Author:
Lori,Carla,Norma
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Date Posted: 22:48:26 11/16/03 Sun
I took one look at Lani's face and saw that she was pretty much in awe just as I was. But I was starting to realize what the guys were like and such and relaxing a bit. I decided that what was good for the goose.... So I went to the buffet table and got a small plate of food.
I offered to share it with Richie which he appreciated. He picked up a strawberry and offered it to me. I took it in my mouth, sucked on his fingers and WOW, didn't know he could go instantly red like that! Lani and the rest of them were losing it. Tico looked at Richie and said, There, take that! We all had a good laugh and then.......
we heard Obie yell into the room. "Show time, let's go girls!" Of course the guy's had a few comments to throw back at him as they began to rush about, preparing to go on stage. Richie and Jon gave us our VIP passes and told us we could stay side stage or grab front row. We opted to for front and center for the first half. Walking us out to our chosen spot, Richie...
Jon and the guys to a quick moment to offer up a prayer for a good night and thanks for all that had happened. Richie sqeezed my hand while he looked me in the eye and said I need one more final thing from you as my P.A. before I go on stage. I said sure what? He said this, leaned in and kissed me. It was quick but it had the electricity of a thousand thunderbolts shooting through me. I looked at him and he had this odd look about him but recovered quickly smiled and said, there that should do it. I went to find Lani and my mom and headed to the front row for what promised to be an incredible evening....
It didn't take us long to decide we needed to move a bit left so we could be right between Jon and Richie. The perfect spot, or so we thought!
As the people lucky enough to get tickets for this special event began to file in and claim their place around the stage, Lani nudges me and gives my a scowl.
Giving her a strange look, she nods for me to look to my left. I quickly turn to see what she was trying so hard to draw my attention to and was met with my worse nightmare! Of all people on this planet to have next to me at a concert by my most favorite band ever, it had to be her!
Staring me in the face with her usual pasty a** grin was none other than Claire Brooks and her nasty little flock of friends! Claire Brooks was the daughter of a bigshot lawyer in town, filthy rich and personality free! She always had to have all the attention and would stop at nothing to get it. Unlike most, Lani, myself and our close friends never showed her the respect she thought she deserved. Because of that, it became her mission in life to out do us in any and everything we showed the slightest interest in, right up to the men we dated.
Giving me her better than thou sneer she asks. "Gee Melissa, how did you manage this one. Your teeny little greenhouse finally making some money for you? I wanted to slap the witch already but I kept my temper in check, smiled and said "Stick around and you just might figure it out before the night's over!" and winked at her. Turning away from her I shoot Lani and my mother a look that clearly showed my displeasure in who was next to me. Offering to trade places with me, I vehemantly refuse. No way was I going to move because her!
I was so thankful when they finally announced the guy's and the lights go completely black. I was not going to allow the presence of Claire Brooks ruin my perfect night so I focused my attention on what was about to come.
As the lights hit the stage the crowd goes wild. Jon and Richie were sitting perched on their stools, opening the the first half of the show acoustic only! Opening with "LOAP" I watch every move Richie makes as he plays with the passion we are all accustomed to.
Looking down, Richie smiles and gives me a wink. Smiling back I blow him a kiss to which he gives a chuckle.
At this point I had completely forgotten who was next to me until I hear her voice in my ear. " Keep dreamin cindrella, we both know who that wink was for, and it wasn't you!"...........
I just smiled and ignored her. Very hard to do but it had to be done in this case. The guys deserved better than to see a cat fight in the front row. Besides, knowing Claire she was soon to show her true colors. Getting near the end of the song we noticed that Jon winked at Lani with his usually gorgeous smile. Claire perked right up at that, leaned over me and looked at Lani who was just sitting there with a silly but satisfied grin. Claire just harumphed and sat back and we knew she was trying to figure things out.
The three of us sat back and enjoyed this amazing acoustic set. It was incredible. The talent, the humor, was amazing. Jon was his usual perfectionist self but seemed relaxed and it was fun to be this close to the guys and see the interaction going on between all of them.
It must have been getting near the end of the acoustic show because Obie came down to our row, leaned right over Claire and whispered to mom and Lani that their personal assistance talents were needed backstage. Well they got up and went with Obie. SO that left me sitting there alone with Claire. Hmmmm.
What I hadn't known was that while we could observe quite well, so could the guys from their vantage point.
Clarie glared and hissed at me, “So, you think your special! Well, we’ll just have to see about that!”
