Dance of a Lifetime

by Frank Downey

  "Minimal clothing, Ted. We're not going to cover up entirely, not for that program," Sophia told him.

  "Fine. As long as the naughty bits are covered."

  They had two spots in the show. The first one, they were doing "Pink". They decided to do "True Colors" for the second one. Sophia got a rainbow-colored bikini, and Warren got rainbow shorts. They did the program every night like that, to rapturous applause.

  Shortly after the tour started, Liz came up to them with some dispiriting news.

  "There's a rumor that the USFSA is going to try to have you suspended for a year."

  "For what?" Warren said incredulously.

  "A very loose interpretation of the 'morals' clause in the USFSA bylaws," Liz said.

  "Damn. Who's the athlete's rep on the USFSA board?" Sophia asked.

  "Used to be Jack Garrison until he went pro," Liz said.

  "It's Evan," Warren grinned.

  The three of them quickly went to Evan and told him of the rumor. "I just heard that myself," he told them. In his capacity as the athlete's rep on the USFSA board, he called a meeting of all of the USFSA-eligible American skaters on the tour's New York stop-which meant all three medallists in all four disciplines, plus Christine Arsenault, who, though she hadn't competed at Nationals this year, hadn't technically given up her eligibility yet.

  "This is the deal. I'm going to be attending a USFSA board meeting in two weeks," Evan told the group. "There's a movement afoot to suspend Sophia and Warren for a year, due to the nude dance they did at Worlds. Since I'm you guys rep on the board, I need to know what you think about it."

  "It's ridiculous!" Liz said.

  "I agree," Andrea agreed. "And they're shooting themselves in the foot. Warren and Sophia are choreographing our long program this year, they've already started on it in our off time."

  "They're doing mine, again, too," Liz added.

  "They're going to do mine as well, after the tour," Tom Bellamy said.

  "That's what I'd heard," Andrea said. "So those idiots not only want to suspend the only American dance team to ever win a Worlds-but the choreographers for every defending National Champion? It's insane."

  "Hear, hear," Victoria Blanchard, the young US silver medallist in Ladies, agreed. "Plus that program at Worlds rocked. It was beautiful."

  "They should be suspended," Courtney Rogers spoke up.

  "You would say that, you annoying little snot," the ever-blunt Christine Arsenault spoke up.

  "Ladies, ladies," Evan grinned. "Anyhow, this is the deal. I've got a petition here. It tells the board that the undersigned do not think that Warren and Sophia should be suspended. If you agree with that, sign it. If you don't, don't."

  Every single skater in the room signed it except Courtney Rogers, who stormed out of the room. Even Ryan Killen, her partner, signed it after Courtney had left, whispering to Evan and Warren, "Don't tell Court I signed this, OK?"

  A couple weeks after that, the tour stormed into Chicago. Crash had gotten tickets, and had invited Jessie to drive down from Milwaukee and join him. She gladly did so.

  They enjoyed the show, then met Warren and Sophia afterwards. Jessie and Sophia went up to Warren and Sophie's hotel room, while Crash asked Warren to go get a cup of coffee with him.

  "Nice program," Crash grinned over the table in the coffee shop, "but I think I liked it better in the nude."

  "You would," Warren grinned. "Now, what's up with you and Jess."

  "Nothing, really. We're friends. We occasionally visit. We've had sex a couple of times."

  "Scuse me?" Warren almost choked on his coffee.

  "It started out, the first time, as a discussion over what broke us up. I knew she was dissatisfied with our sex life, but she never told me during, you know, and I pointed that out to her."

  "You mean she never said, do this, or this feels good, and all that," Warren picked up.

  "Exactly. So, she decided she wanted to make up for that, because she knew it had affected my confidence some. It just kind of happened."

  "Are you guys getting back together?" Warren asked.

  "No. No, we're not, at least not right now. We actually talked about it driving down here. We're getting along better than we have in more than a year. And every time we think of rekindling the 'relationship', we both break out in hives. Honestly. I think we're just not compatible that way anymore," Crash admitted. "That might change in the future-but, honestly, I doubt it."

  "But you're having sex."

