She looked around, all the fellow diners were watching, waiting for her response.
Some were whispering, she heard one say 'Isn't that Jon Bon Jovi?'
Shit.
Jon was still down on one knee in front of her looking hopeful.
'Don't leave me hanging here babe.'
She looked around once more.
'Yes.'
There was clapping then, from the surrounding patrons.
She grabbed Jon's wrist and pulled him up, leading him out of the restaurant.
Out in the hallway she turned him round and faced him square on.
'Couldn't wait to get me on my own?' Jon said, moving forward to kiss her.
She dodged him.
'Jon what the hell?'
'What?'
'You know what! I can't believe you. How could you put me on the spot like that?'
'I thought...but you said yeah.'
'I said that to save your blushes. I could just see the tabloid stories.'
With that she turned to call the lift.
Jon slumped back against the wall.
So i guess that's a no then.
-------------
Jon padded out of the bedroom wearing just jeans. Hair still wet from the shower.
'Hey.'
He hoped she wouldn't remember last night.
Ruby looked up from her breakfast, and smiled. Trying not to look at his body, but it was hard.
He looked leaner than last time she saw him, more defined muscles.
She managed to avert her eyes before he noticed they were on him.
'Any for me?' he said sitting down next to her.
'Don't you have a hangover or something?'
'Bit of a headache.'
He sat next to her his back leaning against the table, trying to get her attention away from the paper and on him.
'What'cha readin'?'
She put the newspaper down.
'Jon about yesterday?'
'Yeah a great date i thought.'
'Hmm yeah, what about last thing?'
'You know i remember the chocolate mousse, delicious, and then yeah must have had a bit too much wine.'
'A bit? One bottle of champagne and two bottles of wine. I think i had two and a half glasses total out of that!'
'Yeah, we were celebrating.' He when to brush the back of his hand against her arm.
He doesn't remember. Ruby thought to herself. She got up and poured coffee.
'Here, black no sugar if i recall?'
'Thanks.'
'You must have been so drunk i swear!'
Jon just sipped his coffee and looked at her.
'I mean in the middle of the restaurant you got down on one knee and proposed.' She didn't look at him. 'It was so embarrassing!'
Jon put his right hand in his jeans pocket. He turned the ring over and over between his fingers.
'Yeah i do stupid stuff when i'm drunk i guess.'
'Don't we all?'
'Sorry.'
'Don't be, i over reacted as usual. I should have known you didn't mean it, i mean you were three sheets to the wind after all. I know you wouldn't have done it if you were sober.'
'Yeah, right....I'm goin' back to bed.'
***
Jon walked into the bedroom and picked up the guitar that sat in the corner. A big part of him wanted to just smash it on the floor, let all his frustrations pour out into the destruction. But the other part of him won.
Going out to the balcony he sat on a chair and soaked up the mid-morning sun.
Sitting the battered old acoustic on his lap he began to strum.
She opened the door quietly.
There was a warm breeze and the white linen curtains billowed into the room.
She watched and listened to him as he sang softly.
"Sitting here wasted and wounded at this old piano,
Trying hard to capture the moment, this morning I don't know.
'Cause a bottle of vodka's still lodged in my head,
Some blonde gave me nightmares..."
He stopped there, he remembered writing that song in a hotel room not too different from the one he sat in now. He remembered the circumstances that led him to write it.
Somethings don't change, he thought.
'That was beautiful.'
'Jesus! Give a man a heart attack.' He said as Ruby walked through the door. 'I didn't realise you were there.'
'Oh. I thought that's why you stopped.'
Jon sighed, and put the guitar down next to his chair.
She looked at him as he avoided all eye contact with her.
God! He gets so caught up in himself sometimes. It's like getting blood from a stone, she thought as she prepared for another session of trying to get into Jon's thoughts.
'Is there something you want to tell me Jon? I mean after last year i hope that we can just be truthful with each other. About anything.'
He dug his hand in his pocket and brought out the ring.
Ruby gasped when she saw it.
Jon sat with it between the finger and thumb of his right hand and leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees.
'Okay so i meant it. I meant to ask you, ever since i came back to Europe.'
He didn't look up, just stared at the ring turning it round and round.
'I just thought how can i show you that i'm not what you think? I'm not just looking for a quick fuck. I've had enough of that, i need something real.'
Jon finally looked up at Ruby. 'I need you.'
She stood her summer dress swaying in the breeze, arms crossed as if she was cold. A look in her eye of what? Pity...or something. He thought.
'Jon...'
'You don't have to say anythin'. Just, you're right. There's nothin' if we aren't honest.'
'Listen to me will you?...It's my final year of University. I've had to do two years in one. I haven't been out, i haven't had any down time. I'm nearly there, by the time i start the new term i should be up to date. I have to do well in this final year, i can't waste it all now on distractions.'
So that's all i am, a distraction? Great. Jon thought. He looked away, dropped the ring into his empty coffee cup and slumped back into his chair.
She saw the hurt in his eyes.
'Jon don't you get it, i'm not saying there isn't a future for us.'
'It's just that you want me to wait for you.'
'Yeah...i guess.'
'I can't Shorty. A year, i can't go for a year not seeing you. Six months was bad enough.'
'Perhaps, holidays....'
'Oh so a couple of days every six months? that's alot better.'
'Jon why are you getting cross with me?' A tear rolled along her face.
'It shouldn't be this hard Shorty. Maybe some things just aren't meant to be.'
He regretted it the minute it left his mouth.
Well i guess that's it then. She thought as she turned around to go back into the hotel room. He always knows the right words to hurt me most.
'Wait.'
He was stood in front of her now grabbing her arm he turned her back around.
He took a step to close their bodies together.
'I'm sorry i didn't mean that...I just...'
Lifting his hand to her face he brushed his thumb across her lower lip and on down her chin. Using it to tilt her face up.
He leaned tantalisingly close, inches from her face.
'I've missed these lips like you wouldn't believe.' He whispered.
She didn't say or do anything just let it happen.
Lips touched lips ever so softly for a second before parting.
She opened her eyes to see why he had stopped, but before she could his lips were on hers again.
Don't stop. Was all she could think.
She was buzzing.
She lifted her hands to his waist and held him closer to her, feeling electricity as her hands touched his soft skin.
Jon bought his left hand up to hold her other cheek, deepening the kiss.
The top half of their bodies apart so he could stoop slightly to reach her lips.
He slowly pulled away from her.
Placing one more soft kiss on her lips.
He looked down at her, it seemed like an age before she opened her eyes.
She licked her bottom lip as if savouring the taste.
'Jon...' She barely whispered.
'Just give us a chance babe, i swear we can make this thing work. One weekend a month, i can fly over. Christmas, Easter...'
A smile broke out on one corner of her mouth.
'I was just about to say i've got a camp bed.'
'I'm a millionaire rock star babe, i don't do camp beds.' he chuckled leaning in to kiss her cheek and trail soft kisses down to her neck. 'Perhaps you can accommodate me somewhere more comfortable?'
She just wanted to tell him how infuriating he was. Sulking one minute, all hot on her the next. But she was just glad she had cocky Jon back it meant all was well, for now.
And besides she didn't want to say anything to make him stop what he was doing.
'Hey Jo...Oh now what do we have here?'
Jon pulled away from Ruby and peered through the open doors.
Richie was stood in the bedroom leaning against the door frame.
He saw Jon stood just in jeans inches away from Ruby, barefoot. Both flushed with red lips from kissing.
'Am i interrupting something?'
'Hey Richie.' Ruby replied.
Jon wasn't as polite, 'How the hell you get in here man?'
'You weren't answering the door, so i tried it. You should really lock it you know, never know who could be lurkin'.'
'Thanks for the tip asshole.'
'Is that my breakfast?' Ruby asked, spying the slice of toast in his hand.
Richie ignored this question, like he seemed to do with everything he didn't want to hear.
'Okay if i borrow our boy here for a bit darlin'?'
Ruby squeezed past Richie to go back into the suite. She figured if they had business to discuss, or rather if Richie wanted to rib Jon about her, she didn't need to be there.
Richie leant down and pecked her cheek as she went past him, 'Good to see ya darlin'.'
'And you Rich.' She said patting his chest and taking back the slice of toast from his hand.
He waited for the bedroom door to click shut before he spoke.
'So you look pretty happy?'
He sat down on the chair Jon had occupied minutes earlier putting his feet on another one opposite, and picked up the guitar.
'I would probably be even happier if you hadn't dropped by.' He unceremoniously shoved Richie's feet off the chair and sat there himself.
Richie started strumming a few chords. 'You have an annoying habit of stopping by at the worst times.'
'You writin'?' Richie ignored his comment.
'Nah just rememberin'.'
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Chapter 30: A Summer Night in Paris.
'Shorty!' He stood up so fast he banged his head on the overhead luggage rack.
'Ouch Jon are you ok?' She leant over to rub his head where he had hit it.
'I'm great now.' He smiled.
She laughed and looked down at her hands, coming over all shy suddenly.
'I'd given up on you' he said.
'Sorry but this is London, unfortunately traffic doesn't part like the red sea just because i'm in a hurry. Thought i was going to miss the train.'
'Well it doesn't leave till ten past. Call it security.'
She chuckled, and he admired her sparkling eyes as they danced with the laughter. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail, showing her perfect face off. Making her eyes seem even more blue if that was possible. The pale skin he remembered so well from last winter was sun kissed, she was radiant.
'So, is this seat free?'
Jon snapped out of it, he hadn't realised he had been staring. 'Yeah, Course.'
He gestured for her to sit.
'So you came?'
'Yeah, i've never been to Paris.' She smiled cheekily.
Jon laughed, he'd missed her sense of humour. Like the way she would mercilessly tease him, and the way he would take it. He didn't usually take humour at his own expense very well.
'And...Alex?'
'What about him?' Ruby really didn't want to talk about this, but it was probably best to get it out of the way, '...he's nice, reliable, my age....practically perfect, except....' She changed her focus, pretending to look for something in her bag.
Jon's eyes didn't move from her, 'Except?'
She opened her mouth to tell him except he isn't you, but stopped herself. 'I told him i need to take a break....Anyway i could ask the same about you and Diane. What is going on there?'
'Let's just call it a major error in judgement.'
Ruby nodded, knowing when to not probe any deeper.
A brief awkward silence followed...Jon was the first to break it.
'You may aswell have said that it's over.'
'What?'
'With Alex.'
'Cocky son of a...' She laughed.
