Jon was sitting at the downstairs bar of Cuba Libre, sipping a glass of their ‘best’ rum - a glass of twenty one year old molasses and honey deliciousness, tasting a little like a blend of scotch and brandy, with just a touch of tea. Whatever it was, the flavors worked well, and the mellow bite of the alcohol soothed his spirit.
The main dining area of the restaurant was buzzing with football players, so Jon had sought out the seclusion of the other bar for a while, the stimulation of so many other people almost overwhelming after the days of solitude in the big empty house. Strange, really, since he’d come to the surprise party early, seeking out the company, yet now……..well, now, he realized the only company he’d been looking for was Billie and Jay.
Family.
Of course, Richie, Tico, Dave and Hugh were family, too, but none of them had yet arrived, and Jon had found himself in the slightly awkward position of “the boss” at a boys’ night out. Welcome, yet putting them all on edge, on best behavior. Hence his retreat to the privacy of the lower bar.
Sometimes it sucked to be ‘the man’.
As he reached to pick up the glass again, his phone buzzed, so Jon pulled that from his pocket instead of going for the rum. A short text from Richie read ‘on way’.
Jon slid from the stool, intending to go give Jay a heads-up, but he met his son halfway, as Jay was coming to find him. Of course. Richie had sent the text to them both. Hiding his chagrin, Jon just grinned and held up his phone, nodding.
“Richie texted me, too. They’re on their way.”
“Yeah. Uh, the other guys - I mean Tico and them - are here too - are you coming up?”
“Just let me………” Jon grabbed his glass. “Okay, yeah. Let’s go.”
As they walked toward the stairs, Jay hesitated before asking the question that was in his mind.
“Are you…….is everything okay? I mean, uh……..”
Gee, he’s as good as I am at ‘difficult’ talk! Jon thought before replying.
“I’m fine. Just……I dunno…..been home alone so much this week that I guess the crowd of people was more than I was comfortable with.”
What? Rockstar, plays to tens of thousands of screaming fans, but he’s nervous of a crowd?
Jon could see the confusion in Jay’s eyes, so he gave out a little more of himself. Hell, the kid was his son - he deserved to know his dad, faults and all.
“I’m kinda claustrophobic.” Jon admitted, flushing slightly. “Usually just elevators and shit, but sometimes……”
“Sometimes if you’re in a crowd you feel like you can’t breathe?” Jay replied, his eyes downcast, a tiny smile on his lips as he continued softly. “I always wondered where I got that from - doesn’t bother mom.”
That shared secret - shared phobia - kept them in companionable, smiling silence as they ascended the few stairs to the main area, where Jon was greeted by the rest of the band and the few players who hadn’t been there when he went to the bar.
The tables in the main dining room were mostly occupied, with only one left vacant, reserved for the birthday girl and her ‘family’ - Jay, Richie, Jon, Tico, David and Hugh. Not to forget Desi, who would soon become a member of the family. In the Harlequin room, screened by dark curtains, a table had been set up for gifts, and it bore a variety of packages and cards from the guests. An enormous bouquet of flowers was waiting in the walk-in chiller. So now all that was missing was the guest of honor!
Richie and Billie were in the backseat of yet another limo, Billie joking that she could get used to traveling like this. She wasn’t familiar with the city, and she was just enjoying the ride, taking in the sights outside, so she missed Richie’s surreptitious text to Jon and Jay as they passed City Hall. Of course, at this time on a Friday evening, traffic was heavy, so the mile and a half journey took some ten minutes, but soon enough the car pulled to a halt outside the restaurant.
“We’re here.” Richie grinned, glad that the surprise was almost here, so he could stop second-guessing everything he said, so as not to give it away. Sure, he was good at keeping secrets - didn’t mean he enjoyed it!
“Cube Libre?” Billie read the name, then frowned at the apparently dark restaurant. “Is it open?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. The windows are tinted I think.”
During the brief exchange, they had exited the car, Richie sliding out first then assisting Billie as the driver held the door. A thank you to the driver, along with a more concrete expression of gratitude, then they stepped toward the door, Richie tucking Billie’s hand onto his arm like the gentleman his parents had raised him to be.
As they reached the door, the hostess opened it from inside, and Richie stepped slightly aside.
“After you, ma’am.” He smirked, and Billie was still rolling her eyes at him as she entered the restaurant, then she stumbled back against him in total shock as everyone turned and chorused ‘surprise!!’.
“Ohmigod!” Was all she managed, hearing Richie laughing behind her as a huge bouquet of flowers approached.
“Happy Birthday Mom!” The flowers said, then Jay peeked out from behind them. “You gonna smack me?”
“Huh? I……uh…..maybe later!” She finally laughed. “You did this?”
“Well, I had some help……..” Jay helpfully threw Richie right under the bus.
“Dammit!”
Billie took the flowers with a trembling smile, pulling her son close to kiss him as she blinked away a few tears. “Thank you, Jay.”
As she fumbled with the flowers, the hostess was there, taking them from her, freeing Billie to properly hug Jay. After squeezing him until he squeaked like he did as a kid, yelping that he couldn’t breathe, she turned to Richie, hugging him just as hard before looking up at him. Well, actually, in those heels she was almost eye to eye with him.
“You, Mr Sambora, are a sneaky devil.”
“Hey, wasn’t just me!” Richie figured, if he was being thrown on the altar, he was taking as many with him as he could. “The rest of them knew too!”
The emphasis on the ‘them’, with his accompanying nod to the left, made Billie turn to find Desi, Jon and the rest of the band waiting their turn to offer their birthday wishes.
Billie hugged Desi first, then Jon, then the rest of the band, thanking each of them. She’d just been released from Hugh’s gentle arms when the players of the Soul approached, led by their coach. Every one of those big men hugged her gently, whispering happy birthdays as they did. When the ‘formal’ greetings were all done, Billie grabbed her son again, hugging him hard before reaching to drag Desi into a group hug, thanking them both again.
As they parted, Desi could see the sheen of unshed tears in Billie’s eyes, and she took the older woman’s hand, pulling her away from Jay.
“There are gifts in this other room.” She told Billie, and Jay grinned.
“Oh, yeah. I nearly forgot! Back here, mom.”
Richie was talking quietly with Jon and the rest of the band, and when he noticed Jay and Desi taking Billie toward the other room he raised a questioning eyebrow at Jon.
“Yeah, bro. I took care of it.” The blond singer informed him. Hell, it was my idea, wasn’t it? Not like I’m gonna forget!
“Okay, okay. Just checking!”
In the quieter back room, Billie was stunned by the pile of elegantly wrapped gifts that awaited her. She was pretty certain that most if not all of the packages had been wrapped by the skilled staff at the stores they came from, but the very fact that so many of these people had taken the time to get her a gift was a little overwhelming. But, stoic cowgirl or not, she was still a woman, and her eyes sparkled just a bit brighter at the sight.
“Damn! I don’t know where to start!”
Jay and Desi looked at each other, then Desi picked up a small package.
“This one’s from us.”
Grinning, Billie unceremoniously ripped off the wrapping paper - this one clearly not professionally done, the uneven folds and excessive tape telling her Jay had done it himself. The package held a silver photograph frame, with the picture of a beautiful palomino horse inside, along with a folded piece of paper. Opening the paper, Billie felt tears start again as she read the name and pedigree printed there.
“Color WithinTheLines?” She whispered, reading it from the page, and Jay grinned, tears shimmering in his own eyes, too.
“Her stable name is Biscuit. She’ll be delivered to you whenever you get home.”
Billie grabbed him in a tight hug. “She’s beautiful, Jay. Thank you. Thank you both.”
Releasing them, Billie sat down, wiping her eyes with her hand, thankful for waterproof mascara. She carefully set the photograph down on the table, composed herself, then looked at the table of gifts. Desi again picked one out and handed it to her. A smallish one again, with a familiar scrawled name and the notation ‘from ALL of us’ above Jon’s signature. The wrapping was dealt with as quickly as the first one, revealing a dark blue velvet jewel case. Popping it open, Billie gasped, staring in disbelief at the sparkling contents.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Chapter 81
The tension was still there, weighting the air, as the studio door opened again, Tico wandering toward the coffee maker before pausing, feeling the atmosphere and looking at the little group by the couch.
“Somethin’ wrong?” He growled, not that he was angry or anything like it - that was just the usual sound of his morning voice.
Jon looked again at Billie before rolling his eyes, mimicking her own gesture to Richie, though he didn’t know it.
“Nah.” He turned his attention to Richie, to the papers on the table. “What you got then, Mookie?”
“Take a look.” Richie grunted, handing Billie her coffee before settling himself back onto the couch. “Dunno if it’s more you or me, but it came into my head this morning.”
He really wasn’t sure whether the song he’d come up with - or at least started to - would be more suited to the band or to his solo work, but until he got it firmed up a bit more he’d play it by ear. As much as he loved his brother-from-another-mother, some things just didn’t sound right in Jon’s voice, and were more suited to his own, richer tone. Billie watched the pair for a moment or two longer, reassuring herself that Jon’s irritation was gone, then decided to make herself useful.
“I’m going to go fix some breakfast.” She headed for the door. “Half hour or so, ‘kay?”
“Huh? Oh yeah, sure.” Jon’s voice was distracted, and all she got from Richie was a grin. Tico, at least, walked across to open the door for her, smiling as she thanked him.
It was now late in the afternoon, edging toward dusk, and the ‘party’ was at an end. The guys - and Billie, as usual refusing help - were hauling their bags out to the waiting cars, offering weary goodbyes to Jon as he stood cradling yet another mug of coffee. He was as tired as any of them, but still he wished he could find a reason to keep at least somebody else around. As much as he loved the big house, had always loved it, these days it just wasn’t the same. No kids yelling and running, no wife yelling at them for running. Nobody but him.
Woof.
Jon looked down, smiling as he dropped his hand onto the grey tinted fur. Okay, him and Copper. Funny how he’d been the one who never wanted a dog, yet now he was so terribly grateful for his faithful presence.
“See ya later, bro.” Richie grabbed Jon in a hug, knowing what he was feeling. As he crushed his friend in his arms, he whispered quickly in his ear. “Don’t forget Billie’s party on Friday.”
“Yeah.” Jon replied, hugging him back.
Billie also gave him a hug, and a tired-sounding goodbye, then they both climbed into the car, heading back toward Richie’s home. Leaving Jon standing alone outside the big, empty house. After a moment of aimless staring, Jon walked back inside, closing the door and following the click of Copper’s nails to the kitchen. He grabbed a beer and a bag of pretzels - a tour dinner - then headed for the family room, flipping on the TV as he settled onto the couch with Copper.
He was way too old for this bachelor life to be anything but shitty.
Comfortable in the back of the black SUV, Billie looked a little nervously across at Richie, slouched against the seat with his long legs stretched out. She wasn’t sure whether she should feel awkward or not, this first time they’d been alone together since the previous night, then Richie felt her gaze and looked back at her, grinning lazily.
“What?” He asked quietly, crooking an eyebrow.
“Oh, nothing.” Billie replied, continuing honestly. “I was just trying to figure out if I’m supposed to feel awkward being alone with you now, after last night.”
“And?”
“Annnnd……….I don’t. Is that weird?”
“Not from where I’m sitting. Sounds healthy to me. Normal.” The grin turned wicked. “Oh, shit, you’re right………if you sound normal, that is weird!”
“Oh, kiss my ass, Richard!” Billie laughed, relieved beyond measure that their friendship - their relationship - was unchanged. She certainly didn’t regret how they’d passed last night, but she didn’t think she could have borne it if they’d lost what they already had.
“How’s it feel today, anyway? Still sore?”
“Nah - your magic touch worked wonders.”
“Well, in that case, I’m gonna take a nap. Somebody kept me up too late last night.”
Billie muttered sarcastically, Richie only catching something about ‘old’, and he faked a frown.
“What was that?”
“Hmmm? Oh, nothing. Go ahead and take your nap.” She smirked, not repeating her comment about his being too old to take the pace. Something told her he’d make her pay for it if she did.
