The 13th Step: Britney finds a boyfriend in rehab

Jason Filyaw, the 33-year-old lead guitarist of rock band Riva, says he and Britney go "way back" to 2003 when he recorded some music with Britney at The Hit Factory in New York.

In an interview with TMZ, Filyaw claims that Britney and he stayed in touch but "a few weeks ago ... we met up again at a Los Angeles AA meeting."

Britney has so far left Promises rehab to attend just three AA meetings, starting 28 Feb 2007, but Filyaw claims they already have a "special" relationship and have been "growing very close." He is helping the "Toxic" singer with the spiritually "deep" part of her recovery.

Declining to either confirm or deny that he was dating Britney he says, "I love her, I support her 100% and we are close."

Britney is reportedly planning to move in with the rocker when she leaves rehab. She emails and phones Filyaw constantly and the pair already have pet names for each other.

He calls her Sugar, Kitten and My Lady, while Britney calls him Mr. Secret Underground Guy and J-Sun.