'I mean it. I'm not letting you get away this time.' He looked intently into her eyes, hoping to show her he truly meant it.
'Sir, Madam can i get you something to drink?' They were interrupted by a waitress.
'Champagne.' Jon replied.
'Please.' Ruby added. Turning back to Jon, 'Mind your P's and Q's!'
Jon just rolled his eyes in response.
'So what made you come?'
'Let's just say a friend let me in on the inner workings of your mind.' She said stowing her bag overhead.
'Damn it what has he been saying?'
'You should be thanking him!' Ruby replied.
'Champagne, Sir.' The waitress said as she returned. 'Would you like me to open it?'
'That's okay, i'll do the honours.' Jon said, glancing at Ruby's face he quickly turned back and added, 'Thank you!'
He popped the cork and poured the champagne into two glasses.
'Here's to...us?' Jon asked cocking an eyebrow, not entirely sure where the land lay between them yet.
'Here's to getting it right this time.' She replied.
'Ouch.' Jon said clutching his chest in faux pain.
---------------
It was quarter to ten as they arrived at the train terminal in Paris. They stood on the pavement outside.
'What?' Ruby laughed. 'Do i have food on my face?'
Jon snapped out of it, 'Sorry...no, sorry its just, you look good.'
She blushed, looking away from his gaze, 'Thanks.'
'I really want this to work you know. I'm just figuring this out for myself..' he said as if he felt she was unsure about the situation.
'I know. And just so you know, there was no doubt in my mind.'
That was it then after that admission, a goofy grin was plastered on Jon's face that wasn't going anywhere in a while.
He picked up her bag and slung it over his shoulder and grabbed her hand, 'Come on you must be hungry.'
They got into the backseat of a waiting taxi and Jon leaned forward and said something to the driver. Ruby strained to hear but didn't catch it over the sound of the radio.
---------------
'This really is the only way to see Paris.' Jon said as he lead Ruby out.
She walked ahead of him, open mouthed at the stunning view.
Jon had taken them to the Tour Montparnasse the tallest building in Paris, and they had just walked out onto the terrace at the very top.
He walked to stand beside her at the railing.
The blazing sun had long since disappeared below the skyline leaving only a dark blue twilight. But it seemed as bright as ever, the darkness of the buildings broken up by a criss cross of streets lit by cars and lights.
'Wow.' she whispered, barely audible.
'Yeah best view of the city...mainly 'cause you don't see this ugly thing that we're standing on.' he chuckled.
'It's beautiful.'
'Hey we're on the wrong side.' Jon laughed, he took her hand and led her to the opposite side of the viewing terrace.
Placing his hands lightly on her hips he maneuvered her to stand in front of him and pointed her in the right direction.
'Eiffel Tower.' He said in her ear as he stooped slightly so his head was level with hers over her shoulder. Pointing across the city scape before them.
'There's the Champs-Élysées and at the end the Arc de Triomphe.'
'I don't see it.'
He moved his face closer to hers, his cheek brushed hers slightly.
Jon felt completely on edge this close to her, his arms had goose pimples yet the summer air was warm. Ruby was too enthralled in the view to notice.
'Follow the tip of my finger, right there, all lit up.'
'Oh yeah!' She exclaimed.
Jon could hear the wonder in her voice.
'How come you know all this?' She asked.
'I've stared out of hotel windows all over the world babe.' She could hear a tinge of regret in his voice.
'Well thank you.'
'What you thanking me for?' he asked as she pulled away and turned to face him.
'For this, bringing me up here.'
'I should be thanking you' Jon said. 'Anyway don't know 'bout you but i could eat.'
'Yeah i guess.' She turned to take in the view a last time before they went.
'Don't worry, where we are eating you will have nearly as good a view.'
***
Three floors below they took their seat next to the window.
Ruby turned in her seat to continue admiring the view.
'Looks like i have competition for your affections tonight.' Jon laughed.
She turned back to him with a smile on her face.
'I'm sorry, it's just wow.' She quickly turned her head once more, 'Beautiful....ok i'm done i promise.'
Jon just laughed. 'Wait till i show you Dubai, or Tokyo!'
'I might hold you to that you know.'
'You better had.' Jon replied, the goofy grin still evident.
Jon ordered them both oysters as a start and lobster for the main course. This was done in French and Ruby was none the wiser until the food was served. Reluctant at first she soon confessed her enjoyment of both. The wine flowed freely and they both enjoyed each other's company, any residual nerves put at ease.
Later on they were enjoying a simple dessert of Mousse au Chocolat, it was just past midnight.
'That was so amazing.' Ruby said as she put her napkin on the table.
'Aww come on look one more bite left.' Jon replied.
'Nope. I can't eat another spoonful!'
Jon reached across and scooped the rest out with his spoon and put it in his mouth appreciatively. 'Waste not want not.' He said as he liked the spoon for a final time and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
'Gannet!' Ruby said laughing.
'Nothin' wrong with a good healthy appetite babe.' Jon stood from he seat with a wobble.
'You ok there Mister?' Ruby laughed at his unsteadiness.
Jon put up his hand, 'Yeah fine, head rush that's all. I'll be back, just one minute.'
Ruby giggled at his tipsy state. She had barely had a glass of each of the two bottles of wine that had been brought to the table. And that was enough for her to be half cut.
Minutes later Jon was back.
He didn't move to sit down, he just stood next to her.
'Hey you gonna join me?' She asked. He seemed antsy.
'Listen i gotta say somethin'.' He said, his Jersey really came out strong when he was drunk she noticed.
He dropped onto one knee on front of her.
'Jon? What are you doing? Get up!' Suddenly she felt herself sobering up.
'Shorty. Will you marry me?'
'Ouch Jon are you ok?' She leant over to rub his head where he had hit it.
'I'm great now.' He smiled.
She laughed and looked down at her hands, coming over all shy suddenly.
'I'd given up on you' he said.
'Sorry but this is London, unfortunately traffic doesn't part like the red sea just because i'm in a hurry. Thought i was going to miss the train.'
'Well it doesn't leave till ten past. Call it security.'
She chuckled, and he admired her sparkling eyes as they danced with the laughter. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail, showing her perfect face off. Making her eyes seem even more blue if that was possible. The pale skin he remembered so well from last winter was sun kissed, she was radiant.
'So, is this seat free?'
Jon snapped out of it, he hadn't realised he had been staring. 'Yeah, Course.'
He gestured for her to sit.
'So you came?'
'Yeah, i've never been to Paris.' She smiled cheekily.
Jon laughed, he'd missed her sense of humour. Like the way she would mercilessly tease him, and the way he would take it. He didn't usually take humour at his own expense very well.
'And...Alex?'
'What about him?' Ruby really didn't want to talk about this, but it was probably best to get it out of the way, '...he's nice, reliable, my age....practically perfect, except....' She changed her focus, pretending to look for something in her bag.
Jon's eyes didn't move from her, 'Except?'
She opened her mouth to tell him except he isn't you, but stopped herself. 'I told him i need to take a break....Anyway i could ask the same about you and Diane. What is going on there?'
'Let's just call it a major error in judgement.'
Ruby nodded, knowing when to not probe any deeper.
A brief awkward silence followed...Jon was the first to break it.
'You may aswell have said that it's over.'
'What?'
'With Alex.'
'Cocky son of a...' She laughed.
'I mean it. I'm not letting you get away this time.' He looked intently into her eyes, hoping to show her he truly meant it.
'Sir, Madam can i get you something to drink?' They were interrupted by a waitress.
'Champagne.' Jon replied.
'Please.' Ruby added. Turning back to Jon, 'Mind your P's and Q's!'
Jon just rolled his eyes in response.
'So what made you come?'
'Let's just say a friend let me in on the inner workings of your mind.' She said stowing her bag overhead.
'Damn it what has he been saying?'
'You should be thanking him!' Ruby replied.
'Champagne, Sir.' The waitress said as she returned. 'Would you like me to open it?'
'That's okay, i'll do the honours.' Jon said, glancing at Ruby's face he quickly turned back and added, 'Thank you!'
He popped the cork and poured the champagne into two glasses.
'Here's to...us?' Jon asked cocking an eyebrow, not entirely sure where the land lay between them yet.
'Here's to getting it right this time.' She replied.
'Ouch.' Jon said clutching his chest in faux pain.
---------------
It was quarter to ten as they arrived at the train terminal in Paris. They stood on the pavement outside.
'What?' Ruby laughed. 'Do i have food on my face?'
Jon snapped out of it, 'Sorry...no, sorry its just, you look good.'
She blushed, looking away from his gaze, 'Thanks.'
'I really want this to work you know. I'm just figuring this out for myself..' he said as if he felt she was unsure about the situation.
'I know. And just so you know, there was no doubt in my mind.'
That was it then after that admission, a goofy grin was plastered on Jon's face that wasn't going anywhere in a while.
He picked up her bag and slung it over his shoulder and grabbed her hand, 'Come on you must be hungry.'
They got into the backseat of a waiting taxi and Jon leaned forward and said something to the driver. Ruby strained to hear but didn't catch it over the sound of the radio.
---------------
'This really is the only way to see Paris.' Jon said as he lead Ruby out.
She walked ahead of him, open mouthed at the stunning view.
Jon had taken them to the Tour Montparnasse the tallest building in Paris, and they had just walked out onto the terrace at the very top.
He walked to stand beside her at the railing.
The blazing sun had long since disappeared below the skyline leaving only a dark blue twilight. But it seemed as bright as ever, the darkness of the buildings broken up by a criss cross of streets lit by cars and lights.
'Wow.' she whispered, barely audible.
'Yeah best view of the city...mainly 'cause you don't see this ugly thing that we're standing on.' he chuckled.
'It's beautiful.'
'Hey we're on the wrong side.' Jon laughed, he took her hand and led her to the opposite side of the viewing terrace.
Placing his hands lightly on her hips he maneuvered her to stand in front of him and pointed her in the right direction.
'Eiffel Tower.' He said in her ear as he stooped slightly so his head was level with hers over her shoulder. Pointing across the city scape before them.
'There's the Champs-Élysées and at the end the Arc de Triomphe.'
'I don't see it.'
He moved his face closer to hers, his cheek brushed hers slightly.
Jon felt completely on edge this close to her, his arms had goose pimples yet the summer air was warm. Ruby was too enthralled in the view to notice.
'Follow the tip of my finger, right there, all lit up.'
'Oh yeah!' She exclaimed.
Jon could hear the wonder in her voice.
'How come you know all this?' She asked.
