Carmen woke up and realized two things. One, she had fallen asleep, which she didn’t mean to do. And two, she fell asleep on her left side and her cheek was killing her. She winched and went to move off of her left side when Wade’s arm tightened around her at her movement. This brought a smile to her face and she looked over her shoulder at him. Seems he fell asleep too. She rolled over carefully and snuggled up against his chest. His response? He smiled in his sleep a bit and let out a happy sounding sigh.
Looking up at him Carmen realized that right now was the most content and relaxed she could ever remember seeing him. Most of the time he always seemed worried or worked up about something, even when he was smiling and hanging out with friends he always seemed to have that underlying stress. It was nice to see him completely relaxed for once. She smiled and snuggled against his chest again. This time she felt him kiss the top of her head. Seems he was awake. She looked up at him again only to lose what words she was going to say at the sight of his eyes. She didn’t think she could ever put into words what it was about those eyes, but there they were.
“Good morning, Beautiful,” he said with that smirk of his that shown even in his eyes. He leaned in this time to kiss her lips.
“Good morning yourself,” Carmen said with a chuckle, “Although I’m sure it’s not morning anymore.” She was happy that the underlying stress was not in his eyes right now, he looked so happy.
“Like I care what the clock says. I say it’s morning and you’re not going anywhere…” he replied while wrapping both arms around her and pulling her close.
Suddenly Carmen’s stomach growled loudly. “Well, it seems my stomach disagrees with you,” she said with a laugh as she got out of his arms and walked to the bathroom.
“That’s not the kitchen.”
“Nope, but I have to piss first. Or is that a crime now?”
“Yep, punishable by fucking,” Wade said wagging his eyebrows.
Carmen came out of the bathroom in a nightgown and rolled her eyes at him, “Riiiiight.” She glanced at the clock as she headed to the kitchen, it was just after two. She didn’t have long before she had to get going, but she didn’t want her time with Wade to end. With a sighed she put the huge amount of food still on the counter in the fridge, but grabbed herself a slice of meatloaf to make a quick sandwich. She watched with a smirk as Wade walked in and went straight to the fridge and pulled out himself some food and then stood there looking at the contents with in.
“Hey, do you have-“
“There is Mountain Dew on the bottom self, left side in the back,” Carmen answered before he could ask. Wade just looked at her and blink before bending down to check. Of course Carmen leaned over to enjoy the view he was giving her. He might of put his clothes back on, but he still had a nice ass. She quickly sat up before he could turn around.
“Hey,” Wade started to say before pausing and raising an eyebrow at her. “How did you know what I was going to ask?”
“You’re the only one who has been watching the other at the bar. The few times you don’t drink beer, you tend to drink Mountain Dew. I just happen to like drinking it every once in a while.”
“Okay,” he replied as he walked over to the table and sat down. “One more question for you. Were you just looking at my ass?”
“Technically, I’m looking at an ass right now,” Carmen said with a smirk on her face.
“Yea, well, fuck you.”
“Been there done that,” she said with that same smirk. “We will have to try it again sometime.”
Wade was getting ready to say something when Carmen’s cell phone started going off in the bed room; with a sigh so got up and headed to answer her phone. The caller ID showed it was Vivica calling.
“Hey Vi, what’s up?”
“Hey, are we still meeting at the mall to get you ready for tonight?”
“Yea, I just need to get out of my pj’s and get my car.”
“She said she has to get dressed. Vincent wants to know if we still need to try and make you look sexy for Wade or if you achieved that goal already. “
“You two are horrible! Yes, I still want to get a new outfit. And before he asks, no I am not telling you guys anything.”
“I think you made Vinny sad. He looks like he’s going to cry. We’ll meet you at the normal spot.”
“Alright girl, catch you there.”
“Bye!”
Carmen sighed as she hung up her phone. What was she going to do with those two? Vincent, she knew would bug her all day about what happen while Wade was over, and Vi would not help matters. Oh well. She would have to deal with them at some point.
“Who was that?” Wade asked from in the kitchen.
“Vivica. I’m supposed to meet her and Vincent at the mall to get an outfit for the contest,” Carmen answered as she started digging around for clean clothes in her dresser. Might as well get a quick shower.
“I like Vivica, she’s cool. Who is Vincent again?”