Without meaning to, though, Billie also fell asleep in the cozy car, only waking when Richie’s hand rubbed gently on her knee. She pushed herself upright - somehow, in sleep, she’d ended up curled on the seat, her head on his chest and her legs on the seat, Richie’s arm wrapped around her, holding her close.
“Nearly home.” Richie murmured, and Billie moved back to her own side of the car.
“Sorry - didn’t mean to squish you there.” She giggled sleepily.
“Yeah, sure. I see how you are. Tell me I’m too old to take the pace, but you manage to steal half the car and use me as a pillow.”
Reaching his building, Richie tipped the driver - the cost of the various cars which transported the guys to and from Jon’s home were covered under ‘band business’ - then they made their way upstairs, sharing a frozen pizza for dinner before heading to bed.
Over the next few days, Richie was kept busy with his new rush of inspiration to write, scribbling down a couple more songs and messing around with a few of the guitars he kept around. Of course, he still had to contend with the usual phone calls, both business related and personal, though he always had plenty of time to talk with his darling daughter, dropping whatever he was doing to spend his time talking with her for as long as she wanted. When she realized who was on the phone, Billie would make herself scarce, going to ‘her’ bedroom or into the kitchen to give him privacy. Richie also had a few surreptitious conversations with Jon and Jay, about the surprise party, helped when Billie was out of the apartment doing a little shopping after he’d reminded her he was taking her to dinner for her birthday.
Somehow, he’d kept the secret from Billie, and it was now, finally, Friday evening. Dressed in his usual somber, understated way - black jeans teamed with a wildly paisley patterned black, green, gold silk shirt. There were probably other colors in there, but since he was color-blind, he wasn’t too sure. Black cowboy boots in place of his ‘old man shoes’, and he was ready to go. Just waiting for Billie.
“You ready yet?” He yelled, joking around. “Seems like I’ve spent half my life waiting for wo……..whoa!”
This was the first time he’d seen Billie’s new dress, first time he’d seen her made up. First time he’d seen her look so beautiful. Her dress was dark chocolate brown with a gold and blue pattern which shouldn’t have worked, but totally did. Halter neckline, handkerchief hem, and clingy in the right places, it was a dress for a woman, suiting Billie down to the ground. At the ground, when his gaze fell that far, Richie saw a pair of strappy golden sandals, and the six inch heels explained why she was now almost his height.
“Damn, cowgirl!” He grinned, and Billie smiled back.
“Nice shirt.”
“Somethin’ wrong?” He growled, not that he was angry or anything like it - that was just the usual sound of his morning voice.
Jon looked again at Billie before rolling his eyes, mimicking her own gesture to Richie, though he didn’t know it.
“Nah.” He turned his attention to Richie, to the papers on the table. “What you got then, Mookie?”
“Take a look.” Richie grunted, handing Billie her coffee before settling himself back onto the couch. “Dunno if it’s more you or me, but it came into my head this morning.”
He really wasn’t sure whether the song he’d come up with - or at least started to - would be more suited to the band or to his solo work, but until he got it firmed up a bit more he’d play it by ear. As much as he loved his brother-from-another-mother, some things just didn’t sound right in Jon’s voice, and were more suited to his own, richer tone. Billie watched the pair for a moment or two longer, reassuring herself that Jon’s irritation was gone, then decided to make herself useful.
“I’m going to go fix some breakfast.” She headed for the door. “Half hour or so, ‘kay?”
“Huh? Oh yeah, sure.” Jon’s voice was distracted, and all she got from Richie was a grin. Tico, at least, walked across to open the door for her, smiling as she thanked him.
It was now late in the afternoon, edging toward dusk, and the ‘party’ was at an end. The guys - and Billie, as usual refusing help - were hauling their bags out to the waiting cars, offering weary goodbyes to Jon as he stood cradling yet another mug of coffee. He was as tired as any of them, but still he wished he could find a reason to keep at least somebody else around. As much as he loved the big house, had always loved it, these days it just wasn’t the same. No kids yelling and running, no wife yelling at them for running. Nobody but him.
Woof.
Jon looked down, smiling as he dropped his hand onto the grey tinted fur. Okay, him and Copper. Funny how he’d been the one who never wanted a dog, yet now he was so terribly grateful for his faithful presence.
“See ya later, bro.” Richie grabbed Jon in a hug, knowing what he was feeling. As he crushed his friend in his arms, he whispered quickly in his ear. “Don’t forget Billie’s party on Friday.”
“Yeah.” Jon replied, hugging him back.
Billie also gave him a hug, and a tired-sounding goodbye, then they both climbed into the car, heading back toward Richie’s home. Leaving Jon standing alone outside the big, empty house. After a moment of aimless staring, Jon walked back inside, closing the door and following the click of Copper’s nails to the kitchen. He grabbed a beer and a bag of pretzels - a tour dinner - then headed for the family room, flipping on the TV as he settled onto the couch with Copper.
He was way too old for this bachelor life to be anything but shitty.
Comfortable in the back of the black SUV, Billie looked a little nervously across at Richie, slouched against the seat with his long legs stretched out. She wasn’t sure whether she should feel awkward or not, this first time they’d been alone together since the previous night, then Richie felt her gaze and looked back at her, grinning lazily.
“What?” He asked quietly, crooking an eyebrow.
“Oh, nothing.” Billie replied, continuing honestly. “I was just trying to figure out if I’m supposed to feel awkward being alone with you now, after last night.”
“And?”
“Annnnd……….I don’t. Is that weird?”
“Not from where I’m sitting. Sounds healthy to me. Normal.” The grin turned wicked. “Oh, shit, you’re right………if you sound normal, that is weird!”
“Oh, kiss my ass, Richard!” Billie laughed, relieved beyond measure that their friendship - their relationship - was unchanged. She certainly didn’t regret how they’d passed last night, but she didn’t think she could have borne it if they’d lost what they already had.
“How’s it feel today, anyway? Still sore?”
“Nah - your magic touch worked wonders.”
“Well, in that case, I’m gonna take a nap. Somebody kept me up too late last night.”
Billie muttered sarcastically, Richie only catching something about ‘old’, and he faked a frown.
“What was that?”
“Hmmm? Oh, nothing. Go ahead and take your nap.” She smirked, not repeating her comment about his being too old to take the pace. Something told her he’d make her pay for it if she did.
Without meaning to, though, Billie also fell asleep in the cozy car, only waking when Richie’s hand rubbed gently on her knee. She pushed herself upright - somehow, in sleep, she’d ended up curled on the seat, her head on his chest and her legs on the seat, Richie’s arm wrapped around her, holding her close.
“Nearly home.” Richie murmured, and Billie moved back to her own side of the car.
“Sorry - didn’t mean to squish you there.” She giggled sleepily.
“Yeah, sure. I see how you are. Tell me I’m too old to take the pace, but you manage to steal half the car and use me as a pillow.”
Reaching his building, Richie tipped the driver - the cost of the various cars which transported the guys to and from Jon’s home were covered under ‘band business’ - then they made their way upstairs, sharing a frozen pizza for dinner before heading to bed.
Over the next few days, Richie was kept busy with his new rush of inspiration to write, scribbling down a couple more songs and messing around with a few of the guitars he kept around. Of course, he still had to contend with the usual phone calls, both business related and personal, though he always had plenty of time to talk with his darling daughter, dropping whatever he was doing to spend his time talking with her for as long as she wanted. When she realized who was on the phone, Billie would make herself scarce, going to ‘her’ bedroom or into the kitchen to give him privacy. Richie also had a few surreptitious conversations with Jon and Jay, about the surprise party, helped when Billie was out of the apartment doing a little shopping after he’d reminded her he was taking her to dinner for her birthday.
Somehow, he’d kept the secret from Billie, and it was now, finally, Friday evening. Dressed in his usual somber, understated way - black jeans teamed with a wildly paisley patterned black, green, gold silk shirt. There were probably other colors in there, but since he was color-blind, he wasn’t too sure. Black cowboy boots in place of his ‘old man shoes’, and he was ready to go. Just waiting for Billie.
“You ready yet?” He yelled, joking around. “Seems like I’ve spent half my life waiting for wo……..whoa!”
This was the first time he’d seen Billie’s new dress, first time he’d seen her made up. First time he’d seen her look so beautiful. Her dress was dark chocolate brown with a gold and blue pattern which shouldn’t have worked, but totally did. Halter neckline, handkerchief hem, and clingy in the right places, it was a dress for a woman, suiting Billie down to the ground. At the ground, when his gaze fell that far, Richie saw a pair of strappy golden sandals, and the six inch heels explained why she was now almost his height.
“Damn, cowgirl!” He grinned, and Billie smiled back.
“Nice shirt.”
Chapter 80
Billie woke slowly, a smile on her lips which faded gradually as she realized that solid bulk of man was no longer tucked against her body.
“Richie?” She murmured, pushing herself upright and looking around the room.
The empty room.
As the dregs of sleep wisped away from her brain, Billie understood that it made sense. Richie wouldn’t want to be caught leaving her room in the morning, still in the same clothes he’d worn the night before. With a slight smile she realized he probably also wasn’t sure how she’d react to waking to find him lying close against her, and she shook her head as the smile widened.
Billie wasn’t sure why she was even surprised. The man was certainly full of love, not to mention chock-full of intuition that bordered on womanly. Of course, that was the only womanly thing about him, she thought with a soft chuckle. The rest of him - most of him - was allll man. Wonderful, caring, sweet, tender-hearted man, but definitely man.
She eased out of bed, heading into the bathroom, letting the shower warm while she cleaned her teeth, the taste of last night lingering, certainly not unpleasant but, still, minty-fresh was the way to go! As usual, the sound of running water had a direct effect on her bladder, so she took care of that before stepping into the steam-filled shower enclosure, soaping and shampooing as her mind ran back over the previous night.
It had been a night of discovery. A night of honesty and catharsis, and even the faint dull ache she could still feel wasn’t unwelcome, as it served as a reminder of what had transpired, though it was unlikely that she could - would - ever forget it.
In the plush bathroom of ‘the Sambora Suite’, Richie was also showering, his thoughts eerily similar to Billie’s. Running alongside those memories, though, was a streak of inspiration, and he was humming a soft new melody as he stepped from the shower, reaching for one of the thick eggplant colored towels as his brain worked through chord progressions and tempo. After a cursory rub at his hair, he twisted the towel around his waist to catch the dripping water and headed out to the desk, flipping open a pad and scribbling quickly, wanting to get the ideas down on paper before they evaporated from his brain, replaced by memories of last night.
When he finished writing, Richie was still humming as he dried off, blasting his hair with the dryer before pulling on loose cargo pants and a once-black shirt. The patchy gray of the shirt matched the light stubble on his face, but he had no intention of shaving today, so he just grabbed up the pages of chicken-scratch writing and leaving the room, his bare feet once again shoved into his shoes. They were quite possibly the ugliest shoes on the planet, but, man, were they comfortable!
Jon was in the studio, his annoyance pushed aside as he worked on the bridge he’d come up with, and just as he decided he finally had it the way he wanted, the coffee maker gave that final, despairing gurgle and hiss as the last of the water drained through the grounds. Perfect timing, because he was in desperate need of a caffeine fix. He had his back to the door, pouring coffee, when he heard footsteps on the stairs and the sound of the door opening.
“Mornin’ bro.” Richie said cheerfully. “Coffee smells good.”
“Morning.” Jon said tersely, walking back to the battered couch with his coffee in hand.
Richie raised an eyebrow at Jon - usually he’d have automatically poured a mug of coffee for his wingman, though he left the sugar-and-cream-adding to Richie’s sweet-toothed preference. After a few seconds, though, he decided Jon was just preoccupied when he watched him pick up pen and paper as soon as he sat. He fixed himself a mug of coffee before heading over to sit on the couch, pulling crumpled pages from one of the voluminous pockets of his pants.
“I came up with something this morning.” He said, unfolding the paper, trying to smooth it a little.
“Really?” Jon’s tone was heavy with sarcasm. “Inspired, were we?”
“Huh?” Richie looked more closely at his friend, whose eyes were fixed on his own pages, but the shitty attitude was pretty obvious. “What crawled up your ass this morning?”
Now Jon did look at him, his eyes icy. “You used to be more discreet.”
