“The couch!” I yell and jump onto it. “God, I’ve missed it!”
“It really IS pink,” Ali giggles and sits on the end. “It’s good to be home.”
“It sure is,” I sigh and close my eyes. “I was starting to feel that if I saw one more hotel room I would have to scream.”
“I know the feeling. And it’s kinda good to be on our own again y’know?”
“I know,” I agree.
“I mean, I love Nick and all but… I miss my space.”
“Again, I know.”
“So, you’re going to Lexington with Brian?” she says.
“Nup.”
“But Brian said…”
“I know what Brian said, but if he had asked me he would have known that I’m not going.”
“Whoah. He’s not gonna like that,” she mutters.
“Then it’s his problem. I just wanna spend a little time HERE Ali. I think his family are great but I don’t wanna spend my month bein’ all polite to ‘em.”
“Oh I know,” she giggles. “I mean, you gotta be on ya best behaviour and crap – the future in-laws!”
“I don’t THINK so,” I open my eyes.
“You don’t wanna marry Brian?” she raises her eyebrow.
“No,” I say. “Well… I don’t know. I can’t say I’ve exactly thought about it. Have you?”
“No,” Ali says after a brief pause. “But I guess I see it in the future. Way, way, WAY in the future!” she adds and I laugh.
The phone rings as I open my eyes cautiously. It takes me a few seconds to realise where I am and I roll over to grab the phone.
“Yeah?” I mutter sleepily.
“Hey Jady, how you doin’?”
“You just woke me up Nicky.”
“I did? Oops, sorry,” he laughs.
“Yeah, yeah. You want Ali?”
“Seein’ as you’re not miss chatty, yeah.”
“Bye Nick,” I say and cover up the phone. “ALI!” I yell but get no reply. I groan and climb out of bed. I head down the hallway and into her room. She’s still asleep and I shake her awake.
“Ugh?!” she grunts and I pick up her phone.
“Nick’s on the phone.”
“Huh?”
“Nick is on the PHONE Ali!” I put the receiver in her hand. “He woke me up!”
“You woke us up!” she moans into the phone.
I head back to my room and realise my cell phone is ringing. I grab it on my way back to bed.
“Hey.”
“Hey baby,” Brian greets me cheerfully. “Good sleep?”
“Until Nick woke me, yeah.”
“Nick’s there?”
“Nup, he just called.”
“Ah. I called my mom about us goin’ up and she’s real excited. How about we get a flight out…”
“Whoah,” I interrupt. “What’s all this we thing?”
“We. You and me.”
“I’m sorry but I’m not going to Lexington,” I say.
“Why not? I thought you wanted to.”
“You never actually ASKED. And I just want to enjoy bein’ at home for a while.”
“Lexington is like home,” he argues.
“YOUR home, yeah.”
“Don’t you like my family?”
“Of course I like them!” I exclaim. “That’s nothing to do with it. I just want to hang out HERE. It’s no biggie Brian. You go to Lexington and have a great time, and I’ll see you when you get back. Or maybe I’ll join you for a weekend or something.”
“But I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too,” I say. “But it might be good to have some time apart.”
“What do ya mean?” he says cautiously.
“I dunno. It’s just, we’ve been together practically 24-7 lately…”
“Ok. Fine,” he mutters. “I’ll just go to Lexington.”
“Cool. Say hello to everyone,” I say brightly.
“Whatever,” he says. “Am I allowed to call you or would that be crowding you?”
“Don’t be like that.”
“Well when you decide how you DO want me to be, let me know,” he says angrily. “That’s if I’m still around,” he adds before hanging up.
“Great,” I mutter and throw my phone down before burying my head in my pillow. Great start to the day Jade – piss off the boyfriend.
A couple of hours later and I’ve showered and dressed. I join Ali in the kitchen and fix myself some breakfast before sitting at the table.
“What’d Nick want?”
“Me,” she giggles. “I’m gonna meet him on the beach later.”
“Cool. I managed to piss Brian off already,” I say lightly.
“He’s here?” she looks confused.
“Nup, he phoned just after Nick. I told him I don’t want to go to Lexington and he got pissed off.”
“Why?”
“Just because I said I needed a little space.”
“He’ll get over it,” she shrugs. “Eventually.”
“Yup,” I agree. “So, you got plans for this month?”
“Not really. I guess I’ll hang out with Nick or somethin’. He’s talking about joining AC’s tour for a coupla weeks.”
“You’re gonna go with him?”
“Maybe. I dunno,” she shrugs as the phone rings. “I’ll get it,” she heads over to the wall and picks up. “Pink Monster Zoo, Ali speaking… Uh, hi… Yeah, she’s here…” she beckons me over and hands the phone over. “It’s Bitchney,” she mutters.
“Hi Bi…uh, BRITney,” I shoot Ali a glare and she giggles. “How you doin’?”
“I’m good,” she says. “I thought I’d try and catch ya. I heard ‘bout AJ. Is he ok? Well, I mean he’s obviously not OK ok, but… Oh ya know!”
“I know,” I laugh. “He’s gettin’ better all the time.”
“Cool. How long have you got off?”
“A month, maybe more. It depends on how AJ feels after rehab.”
“You got any plans?” she asks.
“Nup. Brian’s going to see his folks in Kentucky. He’s pissed I won’t go with him actually.”
“He’ll live,” she laughs. “So, you wanna come to LA with me for a week?”
“LA?”
“Yup. I have a little time off before my tour kicks off and I figured I’d go hang out in LA with some girlfriends.”
“Cool. Who’s going?”
“Me, my cousin Laura Lynne, Jensen and Courtney. Say you’ll come Jade! I really want y’all to meet,” she pleads and I giggle.
“Sure I’ll come. That’d be cool. Thanks.”
“Great! We’re all coming from Louisiana so we’ll meet you in LA?”
“Sure. When?”
“Tomorrow?”
“Cool. Where are we staying?”
“My place. You got some paper? I’ll give you directions.”
“Hang on,” I find some paper and write down the directions she gives me. We arrange to meet at her place tomorrow night and I hang up. I sit back down at the table and finish my juice.
“You going somewhere?” Ali asks.
“Yup, LA.”
“With Bitchney?” she asks and I nod. “What’s Brian gonna think?”
“Why would he care?”
“You won’t go to Lexington with him, but you will go to LA with Bitchney,” Ali points out.
“It’s not the same thing.”
“Hope HE sees it that way,” she mutters.
“Jealousy doesn’t suit you Ali,” I stand up and wash out my empty glass.
“Jealous?!” she exclaims. “Why the fuck would I be jealous of Bitchney and you?!”
“Beats me,” I shrug and head towards the door. “But you are.”
“Oh, fuck off!” is her response.
“Okies,” I yell back in an annoying singsong voice. I head to my room and start to pack my bag for LA. The sooner I’m out of here, the better. When I’m packed, I call up the airlines and get a flight out at 10am tomorrow. I decide to go see Brian. I hate arguing with him.