'I've stared out of hotel windows all over the world babe.' She could hear a tinge of regret in his voice.
'Well thank you.'
'What you thanking me for?' he asked as she pulled away and turned to face him.
'For this, bringing me up here.'
'I should be thanking you' Jon said. 'Anyway don't know 'bout you but i could eat.'
'Yeah i guess.' She turned to take in the view a last time before they went.
'Don't worry, where we are eating you will have nearly as good a view.'
***
Three floors below they took their seat next to the window.
Ruby turned in her seat to continue admiring the view.
'Looks like i have competition for your affections tonight.' Jon laughed.
She turned back to him with a smile on her face.
'I'm sorry, it's just wow.' She quickly turned her head once more, 'Beautiful....ok i'm done i promise.'
Jon just laughed. 'Wait till i show you Dubai, or Tokyo!'
'I might hold you to that you know.'
'You better had.' Jon replied, the goofy grin still evident.
Jon ordered them both oysters as a start and lobster for the main course. This was done in French and Ruby was none the wiser until the food was served. Reluctant at first she soon confessed her enjoyment of both. The wine flowed freely and they both enjoyed each other's company, any residual nerves put at ease.
Later on they were enjoying a simple dessert of Mousse au Chocolat, it was just past midnight.
'That was so amazing.' Ruby said as she put her napkin on the table.
'Aww come on look one more bite left.' Jon replied.
'Nope. I can't eat another spoonful!'
Jon reached across and scooped the rest out with his spoon and put it in his mouth appreciatively. 'Waste not want not.' He said as he liked the spoon for a final time and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
'Gannet!' Ruby said laughing.
'Nothin' wrong with a good healthy appetite babe.' Jon stood from he seat with a wobble.
'You ok there Mister?' Ruby laughed at his unsteadiness.
Jon put up his hand, 'Yeah fine, head rush that's all. I'll be back, just one minute.'
Ruby giggled at his tipsy state. She had barely had a glass of each of the two bottles of wine that had been brought to the table. And that was enough for her to be half cut.
Minutes later Jon was back.
He didn't move to sit down, he just stood next to her.
'Hey you gonna join me?' She asked. He seemed antsy.
'Listen i gotta say somethin'.' He said, his Jersey really came out strong when he was drunk she noticed.
He dropped onto one knee on front of her.
'Jon? What are you doing? Get up!' Suddenly she felt herself sobering up.
'Shorty. Will you marry me?'
Monday, 17 November 2008
Chapter 29: Decision.
He sighed as the clock ticked...one minute past seven.
I guess she ain't coming then.
Solemnly he boarded the train and found his reserved seat in first class.
It had been a while since he had travelled by train but he figured that him and Ruby would have had time to talk.
-------------------------
Earlier that morning...
9.00am
Her radio alarm clock woke her with some perky local radio DJ wittering on. She had eventually fallen asleep some time before five, so she was in no mood for such cheeriness.
Rolling over she hit the snooze button.
Sleep had done a good job of making her forget her troubles, but the harsh light of day soon reminded her of the decision she had to make.
Pulling a pillow over her head she tried to avoid the sunlight and the decision.
Eight minutes later her slumber was disturbed again.
"Shot through the heart and you're..."
She bashed the off button on the radio alarm clock.
'Is this some kind of sign?' She said to herself with a laugh.
***
10.15am
'Morning Roo fancy some breakfast?' her Mum called as she heard her come downstairs.
'Hi, no thanks i'll just have juice.'
Tutting her Mum passed the carton across the breakfast bar. 'You should have more than juice, breakfast is the most important meal.'
Roo just accepted the carton pouring a glassful before walking out through the utility room into the back garden.
It was a beautiful June morning.
'Hi Roo.'
Her Dad was busy making the most of the nice day by tending to the garden.
'Hi Dad.'
'What are you up to today?'
'Oh nothing much....' Just making the biggest decision ever '...might go to town, do bit of shopping.'
***
1.00pm
She sat on a bench in the village green, waiting for the bus.
Gazing down the road at the hazy heat coming off the tarmac, she wondered why the bus always ran late.
I guess it gives me plenty of thinking time.
She rummaged in her tote bag removing her discman. She never left home without it.
Putting in a compilation disc she idly skipped through until something took her fancy.
Halfway through the Clash's London Calling the batteries ran out.
'Damn! I was enjoying that.'
She shoved it back in her bag once more, now what can i do to take my mind off things?
She heard the bus long before it finally pulled up, the old diesel engine working hard in the afternoon heat.
'You getting on then love?' The driver asked.
'Sorry no i've changed my mind.'
She got up from the bench and ran across the green back to her house.
Opening the door and going inside. She nearly bumped into her dad in her haste.
'Thought you were off to town?'
'Change of plans, i have to make a phone call.' She shouted behind her as she grabbed the cordless phone and ran upstairs.
'Alex?'
'Hey Roo! I was going to call you.'
Ruby nervously fussed with the sheets on her bed as she spoke.
'YEah...Listen we need to talk...'
'Great idea.' Alex enthused, 'I'm swimming in an interstate meet this week why don't you come on over?'
Ruby was about to interrupt, but he didn't give her chance...
'You deserve a bit of a break. I even looked at flights for you. There is one leaving from Heathrow tonight at 8, check in at 7...'
3.58pm
For the second time that day she sat on the village green.
This time she did get on the bus.
'You've decided to join us this time?' It was the same driver.
Ruby just smiled politely, 'London please, single.'
6.54pm
Traffic had been hell, not surprisingly as it was rush hour.
Shit i am so going to miss it. She thought as her taxi pulled into the drop off bay.
Ruby ran through the main hall, looking around her she had no real clue where she was headed.
'I'm so sorry.' She shouted back is she knocked into some one's shoulder as she ran by.
Finally she found a row of overhead monitors stretched in front of her, she scanned through the departure times....
-------------------------
'Excuse me is this seat taken?'
Jon didn't look up from beneath his baseball cap. 'Knock yourself out.'
'I see your people skills are not improved at all.'
This time he did look up...
I guess she ain't coming then.
Solemnly he boarded the train and found his reserved seat in first class.
It had been a while since he had travelled by train but he figured that him and Ruby would have had time to talk.
-------------------------
Earlier that morning...
9.00am
Her radio alarm clock woke her with some perky local radio DJ wittering on. She had eventually fallen asleep some time before five, so she was in no mood for such cheeriness.
Rolling over she hit the snooze button.
Sleep had done a good job of making her forget her troubles, but the harsh light of day soon reminded her of the decision she had to make.
Pulling a pillow over her head she tried to avoid the sunlight and the decision.
Eight minutes later her slumber was disturbed again.
"Shot through the heart and you're..."
She bashed the off button on the radio alarm clock.
'Is this some kind of sign?' She said to herself with a laugh.
***
10.15am
'Morning Roo fancy some breakfast?' her Mum called as she heard her come downstairs.
'Hi, no thanks i'll just have juice.'
Tutting her Mum passed the carton across the breakfast bar. 'You should have more than juice, breakfast is the most important meal.'
Roo just accepted the carton pouring a glassful before walking out through the utility room into the back garden.
It was a beautiful June morning.
'Hi Roo.'
Her Dad was busy making the most of the nice day by tending to the garden.
'Hi Dad.'
'What are you up to today?'
'Oh nothing much....' Just making the biggest decision ever '...might go to town, do bit of shopping.'
***
1.00pm
She sat on a bench in the village green, waiting for the bus.
Gazing down the road at the hazy heat coming off the tarmac, she wondered why the bus always ran late.
I guess it gives me plenty of thinking time.
She rummaged in her tote bag removing her discman. She never left home without it.
Putting in a compilation disc she idly skipped through until something took her fancy.
Halfway through the Clash's London Calling the batteries ran out.
'Damn! I was enjoying that.'
She shoved it back in her bag once more, now what can i do to take my mind off things?
She heard the bus long before it finally pulled up, the old diesel engine working hard in the afternoon heat.
'You getting on then love?' The driver asked.
'Sorry no i've changed my mind.'
She got up from the bench and ran across the green back to her house.
Opening the door and going inside. She nearly bumped into her dad in her haste.
'Thought you were off to town?'
'Change of plans, i have to make a phone call.' She shouted behind her as she grabbed the cordless phone and ran upstairs.
'Alex?'
'Hey Roo! I was going to call you.'
Ruby nervously fussed with the sheets on her bed as she spoke.
'YEah...Listen we need to talk...'
'Great idea.' Alex enthused, 'I'm swimming in an interstate meet this week why don't you come on over?'
Ruby was about to interrupt, but he didn't give her chance...
'You deserve a bit of a break. I even looked at flights for you. There is one leaving from Heathrow tonight at 8, check in at 7...'
3.58pm
For the second time that day she sat on the village green.
This time she did get on the bus.
'You've decided to join us this time?' It was the same driver.
Ruby just smiled politely, 'London please, single.'
6.54pm
Traffic had been hell, not surprisingly as it was rush hour.
Shit i am so going to miss it. She thought as her taxi pulled into the drop off bay.
Ruby ran through the main hall, looking around her she had no real clue where she was headed.
'I'm so sorry.' She shouted back is she knocked into some one's shoulder as she ran by.
Finally she found a row of overhead monitors stretched in front of her, she scanned through the departure times....
-------------------------
'Excuse me is this seat taken?'
Jon didn't look up from beneath his baseball cap. 'Knock yourself out.'
'I see your people skills are not improved at all.'
This time he did look up...
Monday, 10 November 2008
Chapter 28: Ultimatum.
He waited and waited, but she never showed backstage.
Maybe she's late, he thought.
'Jon we're on!' One of the stage hands shouted.
The Milton Keynes Bowl stretched out in front of him.
At he reached the microphone the band started the intro to One Wild Night.
From his view standing on the stage he didn't see her either, but he had a show to focus on.
***
He saw that all the lights were off. Sidling round the side of the house he jumped over the garden gate and stood in the middle of the back garden.
He knew which room was hers because she spoke about looking out of her bedroom window across the fields sometimes. The front overlooked the village green, and the other window at the rear of the house was privacy glass so obviously the bathroom.
He felt on the ground and picked up a small stone.
Throwing it up he heard it tap on the glass.
Good shot.
He waited...but nothing.
Picking up another he threw and again waited....direct hit, but nothing.
Again he threw...
'Who's there?...' The stone hit the windowframe, 'Hey that one nearly hit me!'
'Sorry 'bout that.'
'Jon? What the hell are you doing?' she asked.
