21 FEBRUARY 2011 @ 02:20 PM
When Wayne had first met James Dean Bradfield – James was looking for supporting musicians for his solo tour, and Wayne got the job – he really thought he'd hit it off well with James. He remembers James shook his hand, and complimented his hair – Wayne doesn't remember the details exactly, he had such a head-rush from meeting James Dean Bradfield.
He'd only seen pictures of him sometimes, when he was going through guitar magazines, and his expectations weren't elevated – he had set out to be professional about it, as he is when meeting any other musician.
But James was so cool in person – so warm and affectionate with everyone, and he seemed to have taken a liking to Wayne – he interviewed him for a very long time, although it didn't seem like he was scrutinizing Wayne, or trying to figure out if he really is the best option, but asking him questions out of genuine interest; And then Wayne realized, he wanted to be liked by this man.
When Wayne had told his friends about this encounter, and how happy he was that it turned out well, and how excited he was that James had liked him, and even looked him in the eye and said something – maybe it was 'Hi, great hair', right after he shook his hand, or maybe Wayne's mind just idealized what had really happened – they didn't understand it.
They thought Wayne was being odd about it, and maybe even a bit star-struck. In all fairness, Wayne had never been so fascinated by another man before, for all they knew; it did seem a bit out-of-character for him.
They told Wayne that if it had been Nicky, then they would have understood – he wore dresses; or Nicky's friend – the one who disappeared - with a fuck-load of foundation, and his stage make-up, he could be mistaken for a girl. A butch, angry goth girl, with a razor-sharp jaw… But still, they thought it would be more excusable if Wayne had been sexually confused by those two. After all, they'd crafted their image to do just that, get a reaction from your average straight bloke who never had their heterosexuality challenged that way before.
However, they didn't seem surprised that James may have hit on Wayne; they only got a kick from Wayne's reaction. The rest seemed perfectly normal to them. It made sense that everyone who's been with the Manics must be somewhat bi.
Perhaps Wayne isn't confused, perhaps he knows exactly what he wants. But talking to people he trusts about it, made him think twice about his feelings. He decides to slow down, and have a calmer, more detached approach over James Dean Bradfield. He decides to let it go, and see what happens.