“What?!” Richie was lost, but Jon was about to provide him a roadmap.
“Back in the day, at least you looked around before leaving someone’s room in the morning.” Jon grunted.
“Before………”
“I saw you this morning.” Jon explained a little more clearly. “Sneaking out of Billie’s room.”
“I wasn’t sneaking anywhere!” Jesus Christ - is he serious?? “I was leaving the room. Leaving quietly because I didn’t want to wake Billie.”
“So you admit you spent the night with her?”
“That………what?” Okay, seriously? She’s been living in my home for weeks, but now it bothers him? Besides…..
“That you…” Jon got cut off sharply before he could say another word.
“What has it got to do with you?” Billie snapped from the doorway, her arrival having gone unnoticed as the guys talked.
“Billie!”
Both guys spoke at once, but she really wasn’t listening as she slammed the studio door and strode across to where they sat.
“I asked you a question, Jon.” She said angrily. “What the fuck business is it of yours?”
“I……..you and………….I thought…………I mean……….” Jon stammered himself into silence. Well, except for one more insightful comment. “Aw fuck.”
Nice one, JB. Last night you pissed off Jay, now you’re pissing off his mom. A quick glance to the side. AND Richie. Jesus you used to have more brains than this.
Billie glanced at Richie and rolled her eyes. He just shrugged, happy to let her deal with Jon on this one.
As much as Billie would have loved to keep yelling at Jon about this, though, she knew he and the rest of the guys had work to do, and leaving this hanging over their heads would just create animosity. Sighing - why did she always have to be the grown-up? - Billie spoke in a less aggressive tone. A little less aggressive anyway.
“Jon.” A pause, then her voice sharpened. “Jon!”
Now he looked up at her. “Yeah?”
“I had a nightmare, okay?” As she started to speak, Richie got up and headed to the coffee maker to get her some caffeine. “I had a nightmare, and Richie heard me crying when you guys finished up here. We talked for a while until I fell asleep again, then I guess he left.” That’s all he really needs to know. “And I assume that’s when you saw him, and as usual you put two and two together………”
“…..and got five.” Jon finished the sentence for her. He felt like he was missing something, but it didn’t feel like she was lying to him, so he smiled a little.
Truth be told, after their reactions he’d realized he was a bit out of line anyway. Billie wasn’t his property. Right?
“Richie?” She murmured, pushing herself upright and looking around the room.
The empty room.
As the dregs of sleep wisped away from her brain, Billie understood that it made sense. Richie wouldn’t want to be caught leaving her room in the morning, still in the same clothes he’d worn the night before. With a slight smile she realized he probably also wasn’t sure how she’d react to waking to find him lying close against her, and she shook her head as the smile widened.
Billie wasn’t sure why she was even surprised. The man was certainly full of love, not to mention chock-full of intuition that bordered on womanly. Of course, that was the only womanly thing about him, she thought with a soft chuckle. The rest of him - most of him - was allll man. Wonderful, caring, sweet, tender-hearted man, but definitely man.
She eased out of bed, heading into the bathroom, letting the shower warm while she cleaned her teeth, the taste of last night lingering, certainly not unpleasant but, still, minty-fresh was the way to go! As usual, the sound of running water had a direct effect on her bladder, so she took care of that before stepping into the steam-filled shower enclosure, soaping and shampooing as her mind ran back over the previous night.
It had been a night of discovery. A night of honesty and catharsis, and even the faint dull ache she could still feel wasn’t unwelcome, as it served as a reminder of what had transpired, though it was unlikely that she could - would - ever forget it.
In the plush bathroom of ‘the Sambora Suite’, Richie was also showering, his thoughts eerily similar to Billie’s. Running alongside those memories, though, was a streak of inspiration, and he was humming a soft new melody as he stepped from the shower, reaching for one of the thick eggplant colored towels as his brain worked through chord progressions and tempo. After a cursory rub at his hair, he twisted the towel around his waist to catch the dripping water and headed out to the desk, flipping open a pad and scribbling quickly, wanting to get the ideas down on paper before they evaporated from his brain, replaced by memories of last night.
When he finished writing, Richie was still humming as he dried off, blasting his hair with the dryer before pulling on loose cargo pants and a once-black shirt. The patchy gray of the shirt matched the light stubble on his face, but he had no intention of shaving today, so he just grabbed up the pages of chicken-scratch writing and leaving the room, his bare feet once again shoved into his shoes. They were quite possibly the ugliest shoes on the planet, but, man, were they comfortable!
Jon was in the studio, his annoyance pushed aside as he worked on the bridge he’d come up with, and just as he decided he finally had it the way he wanted, the coffee maker gave that final, despairing gurgle and hiss as the last of the water drained through the grounds. Perfect timing, because he was in desperate need of a caffeine fix. He had his back to the door, pouring coffee, when he heard footsteps on the stairs and the sound of the door opening.
“Mornin’ bro.” Richie said cheerfully. “Coffee smells good.”
“Morning.” Jon said tersely, walking back to the battered couch with his coffee in hand.
Richie raised an eyebrow at Jon - usually he’d have automatically poured a mug of coffee for his wingman, though he left the sugar-and-cream-adding to Richie’s sweet-toothed preference. After a few seconds, though, he decided Jon was just preoccupied when he watched him pick up pen and paper as soon as he sat. He fixed himself a mug of coffee before heading over to sit on the couch, pulling crumpled pages from one of the voluminous pockets of his pants.
“I came up with something this morning.” He said, unfolding the paper, trying to smooth it a little.
“Really?” Jon’s tone was heavy with sarcasm. “Inspired, were we?”
“Huh?” Richie looked more closely at his friend, whose eyes were fixed on his own pages, but the shitty attitude was pretty obvious. “What crawled up your ass this morning?”
Now Jon did look at him, his eyes icy. “You used to be more discreet.”
“What?!” Richie was lost, but Jon was about to provide him a roadmap.
“Back in the day, at least you looked around before leaving someone’s room in the morning.” Jon grunted.
“Before………”
“I saw you this morning.” Jon explained a little more clearly. “Sneaking out of Billie’s room.”
“I wasn’t sneaking anywhere!” Jesus Christ - is he serious?? “I was leaving the room. Leaving quietly because I didn’t want to wake Billie.”
“So you admit you spent the night with her?”
“That………what?” Okay, seriously? She’s been living in my home for weeks, but now it bothers him? Besides…..
“That you…” Jon got cut off sharply before he could say another word.
“What has it got to do with you?” Billie snapped from the doorway, her arrival having gone unnoticed as the guys talked.
“Billie!”
Both guys spoke at once, but she really wasn’t listening as she slammed the studio door and strode across to where they sat.
“I asked you a question, Jon.” She said angrily. “What the fuck business is it of yours?”
“I……..you and………….I thought…………I mean……….” Jon stammered himself into silence. Well, except for one more insightful comment. “Aw fuck.”
Nice one, JB. Last night you pissed off Jay, now you’re pissing off his mom. A quick glance to the side. AND Richie. Jesus you used to have more brains than this.
Billie glanced at Richie and rolled her eyes. He just shrugged, happy to let her deal with Jon on this one.
As much as Billie would have loved to keep yelling at Jon about this, though, she knew he and the rest of the guys had work to do, and leaving this hanging over their heads would just create animosity. Sighing - why did she always have to be the grown-up? - Billie spoke in a less aggressive tone. A little less aggressive anyway.
“Jon.” A pause, then her voice sharpened. “Jon!”
Now he looked up at her. “Yeah?”
“I had a nightmare, okay?” As she started to speak, Richie got up and headed to the coffee maker to get her some caffeine. “I had a nightmare, and Richie heard me crying when you guys finished up here. We talked for a while until I fell asleep again, then I guess he left.” That’s all he really needs to know. “And I assume that’s when you saw him, and as usual you put two and two together………”
“…..and got five.” Jon finished the sentence for her. He felt like he was missing something, but it didn’t feel like she was lying to him, so he smiled a little.
Truth be told, after their reactions he’d realized he was a bit out of line anyway. Billie wasn’t his property. Right?
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Chapter 79
After dinner had been demolished - and Billie had been pleasantly surprised to watch each of the band members carry his own dirty dishes to the kitchen - the group headed back out to the studio, continuing to work into the night.
While the band worked, Billie just stayed quiet and enjoyed the private, up close and personal access to something that most fans would kill for. Enjoyed listening to the experimenting with different chords, the changes of melody as the five guys tried to perfect the next song. Of course, Jon and Richie had already laid down much of the feeling for the song, but it was clear that everyone - even Hugh - had an input to give. It was just a little bit like the old quote about all men being created equal, but some being more equal than others - everyone had an input, but it wasn’t exactly a democracy.
Finally, though, Billie had to admit exhaustion, but she waited for a break in the flow of music before getting to her feet and bidding them all goodnight. There was a chorus of good-natured teasing about not being able to take the rockstar pace, and two pairs of eyes - one chocolate brown, one bright blue - followed her as she left the room. After a moment of quiet, Tico broke the silence with the soft thud of the bass drum, and they got back to work.
On her way into the house, Billie paused in the kitchen to fix herself a mug of cocoa. She’d been out to the big house often enough now to feel comfortable helping herself, at least after both Jon and Belle - and Richie - had made it clear that nobody stood on ceremony here. She was considered part of the extended family now, they’d all informed her, so she shouldn’t expect anyone to be helping her - she wanted something, she could get it herself! As that thought ran through her brain, Billie smiled and shook her head. Even with her ‘connection’ to Jon, she’d have never in a million years expected to find herself standing in the kitchen of his Jersey home, absent-mindedly scratching Copper behind the ears while she waited to hear the ping of the microwave.
Life really did have a way of surprising you sometimes.
With cocoa in hand, Billie made her way upstairs, closing the bedroom door behind her before setting down the mug. She slowly took off her clothes, tired from the long day, feeling a tiny twinge of pain in her shoulder as she stretched back to take off her sweater. Even as the pain reminded her of what had happened, she forced the memory away, resolutely refusing to let herself think of it. Instead, she flicked on the TV, hopping channels until she found the distraction of a movie. Pulling on the thick guest robe which hung in her bathroom, she settled onto the bed, picking up her cocoa while she focused her attention on the screen.
After the cocoa was gone, Billie turned the TV down a few notches but left it on - she'd always preferred to sleep in quiet darkness, yet since 'the incident', she found too much silence uncomfortable, hearing sounds that weren't really there, and the soft background of the TV helped soothe her. Of course, the flickering of the screen also brightened the room a bit, so when she woke in the night she could see and not imagine what - who - could be lurking in the shadows. Eventually, tiredness won out over the continuing ache in her shoulder, and Billie fell into sleep.
But tonight sleep wouldn’t bring rest, only confused nightmares as the pain in her shoulder worked itself into Billie’s subconscious, a stealthy, unwelcome reminder.
It was almost four in the morning when the band finally had to admit that they were too tired to be constructive, after a lengthy discussion over changing a chord ended when they realized they were arguing about changing it to what they already had. With a wry smile, Jon muttered that they really weren’t as young as they used to be, and a yawning Tico agreed, flexing his shoulders as he got up from behind the drums.
“Looks like none of us can take the pace any more.” Richie grunted as he stood, his ass protesting the long hours on the uncomfortable old stool he used. “I’ll see you assholes in the morning. Later in the morning anyway.”
There was a murmur of replies from the other guys, yet still Richie was last to leave the studio, never so tired that he wouldn’t carefully replace his various guitars on their stands before leaving. He flipped the light switch as he left the room, stretching the kinks out of his back as he walked slowly to the main house.
By the time he got to the house, only a few minutes after the others, they had all vanished to their respective bedrooms, and Richie paused only long enough to pour a glass of milk and grab a handful of cookies before he also headed upstairs.
Walking to his bedroom, Richie paused fractionally as he passed the door to Billie’s room, then stopped completely when his ears picked up the sound of soft sobbing. Or it could have been soft cursing. After a momentary hesitation he tapped a fingertip lightly on the door, hearing the sound hitch into silence.
“Billie?” Well, duh, Sambora - who else would it be? “S’Richie. You okay?”
“Y-yeah.” Came softly through the wood panel, but the tall guitarist was pretty well tuned to her voice by now, and he shook his head.