'I just want to talk.'
'It's nearly two o'clock!'
'I know....this is important.'
'Hang on i'm coming down.'
Jon turned as a light came on to his left, he walked over to the back door.
She stood in the doorway wearing a big fluffy robe, hair messed from sleeping.
'What's going on Jon?'
'Why didn't you come?'
'I...was busy.'
'You're not a very good liar.'
'Jon!' She was exasperated.
'It's easier if we're straight with each other.'
No response.
'Fine...Just say you don't care about me and i will walk away.' Jon said, hoping to prompt a reaction from her.
'I just don't want my life turned upside down again Jon.'
So she does feel something?
'I miss you.'
'Jon don't....Alex...'
'Is an idiot Jock.'
'He's got me. So who's the bigger idiot Jon?' She was fuming at this comment and wanted to slam the door in his face.
'I'm sorry. Jesus i'm sorry. Sorry for everything.' For fuck's sake, everything i say comes out wrong.
'Just go Jon.' She said, reaching for the door handle.
He put his hand on the door frame so she couldn't close the door.
'Answer me one question first...If i wasn't such a prick six months ago, would you have given Alex a second thought?'
'Jon, please!' A tear trailed down her cheek.
She tried to pull the door closed again.
'Cardiff on Sunday.' He held two VIP passes out for her. She didn't take them. 'It's our last gig in Britain.'
She didn't respond, so he threw them on the floor behind her. 'Just think about it.'
And with that he removed his arm.
-----------------
Richie pulled her in for a huge bearhug.
'I've missed you Shortstuff!'
'Me too.' she said genuinely.
'I hear you've been spending a bit of time with a certain relative of mine'.
Ruby blushed, she wrongly figured Alex would have said something to his family by now.
'How serious is it?'
'Oh you know...Why?'
'I have to report back to the family.'
She knew he was lying, she tilted her head and gave him a look
Richie held his hands in the air 'Okay....Okay i have an ulterior motive...it's Jon.'
Ruby sighed.
'Did he send you to speak to me or something?'
'No way darlin! I do no one's dirty work. I just wanted to tell you something.'
'Okay, you have my undivided attention.'
'Well that song...the one he gave you.'
'The one where he says we will never be more than friends?'
Richie wrinkled his forehead. 'Well i guess that's one way of looking at it.'
'And the other way?' She asked as Richie sat on the edge of a dressing room table.
'He says he ain't going to love you because he loves you. He thinks he's not good enough for you Shorts. But he's also cut up because you are with this guy half his age, and an athlete, and not him. Hey can't blame him for being jealous can you? He's up against a Sambora!' He winked at Ruby.
She sat down besides Richie.
'I never thought of it like that.'
'It's a good song. I've been trying to persuade him to release it, even as an album track....It's like getting blood from a stone. Hell he won't even sing the damn thing again!'
'What would you do Richie?'
'You're asking me darlin?' He laughed, 'Ok. I'll tell you this. Love is in the heart, not the head. Forget the whats, whys and wheres. Just go with what you feel.'
She stood again and on tiptoes kissed Richie's cheek.
'Thank you.'
'Any time sweetheart.'
***
She met up with Jon outside the arena long after everyone else had left.
Jon was smoking a cigarette as she approached he dropped it to the floor and stood on it.
'Hey.'
'Hey, i didn't know you smoked?'
'Only when i'm stressed.'
She felt like that comment was aimed at her.
'Thanks for coming...you enjoy the show tonight?'
'It was fantastic as always.'
He dug his hand in his pockets and pulled out a box of Malboros.
'Jon i....me and Alex...'
'You don't owe me any explainations. I treated you badly, if i could take it all back i would.'
He didn't look at her, he looked at his hands tapping the cigarette on his palm. If he looked at her he was afraid he'd say something stupid again.
'Jon really there's no need. It's not like we were together.'
He finally put the cigarette in his mouth and lit up. Sucking in the first drag as if it was his first breath of fresh air.
'Yeah. You weren't mine, that's why it's worse.'
She looked at him for a second. He was sincere, she could hear it in his voice. But just what the hell do you want me to do? She tried to get eye contact.
'Well i better get back, it's late.' She said, just wanting to get away from him, from the whole situation.
She was about to turn and leave but Jon held onto her hand stopping her. He flicked the cigarette away.
Finally their eyes met.
She'd missed those eyes, but now they didn't shine so bright.
'Come to Paris with me tomorrow. I'm going to make this offer once only and then i will walk away. Don't say anything now. I will wait for you until seven tomorrow night under the clock at Waterloo station. If you aren't there you won't hear from me again.'
She stood there in shock as he turned and walked away.
-----------------
Ruby sat at her window, holding onto an old cuddly toy dog, staring outside into the darkness.
It was a clear and starry night.
And also sleepless.
She glanced at her clock radio on the bedside table. The bright red digits said 03:46.
Fifteen hours fourteen minutes to go.
'Okay Rags, we can sort this out.' She said to the toy dog.
'Alex. Well he's reliable, really cute, mum and dad approve. What else?' She thought for a minute.
'Anyway, onto Jon. He is an idiot. Frequently. And God knows what mum and dad would think......But it's Jon.'
She pulled her knees up to her chest and held the dog closer. Burying her face in the well worn fur as she began to cry, it wasn't the first time Rags had been the shoulder to cry on.
He had made it perfectly clear, all or nothing.
Could she face losing all that?
Maybe she's late, he thought.
'Jon we're on!' One of the stage hands shouted.
The Milton Keynes Bowl stretched out in front of him.
At he reached the microphone the band started the intro to One Wild Night.
From his view standing on the stage he didn't see her either, but he had a show to focus on.
***
He saw that all the lights were off. Sidling round the side of the house he jumped over the garden gate and stood in the middle of the back garden.
He knew which room was hers because she spoke about looking out of her bedroom window across the fields sometimes. The front overlooked the village green, and the other window at the rear of the house was privacy glass so obviously the bathroom.
He felt on the ground and picked up a small stone.
Throwing it up he heard it tap on the glass.
Good shot.
He waited...but nothing.
Picking up another he threw and again waited....direct hit, but nothing.
Again he threw...
'Who's there?...' The stone hit the windowframe, 'Hey that one nearly hit me!'
'Sorry 'bout that.'
'Jon? What the hell are you doing?' she asked.
'I just want to talk.'
'It's nearly two o'clock!'
'I know....this is important.'
'Hang on i'm coming down.'
Jon turned as a light came on to his left, he walked over to the back door.
She stood in the doorway wearing a big fluffy robe, hair messed from sleeping.
'What's going on Jon?'
'Why didn't you come?'
'I...was busy.'
'You're not a very good liar.'
'Jon!' She was exasperated.
'It's easier if we're straight with each other.'
No response.
'Fine...Just say you don't care about me and i will walk away.' Jon said, hoping to prompt a reaction from her.
'I just don't want my life turned upside down again Jon.'
So she does feel something?
'I miss you.'
'Jon don't....Alex...'
'Is an idiot Jock.'
'He's got me. So who's the bigger idiot Jon?' She was fuming at this comment and wanted to slam the door in his face.
'I'm sorry. Jesus i'm sorry. Sorry for everything.' For fuck's sake, everything i say comes out wrong.
'Just go Jon.' She said, reaching for the door handle.
He put his hand on the door frame so she couldn't close the door.
'Answer me one question first...If i wasn't such a prick six months ago, would you have given Alex a second thought?'
'Jon, please!' A tear trailed down her cheek.
She tried to pull the door closed again.
'Cardiff on Sunday.' He held two VIP passes out for her. She didn't take them. 'It's our last gig in Britain.'
She didn't respond, so he threw them on the floor behind her. 'Just think about it.'
And with that he removed his arm.
-----------------
Richie pulled her in for a huge bearhug.
'I've missed you Shortstuff!'
'Me too.' she said genuinely.
'I hear you've been spending a bit of time with a certain relative of mine'.
Ruby blushed, she wrongly figured Alex would have said something to his family by now.
'How serious is it?'
'Oh you know...Why?'
'I have to report back to the family.'
She knew he was lying, she tilted her head and gave him a look
Richie held his hands in the air 'Okay....Okay i have an ulterior motive...it's Jon.'
Ruby sighed.
'Did he send you to speak to me or something?'
'No way darlin! I do no one's dirty work. I just wanted to tell you something.'
'Okay, you have my undivided attention.'
'Well that song...the one he gave you.'
'The one where he says we will never be more than friends?'
Richie wrinkled his forehead. 'Well i guess that's one way of looking at it.'
'And the other way?' She asked as Richie sat on the edge of a dressing room table.
'He says he ain't going to love you because he loves you. He thinks he's not good enough for you Shorts. But he's also cut up because you are with this guy half his age, and an athlete, and not him. Hey can't blame him for being jealous can you? He's up against a Sambora!' He winked at Ruby.
She sat down besides Richie.
'I never thought of it like that.'
'It's a good song. I've been trying to persuade him to release it, even as an album track....It's like getting blood from a stone. Hell he won't even sing the damn thing again!'
'What would you do Richie?'
'You're asking me darlin?' He laughed, 'Ok. I'll tell you this. Love is in the heart, not the head. Forget the whats, whys and wheres. Just go with what you feel.'
She stood again and on tiptoes kissed Richie's cheek.
'Thank you.'
'Any time sweetheart.'
***
She met up with Jon outside the arena long after everyone else had left.
Jon was smoking a cigarette as she approached he dropped it to the floor and stood on it.
'Hey.'
'Hey, i didn't know you smoked?'
'Only when i'm stressed.'
She felt like that comment was aimed at her.
'Thanks for coming...you enjoy the show tonight?'
'It was fantastic as always.'
He dug his hand in his pockets and pulled out a box of Malboros.
'Jon i....me and Alex...'
'You don't owe me any explainations. I treated you badly, if i could take it all back i would.'
He didn't look at her, he looked at his hands tapping the cigarette on his palm. If he looked at her he was afraid he'd say something stupid again.
'Jon really there's no need. It's not like we were together.'
He finally put the cigarette in his mouth and lit up. Sucking in the first drag as if it was his first breath of fresh air.
'Yeah. You weren't mine, that's why it's worse.'
She looked at him for a second. He was sincere, she could hear it in his voice. But just what the hell do you want me to do? She tried to get eye contact.
'Well i better get back, it's late.' She said, just wanting to get away from him, from the whole situation.
She was about to turn and leave but Jon held onto her hand stopping her. He flicked the cigarette away.
