Chapter 71
Jesse rolled over and looked at the clock beside the bed. It was almost eleven. She decided it was time to get up. Maybe Richie was back.
Going out into the living room, Jesse found Mrs. Sambora reading a book. “Good morning.”
Mrs. Sambora looked up. “Good morning, sweetheart. How do you feel?”
“Better. Where’s Richie?”
“He and Jon haven’t gotten back from breakfast?”
Jesse sat on the end of the couch curling her feet under her. “I thought you were going with him.”
“I decided to stay here. I knew he’d be worried about you and he needed to get out of the hotel for a little while.”
“Have you had breakfast?”
“I ordered something from room service after Richard left.”
“That’s good. I’m sorry I slept so long.”
“No problem. Richard said you weren’t feeling well. So, tell me more about yourself,” and it began. Mrs. Sambora fired questions at her to get to know her better.
Fifteen minutes after Jesse had joined Mrs. Sambora, Richie returned. Already angry over the problem with Amy, he snapped, “Damnit, Mama!! Stop with the interrogation! Jesse is under the microscope enough with the fans and press being with me. She doesn’t need YOU giving her the third degree!”
Jesse had realized the second he’d walked in that something was wrong so she had jumped up and was now in his arms. “Hey you!” she purred forcing him to look at her. “I missed you!”
Richie looked down at her, his eyes meeting hers, but it didn’t help his anger. “How long has she been doing this?”
“All she's doing is getting to know me, Richie. Come with me to the bedroom. I need your help with something,” and she started to their bedroom, his hand in hers.
Reluctantly, Richie followed her and Jon said softly, “Joan, I’m sure he’ll apologize as soon as she calms him down.”
“What happened to make him so angry?”
“Amy tried to blackmail him.”
In the bedroom, Jesse reached up to caress his forehead. “Rich, what happened while you were at breakfast?”
“I thought you needed help with something,” growled Richie.
“Yeah, finding out what pissed you off and made you act like an ass to your mother….AGAIN!” she said without raising her voice. “Now, do you want to tell me what happened?”
Richie remained silent and gathered her in his arms. Holding her tight, his face buried in her neck, taking in her scent. He was fighting the angry tears that had been building since breakfast but that fight was about to be lost. The dam broke and the tears fell into her hair and on her cheeks.
Jesse felt the hot liquid and it only confirmed what she already new. As she stroked his hair, she waited. After several minutes, she asked, “What happened, Richie?”
Richie let go of her and walked out onto the balcony. He stood looking at the ocean and Jesse followed him, wrapping her arms around him from behind as they stood there for several long, silent minutes.
“Richie?” she finally prompted gently.
“Amy tried to get me to come back to her by going after you.”
Jesse waited knowing he’d finish as soon as he had his anger in check again.
“Jon and I were at breakfast when she joined us. She had pictures of us and a copy of Stevie’s birth certificate. She had this huge story, most of it was true, but she was going to give it to the press if I didn’t take her back. She also wanted to tell you about my drinking too. Then I had to come back to Mama giving you the third degree.”
Jesse made him turn to face her and smiled as she reached up to caress his cheek. “Your mom was just trying to get to know me, Rich. I didn’t mind. And as for Amy, we both knew she might try something.”
“I called my attorney,” he said as he put his hand on hers and pressed a kiss into her palm. “He’s going to file a restraining order to keep her away from you and Stevie and to keep her from giving the story to anyone.”
“I need to give Kevin a call to let him know.”
“I did that after she left,” answered Richie. “I had your cell phone with me so it wouldn’t wake you.”
“Thank you.”
“Jesse, I’m so sorry. I never meant for something like this to happen.”
“It’s a part of your world, Richie…people wanting to get closer to you. As long as I have you, I’ll be okay. The one you NEED to apologize to is your mother.”
“Damn, I have totally screwed up with her. How do I make it right?”
“She’s your mom, just apologize and it’ll be okay,” reassured Jesse as she stood on her toes to kiss him.
Richie’s own cell phone began to ring and he let go of Jesse to answer it.
“Go talk to your mother. I’ll handle this for you,” instructed Jesse taking the phone. “Richie Sambora’s secretary. How may I help you this morning?”
Richie smiled, kissed her on the cheek, and headed to talk to his mother while Jesse took care of the phone call.
