Chapter 88
"Promise me you'll be nice," pleaded Jesse as all the others piled out of the SUV.
"The perfect Southern Gentleman," promised Richie as he gave her a kiss.
"Uh, Richie...you're from Jersey...what do you know about being a Southern gentleman?" questioned Jesse as he got out of the SUV and circled the vehicle. He was laughing the whole way and she was worried. As he opened her door, she pinned him with a glare, "RICHARD!"
"I promise, Jess....I'm not going to do anything that he can misconstrue as being mean or nasty....even though I want to strangle him."
Spotting Kevin, Jesse took a deep breath and got out. Taking Richie's hand, they followed the others to an empty set of bleachers.
"Hey, Jesse," greeted Susan.
"Susan!! Where's Haley?"
"She's over on the bench with Stevie," she answered pointing her daughter. Then, in a whisper, she asked, "Is that REALLY the guys from Bon Jovi with you?"
Jesse smiled and nodded 'yes'. "Susan, this is my fiancé, Richie Sambora. Richie, this is Susan Moore. We went to school together."
"Nice to meet you, Susan," greeted Richie.
"Come sit with me," urged Jess.
"You're kidding?!"
"No! Come on!! We haven't had a chance to talk since I met Richie and we need to catch up," insisted Jesse as she pulled Susan with her. When they reached the bleachers, she introduced her to the others. "Susan, this is Jon, Tico, Dave, Jack, and my brothers Frank and Dakota. Guys, this is Susan Moore."
Everyone greeted Susan and the two friends took seats in front of them. Richie actually sat behind Jesse and put his hands on her shoulders as she leaned against his legs.
Stevie had spotted the group and now waved to them.
"Jess, I'm going to go over with Stevie," said Dakota.
"Okay. Tell him I said to do his best."
"So, who is the guy who brought Stevie? He looks familiar," asked Susan.
"He's Stevie's father and you probably know him because he use to be one of the Backstreet Boys....Kevin."
"OH MY GOD! How do you get so lucky? You have been hanging out with the Backstreet Boys ever since they were HUGE and now you're engaged to Richie Sambora!"
Jesse smiled, "Just lucky I guess."
"Let me see your ring." Jesse held her hand up and Susan took her hand. "Oh WOW! It's gorgeous, Jess!"
"Thanks! Richie had it designed specially for me."
"So how did he propose?"
Jesse and Susan continued to talk about Richie proposing until the game started and then they turned their attention to the kids.
As the kids were taking the field, Richie leaned over to whisper in Jesse's ear. "Your smile is lighting up the field."
Jesse leaned back into his arms. "That's cuz I'm in love!"
Richie kissed her on the cheek. "Kevin hasn't taken his eyes off you."
"So?"
"Aren't you worried?"
"No, because I'm with you."
Richie wrapped his arms around her as they watched Stevie get the first batter out. "Stevie is really good."
"Of course, he's my son!"
"No conceit in your family," shot Jon. "You got it all!"
"Uh huh!" smirked Jesse looking back at Jon.
"Did you play ball in school?" asked Tico.
"She was the best short stop on the team," answered Susan.
"Sounds right....SHORT stop," teased Richie.
Everyone laughed as Jesse looked over her shoulder at him. Softly, she said, "You don't seem to mind when we're in bed."
"Not at all. Good things come in small packages," he countered. "I love my short stop."
"You'd better!"
The couple went back to watching the game, everyone cheering for the kids no matter what happened. It was a really good game and Stevie did everything perfectly.
When the game was over, Jesse and her 'gang' made their way over to where Stevie's team and their parents were starting to gather. Stevie was standing with Kevin and Dakota but as soon as he spotted him mother, he started bouncing.
"MAMA! MAMA!"
"Hey," she laughed as he bounced into her arms. She picked him up and hugged him. "You were totally awesome today!"
"Thanks, Mama! POP, UNCLE TICO! Did you see me?"
"We saw it all, buddy," laughed Richie as he tousled his hair. "Your mom is right, you were awesome."
