Wednesday, November 21, 2012

LOVE LIES IS COMING BACK

Hey readers!

After further thought, (and many glorious ideas of how I could edit Love Lies farther,) I have decided to bring the saga back! :-)


So try checking back every once in awhile to see more chapters!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 63



“Mr. Sambora is happy, and he’s hoping Mrs. Sambora is too!” He laughed as he kissed my neck.

“I am!”

The song ended, and Richie held me tight as we walked over to talk to his parents, who I had actually never talked to before, except for when we were younger.

“Mom,” Richie smiled as we walked up to her.

“Richard!” She smiled, kissing his cheeks like a child. “This is beautiful! And Kmae! You’re beautiful as ever!”

“Thanks, Joan,” I smiled.

“Joan? I’m ‘mom’ now!” She laughed, kissing my cheeks too.

I blushed, and turned to find Richie, who had gone over to talk to Adam, his dad.

Me and Richie’s mom talked for awhile, then I went and talked to Richie’s dad.





“What time is it?” Jon asked, looking at me as I watched everyone dancing drunkingly.

“About midnight. This wedding sure went by fast,” I said.

“Where’s Richie?”

I pointed over to him, where he was holding two beers in his hand and was dancing awkwardly with Tico.

“Found him,” Jon laughed.

I took a sip of my drink. I wasn’t drunk, but I didn’t feel good.

“You feeling okay?” Jon asked.

I shrugged. “I think I’m just tired.”

“It should be wrapping up in a bit, I’m guessing.”

“Woo Hoo!! Kmae! Whatcha doin’!?” Richie yelled across the room. I laughed.

“Come here!” I smiled.

He tumbled over, spilling his beers on the way. “You’re so cute, I spilled my beers for you!”

“Everybody’s clearing out, the paparazzi’s gone,” Jon said. “I told the limo driver to watch you guys..” he winked.

“Jon,” I smiled, “not until we get to the hotel room.”

Jon made a disgusted look, as Richie hiccupped, and rattled on about stuff he wanted to do.

“Let’s go get in the limo,” I said, grabbing his hand.

He dropped the two red solo cups and came out the door with me.

Me and Richie piled into the limo, with me basically on Richie’s lap.







Really, to honestly tell you the truth, we did have sex. The best ever, if you want to get into details.





The next morning, I woke up in our hotel room. Everything was qiuet, and I was freezing cold. I rolled over, with Richie sleeping soundless beside me, still with his hat on, and naked.

He always slept so quietly, with his brown eyes looking ever-so-cute, and a beer bottle cradled on his chest.

I cuddled closer to him, feeling his body heat on mine, making me shiver. The radio was turned on to “Close Your Eyes Forever,” and I could almost feel Richie’s heart beating to it.



I must’ve fallen asleep again, with Richie’s soft voice waking me up, sending more shivers down my spine.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 62

I felt the tears come down as Richie stepped down from the piano, and came towards me.

"You know, there's something else I'd love to give you."

"What's more? You already gave me enough!"

He pulled something from his pocket, and looked at me. "Put out your hand."

I did as he said, as he dropped something into my hand.

I slowly opened it. "Keys?" I said, looking at the keys laying in my hand.

"Yeah," he smiled.

"For what? These can't be car keys," I said puzzled.

"They're for a house," he smiled and looked me in the eyes. "We're moving back to New Jersey."

I wrapped my arms around him. "Really?! Yay! I've missed Jersey!"

"Yes! There's movers moving things right now. When we're home, we won't be in California, we'll be in New Jersey."

I couldn't help but kiss him full on the lips as everyone clapped.

"Can I have this dance?" he whispered in my ear.

I smiled, and looked him in the eyes. "You may."

"Never Say Goodbye" slowly began playing, as he swirled us around the dance hall like we were king an queen. Everyone around us disappeared as Jon watched in patience. I couldn't help but wonder, what was Jon thinking right now? Was he thinking of what he had? Or what he lost?

"You lost more then that in my back seat baby..."

Yeah, that is true. I had lost my virginity in Jon's backseat of the old blue Chevy he had, that one summer in '78. I had just met Richie that day, and I also almost lost him as a few guys from school had tried to beat the heck out of him. But that's a whole different story.

Richie put his lips to my ear as the son slowly began to end. "Are you happy, Mrs. Sambora?"

"Not unless Mr. Sambora is," I laughed.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 61



"Kmae?" Richie whispered.

I finally woke, the blackness slowly fading away, and I could see myself looking up at a wall.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Well, Jon, would you like to explain?" Krystal said, her arms folded across her chest as she made a face at Jon.

"Well," he started, "I was trying to protect you from Sebastian, and I well, hit you."

I put my hand on my face. "You hit like a girl."

"I'm so sorry," Jon said. "I didn't see you. and I thought I was hitting Seb."

I sat up. "Where are we anyways?"

"In the back of the mansion," Jon said. "We better hurry if you guys still want to have your first dance as husband and wife."

I looked at Richie, as he looked at me. "Do you think you'll be okay?"

I nodded. "Of course, it's not like he put me in a coma."

Richie laughed as he helped me up, and we went back into the mansion.







"Well, you know," Jon stated, as we all sat down, and he began to give his speech before the music was set up and everything, "I've been a friend of Richie and Kmae's for a long time. Me and Kmae, we've had our share of events."

Please don't say that at my wedding, I said to myself, putting my hand on my face.

"But they're both my family. I couldn't see myself without either of them in my lives. There wouldn't be a me if I didn't have them, if I didn't meet either of them, there'd be a hole in my heart," Jon said, almost crying as he put a fake smile on through the tears, "I ruined Kmae's angels, and she still didn't kick me out of the wedding. I just punched her out by accident and she still joked with me about me not hitting her like a man. She's my inspiration for everything, music, and she's helped me through everything. And her with Richie is even more beautiful. I wouldn't ever be able to see Richie with anyone else, except for the spunky girl from Iowa who changed his life around."

I felt myself crying, as I laid my head on Richie's shoulder, as Jon continued to speak.

"Richie's my best friend, and I'm glad he's gotten the person he's dreamed of for his whole lifetime. I'm glad that even though everything that has ever happened between all of us has finally been resolved, and these two are finally married, and happy. I've ruined parts of this wedding, yes, but Kmae and Richie forgave me for everything, and I'm truly grateful. I just hope and pray for them, and what they'll be when they're older. I love them."

Everyone clapped, and the clanging of glasses erupted through the room as I tried to wipe away my tears.

Richie looked at me. "He's something special, isn't he?"

I nodded, because I couldn't talk, after hearing all of that.

The music began to play, but first, Richie stopped it.

"Can I sing the song I wrote for her?" he asked the DJ.

The guy nodded, as Richie sat down at the piano.

"I didn't know you played piano," I laughed.

He smiled, and the DJ gave him the microphone.

"This is called 'If I Can't Have Your Love,'" he smiled, and slowly began to sing:

It's hard to remember a time

When I didn't have you, when I didn't have nothing but a cold bed to come to at

night

That was all I knew, until there was you

And then you took my world and turned it all around

I couldn't live without you now

Baby, if I can't have your love

If I can't feel your touch I got nothing

Baby, if I can't taste your kiss then I don't exist

I got nothing

No I can't imagine living life without you

I can't imagine living life without your love

I wake up with you by my side

Can't let go, I can't even bear the thought of you in another man's eyes

I would lose control, I would die

'Cause now you're in my heart and I can't let you out

I gotta keep you here somehow

Baby, if I can't have your love

If I can't feel your touch I got nothing

Baby, if I can't taste your kiss then I don't exist

I got nothing

If I can't be your man, I wouldn't know who I am

I got nothing

I got nothing

No, I can't imagine living life without you

I can't imagine living life without your love

'Cause I can't imagine living life without you

Can't imagine living life without your love

Believe me baby I don't mean to doubt you

But if you ever leave, that would be the end of me, baby

Baby, if I can't feel your touch I got nothing

Baby, if I can't taste your kiss then I don't exist

I got nothing

I got nothing

If I can't be your man, I wouldn't know who I am

I'd be nothing

Baby, if I can't have your love

If I can't feel your touch

I got nothing

No, I can't imagine living life without you....

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 60



"You may now kiss your bride!" The priest laughed.

Richie looked me in the eyes as I wrapped my arms around his neck, and pressing my lips to his. The crowd erupted in claps and excitement as I finally pulled away, and me and Richie turned to look at everyone.

"Now what?" Alec said from behind Richie.

Everyone burst out laughing as cameras flashed and me and Richie walked down the aisle to say "hello" to everyone.