Not willing to start anything and spoil the concert I smiled sweetly as I respond, “No Claire, I’m not special. Now, if you don’t mind I would really like to watch this concert without having to listen to your jealous tirade”
Watching closely from his vantage point Richie walks up the edge of the stage and flashes his famous grin. Without missing a beat he holds his hand out to me. Not thinking of what he could possibly be up to I grab his hand, as does Claire and all the females around us. Grabbing my wrist Richie pulls me up onstage between him and Jon.
With her face red with anger and humiliation, from being bested by me, Claire forces all her friends to help her get onstage. Rage takes over and she attacks me. Wrapping my hair around her hand she swings her arm wide pulling me off my feet and crashing me into Jon.
Dropping his sticks Tico races to my rescue as Richie swings his guitar off. Grabbing Jon, Tico helps him off me while Richie wraps his arms around Claire to prevent her from doing more damage. Jon helps me up while Tico attempts to disentangle my hair from her fist. Jerking her arm she pulls my hair up as she struggles against Richie, the pain brings tears to my eyes.
Running out on stage Lumpy grabs Richie’s guitar and hands Tico a pair of scissors. Tico cuts through my hair releasing me from Claire. Feeling the release I turn and hug Tico, thankful that the pain was gone. Stepping back I notice the length of hair in Claire’s fist. Slowly I lift my hand to my hair, realization dawns on me; my hair was no longer long….in fact it ended well above my shoulders. “MY HAIR!!” I wailed.
Claire cackles gleefully at my distress. Her laughter rankled. Tired of her, her comments and holier than thou attitude I snapped. Shaking Tico off, I slide up in front of her and slug her. All the frustration she has caused in my life and now the cutting of my hair was put into that hit. She slammed into Richie and melted to the floor. Rubbing my hand I mutter…”B*@%H!"
You just broke my hand! Richie dropper her to the floor and immediately grabbed my hand to see if I was ok. Meanwhile security came and gathered Claire's friends up and escorted them from the hall. As for Claire well she stood up and was going to start back in until Richie said, I think you have caused enough trouble. Now Lissa here strikes me as a pretty generous type so if I were you I would go peacefully or she could press assault charges with all of this band as witnesses. Claire, know she had been beat stuck her nose a few inches higher up and slunk out of there. But I had seen the look in her eyes and I knew it wasn't over.
Richie tenderly massaged my hand and softly kissed it. He smilled and said, there all better! I laughed with him and the guys. He escorted me to the side of the stage where my mom and Lani were waiting. He told me to wait for the break between sets for him and joined Jon and the guys on stage to finish the acoustic set.
The pain in my hand was becoming almost unbearable as it began to swell. Mom quickly ran off only to return shortly with an ice pack she had gotten from the owner.
Obie offered to take me to the hospital for x-rays but we quickly decided is wasn't broken because I could move my fingers pretty good even though it hurt to do so.
I asked Obie if he would get me the scissors, so Lani could at least trim my hair to look half way decent. Happy to assist me he comes back and hands Lani the scissors. Lucky for me Lani was a licensed beautian, owning her own shop here in town.
Going back to Richie's dressing room, Lani trimmed my hair while Mom laughed at the look on Claire's face when Richie pulled me onstage. We couldn't help but laugh with her. It was priceless to see her get dissed by Richie. We agreed that this would not be the end of it. Claire was no doubt already planning her chance to get even.
Sporting my new and amazingly cute hairstyle, we make our way back to the side of the stage where I thank Obie for all his help. leaning in he says "No problem, slugger" Laughing we focus our attention back on the the band.
As the first half of the show ended, Richie wasted no time making his way over to check on me. Assuring him I was ok, I insisted that he finish the show and to stop worrying about me. That I was a big girl, to go out there and give the fans their all.
Reluctant, he does exactly as I told him. The rest of the show was a full-blown electric rock fest! Jon was all over the place as was Richie. The whole band gave the fans everything they wanted and more. Returning to the stage twice before they called it a night, the fans file out slowly. Obvious they were pleased with the show and didn't want it to be over. Retreating backstage .....
The band made their way over the newly restocked buffet table and drinks. All grabbed a bottle of water first. I fixed Richie a plate of muchies as any good P.A. would do. Lani and mom did the same. I fixed an extra one for Tico and wandered over to him to thank him. He apologized and said he felt bad for cutting my hair like that but he fel there had been no other choice. I told him it was quite alright and forgave him. I actually told him it was the quickest I had ever lost 10 pounds! He laughed with me and told me it looked very nice. Richie came to claim his plate and took me over to the side of hte room to have a seat.