"Can we go to McDonald's now?" begged Stevie.
"How about we take your whole team?" suggested Jon.
Jesse said, "We need to talk to the coach so he can get the parents together."
"Why don't you go do that, Jess?" suggested Richie. "And tell Kevin too."
"Stevie, stay here, okay?"
"Yes ma'am."
Jesse looked around and spotted Kevin talking to the coach. She made her way over and as she approached, she heard the conversation.
"As soon as the kids get their drinks, we'll all gather over there and I'll let the parents know. I'm sure they'll appreciate it."
"Great. So, twenty minutes?"
"Sounds good." Seeing Jesse, the coach greeted her. "Hey, Jess! It's good to see you. Stevie is doing an outstanding job!"
"Thanks, Clay. He's definitely a natural. Clay, my fiancé and his friends want to treat the team to lunch at McDonald's."
"You're a little late. Kevin just offered the same thing."
"Really?" questioned Jesse as she glared at Kevin. "That's really nice of him."
"They played a good game and deserve a treat," smiled Kevin.
"You are going to join Stevie, aren't you?" asked Clay.
"Of course," smiled Jesse.
"We're gathering over there," pointed out Clay.
"We'll be over in a few minutes," answered Jesse. She watched Clay join some of the kids before turning on Kevin. "You JERK! You heard Jon suggest it!"
"Don't know what you're talking about, Jess."
"Are you so jealous that you can't stand for ANYONE to do something nice for Stevie?"
"What do I have to be jealous of? He's my son and I wanted to do something for him and his team. Are you going to join us?"
"YES! We're ALL going to join the kids but YOU are going to let the parents know that Jon, David, Tico, and Richie are in this WITH you!"
"Whatever you want, Jesse," answered Kevin condescendingly.
Jesse looked at him one last time, shook her head, and walked away.
Richie had looked over when the coach walked by and saw the confrontation between Kevin and Jesse. As she walked toward him, he saw the angry look on her face and stepped away from the group to meet her.
"What happened?"
"Kevin heard Jon make the suggestion and went to the coach first with the idea."
Richie shook his head, "Figures."
"I told him we were still going and he'd make sure the parents knew that he wasn't doing this alone...that you guys were in it too."
"Baby, let him have his glory. It's not worth getting upset over."
"I just don't want Stevie taken in by Kevin's trying to one up you. He's trying to compete with you for Stevie's affection."
Richie lifted her chin and wiped the angry tears. "Stevie sees it, Jess."
"How can you be sure?"
"The things Stevie has said to us...this morning and just a few minutes ago. Relax, the courts will see it too and you'll have your son back."
"You are so good for me."
"And don't you forget that, beautiful," smiled Richie as he took her in his arms hugging her tight. "Come on. Looks like the parents are starting to gather and Kevin is poised to share the news."
"And take the credit," mumbled Jesse as Richie wrapped his arm around her shoulders and they started towards the group.
As they joined the others, Richie said, "Guys, Kevin pitched the idea of treating the team before Jesse could. Just go with the flow. We're going to pick up part of the tab."
"Unbelievable," said Tico as they joined the parents.
When they were a part of the group, they listened as the coach talked to the kids about the game, complimenting them on what they did well and letting them know what they needed to work on. He reminded them of the next game and ended with the invitation to lunch.
"Stevie's dad, mom, and her friends," he pointed to the guys, "would like to treat the team and families to lunch at McDonald's."
The buzz of excitement spread through the crowd and intensified when they realized who the 'friends' were. You could hear the whispering as the parents said the guys' names and Jesse watched as Kevin's thunder slipped away.
"We'll all meet there in fifteen minutes," said Clay.
The crowd began to disperse and Stevie looked up at Kevin. "Can I ride with Mama, please?"
Kevin looked down at his son then up at Jesse who was talking to a friend with Richie's arm around her. "Sure, go on."
Stevie ran to his mother who scooped him up. "What's up?"
"Daddy said I could ride with you and Pop."
"Really?" smiled Jesse looking up at Richie. "Well, let's go."