Finally their eyes met.
She'd missed those eyes, but now they didn't shine so bright.
'Come to Paris with me tomorrow. I'm going to make this offer once only and then i will walk away. Don't say anything now. I will wait for you until seven tomorrow night under the clock at Waterloo station. If you aren't there you won't hear from me again.'
She stood there in shock as he turned and walked away.
-----------------
Ruby sat at her window, holding onto an old cuddly toy dog, staring outside into the darkness.
It was a clear and starry night.
And also sleepless.
She glanced at her clock radio on the bedside table. The bright red digits said 03:46.
Fifteen hours fourteen minutes to go.
'Okay Rags, we can sort this out.' She said to the toy dog.
'Alex. Well he's reliable, really cute, mum and dad approve. What else?' She thought for a minute.
'Anyway, onto Jon. He is an idiot. Frequently. And God knows what mum and dad would think......But it's Jon.'
She pulled her knees up to her chest and held the dog closer. Burying her face in the well worn fur as she began to cry, it wasn't the first time Rags had been the shoulder to cry on.
He had made it perfectly clear, all or nothing.
Could she face losing all that?
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Chapter 27: Epiphany.
Six months after she had left his life Jon found himself sat outside her house in a rented Mercedes.
Six months of Bon Jovi, he was thankful of the tour. Thankful that his personal life could be piled under a mountain of interviews, tv appearances and gigs. It was easier that way.
Yet he still found himself here, sat outside her house.
'Fuck this Bongiovi, sit here any longer and you'll get arrested for being a peeping tom or something.'
Jon got out of the car and started to walk up the path, nearly turning back to the car half a dozen times.
As he knocked on the door, he semi-hoped that no one was home.
'Jon!'
God she looks good, he thought the second she opened the door. Her blonde hair was longer now, with a long fringe. She looked like she belonged in the seventies. And her tan skin...he was sure he'd dream about that later.
'Hi, Shorty......it's good to see you..'
'And you.....What are you doing...' She asked.
'Oh i...we are in Europe. Touring again.'
'Yeah i actually heard...but...' what are you doing on my doorstep? She thought to herself.
'I thought i'd see if you wanted these tickets? I'm afraid it's not quite Wembley, that had to come down the state we left it in last time!' Lame.
Ruby laughed, Jon was sure it was just to fill the un-easy silence.
'Well yeah i'll see what we're doing.'
Jon had to bite his tongue so he didn't ask, who is we?
'Sandy would be wrapped to see ya.'
'Me too, god i've missed her! And the guys how are they doing?'
'Oh ya know, same as always.'
'That's good.' She smiled.
'Well i guess i'd better...'
'Yeah sure.'
Their goodbyes were interrupted by a shout from the house.
'Roo? Roo have you seen...Jon.'
'Alex?' Jon was really quite confused as Richie's cousin appeared behind Ruby's shoulder.
'What's up?' Ruby asked as the men just looked at each other, each wondering why the hell the other one was there.
Alex turned to face Ruby. 'My watch?'
'Oh bedside table.'
What? Jon was taken aback...but desperately trying not to show it. 'I'm gonna go...busy.'
'Ok. Well it was good to see you. Might see you at the gig?' Ruby replied
'Yeah, oh yeah here's a couple of passes so you don't have to queue all day.'
Jon handed over some VIP passes, his hand inadvertently brushed hers. He looked her in the eye, and swore he could see something there.
'Thanks'.
Jon turned and walked back down the path, willing himself not to turn around. He laughed inwardly at the irony of it. Sambora....must be in the name.
---------------
Ruby closed the front door and leaned her back on it.
Alex had since gone upstairs looking for his watch.
Things are good, why did he have to come back and wreck things? she thought.
She had gone on with her life, personally and academically.
Alex had called her a week after she arrived home. They had kept in contact by phone and email and things had progressed from there. He had been and visited her several times when he travelled to swimming meets.
It didn't come quickly, it had taken time for her to get over Jon and think of Alex as anything more than a friend.
But she was happy.
I'm not going to let Jon ruin this. She thought as she took the VIP passes from her pocket and headed to put them in the kitchen bin.
---------------
After the gig Jon and Richie were having a few quiet drinks in the hotel bar in Stockholm.
'So..how is she?' Richie asked, Jon had confided that he was going to see Ruby before the gig. Richie was not pleased as it was so close to the gig later that day, he didn't want Jon's mind to be elsewhere. But he figured who was he to tell Jon what to do?
'She seems okay......Why didn't you tell me your cousin is screwing her?'
Richie near enough spat his wine in Jon's face.
'He what?'
'He was there when i went round.'
'I didn't know...i'm shocked man, when the hell did that happen?'
Jon just shrugged and downed the remainder of his wine.
'....But i mean you had to have thought she was gonna find someone else.'
'Yeah i know. And it's made me see it's true what they say Rich, you don't know what you've got till it's gone.'
'I'm sorry dude.' Richie said.
'No need. I'll get her back. There was a spark there i swear it.'
'Come on man, she isn't some trophy to be fought over. Remember how beat up she was last time? She'd be a fool to take you on after what happened last year.'
'You're right, but as usual i am going to ignore you. You are looking at the new improved Jon. He has a positive outlook.'
'Don't talk about yourself in third person man...' Richie laughed. 'Only works with cool people...such as the Sambora.'
Jon gestured to the barman for another bottle of wine.
'Well Kidd, this is an ambitious project.Where are you gonna start?'
'I invited her to the Milton Keynes gig. And Richie this is no project. This is my happiness at stake.'
Richie laughed.
'What?'
'Nothing.'
'Tell me or you're fired.' Jon joked.
'Alright...well it just that she was yours for the taking last year and you didn't want her. Now someone else has her you get all macho trying to win her over.'
Jon looked across the bar into space...he didn't look back to Richie as he spoke.
'I was in denial last year, it took seeing Diane to make me realise what i had before was nothing. I have never had a relationship where i would honest to god die for that person. Sounds bad but it's true. I want what you've got Rich.'
'And this girl is it?'
'I swear, she makes me....i don't know, but this past six months has been hell.'
Richie shook his head, 'You know he's my cousin Jon. It's a conflict....'
He stood from his stool and put his hand on Jon's shoulder, 'but you're my brother. Good luck man.'
Six months of Bon Jovi, he was thankful of the tour. Thankful that his personal life could be piled under a mountain of interviews, tv appearances and gigs. It was easier that way.
Yet he still found himself here, sat outside her house.
'Fuck this Bongiovi, sit here any longer and you'll get arrested for being a peeping tom or something.'
Jon got out of the car and started to walk up the path, nearly turning back to the car half a dozen times.
As he knocked on the door, he semi-hoped that no one was home.
'Jon!'
God she looks good, he thought the second she opened the door. Her blonde hair was longer now, with a long fringe. She looked like she belonged in the seventies. And her tan skin...he was sure he'd dream about that later.
'Hi, Shorty......it's good to see you..'
'And you.....What are you doing...' She asked.
'Oh i...we are in Europe. Touring again.'
'Yeah i actually heard...but...' what are you doing on my doorstep? She thought to herself.
'I thought i'd see if you wanted these tickets? I'm afraid it's not quite Wembley, that had to come down the state we left it in last time!' Lame.
Ruby laughed, Jon was sure it was just to fill the un-easy silence.
'Well yeah i'll see what we're doing.'
Jon had to bite his tongue so he didn't ask, who is we?
'Sandy would be wrapped to see ya.'
'Me too, god i've missed her! And the guys how are they doing?'
'Oh ya know, same as always.'
'That's good.' She smiled.
'Well i guess i'd better...'
'Yeah sure.'
Their goodbyes were interrupted by a shout from the house.
'Roo? Roo have you seen...Jon.'
'Alex?' Jon was really quite confused as Richie's cousin appeared behind Ruby's shoulder.
'What's up?' Ruby asked as the men just looked at each other, each wondering why the hell the other one was there.
Alex turned to face Ruby. 'My watch?'
'Oh bedside table.'
What? Jon was taken aback...but desperately trying not to show it. 'I'm gonna go...busy.'
'Ok. Well it was good to see you. Might see you at the gig?' Ruby replied
'Yeah, oh yeah here's a couple of passes so you don't have to queue all day.'
Jon handed over some VIP passes, his hand inadvertently brushed hers. He looked her in the eye, and swore he could see something there.
'Thanks'.
Jon turned and walked back down the path, willing himself not to turn around. He laughed inwardly at the irony of it. Sambora....must be in the name.
---------------
Ruby closed the front door and leaned her back on it.
Alex had since gone upstairs looking for his watch.
Things are good, why did he have to come back and wreck things? she thought.
She had gone on with her life, personally and academically.
Alex had called her a week after she arrived home. They had kept in contact by phone and email and things had progressed from there. He had been and visited her several times when he travelled to swimming meets.
It didn't come quickly, it had taken time for her to get over Jon and think of Alex as anything more than a friend.
But she was happy.
I'm not going to let Jon ruin this. She thought as she took the VIP passes from her pocket and headed to put them in the kitchen bin.
---------------
After the gig Jon and Richie were having a few quiet drinks in the hotel bar in Stockholm.
'So..how is she?' Richie asked, Jon had confided that he was going to see Ruby before the gig. Richie was not pleased as it was so close to the gig later that day, he didn't want Jon's mind to be elsewhere. But he figured who was he to tell Jon what to do?
'She seems okay......Why didn't you tell me your cousin is screwing her?'
Richie near enough spat his wine in Jon's face.
'He what?'
'He was there when i went round.'
'I didn't know...i'm shocked man, when the hell did that happen?'
Jon just shrugged and downed the remainder of his wine.
'....But i mean you had to have thought she was gonna find someone else.'
'Yeah i know. And it's made me see it's true what they say Rich, you don't know what you've got till it's gone.'
'I'm sorry dude.' Richie said.
'No need. I'll get her back. There was a spark there i swear it.'
'Come on man, she isn't some trophy to be fought over. Remember how beat up she was last time? She'd be a fool to take you on after what happened last year.'
'You're right, but as usual i am going to ignore you. You are looking at the new improved Jon. He has a positive outlook.'
'Don't talk about yourself in third person man...' Richie laughed. 'Only works with cool people...such as the Sambora.'
Jon gestured to the barman for another bottle of wine.
'Well Kidd, this is an ambitious project.Where are you gonna start?'
'I invited her to the Milton Keynes gig. And Richie this is no project. This is my happiness at stake.'
Richie laughed.
'What?'
