Chapter Twenty One

Only a few hours of ill-gotten sleep later and Jon found himself wide awake staring up at the ceiling fan silently rotating through the still air from the tossed sheets of the bed. Surprisingly he seemed for the moment at least to be relatively hangover free, it seemed having a shower in the middle of the night had its benefits. Kicking the tangled sheets free from where they twisted around his legs and torso he rolled onto his side to grab his phone.

Seven am California time so Ten am Jersey time. Hmmmm

He wondered had Rachel gone running this morning. It was strange to think of her running around his neighbourhood without him, running alone would seem boring now that she’d come into his life. Swinging his legs over the side of the enormous bed so he could sit upright he stared at the phone in his hand thoughtfully chewing his bottom lip. Last night with Janelle had felt so wrong, so uncomfortable yet he’d been living this bachelor life with Richie for so long now it should have just been second nature. Sure his body may have responded as it was trained to do but his mind was a whole other different matter. And it was because of her – she was in his head on so many different levels he didn’t even know where to begin to process all the feelings he had for her or may not have whatever the case may be. He needed to talk to her, check she was okay. Hell if truth be known it was more for his own benefit, maybe if he talked to her he might be able to get her out of his damn head and maybe, just maybe actually get some work done while he was here.

07.06 am Hey just wanted to check you’re doing okay – give me a call when you get this. Jon

He stared at the phone for a few minutes after the message went on its way, willing it to vibrate with her reply. The phone remained silent, the minutes stubbornly ticking by with no response. Frustrated he finally tossed it on the bed behind him and ran his fingers over the grizzly stubble that was beginning to line his jaw; maybe another shower would get his mind under control.

A couple of hours later Jon was at the piano working out a melody for the song they had been working on the day before, his brows furrowed in concentration when a freshly showered and smug looking Richie wandered in.

“Hey my brother, how are YOU this fine morning?”

Jon lifted his eyes from the sheet he had been scribbling on to eye his friend warily.

“Not as good as you it seems. Morgan was in top form last night then huh?”

Richie grinned as he sauntered over to the piano to glance at the notes Jon had been jotting down.

“She sure was, that girl has ……how do I put it…….special talents if you get my drift?”

“Hmmph……..I heard your drift last night – ALL night.”

Richie chortled at Jon’s scowl and clapped him on the back. “You mean to tell me Janelle bailed on you?”

Jon sighed and flipped his pencil down onto the pad in front of him. Rachel still hadn’t replied and it was bugging the crap out of him, he was about two seconds away from firing the goddamn phone out the window before it burned a hole in his pocket.

“Nah, she just wasn’t doing it for me last night, figured my night would be better spent getting some sleep so we could actually get some WORK done today.”

Arms folded he glowered up Richie, his brows arched in annoyance at the late hour.

“You remember that little thing we do? You know the whole write a hit record, bust our asses on a worldwide tour and then roll around in the dollars thing?”

Richie grinned at the sarcastic scowl on his friend’s face and shook his head chuckling.

“Take it easy Boss, we’ve got all the time in the world! Coffee?”

Without waiting for an answer Richie turned and cheerfully made his way to the kitchen, his jaunty whistle bouncing off the walls and grating on Jon’s nerves even more. Sambora the morning after he got laid was a royal pain in the ass. Still frowning in annoyance Jon dug his phone out of his pocket and swore when the screen came to life showing no new messages.

Where the hell is she?

His fingers hovered over the screen, the phone taunting him to give in to the temptation to send her another message or better yet just call her. Maybe the text hadn’t delivered, or maybe she hadn’t checked her phone in a while? Yeah that was it, she was probably busy dealing with more builder shit with the house………..or maybe she doesn’t want to talk to me. Maybe she’s still pissed at me………FUCK!!

Growling in exasperation Jon slammed the phone onto the polished surface of the piano, wincing when it skittered out of his hand and bounced off the hardwood floor with a loud crack. Great! Just fucking GREAT! Sliding to his knees he scrabbled on the floor for the injured phone, his heart sinking when he took in the slight crack just edging onto the top corner of the dark screen. He sucked in a breath when he pressed the button that should bring it to life and waited for what seemed an eternity before the screen flickered to life. He had to blink twice before his mind registered the small envelope flashing in the bottom corner – Holy shit! Fingers flying across the keypad he blew out a long sigh of relief when Rachel’s reply came into view.

11.56 Hi, I’m doing fine – in the city for meetings all day. Hope your trip is going well. Rachel

Well at least she wasn’t ignoring him, that was something. Fumbling in haste he tapped out a quick reply and shot it back to her.

11.59 Can I call you later?

Still poised on the floor Jon was unaware of Richie’s dark frame hovering at the door watching him in amusement. Leaning back on his hunkers he ran a hand through his tousled hair while he waited expectantly for Rachel’s response. A snigger from the hallway jerked his attention up and he rolled his eyes at his friend’s smirk.

“So Janelle couldn’t tempt you to your knees but your phone can? Too much work and no play makes Jonny a ……….” Richie trailed off as he crossed the room laughing at Jon’s position on the floor beside the piano to set two mugs of fresh coffee on the table. “So who is she?”

“Fuck you Rich!” Grumbling good naturedly Jon got to his feet slowly, wincing at the dent in his knees from the hard floor. Phone still clutched in his hand he took a small sip of coffee eyeing Richie speculatively over the rim of the mug. “Why does everything have to be about a woman with you?”

“Because I’m usually right and I know there’s a better reason for your piss poor performance last night other than jet lag so c’mon – tell Uncle Richie all!”

Grinning knowingly Richie propped himself up on the low piano bench Jon had just vacated and waited for him to kill his curiosity. He’d been best friends with the guy for the better part of his life and he knew him like the back of his hand, he’d tell him eventually but sooner would be better.

Before Jon could reply the flashing of his phone distracted him and a victorious grin stole across his features as he read Rachel’s message.

12.06 I’d like that. Have a good day – R

Touchdown!! Finally satisfied he slipped the phone which apart from the crack seemed none the worst for his temper tantrum back in his pocket and took another slug of coffee.

“How’s about instead of worrying about ME you pick up that guitar over there and work your magic on this little song I got going on here and maybe THEN I’ll tell you something.”

Richie rolled his eyes and raised his hands in mock disgust. “Fine, fine be a stubborn sonofabitch then. Although…….”

Lifting the pad to read over the lyrics Jon had scribbled down, his eyes lit up with a wry grin that reached his cheeks. “Looks like I can figure it all out by what you’ve got down here anyway………’I wish that I could be your superman’ huh?”

He shook his head laughing as he reached across for his well-worn acoustic guitar with an over dramatized exclamation, “Oh brother!”