“Not buyin’ it, darlin’. Can I come in?”
Billie glanced down, quickly cinching her robe tight again as she walked over to the door, opening it and looking up into those dark, understanding eyes. She knew her own eyes were reddened and teary, legacy of the nightmare he’d woken her from.
“Oh, yeah, you’re fine.” Richie grinned down at her. “Wanna cookie?”
At that offer, her face brightened and Billie swung the door wide.
“You said the magic word.”
After Richie entered the room, Billie closed the door softly, surreptitiously wiping at her face with the soft sleeve of her robe. She caught Richie watching her and rolled her eyes.
“I really am okay, Richie. Bad dream is all.”
“Oh, so you don’t need one of my cookies?” He made to head back out of the room. “Okay then.”
“Nice try!” Billie blocked him, grabbing a cookie from his hand.
They each settled into one of the easy chairs over by the window, eating the cookies in one of their frequent companionable silences. Richie showed his gentlemanly side even more when he went into the bathroom, returning with a clean glass and tipping some of his milk into it for Billie. When she thanked him, he chuckled.
“Hey, what are cookies without milk?”
As they shared the last of the cookies, Richie noticed Billie shifting her shoulder uncomfortably, and at his querying glance she laid her hand onto the joint.
“Just sore tonight. Well, not really sore. Achy.”
Richie got to his feet, first toeing off his beloved ‘old man shoes’, and he moved across behind Billie, laying a gentle hand over hers.
“May I?” He asked politely, and she looked up at him trustingly as she nodded.
He massaged lightly over the robe, then kept watching her as he slowly tugged at the collar, moving the robe aside so he could massage her more effectively, more intimately, skin to skin. At the touch of his warm, strong hand on her shoulder, Billie smiled, closing her eyes for a moment before looking up at him again, seeing his soft smile, matching it with one of her own.
Jon woke early as usual, still cursed with a body that rebelled against sleep. As he got older it was actually getting worse, he thought, but nevertheless, regardless of the late hour he’d gone to bed, his internal clock had him awake by seven o’clock. He lay for a few minutes, savoring the warmth of the thick comforter, before his brain and bladder simultaneously kicked him out of bed.
Standing over his toilet, Jon mulled over the idea he’d just had, a new bridge for one of the songs, and he sighed as he knew he’d never get back to sleep now. Once nature’s demand was satisfied, he grabbed a pair of torn sweats and a faded t-shirt from the hamper - they weren’t that dirty - and pulled them on before leaving his bedroom, headed for the studio by way of the kitchen.
His and Dorothea’s bedroom was in the farthest part of the house, and as he padded through the foyer he heard a sound from upstairs, shocked when he looked up to see Richie gently closing Billie’s bedroom door, carrying his shoes as he walked toward his own room. Jon was still standing there, silent and open-mouthed, as Richie disappeared from view.
What the fuck?
While the band worked, Billie just stayed quiet and enjoyed the private, up close and personal access to something that most fans would kill for. Enjoyed listening to the experimenting with different chords, the changes of melody as the five guys tried to perfect the next song. Of course, Jon and Richie had already laid down much of the feeling for the song, but it was clear that everyone - even Hugh - had an input to give. It was just a little bit like the old quote about all men being created equal, but some being more equal than others - everyone had an input, but it wasn’t exactly a democracy.
Finally, though, Billie had to admit exhaustion, but she waited for a break in the flow of music before getting to her feet and bidding them all goodnight. There was a chorus of good-natured teasing about not being able to take the rockstar pace, and two pairs of eyes - one chocolate brown, one bright blue - followed her as she left the room. After a moment of quiet, Tico broke the silence with the soft thud of the bass drum, and they got back to work.
On her way into the house, Billie paused in the kitchen to fix herself a mug of cocoa. She’d been out to the big house often enough now to feel comfortable helping herself, at least after both Jon and Belle - and Richie - had made it clear that nobody stood on ceremony here. She was considered part of the extended family now, they’d all informed her, so she shouldn’t expect anyone to be helping her - she wanted something, she could get it herself! As that thought ran through her brain, Billie smiled and shook her head. Even with her ‘connection’ to Jon, she’d have never in a million years expected to find herself standing in the kitchen of his Jersey home, absent-mindedly scratching Copper behind the ears while she waited to hear the ping of the microwave.
Life really did have a way of surprising you sometimes.
With cocoa in hand, Billie made her way upstairs, closing the bedroom door behind her before setting down the mug. She slowly took off her clothes, tired from the long day, feeling a tiny twinge of pain in her shoulder as she stretched back to take off her sweater. Even as the pain reminded her of what had happened, she forced the memory away, resolutely refusing to let herself think of it. Instead, she flicked on the TV, hopping channels until she found the distraction of a movie. Pulling on the thick guest robe which hung in her bathroom, she settled onto the bed, picking up her cocoa while she focused her attention on the screen.
After the cocoa was gone, Billie turned the TV down a few notches but left it on - she'd always preferred to sleep in quiet darkness, yet since 'the incident', she found too much silence uncomfortable, hearing sounds that weren't really there, and the soft background of the TV helped soothe her. Of course, the flickering of the screen also brightened the room a bit, so when she woke in the night she could see and not imagine what - who - could be lurking in the shadows. Eventually, tiredness won out over the continuing ache in her shoulder, and Billie fell into sleep.
But tonight sleep wouldn’t bring rest, only confused nightmares as the pain in her shoulder worked itself into Billie’s subconscious, a stealthy, unwelcome reminder.
It was almost four in the morning when the band finally had to admit that they were too tired to be constructive, after a lengthy discussion over changing a chord ended when they realized they were arguing about changing it to what they already had. With a wry smile, Jon muttered that they really weren’t as young as they used to be, and a yawning Tico agreed, flexing his shoulders as he got up from behind the drums.
“Looks like none of us can take the pace any more.” Richie grunted as he stood, his ass protesting the long hours on the uncomfortable old stool he used. “I’ll see you assholes in the morning. Later in the morning anyway.”
There was a murmur of replies from the other guys, yet still Richie was last to leave the studio, never so tired that he wouldn’t carefully replace his various guitars on their stands before leaving. He flipped the light switch as he left the room, stretching the kinks out of his back as he walked slowly to the main house.
By the time he got to the house, only a few minutes after the others, they had all vanished to their respective bedrooms, and Richie paused only long enough to pour a glass of milk and grab a handful of cookies before he also headed upstairs.
Walking to his bedroom, Richie paused fractionally as he passed the door to Billie’s room, then stopped completely when his ears picked up the sound of soft sobbing. Or it could have been soft cursing. After a momentary hesitation he tapped a fingertip lightly on the door, hearing the sound hitch into silence.
“Billie?” Well, duh, Sambora - who else would it be? “S’Richie. You okay?”
“Y-yeah.” Came softly through the wood panel, but the tall guitarist was pretty well tuned to her voice by now, and he shook his head.
“Not buyin’ it, darlin’. Can I come in?”
Billie glanced down, quickly cinching her robe tight again as she walked over to the door, opening it and looking up into those dark, understanding eyes. She knew her own eyes were reddened and teary, legacy of the nightmare he’d woken her from.
“Oh, yeah, you’re fine.” Richie grinned down at her. “Wanna cookie?”
At that offer, her face brightened and Billie swung the door wide.
“You said the magic word.”
After Richie entered the room, Billie closed the door softly, surreptitiously wiping at her face with the soft sleeve of her robe. She caught Richie watching her and rolled her eyes.
“I really am okay, Richie. Bad dream is all.”
“Oh, so you don’t need one of my cookies?” He made to head back out of the room. “Okay then.”
“Nice try!” Billie blocked him, grabbing a cookie from his hand.
They each settled into one of the easy chairs over by the window, eating the cookies in one of their frequent companionable silences. Richie showed his gentlemanly side even more when he went into the bathroom, returning with a clean glass and tipping some of his milk into it for Billie. When she thanked him, he chuckled.
“Hey, what are cookies without milk?”
As they shared the last of the cookies, Richie noticed Billie shifting her shoulder uncomfortably, and at his querying glance she laid her hand onto the joint.
“Just sore tonight. Well, not really sore. Achy.”
Richie got to his feet, first toeing off his beloved ‘old man shoes’, and he moved across behind Billie, laying a gentle hand over hers.
“May I?” He asked politely, and she looked up at him trustingly as she nodded.
He massaged lightly over the robe, then kept watching her as he slowly tugged at the collar, moving the robe aside so he could massage her more effectively, more intimately, skin to skin. At the touch of his warm, strong hand on her shoulder, Billie smiled, closing her eyes for a moment before looking up at him again, seeing his soft smile, matching it with one of her own.
Jon woke early as usual, still cursed with a body that rebelled against sleep. As he got older it was actually getting worse, he thought, but nevertheless, regardless of the late hour he’d gone to bed, his internal clock had him awake by seven o’clock. He lay for a few minutes, savoring the warmth of the thick comforter, before his brain and bladder simultaneously kicked him out of bed.
Standing over his toilet, Jon mulled over the idea he’d just had, a new bridge for one of the songs, and he sighed as he knew he’d never get back to sleep now. Once nature’s demand was satisfied, he grabbed a pair of torn sweats and a faded t-shirt from the hamper - they weren’t that dirty - and pulled them on before leaving his bedroom, headed for the studio by way of the kitchen.
His and Dorothea’s bedroom was in the farthest part of the house, and as he padded through the foyer he heard a sound from upstairs, shocked when he looked up to see Richie gently closing Billie’s bedroom door, carrying his shoes as he walked toward his own room. Jon was still standing there, silent and open-mouthed, as Richie disappeared from view.
What the fuck?
Chapter 78
Billie looked at her phone again, the gesture pointless as the screen was dark, then she chuckled as she looked up into Richie’s dark eyes.
“That was Jay.”
“Uh, yeah, I got that part.” He grinned, motioning with his hands, silently demanding more information.
“Well, he……he proposed to Desi.”
“He what?!” Richie wasn’t sure why he was surprised - the boy had clearly inherited his father’s impulsive, decisive nature. Or maybe it was his mother’s. Or more likely both - a double dose of stubborn he thought suddenly.
“He proposed.” Billie grinned. “They’re getting married.”
“So she said yes, I take it?”
“Hey, who wouldn’t?”
The buzz of the oven timer caught her attention, and Billie headed for the kitchen before she cremated another batch of cookies. Richie followed more slowly, still trying to wrap his mind around the idea of Jay getting married. Actually, it was less the idea of Jay getting married than the idea of Jon’s son getting married. Talk about a sudden realisation of your age. He grinned silently. At this rate, Jon would be a grandfather before any of them.
“Does Jon know?” The question directed to Billie’s back as she lifted a tray from the oven.
“Not yet, no. Jay said I could tell you, and that he was going to call Jon after they’ve told Desi’s parents.” She turned to look at Richie. “So please don’t mention it?”
“Sure. No problem.” Richie snagged a hot cookie from the tray, cursing softly as it burned his fingers.
“Jesus, you’re worse than a kid!” Billie laughed as he shifted the cookie from hand to hand, trying to cool it enough to eat.
“Hey, I have to make sure I get some of these - once we get to the studio I won’t be able to get past Teek and Davey.” He suddenly remembered his conversation with Jon. “Listen, Jon wants to make this an all-night session…….I think he’s trying to recapture his youth.”
“Well, you can take the cookies with you.”
“Nope. I’m not leavin’ you alone here tonight.” Richie raised his voice a fraction, overriding her objection the second she opened her mouth. “Not up for discussion, darlin’. I already told Jon you’d had a…wobble…so we’re both goin’ down to spend the night at the house.”
“Kinda bossy there, arenchya?” Billie really couldn’t find it in her to object, though. She didn’t want to be alone.
“Alllways!” He decided to press his luck just a little further. “And while we’re on the subject of me being bossy, it’s also not optional that you celebrate your birthday this year. I’m taking you out to dinner on Friday night, so if you don’t have anything to wear, I suggest you go shopping before then!”