"That was weird," Jon said.

I looked at him weird. "What do you mean?"

"You guys got married, and I'm still single."

I rolled my eyes. "Jon, you'll be okay."

"My best friend just got married, and yesturday I got chewed out for dropping angels."

"You're gonna be fine," I laughed.

Richie held onto my hand as I said hello and hugged everyone.










We walked out the door and was followed by trails of flashes from the cameras and people shouting our names. There was a white stretch limo, followed by three other ones waiting.

"The first one's ours, the next three are for the wedding parties," Richie said.

We climbed into the first limo, and sat looking at eachother.

"I don't know what to say, Mrs. Sambora," Richie smiled.

I smiled too. "Back at you, Mr. Sambora."

He smiled. "Do you believe we've gotten this far?"

"No, I can't. It's weird. Like, we're just starting to date."

Richie caught me by surprise, jumping into my seat and french-kissing me, as we sat in the limo making out.









The driver opened the door as I tried to pull my dress back up.

"Where's Mr. Sambora?" The driver asked, looking at me concerned.

"He'll be a few minutes, uh, late," I said, getting out of the limo, trying to hide the almost naked Richie behind me.

"I didn't think the limo ride was THAT long!" the driver said, laughing as we got out of the limo.

Richie came quickly behind me, as we went into the big mansion Richie had rented for our wedding.

He grabbed my hand as we walked into the ballroom part of the house.

"Where's Jon?" I asked.

Richie shrugged as I spotted someone in the corner, sociallizing with someone.

"Who is that?" I squinted.

Slowly, the figure came towards me. "Kmae! Was up dude?!"

Oh shit.

Sebastian emerged from the darkened part of the room.

"Seb, why are you here?"

"'Cuz I wanted to see what I almost had once," he grabbed my arm from Richie.

"Stop!" I cried, and Richie turned back towards me.

"Seb? What the hell are you doing?" Jon's voice echoed.

"Kmae!" Krystal yelled, "Stop Jon!"

Jon came up beside me, suckerpunching Seb.

"Stop!" I cried, as Seb's grip was ripped from my skin, and something hit me.

I felt everything around me go black, with the screams of Jon, Richie and Krystal all around me.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 59



"He'd never stoop that low," Richie said.

"HE HAS BEFORE!!" I said.

Richie shushed me. "Hush, Beauty, or you won't be able to calm down."

"He RUINED my angels!" I screamed, and buried my head in Richie's shoulder.

I could feel his hand rubbing my back. "You're okay, you're with me," he whispered.

He wrapped his arms around my waste. "You want to do something?"

I smiled through the tears. "Like what?"

"The game of love, where you do 'stuff.'"

I smiled. "I think I know what you mean."

He matched my smile and lifted me up into his arms, kissing me ever-so gently, and carrying me up the marble suitcase.













Later, we boarded the plane, and set off for Paris, France.







THE DAY OF THE WEDDING:




"Shut up," Krystal laughed as I showed her the chipped fingernail polish on my hand that she had done. "Not everybody can do their nails perfect."

"No! They're awesome! Nothing more nail polish can't fix."

She laughed, as she curled her hair up into a bun. "Does it look okay?"

"Yeah!" I said.

She had her bridesmaid dress on, which was a teal blue, and had her hair in a bun.

"Jon won't be able to keep his hands off me," she laughed, as she had a hair pin in her mouth.

I shook my head, as I smoothed out my dress. "Is this real?"

"What do you mean?" She asked as she looked in the mirror.

"Am I really getting married? To Richie Sambora?"

She turned around and looked at me, and smiled. "Yes, Kmae, you are."

"It doesn't seem real."

She grabbed my engagement ring from the table beside her. "Does this look real enough to you?"

I shook my head in disbelief. "Wow, me and Richie have come far."

"Yeah you guys have."

The door opened, as a lady stepped in. "Kmae, Krystal? You've got five minutes."

I swallowed hard, and she shut the door.

"You'll be okay, right?" Krystal asked.

"Yeah, I mean, it's Richie. We've been together for how many years.."

"You'll be fine."

I smiled as I hugged her, and we set out into the church.












Our wedding consisted of friends of Richie, and the band, and some old friends from our highschool.

The music began playing as I slowly waited for everyone to walk down the aisle. Then, it was my turn, as Jon walked me down the aisle, and everyone stood up. The sounds of whispers going through the church was almost buzzing in my ears, as flashes and clicks of cameras blinded me.

Jon slowly walked us up, and then, I could see my prince.

Richie stood tall, smiling at me as I walked down the aisle towards him. He looked handsome, with his suit and a rose in his tux.

Jon looked at me, smiled, then let me go as I stood beside Richie.

"You look beautiful," he whispered.

I smiled, because that's all I could do. I couldn't talk.

"Dearly beloved," the priest began. But after that, I couldn't hear anything but the thump thump of my heart.

"Do you, Richie Sambora, take Kmae Bruce to be your wife?"

Richie smiled as he turned towards me and held both of my hands.

"Of course, I do." He smiled. Laughter erupted from the crowd.

"And Kmae?"

"I, I do." I stuttered, but then finally said it.

"Do we have the rings?" The priest smiled.

Richie pulled our rings out of his tux, and slid the ring onto my finger.

"I'll love you forever, Kmae, you understand?" he whispered.

I shook my head. "I love you too."

The priest smiled. "Well, as far as I can tell, we've got two love birds. Why don't I make them husband and wife?"

Richie smiled and gribbed my hand tighter.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife, ladies and gentleman, Mr. and Mrs. Richie Sambora."

Love Lies Chapter 58



A few days passed, me and Krystal went dress shopping, picking out a beautiful mermaid gown, with sequins, and a long train.

I took it home, hid it in my closet, and prayed that Richie wouldn't find it.









2 Days before the wedding: Me and Richie's house.




"Are you going to bring much?" Richie asked.

"Nope, my dress, my hair curler..."

"Dress?" Richie smiled. "Can I see?"

"No!"

"And why not?"

"You're the groom! You can't see yet!"

Richie laughed and rolled his eyes, and began talking in a foreign accent. "The things I do for love around here."

"Well, you could always just wait two days."

"I never thought of that."

"Why'd you think we were going to Paris?"

Richie shrugged, and then laughed. "I knew about the wedding, how could I forget?"

"You could be like an old lady and forget."

"But I'm not an old lady," he laughed.

There was a slam downstairs, followed by a shatter of glass.

"What the hell was that?" Richie exclaimed, as he darted out of the room, going down the stairs.

I followed after him, gliding down the staircase.




"Jon?" Richie said. "What the hell are you doing?"

I came up behind Richie, and my mouth dropped.

Jon stood there, with three broken angel statues that my mother had given to me the year she died. They were supposed to be on the table for my wedding.

"Jon!" I cried. "What the fuck were you doing?!"

"I was just...setting my suitcase down."

I felt the hot tears come down as I dashed passed Richie to grab the broken angels.

"Jon!" I screamed. "You KNEW these were all I had left of my mother!"

"Oops."

I felt the fury build up inside me. "You dirty rotten-"

"Kmae! I didn't mean to!" He interuppted.

"Well, why would you touch them anyways?"

"Because, I thought you'd want me to put them on the table."

I clenched my fists tighter as I looked down at the shattered angels. "Jon, get out."

Jon walked away with his head hung low, as Richie came down from the stairway. "Do you think superglue will work?"

"I don't think so."

Richie bent down, and put his hand under my chin. "Are you okay?"

I stood up. "No! I'm not! I don't know what Jon's problem is, and why he's got to ruin MY stuff for his sake." I began to cry.

Richie hugged me. "Kmae, it was probably just an accident."

"An accident?" I said. "Don't you think he'd have to PUSH those angels down to get them to fall? They can't fall from just a suitcase falling."

Richie looked me in the eyes with his I-highly-doubt-Jon-would-stoop-that-low look. "Kmae, just relax."

"Relax? That's all I had LEFT of my mother!"

Richie held me tighter against the cool fabric of his t-shirt. "I'm really sorry Kmae, I wish I could fix them."

"Jon needs to stop, he's going to ruin our wedding."

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 57

"Himself?" Richie asked. "But why?"

"Don't you get it?" I whispered. "He's protecting me from himself!"

"Why?" Richie asked again.

"He doesn't want himself to ruin the wedding. He's trying to fall either back in love with Diane or the new girl."

"Diane's married," Richie whispered.

"She is?" I said.

"Yeah, she got married a year or two ago."

"Why's he going after her?" I asked.