He just stared at me for a bit and said that he really liked the "new" me. He then said that he never wanted to get on my bad side as I had a pretty mean right hook! He then asked how my hand was and he also offered to take me for x-rays. I put that aside and proceeded to compliment him on the awesome show.
We made small talk, ate our food but both of us on our own were remembering the intensity of the very brief kiss just before the show started. There were some awkward silences finally broken when......
The catering crew came in to clean up. Apologizing for intruding they offer to come back if we wanted them to. Assuring them we were finished, Jon greeted them with a friendly smile and told them to take everything away.
Jumping up along with Lani and Mom, we helped them with the cleanup while the guy's went over the highlights of the show. Always looking to perfect an already prefect show they hash out their thoughts with each other.
Soon, the room was cleared and the caterers left with their impressive tip the guy's insisted on giving them for a job well done.
Dave, letting out a yawn, asked if everyone was ready to call it a night. Saying he was wiped out and wanted to get back to their hotel and crash for night. Agreeing with him Tico and Hugh let out few yawns as well.
Their comments caused me to focus on Richie. I wasn't ready for the night to end and neither was Lani, judging by the look on her face. "Are you tired too?" I asked Richie, as he smiles back at me. "Not a bit Darlin, are you?" Shaking my head no, I find the nerve to respond. " No, wanna come home with me?" I smile as I feel a bit of heat flush my face for asking him that but, it was so worth it. Smiling Richie blurts out " I'm all yours, do with me what you will!"
Laughing at him I quickly recover "Lani, you and Jon are welcome to come also, that is if you want to! We can sit around a play some card or watch a movie, whatever you want to do is fine by me" Lani's face lit up like I just gave her the best gift ever as Jon smiled at her. " Sure, I could definately go for that!” "Me too" she smiled back at him.
Laughing at mine and Lani's boldness Mom thanks the guys for such a great time. Giving her a hug each of them comfortable enough with her to call her Mom as well, they thank her for taking such good care of them.
Agreeing to take Mom home in the limo while we took the crash mobile, I kissed my Mom goodnight and thanked her for being the coolest Mom in the world. Laughing she agrees with that statement as does everyone else.
Saying goodnight they escort Mom out to the waiting Limo, while Jon and Richie grab their guitars and lead the way to our car.
As we near the car Lani pipes up asking which of them is the better driver and hoping they are better than David! Jon opted to drive and Lani took the front while Richie and I hopped in back. Conversation was quite light hearted and good humor was shared by all. Richie leaned over and whispered a thanks for the invite. Boy did that tickle more than just my ear. I told him he was welcome and was hoping we would all have a good time.
Nervously though I was wondering if "anything" might be expected from either of us tonight. While I would have given anything to be with Richie it wasn't my style to promiscuous in any way. So I wrestled this in my mind while continuing to outwardly appear calm.
The ride to my place didn't take long at all. Even though it was dark the guys commented on the work that I had done to my yard earlier that day.
We went in and the guys got comfortable in the living room while Lani and I got drinks and muchies in the kitchen.
Lani asked me what she should do if Jon asked her to "take things further". I told her I had wondered the same with Richie and we both agreed that we would follow our heads (not our bleeding hearts, lol) and remember the values we had been instilled with. No matter how hard it may be. After all the one who has to respect you most the next morning is yourself.
We joined the guys in the living room in time to hear them softly playing songs on their guitars.....
Looking up as we enter the room, Jon and Richie smile as they continued to play a version of "Wanted" that we had never heard before.
Not wanting them to stop, we placed the food and drinks down on the coffee table. Grabbing a bowl of popcorn, I curled my legs under me where Richie was sitting and enjoyed the sweet music as Lani did the same next to Jon.
We appreciated how rare of an opportunity we were being given by them. As they finish the last chords, Lani and I thanked them for sharing it with us.
Acting as if it was no big deal, they quickly join us in our munch fest. We spent the next hour laughing and telling silly stories on each other and before we knew it, Richie and I were off in our own little discussion as were Jon and Lani.
As Richie and I shared a few funny stories about ourselves the conversation quickly turned as I made my way into the kitchen to refill our glasses.
Following me, Richie set the glasses down on the table and with a smile, he asked me. "So, now what you gonna do with me Darlin, any plans?" His words hit me like a ton of bricks. I was afraid he would think my offer to come home with me was an invitation for more than I intended!
