An hour later, I’m stood on Brian’s doorstep. He opens the door and I smile at him sheepishly.
“Hi honey,” I try and he waves me inside. I follow him into the kitchen where he’s in the middle of making some pasta. “Smells good,” I say as I lean against a counter.
“Thanks,” he says and starts to stir the sauce.
“Sorry about earlier,” I decide to get it over and done with. “I was still half-asleep when you called and I didn’t exactly say things right.”
“Oh I don’t know,” he says wryly. “You managed to get the point of SPACE across pretty well.”
“I did?” I wince slightly. “I’m sorry baby. I love you. You know that right?”
“Sometimes.”
“Always,” I say. “I just kinda feel like I need a little time to do my thing for a while. It doesn’t mean I love you any less. It’s just part of who I am.”
“It is?” he looks at me and then puts the spoon down with a light sigh. “I know Jady. I knew this when we got together. You’re not easy.”
“I know. But I’m SO glad you persevere,” I tell him and he laughs.
“Couldn’t do anything else. I’m stubborn ya know.”
“I know,” I giggle and walk over to hug him tight.
“I’m sorry too Jady. I shouldn’t have gone off at ya like that,” he kisses the tip of my nose. “I love you too Pookie.”
“Uh, would this be a good time to tell you I’m goin’ to LA tomorrow with Britney and her girlfriends?” I ask cautiously and he blinks slowly before shrugging.
“Have fun.”
“Thanks,” I smile and kiss him.
“How long will you be in LA?”
“Just a week,” I tell him.
“And then you’ll be back here?”
“Nup,” I shake my head. “I already have plans…”
“Where now?!” he exclaims and I giggle.
“I’m goin’ back to Atlanta to hang out with my folks and Jay. And THEN…”
“God,” he rolls his eyes. “Talk about frequent flyer miles.”
“THEN I’m goin’ to visit this guy I’m kinda in love with. Someplace beginning with L… It’s just TOTALLY slipped my mind,” I joke as he laughs.
“You’re comin’ to Lexington?!”
“Lexington! That’s the place. You know it?” I ask innocently.
“Just a little,” he grins.
“JADE!” Britney exclaims as she opens the door to her friend. “Finally,” she hugs her. “I thought you were gonna be here by lunch!”
“Yeah, I missed my flight,” Jade says sheepishly.
“You did?!”
“Uh huh. I blame Brian.”
“Why?”
“I spent the night at his place and we kinda overslept,” Jade explains with a giggle and Britney gives her a knowing look. “Don’t look at me like THAT!”
“We ALL know what you were doin’ girl,” Britney laughs. “C’mon in.”
“Thanks,” Jade follows her into the house and through into the kitchen where three girls are sitting round a table with coffee.
“Girls, this is Jade,” Britney introduces. “These are Laura Lynne, Jensen and Courtney.”
“Hi y’all,” Jade smiles and they greet her back as she sits down.
“Coffee?” offers Laura Lynne and Jade nods. “I bet you need this!”
“I sure do!” Jade laughs and takes a sip. “I really hate flying. I used to be ok but I’ve flown so much lately… It’s crazy.”
“Oh yeah, Brit said you work with the Backstreet Boys,” says Courtney. “What’s that like?”
“A LOT of fun,” Jade giggles. “Well, lately hasn’t been fun but…” she shrugs.
“Oh my God, I was so sad to hear about AJ,” exclaims Jensen. “I really hope he is gettin’ what he needs right now.”
“I do too,” Jade says. “I really wanna call him but he’s been put on a blackout for two weeks. NO contact with the world at ALL.”
“That would drive me CRAZY!” Britney says.
“I think that’s the point,” says Laura Lynne. “Kinda break you right down so that they can build you right back up. My uncle went through rehab,” she tells Jade. “Best thing he ever did. AJ will be fine.”
“Yeah,” Jade smiles. “Are you guys all from Louisiana?”
“Yeah. Kentwood,” says Courtney. “Have you ever been?”
“Not to Kentwood. I was in New Orleans with the Boys a few weeks back. I loved it.”
“It’s got a cool vibe,” Jensen grins. “Did you see the voodoo women?”
“Oh God yes!” Jade laughs. “They scared my boyfriend to DEATH!”
“They could probably do that for real if they tried,” Britney shudders. “They totally give me the creeps.”