“The albino raccoon with all the tats. Which after he hears what happen last night it will a good thing for Conner that he is with the cops or Vinny would go all psycho and kill him.”
“Ah, that guy. Want me to drop you off at the mall?”
“I would rather take my own car; if you could be so kind as to run me by the club to get it.”
“You sure you’ll be okay on your own?” Wade’s answer was the shower turning on. Might of upset her with that one….
She couldn’t believe he just asked her that! Would she be okay? It’s the fucking mall! She would be fine! The fucking bastard was in jail or the ICU, either way he could get to her, she was fine. She wasn’t some weak little girl who needed protecting! After a few moments of letting the warm water run over her fur she started to calm down. The only reason he was asking was because he cared about her. Well, at the very least he cared about her. By the time she finished her shower she was calmed down. She dried off, got dress and went to find Wade.
He was sitting on the couch watching what appeared to be “Breaking Bad” on Netflix, go figure. When Carmen walked in the living room he paused the show and looked over at her. “You okay?” The underlying stress had returned to his eyes again.
“Yea,” she said with a smile. “I know you only asked if I was going to be okay because you are worried about me, but I’ll be fine with Vivica. Besides I was planning on giving her a ride to the club anyway. She normally takes the bus or bums rides. “
“Okay, just wanted to make sure you are okay.”
“I know. Besides it’s not like fuckface can come after me. I have a feeling he is going to be in the hospital for a while after what you did to his face.”
“Yea,” Wade said with a chuckle. “You ready to get going?” He stood and walked over to her as he spoke.
“I guess; although, I don’t want to leave,” she said as she walked over and wrapped her arms around him.
“I know, but it’s not like we aren’t going to see each other or be around each other again,” he said as he returned the hug. Carmen lean forward and gave him a kiss before she moved to get her coat and purse.
The ride back to the club was quiet, but it didn’t really bother her. It more of a silence of just enjoying each other’s company. It still seemed that too soon they were pulling up next to her car and getting out. They shared another hug and quick kiss.
“I’ll see you tonight, okay?”
“Yea, after all I am competing,” she replied with a smile as she opened her car door and got in.
“I’ll be rooting for you,” he said before she started her car and drove off.
It felt odd to her to drive off leaving him there, but after all she would see him tonight. Luckily traffic was rather dead and the local rock station was playing some good tunes. Carmen sang along with P!nk’s “Blow Me”, which ended as she pulled into a parking spot at the mall. All she had to do now is met her friends.
“Carmen!” came the yell from a rather hyper raccoon. She smiled and waved at her two friends as she walked over to them.
“Hey, girl!” Vinny said as he gave her a hug. “So, what happen last night? And don’t spare the details!”
“Wow, Vincent!” Vivica said as she looked at the Raccoon. “I figured you would at least give her a few moments before you started grilling her for info.”
“Vi, it’s Vinny, you expect him to wait?” Carmen said with a raised eyebrow and a laugh. Vincent just stuck his tongue out at her. “Now, now, I don’t think Nexus would like you giving offers like that. Speaking of which, where is he?”
“He had to work, but he will at the club tonight. Even if I have to drag him there. We’re heading to Torrid right?”
“Of course. It is the only store here that sells close for real women after all. Plus they had this dress there that I think will drive people nuts.”
“And by people she means Wade,” Vivica added. “So what did happen? I heard the cops where at your building last night.” Carmen’s smile fell at this comment.
“What? I didn’t hear that. What happen? Are you okay?” Vincent asked with a gasp.
“Yea..,” she said with a nod. “Conner showed up last night and was waiting for me in my apartment. Wade was helping a neighbor, so the bastard caught me alone. He hit me across the face with one of his damn gloves he loves to have, but before he could hit me again Wade came rushing in and put the fucker in the ICU.” Both the owl and raccoon before her just started at her in open mouth shock for a few moments.
“So are you pressing charges?” Vi asked.
“Heh, if I don’t Wade or Mrs. Ettleson will. But yea, I am.”
“I going to kill him!” came the deep growl from Vincent.
“Wade already tried that, and I told him no, so I not going to let you do it either.”
“Speaking of Wade…. Did he stay with you last night?” Vivica asked.
