The first show was done, over with, and only a few minor hitches had occurred. They were all in a more relaxed state of mind with the knowledge that the show was a hit and the problems could be ironed out with practice. Besides, the mistakes had been more humorous than disastrous. After the big build-up they were all ready to kick back and have a good time.
While the crew packed away the stage and moved on to the next venue, the guys were kicking back in a local nightspot.
Maddy was there, mostly as a guest, but also to make sure the guys got back at a reasonable hour. The busses needed to leave promptly early the next morning.
Jamie, who had been sitting with Maddy until JC’s arrival, was finally out of work mode and was enjoying herself on the dance floor. She had been extremely busy all day with all the media swarming the venue, while also trying to set some time aside to calm JC’s nerves.
Maddy was always amazed at how well balanced their relationship seemed to be. They seemed perfect, but when Maddy told that to Jamie she was told, “Don’t be silly, you don’t know the half of it”.
As her friends partied around her, Maddy stood on the balcony overlooking the dance floor, cradling her drink in her hand. She sighed as her gaze shifted and she saw Lance dancing with someone–a very female someone.
He hadn’t bothered to seek her out when he’d arrived like JC did Jamie. He’d had ample opportunity to.
She couldn’t help but wonder if her and Lance, as a couple, were a lost cause. Maybe she would have been better channelling her energy into something, or someone, else.
“He’s stupid.”
Jamie turned her head. “Huh?” Justin had crept up behind her and his eyes were now fixated on where hers had been seconds before.
“He could be here dancing with you but instead he’s with some tramp he’ll never see again.”
She was surprised at the harsh words, not understanding why it would bother Justin. Her eyes went back to the dancing couple and she smirked a little at what Justin had said. Sure the woman was scantily clad, but didn’t guys go for that? Didn’t they think that was sexy? Justin, apparently, didn’t feel the same way. She was slightly concerned with the disgust in his eyes. She didn’t want this causing any hard feelings between the two friends.
“He can dance with who he wants,” she said quietly, all the time still wishing it was her.
Justin shrugged, finally tearing his eyes away and giving her a playful smile. “Sure. Too bad he missed out on the best lady in the house, though. Oh well, his loss, can I have the honour?” He held out his arm for her to take.
She burst out laughing but slid her arm into his, following him down the spiral staircase and into the middle of the floor.
Justin was a natural and she was somewhat intimidated by his ability to dance, but within minutes he had her at ease, making her laugh.
“Well lookie what we have here?” Justin said, looking up.
She looked up but was baffled as to what he was talking about. “What?” she asked, her brow ruffled in confusion.
Justin grinned and pulled her closer and began to sing into her ear.
“Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the cutest one you saw? She’s underneath the discoball. The discoball? The discoball.” She pushed his chest, giggling at what a dork he was being. “Whoa, I think we better stop there before you have me up against the wall,” she laughed.
Justin gave her a big cheesy grin. “Up against the wall, on the floor, on the bar, anywhere you want it,” he said smoothly.
Her mouth dropped. “Pervert! What would Britney say?”
He shrugged, chuckling as he pulled her back to him and began moving again. “She knows I’m a sexed up, horny devil.”
“I wouldn’t hold my hopes up that that excuse would slide with her. Where is she anyway?”
“New York…I think.” He shrugged. “It’s hard to keep up, but she’s recording her new album.”
She couldn’t fathom not even knowing what part of the country a boyfriend of hers was in. With her they had always been…well,there. A five-minute drive down the road had been her biggest hurdle in seeing her boyfriends in the past.
She didn’t want to harp on the issue in case it upset Justin, but he seemed to take it in his stride.
“Time to swap partners,” a voice interrupted loudly.
Justin and Maddy turned to see JC and Jamie. “But we were having fun,” Justin complained.
“And now you can have fun with me,” Jamie told him.
“JC?” Justin looked for an ally.
“Hey man, I do what the woman says,” JC shrugged.
Jamie grinned and deviously spoke into Maddy’s ear. “Told you I had him trained,”
Justin arched an eyebrow and nodded. “I’m impressed, James. Letting your man dance with another woman,” he shook his head, “that’s real trusting of you, considering her age and all. Is it just the under ten’s you have a problem with?”
JC and Maddy looked equally confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh just the other night at--” The rest of his words were muffled as Jamie’s hand slammed down over his mouth.
She narrowed her eyes. “I trust JC.” She threw back her hair with her free hand. “Besides, he knows the safe zones.”
Justin pulled her hand away from his mouth, squashing the urge to lick it, which he knew would piss her off royally. “Which would be?”
“No butt, no breasts.”
Justin cocked an eyebrow. “So his hands have pretty much free reign of everywhere else?”
“C’mon Maddy,” JC interrupted. “Let’s leave these two freaks to battle it out.” Maddy gave them a small wave and followed JC.
“So James,” Justin held up his hands, “where do I put these babies? No butt, no breasts…or doesn’t that rule apply to you?” He chuckled when she scowled at him. He couldn’t help it, he loved to tease her.
