"I can’t believe I’m going on tour for three months," Dawn said to D
as the shopped for new outfits for the tour.
"You are gonna have so much fun. AJ is bringing Ari to see you isn’t he?" D
asked, holding a pair of green leather pants up to Dawn.
"Hey, I like those," she smiled. "Yeah, he’s bringing her. I’d
die if I didn’t get to see her."
"Nick’s been telling me that AJ’s freaking out that you’re leaving. He
keeps going on and on about how much he’s gonna miss you and if he’s gonna do a
good job with Ari while you’re gone. Nicky’s almost ready to deck him!!" D
laughed, handing Dawn the matching top for the pants.
Dawn laughed with her and went to the register to pay for her things.
"I know he's going to be just fine with Arianna," Dawn smiled. "He
always has been".
After they checked out they went to the food court for some lunch.
"Alex and I haven’t had much time to ourselves lately. All I’ve been doing
is rehearsing for this tour. Thank god I have this week off to concentrate on my
family." Dawn told D as she munched on her fries.
"We’re going to be having that party tomorrow night so you and AJ can have the
rest of the week to yourselves."
"That sounds good. Listen D, I was thinking about something and I wanted to run it by
you."
"Uh oh," D sat back laughing.
Dawn smiled, took a drink of her soda and cleared her throat.
"You and I have gotten pretty close these last few months and I hear all these
stories from AJ about how lonely things on the road can get, and, ummmm..I was wondering
if you’d come on this tour with me?"
D looked at her stunned.
"Holy shit!! Seriously?"
"Yeah," Dawn laughed, "I need one of my good friends there with me. What do
you say?"
"Wow, I don't know what to say, Dawn. Can I think about it?"
"Of course you can. I know that you’d be leaving your job and of course
Nick."
"I would miss that boy so much. We’ve gotten really close lately." D
sighed, smiling to herself.
"I’ve noticed. I’m glad things are going well. I’ve never seen Nick
look so damned happy."
"That’s because he’s getting laid," D pointed out, popping a fry into
her mouth.
Dawn looked at her and smirked.
"Oh really? So you aren’t wasting any time then."
"I fell for Nicky the first second I saw him. It just feels right. BOY did it feel
right."
Both girls burst out laughing and cleaned up their lunch and headed off for more shopping.
The next day...
Dawn and AJ took Arianna to the park while D, Denise and Jess decorated their house for
the party. They decided to have it at home so Arianna could be a part of it and they could
just put her to bed when she got tired. Dawn wanted to spend as much time as possible with
her daughter. She was used to being away from AJ for periods of time. She didn't like it
at all, but she was used to it.
By the time they got back the house looked incredible. Streamers and balloons were strewn
all over the downstairs. A bar was set up on one end of the enormous living room, a huge
table of food was on the other. A sign that read 'GOOD LUCK DAWN' was hung above the
fireplace. The couches and chairs were moved so there was enough room to dance.
"You guys did such a great job! Are you sure I deserve all this?" Dawn asked,
looking around at the work that they had done.
"Of course you do, silly!! We can always use an excuse to party!!" D joked,
hugging her.
"Like you two need an excuse to party," AJ joked back, stealing a chip from the
table.
D stuck her tongue out at him and went into the kitchen to bring out the rest of the food.
All of the guests had arrived by six. The house was loaded with people dancing, drinking
and having a good time. Ever since Noah had arrived he’d been making eyes at Dawn and
talking to her whenever he could. He always made jokes to make her laugh and it was
driving AJ crazy. AJ kept watching him all night. He still didn’t trust him. The
thought of leaving Dawn alone with this guy for three months made his stomach turn. He
needed a drink.
He went to the bar and got a Jack and Coke. He downed his drink and turned to leave when
he saw Noah ordering a drink.
‘Maybe I should talk to the guy. I could be overreacting about this whole
thing.’
AJ turned to Noah and reached out his hand for him to shake.
"We were never properly introduced. I’m AJ McLean, Dawn’s fiancé."
Noah smiled and shook his hand.
"Noah Williams."
They were both silent for a second before AJ spoke.
"Dawn’s really looking forward to this tour."
"So am I. It’s going to be a lot of fun, a lot of work."
"I’m sure it is. So, are you married? How does your wife feel about you going on
this tour and being away from you for so long?"
"Oh, I’m not married. I don’t have a girlfriend either so I’m free to
go without any obligation, no strings, " Noah smiled, sipping his drink.
‘Great,’ AJ thought. 'He’s single, that's just wonderful.’
"Dawn tells me that she wants to have D come on tour with us," Noah continued.
"That’s right. She’s gonna get pretty lonely and I know how the business is
so I want someone there to look out for her. I'll be coming out whenever I can, but it's
nice to know she'll have someone there when I can't be there. "
"Geez, are you her father or her fiance?" Noah teased, "I’ll make sure
she’s alright. She’ll be in good hands. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to
make a phone call," Noah excused himself and went to make his call.
AJ stared after him, fuming.
‘She’ll be in good hands, huh? Yeah, I’ll bet. YOUR slimy hands’.
He didn’t trust Noah even more now and he especially didn't appreciate his rude
comment. Noah had absolutely no idea the things that Dawn had been through in the past
couple years, that's why he was so protective of her. He thought for a minute.
'I have to convince D to go with her'.
He noticed she was dancing with Nick.
‘She has to go,’ AJ thought.
He needed her there to keep an eye on Noah. He had to talk her into it. He went over
to D and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Can I speak to you outside for a minute?"
"Sure J. I’ll be back Nicky," she said, giving him a kiss and followed AJ
outside.
