Fourteen

He watched his little video grinning like the cat that caught the canary. If that didn’t prove who he was nothing would. As he watched, his brow lifted, his blue eyes intent upon what he was viewing. Hmmm, can’t show just King and myself, if I do that she might, just might get suspicious. Standing he moved to his case and pulled his trusty camcorder out and headed out of his hotel room. It was time to beard the lion in his den, and waking Jon up after a late night flight was just that.

Fifteen minutes later, his ears nearly bleeding from the cursing out, he wandered back into the hall. Man would Rosary just love the hell out of that part. Wake up the man, refuse to leave until he uttered the magic phrase, which just happened to be RosaryDarlin, and get the finger, all in the space of three minutes. Damn he was good.

Moving down the hall he knocked on Tico’s door and with a bit of persuasion and a nifty “I’m planning a joke” story he had Tico uttering the magic words. His grin widened as another thought began to percolate, he’d never gotten Richie to say the words and he had to have it, without making it obvious that Richie was on the board like him. He wanted to prove things to Rosary, but he didn’t wanna fuck up Richie’s fun.

Oddly enough since Richie had found that crazy fan forum and had started writing, he’d calmed a bit. The last couple of years had been hard on the man, he just wasn’t the fun loving goof they all cared about, a serious semi-morose jackass had taken his place. Goddamned ex-wives knew how to suck the life right out of you. Richie had suffered and it showed in his actions and on his face, he even looked old. Since finding a little niche in that the forum and communicating with a person that knew nothing of his problems he’d started smiling again and he didn’t wanna screw that up. How the hell do I get him to say it? There’s just no way, she’ll have to be satisfied with the footage I have of him.

Returning to his suite he plugged the camcorder in to his computer and sat down ready to start editing his little movie. Before he even got the chance to pull up the editing program a knock sounded at his door. “Yeah who is it?”

Richie’s gruff voice filtered back through the closed door. “It’s me man, lemme in.”

David stood and made his way to the door and flung it open. “See I knew you loved me. What’s up man?” He walked back over to his computer and flopped down, his hand resting on the top of the camcorder. “So what’s so important that you come to see me?”

“Fucking internet is screwed in my room dude, can’t seem to get a freaking signal. Mind if I camp out in here for a few?” Richie glanced around the hotel room and grinned to see a chair beside the window. Perfect, should be able to get a signal at least this room is facing north. His satellite connection was based on, oh hell, he didn’t get it he just knew his south facing room sucked for a connection.

David angled the camera towards Richie and hit the record button. “What’s got you all hot and heavy to get on the net today my brother?”

Richie growled, “It’s been fuckin’ days man, days since I was honest and told her about being a guy, days since she posted a fuckin’ chapter. Shit if I wasn’t on tour I’d….”

David’s brow arched. Richie in a snit over a girl? Well that was a new one, especially some girl he’d never even met. “You’d what man?” He wanted to hear this one, it was bound to be good.

“I dunno what damn it all, but I’d figure something out.” Richie moved over to the window and plopped into a chair, his laptop opening before he said another word. “I dunno what it is about this place, or that one particular person, but I like it. Hell I like creating a new world and well I gotta admit she’s fun to talk too, has a very different outlook on things than most people.” He glanced up at David and shrugged. “It’s a better way to occupy my time than brooding and drinking, ya gotta admit that.”

David nodded, he was right about that at least. “So, maybe its cuz she just treats ya like any other guy, you’re not *Richie Sambora* ya know?”

Richie shrugged as a smile bloomed on his lips. “Yeah maybe it’s that man. All I know is I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next. Linds is just a cool person.”

David’s brow arched, “Who the hell is Linds?”

Richie glanced up, his eyes sparkling. “You know the girl whose story you read? RosaryDarlin. Her name is Linds.”

David nodded vigorously. “Ohh yeah right, Rosary Darlin.” He slid his finger over the record button and stopped the camcorder. Gotcha.

As Richie settled into the chair, his fingers tapping away on the keyboard, David grinned and loaded the newest recording to his computer. He had a wealth of stuff now. He’d give Rosary the proof she wanted.

~~~

Richie opened the forum and started to smile as the most beautiful flashing icon in his world caught his attention. Opening up the message center he quickly clicked on the subject and began to read. He snorted at being called un-Jovi like, Well she doesn’t know any better, I’ll forgive her that.

As he read about the scruff his eyes went wide. Well hell they even liked it when they were too fuckin’ lazy to shave? The women he’d dated over time always bitched when he let the beard grow, even the least little bit, yet here was a woman who not only thought it sexy, but was seemingly upset cuz he had kept it shaved. Hell she even admitted to thinking grey was sexy?

So she worked in Accounting for the town, but didn’t seem to thrilled with it as it only paid the bills. Well Woodbridge wasn’t that big, she probably didn’t make that much and it made clearer why she complained about Jovi ticket prices. He’d have to see about that, all good Jovi fans deserved to see at least one concert in their life. He’d check with Jon on when their next US gig was close enough to Jersey for Linds to attend with no trouble. He’d arrange a small surprise for his new and favorite writer.


A softly uttered, “about fuckin time,” whistled over his lips as he read about the new chapter that she’d be posting soon. He’d wait to read that until he was alone, no need to give the Joker shit to razz on him about, but he could at least respond to her message safely. Opening the reply box he grinned and started to type.

Well hello Darlin,

How’s Linds today? Feeling her oats it seems. Thanks for the definition of scruff, I’ll be sure to remember that one for a long time to come.

Now Darlin’ all men aren’t like that. Some do like the type of woman you describe, hell I Like that type of woman, just haven’t had the pleasure of running into many in my life. Wanna alert me to where they are? I’ll have to go find me one. You’re right, making love is definitely better than fucking around, although in my earlier years I did a hell of a sight more of one than the other, and now that I can appreciate it, well it’s hiding from me. Maybe when my life is less hectic, because I’m busy busy now. Ain’t that grand? Too busy for love? Not really, but with what I’m doing its not like I can go on the hunt for what we agree would be a wonderful thing.

Hmm, the one question I’d ask and who….. Richie leaned back in the chair his hand reaching to absentmindedly stroke his chin as he considered what the hell to say. Nodding he leaned forward his long fingers again tapping madly on the keyboard. Ok I think I’d have to ask Tico what the hell it is about golf. Man I’ve tried that game, it drives me nuts. I’m more of a football kinda guy I guess. So who would YOU ask and what would you ask? What is it you really wanna know about that one person? I’m dying to know here.

You wrote a chapter ? Can’t wait to see it. I’ll post a response to it after it’s had time to stew in my brain. Talk at ya later Darlin, things to do, people to see and all that.

S.

Richie glanced up after sending the personal message and saw that David was intently tinkering with something on his computer. He turned back to the forum and was quickly reading the chapter posted by Linds. Well holy fuck, she went and turned the tables on me? Naughty girl. Now what can I do to counter that one?

The idea hit him then and he began to type.