Billie raised her eyebrows as she looked at him, seeing only a calm patience in his tanned face, knowing that he meant every word, and also knowing that he expected nothing in return. Even someone with her broad streak of independence sometimes liked to be told what to do - so long as it was someone she liked who was doing the telling. But she wasn’t going to make it that easy on him.
Richie watched as Billie stalked silently toward him, suddenly wondering if he’d said the wrong thing, if his intention to joke had reminded her of Nick, and he’d just opened his mouth to try to soften his words when she stopped in front of him, laying her palm flat on his chest as she looked at him. Her eyes, dark and serious, bored into his own, and Richie swallowed hard. Had he just ruined any chance of their being more than friends? Scratch that. Had he just wrecked her trust in him? He knew he was about to find out as Billie rose up onto her toes, bringing her lips closer to his ear.
“Okie dokie.” She whispered, the laughter barely under the surface of her voice.
“Oh, you……” Richie laughed with her as she grinned at him.
“Gotcha!” Billie giggled. “I guess I better throw a few things in a bag for tonight then.”
And as she moved away from him she added insult to injury, snatching the now warm cookie from his fingers and taking a bite as he yelped in pathetic protest.
It was now almost eight at night, and the band had stopped to gorge themselves on one of Belle's delicious meals. Nothing fancy or complicated - just good old down-home cooking. They were sitting at the heavy wooden table just off the kitchen, digging into heaping plates of pasta when Jon’s cell buzzed softly. He gave an exasperated groan as he pulled it from his pocket, intending to send the caller straight to voicemail, but when he looked at the display he raised his brows, accepting the call.
“Hey. What’s up?” He greeted Jay.
“Hi bo……..Jon.” Damn, I still can’t get used to calling him by name, thought Jay. “Have you got a minute?”
“Sure. We’re just taking a dinner break.”
“Oh. Well, I won’t keep you too long.” Jay looked down at Desi, snuggled against his shoulder on the couch. This was the last person they really needed to tell. His mom knew, and Desi’s parents, while stunned, had been supportive and accepting. In a way, telling Jon was purely a courtesy, so he wouldn’t find out from the media, because Jay knew well enough that as soon as he was seen out ring shopping with his girlfriend……. “I just wanted to let you know….I mean I asked mom not to tell you……..”
“Yeah?” Jon frowned in confusion. “Is something wrong?”
“Sorry. No.” Dammit, Kelsall, focus! “I wanted to let you know that I, uh, I proposed to Desi. We’re getting married.”
“You’re what?” Jon’s shocked expression told Billie - and Richie - what Jay had just said. They weren’t, however, entirely prepared for Jon’s reaction. “That’s crazy! You barely know her! I mean you…….ow!”
The ‘ow’ was courtesy of Billie. While Richie had reacted to Jon’s outburst with a mutter of ‘aw fuck’ as he dropped his forehead onto his palm, Billie was more proactive, reaching across to smack Jon across the back of the head. Hard. Jon looked at her angrily, then accurately read her expression and groaned softly, getting up from the table and walking away to continue the conversation.
“Shit. I’m sorry, Jay.” He tried to repair the damage, mildly surprised when Jay actually waited and listened. “You surpri…..actually, you shocked the fuck out of me, kid. Wasn’t expecting that.”
“Obviously.” Jay’s tone was cool, and Jon tried again.
“I was surprised, okay? But you’ve obviously made up your mind, so congratulations.” He leaned his forehead on the cool glass of the french doors. “I mean it. I’m happy that you’ve found someone you want to spend your life with.” A soft chuckle. “I was younger than you when I met Dorothea, so I do get it.”
Jay bit back any comment about how Jon had cheated on his darling wife even as she cheated on him, sighing softly as he felt Desi snuggle closer, her hand sliding between his thighs even though she was asleep.
“Well, thanks. I think mom told Richie already.”
“Yeah?” Jon looked over, seeing Billie and Richie both watching him, Richie’s expression confirming that he knew. “Mind if I tell the rest of the guys?”
“Sure. I guess I’ll see you next week? Mom’s birthday?”
“Definitely.”
“Okay, I’ll let you get back to dinner.”
“Bye.”
Jon walked back over to the table, thanking Billie softly as he sat. Thanking her for smacking him upside the head, which was weird in itself. As he picked up his fork, he realised that the other three - Tico, David and Hugh - were all looking at him expectantly, and he grinned wryly.
“That was Jay. He’s getting married.”
Richie’s voice rose over the chorus of surprise and congratulations, a sharp barb of humor aimed straight at his best friend.
“Yeah, at this rate Jonny’s gonna be a grandfather before any of us!”
Amid the laughter, Jon didn’t even make a response. Well, other than to raise a middle finger at his right hand man as he grinned.
“That was Jay.”
“Uh, yeah, I got that part.” He grinned, motioning with his hands, silently demanding more information.
“Well, he……he proposed to Desi.”
“He what?!” Richie wasn’t sure why he was surprised - the boy had clearly inherited his father’s impulsive, decisive nature. Or maybe it was his mother’s. Or more likely both - a double dose of stubborn he thought suddenly.
“He proposed.” Billie grinned. “They’re getting married.”
“So she said yes, I take it?”
“Hey, who wouldn’t?”
The buzz of the oven timer caught her attention, and Billie headed for the kitchen before she cremated another batch of cookies. Richie followed more slowly, still trying to wrap his mind around the idea of Jay getting married. Actually, it was less the idea of Jay getting married than the idea of Jon’s son getting married. Talk about a sudden realisation of your age. He grinned silently. At this rate, Jon would be a grandfather before any of them.
“Does Jon know?” The question directed to Billie’s back as she lifted a tray from the oven.
“Not yet, no. Jay said I could tell you, and that he was going to call Jon after they’ve told Desi’s parents.” She turned to look at Richie. “So please don’t mention it?”
“Sure. No problem.” Richie snagged a hot cookie from the tray, cursing softly as it burned his fingers.
“Jesus, you’re worse than a kid!” Billie laughed as he shifted the cookie from hand to hand, trying to cool it enough to eat.
“Hey, I have to make sure I get some of these - once we get to the studio I won’t be able to get past Teek and Davey.” He suddenly remembered his conversation with Jon. “Listen, Jon wants to make this an all-night session…….I think he’s trying to recapture his youth.”
“Well, you can take the cookies with you.”
“Nope. I’m not leavin’ you alone here tonight.” Richie raised his voice a fraction, overriding her objection the second she opened her mouth. “Not up for discussion, darlin’. I already told Jon you’d had a…wobble…so we’re both goin’ down to spend the night at the house.”
“Kinda bossy there, arenchya?” Billie really couldn’t find it in her to object, though. She didn’t want to be alone.
“Alllways!” He decided to press his luck just a little further. “And while we’re on the subject of me being bossy, it’s also not optional that you celebrate your birthday this year. I’m taking you out to dinner on Friday night, so if you don’t have anything to wear, I suggest you go shopping before then!”
Billie raised her eyebrows as she looked at him, seeing only a calm patience in his tanned face, knowing that he meant every word, and also knowing that he expected nothing in return. Even someone with her broad streak of independence sometimes liked to be told what to do - so long as it was someone she liked who was doing the telling. But she wasn’t going to make it that easy on him.
Richie watched as Billie stalked silently toward him, suddenly wondering if he’d said the wrong thing, if his intention to joke had reminded her of Nick, and he’d just opened his mouth to try to soften his words when she stopped in front of him, laying her palm flat on his chest as she looked at him. Her eyes, dark and serious, bored into his own, and Richie swallowed hard. Had he just ruined any chance of their being more than friends? Scratch that. Had he just wrecked her trust in him? He knew he was about to find out as Billie rose up onto her toes, bringing her lips closer to his ear.
“Okie dokie.” She whispered, the laughter barely under the surface of her voice.
“Oh, you……” Richie laughed with her as she grinned at him.
“Gotcha!” Billie giggled. “I guess I better throw a few things in a bag for tonight then.”
And as she moved away from him she added insult to injury, snatching the now warm cookie from his fingers and taking a bite as he yelped in pathetic protest.
It was now almost eight at night, and the band had stopped to gorge themselves on one of Belle's delicious meals. Nothing fancy or complicated - just good old down-home cooking. They were sitting at the heavy wooden table just off the kitchen, digging into heaping plates of pasta when Jon’s cell buzzed softly. He gave an exasperated groan as he pulled it from his pocket, intending to send the caller straight to voicemail, but when he looked at the display he raised his brows, accepting the call.
“Hey. What’s up?” He greeted Jay.
“Hi bo……..Jon.” Damn, I still can’t get used to calling him by name, thought Jay. “Have you got a minute?”
“Sure. We’re just taking a dinner break.”
“Oh. Well, I won’t keep you too long.” Jay looked down at Desi, snuggled against his shoulder on the couch. This was the last person they really needed to tell. His mom knew, and Desi’s parents, while stunned, had been supportive and accepting. In a way, telling Jon was purely a courtesy, so he wouldn’t find out from the media, because Jay knew well enough that as soon as he was seen out ring shopping with his girlfriend……. “I just wanted to let you know….I mean I asked mom not to tell you……..”
“Yeah?” Jon frowned in confusion. “Is something wrong?”
“Sorry. No.” Dammit, Kelsall, focus! “I wanted to let you know that I, uh, I proposed to Desi. We’re getting married.”
“You’re what?” Jon’s shocked expression told Billie - and Richie - what Jay had just said. They weren’t, however, entirely prepared for Jon’s reaction. “That’s crazy! You barely know her! I mean you…….ow!”
The ‘ow’ was courtesy of Billie. While Richie had reacted to Jon’s outburst with a mutter of ‘aw fuck’ as he dropped his forehead onto his palm, Billie was more proactive, reaching across to smack Jon across the back of the head. Hard. Jon looked at her angrily, then accurately read her expression and groaned softly, getting up from the table and walking away to continue the conversation.
“Shit. I’m sorry, Jay.” He tried to repair the damage, mildly surprised when Jay actually waited and listened. “You surpri…..actually, you shocked the fuck out of me, kid. Wasn’t expecting that.”
“Obviously.” Jay’s tone was cool, and Jon tried again.
“I was surprised, okay? But you’ve obviously made up your mind, so congratulations.” He leaned his forehead on the cool glass of the french doors. “I mean it. I’m happy that you’ve found someone you want to spend your life with.” A soft chuckle. “I was younger than you when I met Dorothea, so I do get it.”
Jay bit back any comment about how Jon had cheated on his darling wife even as she cheated on him, sighing softly as he felt Desi snuggle closer, her hand sliding between his thighs even though she was asleep.
“Well, thanks. I think mom told Richie already.”
“Yeah?” Jon looked over, seeing Billie and Richie both watching him, Richie’s expression confirming that he knew. “Mind if I tell the rest of the guys?”
“Sure. I guess I’ll see you next week? Mom’s birthday?”
“Definitely.”
“Okay, I’ll let you get back to dinner.”
“Bye.”
Jon walked back over to the table, thanking Billie softly as he sat. Thanking her for smacking him upside the head, which was weird in itself. As he picked up his fork, he realised that the other three - Tico, David and Hugh - were all looking at him expectantly, and he grinned wryly.
“That was Jay. He’s getting married.”
Richie’s voice rose over the chorus of surprise and congratulations, a sharp barb of humor aimed straight at his best friend.
“Yeah, at this rate Jonny’s gonna be a grandfather before any of us!”
Amid the laughter, Jon didn’t even make a response. Well, other than to raise a middle finger at his right hand man as he grinned.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Chapter 77
Did he just……..propose? Desi thought in shock, staring into those impossibly blue eyes, seeing the patience as he just stared back, waiting for her answer. An answer which slipped unbidden from her lips, instinct telling her what to say.
“Yes.” She whispered with a soft, shaky smile, a smile which broadened into a grin to mirror his own.
“Yes?” Jay had to double check.
“Yes.” Desi repeated. “Yes, I will marry you, Jay Kelsall.”
Any further response was cut off as he crushed his lips onto hers, and their kiss was spiced, made more poignant by the commitment they had just made to one another. When they finally broke apart, Jay took Desi’s left hand, caressing her ring finger.
“We need to go shopping.” He rolled his eyes at her confused expression, squeezing her finger gently. “For a ring?”
