Chapter 3
With the movie over, Richie’s phone vibrated in his pocket and he pulled it out. “Hello….okay, okay…I’m on my way now….I’m right next door….found someone to hang out with…Jon, CHILL. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Jon’s upset?” asked Jesse.
“A little. I forgot about the radio interview.”
“Will we be in the way?”
“No, not at all.”
Ashley joined the couple and Jesse said, “Richie has invited us to dinner with him and be his guests for the show.”
“WOW!
Thank you, Richie.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“I don’t suppose you could do the same for us for the Charlotte show, could you?”
“ASHLEY!” hissed Jesse.
Richie chuckled, “Don’t worry. I was going to offer them to you anyway…and include Stevie.”
“It’s not necessary, Richie,” insisted Jesse.
Putting his arm around her, he said, “Yes, it is. I want to see you again.”
“Really?” she asked, her eyebrows raised questioningly.
“Really. What’s the quickest way back?”
Richie’s bodyguard spoke up. “Go straight, boss. It’ll put us back at the loading dock.”
“There are going to be fans hanging out there,” pointed out Ashley.
“I’ve already radioed our head of security to let him know we’re coming.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out two ‘All Access’ lanyards. “Put these on. My focus if there’s a huge crowd is going to be getting Richie through safely and you may get separated. With these, security won’t hassle you.”
The girls took the lanyards, slipped them on, and followed Richie’s bodyguard.
As they walked, Richie said, “While I’m doing the radio interview, why don’t you call and check on Stevie?”
“I thought I would.” Just before they reached the main street, Jesse stopped him and stood in front of him. “I don’t want tonight to end without saying this.”
“Saying what?”
“I don’t know why you picked me but I’m glad you did. I’ve had a good time…thank you.”
Richie smiled, “You’re welcome, and I hope that we can spend more time together.”
“I’d like that.”
“Time to rock,” called Richie’s bodyguard as shrieks from fans interrupted the couple.
Richie took her hand and said, “Stay with me,” as his bodyguard stood between the couple and the fans. With Ashley behind them, the couple rushed into the Verizon Center amid the screams and camera flashes.
Inside, Richie looked at Jesse. “You do know that your picture is going to be everywhere tomorrow…including in the tabloids?”
“Yeah, I do know, and I’ll get hundreds of calls wanting to know what is going on with Richie Sambora and me,” she smiled.
“What are you going to tell them?”
“That I spent a wonderful afternoon taking in a movie and getting ice cream and then watching you perform one of your sold-out shows!”
“We’ll have to talk later about that,” he said. “Tony is going to take you to the green room where you two can hang out.”
“Okay.” Richie’s bodyguard stepped up and Jessed looked up at him. “I’m not going anywhere with you until you smile.”
Richie chuckled and walked off leaving this petite lady to deal with his hulking bodyguard.
“Come on ‘Outlaw Lady’,” smirked Tony and put his hand on her lower back. “Let me take you to the green room before you go causing more problems for me.”
Jesse shook her head. “That’s NOT a smile…it’s a smirk and it’s NOT going to work.”
From behind him, someone said, “Come on, Tony….she’s five foot nothing! You can take her.”
Giving that person a glare, Tony looked back down and smiled. “Let’s go.”
“That’s better. You don’t look so mean like that,” and Jesse and Ashley followed him to the green room.