Sick to my stomach, I hated that he thought that of me. Turning around I look him square in the eye and began to apologize. " Richie, I'm sorry if I misled you! I'm not what you think, I don't sleep with any man I just met, even if he is my idol and the sexiest man alive! I'm sorry if I gave you that impression by inviting you to come home with me! I...."
Shaking his head no he interrupted me before I could finish. "Whoa, hold on a minute!" smiling at my incessant rambling. "That is not what I think of you, or what I expect from your invitation! I was only teasing you!"
Looking at him, I search his face, hoping to find anything that would give me reason to believe what he was saying. " You don't?" I shoot him a look of surprise. " Leaning against the sink he responds "No, I don't" his face struck with a completely serious expression.
Releasing a sigh of relief, I turned back to filling our glasses and begin to further explain. "Good, I'm glad you don't think that! Not that I wouldn't ever want to ...well...I mean....I did enjoy the kiss you gave me earlier ...enjoyed it a lot actually but.......Oh, da*n it Melissa, just shut up before you dig yourself into a hole you can't get out of!"
Before I new what hit me Richie had spun me around, his lips were crushed against mine and I was putty in his hands. A part of me wanted to push him away but I just couldn't. The taste and feel of his lips against mine was too much to deny myself. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I returned his kiss; matching the same intensity as the one he was offering me.
Next thing I know Richie breaks our kiss and has me backed up against the wall. Both hands resting on the wall on either side of me. As his body barely brushed against mine, he began to explain his actions.
" Before you slap the p*ss out of me let me explain something to you. I'm here because I do respect the hell out of you and because I enjoy your company. If I wanted more than your willing to give out I wouldn't be here right now and neither would Jon. If that was what we were after we could have easily gotten it after the show tonight. As conceited as that might sound, it is a fact that we have no shortage of women offering that to us. It's because you're not like those other women that we chose to be here with the two of you. And another thing you need to understand, I am capable of kissing a woman and not expecting anything more. I'm not sorry I kissed you earlier tonight and da*n sure not sorry for kissing you again just now. That doesn't mean I think your easy or some cheap one nighter. It simply means I wanted to kiss you, maybe because you are different and I love that about you!
Jon and I have nothing but respect for you and Lani, we can relax and be ourselves around you. You don't expect anything from us but a few laughs and conversation. Do you know how hard it is to find girls out there like you two? It's rare, believe me. I see nothing wrong in wanting to show you a little affection, granted we just met yesterday but I don't intend on tonight being the last time I see you. Unless that's what you want, if it is then tell me that now and I’ll back away!."
Speechless at all he had to say; all I could do was stare him down in disbelief. I wanted to cry, but I choked it back and forced myself to respond. " I would love for you to come back around and spend time with me and......I'm not sorry you kissed me either, in fact I wanted it but, I just wanted you to understand that I hold dignity and self respect high and I demand that of myself and from others. I'm glad you explained yourself to me. It means a lot that you feel I'm important enough to do that."
The more I spoke the bigger his smile became as did mine. Kissing me on the forehead he let out a throaty laugh "Good, now that we have that all taken care of let's go back in there before they eat all the popcorn!"
Leading the way, we join Jon and Lani who are obviously having a good laugh at someone else’s expense..........
Shooting Lani "that" look and seeing a guilty one replace her laugh I asked what was so funny. Richie chose my oversized chair to sit in, grabbed a bowl of popcorn and pulled me into the chair with him. We got comfortable and I repeated my question to Lani. Jon just continued to chuckle and settled back to watch Lani try to get out of this. I saw that he offered her his hand on her leg as a show of support though. Obviously they were getting along quite well too.
Lani looked at me and said, "well Lissa it is like this." It was just then that I noticed the open photo album sitting on the coffee table in front of them. "YOU DIDN"T" I said to her. Sheepishly she replied "well not completely but well., ummm" Richie chose obviously to ask what he had missed.
I decided it would be better coming from me so I .....
I slide up from Richie's lap, took his hand and pulled him over to the sofa with me. Sitting down next to Lani, I lifted the photo album from the table and began to share what was inside.
"This album and the story I'm about to share with you will help you understand why I have this hair do and this busted up hand!. This is what Lani and I call "The Claire Funnies” As we all settled in close and got comfortable I continued.