  "Neither of us have anyone. I have a couple people at Northwestern that I can sleep with, but nothing serious. We're both sexual people, you know. And, I admit it, she has made me a lot better, now that she's not scared of pissing me off by speaking up during sex. Y'see, that's what I mean. The relationship pressure is off."

  "But if you're fixing things, doesn't that mean you could have a relationship without the pressure?" Warren asked.

  "We're not fixing things," Crash maintained. "We're enjoying each other as friends, and we're enjoying each other sexually, but the reasons she broke up with me still exist." He took a breath. "I hurt her badly, but not intentionally. She still does things that piss me off. I react less because she's not my girlfriend-again, that whole relationship pressure. But I need someone that's more independent than Jess. And Jess needs a guy who she can completely depend on. That's not me. I'm not that, I don't know what the word, is-available, I guess. Actually, the friendlier we get, the more I agree with her decision to end it. I'll always love her. Hell, she was my first, and I mean that emotionally and sexually. But she needs something other than me-and I need something other than her."

  "I'm glad you guys are friends, in any case," Warren said. "It makes things easier."

  "When you all get home, she's going to be right back in your bed," Crash said. "I already know that. It's funny," he grinned, "Jessie's looking to be smothered, basically. You two are the smotheringest people I know. I'm no longer surprised she turned to you two. Though the whole Sophie thing did surprise me," he laughed.

  "Oh, you know about that," Warren chuckled. "I'm guessing that they're up in our room right now and they're not talking."

  "No doubt," Crash grinned. "Look, Warren. I really am sorry I slugged you."

  "You had cause. I shouldn't have gone to bed with Jessie without talking to you."

  "It just happened, and Jess pushed it, I know that-she's told me." He held out his hand. "Still friends?"

  Warren took the proffered hand. "Of course. Good. I really didn't want to have to decide on another best man."

  "Not on your life!" Crash grinned.

  The USFSA's board meeting was the next week in Colorado Springs. After all the arguments, pro and con, for suspending Sophia and Warren, Evan got up to speak.

  "I'm here representing the athletes, as you all know. I have a petition here calling for Warren and Sophie not to be suspended. It was signed by every medallist from the last National championships except one."

  "Who?" Curtis Ingalls asked.

  "Courtney Rogers, of course. Ryan Killen, by the way, signed it. We are all vehemently against any sanctions being taken against Warren and Sophia. You people browbeat Sophia over the Maxim thing. I know some people here gave her shit about the pregnancy. You keep pushing at them. Have we forgotten that they're the most successful American ice dancers in history? Have we forgotten that they choreographed at least one program for all three of the Americans that won World Championships this year? Have we forgotten that the TV ratings for Worlds this year doubled, because of the Maxim thing and the rumors about their nude program?"

  "Warren and Sophia are American figure skating, in the eyes of the public! Them and Liz Cushman. Without those three, we're sunk. Do you know that Warren told me that People Magazine wants to cover their wedding? They're a gold mine for you guys-and you're getting caught up in all this puritan bullshit. And, let's not forget, they're two of the nicest people in figure skating. Who else could get almost every skater to sign
a petition on their behalf? Liz, maybe-that's about it. Skaters love them. Fans love them. Hell, judges love them."

  "You guys want to cut off your nose to spite your face? Fine. Suspend them. By the way, if you do, Shawna and myself will not be at Nationals this year. I can't speak for anyone else, but Liz Cushman told me to tell you that she won't either."

  After that, the vote was taken-and it was overwhelming against suspending the duo.

  Chapter 123 - Discussions

  Author's note: Brian Wright was a real person, and the details given about him in this chapter are true. Though I don't think the USFSA has named an award after him. They should, though. RIP, Brian.

  * * *

  It was four days after Warren and Sophia had returned to Oceanview after the tour. And Warren was trying to be patient, but was getting a little upset.

  Sophia and Jessie were really into each other. They weren't really excluding him-well, Sophie wasn't--but he felt like kind of a fifth wheel. He understood part of it-that they'd been separated for months-and that he had had Sophia all to himself for all those months. He guessed what bothered him is that Jess had showed no interest in him. It seemed like the threesome arrangement that they had had over Christmas break had changed-and now it was that he was just sharing his fiancée. If that's what it was, he could live with it-but he wish someone would tell him this and that it would happen in someone else's bed. Last night, they had kept him awake-and frustrated.