'Nothing.'
'Tell me or you're fired.' Jon joked.
'Alright...well it just that she was yours for the taking last year and you didn't want her. Now someone else has her you get all macho trying to win her over.'
Jon looked across the bar into space...he didn't look back to Richie as he spoke.
'I was in denial last year, it took seeing Diane to make me realise what i had before was nothing. I have never had a relationship where i would honest to god die for that person. Sounds bad but it's true. I want what you've got Rich.'
'And this girl is it?'
'I swear, she makes me....i don't know, but this past six months has been hell.'
Richie shook his head, 'You know he's my cousin Jon. It's a conflict....'
He stood from his stool and put his hand on Jon's shoulder, 'but you're my brother. Good luck man.'
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Chapter 26: Letter To A Friend.
A few days later they had arrived in Chicago, after the show the band and crew had all gone out to sample the Chicago nightlife. America's second city had alot to offer.
Later on in the night Sandy dragged Ruby into a quieter place, a bar where they had live blues music playing.
'I'm just going to the bathroom' she said as Sandy headed to the bar.
During the night they had become separated with the others when they had gone to a dance club.
From across the room Ruby spied Jon talikng to a woman, a beautiful brunette.
'Hey there you are Jon!'
She walked up behind him, going to put her hand on his shoulder.
His back tensed up at the sound of her voice.
'Can't you see i'm busy? Just leave us a minute.' He near enough shouted at her.
Wounded. In a moment of de ja vu she turned on her heel and ran away from them. This time she didn't hold back the tears. She barely even looked in the direction she was going, she just needed out of there fast.
She ran straight into someone's shoulder.
'I'm sorry.' She stuttered between sobs.
'Hey...Hey. Darlin what's wrong? Come here.'
Richie curled his arms around her.
'Richie i...i just want to go home.'
'Come on i'll take you.'
'No i mean home home. Just anywhere away from him.'
Richie walked with his arms around her as she cried, the kind of tears where you can't find your breath.
He waved down a cab outside the bar and took Ruby back to the hotel.
***
'Are you going to tell me what's up now?' He said as he poured her a whiskey. He had taken her to his hotel suite.
'I can't drink this!' she said.
'It'll calm you down. And it'll lubricate your tongue so i can find out what's got you in this state.'
Reluctantly she sipped at the glass. Wincing with every taste, in the end she just downed it.
Richie nodded, quite impressed.
'It's Jon.'
Richie pulled up another barstool and sat himself down beside her.
'I mean we have....sort of, i don't know what it is. Seems like bugger all now.'
'Bugger all?'
'Nothing.'
'Right. Sorry girl but i'm really confused here.' Richie said pouring himself a whiskey.
'There has been something between us.'
Suddenly richie became aware, it was a case of Jon fucking it up with a girl again.
'Okay.'
'Well he's been a bit....whenever i have gone to kiss him public he's said stop it and just spoke to me as if i was a child. And then later come creeping back to me with some lame excuse.'
'And tonight?'
'And tonight i go up to him and say hey, he didn't even turn round. Shouted at me to leave him alone.' With that the tears started to flow again. 'I just feel like i'm being used. And i'm sick of it.'
'Come here.' Richie held her close as she sobbed into his chest, 'I don't know what to say, i know how Jon is. He can be a grade A prick sometimes.'
'I hate him....'
Richie hushed her as she cried against him.
A while later with the help of the whiskey she had cried herself to sleep.
***
Richie headed over to Jon's suite.
Banging on the door harder than was polite considering other guests.
The door swung open in seconds.
'Richie, fuck i thought it was going to be...'
'Yeah i know who you thought it was gonna be.'
'You do? Is she okay? Where is she?'
'In bed.'
'Your bed?'
'Fuck you, now is not the time for petty jealousy.'
Jon's shoulders sunk, he didn't really think that anything had happened.
'Sorry Rich.'
He wandered over to the fridge fetching coke for them both.
'You shouldn't be apologising to me Jon. That girl was breaking her heart over you all night.'
Jon looked at the ground. Fuck.
'I didn't mean to....but maybe it's for the best.'
'What? For the best? This has got to be some fucked up logic.'
'The woman i was with...Richie, it was Diane.'
'Diane? Shit.'
'Yeah it was a bit tense, i snapped. But i've been on thin ice with Shorty for a while.'
'Yeah she said you had been messing her around.'
'It's hard Rich. I want her...but i know i'm all wrong for her.' He sipped from his coke. 'She's too good for me man. She's young, her whole life ahead of her. And smart, she's really smart Richie, gonna be an architect some day. I've kept her away from her studies too long already, i don't want to ruin her life anymore. I need to end it once and for all'
'I'm not gonna give you any bullshit advice. You've got to do what you need to do Jon. But just whatever you decide for God's sake let her in on it this time.'
Richie got up to leave. 'And tell her now, don't keep her hanging.'
'Ok i will. But Rich, i need to ask a favour.'
--------------------
Richie had given him his room key, so the next morning Jon headed to his suite, running words over in his head.
'Shorty...' he started to call but he saw her sat at the table the second he opened the door.
'What do you want Jon?' Her eyes were reddened from crying.
He invited himself in and sat down.
'To explain some stuff.'
She was reading a newspaper, dressed in a baggy hoody and shorts.
'Like your inability to be a decent human being?'
'Okay i deserved that. But just hear me out yeah?'
'That woman you saw me with. Her name is Diane. She's an actress. We were together on and off for about 8 years. I haven't seen her for 2.'
Ruby didn't respond. Just looked at him waiting for more.
'It didn't end well last time and i didn't expect to see her, you caught me at a bad time and i'm sorry.'
'Okay. I think maybe i over reacted, i can see why...'
'Stop it.' Jon said holding his head in his hands.
She was shocked, what the hell?
'Why are you so nice to me? I don't deserve it.'
'I must be stupid then.'
'No you aren't. Don't ever say that.'
Silence. Neither of them knew what to say next...Ruby broke the ice.
'So where do we go from here?'
'I think maybe we should go back to being just friends. It could never work you know that right?'
She was knocked for six....Friends is not enough, she wanted to say to him.
Jon continued, 'You know i'm right. A relationship wouldn't work out between us. We're from two different worlds.'
'Cut the crap Jon. Just say it. You want to go back to this Diane.'
You couldn't be further from the truth if you tried, he thought. 'Yes Shorty. I do. We have history.'
'And we didn't have a chance.' She was calm, resolved.
'She's in the public eye you know? Like me. She understands....and it makes sense for me to be out there, premieres and...'
'Is that all love is to you? She'll help you sell more records?' A tear trailed down her face. 'Well if that's the case i feel sorry for you Jon.'
Damn it. Don't cry it's hard enough as it is, he thought. 'It's not like it was going to work out anyway, it was fun....'
'Right. Fun. I see where I stand. Don't worry now that the fun is over i will get out of your precious hair.' She replied, getting up to leave.
------------------
She didn't feel like it at all but she stayed for one more show. Indianapolis.
She wanted to say goodbye to the crew, especially Sandy.
For the first time she had her own hotel suite. She had barely seen Jon since their talk.
'I am gonna miss you kid.' Sandy said holding her tight.
'I'll miss you too. It's been great fun, thank you. Is it ok if i keep in touch?'
'You better do! And i'll see you when we're over there won't i?'
'I don't know...maybe. See i'll have my studies.' She lied. She didn't think she could stand to see Jon again.
'Well i'll come and drag you away from the books. Just look after yourself you hear?'
'I will.'
For the last song of the show Jon had added Never Say Goodbye, it was performed acoustically. The highlight of a lacklustre show.
Jon just felt low, he knew what he was doing was right for her in the long run, even though it killed him to do it.
But the token was in vain. Ruby wasn't there to hear it, she had snuck off before the show started.
----------------------
As she packed her suitcase there was a knocking on the hotel door.
She dropped the shirt she was folding and walked over to open the door.
'Jon.'
He was stood in the doorway, obviously hadn't changed since the show.
'Hey.' He smiled, she didn't reciprocate.
They stood for a second.
'Can i come in?' Jon asked.
'I'm actually busy packing....' She had hoped to be gone before the show ended, avoiding the goodbye.
'This won't take a minute.'
She sighed stepping aside. 'Okay but i have to pack while you talk.'
'That's fine. I just didn't want you to leave without saying goodbye.'
'What's the point Jon? After this i can't be just your friend. Let's just call it quits.'
'I'll miss you.'
'And i will miss you....I have missed you. For the past couple weeks....missed the person who i thought you were anyway.' She could feel the tears threatening.
Dammit i won't cry in front of him again.
She walked over to the bedside table pretending to look for something.
'You know i've always lived my life and said no regrets, life's too short. But things change i guess...' Jon said.
With that he turned and walked out of the room.
-------------------
She put her headphones on and rummaged in her hand luggage for her CDs. This was going to be a long flight, she needed to take her mind off things.
Pulling out the holder she noticed a jiffy envelope in her bag.
What the hell? Good job my bag wasn't searched.
There was nothing on the envelope, so she opened it up.
It had a cassette player inside, no note or anything.
She plugged her headphones into the player, not knowing what to expect, but curious all the same she hit play.
I'll be there to hold you by the hand
When you need someone to walk you home
You know that I'll be there to understand
When you call me on the phone
I'll be there to watch you when you sleep
When you close your eyes at night
And I'll be there to keep your secrets kept,
Cross my heart, hope to die
I swear each word is true
There's only one thing I wouldn't do
I'll be there when you need a real friend
I'll be there to listen to your schemes
I'll be there to give you all I've got
I'll be there when you paint your masterpiece
And I'll be right beside your every move
I'll give you my eyes so you can see
And I'll help you to find the things you've lost
When you're busting at the seams
I swear each word is true
There's only one thing I wouldn't do
I ain't gonna love you
I ain't gonna love you
Nobody wants you like I want you
Nobody needs you like I need you
You know I would beg and plead,
get down on my knees
do most anything, it's true
But I ain't gonna love you
I ain't gonna love you
'Cause I love you
I'll be there to love the things you love
I'll be the one who knows your middle name
Be the only one that you can trust
I'll give you the blood that's in my veins
I swear these words are true
There's only one thing I wouldn't do
I ain't gonna love you
'Cause nobody wants you like I want you
Nobody needs you like I need you
You know I would beg and please, get down on my knees
Do most anything for you
But I ain't gonna love you
I ain't gonna love you
Because I love you.
Because I love you.
She just sat in tears.
After the song finished she rewound it and played it again.
