by her feet; "How are you?"
"Hasn't my mom told you?" Santana replied
"You don't even answer my calls anymore." Brittany said
"Think what you want, Brittany. It's been weeks since you've called me at normal time." Santana said
"I told you I was working at weird times." Brittany said
Santana sighed; "Did you call for something in particular or have a go at me for not answering the phone every time you call?"
"I'm not having a go at you at all." Brittany said; "I just miss talking to you. You said you'd only be a phone call away."
"I know… It's just hard, Britt. It's hard to know you're there and… I'm not." Santana said
"You could come here. I wanted you here." Brittany replied, "I wanted to be with you."
"Evidently not, Brittany… I was there… I was with you and I was happy… You weren't." Santana said
"Why do you always have to do this? I wasn't unhappy." Brittany stressed, actually kicking the wall with her shoe; "I wasn't unhappy with you."
"But you were bored." Santana mumbled; before clearing her throat; "Did you call for a reason?"
"I'm going around America for a few months… I'm not really sure yet. I wanted to see you before we start in Chicago." Brittany said
"Oh… You're already touring?" Santana asked
"It's not really touring. We're a danced troupe… Just doing some shows." Brittany said
"Well, you'll be great." Santana said
"Thanks." Brittany replied; "Can I come see you then?"
Santana stayed silent; and Brittany immediately started worrying.
"If you don't want to… It's fine." Brittany said softly; "In fact, I don't even know if I can get the time off to see you."
"Then why even bother asking me? You know what… I can't believe I even thought you'd take this seriously." Santana said
"I am taking this seriously…" Brittany quickly interjected
"I think you should just focus on your dancing." Santana said
Brittany sighed softly; ran her fingers through her hair; "What are you saying?"
"I think… maybe this separation isn't temporary." Santana replied softly
Brittany let her head tilt back until it rested upon the brick wall; "So you're not in this relationship anymore? You don't wanna be with me anymore?"
"I'm saying that you're happy with dancing… and you're going away for a few months… and you don't need a wife hanging around you." Santana said softly
"What are you saying exactly?" Brittany asked
"I'm saying that you haven't been the same woman I married for a while… And maybe I should have noticed it before now." Santana replied
"I'm happy now… Dancing and you… It's all I wanted." Brittany said, trying to stop Santana from continuing what she was saying.
Santana released a deep sigh, scratching her temple; "You're leaving for a few months, Britt… Just do what you want. Don't worry about us…"
"San" Brittany started
"Don't worry about us, Britt… I said I'll wait for you… and I will." Santana said
Brittany then heard the click of Santana hanging up the phone. Brittany stood up, placing her phone into her bag, she began tugging it up her shoulder. As Brittany began walking towards where she had parked Santana's car.
"Pierce…" Kitty called making Brittany turn round to glance at them; "Are you free tonight?"
Brittany nodded; "Yeah…"
"A few of us are going dancing tonight, getting ourselves in the mood for tour." Kitty said with a small grin; "We're meeting at Pulse… around about 9."
"Oh… Cool… I'll see you then." Brittany said
Kitty smiled; "See you then, Britt."
Brittany nodded, and waved before climbing into her vehicle. Brittany began driving out of the parking area, when her phone rang. Seeing Marley name light up across her phone, she leaned forward and pressed on speakerphone.
"Marley?" Brittany answered
"Oh… Hey, Britt…" Marley replied
"Hey…" Brittany said, turning the car on to the main round; "Is something wrong?"
"Tina and I, we're having a girl's night in… Wondering if you wanna join?" Marley asked
"I'm busy tonight. Rain check though?" Brittany replied
Marley sighed softly; "Of course, Erm… Send my love to Santana, will you? She's not answering her phone."
"Oh… She's a little busy. I'll tell her." Brittany said
"Thanks… I'll talk to you soon, okay?" Marley replied
"I guess so… Bye." Brittany said
Brittany pressed on the end call button, slowly rolling her eyes at Marley's attempt to keep an eye on her. She didn't need a baby sitter, someone to go straight back to Santana and tell her everything which she had done or said. She just wished people would take a step back out of her marriage. She knew she had hurt Santana, and Marley was obviously protective of her friend; but she was trying to fix things herself.
Brittany arrived back at her house, parking outside. She quickly climbed out of the vehicle and grabbed her bag. She walked inside, closing the door behind her.
Brittany walked to the kitchen, and made herself a quick meal of grilled cheese. Taking quick bites as she made her way upstairs towards the bedroom.
Brittany called Kitty to make plans to get a taxi with her; to the club. Kitty agreed, as it was the easier thing to do. After the phone call, Brittany finished eating, and immediately jumped into a quick shower. Brittany called a cab for nine, she then dressed in a tight black skirt and a white sheer blouse.
Kitty stepped out of the cab, turning back to help Brittany out. They immediately walked to the doors, paying the entrance fee as they moved along towards the bar.
"There's Brody…" Kitty said, linking her arms with Brittany's, she instantly tugged her towards Brody who was leaning against the bar.
"Hey guys..." Brody said, with a wide smile, as he wrapped each of his arms around Brittany and Kitty; "Ryder's here too…"
"Cool…" Kitty said, licking her lips; "Shall we order shots?"
"No, Miss Wilde… We're dancing." Brody said, grabbing her hand; "Coming Britt?"
"Maybe later… I'm gonna get a drink." Brittany said with a small smile
Kitty turned to Brittany; "Are you sure?"
