I wake up real early and take a quick shower before deciding to go grab breakfast. I call AJ’s room to see if he’s awake. I want to check he’s ok. Seeing him in the bar like that had worried me and I’m scared he’s drinking again. After a few rings, he picks up.
“Yo,” he mutters.
“Hey AJ,” I greet. “Did I wake ya?”
“Actually, no,” he responds. “I couldn’t sleep so I gave up at 4am and watched a truly BAD movie.”
“Aw,” I sympathise. “I’m goin’ to grab breakfast. Wanna join?”
“Sure. Meet ya down there in five,” he hangs up and I head down to the hotel restaurant. I pour a coffee and sit down just as AJ appears. He sits opposite me and pours out a glass of juice. “Mornin’ Ali.”
“Mornin’,” I smile at him. “You ok?”
“Yup. Why?” he asks warily.
“Just wondered,” I shrug. “I mean, you looked kinda sad in the bar last night. And then you said you didn’t sleep.”
“I slept a little,” he defends. “Did Jade say anything?”
“I haven’t seen her yet. Why?” I ask suspiciously. “Did somethin’ happen?”
“No.”
“Cool,” I say and sip my coffee. “So, what you got on today?”
“Uh…” he starts to tell me as our breakfast arrives.
I leave Brian sleeping to head down for some breakfast. I grab myself a coffee and look around for a table. Ali and AJ are sat in a corner eating and I decide to pretend I haven’t seen them. I haven’t quite come to terms with AJ’s confession yet. I really think he’s just confused but I don’t know how to treat him. I walk to another table and am about to sit down when…
“JADE!”
I look over and see Ali waving. I smile, groan inwardly and walk over to join them.
“Mornin’,” I smile brightly and sit by Ali. “I didn’t see you over here.”
“How are you today?” Ali asks.
“I’m good,” I smile and then yawn. “Sorry, I didn’t sleep too good.”
“Neither did AJ,” Ali laughs. “Guilty consciences?” she adds lightly and we exchange nervous looks.
“I wish,” AJ jokes and I force a laugh.
“Good meal last night Ali?” I ask her.
“Oh yeah. It was cool,” she grins. “It was good catchin’ up with the guys.”
“Cool,” I smile. “God I’m starved,” I declare as a waiter heads towards us.
A couple of weeks go by without much happening. Things are still kinda awkward with AJ. We don’t spend much time alone together but it’s getting better. Ali and Nick are still not together which is driving me crazy they’re always real friendly with each other and both of them talk to me separately about their feelings. It is so obvious that they belong together, they’re just too stubborn to work it out for themselves. After having lunch with Nick and listening to him talk about Ali in a roundabout way, I’ve had enough. I find Brian watching basketball in our hotel room with Kevin.
“Guys, we have to do something about Ali and Nick,” I declare as I throw my bag down on the bed.
“Smack ‘em?” Kevin suggests with a grin.
“No! Get them back together,” I tell him.
“Smacking might work,” Kevin chuckles and I roll my eyes at him.
“Y’know, I pity your future children.”
“Thanks,” he grins.
“So, what are we gonna do?!” I ask and sit on the couch by Brian.
“Uh, WE?!” he asks.
“Yeah, us!” I tell him.
“Just let them sort it out themselves,” he shrugs.
“Good plan,” Kevin agrees.
“Guys! It is SO obvious they should be together! Nick tells me he loves her. Ali tells me she loves him. They need to tell each other!”
“What do you suggest then?” Brian looks at me.
“Make them jealous!” I grin and they both look at me nervously. “I’ll tell Nick Ali has a date in the next city. You can tell Ali Nick has a date in the next city. Then we just sit back and watch them going running back into each other’s arms.”
“Why me?!” Brian complains.
“Because you’re Nick’s best friend! If I tell them both they’ll get suspicious.”
“Not convinced,” Brian says.
“Plus, you love me and if they get back together they’ll stop talking to me about each other and I’ll have more time to spend with you…” I tell him, fluttering my eyelashes.
“God…” he rolls his eyes and laughs.
“Hey Ali,” Brian greets as he walks into the catering room where I’m sat eating lunch.
“Hey Bri,” I grin.
“You alone?”
“No, meet my invisible friend Polly,” I say and he groans, sitting opposite me. “Hey, you sat on Polly!”
“Sorry Polly,” he chuckles. “So, you ok?”
“I’m great,” I smile. “You?”
“I’m great too. Jade says the book is practically done.”
“Yup. She’s waiting on me really. I have to develop a coupla rolls of film before we can pick out the best shots and write captions.”
“Cool. I’m lookin’ forward to seein’ the book.”
“It’s been a long time coming,” I giggle and he nods. “But once it’s done, me and Jade won’t have a reason to be on tour anymore,” I add.
“Sure you will!” he exclaims.
“Well, Jade maybe,” I shrug.
“You do too. I think it’s so cool the way you and Nick have stayed friends. I don’t know if I could be that mature…” he tells me. “And Nick was tellin’ me earlier about this date he has next week.”
“He was?” I stare at him. “A date?”
“Uh huh,” Brian grins at me. “Y’know Lisa?”
“The dancer who left after a month?”
“That’s her. Well, they’ve been calling each other and stuff. Lisa’s had a total crush on Nick and finally asked him out. I guess he figured he has nothin’ to lose so they’re meeting next week cos we’re gonna be playing in her city. Isn’t that cool?”
“Uh, yeah, sure. Cool.”
“I’d better go find Jade,” he stands up. “Oh, don’t tell Nick I told you about Lisa will ya? He’s keeping it on the downlow.”
“Sure,” I nod and he disappears. Nick is going on a date?!
“Hey Nick,” Jade greets him as he walks into wardrobe.
“Hey Jady,” he grins and sits by her. “What you doing?”
“Sabotaging Kevin’s pants,” she grins. “Naw, I’m helping Jan out with a little repair work.”
“Cool,” Nick smiles. “You ok?”
“Yeah. You?”
“Yuppers.”
“Seen Ali around?” she asks as she goes back to sewing a button on AJ’s shirt.
“Uh, I think I saw her in catering with Brian.”
“Oh. Y’know, I think it’s real cool the way you and Ali are still friends. I’ve never managed to stay friends with my exes.” she tells him. “And the way you both have moved on… Ali was just tellin’ me earlier about this date she has next week.”
“A date?” he stares at Jade who doesn’t look up.
“Yup. We have this friend back in Tampa called Rob and he’s always had a thing for Ali. Well he asked her out over the phone and she finally said yes.”
“She did?”
“Uh huh. I guess it’s the best way to completely get over you.”
“I guess…” he mutters and Jade bites off the thread on the button.
“I’m done. Looks good huh?” she shows Nick the shirt and he nods distractedly. “Well, I’d better go find Brian,” she stands up. “Oh, don’t tell Ali I told you about Rob will ya? She’s kinda keeping it on the downlow.”
“Sure,” he agrees and she leaves the room. Ali is going on a date?!
I walk out of wardrobe just as Brian walks out of catering. We grin at each other and meet in the middle of the corridor.
“Done,” I tell him.
“And dusted,” he grins and we high-five each other.