“Oh!” Desi blushed. “Don’t you think you should meet my parents first? I mean, I’ve met your mom……and your dad, I guess, but you’ve not met mine!”
“Okay. Are they in town? Let’s go now.” He sat up, pulling her with him as she laughed.
“Well, let me call them, make sure they’re home.”
Jay grinned, kissing her again. “While you do that, I’m going to call my mom.” He hesitated. “I mean, unless you want me to wait until your folks know?”
“No - call her.” Desi giggled. “Not like I’m going to change my mind if my parents disapprove! Which they absolutely won’t.” She reassured him.
Billie and Richie were still in his kitchen - Richie pouring coffee while Billie removed the last of the char-cookies - Richie’s newly created word - from the tray. When they heard the muted buzz, Richie held up a hand to stall Billie as he took the few long strides required to get to the living room.
“Yours!” He yelled, squinting at the display. “It’s Jay.”
“Oh, the big-mouthed Jay-bird!” She replied, meeting him halfway as Richie brought the phone to her. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure.” He gave her one of his ‘special’ grins - soft yet striking, subtly sexy and devilishly mischievous. A grin to kill - or at least mortally wound - a lesser woman.
Billie grinned back at him, her own expression more relaxed than he’d seen her since the assault. Answering the call, she faked annoyance.
“You have some explaining to do, mister!” She barked, though her grin softened the sound. “Telling Richie about my birthday?!”
“Uh, yeah, sorry about that, mom.” He sounded anything but sorry, though, and Billie was about to find out why. “I have something to tell you.”
“Something good I hope. Oh, thanks.” The aside to Richie as he handed her a steaming mug.
“Yeah. Well, I think so. You sitting down?”
“Nope.”
Here goes. Thought Jay, taking a deep breath. “Thing is…….I uhhh……… I proposed to Desi, mom. And she said yes. We’re going to get married!”
“What?!” This, Billie hadn’t expected. But she couldn’t honestly say it was a bad thing - Jay was clearly besotted with the pretty young nurse, and she seemed just as deeply in love with him. There was only one thing Billie could say. “Congratulations! Wow……does she know what she’s letting herself in for?”
Of course Jay, raised by Billie, inheriting her broad streak of sarcasm and her biting humor didn’t take even a second’s offense, firing back a response.
“Sure she does, mom. She’s met you before.”
“Smartass.” Billie muttered, grinning, seeing the curious expression on Richie’s face, holding her hand up to gesture that she’d tell him the news when she finished the call. “Don’t think that this gets you off the hook for telling Richie about my birthday, though. I still need to kick your ass for that one.”
Jay chuckled. “You may have to get in line…….we’re going over to see Desi’s parents……I haven’t even met them yet. Her dad may not be happy!”
“Well, if he has a problem with my baby boy, he has to deal with me!” Billie told him with a grin. “And I doubt he’s that brave, so you’ll be fine.”
Richie’s curiosity was starting to become glaringly obvious, but he was going to have to wait another few seconds, as his own phone now buzzed, demanding attention. He picked it up, checking the display, then wandered over to the tall windows as he answered the call, wanting just a little privacy. Billie watched him for a moment, then her voice softened as she again addressed her son.
“I really am happy for you both, Jay.” She said. “I’m not going to give you any lectures about hardly knowing Desi or anything like that - you’re smart enough to know what you want, and Desi is sure as hell smart enough to say no if she didn’t want the same thing. Congratulations to you both.”
“Thanks mom.” Jay grinned at Desi as she walked out of the bedroom, nodding her head to confirm that, yes, her parents were in town. “Well, I guess we better get ready and go see Desi’s parents. How about we try to set up a dinner so you can all meet?”
“Sounds good, Jay. Bye.”
“Bye mom.”
“So what did Billie say?” Desi asked, honestly a little nervous - it was one thing to have your boyfriend’s mom like you, but quite another for her to become your mother-in-law, that dread creature, the butt of so many jokes.
“She said that you’re smart to marry me.” Jay tried, but Desi just laughed at him, so he had to correct himself. “Okay, okay, she said you’re smart enough to say no if you didn’t want to marry me, so she’s happy for us both. She also said that if your dad didn’t like me he’d have to deal with her!”
“Oh, trust me, baby, I can handle my dad.” She assured him, sliding her arms around his waist and stepping in close. “I love you, Jay.”
“I love you too, Karenza Desiree.”
While Billie and Jay had been talking, Richie’s call was from Jon, which was why he’d taken it over by the windows. After the initial pleasantries, he’d quickly and quietly told his buddy that Jay had called to give him a heads-up on Billie’s birthday, and he outlined the plan for the surprise party.
“So can you let the rest of the guys know?” He asked Jon in a hushed tone. “Don’t even let her know you know about her birthday - hell, she’s already pissed at Jay for telling me, so I don’t need her getting mad at me too, for spilling it to everyone else.”
“Okay, sure.” Jon had to ask. “And Jay wants us - me - there?”
“Yep.” One little white lie wouldn’t hurt anyone, Richie decided, knowing how much that would mean to Jon, not even needing to be able to see his friend of so many years to know he’d just broken out that megawatt grin.
“Anyway…….reason I called……need to start a bit later today - I got some stuff to take care of.” He chuckled suddenly. “Maybe we should see if we can still pull an all-nighter. You up for it?”
“Hell yeah.” A slight frown. “Billie was gonna come out today, though. She made Teek’s cookies!”
“Uhhh……well, let her know the plan.” Jon shrugged. “If there’s one thing I got, it’s plenty of bedrooms - she can stay too, if she likes.”
“Okay.” Richie looked over at Billie, seeing her now apparently texting someone. He lowered his voice. “I’d rather not leave her alone here today anyway.”
“Why not?”
“Aw, she had another……umm……..wobble a little while ago.” He said carefully, hearing Jon’s soft, automatic reaction.
“That sick motherfucker…….”
“Yeah, but she’s okay now. Of course, she did charcoal a batch of cookies, so a late start will let her make more!”
“Jesus - you’re worse than a kid!” Jon chuckled, then his call waiting beeped. “Ugh. Okay, later, bro.”
Snapping his phone shut, Richie moved toward Billie as her phone buzzed again, and she quickly read the text reply from Jay before grinning and looking at Richie.
“Okay, the curiosity’s killing me……..spill!” He demanded.
“Yes.” She whispered with a soft, shaky smile, a smile which broadened into a grin to mirror his own.
“Yes?” Jay had to double check.
“Yes.” Desi repeated. “Yes, I will marry you, Jay Kelsall.”
Any further response was cut off as he crushed his lips onto hers, and their kiss was spiced, made more poignant by the commitment they had just made to one another. When they finally broke apart, Jay took Desi’s left hand, caressing her ring finger.
“We need to go shopping.” He rolled his eyes at her confused expression, squeezing her finger gently. “For a ring?”
“Oh!” Desi blushed. “Don’t you think you should meet my parents first? I mean, I’ve met your mom……and your dad, I guess, but you’ve not met mine!”
“Okay. Are they in town? Let’s go now.” He sat up, pulling her with him as she laughed.
“Well, let me call them, make sure they’re home.”
Jay grinned, kissing her again. “While you do that, I’m going to call my mom.” He hesitated. “I mean, unless you want me to wait until your folks know?”
“No - call her.” Desi giggled. “Not like I’m going to change my mind if my parents disapprove! Which they absolutely won’t.” She reassured him.
Billie and Richie were still in his kitchen - Richie pouring coffee while Billie removed the last of the char-cookies - Richie’s newly created word - from the tray. When they heard the muted buzz, Richie held up a hand to stall Billie as he took the few long strides required to get to the living room.
“Yours!” He yelled, squinting at the display. “It’s Jay.”
“Oh, the big-mouthed Jay-bird!” She replied, meeting him halfway as Richie brought the phone to her. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure.” He gave her one of his ‘special’ grins - soft yet striking, subtly sexy and devilishly mischievous. A grin to kill - or at least mortally wound - a lesser woman.
Billie grinned back at him, her own expression more relaxed than he’d seen her since the assault. Answering the call, she faked annoyance.
“You have some explaining to do, mister!” She barked, though her grin softened the sound. “Telling Richie about my birthday?!”
“Uh, yeah, sorry about that, mom.” He sounded anything but sorry, though, and Billie was about to find out why. “I have something to tell you.”
“Something good I hope. Oh, thanks.” The aside to Richie as he handed her a steaming mug.
“Yeah. Well, I think so. You sitting down?”
“Nope.”
Here goes. Thought Jay, taking a deep breath. “Thing is…….I uhhh……… I proposed to Desi, mom. And she said yes. We’re going to get married!”
“What?!” This, Billie hadn’t expected. But she couldn’t honestly say it was a bad thing - Jay was clearly besotted with the pretty young nurse, and she seemed just as deeply in love with him. There was only one thing Billie could say. “Congratulations! Wow……does she know what she’s letting herself in for?”
Of course Jay, raised by Billie, inheriting her broad streak of sarcasm and her biting humor didn’t take even a second’s offense, firing back a response.
“Sure she does, mom. She’s met you before.”
“Smartass.” Billie muttered, grinning, seeing the curious expression on Richie’s face, holding her hand up to gesture that she’d tell him the news when she finished the call. “Don’t think that this gets you off the hook for telling Richie about my birthday, though. I still need to kick your ass for that one.”
Jay chuckled. “You may have to get in line…….we’re going over to see Desi’s parents……I haven’t even met them yet. Her dad may not be happy!”
“Well, if he has a problem with my baby boy, he has to deal with me!” Billie told him with a grin. “And I doubt he’s that brave, so you’ll be fine.”
Richie’s curiosity was starting to become glaringly obvious, but he was going to have to wait another few seconds, as his own phone now buzzed, demanding attention. He picked it up, checking the display, then wandered over to the tall windows as he answered the call, wanting just a little privacy. Billie watched him for a moment, then her voice softened as she again addressed her son.
“I really am happy for you both, Jay.” She said. “I’m not going to give you any lectures about hardly knowing Desi or anything like that - you’re smart enough to know what you want, and Desi is sure as hell smart enough to say no if she didn’t want the same thing. Congratulations to you both.”
“Thanks mom.” Jay grinned at Desi as she walked out of the bedroom, nodding her head to confirm that, yes, her parents were in town. “Well, I guess we better get ready and go see Desi’s parents. How about we try to set up a dinner so you can all meet?”
“Sounds good, Jay. Bye.”
“Bye mom.”
“So what did Billie say?” Desi asked, honestly a little nervous - it was one thing to have your boyfriend’s mom like you, but quite another for her to become your mother-in-law, that dread creature, the butt of so many jokes.
“She said that you’re smart to marry me.” Jay tried, but Desi just laughed at him, so he had to correct himself. “Okay, okay, she said you’re smart enough to say no if you didn’t want to marry me, so she’s happy for us both. She also said that if your dad didn’t like me he’d have to deal with her!”
“Oh, trust me, baby, I can handle my dad.” She assured him, sliding her arms around his waist and stepping in close. “I love you, Jay.”
“I love you too, Karenza Desiree.”
While Billie and Jay had been talking, Richie’s call was from Jon, which was why he’d taken it over by the windows. After the initial pleasantries, he’d quickly and quietly told his buddy that Jay had called to give him a heads-up on Billie’s birthday, and he outlined the plan for the surprise party.
“So can you let the rest of the guys know?” He asked Jon in a hushed tone. “Don’t even let her know you know about her birthday - hell, she’s already pissed at Jay for telling me, so I don’t need her getting mad at me too, for spilling it to everyone else.”
“Okay, sure.” Jon had to ask. “And Jay wants us - me - there?”
“Yep.” One little white lie wouldn’t hurt anyone, Richie decided, knowing how much that would mean to Jon, not even needing to be able to see his friend of so many years to know he’d just broken out that megawatt grin.
“Anyway…….reason I called……need to start a bit later today - I got some stuff to take care of.” He chuckled suddenly. “Maybe we should see if we can still pull an all-nighter. You up for it?”
“Hell yeah.” A slight frown. “Billie was gonna come out today, though. She made Teek’s cookies!”