Richie shrugged.

I did too, and grabbed my coffee cup from the table, taking a sip. "Well, tomorrow's still Christmas Eve."

"I got you something."

"I got you something too."

"What about Jon?"

I bit my lip. "Shoot, I forgot about him..."

"Don't worry, I got Bob Dylan to sign him a guitar."

"For real?" I asked.

"For real," Richie laughed. "We've got other things on our hands at the moment. When are you going dress shopping?"

"I'm not sure, I've still got to call Krystal."

"That's alright, maybe wait until after the holidays."

"That's what I was thinking of doing."

"Great minds think alike," Richie smiled. "What do you want to do tonorrow night? Sleep, eat, love?"

"How about all three?" I laughed. "And please times the love by one million."

"Done!" he laughed. "I have a photoshoot early in the morning, but then we can do whatever you'd like."

I smiled. "Hope you have fun."

"Are you kidding? You're coming with, of course I'll have fun."

I blushed. "Why do you have such a way with words?"

"Because, I'm still Richie Sambora, the luckiest man in the world."

"And why's that?"

He smiled. "Because I'm engaged to the person of my dreams."

I set my coffee cup down and wrapped my arms around his neck, and leaned back to look at him. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, you know?"

He smiled as he ran his finger through my hair. "Beauty, there's always going to be an us, okay?"

I smiled, as I felt tears welling up. "Okay."

He smiled wider as he kissed me, and we leaned back on the counter.

But what we didn't see, was whatJon was planning on doing to us, and the people we'd become.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 56

"Why are you so perverted?" I smiled.

"Because there's a beautiful girl in front of me, and I can't help myself!"

I rolled my eyes. "I'll go see who he's talking to, alright?"

"Alrighty," he said.

I snuck behind the doorway in the parlor area. Jon was sitting on the edge of the chair, the phone in hand.

“Im pretty sure Kmae's going to be pissed," he said.

"Pissed?" I whispered to myself.

"She won't understand," Jon said. "She's getting married to Richie."

Why does our marriage get dragged into this?

"How will I?" he said, angrily. "She can't understand me. Dot wouldn't, how would she?"

Is he talking about me?

"I better go. Richie's probably wondering who I'm talking to."

Well, duh.

"Goodbye," he said, hanging the phone back on the wall.

I snuck back into the kitchen, where Richie was eating snacks from the cupboard.

"Richie," I laughed. "Why are you eating those?"

He instantly dropped the bag and smiled. "I wasn't eating anything..."

"I think I know who Jon's talking to."

"Who?"

I leaned against the cupboard. "Remember his exgirlfriend Diane?"

"Yeah?"

I looked at Richie with my "do-you-get-it-now" look.

"Oh, shit," Richie said.

"Mmhm. It's gotta be her."

"But...Why?"

I shrugged. "I think he's trying to tell us something,"

"What?"

"He doesn't want us to get married."

"Why wouldn't he?" Richie said,
worriedly. "I mean, he knows you mean EVERYTHING to me."

"Can't you tell? He doesn't want you to marry me because he's protecting me."

"From what?"

"Someone," I said. "Himself."

Monday, April 09, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 55



"Well, don't whine to me if your jaw hurts," I said, handing him a Kleenex for his bloody nose. "Why did Seb start the fight with you anyways?"

"He's always been mean to me," Jon said. "Since they started that band, he hasn't been the same."

"Snake's still pretty cool," I said. "He just has changed since he's been around Sebastian. Don't you think?"

"Yeah," Richie said.

I looked up at the clock, which hung on the wall. "Ten o'clock?"



"Yeah," Richie said. "Did you want to go do something?"

"Like what?" I smiled.

"Oh my God..." Jon moaned in the corner. "You guys flirt too much!"

"Why aren't you flirting with your new 'girl'?" I asked.

Jon rolled his eyes. "She's more of a biker chick."

"Jon," Richie said, "she's got more metal piercings than your car."

I burst out laughing, as Jon shot me a look and Richie wrapped his arms around me.

"Whatever, can't you guys be happy?" Jon said.

"I am happy," I smiled as I looked up to Richie. He smiled too as we gave eachother a quick kiss.

The phone rang again.

"Can I get it this time?" I asked.

"Nope!" Jon said, as he bolted to the phone.

"Who's he talking to?" Richie asked.

"I don't know. He was talking to whoever it was earlier too."

"I wish he'd tell us," Richie said. "He's using our phone bill."

"Want me to peek?" I smiled.

"At what?" Richie laughed, a very scary laugh.

Friday, April 06, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 54



I quickly changed, and flew down the stairs. I hadn't seen Snake and Sebastian for a long time.

I walked into the patio, where they were all sitting around the table, except for Jon, who sat like a lone soldier in the corner.

"There she is," Sebastain laughed. "Why do women take so long to change?"

"If we didn't, I'd look like you," I joked.

Everyone went "Ooooo" when I said that as Sebastain stood up.

"Wow, little girl, you've been getting meaner and meaner everyday," Sebastian laughed, as he grabbed my arm.

I broke free from his grip. "Don't ever touch me."

Jon sat uneasily in his chair, as I looked over.

Richie laughed. "That's enough, Bach. You don't want to hurt her before the wedding."

Sebastian backed away, and sat back down on the chair. "Sorry, Sambora. I just miss messing with the little bitch she used to be."

"I take that as a compliment," I laughed.

Sebastian looked over at Jon. "Why are you so silent?"

Jon shook his head. "Your big mouth won't let me get a word out."

Sebastian's look scared me. "What did you say, you little punk?"

"Little punk?" Jon laughed. "You're obviously talking about what you're packing in those jeans."

Sebastian stepped up. "You want to take this outside?"

"Gladly," Jon said, as he stood up too.

"Guys!" I screamed. "You're NOT going to fight eachother, alright?"

Sebastian ignored me, as he took a swing towards Jon, and missed. Richie got into it too, trying to break it up, including Snake also.

"Stop!" I yelled, as Jon's punch into Seb's face made a horrifying noise, and a picture crashed to the floor.

Seb grabbed ahold of Richie and pushed him over to the porch. Jon's fist, bloody from Seb's nose, took another crack into Seb's face, until he gave up.

"You asshole!" Sebastian yelled, as he grabbed Snake.

The look that Jon gave Seb gave me chills. "Get out."

Sebastian and Snake left, with Seb limping.

"Kmae?" Richie said. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," I said, breathless. "What was that about?"

"Me and Seb have never gotten along," Jon said.

"I can see," I said. "Do you need to go to the doctor? I think he broke your nose or something."

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure, Jon?"

"I'm positive."

Monday, March 26, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 53


       

“Jon,” I tried to explain to him. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“I’m pretty sure it was, and always will be,” he said. “You almost died because of me.”

“Jon,” Richie pleaded. “Think positive.”

“I’m sorry..” his voice trailed off as the phone rang. “Should I get it?”

Richie nodded as he clutched my hand tighter, like he didn’t want to let go.

“You’re still sleepy,” I smiled, as I brushed my hands through his messy hair, “but you’re cute that way.”

He blushed. “You have a way with words, even after you just about drowned. Coffee?”

“Yes, please,” I smiled. He gave me a peck on the cheek, which felt cold as ice, and went on his way to make me a cup.

I didn’t hear Jon until he peeked around the corner, and instantly dodged back, looking the other way. What was he doing?

I got up, and felt my soaked Aerosmith let water loose as I darted across the room quietly. Jon was in the parlor area, sitting on the olive green chair, talking on the phone.

“We leave for Paris on January,” he said. There was a moment of silence. “I’m not with Dorothea right now.”

Dorothea. I had almost forgotten about her. She was still in New Jersey.

“Richie’s been thinking about it, but we haven’t told Kmae yet.”

Told me what?

“Yeah, they’re getting married in a few weeks, which is why I’m going to Paris, Richie’s just-“

“Kmae?” Richie said from behind me. “What are you doing?”

“I thought Jon said my name,” I lied.

He handed me the coffee. “Did you want to change?”

“If it’s no bother..”

“Go right ahead. I’ll wait here for you.”

I started up the stairs, with ten million questions going through my mind. What was Richie planning? I wanted to go back to Jersey so bad. Maybe that was what he was planning.

I admired me and Richie’s photos on the wall as I went up the stairs. There was the newest ones we had taken for our engagement, with me and him on the beach that we met at in New Jersey, and some other old ones with the band and stuff. The one that stuck out the most was the one of me and Jon at prom. It was Richie’s idea to hang it.

“No,” I pleaded. “I don’t want it there.”