  He had spent the afternoon at his parents, helping them with some things. He returned, and went into the apartment, to find Sophia and Jessie on the bed, stark naked, Sophia eating Jessie out.

  He gave it another try. "What a wonderful sight to come home to. Mind if I join in?"

  "Later," Jessie said brusquely, and went back to enjoying Sophia's tongue.

  "Sophie?" Warren said. Sophia didn't say a word. Warren turned and left the apartment, and went upstairs. "Hi, Warren," Ellen greeted him.

  "Hey, Ellen. Where's Betsy?" She pointed towards the playpen, where Betsy was playing happily. "When did she eat last?"

  "Just about an hour ago."

  "Good. I think I'll take her for a walk."

  "Something wrong?" Ellen asked.

  "Nope. Not a thing." He went to grab Betsy, who reached our her arms to him and gurgled happily. "At least you're happy to see me," he said softly-but Ellen heard him. He took Betsy outside, put her in her stroller, and headed down the street.

  It was just about then that light finally dawned over Jessie. "Oh shit!" she exclaimed, sitting up. "Soph! Stop!" Sophie looked up from between Jessie's legs. "We've got a problem. Dammit, we just did it. What I was afraid of-we just did it."

  "Huh?" Sophie said.

  "Shut Warren out."

  "Warren?"

  "He was just here."

  "Was he?"

  "Boy, you were preoccupied!" Jessie laughed. "He came in, asked if he could join in. I said 'later', very dismissively. He called you and you ignored him. Then he left-not happy."

  "I didn't even hear him!" Sophia claimed.

  "Yeah, because you were too into me. He can't be happy about that." She sighed. "I just realized. I haven't even let him so much as touch me in the four days you guys have been back. I'm not doing it deliberately, but..."

  "I've let him touch me, but not enough. Shit. Jess, where's our clothes?" They quickly found them. They dressed in a hurry, then ran upstairs.

  "Did Warren go through here?" Sophia asked Ellen.

  "Yes. He took Betsy for a walk in her stroller. He didn't look happy."

  "We know." They went outside, came to the front porch, then stopped. "Shit," Sophie said, "I have no idea what way he went."

  "Maybe we should split up. Or just wait here."

  "Wait a minute," Sophie said. "What am I thinking? This is Warren. He headed to Dunkin' Donuts." They headed to the end of the side street that Sophie lived on, then turned down Washington looking towards the Dunkin Donuts. Sure enough, they saw Warren headed their way, pushing Betsy along, sipping an iced coffee.

  They ran to meet him. He finally looked up-he had been chatting down at Betsy-and saw them when they were ten feet away.

  "Warren!" Sophie yelled as she came to a stop next to him. "We're sorry."

  "Both of us," Jessie added.

  "It's all right," he said, with a sad little smile. "I'll adjust." He looked at Jessie, again with a sad little smile. "I should've known this threesome wouldn't work out. You don't want me, you want Sophie. It's fine. I can share. I just wish you'd find somewhere else to do it, you kept me awake and frustrated until 2 am last night."

  "Why didn't you say anything?" Sophia said.

  "I just tried that, didn't I?" he asked. Then he started walking back towards the house. Sophie and Jessie looked at each other in amazement. Jessie started towards Warren, but Sophie grabbed her. "Jess, wait. We have to talk."

  "Huh?"

  "Is he right? Is this just between you and me now? Because, if so, we have to talk about this. It affects him."

  "No. Dammit, no." She started running towards Warren, who had already turned onto the side street and was almost at the house. "Warren, wait!" He turned, and waited as first Jessie and then Sophie caught up with him. "In the house," Jessie said. Warren gathered Betsy up and went in the house. "Give Betsy to Ellen," Jessie said. Warren, bemused, did so. "Now. Downstairs."

  "Is everything all right?" Ellen asked.

  "It will be," Jessie said as the three of them went downstairs. Once they got into the apartment, Jessie tackled Warren onto the bed.

