Black Rose || The Outtakes

Black Rose || Outtake 66

Author's Note: Dedicated once again to keiathegypsy. Readers, what do you think of Prince's choice? Enjoy!

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1989 – The Penthouse, California.

TATIANA

I now stood on the same wooden floor that Brenda straddled and punched me on. After looking around in total silence, I grinned almost timidly when she popped off a Champagne cork. Long after Prince ended his latest tour, Brenda decided to throw a party here out of nowhere.

I'd been the first to arrive. Stereo speakers echoed gently in the name of an early post-sunset hour. Brenda Michelle walked around her own kitchen Her dark skin curved through shimmering black. I smiled once more as she pursed her lips while making those reasonable last-minute adjustments. Those dark ankle boots marched all around the room, determined.

Once she smoothed her dress again, we met eyes. I walked in her direction before long, quietly watching when she turned up the knob. "Outstanding" by The Gap Band echoed to kick off happiness. But I knew when late-night hours approached, the tone of this night would change musically.

I found myself nodding along when the elevator behind us chimed again. Without a word, Brenda excused herself from me and stood up straight with the best walk I'd seen in years. Nearly model-esque. Short curls in the back of her head gleamed under this lighting and bounced almost rhythmically to the music around me.

"Hey!" Brenda smiled. I'd turned to around to see Sheryl Crow for the first time since leaving the tour. These two ladies rocked in an emotional hug, almost relieved to see each other after all this time. In a way, I'd understood. Brenda had formed some of the strongest bonds with Michael's tour crew in general. Family-like at most.

Brenda had quickly directed Sheryl to the drinks and appetizers set up in a left corner of that spacious living room. I stood awkwardly until Sheryl locked eyes. A reasonable mixture of fear and confusion. She whispered to Brenda within seconds, narrowing her eyes.

Crow addressed me with one small grin at first. I walked over in the calmest way possible and offered a handshake. She returned the favor, but I still noticed the hesitation in her eyes. Brenda had occupied herself across the room, even checking to see if other planned to arrive. The music continued booming quietly.

Within the next hour, I found myself greeting one face after another. Either Michael's "Bad" tour recruits or Prince's acquaintances lined the floor beneath my heeled steps. I'd gripped a Heineken, praying to ease. Nerves still kicked in given that the tour crew members around me knew exactly what happened between Michael and I last year. Even Jennifer Batten, one of Michael's guitarists, offered me a cold stare.

Brenda mingled with everyone from drummer Shelia E to Prince's new protégée Rosie Gaines. Another powerhouse vocalist like B. I'd read somewhere that Prince had been planning to create a brand-new backing band for his next project. From what Brenda had told me, Rosie crooned better than her. "So much better." I almost tossed my head back laughing. If only Prince recruited both for his next project. A Hughes-Gaines collaboration might've done wonders.

Before the doors chimed open again, the phone rang suddenly in Brenda's kitchen. She quietly excused herself from Shelia this time, almost hurrying in boots. For all we knew, Prince could've been walking up right now. I couldn't wait to shut off the lights and we'd all surprise him. Even Rosie turned down the large radio knob to its lowest setting and set one finger to her lips.

"Hello?" Brenda asked, looking over at Vanity now. Her body swayed in red this time. A voice on the other line mumbled and I smiled, hoping for Prince's voice.

She hung up and I let go of an anxious but happy breath. "He's coming! Everybody hide!"

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PRINCE

I looked over to see Michael sweating bullets at this point. Neither of us had seen Monty in a while, but I'd decided to be the bigger man and allowed Michael to tag along. Anything beat crying over that beautiful angel night after night. I knew that feeling too well after touring and coming home to no one.

"I'm not saying what you did was okay, but seeing her might make you feel better. I'll handle things if she wants to thrash your ass. I've dealt with that Jersey attitude for sure." I sighed out loud during this elevator ride. Floor after floor, we waited through this awkwardness.

"Easier said than done." Mike grumbled. "She hates me and you know it. Thanks for being a Good Samaritan and all that bullshit, but seeing her cry ain't even worth it. This night is about you and nobody else, Prince."

I shook my head and almost slipped up with B's sacred nickname. "And it was my choice to bring you along, Michael. Mo...Brenda's stubborn. Like I said, if anybody's gonna get in trouble for this, it's me."

The elevator doors finally chimed open and I found myself walking in darkness with Michael. After a lightbulb went off in my mind, I turned on the nearest light switch. Bodies jumped out. Voices cheered with happiness for me as I held my heart out of surprise. Even Michael chuckled out loud.

"Congratulations!" Everyone had screamed. My darling Monty stood in glistening black. A tiny hint of cleavage flirted with my soothing eyes. A tray of cupcakes in rested her in waiting hands.

But her eyes fixated on Michael with nothing short of death.