Hello, Lovelies, 

I'm so sorry this is later than usual.  I had a few errands to run.  I hope you are enjoying Jaded.  Thank you so much for reading my Nano project.  It means a lot to me.  I won't keep you long but if you like this story please let me know.  Thank you again!  You are all awesome!  

-XXXX Amanda

**********

January 1, 1977

"Come on!" Tammy cried out as we ran toward the park where the worst night of my life had happened.

My heart pounded in my chest as I dug my feet into the wet ground. Night had darkened our path so my sister seemed like a shadow in the night. A sob broke from my throat as I shook my head.

She stepped toward me, "We have to get far away from them," she said, her breaths rushing from her, "I don't want him to hurt you again. The police are on the other side of the park."

"Can't we go around?" I asked, my voice trembling. I didn't want to go near the place where Gary had proven that the most evil of adults could hide behind a nice smile and good deeds.

"It's the quickest way," she said, her voice breaking, "I know it's hard to face but after this, you will never have to see Gary again. The police will help us."

"What if they think I'm lying?" I asked, terrified.

"They won't," she whispered, her voice trembling, "There are ways they can tell."

I nodded, gazing at the park as I took my sister's hand. Shame sliding through me as we ran toward the police station where I hoped Tami was right and we would be taken somewhere safe and Gary wouldn't hurt anyone else ever again.

Tami was the one who spoke at first, telling them about Garry's assault on me before they separated us and made me tell every sickening detail. Mrs. Vance arrived shortly after. Her eyes cold and hard as she faced Tammy and me.

"I hope you two aren't lying," she said, her lips pressing into a thin line. I had thought she was pretty before but all of her beauty faded as she curled her lips, "If you are, you've only hurt yourselves because there are no homes that will take you together."

Tammy's face fell but she straightened her spine, staring at the woman with a lethal stare, "My brother wouldn't lie," she said, gripping my hand under the table, "Gary hurt him."

Mrs. Vance shrugged, "Regardless, you're on your way to a group home, Tammy," she said, raising her brow and staring at my sister as if she were the one at fault, "We've already found another home for Tommy."

Fear washed over Tammy's face as Mrs. Vance turned on her heels leaving us alone. Tammy turned to me, her eyes wide and shining with tears.

"Why is she mad at you?" I asked confused.

Tammy shook her head, "She thinks I'm a liar...Because she thinks something I told her isn't true."

"What did you tell her?" I asked as Tammy shook her head.

"It doesn't matter," she whispered, her voice breaking, "As long as you're okay."

"But they're separating us," I said, my heart aching.

Tammy nodded, "They are but...I think you'll be okay," she said, smiling in a way that didn't reach her eyes, "Make friends. They'll help you. If something bad happens...Run, scream, fight but don't let them hurt you anymore and don't be alone with them...Not ever again. Promise me."

A tear dropped from her eye as I nodded, "Okay," I whispered.

"And don't tell Mrs. Vance anything. She won't believe you," she said, her bottom lip trembling, "And being called a liar makes everything worse."

The door opened and Mrs. Vance walked through the door, "Say good-bye to Tammy," she said, giving me that false smile.

I turned to Tammy and hugged her, "I love you, Tommy," she whispered, her voice quaking.

"I love you too," I said as Mrs. Vance pulled me away from the only person in the whole world who cared whether I lived or died.

**********

June 8, 1982

That night we had a gig at The Gauntlet, one of the biggest clubs in Los Angeles and both Liza and Megan would be joining us. Unfortunately, Megan had locked me out of Liza's room for hours, refusing to open the door even though Liza protested. When it came time to leave, I knocked on her door.

"You either open the door or I'm breaking it down to save my girl from your hostage-taking ass," I said jiggling the lock.

Liza's giggle floated through the door, causing my heart to leap. It was a sound that she should make more often. It meant that she was happy. I wanted nothing more than Liza's joy.

"Pussy," Jax said, chuckling at my expression as he passed me in the hall and I punched him in the arm.

"Ow!" He screamed out laughing, "Liza, help! Your boyfriend is abusing me!"

