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.”