Chapter 3

When we got backstage, Adam pulled me from Jay and gave me a hug, lifting me off the ground. "That was awesome! The look on your face when David, here, was stalking you was absolutely perfect!" he said, when he set me back down.

David looked at me, almost tentatively, like he thought I was actually afraid of him. I smiled at him, and threw my arms around him. "You are, without a doubt, absolutely creepy-looking when you want to be!" I said. "I love it!"

When I backed away from him, I felt Jay's arms around my neck, and I melted back against him. "So I guess I'm your prisoner now, eh?"

"Oh yeah. I'm not letting you out of my sight." I turned my head to look up at him, only to find his face right there. He had his crooked smile on, which made me smile back.

Matt and Jeff came tearing through the curtains, and almost ran into us. They managed to stop themselves in time, and the worried look on their faces melted to one of complete happiness. Jeff took my hand and pulled on it slightly, almost like he didn't want to rip me away from Jay, but to let Jay know he wanted a minute. Jay hesitated a second, but let me go and took a step back. "Just for a second, Jay, then you'll have your prisoner back." He smiled at his friend. I glanced back at Jay, who nodded, then winked at me. Jeff pulled me into a hug. "I'm so proud of you, Kitten. You nailed it out there." After a moment, he let me go, and I felt someone else pulling me into a hug. I knew immediately it was Matt.

"He's right. We're proud of you. You're going to be just fine in this business." He stepped away. "Y'all should get going. Can't risk a camera seeing you and ruining the whole thing."

I felt an arm around me neck again, and knew instinctively that it was Jay. More than that, I hoped it was. "Let's go, Delia."

I looked at Jeff. "See you at the hotel, soon?"

"Yeah, we'll be there as soon as we can."

"Alright, then. See you later." I let Jay lead me away, his arms sliding from around my neck to take my hand, towards the locker room.

Adam plopped down on the couch, and Dave dropped into one of the chairs. Jay leaned against the wall next to the door, and pulled me against himself. Again, I melted against him. We hung out in the locker room for a while, just talking about different ideas for next week, then we grabbed our stuff, and headed for the exit.

David ran to get the rental car so he could pick the rest of us up at the door. As he did, Jay once again took my hand in his. I glanced up at him. Oh dear Gods, the man is SO SEXY! I looked away before I started blushing. Bad Delia…Jay is a friend, nothing else…just a good friend. Who happens to be very good looking, and sexy, and has a killer smile that makes anything bad thoughts disappear, and- NO! Do NOT go there!

David pulled up with the car, and we all threw our bags in the trunk. Adam called "Shottie!" and jumped in the front seat, so me and Jay got into the back, and settled in next to each other. The hotel wasn't too far away, but I still managed to find myself in Jay's arms again, resting my head on his shoulders. I met Adams eyes in the rearview mirror, and they very clearly said, "Just kiss him and get over it already!" I looked away.

We got to the hotel and got a suite with three rooms attached like we always had when I traveled with them. Usually Matt and Adam shared one, and Dave and Jay, and Jeff and me, so I threw my things into one of the rooms, figured that would be me and Jeff's room, but Jay followed me in and claimed the other bed, with his crooked smirk.

"If Jeff doesn't like it, he can take it up with me. How am I supposed to keep an eye on my prisoner, if she's sharing a room with someone else?" He said playfully.

I rolled my eyes and said nothing back, but I was thinking, Oh my God! I'm never going to get to sleep tonight knowing HE is in the next bed! And then another thought followed on that thoughts heels: What if he wants to share a bed? I shook that thought from my mind. I'd deal with that situation if it came up.

We went back into the living room and both slumped down onto the couch. Adam come in and turned on the TV, and Dave ordered us up some drinks. We put on some reruns of Deadliest Catch, my favorite show, and just hung out. About halfway into the first episode, Jay put an arm around me and pulled me close to him. I snuggled into him, happy and comfortable. Almost an hour later, Matt and Jeff finally came in

Adam pointed Matt to their door, and Jeff looked at me. Before I could say anything, though, Jay piped up.

"Uh, actually, man, I hoping that I could room with her tonight. We have a lot to catch up on and go over." Jeff looked at me, and I smiled at him, feeling my face flushing.

Jeff chuckled a bit. "Yeah, catch up on stuff. I'm sure." He said, shaking his head. "So Dave, which room is ours?" Dave pointed out which room, and Jeff disappeared into it. About 15 minutes later he came out changed into comfortable clothes, and plopped down on the couch next to me. I stretched out, putting my feet on Jeff and leaning back against Jay. Jay rested his cheek against my head, and Jeff draped his arms across my legs. We stayed like that for about 2 more episodes, then I decided it was time for bed. I gave out my round of bedtime hugs, and headed for the room.

Changing into my pajamas, I started thinking about tonight, and how I hoped beyond all hope that Jay would just crawl into bed next to me and hold me all night. I got into bed, and imagined his arms around me, and I fell asleep in minutes.