Oh Juliet

Since the oireachtas was in downtown Dallas, I was able to sleep in and sleep in my own bed. It was wonderful, but the looks I got walking down the street in full makeup, my wig, and poodle socks with a duffel bag and a dress bag were priceless.
I had told most of my friends I didn't care if they came because I didn't. My family was coming and that's all that really mattered to me. Sawyer was upset she couldn't compete, but was excited to watch me.
Tyler and Grace were definitely not coming. For one, the Stars had a game on the first day. And two, they had been staying at Tyler's place ever since my little outburst. Grace was pissed, but I didn't really care. She could be mad all she wanted but that was my apartment too.
I stood on the elevator completely blank. I had no idea what was going on in my life besides the fact that this competition completly determined if I would keep my ranking in the world. No pressure or anything.
That was all I could think of. That was all I allowed myself to think of. No work. No Jamie. Definitely no Tyler. I just had to focus on smiling and kicking ass. Figuratively and literally.
When I got to the convention center, all the booths were set up. I had gotten there early, so I decided to talk to a few of the dress makers. Talk some designs for the next one if I could stand to let go of the blue one.
"Juliet, how are you?" Gvin Doherty asked as he pulled me in for a hug.
"Nervous but good." I smiled, noticing he was wearing a suit that matched my dress. He always does that for competitions, but he never asked me.
"You'll do great out there." Well shit. I sure hope so.
"Thanks Gavin. I'm sure I'll be back to see you later. I think my dad wants me to get a new dress."
"I'll be here all weekend."
I looked around at some of the other designers. If I did get a new one, I wanted something completely different. Preferably not from a big name person. I had drawn up a few ideas, but I really loved my dress.
"Check yes Juliet are you with me?" Someone asked as they took out the one ear bud I had in.
"You have got to stop doing that." I turned around to see the Louisiana dancer standing behind me.
"But your reaction is priceless. I wish I could get it on camera." She told me with a devilish grin.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." She grabbed for my phone to see what was playing.
"Huh. No Dropkick Murphys today?"
"Nope. I was going for a more mellow vibe."
"So you're listening to Hunter Hayes and 5 Seconds of Summer?" She cocked a brow, questioning my taste in music.
"I think there's some Emblem3 in there too."
"Yep. Are you like obsessed with Obsessed?" She laughed at her own question.
"Yeah maybe I am."
"Dude stick to Dropkick Murphys. It suites you better." She handed me back my phone and went on her way.
I found a corner no one was occupying and started thinking about practicing. I got a few good luck texts and wall posts from friends and family so I replied and turned off the signal before going over my steps one last time.
I knew my hard show dances were almost guaranteed to get me to worlds, so I didn't even try to get my soft shoe perfect. Less dances, less stress.
I was blank the entire day. I didn't feel anything. Somehow, I made myself completely numb. I'm not saying this was a bad thing, but it would've been nice to react when the announcer said I would be going to worlds after taking second overall. Instead, it took my really good dance friends hugging me to realize that's the highest I've placed here.
"Oh my God." I stood there, trying to handle everything that was running through my mind.
I was going to worlds.
After taking pictures with Gavin and the girls who placed on the podium with me, I went to find my family.
"I'm so proud of you." My parents both said as my mom started to hug me.
"Thanks for everything. I would not be here without you two." Just like that, all my emotions came rushing back. "And I really can't believe I'm saying this but I've thought about it a lot."
"What is it sweetie?" my mom started rubbing my back.
"I'm retiring after worlds. I think I'm still going to teach, but I'm done competing."
It was bittersweet to say, but it will be nice having spare time and getting to sleep in more often. It would be weird since dance was my life for over 10 years, but I am ready for a change.
"If that's what you want, that's great honey. Give those other girls a chance." My father joked.
"Sure, if that's how you want to see it."
I felt a tap on my should and turned to see Jamie with a bright blue and green bouquet of flowers.
"Congratulations! You looked stunning out there." I looked to my feet and mumbled a thanks, trying to hide my red cheeks. "Well these are for you." I took the flowed from his hand and pushed myself on to the tips of my hard shoes to kiss his cheek. It was much easier to do on carpet than on a slippery stage.
"Would you like to come to dinner with us, Jamie?" I held my breath, hoping he would say no. There was no was he would turn down the offer, though.
"I'd love to." He said with a smile. Damn. How I wish I wasn't so hung up on his best friend.
"Jamie can take me to my apartment to get changed and we'll meet you somewhere." I grabbed my bags and stripped out of my dress.