"You probably deserved it," she giggled again as the doorknob turned. My breath caught as the door swung open revealing Liza with her hair curled and teased. Bright make-up covered her face. She wore a tight leather mini-skirt and a crop top that revealed her flat stomach. Jax whistled causing me to blink, pulling me from the spell Liza had me under.

"I see why you're a pussy now," he said, glancing at Megan dressed much the same as Liza but for me, she didn't hold the same appeal.

Jax's eyes sparkled in mischief taking in Megan's long legs before moving up her body stopping at her tits before landing on her face.

"Man! Micah is going to nut in his pants!" He said, wiggling his brows.

Megan rolled her eyes, "He doesn't think of me that way," she said and though the smile remained on her face, something darkened in her eyes making me wonder if she did think of him as more than a friend.

I glanced at Jax to tell him to shut up but his grin widened, "That's okay," he said, biting his lip, "Because I do."

I shook my head because if Micah heard Jax talking to Megan like that he would kick his ass.

I shook my head and stepped in front of Liza, "You're too gorgeous," I whispered, gripping her hips and pulling her against me for a kiss.

She blushed as my lips brushed over hers before pulling away, "Stay near us once we get there," I said as my stomach churned thinking of the assholes that would be wanting a piece of her while I was on stage.

Her brows furrowed but then, she nodded, "That's where I want to be," she said giving me a grin before she pressed her body into my side.

Still, my stomach churned as we walked down the stairs. I would be damned if I knew why I was so nervous about Liza being there tonight. However, that voice remained that something bad was going to happen tonight. My hand curled around her waist as I pulled her closer to me, hoping I was wrong.

**********

The moment I took the stage all my nervousness fled. As I sang, everything and everyone else faded as the crowd screamed louder and louder causing my heart to pound with the rhythm and allowing me to fade away with the music but the moment I sang the last word, my mind drifted back to Liza. Our eyes met as the lights faded and my heart sped up. I waved to the fans as Micah called out over the roar of the crowd.

"Thank you!" He called out as I moved down the set of stairs off stage left toward Liza.

"Tommy!" Girls were screaming my name. The moment I reached Liza, I wrapped her in my arms. Cameras flashed causing her to wince and I blocked her as much as I could with my body.

"That was awesome!" She said over the chants of the crowd.

I grinned at her, "Only because you're here."

We walked toward the dressing room with the rest of the band behind us. We sank into the chairs there and I pulled Liza into my lap wishing we were home. The adrenaline from the stage only made me euphoric and I nuzzled her neck with my nose.

The door opened but I didn't even raise my head to see who had come in.

"Okay, all groupies out," Our manager, Bo said, causing me to stiffen, "We need to talk band business."

I gripped Liza's waist, keeping her still as I lifted my head. Micah narrowed his eyes at Bo as he motioned for Megan to sit back down in the chair she had taken beside him.

"There are no groupies here," Micah said, raising his brow, "Megan is my best friend and Liza is Tommy's girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?" Bo's redheaded Personal assistant, Candy shrilled. I grimaced wanting to cover my ears sneering at her. For some reason, Candy had tried to stake her claim on me though I had never given her reason to believe that there could be anything between us.

"Yes, girlfriend," I said, deadpan and her green eyes narrowed on Liza causing me to pull her closer to me.

"Sorry about that," Bo said, giving Liza a sheepish look before turning to Megan, repeating his apologies.

"We have a tour coming up in two weeks," he said, raising his brow, "I allowed you to finish the gigs that you promised before you signed. Now, it's time for the big shows. We'll kick it off with a concert right here in L.A. Be ready to leave the day after."

"Are they coming with you?" Candy sneered pointing her red tipped nails at the girls causing Liza to flinch.

"Yes, they will be," I snapped, pulling Liza even closer to me, "I'm not going on tour without her."

Candy opened her mouth to protest but snapped it shut when Bo grinned, "Wonderful!"

The bastard seemed amused as he glanced between Liza and Candy. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Is that all?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"That is all," he said and then, turned toward the door before turning back to me, "The first stop after L.A. is Seattle."

Then, he walked out the door with Candy following close behind him. I wrapped my arms around Liza but she stiffened against me. I tilted my head to study her face as she stared at the door biting her bottom lip.

