Chapter 26

Emmie sat in the dressing room silently watching everyone.  Gia sat off in a corner reading a book with her feet up. She’d really been taking it easy the last few days. She breathed a sigh of relief. Her miscarriage had come as such a shock! She was so glad she was ok and she was very glad that Jon was being so attentive and going out of his way to make sure she rested good. She glanced at Jon who was diligently writing out the nights set lists. Every once in a while his gaze would slide over to rest on Gia and he would smile. It seemed Gia’s short stint in the hospital had brought her and Jon even closer. It was sweet. Sad but sweet.

He eyes flitted over to Richie who was deep in conversation with Alec and Tico. She felt her heart tighten up. Ever since the day she’d taken what she thought were simple caffeine pills she’d been wary, uneasy. Richie had apologized over and over and promised to lay off the drugs and while he seemed to at first Emmie had a sneakin suspicion that he was using again. How else could he always be so..... up? None of them got much sleep, not with the schedule they had to keep but Richie just never stopped! Always go go go and all Emmie could do was try her best to keep up.  She wondered if the other guys dabbled with substance. She didn’t think Jon would, he was too serious and clear headed all the time the others, she wasn’t so sure it wasn’t like she was best of friends with them. They mostly smiled at her and went about their business but didn’t really bother to talk to her much. She watched as Alec handed Richie a small plastic bag and Richie quickly shoved  it in his jeans pocket. She sighed, she wanted to go over there and yell at him! She wanted to hit him! but she did nothing but rub her forehead and take a long deep drink of her wine cooler.

Richie had tried to keep his promise to Em but it was hard , these late nights and early mornings was just too much , Jon needed him at his full attention so there for he needed these . Doc said there really wasn’t anything wrong with a pick me up and he had to agree . Though he did promise Em.  What she won’t know won’t hurt her he thought to himself as he made his way over to her . He really needed to be on his game , after the meeting the other day where Doc went on a rampage , mostly due to Jon’s almost situation , he growled at all of them , none of them can afford to fuck up not at this stage in the game.


He cast a glance at Jon who went round with Doc , telling him his personal life had nothing to do with his life on stage but Doc begged to defer saying the girls were already changing them. The boys needed to flirt and flaunt to keep the girls in the audience happy and now they weren’t doing that .  He wanted to send the girls home but Jon nearly screamed the word no to him then stormed out of the room . Richie chuckled to himself never in his life had he seen Jon ever not listen to what Doc the magnificent said or ordered as it seemed as of lately.

Shaking off those annoying thoughts of the meeting from hell , he snuck up to Em and slid his arms around her “ Heya baby “ and nuzzled her neck.

“hey” she said softly closing her eyes she leaned back against him. God I wish he didn’t make me feel so good with just a sigle word! Maybe then I would have the guts to really give him a peice of my mind! She turned her head and kissed his cheek, the wheels of her mind turning over and over about what to do with him.

“Is something wrong ? “ He asked his voice tinged with a bit of concern and worry. She was quiet too quiet.

Emmie shook her head then turned to face him,”Hey Richie.. I... I thought maybe after the show you and me we could ya know, cut out... go back to the room and relax.” She stretched up to plant a soft kiss on his lips.

Richie arched an eyebrow “Sure baby , I thought you wanted to go with Jon and Gia to dinner afterwards ? What made you change your mind ? Too tired ? “ he asked while his hands ran smoothly and gently down her arms.

“yeah, yeah I am tired and besides... I miss you.” She sidled herself closer to him pressing up against him, her hands slipped down to his belt loops and playfully pulled him even closer. She nuzzled his neck for effect hoping to distract him from her intent.

Richie growled his hands sliding down to her behind , cupping it “I have missed you too, I’m so sorry baby it just get so crazy sometimes , if you have felt neglected I’m so sorry “


She let one hand flirt playfully on the waist band of his jeans, her fingers slyly tickling the skin there. She pulled his head down and kissed him passionately. Her other hand swiftly and undetected slipped into the pocket she’d seen the little plastic bag go into. She fished it out and palmed it then broke the kiss. “It’s ok, I  understand, really I do but.... can we please just skip out tonight?”

‘Sure baby , right after I shower we can skip out “ RIchie smiled “Just have to let Jon and Gia know they ain’t waiting on us “ he said his mouth mere inches away from hers .

“mmmm kay.... thank you.” She kissed him once again then broke away. “‘Scuse me a minute sweetie, darn wine cooler going right through me.  Got hit the lil ladies room.” She winked as she walked away tossing a smile over her shoulder.  She breathed a sigh of relief once in the bathroom and hurried flushed the baggy of white powder down the commode. Hopefully he wouldn’t notice it was gone right away. She knew it was low, going about it the way she had but what else was she to do? That stuff was no fluffy carnival game it was serious and dangerous and she just couldn’t allow him to play Russian roulette like that, she couldn’t!

Making sure she took enough time to make it look good she washed her hands before slowly returning back to the dressing room.

Richie watched her leave, never the wiser , that she just lifted his stash off his body .He sauntered over to Jon , glancing over his shoulder “Hey bro how’s it comin ? “ he asked .

“Just about done man.” Jon glanced up the handed a long sheet of marked paper up to him. “There, I think that should do it.”

He nodded as he took a look at the setlist ‘Looks good crowd should love this . “ He gazed over to Gia  “Look , I know Gia had asked us to join you two for dinner , we’re gonna have to pass man . Em wants some alone time . “

Jon raised an eyebrow, “Really? well, I can understand that man, lately you been running just as much, if not more than me, some alone time might do ya some good, specially with the double off days the next two days. You and the little lady just rest up huh?”

“Yea , can really use it , so could you ? You been none stop since Gia’s release .” He paused for moment debating whether to bring up the very touchy subject , he hadn’t spoken much if at all but he could tell when there was something eating at him  ‘How’s things with you and Gia ? Since well -- “

Jon smiled a soft smile “Good actually, thanks for asking. The shock is wearing off and well, it’s gonna be ok now. She’s gonna be just fine man she really is. And as for us, don’t you worry we have scheduled two full days of lazy movie watchin and eating anything we can order from room service... it;s gonna be great!” Jon grinned. He really was looking forward to time alone with Gia after the shock and hectic schedule of the last week.

Richie smiled it was really good to se his brother so happy and content for the first time in a awfully long time .He clasped his shoulder  “Good , you deserve it man , “ IF it been any girl before Gia 6 weeks of no sex would have driven the man insane but the man that sat before him was like himself content in just watching movies and chilling out for two days . He then chuckled “Who would have thought ? just a few short weeks , we're happy with a good movie , snuggling in bed with our  girls .No wonder Doc is having a fit “

Jon chuckled then winked “Well I wont tell if  you wont tell, no one needs to know right?” he joked “Our reps are still safe.”

He laughed “I’m certainly not saying a word , hell  if the word got out the King is retired so to speak “ shaking his head, then noticed Em was back “ Better get back to my lady “

Jon threw back his head and laughed as Richie scampered back to Emmie’s side. Yeah things had sure changed, but it was good, it was all good. He smiled contentedly before bending his head to go over the list one last time.

Richie joined Em , “Heya baby is all cool with Jon and Gia they’re got 2 days of holding up in the hotel planned for them . What would you like to do on our two days off ? “ He asked snaking his arms around her pulling her close to him.

She hugged him tightly “I don’t care what we do, as long as it’s just me and you.” she said honestly. Her spirits lifting now that the dreaded substance was gone.

He dipped his head down to kiss her ‘ Sounds like a good plan to me “  If he was sure about one thing in his life it was Em.