“Ooooh? What happen there?” Vincent asked, his rage forgotten at the sight of good gossip.
“Yes he did. Mainly because I would let him leave. I was scared as fuck last night. And before you ask, yes he did sleep in my bed with me. No, we didn’t fuck last night. All we did is cuddle.”
“Aw….” Vincent said with a pouty face. “Oh look at that dress!” He pointed at this spaghetti strap dress that was knee length that was red with black lace over the top of the red.
“That is the dress I want for tonight. Just need to get some shoes and jewelry to go with. Which, I know the two of you are perfect to help me pick out,” Carmen said with a proud smirk.
They went into the store and grabbed the dress. After a while they picked out some black leather boots that had a 3 inch heel and came to her mid-calf and a simple necklace of a hear charm on a black colored chain.
“So, you never told us, what song are you doing?” Vivica asked as they were walking out of the store and on the way to the food court.
“I’m doing a song from the great P!nk herself,” came Carmen’s reply.
“Yes, but what song dear?” Vincent asked.
“One I like…” Carmen said with a smirk.
“Wow that narrows it down a lot!” Vi replied sarcastically.
“Vincent, I see your name on the list for the contest. What are you singing?”
Vinny smirked at the skunk, “You’re just have to wait to see…” Carmen rolled her eyes at the raccoon, and went to get some food. She enjoyed chilling at the mall with her friends, but after a while they had to leave to get ready for the show.
Vincent headed home to get his boyfriend and get ready while Carmen and Vi headed back to Carmen’s place to get some last minute things. The two of them chatting about a little bit of everything, but then….
“Hey Vi, can you run in the bathroom and grab my makeup bag?”
“Sure thing,” Vivica said and headed into the bathroom. She grabbed the bag in question and noticed a condom wrapper in the trash can. The owl smirked and walked back to Carmen and handed her the makeup bag. “Here you go.”
Carmen took the bag without looking up at Vi, so she missed the look on her friend’s face. “Thanks,” she said as she stuffed the bag into her travel bag she used for when she had shows to do.
“So…. You guys just cuddled last night?” Vi asked wagging her eyebrows. “Last time I checked you don’t need condoms to cuddle. Unless they changed the definition since yesterday…. “
Carmen’s eyes got big for a moment before she turned and looked at the owl. “No, but al we did was cuddle last night. Vincent didn’t ask me about this morning. Besides, with as much as we have talked are you really that surprised?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“No, not really. And congrats, girl. Was as great and you hoped?”
“I would say better than I could have ever imagined,” Carmen said with a sigh and a smile. “And there were defiant hints of more than just sex there.”
“I would hope so since he put someone in the ICU for you.”
Carmen just chuckled as she finished getting her stuff together. “Very true. Hell, if I hadn’t of said something to stop him, he would of kill someone for me. Very sweet when you think about it.”
“Only you would think that is sweet, Carmen. Then again, Wade would probably just say that killing someone for the girl you like is ‘punk as hell’,” Vivica said with a chuckle. The two left for the club laughing about the whole thing. It seemed all to soon that they were being let in th back by Yukon to get ready for the show.
That’s when the nerves started to hit… Oh god, Wade was going to be watching her. Oh God. Wade would be thinking about this morning. OH God! He would be undressing her with his eyes. OH GOD! Why was she so nervous now? She got changed and ready almost with no thought. Next thing she knew she was standing back stage waiting for her named to be called so she could go out on stage.
“Hey Beautiful,” came a certain skunk’s voice as he wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her neck a few times. “Break a leg tonight.”
Carmen smiled as she turned around, “Wade, what are you doing back stage?” Not that she cared, since her nerves were gone now.
“Well… stuff. You’ll see. At any rate, I’ll be watching you in the hot ass outfit you have,” he said while his hungry eyes looked her over from head to toe. She blushed, her tail moving in front of her out of nerves. He just wrapped his tail around her and kissed her again.
“Umm… Carmen… they are ready for you on stage…” came the call from the maroon raccoon working that back stage area. They pulled away from the kiss, both with a blush on their cheeks.
Carmen nodded to the raccoon and turned to head out on stage. Suddenly Wade smacked Carmen’s ass, “Break a leg, Sexy. I’m rooting for you.”
With those word on her ears, she stepped out into the lights.