“Uhhh……well, let her know the plan.” Jon shrugged. “If there’s one thing I got, it’s plenty of bedrooms - she can stay too, if she likes.”
“Okay.” Richie looked over at Billie, seeing her now apparently texting someone. He lowered his voice. “I’d rather not leave her alone here today anyway.”
“Why not?”
“Aw, she had another……umm……..wobble a little while ago.” He said carefully, hearing Jon’s soft, automatic reaction.
“That sick motherfucker…….”
“Yeah, but she’s okay now. Of course, she did charcoal a batch of cookies, so a late start will let her make more!”
“Jesus - you’re worse than a kid!” Jon chuckled, then his call waiting beeped. “Ugh. Okay, later, bro.”
Snapping his phone shut, Richie moved toward Billie as her phone buzzed again, and she quickly read the text reply from Jay before grinning and looking at Richie.
“Okay, the curiosity’s killing me……..spill!” He demanded.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Chapter 76
Sitting in his apartment, Jay smiled silently at Desi sleeping next to him, her hair disarrayed on the pillow from the thrashing of her head as he’d brought her to orgasm. Repeatedly, which accounted for her current comatose condition.
‘I may be inexperienced’ he thought ‘but apparently I have skills……natural ones. I wonder if I get that from my……….oooohkaaay stop that thought! I do not need to be thinking about my mom and….him…..’
Shoving the thoughts out of his head, Jay picked up his wallet, scratching through the receipts stuffed in the back until he found one from Cuba Libre. He dialled the number printed on the receipt, reaching to stroke Desi’s hair as the phone began to ring.
He was in luck, as Hannah answered the phone. Not only was Hannah the co-ordinator of events at the club, but he’d also met her on a few occasions, so when he explained what he was looking for she was immediately helpful. More than aware of the amount of business the team gave the club - and also knowing what such a high profile party would do for their bottom line - she didn’t even bother to check with her boss before telling Jay that she would close the club for the party.
“You don’t have to…….” Jay’s voice trailed off as he realised maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea, and Hannah echoed his own thoughts.
“I was just thinking, after what your mom has been through - I saw it in the papers.” She added quickly. “That keeping this a closed party would be a good idea. Plus with all the team here……”
“And my………uhh………boss and his guys want to come.”
“Then I definitely think we keep this a private party.” She repeated, knowing that having the band there would create even more of a buzz………not to mention ensure that practically every Bon Jovi fan who visited the city would want to come party once they found out ‘the guys’ had been there.
“Yeah, you’re right. But remember it’s a surprise party…….” His voice trailed off as he thought, but he knew Richie would be more than able - and definitely willing - to somehow get his mom there under false pretences. “Okay, let’s do it. I’ll handle getting my mom there.”
By his side, Desi stirred, moaning - actually more like purring - as she woke with a smile and drowsy, sexy eyes. She raised a hand to cover Jay’s as he still stroked her hair, looking up at him as he finished his call. Watching her as he talked, Jay felt a sudden certainty, a knowledge that there was something he had to do right now, and he said goodbye to Hannah and snapped his phone shut, sliding down the bed to lie level with Desi.
“Hi.” She whispered, moving her hand to trace a finger across his lips as he smiled at her.
“Hi.” Jay replied, catching her hand and holding it between them as he continued, looking into her eyes. “Desi?”
“Mm-hm?”
“Desi, will you marry me?”
At that unexpected question, her eyes flew wide.
In another Philadelphia apartment - penthouse - someone else was pondering an unexpected question. Fortunately, though, that someone was a man given to swift decisions, and he smiled down into eyes as brown as his own.
“Abso-fuckin-lutely.” Richie purred with a soft grin on his lips, then he leaned forward just a little, touching his still-smiling lips against Billie’s.
It was a soft kiss, tender and almost chaste, his lips just barely caressing hers before he drew back to look at her, needing to check she was ready for this.
Billie drew her lower lip into her mouth, tasting him, tasting cookies and coffee, but most of all tasting Richie. Shifting her position, she freed her arms from his, bringing both hands up to cup his tanned face, her thumbs brushing over the crinkled lines at the corners of his smiling eyes.
“Kiss me Richie.” She repeated, and this time it was a demand for more. More which he was happy to give.
This time as he kissed her his lips parted, then so did hers, a shared breath before Richie’s hand cupped her head again, tilting her so they could more perfectly fit their mouths together. A touch of tongue on tongue, yet still the kiss was gentle, an introduction, neither yet ready for a passionate, consuming contact.
That first kiss was savored slowly and deliberately, more meaningful than any wild passion, pleasure taken from every touch and nuance, every slow stroke of tongue on tongue, every taste and sensation they found in each other. Then, in a shared moment of perfect timing, they both drew back a little, looking just a little surprised.
“Umm…...” Billie whispered.
“Yeah.” Richie responded, his big hand stroking her hair.
Only now did they both become aware of the sound of an alarm going off in the apartment, realizing that it must have been sounding for quite some time as they both smelled smoke.
“Damn…..” Pulling herself reluctantly out of Richie’s arms, Billie gave a wry grin at the confused look on his face. “Tico will not be happy!”
“Huh?” He still didn’t get it, even as she stood and headed for the kitchen.
“Cookies!” Billie called over her shoulder, grabbing a towel and flapping it ineffectively under the screaming smoke alarm.
Richie was laughing as he arrived in the kitchen, seeing the smoke wisping from the oven door. He took the towel from Billie, inches enough taller than her that he just flipped open the cover on the alarm, yanking the battery from the terminals, silencing the annoying sound.
“You tryin’ to burn down my apartment?” He chuckled as Billie opened the oven, pulling out a tray of seriously burnt cookies.
“Sorry!” She giggled, sincere but amused nonetheless. Poking at the cookies with a spatula, she rolled her eyes. “I don’t think even David will eat these.”
“Good thing you got more cookie dough.” Richie smiled as he stuck a finger in the bowl, lifting out a glob of dough that went straight into his mouth.
“Well, I do for now!” Billie rolled her eyes at his childlike action, then did the same thing herself. Yeah, so the faceless ‘they’ who said what was and wasn’t good for you said that raw cookie dough was bad, but damn it tasted good.
Though they didn’t regret it - not for a minute - neither of them mentioned their kiss, both trying to work it through in their minds, trying to figure out what exactly was going on here. Yet somehow, even right now, there was no awkwardness between them, and in the comfortable, companionable silence they so often found themselves in, Billie carried the tray of charcoaled cookies to the trash can, scraping off what she could before taking the tray to the sink, trying to soak off the remains.
‘I may be inexperienced’ he thought ‘but apparently I have skills……natural ones. I wonder if I get that from my……….oooohkaaay stop that thought! I do not need to be thinking about my mom and….him…..’
Shoving the thoughts out of his head, Jay picked up his wallet, scratching through the receipts stuffed in the back until he found one from Cuba Libre. He dialled the number printed on the receipt, reaching to stroke Desi’s hair as the phone began to ring.
He was in luck, as Hannah answered the phone. Not only was Hannah the co-ordinator of events at the club, but he’d also met her on a few occasions, so when he explained what he was looking for she was immediately helpful. More than aware of the amount of business the team gave the club - and also knowing what such a high profile party would do for their bottom line - she didn’t even bother to check with her boss before telling Jay that she would close the club for the party.
“You don’t have to…….” Jay’s voice trailed off as he realised maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea, and Hannah echoed his own thoughts.
“I was just thinking, after what your mom has been through - I saw it in the papers.” She added quickly. “That keeping this a closed party would be a good idea. Plus with all the team here……”
“And my………uhh………boss and his guys want to come.”
“Then I definitely think we keep this a private party.” She repeated, knowing that having the band there would create even more of a buzz………not to mention ensure that practically every Bon Jovi fan who visited the city would want to come party once they found out ‘the guys’ had been there.
“Yeah, you’re right. But remember it’s a surprise party…….” His voice trailed off as he thought, but he knew Richie would be more than able - and definitely willing - to somehow get his mom there under false pretences. “Okay, let’s do it. I’ll handle getting my mom there.”
By his side, Desi stirred, moaning - actually more like purring - as she woke with a smile and drowsy, sexy eyes. She raised a hand to cover Jay’s as he still stroked her hair, looking up at him as he finished his call. Watching her as he talked, Jay felt a sudden certainty, a knowledge that there was something he had to do right now, and he said goodbye to Hannah and snapped his phone shut, sliding down the bed to lie level with Desi.
“Hi.” She whispered, moving her hand to trace a finger across his lips as he smiled at her.
“Hi.” Jay replied, catching her hand and holding it between them as he continued, looking into her eyes. “Desi?”
“Mm-hm?”
“Desi, will you marry me?”
At that unexpected question, her eyes flew wide.
In another Philadelphia apartment - penthouse - someone else was pondering an unexpected question. Fortunately, though, that someone was a man given to swift decisions, and he smiled down into eyes as brown as his own.
“Abso-fuckin-lutely.” Richie purred with a soft grin on his lips, then he leaned forward just a little, touching his still-smiling lips against Billie’s.
It was a soft kiss, tender and almost chaste, his lips just barely caressing hers before he drew back to look at her, needing to check she was ready for this.
Billie drew her lower lip into her mouth, tasting him, tasting cookies and coffee, but most of all tasting Richie. Shifting her position, she freed her arms from his, bringing both hands up to cup his tanned face, her thumbs brushing over the crinkled lines at the corners of his smiling eyes.
“Kiss me Richie.” She repeated, and this time it was a demand for more. More which he was happy to give.
This time as he kissed her his lips parted, then so did hers, a shared breath before Richie’s hand cupped her head again, tilting her so they could more perfectly fit their mouths together. A touch of tongue on tongue, yet still the kiss was gentle, an introduction, neither yet ready for a passionate, consuming contact.
That first kiss was savored slowly and deliberately, more meaningful than any wild passion, pleasure taken from every touch and nuance, every slow stroke of tongue on tongue, every taste and sensation they found in each other. Then, in a shared moment of perfect timing, they both drew back a little, looking just a little surprised.
“Umm…...” Billie whispered.
“Yeah.” Richie responded, his big hand stroking her hair.
Only now did they both become aware of the sound of an alarm going off in the apartment, realizing that it must have been sounding for quite some time as they both smelled smoke.
“Damn…..” Pulling herself reluctantly out of Richie’s arms, Billie gave a wry grin at the confused look on his face. “Tico will not be happy!”
“Huh?” He still didn’t get it, even as she stood and headed for the kitchen.
“Cookies!” Billie called over her shoulder, grabbing a towel and flapping it ineffectively under the screaming smoke alarm.
Richie was laughing as he arrived in the kitchen, seeing the smoke wisping from the oven door. He took the towel from Billie, inches enough taller than her that he just flipped open the cover on the alarm, yanking the battery from the terminals, silencing the annoying sound.
“You tryin’ to burn down my apartment?” He chuckled as Billie opened the oven, pulling out a tray of seriously burnt cookies.
“Sorry!” She giggled, sincere but amused nonetheless. Poking at the cookies with a spatula, she rolled her eyes. “I don’t think even David will eat these.”
“Good thing you got more cookie dough.” Richie smiled as he stuck a finger in the bowl, lifting out a glob of dough that went straight into his mouth.
“Well, I do for now!” Billie rolled her eyes at his childlike action, then did the same thing herself. Yeah, so the faceless ‘they’ who said what was and wasn’t good for you said that raw cookie dough was bad, but damn it tasted good.
Though they didn’t regret it - not for a minute - neither of them mentioned their kiss, both trying to work it through in their minds, trying to figure out what exactly was going on here. Yet somehow, even right now, there was no awkwardness between them, and in the comfortable, companionable silence they so often found themselves in, Billie carried the tray of charcoaled cookies to the trash can, scraping off what she could before taking the tray to the sink, trying to soak off the remains.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Chapter 75
Billie was in Richie’s steel and granite kitchen, mixing up a batch of cookie dough, since Tico had practically begged her to make more cookies ‘to help me put up wit’ his shit’ as he put it, with a theatrical nod toward Jon, last time she’d been in the studio. His favorites were her white chocolate and macadamia ones, made from scratch - no pre-packaged mixes for this lady - the way her mother had taught her many years before.