"First a bit of history. Since day one of Kindergarten right up to graduating High School Claire and her friends and mine and Lani's never got along. I explained that for the most part earlier so I'll move this up a bit. Her jealousy became huge in our senior year when the guy she was crazy about asked me to the prom. She was livid and from that point on she has hated me and all my friends. This guy and I, his name is Blake by the way, dated for 3 years after High School and remain good friends to this day. Well...anyway, one night we were all out at a local club having some fun, drinking and dancing when Claire and her friends walk in. After a few drinks, she waited until Lani and I were in the bathroom to make a move on him. We returned just in time to watch him pretty much shoot her down in flames. We didn't provoke her in any way we just sat down and let him handle it. It didn't matter because Claire still hated me over the prom deal so being dissed by the same guy because of me was just another reason to hate me even more. When she gathered what little bit of dignity she still had intact and decided to leave, she left me with four slit tires, the paint scratched up and two busted windshield’s; front and back on my car parked outside. We couldn't prove that Claire and her friends were the ones who destroyed my car so Blake, myself and Lani decided to get even. It's was about two weeks after my car had been trashed that Lani comes home from work with this invitation that one of the ELITE snobs had left in her salon after doing her hair for her. It was an invitation to Claire's Birthday Party and only the rich upper crust were invited so we saw this as a chance to get even for what she had done."
Opening the album, I reveal the first photo. Pointing to a picture of a man dressed head to toe in biker clothes, a fake beard, a wig and cupping his maleness with a smile. " See this guy? That's not really a guy, it's me!" Taking a closer look Richie and Jon bust out laughing. Laughing along with them, I continued. Yep, It's me alright, cupping my pretend package for the camera! Lani had taken the invitation and made exact copies of it. She then gave me this makeover to look like a biker dude. I wasn't too keen on going into a biker bar as myself so we opted for the dress down! Taking the invitations, I went inside a couple ruff biker bars and handed them out to everyone inside. The next day we invited our close friends to join us on a camping trip up in the mountains that overlooked Claire's fancy sprawl where her party was to be that night. We hike up the mountain until we found the perfect spot. We could see everything from there so we set up camp and waited for the guest to arrive. We had everything we needed including binoculars, munchies, party favors and Blake had brought his camera with a high powered zoom lens."
Turning the page, I show them the next pictures. " See all these photo's with white dots all in a row? Those are the headlights of about a hundred Harley’s headed straight for a party hosted by Claire!"
Again, we all start laughing as I slowly turn the page’s to reveal more photo’s of our sweet revenge. Plastered on each page were close-ups of Claire screaming and fighting mad over her unexpected guests, beer cans floating in her massive pool, Harley’s all over the place, expressions of horror by her snobby socialite friends and several of us donning our party hats, tooting on our party horns and laughing at all that we had accomplished. I thought Jon and Richie would never stop laughing at the photo's we had taken. There were some great one's and Lani and I had a good laugh going down memory lane.
Closing the album, I finish my story. " That's how this all began. That was five years ago! Blake and I broke up not long after that and he married a girl he met in college. Claire has stayed clear of us since then and we have ignored her as well. That is until tonight!" Turning to Richie I continued "When you pulled me up on stage tonight it made her so jealous that you didn't chose her over me. She is so use to being flocked with attention and every time Lani or I get it over her, she hates it. That made number three of her being shot down over me. Believe me, with you being the one to do it was the ultimate blow. That's why she attacked me onstage tonight and why I have this lovely hair do and this throbbing hand! This isn't the end of it. She will be doing something to get even with Lani and me.”
After I had finished with my story…………
Richie just smiled and his eyes were twinkling so I knew something was coming! He said "Darlin', if I had known I would have done this right up there on stage in front of her." He then leaned in and kissed me, but not just a quick gentle kiss like earlier. This was definitely a Kiss! Jon and Lani started laughing as Richie pulled away. I just sat there in shock. Lani laughed and said, yep that would have done it. We all started laughing thinking that Claire probably would have died on the spot.
Richie and I went back to our chair and we all started sharing stories again. The guys obviously had some pretty funny ones from the road. The atmosphere was perfect, relaxed, and friendly.
The guys opted to play one more song while Lani and I cleaned up. To the strains of I'll Be There For You we picked up the bowls and bottles. We were in the kitchen discussing how this had been an absolutely incredible night.
Jon came in to say that they were going to head back to the hotel. I jumped up and said that they could stay in the rooms they had before since it was late and they had to be exhausted and shouldn't be driving. Jon agreed to this plan.
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