"Who was that woman?" She asked as her eyes darkened.

"She's Bo's secretary," I said, pissed that Candy had acted that way and made Liza worry already, "She no one to me though she wishes she was."

Liza relaxed but I chose that moment to glance at Kevin. His bruised face was twisted into a smirk. I narrowed my eyes because he was happy that Liza was doubting me already.

**********

Liza was giggling as I pulled her against me. Damn! The sound of her laughter was music of its own that made my heart clench as it washed over me. I brushed my lips over the pulse in her neck not wanting to move but my damn bladder wasn't letting me stay with her a moment longer.

"Stay near Micah, okay?" I asked before pressing my lips against her temple.

She smiled and then, nodded as she moved off my lap. I shot Kevin a glare telling him to stay away from her and then, walked out of the dressing room toward the bathroom at the end of the private hall. Music was still blaring from the front of the club as I walked down the long hall.

"Tommy," I stiffened knowing who had spoken my name before I turned, wincing as I took in Candy leaning against the wall. My lip curled as she stood straight moving toward me with her hips swaying in a way she thought was seductive but did nothing but make her appear desperate.

"What do you want?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

She bit her bottom lip, her eyes meeting mine as she moved near me, causing me to take a step back, "Why are you with that girl?"

I sighed. I didn't want to get into this with her. I simply wanted to piss and then, run back to Liza. I frowned upset Candy thought she had a right to ask the question when I had never touched her...Or even acted like I wanted to.

"It's really none of your business," I said, turning and walking toward the bathroom, trying to leave her behind. Unfortunately, she grabbed my arm.

"She's not that pretty," she said causing my nostrils to flare. I turned to her and narrowed my eyes.

"She's fucking beautiful," I said, jerking my arm away from her, "Listen, don't make me be cruel to you. I don't want to be mean to a woman, but I will if you keep insulting my girl."

She pressed her lips together but instead of moving away she moved forward. The door to the dressing room opened and Liza stepped out. I opened my mouth to tell Candy to get lost but the moment I did, she pressed her lips to mine. Liza's gasp told me without looking at her she had seen it but I pushed Candy away.

"Don't ever touch me again," I said, narrowing my eyes as I turned toward Liza. Tears were flowing down her face making it clear she hadn't heard me as she turned. I ran toward her, leaving Candy to glare at me as I chased after Liza.

She had almost made it to the club doors...Running again...Something she always did when she was hurt. I grabbed her arm pulling her against me before trapping her against the wall. Her body was trembling and she refused to look at me.

I pressed my lips together feeling the oily residue of Candy's lipstick and pulling my hand away from the wall wiping it away before reaching for her and tipping her head back so I could look into her eyes. The tears that had been resting in her eyes, streaming from them in two rivers leaving black streaks of mascara down her cheeks. My stomach churned as I wiped them away with my thumb as panic settled into my chest because I worried she wouldn't believe me.

"I know what you thought you saw," I whispered tilting her face toward mine as her eyes rolled downward away from me. I needed them on me. I needed her to see the truth, "But it's not what you think."

Her lip trembled, "You were kissing her," she said, her voice cracking at the end.

"No, I wasn't," I said and she glared at me through her tears, "The jealous bitch followed me. I was telling her to get lost when you came out into the hallway. She saw you and kissed me."

I ran my hand through my hair, pleading for her to believe me with my eyes, "I swear...I don't want her. I've never wanted her," I said, my voice shaking, "She's trying to cause trouble for us."

I took a trembling breath as Liza stood completely still taking in my face and I could see her trying to accept my explanation. I cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look into my eyes as my stomach churned. My heart was pounding so hard it shook my chest at the thought of losing her.

"Please, Liza," I begged, my eyes burning with tears for the first time since I was twelve years old, "Believe me. I would never do that to you."

Her lip trembled as she touched my cheek, "I do," she whispered and though I wasn't sure she was telling the truth, my lips pressed against hers. Even if she didn't believe me, I would make her. She would see that I was trustworthy and I cared for her. I would prove to her that she already owned me.