“Why not?” he had questioned me. “I think it looks really good.”

Despite my attempts, Richie hung it anyways.

“You’re both my best friends,” he had given for an excuse.

His best friends? Me and Jon couldn’t hardly be in a room together without arguing about something or another.

I trudged up the stairs and stripped of my wet clothes, throwing them into the laundry pile for the maid, and then walking into my closet, throwing on a tank top, and a pair of ripped denim jeans. My hair was soaked, and my mascara was basically gone, so I redid them both.

“You look lovely!”

“Holy shit!” I gasped, as I poked myself in the eye with my eyeliner. “Who the hell is it?”

“I’m sorry,” someone’s voice said, as I looked over. “I just thought you wanted your engagement present!”

I peered over my shoulder, and spotted Dave “The Snake” Sabo, and Sebastian Bach (Who was actually pretty quiet) standing at the bathroom.

“Snake! Seb! What are you guys doing here?” I gasped.

“We came to give you some shit..and a present,” Sebastian said. “Where’s Jon?”

“Jon? Why are you asking about Jon?” Snake said.

“I don’t know. Just curious.” Sebastian and Jon had never gotten along. Both always wanting to beat the crap out of eachother.

“Let’s go downstairs,” Snake said. “She’s trying to change.”

“Can’t we stay…?” Sebastian pleaded, but Snake drug him down the stairs.

I chuckled to myself as I let my whole worries out. Soon, I’d be Mrs. Richie Sambora, the rockstar’s wife.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 52


  

Everything went black as I slowly faded away.













“Richie!” I heard a voice echo through my mind with a scream.

My body’s numbness started to come back to me, as I felt someone lift me up from the cool water. I couldn’t open my eyes.

“Oh my God! Richie!”

I felt hands wrap around me as I felt myself getting rushed into the air.

“Richie!” the scream became familiar, being Jon’s. I could almost picture him, running in his purple shorts and Aerosmith t-shirt, trying to save my life.

He must’ve rushed out of the sandy beach and took me inside.

I suddenly became numb again, as Jon’s screams echoed through my mind.











“Kmae?”

Someone shook me, as I could finally begin to open my eyes.

“She’s waking up,” a voice said.

All I could see was blur, until it cleared up, and I could see Richie again.

“Baby,” he whispered. “We thought we lost you.”

I tried opening my mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

“Is she okay?” Jon said to someone.

“She should be fine,” another male’s voice said. “What happened exactly?”

I could hear Jon swallow, as he tried to explain. “Well, we were on the beach…we were just chasing eachother around and then she dove under the water. When I went to get her, she was too far down.”

“Well, she’s going to be alright, thanks to you, Mr. Bon Jovi. Glad you saved her life,” the male said.

I felt all wet and gross, as Richie must’ve grabbed my hand.

“She’s so sick looking,” Richie said. “Are you sure?”

“She’s probably got a lot of salt water in her system. She should be fine.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Jon said, and I heard the door shut.

Richie studied me, as I laid before him.

“I hope she’s okay,” Richie said.

“Rich,” Jon said, “the doctor says she’s fine.”

“Still,” Richie said, as he studied my hand. “She’s still got her engagement ring on.”

“I couldn’t see her taking it off,” Jon said. “She loves it.”

“And I love her,” Richie smiled. “I can’t wait until we show her the new song.”

“Bed of Roses? She’ll love it,” Jon smiled.

“I know she will,” Richie said.

“Richie?” my hoarse voice said, as I coughed.

“Kmae!” Richie almost jumped out of his chair. “You feel okay? You want something? Are you hungry?”

“I just want you,” I tried to say.

“You still didn’t do anything smiled, as I could see tears of joy falling from his face and he dug his head in my shoulder. “I missed you so much!”

“Kmae,” Jon pleaded. “I’m so sorry..”

“You didn’t do anything,” I said.

“I chased you into the water.”

Love Lies Chapter 51



“So, where’s Richie?” Jon asked, as he sat down on the patio porch, a beer in hand.

“He’s still asleep. He’ll be there for a while. He couldn’t sleep last night,” I explained as I took a sip of my coffee.

“If you were laying next to me every night, I wouldn’t be able to sleep either.”

I made a face at him. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“Only if you want it to be.”

I shook my head as I took another sip. “Do you think that you’ll ever be able to go back to New Jersey? I mean, Dot is there, and honestly, I think she’ll beat the crap outta you.”

“I’m going back to Jersey whether she likes it or not,” he said, “it’s my house for God’s sake. Plus, I still need to sign those divorce papers.”

The radio in the other room started playing “Cherry Pie” by Warrant.

“I still don’t feel sorry for her,” he continued, taking a big sip, “she’s ruined my life.”

“Jon, she’s your love.”

“She WAS my love.”

“But still,” I said, as the wind whipped through my hair, and you could hear the silent waves crashing, “you proposed to her.”

“Only because that’s when I loved her,” he said. “Can we change the subject? How about when are you and Richie moving back to Jersey?”

“I honestly haven’t talked to him about it,” I sighed. “You don’t know how much I want to move back though. I miss Jersey.”

“I miss you guys.”

“You’re living with us…”

“I meant when I’m home.”

“You know that this is partially your home.”

“True, true. But still. New Jersey’s my real home.”

I smiled and looked down. “You guys are leaving again in two days.”

“Christmas is in two weeks,” Jon said. “We’ll be back by then.”

“Then you’ll be gone for New Year’s Eve.”

“Then I’m going to cut my hair.”

“No!” I pleaded. “Don’t cut your hair!”

“I have to,” he said. “It’s almost 1990. I’m not going to have shoulder length hair.”

“Richie isn’t cutting his,” I said.

“His isn’t as long as mine.”

“Still,” I pleaded. “Please! Don’t cut it for my wedding.”

“I’m cutting it afterwards.”

I made eyes at him. “You better not.”

“I will,” he said.

I hit him in the shoulder.

“Don’t do that again,” he laughed, “or I’ll have to get you.”

“I’d like to see you try.”

He laughed as he jumped over the chair and started chasing me around the yard and onto the beach. I ran into the water as he chased me farther, until I was up to my shorts in water and he was too.

“I didn’t know you could run so fast,” he laughed. “I knew that you used to be able to, because you beat me in that 400k race that one time.”

“I’ve got to learn to run fast,” I laughed, “so people like you can’t catch me!”

I giggled as I swam under the water and he followed me.

But then, I went too far, and I couldn’t see anything.

“Jon!” I tried yelling under the water but it came all bubbly and didn’t sound good.

I found myself running out of air.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 50



I could hear the waves crashing on the shore as I finally got to be alone on the beach. Jon and Richie wouldn't be back for a little while, so I decided to sleep, and I slowly closed my eyes, as the waves drifted me off to dreamland.

















"Are you coming inside?" Richie said.

I opened my eyes as a small raindrop fell on me. The sky had turned dark and grey, and there wasn't any sun.

"Yeah, I guess," I smiled. "Wow, you don't seem drunk."

"I wasn't planning on getting drunk."

"Why not?"

"Because I wanted you and me time."

I smiled, as I got up, and the thunder cracked across the sky. Lightning lit it up as me and Richie ducked and laughed as we ran to the house.

Jon was no where in sight.

"Where's Jon?" I asked.

"He went to visit David and April."

"By himself?"

Richie laughed. "Yeah. He wasn't drunk."

Another crash of thunder, and then lighting lit up the sky.

"Well," I said, "I was just watching out for him."

"I know you were," Richie smiled. "I'm glad you do."

He handed me a towel as I sat down, and grabbed a cup of coffee. "Jon's still in love with me," I said.

"Kmae, I know he is, but you gotta let him go."

"How do I let him go if he won't let me go?"

There was a long pause, and then Richie broke it, by sitting next to me, and giving me a small peck on the cheek.

“You're going to have to try.”

“Believe me,” I said, “I've tried.”

“Well,” he smiled, “lets let it all fade away.”

I looked over at him, before he smiled, and lifted me up.

“You better be ready for some love.”

I laughed. “I was born ready.”

He laughed too, as he carried me to our room, ready for a lot of love.

























“Kmae?” Jon's voice echoed downstairs. “Why is there a bra hanging from the ceiling fan?”

I laughed as I opened my eyes. Richie was still laying beside me, naked and hot. I pulled the blanket over him as I got up and put some clothes on, and went downstairs to check on Jon.

“What are you crying about?” I laughed.

“I was wondering why there's a hot pink bra hanging from the ceiling fan.”

“Oh,” I laughed. “I thought it was yours.”