“Me too,” agrees Laura Lynne. “Didn’t Justin once think they put the Eye on him?”
“Oh yeah!” Britney laughs. “That was funny. He walked by this woman and she kinda stared at him. And he says to me, “I think I just got the Evil Eye!” and I was like, “Or maybe she has a teenage daughter?” and he was SO embarrassed.”
“Nick would think that too,” Jade giggles.
“Guys,” Courtney rolls her eyes.
“Do y’all have boyfriends?” Jade asks.
“I’m engaged to a guy back home. His name’s Trey and we’ve been together three years now,” says Laura Lynne with a big smile.
“I’m single right now,” says Jensen. “I split up with somebody a few months back so now I’m just enjoying being by myself.”
“Ah you won’t be for long!” giggles Laura Lynne. “This girl is the total elastic band!” she tells Jade. “She just snaps right back into a guy!”
“You make me sound like a total slut!” exclaims Jensen and everyone laughs.
“You are!” giggles Courtney. “I’m seeing a guy back home. Nothin’ serious. Yet.”
“That’s a BIG yet,” giggles Britney and Courtney pulls a face.
“Yeah, yeah…”
I yawn and stretch out as I open my eyes. The sun is spilling into the room through the long windows above the bed and I smile. You can’t beat waking up to sunshine. It kinda puts you in a good mood before anything happens. I roll over and check the clock. It’s just gone 10am. I climb out of bed, grab a towel and head to the bathroom for a quick shower. I had stayed up talking with the girls until about 2am. They’re all real nice and I’m looking forward to the week ahead. Britney’s house is real lush. The only part I don’t like is her room. She has this dolls cabinet and I’ve hated dolls ever since I saw the Chucky movies. Jay had forced me to watch one with him when I was 6 and since then I’ve avoided dolls. They creep me out. After a shower, I get dressed and head into the kitchen. Nobody’s there so I pour myself a juice and sit at the table to flick through a magazine.
“Oh hey Jade,” Jensen walks in and pours a juice before sitting by me. “Good sleep?”
“Oh yeah. You?”
“The best. All that talking tired me out!”
“Not too tired to shop?” Britney walks in.
“No way!” Jensen laughs. “I’m never too tired to shop girl!”
“You up for hittin’ the malls Jade?” Britney asks me and I nod.
“Totally.”
“Cool,” she grins. “I’m gonna go grab a shower,” she heads to the door just as the phone rings. “Jade, get that for me will ya?”
“Uh sure,” I say as she disappears. I look at Jensen who shrugs.
“Just take a message.”
“Yeah,” I grab the phone. “Hello, Britney’s place.”
“Oh hey,” comes a deep man’s voice. “Britney not there?”
“Yeah but she’s in the shower right now. Want me to pass anything on?”
“Uh, yeah. Look, who is this?”
“Jade Greene.”
“THE writer?” he asks and I laugh.
“Yeah, that’s me. Who are you?”
“Wade Robson.”
“THE choreographer slash songwriter slash Joey double?” I ask and he chuckles.
“You got me. I’ve seen pictures of you Jade.”
“I’ve seen pictures of you too,” I giggle.
“You’re real cute,” he flirts.
“I guess you are too,” I laugh.
“Gee, thanks,” he says and laughs. “You staying with Britney?”
“Yup. Just for this week.”
“You guys busy tonight?”
“Not that I know of. Hang on,” I cover the phone and turn to Jensen. “Do you know if we’re doin’ anything tonight yet?”
“Nup, don’t think so. I guess we’ll just go to a bar or somethin’.”
“Thanks,” I uncover the phone. “Hey Wade, nothin’ planned yet.”
“Cool. Wanna come to a club with me?”
“Sure. I’ll check with the others but that sounds good.”
“Others? I was thinkin’ just you and me… But ok, I can deal with the others,” he adds with a light chuckle. “You know the Blue Room?”
“Yup.”
“Cool. I’ll see you there. Say about 11?”
“Sure. Okies, bye Wade,” I hang up and grin at Jensen. “That was Wade…”
“Robson? He’s a CUTIE!” she giggles.
“We’re meeting him tonight at 11 at the Blue Room.”
“Cool. I GOTTA get a new top then,” she says with a wink.
“You like him?”
“Hell, who doesn’t?! Have you SEEN him?!”
“Yeah,” I laugh. “He IS cute.”