Chapter eighteen

     He watched as Juliana made her way through the crowd onto the dance floor with John. They had been at the club for over an hour now. He felt as helpless as ever. He wanted to be close to her but he didn't want to seem desperate. His pride always got in his way. Besides she seemed to be enjoying herself just fine. To top it off Britney was in town and in the club as well. She was now sitting next to him at the booth.

"What's wrong, J? You looked like you have something in your mind."

"Nothing's wrong. I'm all right. What brings you to New York anyway? Don't you have rehearsals?"

"I had some final touches to do on a song. Wade came with me because he has some classes." Britney said not knowing whether to look at him or the table.

"Why do you seem nervous Brit?" Justin asked. He noticed she had tensed up when she saw him come in the club with everyone else. Britney had been sitting very comfortably next to Wade.

"What do you mean J?"

"Never mind Britney. Wanna dance?" Justin decided not to give her a hard time about it. He tried to brush off the fact that there was something going on between one of his best friends and his ex.

"Sure." Britney answered shyly. She really was nervous. She knew Justin didn't like lies and no matter how hard she would try to keep things from him. The results were always the same. He saw right through her. She didn't want to hurt his feeling, by starting a relationship so soon after their long one. But she was attracted to Wade. She was only sorry that he was one of Justin's best friends.

     She took Justin's hand and followed him to the dance floor. She could tell Justin wasn't into it so much. So she dared to ask. "You like her don't you?"

"What? I can't hear you." he heard her loud and clear but he thought now wasn't the time. He hated to be this way with her. She was truly his BEST friend, but at the moment he had other things on his mind. He didn't want to answer questions he knew she would have. He didn't have answers himself. She knew him too well she would get whatever she wanted out of him. That's just how they were since they were twelve.

"Come on lets go sit J, we should talk" Justin walked behind her towards the V.I.P. area where they were seconds ago.

"Britney, I'm sorry but I don't know what you want to talk about. We have talked about us a zillion times already."

"J, don't do this to me or to yourself. I asked if you had feelings for her."

"Who?"

"Juliana, J. tell me J, it's alright."

"Britney you know I would never hurt you. But you don't  hear me asking you why the hell one of my best friends is flying across the country with my ex, do you?"

"J, don't be a jerk! Don't turn whatever this is on me. I know you have feelings for her. I can see it in your eyes. You look at her like you used to look at me." Britney said lowering her head.

"I'm sorry okay? I don't know what to say. I didn't mean for this to happen. I just hope you can forgive me."

"Forgive you for what J? It happens, you know? Our relationship wasn't great in the end. We deserve to be happy. Just not with each other. If she makes you happy, as much as it breaks my heart, go for it J." Britney said sincerely.

"And Wade?"

"I don't know Justin. He has been there for me for a long time. I don't know where it's going to lead but I'd like to find out. And I also need to know you'll be okay about it."

"He's one of my friends, Britney. I don't know if that's going to be easy for me." he looked. "But I'll try. I don't want anything less than one hundred ten percent happiness for you, Pinky."

"Right back at ya, Stinky." she said with a smile. "So I believe you owe me a dance"

"Sure let's go" Justin once again led her to the dance floor.

     Across the club, Juliana reached the sofa inside the V.I.P area to relax and breathe. Joey was right behind her with some blond that he had been dancing with all night. What would Kelly say to that? John came into the room above the dance floor, drinks in hand.

"Thanks Johnny" she said as she grabbed her third rum and coke from his hand. "Last one, okay?"

"All right mom" John responded playfully.

     She had been dancing with John and Lance non-stop. She was exhausted. She didn't see Justin much. He had been dancing with a couple of blonds who made their way to him. And now he was on the dance floor with Britney. She couldn't deny she liked Britney she was a sweetheart. Juliana couldn't help but feel a little jealous of her at times. She had everything, a career, and great body and most importantly she had Justin.

     Juliana knew they were just friends. They just happened to be dancing together at the moment. But jealousy was jealousy and it hit her either way.

"I'm going back down, you coming Juls?" John asked putting his glass on the table.

"No I think I'm gonna sit for a while. Besides Amanda is down there, you don't need me." Juliana said with a giggle. Amanda was a regular at the Klub and she had been after John since forever.

"Funny, Juls." John said walking out of the curtain.

"Hey Joey, had enough?" Juls asked looking straight at the blond.

"Not really. I'm going back down." he said with a wink.

"Oh I bet you are." Juls said sarcastically.

"You are sick Juls. Purely Sick" Joey said walking out the room.

     Juliana was left in the room by herself. Her eyes falling back on Justin underneath her. Britney wasn't with him anymore. Wade had left earlier; he said something about some classes.

"Hey Juliana. Can I sit in here?" she heard a familiar voice behind her. Britney.

"Hey Britney. Sure, you guys need the V.I.P. area not me." Juls said smiling at her.

"I'm exhausted, photo shoots, rehearsals and clubbing shouldn't be done in one day." Britney said plopping herself on the sofa across Juliana.

"Tell me about it.How are things going with the tour plans?"

"They are going and going and going. I've never danced so hard in my life. I guess I should thank Mr. Robson for that." Britney said rolling her eyes at the thought, Juliana laughed.