He handed it to me. “Very funny.”

“What time did you stumble into the house at?”

“About midnight.”

“Oh. You didn't hear us..?”

“Oh god no. I shut my ears.”

I laughed. “Good.”

“Where's Richie anyways?”

“Still asleep.”

“He must've got his exercise last night.”

I laughed. “Enough with the sexual jokes, alright?”

“Shit happens.”

I reached over and wiped a smear of lipstick from his cheek. “Where's this from?”

“Well,” he laughed, “I met this chick from Vancouver and...”

“What about Dorothea?”

His laughing turned to silence. “She filed for divorce.”

“So? Do you have to sign papers?”

“I don't know,” he said. “I've never been divorced before.”

“Me neither,” I said. “And I really hope not.”

“Well, that's always good.”

I laughed, and together, we laughed together, for the first time in a long time.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 49




Hours must’ve passed as we talked about maybe moving to New Jersey again. I missed it so much. All the other guys lived there. Why couldn’t we?


“Why you guys ever moved here, I still don’t get,” Jon said.


“My parents are here,” Richie said.


“Don’t Kmae’s parents want to see their daughter?” Jon said.


I slowly put my head down. Jon didn’t know about the accident. The one that killed both my parents and my sister. He must’ve realized what he had said wrong, because he slowly looked down.


“I’m sorry,” Jon said to me. “I forgot.”


“It’s okay,” I said. “I hadn’t thought about them in a while.”


Richie put his hand on my back, and slowly gave me a small massage, as I thought about them. The accident had been only 3 years ago. My parents and sister were driving, when all of a sudden, a semi truck ran a stop sign, running head on into them, killing all of them.


“Well,” Richie said, “I’m hungry.”


“I’m hungry too,” I slowly said. “Want me to make something?”


“Oh please, we can go out,” Richie smiled at me, “my treat.”


I smiled back, and he gave me a small kiss, before I got up.


“I think I’m going to change,” I said, looking down at my pajama pants and an old t-shirt.


Jon and Richie laughed, before they bid me farewell, and I walked into my closet.


Richie’s closet was attached to mine, both pretty big. I had band t-shirts, pictures, and music plastered all over the walls in mine.


I turned the radio back on, as a new song, “Welcome To The Jungle” came on. Axl Rose hated the whole Bon Jovi band. I didn’t get it. We had never done ANYTHING to Guns N’ Roses. But, oh well. Enemies are enemies.


I pulled on a swimsuit, because I was planning on laying by the beach today. It was December 14, but still, it was really warm.


Over that, I pulled on an Aerosmith t-shirt that Jon had given me, and a pair of ripped denim shorts, with cowgirl boots. This was usually my casual outfit, because I never had anything else to wear that I actually liked. I hated dressing up. I felt too girly. I wanted to be the badass of everything.


“Hey, Kmae,” Richie yelled up the stairs. “Can you bring down my sunglasses?”


“Yeah!” I shouted. I walked into his closet, and grabbed his sunglasses laying on the shelf, among the many cowboy boots, leather jackets, and everything else he had. Sometimes I wondered, I wonder if I ever cherish the moments where I’m in Richie’s closet. I mean, I’m in Richie Sambora’s closet. THE Richie Sambora, the lead guitar player for Bon Jovi. I’m also ENGAGED to THE Richie Sambora.


Wow, my life’s interesting.





















We went out to eat, and then Jon and Richie went to the bar. I came home, and laid by the beach, waiting for my worries to disappear.

Thursday, March 08, 2012

Love Lies 48



I silently moved a bit towards the staircase, as I could hear Jon come in through the door, and Richie walking in from the Parlor room.

“It’s good to see you again,” Richie laughed.

Jon laughed also. “Yeah! I haven’t seen you guys in a while. I’ve been so busy.”

By busy, he must’ve meant “having marriage problems”.

“How’s Blaze of Glory?” Richie asked, as he casually leaned up against one of the staircases’ poles.

“Going good,” he laughed. “I wish I could’ve had you guys help me with it…”

“We’ve been working hard too,” Richie said. I don’t know if he wanted to mention his solo record.

“I’m sorry it’s so short notice about me staying here…” Jon’s voice trailed off.

“Don’t mention it,” he laughed. “We just got our beachside area outside finished.”

“Where’s Kmae?” Jon said.

“She’s getting dressed or something.”

“She’s not mad at me because of…you know. Right?”

“She shouldn’t be. Unless I pissed her off.”

“Oh,” he said. “Want me to put my stuff in my room?”

“You sound like a little kid,” Richie laughed. He wasn’t wrong. He really did. Jon always had that thing about himself, where he could make everything sound like a child’s perception.

“Shut up,” Jon said sarcastically, as he picked up a few out of many suitcases, and trudged up the stairs.

Shit. What was I going to do? I was standing like I was listening, which I was, but I didn’t want him to know about it.

I went into his room again, trying to make it look like I was smoothing out the bed.

“Kmae!” Jon said, as he came up and hugged me.

I tried to act like I didn’t know anything. “When’d you get here?”

“A few minutes ago.”

I smiled, as I hugged him back.

"I honestly never thought I'd see the day where you'd actually be happy to see me," Jon laughed, as he hugged me tighter.

“Yeah,” I agreed..sorta.

“How have you been?”

“Good,” I said. “How about you and Dorothea?”

“That’s a long story,” he said.

“I have time,” I laughed.







He told me everything, from how she disapproved of him going on tours and writing news songs, to her wanting to have kids already. He said that he wanted to be a father, but now wasn’t the time. He also told me about how depressed he was becoming, and how he was drinking more and more.

“I think I’m going to cut my hair,” he said, as he pushed away the curly bangs in his face, with the baseball cap that said “RUN-DMC” on it.

“No!” I said.

He looked at me funny. “Kmae, it’s almost 1990. I need to get rid of it. Plus, I’ve already got everything for Blaze of Glory filmed.

“What about the New Year’s Eve party that you have to sing at?”

“They can survive.”

“Jon,” I pleaded, “you’re not going to cut your hair yet. Wait until May. Alright? After the wedding, and after everything.”

“The wedding…” his voice trailed off.

“Yes, the wedding. Have you bought a tie yet?”

“A tie? I think I need a suit first.”

“I thought you were all going to wear those light blue ones.”

“Oh yeah.”

I shook my head and laughed, and then got serious. “So, what are we going to do about Dorothea? She was supposed to be in the wedding…”

“She’s not going to be,” he said. “I’m divorcing her.”

I felt my heart make a “thump” noise in my chest, as it fell. “Really?”

“I can’t take it anymore,” he said.

Right then and there, he broke into a million pieces before me, spilling out more and more about how he’d think the earth would be better without him, and how he’d become suicidal. I couldn’t help but think of the dream I had that one time where he was going to shoot himself if I didn’t love him.

“Jon,” I said, as his tears ran out. “You know, me and Richie love you. You’re always welcome here whenever.”

“I want you guys to move back to New Jersey,” he pleaded. “ I want you there when I need you guys.”

Richie was standing at the doorway. “I miss New Jersey.”

“I do too,” I said.

“I miss you guys,” Jon said.

And for the first time in almost a year, Jon missed us.

Sunday, March 04, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 47



“Jon?” I asked. “Why are you calling?”

“Kmae,” he said, as I heard a car zoom by in the background. “Can I talk to Richie?”

“Where are you?” I asked.

“I’m in,” he paused. “Will you be mad?”

“Jon,” I said, “just tell me where you are.”

“I’m in Los Angeles.”

“Why are you here?” I asked.

There was a pause. “Dot kicked me out.”

“She did?” Richie’s voice came over the phone. I looked over, and he was gone.

I hung up slowly as Richie and Jon talked back and forth, and went upstairs.

I wrapped my arms around Richie, who had the phone up to his chest.

“What’s he want?” I asked.

Richie rubbed his forehead. “Well, Jon is..well, in the doghouse. Is that alright if he moves in for a while until he gets a house?”

I looked at Richie long and hard. I didn’t want him to tell Jon “no”, but yet I didn’t want him to tell him “yes” either.

“Kmae, you guys have to get over your differences sometime.”

“Tell him fine, ONLY if he isn’t mean or wants to make out with me or something.”

Richie laughed as he picked up the phone again. “Jon? Kmae says you can only if you don’t try to make out with her.”

I hit Richie and he laughed.

“She’s so happy that you’re coming, she’s willing to beat the crap outta me!”

I laughed, as he slowly smiled, and finished his talk with Jon.