We got in his car and started on the short journey to my building.
"Still no strings?" He wondered as he pulled up to the valet.
I sighed, taking my time to answer. I wanted to say no, but the answer had to be yes.
"Yep." I shortly said, "You coming up?"
"Might as well."
I unlocked the door to my apartment and opened it to see two bonfires on my nice dining room table. Without a word, I got out the wood cleaner and set it on the counter.
"That table better be clean by the time I get back." Jamie followed me into my room as the two others struggled to get their clothes back on. I packed a bag of clothes and put my wig away. My dress would be fine in the bag for one night because I wasn't coming back.
"By the way. I made it to worlds. I got second." I told them before slamming the door.
I was quiet at dinner and wouldn't tell anyone why. I was just 'tired'. Which I was. I just didn't need to see Tyler and Grace like that.
Jamie let me stay at his place. It was nice Not being alone. He bought a really fancy bottle of wine and we celebrated with movies on his couch.
"Do you have something against Tyler or?"
Or. Definitely or.
"Grace has just changed. A lot. And I miss my best friend, ya know?"
"We could be best friends," he suggested, "I mean, I'd probably be good with guy advice."
"That's a really sweet offer, Jamie. I think I might have to take you up on that." I took a sip of the sweet liquid in my glass, smiling to myself. "But we'd have to be best friends that sleep together occasionally."
He sighed, "If you insist," then winked.
"Just not tonight. I'm dead tired."
"That's understandable. It's hard work kicking ass. I would know. I do have an Olympic gold medal and all."
I playfully slapped his arm and rolled my eyes, "Yeah okay hotshot."
Tyler's POV
The hurt in Juliet's eyes when she saw me and her best friend naked on the table. Them walking in was enough to kill the mood, but I knew she would be in some major pain after.
"By the way, I made it to worlds. I took second." Her goal was third, so I'm sure she was over the moon excited about it, but it didn't seem like that as she slammed the door.
"Let's watch a movie." Grace suggested as she pulled on her sweatshirt. My sweatshirt actually. The one that Juliet loved and constantly wore.
"I think I'm going to go home, Grace. I have to meet with the trainer tomorrow morning but I'll call you after."
"Oh. Okay." She looked disappointed with those eyes trying to get me to change my mind. I had my mind set on leaving here and going to drink alone in my apartment. Not something I usually do, but it was something that was happening tonight. "I'll see you tomorrow."
I kissed her goodbye and left the building. Instead of going staight home, I drove around for a while. I ended up on the very outskirts of the Dallas Forth Worth area. It wasn't too late so I could make it back to my place by 9 to drink my feelings away for the night.
Once I made it to my kitchen, I started drinking whiskey straight out of the bottle. The vodka wasn't going to cut it tonight.
I felt like an idiot for letting her go. Sure, the sex and everything was good with Grace but she wasn't the kind of girl that I can see myself with. I wanted someone that would be a part of my lifetyle now and still be there when I wanted to settle down and start a family.
I typed Juliet's name in my phone and called her. The picture that popped up was on of the ones that I had taken early in the morning while she was wearing one of my t-shirts. She had a lazy grin on her face and her hair was a mess.
It was late and I was drunk. I didn't expect her to answer. Sitting on my couch, I listened to her ringback tone for a while before I heard her voice.
"Tyler." She whispered.
"I want you." I heard her sigh on the other line and then it was silent. "Juliet, I need you. I don't need Grace, I need you." My words were met with more silence. "Please, just say something."
"I'm at Jamie's."
She hung up the phone without another word. I threw the device in my hand at my wall watched it fall to the floor. There wasn't a case on it, so it probably shattered. That was the least of my worries.
I got up to grab one of the bottles I had and took a swig before throwing against the wall. It shattered and fell the the floor, liquid slowly dripping down.
This was never a problem. It wasn't a problem until she started walking in on me and Grace. There was a reason we were always at my place.
I woke up to someone yelling at me to get ready for practice. Jamie was throwing clothes at me, getting my stuff together.
"We're going to be late." He walked around, seeing my phone and broken glass around my apartment.
I sat up and rubbed my eyes, "Get the fuck out of my house Jamie."
"What?" He looked at me, confused.
"Get out, now!" I yelled. "I'll drive myself to practice."
I looked around to see the aftermath of my breakdown last night. That was the first time I had yelled at Jamie like that. This relationship was toxic for everyone involved.

Notes