Chapter Four Secret Rendezvous

The guys and Jude were hanging out on the bus waiting for the driver to announce that it was time to take a break when someone's cell phone went off. Everyone opened their phones to see if it was for them and it was Jude's voice that told the guys it was for her. She had a new text message from an unknown person. She clicked 'Open Message' and was surprised at what the message said.

"Meet me in the drink aisle when we stop." She glanced at all of the guys who were now making fun of Jude who evidently made a weird face at the message.

"So, what's the funky weird look for Harrison?" Speed asked as he scooted closer to her, trying to see the message. Jude snapped her phone shut and stuck it back in her pants.

"None of your business, Vincent." Jude replied, sticking her tongue out. Speed looked at Jude in shock.

"What did I tell you about my first name?" he asked very slowly, getting closer to Jude. Jude saw a gleam in Speed's eyes and began to slowly back away from him but he leaped on her and began tickling her to no end.

"What did I tell you Jude? I can't hear ya!" he yelled over top of Jude's laughter and screams. When Speed finally stopped tickling her she tried to catch her breath before speaking.

"You told me…" she began but was cut off when the driver came over the loud speaker announcing that they will be stopping in less than five minutes. Jude jumped up and dusted herself off before walking back to her bunk to grab her wallet. When she put the wallet in her pocket, she felt her phone and remembered the weird text message she received earlier. When the bus began to slow and pull over she was the last one out. She looked around cautiously trying to figure out who had left that message but no one popped out at her. As the rest of the buses pulled in she made her way into the little market. She recognized some people as roadies on her tour. She walked through the aisles grabbing some snack food and candy and right before she was going to walk through the drink aisle, someone grabbed her from behind. She let out a scream and tried to get away when Speed's voice calmed her.

"Easy there Wildfire. What's gotten in to you?" he asked as he helped her pick up her snacks that she had dropped in fright.

"Nothing Speed. I just don't appreciate being snuck up on." She replied. She pushed him away when he mocked her screaming. He walked away shaking his head and laughing. Jude glanced toward the drink aisle and took a deep breath. 'Here goes nothing.' she thought. She walked over to the drink aisle and saw a couple of people picking sodas and the like and putting them in baskets. When one person walked away, that's when she saw him standing there with a smile on his face and her favorite soda in one hand.

"Hey Jude." He said with a smile. Jude narrowed her eyes at him but figured he didn't know any better.

"Um hey…Tristan right?" she asked as she walked up to him. He nodded his head and handed her the soda that was in his hand.

"How'd you get my number?" He looked at her and winked.

"I have magical powers." He replied very seriously. Jude laughed and smiled at him.

"Evidently you do. I mean, you picked out my favorite soda and everything." She said with sarcasm.

"You're a firecracker Ms. Harrison. Anyway, the reason I asked you to meet me is because I have a proposition for you."

Jude's eyes widened and stepped back when she realized what he was talking about. Tristan chuckled and shook his head.

"Not that kinda proposition, perv. I've heard about all the pranks that you and your band have pulled before and I was wondering if I could join in on the fun." He asked leaning against one of the shelves holding soda. 'So the guys were right about him.' she thought to herself. She smiled and pretended like she was thinking real hard.

"On one condition Tristan." She paused when he nodded. "You have to be on my team." Tristan smiled and stuck his hand out for her to shake. She shook it and grinned when he pulled her in for a hug.

"Okay partner, who's first on the hit list?"

Jude grinned and thought of just the person who deserved a good prank.

"Speed." She replied with an evil gleam in her eyes. Oh revenge is sweet.

--

Back at the studio Tommy wasn't dealing with Jude's absence well. He couldn't concentrate on his work and Kwest was getting annoyed with the distracted ex boy-bander.

"Tom! Oh Tommy boy!" Kwest said trying to get Tom's attention. He smirked when he figured out what would get his attention.

"Is that Jude walking around out there?" Kwest asked innocently as he looked around outside the studio. At the mention of Jude's name Tommy sat up and quickly looked around.

"Where? Where'd you see her?" he asked quickly. Kwest laughed loudly and Tommy realized what a cruel man Kwest could be.

"That's not funny." Tommy said as he pouted. Kwest laughed even harder after seeing the look on Tommy's face. It looked like someone had stolen his favorite cookies. Tommy glared at Kwest and huffed at him.

"Tom, man, you should've seen how you bolted up. It was like someone put an ice cube down your shirt or something. I've been trying to get your attention for the last five minutes. I even called you Lil Tommy Q and nothing, no big blow up like usual. If you're so torn up because she's not here, fly out and visit her or something." Kwest said. Tommy scoffed at that.

"I'm not torn up because she's not here." He replied knowing that however he answered Kwest would jump on him.

"You need to stop lying to yourself Tom. It'll do wonders if you just admit you miss her like mad crazy. Trust me." Kwest replied. Tommy put his head into his hands before sitting up and looking through the glass that separated them and the artist that was recording.

"Fine. I miss her. I…miss…her. I miss Jude Harrison!" he said loudly. Kwest leaned back in his chair and smiled.

"Good for you. Now, what are you going to do about it?"

Tommy sighed and shook his head.

"Nothing." Kwest shook his head and groaned.

"Typical Tom Quincy behavior, don't know what to do when he feels something so he decides to ignore them and do nothing. Tom, I'm your best friend and you've really got to do something here. I know you have feelings for Jude, don't even think about denying it. If you want her, go for it. She's not going to wait around forever for you to come to your senses and act. If you don't want to lose her, go see her." Kwest said as he stood up to grab his coat. Tommy looked at him for a minute and nodded his head.

"You're right. I mean, not about the feelings part but about going to see her. I have to apologize to her for being so cruel in Darius's office and not showing up on her launch date. I don't want her coming back here and our problems affect her work." Tom said. Kwest looked at him in shock.

"Did you not even hear what I just said? Yeah you need to apologize to her for being a jerk but you need to tell her how you feel."

"How I feel? She's my artist, I'm her producer. We're friends. There's nothing else going on between us besides music." He said as if he were trying to convince himself more than Kwest. He didn't give Kwest time to respond as he walked out in search of Darius.

"Seems like someone needs a dose of reality." Kwest mumbled before he told the artist that they were done for today.