From the direction of the living room, she heard the dull buzz of a cellphone vibrating on the coffee table, and she paused in her stirring, waiting.
“Mine!” Richie yelled from his couch as he grabbed the offending phone, and Billie started back to what she was doing as he answered the call, the display already forewarning him of the caller.
“Hey kid. What’s up?”
“Hey Richie.” Came that voice that was young-Jon, yet not Jon. Richie wasn’t sure if he’d ever get used to that. “Is mom around?”
“Yeah. You want……..”
“No! No, I don’t want to talk to her - wanted to talk to you. Can she hear you?”
“Noooo……….” Richie sat up a little straighter, listening carefully. “Is everything okay?”
“Aw shit - sorry - yeah. Everything’s fine.” A soft chuckle. “Better than fine I guess…..but that’s not why I called. It’s mom’s birthday next week - Friday - and I was thinking of setting up a little surprise party, and since she’s staying there I could use your help.”
“Ahhhh……” Richie said wisely. And pointlessly. “Whaddya need me to do?”
“I was hoping you could handle keeping her busy all that day, then get her to the party around eight o’clock.”
Richie bit back any smartass remarks about how he could keep her busy all day, or how he’d like to keep her busy all day, and thought for a minute.
“Okay. Where do we need to be?”
“I was thinking Cuba Libre, on South Second. I know most of the team will want to be there, and they - okay we - hang out there a lot. Good food, too.”
“Cube Libre.” Richie murmured, thinking. “Don’t think I’ve been there. Guess Teek will be happy you’ve chosen somewhere with Cuban food.” A pause. “I mean, if you were planning to invite the guys?”
Jay blinked in surprise, sitting on the bed of his apartment. Somehow it hadn’t occurred to him that the members of the band would want to join the celebration. “Uh - sure! I mean, of course, if you think they’d want to come?”
“Kid, at this very moment your mom is baking cookies specially for Tico. At his request.” A smirk, unseen by Jay, but heard in the next words. “Actually, make that demand. His payment for putting up with your…….uh, with Jon.”
“Thanks.” Jay said softly, not having to explain that his gratitude was for Richie carefully sidestepping calling Jon his father. He may not be able to change it, he - and the world - may be aware of it, but he still wasn’t used to it…..and he wasn’t sure he ever would be.
“So next Friday, right?” Richie queried, turning his head as Billie walked into the room carrying a kitchen towel, weighed down with a fresh, hot cookie in the center.
“Yeah. Thanks Richie.”
Billie laid the cookie on Richie’s knee, starting slightly when he caught her hand as she started to walk away. When she looked down at him, though, he just mouthed ‘thank you’ with a grin, and she grinned as she mouthed back ‘you’re welcome’. He kept hold of her fingers, though, pulling gently to make her stay, and she stopped with a slight frown, waiting for him to finish his call so she could find out why.
“Okay. Thanks for letting me know. Bye.”
“Bye.” Jay replied, hanging up the phone as Richie did the same before looking up at Billie.
“What?” She asked, confused.
“A little bird just told me that somebody has a birthday next week.” He smirked up at her, finally releasing her hand as he picked up the cookie instead. “Kept that quiet, didn’t ya?”
“Ugh. I assume that would be a little Jay-bird? He’ll be a black-and-blue-Jay when I get my hands on him! I don’t really celebrate my birthday.”
“Why not?”
“Why? Celebrate getting older? Celebrate managing to survi……..” She paused, cutting herself off, but Richie finished it for her.
“Celebrate managing to survive another year?” He completed before continuing quietly. “I’d think that this year of all years you should be celebrating.”
“Maybe.” Billie whispered tonelessly, dropping to sit on the other couch as those simple words reminded her again of what had happened, of how close she’d been to death just a short time before. Reminded her of too much, bringing back the horror and disgust in a shuddering wave that ripped through her, leaving her fighting for breath, taking her from amusement to an anxiety attack in seconds. “I ca…..I can’t breathe…………” She gasped helplessly, no longer even seeing Richie as her eyes blurred in panic.
“Aw fuck.” Richie muttered as he moved toward Billie, not even noticing when the cookie hit the floor. He hated this.
It wasn’t that he blamed Billie for the sudden, though thankfully rare, anxiety attacks. Wasn’t that he thought she was being melodramatic or playing for sympathy. Far from it. He hated seeing a strong woman in such abject panic because of the actions of some pathetic asshole. Hated seeing her lose the control she obviously valued so highly, hated seeing her hurt so badly. Hated seeing her so close to being broken.
Most of all, he hated that he couldn’t do anything to make it stop.
So he did the only thing he could. When the panic and terror hit her, when she was lost in those dark memories, he held her close and kept her safe.
“Billie.” He murmured as he got to her, repeating her name as he gently touched her knee.
Blinded by her fear, Billie bolted backward on the couch, her voice rising in a bubbling scream.
“Noooooo!” She lashed out with both fists and feet, fighting him off as Richie tried to gain control of her.
“Billie, it’s me…..it’s Richie……you’re safe darlin’.” He finally managed to get past the flailing fists, wrapping his arms around her, holding her arms pinned against her body and just doing his best to avoid the knees that she aimed at his groin, catching the blows on his thigh instead. “C’mon cowgirl…………it’s me…….shhhh……..”
As she slowly stopped fighting him, Richie shifted his grip, one arm around her body, the other hand cradling her head, holding her close against his own broad body as she gasped for air, gulping and sobbing, drawing strength from Richie as she fought for control.
“That’s it, Billie……..breathe, darlin’. Take it slow…….you’re okay. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” Richie encouraged her, stroking her hair as tenderly as though she were Ava in the grip of a nightmare, even though his feelings were far from paternal. “I got you baby.”
Blinking rapidly, Billie finally managed to get past the panic, finally saw Richie’s chest in her field of vision, felt the arms around her and knew they were his. He felt it, too, felt her breathing hitch then fall back into a more natural rhythm, and he eased his head back to look down at her.
“Better?”
“Uh huh.” Billie looked up at him, brown eyes meeting brown eyes, seeing his gentle smile, and the words came out of her mouth without conscious thought. “Kiss me, Richie?”
From the direction of the living room, she heard the dull buzz of a cellphone vibrating on the coffee table, and she paused in her stirring, waiting.
“Mine!” Richie yelled from his couch as he grabbed the offending phone, and Billie started back to what she was doing as he answered the call, the display already forewarning him of the caller.
“Hey kid. What’s up?”
“Hey Richie.” Came that voice that was young-Jon, yet not Jon. Richie wasn’t sure if he’d ever get used to that. “Is mom around?”
“Yeah. You want……..”
“No! No, I don’t want to talk to her - wanted to talk to you. Can she hear you?”
“Noooo……….” Richie sat up a little straighter, listening carefully. “Is everything okay?”
“Aw shit - sorry - yeah. Everything’s fine.” A soft chuckle. “Better than fine I guess…..but that’s not why I called. It’s mom’s birthday next week - Friday - and I was thinking of setting up a little surprise party, and since she’s staying there I could use your help.”
“Ahhhh……” Richie said wisely. And pointlessly. “Whaddya need me to do?”
“I was hoping you could handle keeping her busy all that day, then get her to the party around eight o’clock.”
Richie bit back any smartass remarks about how he could keep her busy all day, or how he’d like to keep her busy all day, and thought for a minute.
“Okay. Where do we need to be?”
“I was thinking Cuba Libre, on South Second. I know most of the team will want to be there, and they - okay we - hang out there a lot. Good food, too.”
“Cube Libre.” Richie murmured, thinking. “Don’t think I’ve been there. Guess Teek will be happy you’ve chosen somewhere with Cuban food.” A pause. “I mean, if you were planning to invite the guys?”
Jay blinked in surprise, sitting on the bed of his apartment. Somehow it hadn’t occurred to him that the members of the band would want to join the celebration. “Uh - sure! I mean, of course, if you think they’d want to come?”
“Kid, at this very moment your mom is baking cookies specially for Tico. At his request.” A smirk, unseen by Jay, but heard in the next words. “Actually, make that demand. His payment for putting up with your…….uh, with Jon.”
“Thanks.” Jay said softly, not having to explain that his gratitude was for Richie carefully sidestepping calling Jon his father. He may not be able to change it, he - and the world - may be aware of it, but he still wasn’t used to it…..and he wasn’t sure he ever would be.
“So next Friday, right?” Richie queried, turning his head as Billie walked into the room carrying a kitchen towel, weighed down with a fresh, hot cookie in the center.
“Yeah. Thanks Richie.”
Billie laid the cookie on Richie’s knee, starting slightly when he caught her hand as she started to walk away. When she looked down at him, though, he just mouthed ‘thank you’ with a grin, and she grinned as she mouthed back ‘you’re welcome’. He kept hold of her fingers, though, pulling gently to make her stay, and she stopped with a slight frown, waiting for him to finish his call so she could find out why.
“Okay. Thanks for letting me know. Bye.”
“Bye.” Jay replied, hanging up the phone as Richie did the same before looking up at Billie.
“What?” She asked, confused.
“A little bird just told me that somebody has a birthday next week.” He smirked up at her, finally releasing her hand as he picked up the cookie instead. “Kept that quiet, didn’t ya?”
“Ugh. I assume that would be a little Jay-bird? He’ll be a black-and-blue-Jay when I get my hands on him! I don’t really celebrate my birthday.”
“Why not?”
“Why? Celebrate getting older? Celebrate managing to survi……..” She paused, cutting herself off, but Richie finished it for her.
“Celebrate managing to survive another year?” He completed before continuing quietly. “I’d think that this year of all years you should be celebrating.”
“Maybe.” Billie whispered tonelessly, dropping to sit on the other couch as those simple words reminded her again of what had happened, of how close she’d been to death just a short time before. Reminded her of too much, bringing back the horror and disgust in a shuddering wave that ripped through her, leaving her fighting for breath, taking her from amusement to an anxiety attack in seconds. “I ca…..I can’t breathe…………” She gasped helplessly, no longer even seeing Richie as her eyes blurred in panic.
“Aw fuck.” Richie muttered as he moved toward Billie, not even noticing when the cookie hit the floor. He hated this.
It wasn’t that he blamed Billie for the sudden, though thankfully rare, anxiety attacks. Wasn’t that he thought she was being melodramatic or playing for sympathy. Far from it. He hated seeing a strong woman in such abject panic because of the actions of some pathetic asshole. Hated seeing her lose the control she obviously valued so highly, hated seeing her hurt so badly. Hated seeing her so close to being broken.
Most of all, he hated that he couldn’t do anything to make it stop.
So he did the only thing he could. When the panic and terror hit her, when she was lost in those dark memories, he held her close and kept her safe.
“Billie.” He murmured as he got to her, repeating her name as he gently touched her knee.
Blinded by her fear, Billie bolted backward on the couch, her voice rising in a bubbling scream.
“Noooooo!” She lashed out with both fists and feet, fighting him off as Richie tried to gain control of her.
“Billie, it’s me…..it’s Richie……you’re safe darlin’.” He finally managed to get past the flailing fists, wrapping his arms around her, holding her arms pinned against her body and just doing his best to avoid the knees that she aimed at his groin, catching the blows on his thigh instead. “C’mon cowgirl…………it’s me…….shhhh……..”
As she slowly stopped fighting him, Richie shifted his grip, one arm around her body, the other hand cradling her head, holding her close against his own broad body as she gasped for air, gulping and sobbing, drawing strength from Richie as she fought for control.
“That’s it, Billie……..breathe, darlin’. Take it slow…….you’re okay. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” Richie encouraged her, stroking her hair as tenderly as though she were Ava in the grip of a nightmare, even though his feelings were far from paternal. “I got you baby.”
Blinking rapidly, Billie finally managed to get past the panic, finally saw Richie’s chest in her field of vision, felt the arms around her and knew they were his. He felt it, too, felt her breathing hitch then fall back into a more natural rhythm, and he eased his head back to look down at her.
“Better?”
“Uh huh.” Billie looked up at him, brown eyes meeting brown eyes, seeing his gentle smile, and the words came out of her mouth without conscious thought. “Kiss me, Richie?”
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