Jamie grabbed his hands and placed them on her waist. “Don’t move ‘em,” she warned.
“Yes ma’am.”
“Sooo…Justin.”
Uh oh, the look in her eyes wasn’t good. “What?” he asked nervously.
“You and Maddy looked like you were having fun.”
What was she getting at? “Yeah…so?”
Jamie shrugged. “Just an observation. It was pretty nice of you to spend time with her…what with Lance is being an ass and all. A dumb, blind ass,” she muttered.
“She’s my friend too, why wouldn’t I?”
“Is that all you see her as?” Jamie asked bluntly.
Justin frowned. “You know I have Brit.”
“And?”
“And?” Justin spluttered, “I think that’s reason enough in itself.”
“Whatever.”
Justin grasped her wrists, removing her hands from his shoulders. “No, Jamie, I don’t think you get it. I have a girlfriend, one I’ve been with for a long time. And it’s clear as day that Maddy is hung up on Lance. I’m happy, don’t start messing with my life.”
“Then why do you look at her like you do?” she asked gently.
Justin glowered at her before he turned and stormed off the dance floor.
Maddy looked at JC as Justin flew past them. “What do you think happened there?”
JC sighed. “I think my girlfriend has a case of open mouth, insert foot. She doesn’t know when to keep quiet sometimes. Sorry, Maddy,” he looked at her apologetically, “I better go sort this out.”
“Sure, no problem.” She watched JC approach Jamie and wondered if she should go after Justin. Before she could make a move to follow him she felt a tap on her shoulder.
“You wanna dance?” Lance shouted over the loud dance tune that had just started.
She looked at Lance and then back to where Justin had headed, but he was gone. Her face creased in worry but there wasn’t anything she could do right then. She turned back to Lance and shrugged. “Yeah, sure.”
“Hello?”
“Hey Brit, it’s me.” Justin kicked his shoes off and flopped back onto the hotel bed. It was too hard, the pillows were too flat, it wasn’t his.
“Hey Jus.” She sounded tired; one, if not both of them usually did.
“Where’ve you been?” he asked, unbuttoning his shirt as he cradled the phone between his ear and shoulder.
“Studio, and I had some interviews with some Japanese and Australian press this afternoon.”
“Is your mom still out there with you?”
“She flew home this morning. Fe’s here though.”
“Cool.”
There was a pause in the conversation before Britney spoke. “Oh, Justin, I nearly forgot, how did the show go?”
Justin smiled. “Good, it went really well. We goofed a couple of times but you know how it goes.”
“Yeah. So did you go out to celebrate afterwards?”
“Yup, ya know we couldn’t keep Joe out of the clubs, and I kinda felt obligated to join him.”
“Whatever,” she chuckled. “So you’re back early aren’t you?”
“Yeah,” Justin sighed.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
It was clear by the tone of his voice that something was wrong but she didn’t push him.
Justin glanced over to the door when he heard a knock. “B, someone’s at the door, I gotta go.”
“’Kay. Love you, speak to you soon.”
“Love you too, bye.” He threw his phone down on the bed as he pushed himself up. “I’m coming,” he called, as there was a second knock. He unlocked the door and swung it open figuring it was just one of the guys. Fans would have been stopped by security before they could set foot anywhere near his room. “Maddy,” he said in surprise at his visitor.
“I’m sorry to disturb you,” she glanced down at his chest, bared by his open shirt, “I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You got out of there pretty quick tonight.”
He opened the door wider. “Come on in.” He walked over to the wardrobe, discarded his navy shirt and pulled on an old T-shirt. “Take a seat,” he gestured to the bed.
She moved his cell aside and sat down. “You made a quick exit back there.”
Justin shook his head. “Jamie just pushes me too far sometimes. I think she’s decided to take it upon herself to be my bossy older sister.”
“She means well.”
“Sometimes,” he sighed, although this time he didn’t think her meddling would do any of them any good. He didn’t think it wise to clue Maddy in on his and Jamie’s conversation. He didn’t want to cause her any unnecessary embarrassment. He shook his head and grinned. “What is this, the Jamie Johnson fan club?”
Maddy pushed his arm. “Shut up, Jamie’s great. So are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Good. I guess I’ll let you get to bed, you’ve got another full-packed day tomorrow,” she told him, standing from the bed.
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” he groaned.
“’Night, Justin,” she smiled softly.
“’Night, Jamie.”
She had just reached the door when he called her name. “Yeah?” she asked, turning around.
He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. “Thanks for caring.”
She rubbed his back. “That’s what friends are for. See you tomorrow,” she said, drawing back.
“’Kay, sleep tight.”
She slipped out the room and left him on his own again. He walked back over to the bed and flopped down on his front, stuffing his face into the pillow. “Ahhhh,” he screamed into the pillow. A little frustration released, he lifted his head up and rubbed his face wearily. “Why have you always got to plant ideas in my head, James,” he muttered, shaking his head. It was to be a long night convincing himself that Jamie was off her head. He couldn’t care about Maddy in that way, it wasn’t possible…was it?”
Chapter 4
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