Chapter 63
"Hey 'Outlaw'," greeted Tico and he gave her a kiss on the cheek. "How do you feel?"
"I'm a LOT better now that I've had plenty of sleep, a couple showers, and food."
Richie grabbed her from behind as he said, "Yeah, we're gonna have to go buy her a whole new wardrobe because she's eaten like all four of us put together! I know she's put on ten pounds with just one meal!"
"Okay, smart-ass! You were the one who kept pushing food onto my plate," she sniped. "And YOU ate twice as much as I did."
Everyone laughed and Richie gave her a kiss. "I'm going to talk to Jon. Why don't you go find Obie?"
"I can save you some time," said Dave as he joined them. "Jon, Obie, and Anthony are at the sound board talking about the 'Livin' on a Prayer' video winners."
"Good! Got them all in one spot," said Richie. "Come on, Jess. No better time than the present."
"What's going on?" asked Dave.
"Something for the wedding," answered Richie over his shoulder. "Come on...you two can be in on it too."
The foursome made their way through the venue out to the sound board, passing roadies and fans gathering for sound checks. They were laughing and talking about the shows and what they had been doing during their down time.
Jon spotted Jesse and Richie as they approached. "We were just talking about you two."
"Really? Why?" asked Jesse.
"We were just talking about what you wanted to do about inviting the fans."
"Good, that's what we came to talk to you about," said Richie and he explained what Jesse wanted to do.
"Sounds good," said Jon. "After we finish soundchecks, we'll do the video for the website."
"Jess, you should do one for your website," said Anthony. "To invite people to join and anyone who clicks on the site can see."
"What would I say?"
"I'll write something up while the guys are working."
Obie asked, "Got a photographer?"
Jon said, "Use ours. You need a picture of your ring too, Jesse."
"And we've got the pictures of Richie proposing," added Tico.
"Really?" asked Jesse.
"We were going to make a photo album for you to surprise you," said Dave.
"Thanks, guys," smiled Jesse resting her head on Richie's shoulder.
"Jess, I want you on stage tonight," said Jon, "for 'We've Got it Going On'."
"What am I going to do?"
"I thought you could do the public service announcement that Kenny does on the album."
"Have you lost your mind? You have already held me hostage through two songs."
"No, Richie held you hostage," pointed out Jon.
The guys laughed and Richie said, "I thought you liked being on stage with me."
""With you, yes, in front of all those people...NO!"
"Don't think about all those people," said Dave.
"Come on, we'll do it now and you can practice with us," said Jon.
"Jon," whined Jesse.
"Jesse!" countered Jon mimicking her whine. "Richie, carry your girlfriend to the stage and we'll get her a mic."
Richie started to pick her up but she spun around and glared, "Don't you DARE, RICHARD!"
"Not even married yet and she's calling you Richard," laughed Tico. "That's NOT good."
"Come on, Rich! She's five foot nothing, you can take her," taunted Jon.
"Uh huh! You don't have to sleep with her," smirked Richie grabbing her hands and pulling her to him. "Jesse, please come with me."
He gave her a pitiful, puppy-dog look and Jesse melted. She ran her hands across his chest as she said, "You don't play fair."
"You still love me, though," smiled Richie. "Come on, you can use my mic."
"Teach me how to use the talk box?"
"Sure."
"Jon, are you sure you want me on stage?"
"Of course! If you're any good, I might sign you on permanently."
"Haha...NO! This is Richie's world."
The group made their way up to the stage where they started sound checks. Jesse practiced with them for one song and was given her own mic. They also went through Richie talking about Jesse's website while she was on stage.