Later on in the night Sandy dragged Ruby into a quieter place, a bar where they had live blues music playing.
'I'm just going to the bathroom' she said as Sandy headed to the bar.
During the night they had become separated with the others when they had gone to a dance club.
From across the room Ruby spied Jon talikng to a woman, a beautiful brunette.
'Hey there you are Jon!'
She walked up behind him, going to put her hand on his shoulder.
His back tensed up at the sound of her voice.
'Can't you see i'm busy? Just leave us a minute.' He near enough shouted at her.
Wounded. In a moment of de ja vu she turned on her heel and ran away from them. This time she didn't hold back the tears. She barely even looked in the direction she was going, she just needed out of there fast.
She ran straight into someone's shoulder.
'I'm sorry.' She stuttered between sobs.
'Hey...Hey. Darlin what's wrong? Come here.'
Richie curled his arms around her.
'Richie i...i just want to go home.'
'Come on i'll take you.'
'No i mean home home. Just anywhere away from him.'
Richie walked with his arms around her as she cried, the kind of tears where you can't find your breath.
He waved down a cab outside the bar and took Ruby back to the hotel.
***
'Are you going to tell me what's up now?' He said as he poured her a whiskey. He had taken her to his hotel suite.
'I can't drink this!' she said.
'It'll calm you down. And it'll lubricate your tongue so i can find out what's got you in this state.'
Reluctantly she sipped at the glass. Wincing with every taste, in the end she just downed it.
Richie nodded, quite impressed.
'It's Jon.'
Richie pulled up another barstool and sat himself down beside her.
'I mean we have....sort of, i don't know what it is. Seems like bugger all now.'
'Bugger all?'
'Nothing.'
'Right. Sorry girl but i'm really confused here.' Richie said pouring himself a whiskey.
'There has been something between us.'
Suddenly richie became aware, it was a case of Jon fucking it up with a girl again.
'Okay.'
'Well he's been a bit....whenever i have gone to kiss him public he's said stop it and just spoke to me as if i was a child. And then later come creeping back to me with some lame excuse.'
'And tonight?'
'And tonight i go up to him and say hey, he didn't even turn round. Shouted at me to leave him alone.' With that the tears started to flow again. 'I just feel like i'm being used. And i'm sick of it.'
'Come here.' Richie held her close as she sobbed into his chest, 'I don't know what to say, i know how Jon is. He can be a grade A prick sometimes.'
'I hate him....'
Richie hushed her as she cried against him.
A while later with the help of the whiskey she had cried herself to sleep.
***
Richie headed over to Jon's suite.
Banging on the door harder than was polite considering other guests.
The door swung open in seconds.
'Richie, fuck i thought it was going to be...'
'Yeah i know who you thought it was gonna be.'
'You do? Is she okay? Where is she?'
'In bed.'
'Your bed?'
'Fuck you, now is not the time for petty jealousy.'
Jon's shoulders sunk, he didn't really think that anything had happened.
'Sorry Rich.'
He wandered over to the fridge fetching coke for them both.
'You shouldn't be apologising to me Jon. That girl was breaking her heart over you all night.'
Jon looked at the ground. Fuck.
'I didn't mean to....but maybe it's for the best.'
'What? For the best? This has got to be some fucked up logic.'
'The woman i was with...Richie, it was Diane.'
'Diane? Shit.'
'Yeah it was a bit tense, i snapped. But i've been on thin ice with Shorty for a while.'
'Yeah she said you had been messing her around.'
'It's hard Rich. I want her...but i know i'm all wrong for her.' He sipped from his coke. 'She's too good for me man. She's young, her whole life ahead of her. And smart, she's really smart Richie, gonna be an architect some day. I've kept her away from her studies too long already, i don't want to ruin her life anymore. I need to end it once and for all'
'I'm not gonna give you any bullshit advice. You've got to do what you need to do Jon. But just whatever you decide for God's sake let her in on it this time.'
Richie got up to leave. 'And tell her now, don't keep her hanging.'
'Ok i will. But Rich, i need to ask a favour.'
--------------------
Richie had given him his room key, so the next morning Jon headed to his suite, running words over in his head.
'Shorty...' he started to call but he saw her sat at the table the second he opened the door.
'What do you want Jon?' Her eyes were reddened from crying.
He invited himself in and sat down.
'To explain some stuff.'
She was reading a newspaper, dressed in a baggy hoody and shorts.
'Like your inability to be a decent human being?'
'Okay i deserved that. But just hear me out yeah?'
'That woman you saw me with. Her name is Diane. She's an actress. We were together on and off for about 8 years. I haven't seen her for 2.'
Ruby didn't respond. Just looked at him waiting for more.
'It didn't end well last time and i didn't expect to see her, you caught me at a bad time and i'm sorry.'
'Okay. I think maybe i over reacted, i can see why...'
'Stop it.' Jon said holding his head in his hands.
She was shocked, what the hell?
'Why are you so nice to me? I don't deserve it.'
'I must be stupid then.'
'No you aren't. Don't ever say that.'
Silence. Neither of them knew what to say next...Ruby broke the ice.
'So where do we go from here?'
'I think maybe we should go back to being just friends. It could never work you know that right?'
She was knocked for six....Friends is not enough, she wanted to say to him.
Jon continued, 'You know i'm right. A relationship wouldn't work out between us. We're from two different worlds.'
'Cut the crap Jon. Just say it. You want to go back to this Diane.'
You couldn't be further from the truth if you tried, he thought. 'Yes Shorty. I do. We have history.'
'And we didn't have a chance.' She was calm, resolved.
'She's in the public eye you know? Like me. She understands....and it makes sense for me to be out there, premieres and...'
'Is that all love is to you? She'll help you sell more records?' A tear trailed down her face. 'Well if that's the case i feel sorry for you Jon.'
Damn it. Don't cry it's hard enough as it is, he thought. 'It's not like it was going to work out anyway, it was fun....'
'Right. Fun. I see where I stand. Don't worry now that the fun is over i will get out of your precious hair.' She replied, getting up to leave.
------------------
She didn't feel like it at all but she stayed for one more show. Indianapolis.
She wanted to say goodbye to the crew, especially Sandy.
For the first time she had her own hotel suite. She had barely seen Jon since their talk.
'I am gonna miss you kid.' Sandy said holding her tight.
'I'll miss you too. It's been great fun, thank you. Is it ok if i keep in touch?'
'You better do! And i'll see you when we're over there won't i?'
'I don't know...maybe. See i'll have my studies.' She lied. She didn't think she could stand to see Jon again.
'Well i'll come and drag you away from the books. Just look after yourself you hear?'
'I will.'
For the last song of the show Jon had added Never Say Goodbye, it was performed acoustically. The highlight of a lacklustre show.
Jon just felt low, he knew what he was doing was right for her in the long run, even though it killed him to do it.
But the token was in vain. Ruby wasn't there to hear it, she had snuck off before the show started.
----------------------
As she packed her suitcase there was a knocking on the hotel door.
She dropped the shirt she was folding and walked over to open the door.
'Jon.'
He was stood in the doorway, obviously hadn't changed since the show.
'Hey.' He smiled, she didn't reciprocate.
They stood for a second.
'Can i come in?' Jon asked.
'I'm actually busy packing....' She had hoped to be gone before the show ended, avoiding the goodbye.
'This won't take a minute.'
She sighed stepping aside. 'Okay but i have to pack while you talk.'
'That's fine. I just didn't want you to leave without saying goodbye.'
'What's the point Jon? After this i can't be just your friend. Let's just call it quits.'
'I'll miss you.'
'And i will miss you....I have missed you. For the past couple weeks....missed the person who i thought you were anyway.' She could feel the tears threatening.
Dammit i won't cry in front of him again.
She walked over to the bedside table pretending to look for something.
'You know i've always lived my life and said no regrets, life's too short. But things change i guess...' Jon said.
With that he turned and walked out of the room.
-------------------
She put her headphones on and rummaged in her hand luggage for her CDs. This was going to be a long flight, she needed to take her mind off things.
Pulling out the holder she noticed a jiffy envelope in her bag.
What the hell? Good job my bag wasn't searched.
There was nothing on the envelope, so she opened it up.
It had a cassette player inside, no note or anything.
She plugged her headphones into the player, not knowing what to expect, but curious all the same she hit play.
I'll be there to hold you by the hand
When you need someone to walk you home
You know that I'll be there to understand
When you call me on the phone
I'll be there to watch you when you sleep
When you close your eyes at night
And I'll be there to keep your secrets kept,
Cross my heart, hope to die
I swear each word is true
There's only one thing I wouldn't do
I'll be there when you need a real friend
I'll be there to listen to your schemes
I'll be there to give you all I've got
I'll be there when you paint your masterpiece
And I'll be right beside your every move
I'll give you my eyes so you can see
And I'll help you to find the things you've lost
When you're busting at the seams
I swear each word is true
There's only one thing I wouldn't do
I ain't gonna love you
I ain't gonna love you
Nobody wants you like I want you
Nobody needs you like I need you
You know I would beg and plead,
get down on my knees
do most anything, it's true
But I ain't gonna love you
I ain't gonna love you
'Cause I love you
I'll be there to love the things you love
I'll be the one who knows your middle name
Be the only one that you can trust
I'll give you the blood that's in my veins
I swear these words are true
There's only one thing I wouldn't do
I ain't gonna love you
'Cause nobody wants you like I want you
Nobody needs you like I need you
You know I would beg and please, get down on my knees
Do most anything for you
But I ain't gonna love you
I ain't gonna love you
Because I love you.
Because I love you.
She just sat in tears.
After the song finished she rewound it and played it again.
Friday, 24 October 2008
Chapter 25: Third time's a charm.
Half an hour later she heard him come in, she expected him to be longer than that.
'Shorty you awake?'
Rapping lightly on her door.
He slowly opened and stepped through. 'Babe?'
She felt the depression of the bed as he sat down on the edge.
'I know you're pissed at me.'
She didn't say anything.
'And I know you're awake because you ain't drooling.' He joked.
She unsuccessfully tried to stifle a laugh.
'Dammit Jon don't make me laugh, i have to be cross at you right now.'
'Sorry.'
He smiled in the dark. She's not that mad.
'At the airport i could understand it, i mean it's public, paperazzi could have seen. But Jon this was a private party, so what's your excuse tonight?'
'The airport?' he shook his head.
'God Jon you are so dense, forget it.'
'Come on babe, Can't you see that i'm trying?'
'Yes you are very trying.'