“I’m going upstairs to get his room ready,” I said.

“Alright. I’ll make sure there’s enough food.”

I laughed as I went up into the stairs, and into one of many guest bedrooms we have. The radio was on, playing “Imagine” by John Lennon as I walked into the room. Jon always stayed in this room when he was here. It had pictures of me, Jon and the whole band scattered among the walls.

One caught my eye. The one that was standing on the bedside table, of me and Jon at prom. The same one where he had tipped me down and kissed me, unlike the other couples who had just stood there and smiled.

The picture that was in the tour bus, with the shattered frame also laid in here, with the frame still cracked. Inside it was the note that I had written to Jon almost 6 years ago already, the night before we had a one night stand.

I sat down on the bed, with the doors open. The fresh breeze flew in through the window, and felt fresh, as I laid there. I missed all of this.

I slowly started to sing to myself:

I guess this time you're really leaving
I heard your suitcase say goodbye
And as my broken heart lies bleeding
You say true love in suicide

You say you're cried a thousand rivers
And now you're swimming for the shore
You left me drowning in my tears
And you won't save me anymore

Now I'm praying to God
You'll give me one more chance, girl

I'll be there for you
These five words I swear to you
When you breathe I want to be the air for you
I'll be there for you

I'd live and I'd die for you
Steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can't say what a love can do
I'll be there for you

I know you know we're had some good times
How they have their own hiding place
I can promise you tomorrow
But I can't buy back yesterday

And baby you know my hands are dirty
But I wanted to be your valentine
I'll be the water when you get thirsty, baby
When you get drink, I'll be the wine

I'll be there for you
These five words I swear to you
When you breathe I want to be the air for you
I'll be there for you

I'd live and I'd die for you
Steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can't say what a love can do
I'll be there for you

And I wasn't there when you were happy
I wasn't there when you were down
I didn't mean to miss your birthday, baby
I wish I'd seen you blow those candles out

I'll be there for you
These five words I swear to you
When you breathe I want to be the air for you
I'll be there for you

I'd live and I'd die for you
Steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can't say what a love can do
I'll be there for you





And then slowly, Jon’s limo came crawling up the driveway, as I readied myself to face the truth.

Love Lies Chapter 46






Months went by, as the high hope that Jon wasn’t mad at me flew with it. I was unsure on how I’d ever be able to be the same after the night he had left.


While the months flew by, me and Richie were writing for a solo album he was going to do. It was November, 1989 when we had started writing "Ballad of Youth" and "Father Time." We were unsure on when the solo album would come out, but hopefully soon, if not sooner. Richie had also been helping teach me guitar, which I caught on fast.


Jon started a solo album too, for the movie "Young Guns II" entitled “Blaze of Glory.” Richie hadn’t helped him with it, but I was unsure if Jon would like my help.

Jon and Dorothea’s marriage slowly crumbled during those few months. Jon hadn’t told us anything, but David said that Jon had been calling now and then, asking if he could stay at David and April’s house. Jon hadn’t spoken a word to me or Richie about him and her.

But, I wondered, if he was just leaving her for me.





December, 1989.

I opened my eyes. I had song sheets all around me, guitar in hand, and was laying on the couch in our recording studio. Richie was slumped over in a chair, not far from me, with a bottle of vodka laying in his lap. It was about ten a.m.

“Richie,” I said, making sure he was okay. “Are you awake?”

“Yeah,” he muttered. “Do you still have the guitar?”

I strummed a few notes. “She’s still in good shape, I swear.”

“Good, but are you?” He laughed.

“I’m fine,” I smiled. “Geesh, now that you’re 30, Richie, you’re getting old.”

“Shut up,” he laughed, “you’re 27. You’re getting up there.”

“You’re still older.”

He laughed, as he got out of the chair, taking the guitar, and putting a few of the song sheet aside. As he picked up a song sheet, he looked over one.

“Did you write this?” he asked.

I looked at it. It was a song entitled “Diamond Ring” that was laying beside me.

“Umm,” I said, embarrassed. “Yeah, I sorta did.”

“This is actually pretty good,” he laughed. “Slow, but good.”

“Reminds me of the diamond ring that you gave me,” I smiled. “You were passed out. So I decided to make my own music. How’s it sound?”

Then, we began to sing, like a heavenly choir:



Diamond ring wear it on your hand
It's gonna tell the world I'm your only man
Diamond ring, diamond ring
Baby you're my everything diamond ring

Red red rose brought it home to you
Blood red rose tells me that you're true
Red red rose, blood red rose
Like a fire inside that grows blood-red rose

When you're hungry I will fill you up
When you're thirsty drink out of my loving cup
When you're crying I'll be the tears for you
There's nothing that I wouldn't do for you
Mmm ooh

When you're hungry I will fill you up
When you're thirsty drink out of my loving cup
When you're crying I'll be the tears for you
There's nothing that I wouldn't do for you
No

You know I bleed every night you sleep
'Cause I don't know if I'm in your dreams
I want to be your everything

Diamond ring wear it on your hand
It's gonna tell the world I'm your only man
Diamond ring diamond ring
Baby you're my everything diamond ring
Darling you're my everything diamond ring
Now you've got me on your string diamond ring






“That was amazing,” I smiled, as I kissed him on the cheek.

“You’re pretty good at the guitar,” he laughed.

“You mean the first few chords? I didn’t strum it that much,” I laughed.

“Maybe if Jon let’s you, you can have it on the next album.”

“I highly doubt it,” I said. Richie hadn’t brought up anything about Jon in months. I couldn’t believe that he was still talking about him.

“C’mon,” Richie laughed.

“Who knows if there’ll be another album?” I said.

Richie looked at me. “Hun, don’t talk like that…”

“It might be true,” I said. “Knowing that our wedding is in a few months, I can’t believe that he’d be willing to do another album soon.”

“Our wedding…” Richie’s voice trailed off. “I almost forgot.”

“The tickets to Paris arrived,” I smiled.

He smiled too. “I’m going to make this the best wedding ever.”

“And hopefully the last wedding ever.”

He laughed. “You’re the joker, aren’t you?”

“That’s why I’m here,” I smiled.

“I thought you were here to be my maid.”

“Ahh,” I laughed. “I can be that too. And if you wish, I could be a slave.”

“I’ll save that thought for later,” he laughed.

I sighed. “I haven’t even gotten a wedding dress yet.”

Richie laughed. “Maybe you could go dress shopping in Paris,” he smiled.

“I’d love that,” I said. “I gotta get my nails done too.”

“You’re so silly,” Richie laughed. “You’re already so beautiful.”

“I love you,” I smiled.

“I love you more,” he laughed.

We were interrupted as the phone rang, and I jumped up to get it.

“Hello?” I said.

“Kmae?” said a male voice.

But it wasn’t any male voice, it was Jon’s.

Love Lies Chapter 45



Jon looked at me, with a sort of sadness in his eyes. "That's why you think I'm in love with you? Because I lost you?"


I stood there, breathing heavily. "Yeah, you lost me. You're just mad because Richie is man enough to express his feelings to me and not hide them."


Richie wasn't standing behind me anymore, which I was glad that he wasn't. He knew I could take care of myself without him. I didn't want to scare him either.


Jon didn't even bother to say anything else, as he looked at me with anger, and threw his hand across the small table in the hallway, hitting a vase. As it fell to the floor, it shattered in a million pieces. I looked down, but when I looked up, he was gone.


I started to cry, as Richie came running up the staircase. "Kmae! What was that?!"


"Jon," I cried, "he hit that vase." I went to pick up a piece of the shattered vase. It sliced through my hand, sending a splash of blood on the white floor.


"Oh my God," Richie said. He didn't say anything else as helped me down the stairs, and got me a wrap for my hand.


"Richie," I tried to explain, "I'm fine."


He sat me up on the counter in the bathroom like a little child. "You might need stitches."


"I'm fine," I repeated.


"Are you sure?" He wrapped a cloth around my hand.


"I feel better," I looked at my hand, and noticed the ring didn't even have a smudge of blood on it.


"Your ring looks good," he smiled.


"As good as you?" I flirted.


He laughed. "You're sweet, you know?"


"I don't know," I said, "I learn it from my fiance."


He shook his head. "Can't be. I learned it from my fiance."


I smiled as I got down and kissed him. I loved it when I could kiss him, and I didn't need to worry about Jon.


I heard a bang in the front hall.


"What was that?" I asked.


Richie shook his head. "Let's go see."


We rushed down the stairs, and I stood at the end of the staircase, and looked at the doorway, where Jon was standing, suitcase in hand.