  "You idiot," she said, kissing him and undoing his belt buckle. "You asked once, today, and I was a little preoccupied at the time." Another kiss, and she was tugging at his pants. "Sophia is the only girl I sleep with, and I'm kind of like a kid with a new toy, OK? It's new and I haven't been with her in months. That's all it is." She was tugging his shirt above his head. "And if you had asked last night when you were awake and horny, I would've jumped your bones. We thought you were asleep." She quickly shucked her own clothes, climbed on top of Warren, and straddled him. She lowered herself on his cock, letting out a low moan. "Don't want you? Yeah, right. For a genius, Warren, sometimes you're stupid."

  Jess started to move up and down on him, but Warren yelled, "Wait!" and grabbed her hips to hold her. "I need to say this before you make me incoherent." Jessie grinned at that. "You have been shutting me out. I'm engaged to one of you. I shouldn't have to beg."

  "You're right," Jess said. "Like I said, it's the whole girl thing. I've been with guys over the past five months, Crash a few times and a couple of guys at school. The only time I've been with Sophie was that night on the tour. And that was kind of rushed."

  "OK," Warren said.

  "Good. That's settled," Jessie said, and started to move up and down his dick. "Don't want you? Not in this lifetime." She got into a steady rhythm and started moaning.

  Sophie, who had been watching all this with great amusement, had shed her own clothes and crawled into the bed next to them. "My face is unoccupied if you want to take a seat, Pookie," Warren told her.

  "Nah," she giggled. "I'm enjoying watching too much. Somebody can do me next." Just then, Jessie howled, and flopped all over Warren's dick, her body jerking above him.

  "Oh, shit," she said as she came back down, "I think my legs don't work anymore."

  "Did Warren cum?" Sophie asked.

  "Nope," said Warren.

  "Good. My turn. Jess, get off." Jess did so, and Sophie took her place, impaling herself on Warren. Jessie grinned at her, then moved closer to Warren, snuggling up against him as Sophia moved herself up and down on him.

  "Jess," Sophie hissed, "show him you love him. Kiss him. I wanna watch you make out while I-Oh GOD!!" Jess got the hint and joined her lips to Warren's. They made out while Sophia rode Warren's dick.

  "Oh, God, that's so hot," Sophie gasped as she moved up and down on Warren, watching Warren make out with Jessie. In a few minute
s she was cumming. Warren quickly followed, groaning into Jessie's mouth as he poured himself into Sophie.

  Sophie fell forward and cuddled herself on top of Warren-and Jessie. They all hugged and fondled for a while. "Better?" Jess asked.

  "Much," Warren laughed.

  "The next time I forget how fun the three of us are together, slap me, OK?" Jessie laughed.

  The next day, they were all in the apartment, along with Betsy, just hanging out when the phone rang. Warren picked it up. "Hello? Oh, hello Curtis. What are you calling to yell at us about this time?"

  "What? Really? That's fantastic! Wow!"

  "Yeah, I do know what it means. Thanks for calling, Curtis." He hung up, and turned to Sophia excitedly. "We won the Brian Wright!"

  "We did? That's awesome!"

  "What's the Brian Wright?" Jessie asked.

  "The Brian Wright Memorial Trophy," Warren told her. "It's an award given out yearly. All the choreographers registered with the USFSA vote on it, for the best American choreographer of the year. So, it's voted on by other choreographers. It's a big fucking deal-I never expected it."

  "Me, neither," Sophia asked.

  "We get it at Skate America next year." Warren told her.

  "Who's Brian Wright?" Jessie asked.

  "Brian Wright was a very well-regarded choreographer," Warren told her. "He did programs for Kristi Yamaguchi, Michael Weiss, Michelle Kwan, lots of others. He was known for his enthusiasm and dedication to the art of skating choreography. This, even though for the last eight years of his life he had full-blown AIDS and was often in and out of the hospital. He'd get out of the hospital and fly to an ice rink somewhere and choreograph. And he was one talented guy. He died at 43 in July of 2003."

  "Wow," Jessie said. "Good guy to name the award after."

  "Got that right," Warren agreed.

  Warren's parents threw a barbecue again for the Fourth of July, but it wasn't just a barbecue. It was a final wedding detail planning session. Ellen and Dan were there, as were Brian and Michelle and their kids. Jessie and Crash were also there, along with Kate and Chad, and, of course, Warren's brother and sister.