“So, what’s this party for again?” I ask Brian.
“VH1’s Save The Music campaign,” he responds.
“Oh right. But how does us all having a party help them save the music?” I wonder and Sarah laughs.
“I was thinking the same thing myself,” she says.
“It gets them publicity,” AJ explains and we both nod.
“Oh ok,” Sarah laughs.
AJ had picked up Sarah after the Boys’ TRL appearance yesterday. I guess she probably arrived just as Ali left. I haven’t spoken to Ali since our argument, but I really want to. She’s been my best friend for so long and I miss her. I don’t want this dumb argument to be the end of our friendship. I’m going to give her a couple of days to calm down and get settled back into Tampa life before calling her.
“Are lots of celebs gonna be there?” she asks AJ who nods. “Even Brad Pitt?” she widens her eyes hopefully.
“I doubt it babe,” AJ chuckles. “Seein’ as he’s not exactly a musician.”
“But he might want to save the music!” she exclaims.
“Does the music NEED saving?” I ask.
“Yup!” AJ yells. “In schools, totally! The money for instruments is being spent on other stuff instead so the kids don’t get music lessons so much any more. It’s just not encouraged.”
“Oh, that sucks,” I say. “I never learnt an instrument anyway.”
“Me neither. Not OFFICIALLY anyway,” Sarah grins. “I mean, I can play an organ pretty damn well… Just ask AJ,” she adds with a wink and AJ blushes.
“Hey girl, no dirty talk in this car!” he orders. “We don’t wanna corrupt Brian.”
“Oh don’t worry,” I smile. “I did that long ago, huh honey?”
“You sure did!” Brian grins and the car stops outside the club where the party is being held.
Kevin and Kristen are already inside and Nick and Howie aren’t coming. We all pile out and head inside the club. Some cameras go off as we walk in but we pretty much ignore them. The club is pretty packed already and we decide to find the bar before attempting any mingling or dancing.
“Finally!” Kristen greets us from her position on a barstool. “I was beginning to think you guys had stood us up.”
“Well, we thought about it,” AJ grins and looks at Sarah. “Drink babes?”
“The usual,” she grins and he orders them both non-alcoholic beer before looking at the rest of us.
“You guys want a drink?”
“Already got,” Kristen grins, picking up her full glass.
“A lemon and lime would be good,” I smile.
“And a coke for me,” asks Brian.
“Sure,” AJ gets our drinks in and pays. “So, where’s Kevvy Kev?”
“Mingling,” Kristen rolls her eyes. “He saw Elton John and FREAKED so I said I’d wait here for you guys while he played crazy fan.”
“Elton’s here?” Brian looks around. “I would LOVE to see that guy again!”
“Right over there,” Kristen points and we all look over to see a rapt Kevin gazing at Elton John.
“I’m just gonna go say hi,” Brian heads over and Kristen and I giggle.
“Honestly, they just get so starstuck,” I say dryly.
“Hey, I don’t!” AJ defends. “Oh, Carmen Electra…” he drools as she passes him.
“Hey!” Sarah hits him lightly. “No drooling allowed tonight.”
“Not even over you?” he pleads.
“Not even,” she laughs and looks at me and Kristen. “It’s a bitch to get out of your clothes.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Kristen giggles and I laugh.
“C’mon, let’s dance,” Sarah says, finishing her beer. “Who’s with me?”
“I am,” AJ grins.
“Me too,” Kristen stands up. “I’ve been sitting on that stool too damn long.”
“I’ll stay here and finish my drink,” I wave them off and sit on the stool to sip my drink. I star spot for a while and watch Brian and Kevin fawn over Elton with a grin. By the way they’re acting, you’d never believe they’re global superstars in their own right. It’s cute.
“Hi Jade,” comes a familiar voice behind me and I turn round to look into JC Chasez’s blue eyes.
“Uh, hi JC,” I stammer slightly. It feels so weird to be seeing him again. I feel kinda awkward and I don’t know what to say. And he still looks good to me but I know I made the right decision. “How you doin’?”
“I’m great,” he smiles. “Just great. You?”
“I’m good,” I tell him.
“Still with Brian I hear.”
“Yeah, he’s over there,” I point him out and JC looks briefly.
“Cool. I’m here with my girl. She’s great. Her name’s Bobbi and I met her just after I left you.”
“Wow, that’s great. I’m real happy for ya,” I say hollowly. I know I’m over him and that I made the right decision but c’mon! No girl wants to hear that she’s been replaced so easily.
“Yeah, me too,” he sighs. “Well I better go. I just wanted to say hi. It was good seeing you Jade.”
“You too JC,” I smile and he walks away.