"Go dance… I'll meet you out there." Brittany said
Kitty smiled; tugging Brittany into a quick hug; "Thank you…"
Brittany laughed; "Go…"
Kitty smirked and grabbed Brody's hand, letting him lead her towards the dance floor. Brittany turned to the bar, leaning on to the counter; "Excuse me… Can I get two tequila shots… Actually, Sambuca?"
The bartender took the 20 dollar bill from her fingers before returning with her change and two shots glasses.
Brittany licked her lips as she picked up the first glass, tipping the warm liquid down her throat. Brittany licked her lips as the rush of liquid fire ran down her gullet, welcoming the taste. She then reached for the second one, and danced it. Almost choking on the liquid when a fingers tapped against her shoulder.
"Oh, Ryder… You scared me." Brittany said, placing the shot glass down, as she turned to face him.
"Sorry… Did you come with Brody?" Ryder asked, leaning against the counter
"Er, Kitty actually." Brittany replied, signalling to the bartender for two more shots; "Did you want a shot?"
"Erm, sure…" Ryder said
Brittany passed him one of the shots which were placed in front of them; they both tipped the shots down their throats.
"Dude, you totally left me!"
Brittany let the shot glass fall from her fingers at the sound of Sam's voice. She quickly turned behind her and met light brown eyes.
"Oh… Wow…. Hey, Britt." Sam said with a grin
"What are you doing here?" Brittany asked
Sam licked his lips, letting his eyes run down Brittany's figure.
"Don't look at me like that." Brittany snapped, making Sam's eyes look back at hers.
"Look at you like what?" Sam asked, kinking his eyebrow up; he shrugged his shoulders at Brittany's silence.
"Do you two know each other?" Ryder asked
"We met before…" Sam replied, "Have you order some drinks? I think there's a table at the back."
Ryder nodded; "I'll get them. Go save the table…"
Ryder turned round to tell the bartender what he wanted. Sam turned to look at Brittany, and pointed backwards to where the table was. Brittany reluctantly followed.
"How's life?" Sam asked
"Like you care." Brittany snapped
"Why are you so angry at me?" Sam replied, scratching the back of his head
"You made me out to be some… freak. I never imagined what you did. You made a pass at me." Brittany said
"Are you crazy? I never did anything." Sam said, as he laughed softly
"Stop laughing at me." Brittany replied
"I'm sorry, I just find it hilarious you asked Ryder to bring me." Sam said, rubbing the back of his neck
"I never asked Ryder to even come himself. And after everything, you're the last person I ever wanna see." Brittany snapped,
He then stepped forward, licking his lips as his eyes ran down the front of Brittany's body; "If I made you really wanna hang out with me that bad… You'll be happy to know, I'm single now… And I heard through the grapevine, that the wifey and you are separated."
It hurt to hear someone say that you and Santana were separated. Like the shock you get from jumping in the shower and cold water that's running. Literally makes a shiver run down your spine.
"I'm not doing this. You really think I'd risk losing Santana again for you?" Brittany asked, in disbelief
"I honestly don't think Santana even cares." Sam said
"Britt, are you staying at the table?" Ryder asked, picking up a tray of drinks
"No… I'm gonna find Kitty." Brittany said, walking off.
Ryder looked at Sam who shrugged in response before leading him towards a free table.
Brittany found Kitty and Brody in the center of the dance floor; Kitty immediately began dancing up behind her as Brody began grinding against her front making Brittany burst out laughing at the antics of her friends.
Santana rolled on to her stomach; "And she declined?"
"Yeah, said she was busy… She did rain check though. I think maybe dancing practice is taking it out of her… She's still working at the diner." Marley replied
"I guess so…" Santana mumbled, licking her lips; "Did she say where she was going?"
"San, why don't you just… ask her?" Marley questioned
"Because I don't know if she'll tell me the truth." Santana said, "It's been a few months… and I have no idea if she's still seeing the Diner guy…"
"I think his name's Sam." Marley interjected
Santana laughed dryly; "Didn't really need to know that… But you know, she could be still seeing him… I don't know what the whole thing was. She admitted that she obviously was attracted to him."
"Maybe it was just some excitement." Marley said
Santana sighed; "I hate that."
Marley hummed; "I know you do… but Brittany's really does love you."
"I know… I just… I feel like she hasn't been completely honest with me." Santana said
"Why didn't you agree to meet her…? She's leaving soon." Marley said softly
"I don't know… I just think like she's not at the stage that I am." Santana replied, turning so she landed on to her back; "I'm married… I've accepted that my life is this… or was that… I went to work, came home to my beautiful wife… Had lunch with our best friends on Saturday… Watched old movies with her in bed on Sundays…"
"San, maybe she just got a little too used to it. I know a routine's good but… Maybe she felt the spark go or something." Marley suggested
Santana sighed deeply; "I think she loves me… I'm just not sure she's in love with me."
"You know that's not true. Brittany loves you so much." Marley said
"I know… I'm just going crazy, you know…" Santana mumbled
"You're crazy, Lopez." Marley said softly, a hint of teasing within her tone.
"Thank you… for telling me to stop doubting things I know are true." Santana said
"You know I'm here for you. I want nothing more than you and Britt to be together and happy…" Marley replied
"Yeah, I know… I should go though. I'll call you tomorrow." Santana said, scratching her lower back
"Okay, I'll talk to you then. I'll see Britt too… Check she's okay." Marley replied
"Oh… Thank you." Santana responded
Marley smiled; "Night, San."
"Night." Santana replied, before hanging up the phone.
Santana rolled over and placed her phone beside her bedside table, before lying back in the middle of the bed. Wondering whether she was simply trying to talk herself out of believing Brittany.