"Hey I have the day off tomorrow. Would you like to have lunch with me hang out a little? I mean you don't have to but I would love to have some girl time. You know?"

"Britney, don't take this the wrong way but we don't really know each other that well. Why would you want to hang out with me?"

"Juls, exactly. The truth is you seem close to those five guys and I trust them with all my heart. They are my best friends. They welcomed you with open arms why shouldn't I?"

"Thank you. I really like those guys too. And just to make it clear. Only four of them welcomed me with open arms."

"Yeah one of them welcomed you with an open heart."

"Britney, I......" Juls tried to say something referring to her comment but was met by Britney smiling.

"It's alright Juls. I'm okay with it. Really. Now would you have lunch with this pathetic girl?" Britney said pouting like a five year old for affect.

"Alright, sure what time?"

"Well judging by the time it is now and I'm still here. I would say around one. Is that okay?"

"Sure where at?"

"I'll have Rob drop me off at your place. If you don't mind. I don't want him to come along. It's a little obvious when a big black guys walks behind me everywhere. Here put your address  in for me." she said handing her the pink two-way pager.

 Juliana put in her address and just sat there chatting with her for a couple minutes, when Justin walked in with Lance. At first he seemed a little hesitant but he talked to Juls and Britney without stuttering. Which Britney found highly amusing.

"So!! I'm ready for bed, how about you Juls." Joey said over the music.

"I think so, where's John?"

"I'm right here Juls, you ready?"

"Yes!!! Please. Guys, thank you for another wonderful evening. Good night Britney I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Justin looked up at Juls and then at Britney. " Good night Mr. Timberlake."

"Good night Ms. Moore." Justin responded.

     Juliana walked out into the November weather. She had a great time at the club and honestly she was looking forward on having lunch with Britney the following day.

...............Next day...........

"So you ready?" a girl with a pair of low rise Enyce sweats said to her at the door. She wore sunglasses and a baseball cap. Which was one she had seen Justin wore occasionally.

"Yes I am and may I add how wonderful the princess of pop looks in sweats."

"Ohh whatever. Do you want to be in the middle of a mob of fans? I didn't think so?" Britney said looking at her with a grin. She truly was a sweet person.

     They decided on Hard Rock Café in Times Square. They were seated in the back so it was safe for Britney to shed off her hat and sunglasses. They ordered some food knowing damned well they would not eat it all.

"So Juls can I ask you a question? Well, more like a fact actually." Britney asked popping a French fry in her mouth.

"I don't like the sound of that but you are going to ask anyway. So go ahead ask."

"He's good isn't he?"

     Juliana choked on her soda; it clearly went down the wrong tube. " What?!!"

     Britney laughed almost choking herself. "With his lips Juls? His lips."

"Britney what are you talking about?" Juls asked after composing herself. She knew damn well whose lips she was talking about. She still felt them on hers.

"Aww come on Juls. Don't play dumb! I'm your friend here. Spill it. Have you kissed him?"

"Britney? Is this a joke? Did you invite me to lunch to insult me or something?"

"Juls, calm down Geez!! I don't go around inviting Justin's prospect to lunch. I like you and so I invited you. The fact that we are here together has nothing to do with the fact that you have feeling for my ex. Don't you?'

"This isn't happening. Why are you being so nice about this? Not that there is anything to be nice about but you know what I mean." Juliana asked knowing she had given herself away by her last comment.

"Once again, Juls. I like you. And I love Justin with all my heart. I'm just not IN love with him. You know? I want to see him happy, Juls. He's a great guy and he deserves it. And judging by the way he looks at you. YOU make him happy girl."

"How do you know that Britney?"

"Because I KNOW him. He's an open book to me. Just like I am to him."

"Yes, we have kissed but it only happened twice and this just started. Maybe it was just a spare of the moment thing."

"Juls, you know as well as I do that it's more than that."

"I don't know Britney. A week ago, I couldn't stand him. And now all I want to do is be around him. And I can't believe I said that out loud." Juls looked up at Britney who was grinning from ear to ear. "To his ex girlfriend at that."

"Juls don't be shy about it. This is Justin Timberlake. THE JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE. You do realize how many millions of girls would die for a chance like yours?"

"I'm not one of those girls, Britney."

"Exactly. Which is why I think you have to go for it."

"Maybe."

     Britney didn't mention Justin during the rest of their conversation. Clearly it hurt her just a little bit. But Juliana could see that she was being honest. And she did in fact want to see Justin happy. And it was up to her to make that happen.

"So, what are you doing tonight? You probably don't want to sit through another show but you can come see the guys with Wade and I."

"Actually Chris has been bugging me to go, but I didn't really find the need to be around Justin if I didn't have to."

"Wait you mean to tell me, you've been on tour with them for over a month and you have yet to see them perform? Are you insane?"

"What's the big deal?"

"Yeah, next thing you'll tell me you don't have their cd's. Please tell me you own at least Celebrity?"

"No I don't. You do realize you are screaming right?"

"Who cares? You have got to be kidding me. Well you are soo coming with us."

"I'll think about it Brit."

"No girl. You have never seen the greatest performers of our time. And you're saying you'll think about it? Yeah sorry but I don't think so. You are coming. I'll be at your house at eight thirty."