I watch him walk over to a group of people. He looks back at me and I glance away quickly. When I look back, he has his arms around a pretty brunette. I finish my drink and decide to go and meet the Rocket Man himself. I jump off my stool and walk over to where Brian and Kevin are still talking with Elton John.
“Hey,” I say as I stand by Brian.
“Hey,” he smiles and slips his arm around my waist before looking back at Elton. “This is my fiancée, Jade Greene.”
“Hello Jade,” Elton says in his delightful English accent.
“It’s good to meet you,” I smile and shake his hand. “My mom is a huge fan of yours and I’ve grown up with your music.”
“Kevin was just saying the same,” Elton smiles. “You two are making me feel old.”
Three hours after we arrived, I’m sitting at the bar on my own again. After talking to Elton John for a while, the three of us had joined AJ, Kristen and Sarah on the dancefloor before the guys were hauled off by a VH1 PR person to do a few interviews. I haven’t seen Brian since. Sarah and Kristen have both just disappeared to the bathroom and I’m sat guarding their drinks.
“Jade,” JC walks over and stands in front of me. He looks a little unsteady and I’m guessing he’s been taking advantage of the free champagne.
“Oh hey,” I smile.
“Jade, what I said before,” he starts and I cut him off.
“Don’t JC. You’re drunk, just do yourself a favour and leave.”
“I’m not drunk!” he replies indignantly. “Ok, maybe a LITTLE but I’m still standing.”
“JC…”
Brian finishes his PR duties and decides to find Jade. He figures the bar is a good bet and heads over. He sees Jade sat on a stool talking with JC Chasez and stops. His first instinct is to walk over and hit JC but he stops himself. He really wants to know what they’re talking about. He decides to walk over and take a seat behind them and listen in to what’s going on. Although he trusts Jade, especially now she’s his wife, he still has moments of self-doubt. Does she think she made the right choice in choosing him? Does she still have a thing for JC? So he sits behind Jade and listens in unobtrusively.
“Jade, just let me say this!” JC pleads. “I need to say this.”
“Ok,” I sigh.
“I’m not over you,” he admits. “I think about you all the time. You have no idea what it’s doing to me having to see you be with him. And I have this dream, well nightmare I guess,” he runs his fingers through his hair. “I dream that I’m leaving you and you’re running behind, screaming out my name but I can’t stop for you. It’s AWFUL Jade!”
“I’m sorry Joshua,” I murmur. “I never wanted to hurt you.”
“I know but it happened,” he sighs. “Just tell me – did you choose the right guy? Tell me it wasn’t cos of your history together, or because you didn’t want to hurt him.”
“I didn’t want to hurt him because I love him JC. I probably loved him from the first second I saw him, and I will always love him. That’s the one sure thing in my life. But you, you just turned my head. You came along at a time when I was scared of committing to Brian. I knew I would do it but there was this part of me that rebelled, that said “Jade, you’re only 22 – you have plenty of time for commitment!” and for a while, I listened to it. And I am so sorry I got you involved in it,” I reach for his hand. “I really am. You’re an amazing guy and you will find somebody to appreciate that.”
“But not you?” he asks.
“I’m sorry but we’re just not meant to be together,” I let go of his hand.
“Are you REALLY happy with Brian?” he asks with a small sigh and I nod.
“He’s my forever,” I say simply.
“Be happy then Jade Greene,” he says and walks away.
I close my eyes and quickly wish for him to be happy too before opening them and watching him disappear into the crowd.
Brian closes his eyes and thanks the Lord for what he has just heard Jade say. It has completely washed away the doubts that he was feeling and made him more secure of Jade than he has ever been. He has always been scared of losing her, throughout their whole relationship.
~ Flashback ~
Brian listens to Jade’s breathing become slower and deeper. He gently kisses her hair. He is terrified of losing her. She just seems so wild, almost like the slightest thing could make her disappear.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
He remembered Nick telling him about Jade before he had met her. Saying she was beautiful but kinda wild with it. Nick’s exact words had been “I don’t think she can be tamed but I’d sure like to try”. Yeah, Jade is pretty wild. Just when he thought she was as in love with him as he was with her, she would do something to prove him wrong. Maybe some girls just can’t be tamed and he will spend the rest of his life chasing her. He doesn’t want to do that. He wants to settle down with somebody, get married and make babies. But right now he will do anything for Jade.
~ End flashback ~
But now he is finally secure. Jade is his forever and he knows it. He smiles and stands up to walk round to face Jade. Without saying a word, he pulls her into his arms and kisses her passionately.
“Whoa,” she gasps when he leans away slightly. “What was that for?”
“Can’t I kiss my beautiful wife without wanting something?” he grins and kisses her again. “I really love you Jade Willow Littrell.”
“I love you too,” she smiles.