“Brit, I feel SO bad,” Wade whines and she laughs.
“I am not surprised Wade. You were wasted by 11!”
“Yeah…” he hangs his head. “And I feel real bad about Jade.”
“Jade?” Britney looks surprised. “She didn’t say anything about you.”
“She didn’t?” Wade asks. “Well, it was nothing.”
“C’mon, tell me. I’ll only get it out of her,” Britney wheedles and he sighs heavily.
“Fine. I came on to her. Like real heavily and she ended up telling me to fuck off.”
“You deserved it!” Britney exclaims.
“I know,” Wade mutters. “Ya think she hates me?”
“Naw, Jade will be fine. Just apologise and she’ll be cool.”
“Ya think?” Wade asks hopefully and Britney nods.
“Now’s your chance,” Britney stands up as Jade walks into the kitchen. “Hey Jade, good sleep?”
“Real good,” Jade grins and pours herself some juice. “Hey Wade.”
“Hi,” Wade says.
“I’m just gonna go get changed,” Britney disappears and Jade sits at the table opposite Wade.
“Jade, I am REALLY sorry about last night,” Wade tells me seriously, fiddling with a coaster nervously.
“It’s ok,” I shrug. “You were drunk. I’ve been there.”
“Still, it’s no excuse…”
“Wade,” I laugh. “Stop beating yourself up over it. You got a little heavy that’s all!”
“I’m never like that usually,” he says horrified and I lay a hand on his arm.
“Relax, it’s forgotten. Promise.”
“Ok but let me buy you lunch today,” he offers.
“There’s no need. Really.”
“I’d like to,” he says and I smile.
“Well, ok then. Thanks.”
“Great. Shall we go now?” he stands up and I laugh.
“Let me grab my bag,” I head off to my room and Britney comes in almost straight away.
“Well?” she asks.
“Well what?” I decide to infuriate her and she groans. “Chill girl. He apologised and we’re going to lunch. No biggie.”
“You didn’t give him a hard time?” she sounds disappointed and I giggle. “Cos he was seriously beating himself up over it.”
“I noticed,” I tell her and grab my bag. “What are you guys doing today?”
“I was hoping to meet up with Justin,” she pulls a face. “But he’s BUSY.”
“Doin’ what?”
“No clue. He just got real edgy and hung up.”
“Probably NSync stuff,” I tell her reassuringly and she nods.
“Probably,” she follows me out to the kitchen where Wade is waiting. “Well, you kids have a great time,” she drawls. “Wade, don’t hit on Jade again. Jade, don’t flirt with Wade – he can’t take it.”
“Yes ma’am!” we both say and head out to his car. It’s a black VW convertible and I wolf-whistle.
“Impressive,” I tell him as I climb into the passenger seat.
“Thanks,” he grins proudly and starts the engine. “It’s my baby.”
“You’re as bad as Nick,” I roll my eyes. “Boys.”
“Hey, you like it,” he defends with a laugh. “Italian ok? For lunch,” he adds when he sees my look.
“Sure. I like Italian.”
“Italian anything or food?” he questions with a raised eyebrow and I laugh.
“Italian anything.”
Half an hour later, we’re settled in the restaurant Wade had chosen. It’s quite small and the food is amazing. I have a linguini and Wade has gone for the cannollini. I try a piece of his and it is real tasty. Kinda like him. He’s a good guy and we talk about all kinds of things. We take the piss out of Lance NSync’s dancing skills and imitate Britney’s southern drawl amidst fits of giggles. I’m glad he’s nothing like the drunk guy I met last night.
“HEEEEEY!” comes a shout from across the room and we both look up to see Justin Timberlake bearing down on us. “Wade!” he reaches us and does some kind of weird handshake with him. “Jade!” he kisses my cheek enthusiastically and I smile. I have only met him about three times before, why is he greeting me like a long-lost friend? “Can I join?”
“Uh, sure,” Wade shrugs and I smile.
“Sit yourself down,” I tell Justin and he sits by me.
“I’m only here for a coffee,” he tells us as the waiter brings over his drink. “I saw you guys through the window and figured I’d say hi.”
“Well, hi,” Wade says and Justin laughs.
“How you doin’?”
“I’m good,” Wade says. “I’m gonna be working with ya girl next week on her tour.”
“Really?” Justin says and then looks at me. “How come you’re in LA? Last time I saw, you were with the Backstreets.”
“They’re on an AJ-break,” I remind him. “I’m here with Britney.”
“How’s AJ?”
“He’s doing good. I haven’t spoken to him yet but Howie called a few days back and said AJ’s doing great.”
“Cool,” Justin nods. “Tell him I’m thinking of him.”
“Will do,” I nod and decide to broach the subject he seems to be avoiding – Britney. “So, you meeting Brit later?”
“Nup,” he says lightly.
“Oh. She said she tried to fix something up…”
“I was busy,” he cuts me off. “So, you guys doin’ anything later?”
“Nup,” Wade says and they both look at me.
“Oh, I’m gonna go hang out with Brit.”
“Wanna do something Wade?” Justin asks and Wade nods.
“Sure dude.”
After another hour with Wade and Justin, we’re finally outside the restaurant. Justin had made one coffee stretch to two pieces of cake and a juice. It was fun being with them and I like Justin a lot more than I had in the past. He has a sharp sense of humour. There is definitely something wrong between him and Britney though I can’t get him to tell me exactly what. Maybe I’ll ask Britney later. Britney had called my cell ten minutes ago and we arranged to meet in a store not far from here. So I’m saying my goodbyes to the two guys.
“It was good Wade,” I smile and give him a quick hug. “Keep in touch?”
“Definitely,” he grins. “I got your number all memorised already.”
“Me too!” Justin laughs as I hug him.
“Ok, well bye for now guys,” I smile and walk away to meet Britney. A few minutes later, Wade’s car speeds past me with its horn blaring and Justin hangs out of the window to blow me a kiss. I laugh as he ducks back inside quickly to avoid being beheaded by a street sign.