Chapter 31

Richie pressed a quick kiss to Bri's forehead before stepping onto the stage.

"You can have a seat right in front sweetheart. We'll rehearse for about an hour then we can go to dinner before the show. That ok?"

She looked up at Richie and nodded. "Sounds good. First concert, first rehearsal, I wanna see it all."

He grinned, winked and stepped up on stage, strapping the first guitar of the day on. He began to play, nothing in particular, just chords in progression to warm up, then glanced up when he heard Jon talking about being here in 1987. Hitting a few strong chords he smirked. Yeah act like its all usual jackass. I know better.

Jon glanced over at Richie and flashed a smile as the fans in front of him laughed. "What time did you get here?"

Richie gave him a shit eating I know what you were doing look. "Before you, so whatcha wanna do?"

Jon gave a small eye roll, "Follow?"

Bri watched it all avidly, she'd never seen so many amps, pieces of equipment or people scurrying around before. When Richie razzed Jon over being late she chuckled, only to see Geena slipping in from backstage. She watched her friend make her way over slowly and started to laugh. "Made him late too? you go gutter queen."

Geena flashed an innocent look " I have no idea what you're talking 'bout. "

The grin on her friend's face belied that little statement. "Yeah yeah, tell that to someone who might believe it."

"I just gave him coffee," Geena replied sitting down beside her friend

She leaned forward and gave her friend that Oh yeah tell me now look. "I want the deets now hussy, just what did HE give you?"

Geena leaned over and whispered "He gave me the best quickie ever and lets not go into the shower escapade. Let me tell you he aint no second grader. And we are gonna get our songs girl ..... but I have to pay up. Look!" Geena opened her purse flashing the keycard that lay inside. She didn't want to bring it out because of other fans being there.

"Whore." Bri glanced up at Richie and caught a wink. "But I guess if you are I am and I just don't care!"

"I'm a HRH whore and proud of it. Hey that would make a great shirt. Maybe I need to hit Zazzle, " Geena laughed

She shook her head, her laughter spilling from her. "Maybe I should get one that says I rode the Moose and survived?"

Geena broke out in a fit of laughter causing her to get a look from Jon. She mouthed an "Oops sorry" then glanced over at Bri and snickered.

Bri's smile faded a moment as she felt the wonder of the morning rushing in. Her hand slid up to brush over the cord around her neck as her smile returned full force. "He asked if I wanted to see where this could go. Can you believe it? I caught hoof in mouth disease and went off on him about finding real love, and he asked if I wanted the job!" She looked up at Geena and shook her head. "He doesnt even know me yet and he said that?"

Geena wasn't surprised. Her girl just naturally inspired that type of feeling in people. Besides, it was Richie, and that was the type of man he was, at least the one she thought he was anyway "You shouldn't be shocked. Not really, think about it Bri. Richie has always been a kindred spirit.

Her fingers touched the crystal gently. "I know, I've always felt like I could channel him when I write and all, but hell after all the videos and interviews, you can fancy that you really know them, but to have it put in front of you like that? God Gee, Theres so much involved..."

She glanced at the crystal on the leather thong around Bri's neck and gasped. "Oh God Bri that isn't his infamous necklace? He gave that to you!!" She exclaimed receiving another look from Jon

Her head ducked down a moment to hide the blush she felt rising. "Yeah. Guess my little gift touched him. Wasn't expecting it either, but then I wasn't expecting him at my bedroom door this morning either!"

"I told you he would love it . Good for you , I had thought about getting HRH somethin' but what do you get someone like him ? "

"A ball bat for his stubborn head," was her droll reply. "No seriously. He needs one."

"Sometimes maybe ,ok maybe now damn he is touchy " Geena complained.

She glanced up as Bed of Roses started, her attention wandering as Jon stopped singing to remember the words, his joke about it being a while not lost on the girls. "Maybe we should hold up signs with the words on it?" She chuckled as she turned to watch Richie's solo, the heat in her tummy curling in on itself. "I dunno, I hope his mood improves for the concert, he's looking kinda pissy."