"Where are you going?" Richie asked.


"Home," he said, as he picked up the suitcase that must've fallen down and made the bang.


"Home?" I asked. "Why?"


"I'm not wanted here! Dorothea misses me, anyways."


I shook my head, and went up the stairs. I didn't care where he went. I just didn't want him by me.


"Well," Jon yelled up the stairways. "Bye?"


"Just leave," I said back. I knew by now I was going to cry. I couldn't believe that I didn't want him anywhere near me, as I rushed up the stairs, and went into the bathroom. The "click" of the lock made sure that nobody came in.


"Kmae?" Richie's voice echoed down the hall.

I didn’t want to talk.

“Kmae,” Richie pleaded. “Please let me in.”

I slowly went towards the door, and unlocked it.

He came in, and looked at me. “Are you okay?”

“I’m sick of Jon,” I said, as I curled my feet up in a ball as I sat on the floor again.

Richie bent down and looked at me. “I know you are.”

“I bet he wrote ‘Living In Sin’ about me.”

“He might’ve, but I helped,” he said.

“I know he’s loved me forever. I can’t get why he can’t accept the fact that I’ve moved on and he should too.”

Richie put a hand under my chin and raised it so I could look in his brown eyes. “Listen, you’re an amazing person, Kmae. Don’t let someone like Jon ruin it just because he loves you, and can’t have you. You’re my fiancé. And He needs to get over that you’re with me and he’s with Dorothea.”

“That’s where he isn’t,” I said. “When he’s here, he tries to kiss me. He tries EVERYTHING because he’s here and not with her. He probably doesn’t even love her.”

“Kmae,” Richie pleaded, “you’ve got to understand that he’s got her now, and shouldn’t worry about what you do.”

“That’s not the point!” I cried. “He’s in love with me, Richie. He won’t stop! He loves me no matter the fights, the anger. He’s still in love with me.”

Richie looked at me, with a sadness in his eyes. “You’re not in love with him.”

“I only love one person,” I smiled, as I got closer to him.

Our lips touched, and we both melted like candles as he both sat there on the bathroom floor, with hot lips touching. I craved this side of Richie. The sexy one, who wanted to kiss me, touch me, hold me.

I tangled my hands through his hair as his hat fell off, and he laughed against my lips. He had this thing, where he’d wrap his arms around my shoulders and it made me laugh, in a sexy way.

And there we sat, kissing as if nothing had happened. But behind deep walls, Jon was still in love with me, but we hadn’t experienced the worst of it yet.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 44



I got into the tub and sat there, and turned the radio on. “Don’t Cry” by Guns N’ Roses came on. It was one of my favorite songs, other then “Never Say Goodbye.” I loved it when I had a song to listen to while I was in the tub.









I got out of the tub, and walked into our bedroom, where I changed into a pair of “resting” pants, and a green zebra tanktop. I put my damp hair up into a messy bun and walked over to the two large patio doors by our bed. I let the cool breeze flowing in, and the waves crashing onto the shore. It was amazing.

I sat back down on the bed and grabbed the red nail polish that I always wore and applied it to my nails. Sometimes I wondered if the lyrics “blood red nails on her fingertips” was because of me…

I put my makeup on, and went downstairs. It was almost 7pm now, and the song “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone) By Cinderella was playing on the radio downstairs, with Jon, Richie, Tico, Alec, and David all singing along.

“Hey beautiful!” The drunken Richie said as he let out a burp. “We’re singing our song!”

I laughed kind of half embarrassed. “Yeah, I kind of noticed…”

“What time is it?” Tico asked, as he lit another cigarette.

“About seven,” I said.

“You look sexy,” Richie said.

“Thanks!” I exclaimed as I sat on his lap on the couch.

“Why is your ass so boney?” He laughed.

“That’s what she said,” Jon laughed in the corner.

I gave him a kiss on the cheek before I curled up on his lap like a child. I could hear his heart beating as he talked to the guys and I felt his chest raise when he talked. Soon, I fell asleep, there in his arms.







“Kmae?” I heard Richie say.

I opened my eyes, and found myself asleep in our bedroom, with Richue laying beside me.

“Hey, baby girl,” he smiled. “You were so sleepy.”

I looked into his brown eyes as he smiled. “What time is it?”

“About nine AM.”

I stretched as I laid my head back down and turned over to look at him. “Why are you so perfect?”

“Perfect?” He laughed. “I only see one perfect person here, and that’s you.”

“I’m not perfect,” I said.

“Me neither,” he smiled.

I got closer to him as our lips met. I put my hands through his hair, and he laughed against my lips as I accidently pulled his hair. We had never really French kissed a lot before, but he decided that today was the day to do that.



Well soon, everything, and I mean EVERYTHING was off.







The next few hours went by, and we finally got changed and went downstairs. I was still giggling when Richie came over and tickled me once more.

“Stop!” I yelled in laughter.

“Stop?” He laughed. “I thought you liked it!”

“I do!” I smiled.

Jon stumbled out of his bedroom down the hall, with his hair a mess, and everything. “Can you two love birds quit being so stupid? I’ve been hearing you guys since seven this morning.”

“Like you’ve never bothered me,” I laughed.

“Whatever. Just because you’re engaged, doesn’t mean you need to be assholes about it.”

“Assholes? You’re the one being an asshole because you can’t take the fact that you lost me!” I yelled.

Love Lies Chapter 43



I looked over at Jon, who had only been asked one or two questions throughout the whole press conference. He looked really, really angry, and I didn’t want to mess with him.

Another person stood up. “Kmae, is Jon okay with your engagement? Or did he just find out?”

I was trying to avoid this answer, but I knew I had to do it.

“Well,” I started, as I briefly tried to explain, “me and Richie, we just got engaged last night. So, we haven’t told anybody yet.”

“Not even your family?” she asked, as she wrote down some notes.

“Nope,” I said. “We were going to tell the guys about it after the press conference.”

“Oh,” she quickly said, before sitting down.

Richie squeezed my hand tighter, as another person asked David about his engagement.

“Are you having fun?” Richie whispered in my ear.

“Actually, yeah,” I laughed quietly. “I didn’t think I would.”

“Well,” he smiled. “It’s almost over. Don’t worry.”

I smiled as I looked over to Jon, who quickly made eye contact with me, and then looked away like I had somehow hurt him. I never did anything to him, which made me wonder, maybe I had hurt him? Or was he just being himself?

“Alright guys,” Doc said from behind the curtain, “ya’ll are done.”

Jon instantly shot up from his chair, rushing outside.

“What’s his problem?” Alec asked.

“He’s mad,” I said, walking back outside.

Camera flashes almost blinded me as we posed for more pictures, and then got into the limo.

“Are you guys staying at our house?” I asked. Me and Richie had been in LA, while they all were still in New Jersey. They had just flew out here to do this press conference.

“We’re staying with you,” David said. “Then, we’ve got supper.”

“Well,” I said, “it’s only noon.”

“Are you hungry?” Richie asked.

I shook my head.

He looked at me with a concerned face. “Kmae, you haven’t eaten since I’ve gotten home...”

“I’m just not hungry,” I admitted.

“Richie has already fed your appetite, I see,” Alec said.

I shot him a look, and he just laughed.









When we got back, we all went into our house, and then went out into the sun patio.

“Kmae,” Richie said, “can you grab that bottle of wine on the cupboard that we got from Vegas?”

“Yeah, I’ve been waiting to drink it!” I laughed. I went over to the cupboard and grabbed the wine bottle, and brought it back over to the guys out on the patio.

“I’ve never drank wine at noon,” I laughed as Richie popped off the top of the bottle, and the wine bubbled up.

“Oh, this is all we drank on the road,” Richie laughed. “This an Tylenol PM.”

“Amen,” Tico laughed.

Richie poured us all glasses, and then offered one to Jon.

“I’m fine,” he said, as he sat farthest away from me.

“You’ve got to,” David said. “It’s for Kmae, and Richie.”

“I just ate a big lunch,” I could tell he was lying.

“Your loss,” David said.

Richie smiled, and held up his wine glass. “Well, this is for the many memories we’ve all shared together, and for the many more to come, especially for me, and you, Kmae.”

I smiled as we all made a toast to each other, and Richie grabbed me around the waist and dipped me down, giving me a big kiss on the lips. I laughed as he helped me back up, and I took a sip of wine.

I happened to look over at Jon, who was sitting in the corner like a little child, didn’t say anything as he looked over in disgust.

“So,” David said, “have you guys even planned on when?”

