| Two months later, JC was unpacking one of his tour trunks and found Kelci's number. With a smile, he placed it on his bedside table next to the phone and went about his work. Two loads of laundry later, he was bored and fell back onto his bed. Sleep wouldn't come and his eyes drifted around his room almost therapeutically until they fell on the piece of paper by the phone. He remembered their only conversation. He hadn't intended to be so...abrasive, but was tired of being forced into dates. She had attended the concert, but refused the passes Lance had security take her during intermission. The only other direct contact they'd had was the huge bouquet of balloons and flowers she'd sent in thank you for the tickets. He had seen her on a couple of interviews, too. She always seemed to light everyone up with her smile and never had anything but kind words for people. She spoke tactfully from her heart and just had this energy around her that seemed to suck everyone in, but she was a guarded soul. "Wonder if she'd hang up on me?" he asked out loud as he fiddled with the piece of paper before finally dialing the numbers. She answered on the second ring, "Rach, just get on the damn plane." "Um...hello?" "Oh, sorry. I thought you were someone else. Hello." "Hi." "Hi. Haha. Well now that we've covered the greetings," she laughed, "who am I speakin' to?" "This is..JC...JC Chasez." "Oh, hi. What can I help you with?" "I...um..." "I can't get tickets to ‘Love Her' but I can get you passes for ‘Bueno'." "What?" "Aren't you callin' to get in on the premiere of ‘Love Her' or tickets to see ‘Bueno'? Like as payback for the concert tickets?" "No, I honestly wasn't aware of your new movie. I was just calling to....apologize for my behavior before." "Oh, well....don't choke or anything. I mean, it's only been two months." "I..." "No sweat. It's fine or whatever." "But..." "Look, I need to go so I can find a date since Rachel doesn't want to fly by herself. Later." "WAIT!" "What is it, pretty boy?" "I'd love to escort you down the red carpet," he blurted out. "What?" she laughed. "After two months, you're not afraid to be seen with me...the silent commitment woman?" "I was abrasive and..." "Arrogant, rude....hurtful," the last word was barely a whisper. "I'm truly sorry. I had just had enough of people trying to force me into things." "Whatever." "I'd really like to get to know you. Please." "It's very public and..." "I know so maybe we could have dinner between now and then so we can get better acquainted," he proposed and actually crossed his fingers with hope. "You'd have to dress up a little for the premiere." "I know. Will you have dinner with me?" "Where are you?" she sighed, giving in. "Home here in LA. Where are you?" "LA. When?" she asked. "Tonight?" "OK, but it'll have to be after 7, alright?" "Perfect. Where can I pick you up at?" She gave him the name of her hotel and he agreed to pick her up at 8 before they hung up. To his surprise, he felt a little nervous about their meeting as he headed down to the kitchen. "What's up, bro?" Tyler asked before chomping into his sandwich. "I got a date tonight and I'm a little nervous." "What? Mr. Smooth is nervous. Got to mark this on the calendar. Better call and tell Heather that you're crackin' up." "Shut up," JC laughed as he opened a bottle of water. He took a long sip and continued, "It's with Kelci Andrews." "Are you serious?" "Yeah and I'll be escorting her to her premiere this coming Wednesday." "Really?" "Yes. Is it so hard to believe that a beautiful actress would want me by her side?" "No, not that. It's just that you were quiet rude the last time you two spoke." "Well, I apologized for that." "You apologized? HA! Has hell frozen over?" Tyler laughed. "Oh, fuck you, Ty." "I'm sorry. It just doesn't happen that often." "Whatever." "Well, it's no wonder you're nervous. She's hot and classy. If you two feel like getting lucky, bring her back here so I can hit that ass, too." "Man, you need to stop hanging out with Joey and Justin," JC laughed. "Where should I take her to dinner?" "Spago's. It's hip and high class. That'll impress her." "Sounds good," he agreed and grabbed the phone book. |