It was Jon's turn to try and stifle a laugh.
'It's fine really Jon...but it's late and i need some sleep.'
Not once had she turned to look at him, he sighed getting up from the bed.
'Goodnight Shorty.'
Jon walked out to the living area of the suite and poured himself a whiskey from the bar, downing it in one he grimaced slightly.
God if this girl isn't hard work.
----------------
The next morning Ruby got up early, deciding to head down to the hotel pool for a swim.
She sat at the edge of the pool dangling her legs in.
She noticed she wasn't alone, there was one other peron in the pool doing lengths.
The person swam down to her end before popping up at the side.
'Hi shorty.'
'Oh it's you. Hey Alex.'
He put his hands on the side and lifted himself out of the water to sit next to her.
He had the broadest shoulders she had ever seen.
'Have a good time at the party last night?'
'Not really. Felt a bit out of the loop you know?'
'Yeah i get that, with all the old time friends there.'
'So how come you were there? Bit young to be a friend.'
'Yeah i'm not a friend, i'm family. Richie's my cousin.'
'Really? I thought you looked a bit familiar, you have the same eyes.'
Really nice eyes... She shook her head. Don't add more confusion into the mix...even if he is really hot....
'Anyway a bit early for a swim isn't it? The morning after the night before...'
'Well i kind of have to. I'm a swimmer.'
'For a living?'
'Yeah.' He laughed.
'Wow that's pretty cool.'
'Yeah it's ok, i get to do a load of travelling.'
'Are you good?'
He laughed again 'Want a race?'
'I would but, i'm a bit nervous to get in.'
'How come?'
'I don't actually know if i can swim.'
He looked at her strangely.
'It's complicated.....okay well it's not. I've got amnesia. I can't remember anything about myself before august.'
'Wow, that must be a bit weird.'
'A bit yeah....'
'Come on jump in, if you can't swim i won't let you drown.'
------------------
Later on that morning she walked into the apartment to find Jon sat at the table, breakfast infront of him.
'Hey.'
'Hi Jon.'
'I can ring down for more if you want?'
'It's ok i've eaten.'
'Oh.'
She went to walk into her bedroom.
'Shorty, about last night....'
She turned back around to see him pushing a half eaten pancake around his plate.
'I know i hurt you, I never....I'm sorry.'
'That's ok, really don't beat yourself up about it.'
'So we're cool?'
She nodded firmly, 'cool.'
------------------
That afternoon they were on yet another flight, this time to Detroit.
The atmosphere was a tad frosty.
The guys being guys attributed it to hang overs and mid-tour blues.
But Sandy knew different. After their talk earlier in the day she presumed something had gone on between Jon and Ruby.
She told Ruby in no uncertain terms that they were going to have a girls only night out. Ruby reluctantly agreed.
------------------
Jon was leaning against the door frame as she sat at the dressing room mirror.
He watched her silently for a minute.
Her blonde hair was down around her shoulders, styled with a slight curl.
She wore a turquoise blue dress, and matching stilettoes with a three inch heel. God if that dress doesn't hug her in all the right places. And those legs...how can they go on forever when she's so small...
'Can i help you Jon?'
Busted!
'I hope you aren't going to be getting up to any mischief tonight?'
'And if i did what's it got to do with you?' She said and stuck her tongue out at him.
Ouch. Her tone was light but he could tell she meant it.
He moved over to her and sat on the small stool next to her, budging her over.
She tutted at him as she moved across to give him more room.
'Why can't we go back to how we were?'
'How we were? You mean kissing and God knows what when we are alone and best buddies in public?'
He lent his elbow on the table, resting his chin on his hand. Just looking at her. He hoped his eyes could tell her what he couldn't say.
'We're still on this?'
'Well i just like to know where i stand.'
'Okay. I just didn't want to go public when it was all so new. I mean we didn't even really know what was going on. It just...it piles the pressure on. You know?'
She put her lipstick down on the table.
'Why didn't you tell me this the other night? Because that actually is a good excuse.'
'It's not an excuse babe. I'm just sorry i didn't handle it differently.'
Ruby nodded. Maybe he's not such an asshole after all.
'We really cool now?'
'Yes.'
Raising his hand to her chin he brushed his thumb across her lower lip.
'Good because i've missed these lips.'
He leaned in for the kiss.
As his lips softly touched hers, he hoped the kiss could instill in her how he felt.
In between tender kisses she said.
'You're messing up my lipstick.'
'You're not going to like this then babe.'
The next time his mouth met hers he gently opened her mouth with his tongue, finding her tongue equally willing.
Just as it was heating up he let her go.
'If we don't stop now Sandy is going to have to find someone else to go out with.' Jon said. His voice deep.
'And that's a bad thing?'
She felt the loss of his thigh touching hers as he got up from the stool. Leaving her with just a racing heart and butterflies in her stomach.
Damn. What one kiss does to me. She thought.
Walking to the door once more he turned back to her.
'By the way you look stunning.'
'Shorty you awake?'
Rapping lightly on her door.
He slowly opened and stepped through. 'Babe?'
She felt the depression of the bed as he sat down on the edge.
'I know you're pissed at me.'
She didn't say anything.
'And I know you're awake because you ain't drooling.' He joked.
She unsuccessfully tried to stifle a laugh.
'Dammit Jon don't make me laugh, i have to be cross at you right now.'
'Sorry.'
He smiled in the dark. She's not that mad.
'At the airport i could understand it, i mean it's public, paperazzi could have seen. But Jon this was a private party, so what's your excuse tonight?'
'The airport?' he shook his head.
'God Jon you are so dense, forget it.'
'Come on babe, Can't you see that i'm trying?'
'Yes you are very trying.'
It was Jon's turn to try and stifle a laugh.
'It's fine really Jon...but it's late and i need some sleep.'
Not once had she turned to look at him, he sighed getting up from the bed.
'Goodnight Shorty.'
Jon walked out to the living area of the suite and poured himself a whiskey from the bar, downing it in one he grimaced slightly.
God if this girl isn't hard work.
----------------
The next morning Ruby got up early, deciding to head down to the hotel pool for a swim.
She sat at the edge of the pool dangling her legs in.
She noticed she wasn't alone, there was one other peron in the pool doing lengths.
The person swam down to her end before popping up at the side.
'Hi shorty.'
'Oh it's you. Hey Alex.'
He put his hands on the side and lifted himself out of the water to sit next to her.
He had the broadest shoulders she had ever seen.
'Have a good time at the party last night?'
'Not really. Felt a bit out of the loop you know?'
'Yeah i get that, with all the old time friends there.'
'So how come you were there? Bit young to be a friend.'
'Yeah i'm not a friend, i'm family. Richie's my cousin.'
'Really? I thought you looked a bit familiar, you have the same eyes.'
Really nice eyes... She shook her head. Don't add more confusion into the mix...even if he is really hot....
'Anyway a bit early for a swim isn't it? The morning after the night before...'
'Well i kind of have to. I'm a swimmer.'
'For a living?'
'Yeah.' He laughed.
'Wow that's pretty cool.'
'Yeah it's ok, i get to do a load of travelling.'
'Are you good?'
He laughed again 'Want a race?'
'I would but, i'm a bit nervous to get in.'
'How come?'
'I don't actually know if i can swim.'
He looked at her strangely.
'It's complicated.....okay well it's not. I've got amnesia. I can't remember anything about myself before august.'
'Wow, that must be a bit weird.'
'A bit yeah....'
'Come on jump in, if you can't swim i won't let you drown.'
------------------
Later on that morning she walked into the apartment to find Jon sat at the table, breakfast infront of him.
'Hey.'
'Hi Jon.'
'I can ring down for more if you want?'
'It's ok i've eaten.'
'Oh.'
She went to walk into her bedroom.
'Shorty, about last night....'
She turned back around to see him pushing a half eaten pancake around his plate.
'I know i hurt you, I never....I'm sorry.'
'That's ok, really don't beat yourself up about it.'
'So we're cool?'
She nodded firmly, 'cool.'
------------------
That afternoon they were on yet another flight, this time to Detroit.
The atmosphere was a tad frosty.
The guys being guys attributed it to hang overs and mid-tour blues.
But Sandy knew different. After their talk earlier in the day she presumed something had gone on between Jon and Ruby.
She told Ruby in no uncertain terms that they were going to have a girls only night out. Ruby reluctantly agreed.
------------------
Jon was leaning against the door frame as she sat at the dressing room mirror.
He watched her silently for a minute.
Her blonde hair was down around her shoulders, styled with a slight curl.
She wore a turquoise blue dress, and matching stilettoes with a three inch heel. God if that dress doesn't hug her in all the right places. And those legs...how can they go on forever when she's so small...
'Can i help you Jon?'
Busted!
'I hope you aren't going to be getting up to any mischief tonight?'
'And if i did what's it got to do with you?' She said and stuck her tongue out at him.
Ouch. Her tone was light but he could tell she meant it.
He moved over to her and sat on the small stool next to her, budging her over.
She tutted at him as she moved across to give him more room.
'Why can't we go back to how we were?'
'How we were? You mean kissing and God knows what when we are alone and best buddies in public?'
He lent his elbow on the table, resting his chin on his hand. Just looking at her. He hoped his eyes could tell her what he couldn't say.
'We're still on this?'
'Well i just like to know where i stand.'
'Okay. I just didn't want to go public when it was all so new. I mean we didn't even really know what was going on. It just...it piles the pressure on. You know?'
She put her lipstick down on the table.
'Why didn't you tell me this the other night? Because that actually is a good excuse.'
'It's not an excuse babe. I'm just sorry i didn't handle it differently.'
Ruby nodded. Maybe he's not such an asshole after all.
'We really cool now?'
'Yes.'
Raising his hand to her chin he brushed his thumb across her lower lip.
'Good because i've missed these lips.'
He leaned in for the kiss.
As his lips softly touched hers, he hoped the kiss could instill in her how he felt.
In between tender kisses she said.
'You're messing up my lipstick.'
'You're not going to like this then babe.'
The next time his mouth met hers he gently opened her mouth with his tongue, finding her tongue equally willing.
Just as it was heating up he let her go.
'If we don't stop now Sandy is going to have to find someone else to go out with.' Jon said. His voice deep.
'And that's a bad thing?'
She felt the loss of his thigh touching hers as he got up from the stool. Leaving her with just a racing heart and butterflies in her stomach.
Damn. What one kiss does to me. She thought.
Walking to the door once more he turned back to her.
'By the way you look stunning.'
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