August 20th, 1998 – Janet's Velvet Rope tour stop in Los Angeles
BRENDA
I trapped Janet in an embrace as soon as Michael stepped away. We rocked in this emotional hug considering that we hadn't seen each other in quite some time. Phone calls with my "little sister" weren't enough sometimes. Though sweaty from the concert, I could've cared less and just looked at her with such pride and happiness.
She'd caught wind of my purchase for the album and immediately recommended coming to a show, any if possible. As she requested, I flowed all the way to Los Angeles and surprised her just days beforehand.
Now, here were all were, beaming over such a wonderful occasion. Thousands of fans still chanted her name loudly outside this dressing room and further down the hallway. Michael lucked up, sneaking in to see our girl only twenty minutes or so after fans stopped by in hordes.
"Thank you for coming. Both of you." Janet took well-earned swig of water as droplets of sweat remained glued to her forehead. Michael draped his arm over the couch beside and sneakily brought me closer as if Janet was no longer in the room. We mumbled responses joy and nodded with even more smiles.
"I Get Lonely is amazing." I folded arms, but laughed.
Janet still wiped her face with a towel addressing me. "I honestly feel like you could've recorded that one for some reason. I wouldn't be surprised if you wanted to. By the way, were you grinding with Michael during that one too?"
On the couch, I bucked my eyes. Even Michael squinted as soon as I looked at him. "What are you talking about, Janet?"
"Front rows aren't exactly the best spots to get nasty, if you know what I mean. You were holding his face, singing words, everything, B."
"So? We're not children." I giggled.
I could feel Michael's eyes on me. Under a fedora, he scoped me and down, even when I didn't turn to face him. Tingles formed in the back of my head, but I couldn't melt in front of Janet and give the behavior with Michael away. In reality, at least to Michael, "I Get Lonely" had been more than just a record in his mind. To him, that song had been yet another ode to me. He'd even gone so far as to slip lyrics into letters and such.
I couldn't exactly say that we were now together, but his marriage to Debbie wasn't exactly real in a romantic sense. I could feel my heart ease back into loving him again, slowly but surely. Even our family members settled bitterness after all these years.
After a while, Michael and I headed home to our relative corners of town. Despite our connection earlier that night, I just knew that he couldn't wait to see his little angels. We kissed just before leaving in separate limousines and promised that one of us called before the next late hour of the morning.
I'd finally met Paris and Prince just a few months back and my heart swelled I couldn't bear departing from the sweetness. Their tiny voices filled with manners and childlike joy almost brought tears to my eyes. Of course, I'd promise Michael to never speak of them to the media, no matter my status at the time.
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Michael called first. I'd just sipped from my cranberry juice while central air made its way around my room. The faint beat of a record from little sister played from my stereo without shame. Yet, I wouldn't admit that sneaky action to Michael.
"Did you have a good time?" I'd already picked up the phone.
"Yeah, I've needed that break, baby." I rolled my eyes, but bit down on my lip as the music continued.
One in the morning, I'm feeling so free and sensual.
Lying here wearing just my imagination for you.
Sensation will do...
"What's playing in the background?" Michael asked, chuckling for a moment.
"Janet. Should I turn it down? I'm sure the babies are asleep." I smiled mischievously and didn't spoil anything.
"Turn it up just a little bit. I'm curious." I knew Michael smiled.
"I don't wanna tell you the title. It's innuendo."
"Aw, come on." Michael scoffed, but giggled. "Just tell me."
"Rope Burn." I admitted, blushing.
"Oh..." In that moment, Michael didn't feel embarrassed. "I never realized Dunk would be so suggestive."
"I love it actually, but you're not innocent yourself. I don't even have to explain why." I chewed my bottom lip again, honestly remembering friskier times between us.
Michael could only laugh deeply, which buzzed through my ear on the phone. I'd already cut off the stereo with a remote and left us in silence for the rest of our conversation.
"I miss you." he said.
I rolled my eyes once more. "We saw each other hours ago."
"Yeah, but this is different." Michael lowered his voice.
My bucked after realizing what he actually meant.
"Stop." I warned him, blushing even worse than the first few times. "Think of the babies."
"I have, but you're on my mind right now."
"Don't you dare get off on the phone, Michael. At least hang up first." I pointed a finger he couldn't even see.
"I'm not worked up at the moment, but you were pretty close to me during the concert." Michael chuckled again, but kept it low. A chill ran down my spine and I fought an urge act on it.
"You're a mess, good night." I said.
"Good night, babe." Michael told me with such happiness. I didn't even mind now.
"I love you." I couldn't help smiling.
"I love you, too." Michael answered. There was still no better feeling in the world.
