Chapter 82

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.

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.”

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?