“Back again man?” asks the bartender as Brian perches on a stool.
“Sure am,” Brian nods. “Gimme a beer.”
The guy obliges and Brian looks out into the club. He has been out practically every night since Jade had left – just drinking and flirting with other women. It helps take his mind off of her for maybe five seconds but, the way he feels, he’ll take those five seconds. He hates spending any time at home – it’s full of memories of being with Jade and is so empty without her. He can usually get through the days without Jade by working hard and hanging out with friends, but the nights… Spending time in a bar helps but then he has to go home to his big cold bed and his thoughts of her. Some nights he’s angry, others he prays she’ll come back…
“Hey you,” purrs a voice and Brian looks at the girl standing by him. “Here again?”
“Yeah. I’ve seen you here too.”
“Uh huh. I’m kinda regular ‘round here,” she giggles. “I’m Kerri.”
“I’m Brian.”
Brian lies awake in the dark room, staring at the ceiling and wondering what the hell to do now. He can’t sleep at all. He stretches and sighs slightly. He climbs out of bed and searches out his clothes, getting dressed quickly. He heads towards the door and opens it quietly, looking back into the room. Kerri is asleep in the bed, her blonde hair spread over her face and one arm dangling off the bed. He shuts the door behind him and finds his way out of her apartment. He doesn’t feel that bad about sleeping with her. He had needed to feel somebody’s touch, to feel like he was loved. And in a way, it makes him understand why Jade had slept with AJ. He remembers what AJ had told him – “She needed some love and you weren’t there. I was.” Just what he had just given into with Kerri. Now they’re equal. He walks down the street and hails a taxi, giving his address and climbing in. He wants Jade back. Sure, they have a lot to talk through but no other girl will ever do for him.
“Jay, you doin’ anything today?” Brian asks over the phone. After leaving that girl’s room, he had gone straight home and taken a long shower – scrubbing her away from his body and mind. He had tried to sleep but failed – his mind too busy with thoughts of how he can find Jade and get her to come home.
“Naw, I’m free. What you got in mind?” Jay drawls, surprised to hear from Brian.
“A game of basketball?”
“Sure, sounds good. When?”
“When ya can.”
“Ok, I’ll meet ya on the court on the corner from Ali’s place in an hour,” Jay says and hangs up. He wonders what Brian wants to talk about. After spending time one-on-one with him in Atlanta, Jay had developed a strong liking for the Backstreet Boy. He has a lot of time for him.
Brian walks onto the basketball court. Jay is already there, practising hoops. Brian drops his bag on the stands and walks over to join him, pushing out the memories of the last time he had played here with Jade, Nick and Ali.
“Hey Jay.”
“Hey man,” Jay turns round and gives Brian a quick hug.
“Thanks for coming.”
“I’m glad ya called. We haven’t hung out lately,” Jay tosses the ball to Brian.
“I know,” Brian shoots a basket, misses and then sighs. “Actually, could we talk?”
“Sure. Let’s sit down,” Jay heads over to the stands and they both sit down. “So, shoot.”
“What do I do about Jade?” Brian gets right to the point.
“I don’t know. What do you WANT to do?”
“I love her.”
“But can you forgive her?” Jay asks.
“I need to talk with her, find out a few things but I think I can. I love her too much to not even try.”
“She does love you Brian. She just lost her way,” Jay says quietly. “It’s so obvious when you guys are together – just how much you’re meant to be.”
“Really? It is? See, I always thought that but now I wonder if I was just being blind.”
“No way,” Jay shakes his head. “I’ve never seen my sister like she is with you. Did you ever realise how much she looked at you when you weren’t aware? And she always had to be close to you, to be touching you somehow… And even just hearing your name made her break out in this huge goofy grin,” Jay adds with a chuckle as Brian starts to smile. “So she does love you.”
“I never saw any of that.”
“Well you wouldn’t. It’s only people outside who see that stuff. I mean, do you think Nick sees the way Ali looks at him?”
“Probably not. He’s so insecure at times,” Brian admits.
“And he has no reason to be. God knows, I know that!” Jay laughs sharply.
“You still like Ali huh?”
“What?” Jay gives him a look.
“Jade told me. It’s ok. I haven’t said anything to Nick and I won’t.”
“Oh. I’m over it now,” Jay shrugs. “I’m always gonna have a place in my life for her, but not in THAT way y’know?”
“Yeah. I guess you have a lot in common with AJ.”
“How are things with him?”
“Awkward,” Brian admits. “Real uncomfortable. We don’t see each other outside of group commitments.”
“It wasn’t all his fault – what happened.”
“I know. It just takes time.”
“You got that right,” Jay agrees.
“But if I can just see Jade again… Talk things through. I just think that will make it better.”
“Maybe.”
“Do you know where she is?”
“No.”
“Jay, please!” Brian begs.
“Really, I don’t know. Somewhere in Washington, that’s all she would tell me when we talked.”
“You’ve talked to her? How is she? Did she mention me?”
“She asked if you were ok and told me to look after you. Ali told her you signed the divorce papers.”
“Oh,” Brian stares at the ground. “She thinks I’ve given up on her.”