“We haven’t really talked about it,” I said, taking another sip. “I’m going to let Richie choose.”

“You choose,” he smiled. “You’re the fiancé.”

“So are you..” I laughed.

“But you’re the girl,” he laughed.

“I think we should maybe wait?” I suggested.

“We’re going to Paris,” Richie told David. “Kmae already decided that part.”

Tico laughed as he took out a cigarette. “Well, we’re going there sometime in the next few years.”

“Maybe we can just hitch-hike around,” Richie laughed.

The phone started ringing as Tico was about to say something.

“I’ve got it,” Richie said, as he went into the living area of the house.

“This is a big step for you guys,” Tico said. “You guys are a really cute couple.”

“That means a lot, Tico,” I smiled.

Richie came back into the patio. “Kmae, it’s for you.”

I got down from the chair, and walked into the living area.

“Hello?” I said as I picked up the phone.

“Kmae?” The female’s voice said. “It’s Krystal!”

Krystal? I thought to myself. Krystal?

THAT Krystal. The Krystal who had been my best friend in highschool. The one who didn’t want me to run away with a rock band.

“Krystal!” I smiled. “I haven’t talked to you in forever!”

“I know!” she laughed. “How have you been? I heard about your engagement to Richie.”

“I’m good,” I smiled. “But wait, how’d you find that out already?”

“It’s all over the news,” she laughed.

“Oh geesh,” I laughed. “How have you been? Are you still in Sayreville?”

“Nope,” she said, “I’m in California now, LA.”

“No shit?” I laughed. “That’s where me and Richie live!”

“Really? That’s awesome!” She laughed. “We’ll have to get back together sometime. We haven’t seen eachother since ’79.”

“I know! It’s been forever!” I laughed. “Maybe we could get together, you and me!”

“Richie too?” She laughed. “He’s so sweet! I’m glad you guys got engaged!”

“So, I guess that means you aren’t mad at me anymore..?” I asked.

“Kmae,” she started, “I feel, really bad about being mean to you about going with them. I understand now why you love them so much. They’re all really nice people.”

“I’m glad you finally understand,” I smiled.

“Hey,” she said, “I’ve got to go…I thought I’d call you to talk to my best friend once again. We’ll have to get together sometime. Alright?”

“We do! See you!” I said.

She said goodbye and then we hung up. I walked back out to the patio, and the guys were all sitting, talking.

“Hey,” Richie said as I stepped back down the steps and walked into the patio. “Who was that?”

“You remember Krystal, Jon?” I said. “She used to go to highschool with us.”

“I remember her,” Jon said. “She was really pretty.”

“She was also your first kiss,” David reminded him.

“Shh,” Jon laughed. I could tell he was getting drunk again, as he laughed a really weird laugh.

“Well,” I said, “It’s about 3 pm. I’m going to go upstairs and take a bubble bath.”

“I’ll be there later…” Richie laughed.

I gave him a little slug in the shoulder. “Oh, you wish.”

“Dude,” Alec said, “you just got rejected.”

“I didn’t reject him,” I laughed. “I just meant, ‘not ‘til the kids go to bed.’”

Everyone laughed, even Jon, and then I went inside, lit some candles, threw in some rose petals, and finally, was at peace.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 42


     

I tried to run, hide from him, as he stood there and kissed me. It felt almost good, but I didn’t want to kiss him. He wasn’t mine. Richie was. Richie was my fiancé now. But Jon didn’t know it yet.

“Jon!” I pleaded, as I pushed him away from me. “Stop it!”

“Stop?” he said. “I thought you liked it!”

I could smell the alcohol on his breath as he leaned closer to me, once again.

“Jon,” I said. “Get away from me.”

“I love you,” he whispered.

“Jon! Stop! You don’t love me! You’re supposed to love Dorthea!” I shouted at him as I back away. “You’re not my husband! You’re not my boyfriend, my fiancé, and heck, if you go this far again, you won’t be my friend!”

There was a long, long pause before Jon said something again, as my breathing slowed, and you couldn’t hear it anymore.

“I thought you’ve changed,” I said. “I thought you were a different person, Jon. You’ve obviously only become more and more of a liar every day.”

“That’s not true!” He yelled. “You’ve got to believe me, I’ve changed. But there’s one thing that hasn’t. I still love you. I always have, Kmae. You’re everything. I love your smile, your beauty. EVERYTHING about you is perfect, and I can’t believe that I let you go when you were younger. You’re smarter now, I understand that. But I wanted another chance. I wanted another beginning with you. Another day in ’78.”

I stood there in shock as he looked me in the eyes. His eyes, they were so blue. The blue I hadn’t seen since prom, when we stormed out the door and went to my car, where he kissed me for the first time. The place where I felt myself melt into his arms, and where I felt Richie, his eyes burning into me as I had to explain why me and Jon were so late from getting home from the prom.

“Jon,” I tried to explain slowly. “I know, we’ve had our fair share of memories. But I can’t stand to be in the way of you guys. You don’t need to fight over me, alright? I just want to be somewhere, where my boyfriend and my best friend aren’t fighting over me!”

“We’re not!” he yelled. “We BOTH equally love you.”

I shook my head. “Jon, you’re my best friend. But Richie’s my love of my life.”

“I’d give anything,” he paused, “anything to have another wild night with you. I swear to God.”

“Jon, you’re going way too far.”

“Too far?” he said, as he tried to kiss me again.

I shoved him away. “Don’t touch me!”

“Baby,” he said again, getting so close, that I could smell the alcohol on him. “Please, just one more night…”

“No! No! No!” I shouted. “No! You’re with Dorthea, Jon! Not me!”

He didn’t look at me. He just sat there. I got up and unlocked the door, and went back into the bar.

“Ma’am, would you like another drink?” The bartender said.

I shook my head. “Hey, can you tell Jon something when he finally gets back in here?”

“Yup.”

“Tell him I left to go to the party.”

The bartender nodded as I walked out the door. The limo was sitting on the side of the bar. I got in, and we went to the party without Jon.







“Kmae!” Richie smiled, as I stepped out of the limo. There were cameras everywhere as I walked down the sidewalk. Screaming fans were everywhere, yelling “Richie!” and “Kmae!”

He came up beside me and put one of his hands around my waist, as we both smiled and posed for pictures. Fans screamed in happiness when he kissed me on the cheek.

He put his lips up to my ear. “Are we going to tell yet?”

“Isn’t there a press conference afterwards?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he whispered. “We can wait until they maybe ask, or just announce it ourselves.”

I spotted David, with his fiancé April, Tico, and Alec all posing for pictures.

“Hey,” Richie whispered in my ear. “Where’s Jon?”

“It’s a bit of a long story…” I said.

“Nevermind,” Richie said. “He’s here.”

Jon stepped out of the limo, and waved to all the screaming girls that were trying to get passed the rope that lead them away from us.

“Thanks for leaving me,” he yelled to me.

The whole crowd laughed with me.

“He doesn’t know, right?” Richie said.

I looked at my hand. “I don’t even know if he spotted the ring.”

“Good.”

I smiled as another cameraman took a picture of me and Richie, before we went over to the guys.

David’s fiancé was a girl that had also gone to our highschool also. I didn’t know her very well, but her and David had been dating for a few years, and then got engaged.

“You guys ready for the press conference?” I asked.

“I wish I could go,” April said. “I’ve gotta fly back to Jersey tonight, so I’m leaving in a few minutes. ”

“Aww, that sucks,” I said.

“I’m ready!” David said. “See you later babe,” he said to April, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“We better get going,” Jon said, looking at his watch. He seemed like he wasn’t very drunk anymore, and actually sober.







We walked into a big room, where there were tons of people with cameras and news.

I sat down in my seat, and so did the rest of the guys. Richie held my hand under the table, and we both exchanged glances of happiness.

“Mr. Bon Jovi,” one of the reporters, a short, skinny girl said, “are you and your wife expecting?”

“Not yet,” he laughed. “I’m not planning on having kids for a few years. We just got married a year ago. Next question.”

“This one’s for Mr. Sambora, and his lovely girlfriend,” another reporter said. This time it was a tall fat one with a pencil thin mustache. “Are you guys engaged?”

I swallowed hard. I didn’t want to talk. I squeezed Richie’s hand tighter under the table, with fright. Every bone in my body froze up. I couldn’t move.

Richie smiled, and then looked at me. “Yes, we are.”

Everyone’s expressions changed. I looked over at Jon, who was right next to me, and his face was frozen.

The mustache reporter smiled. “When are you planning on getting married?”

“We haven’t really decided,” Richie explained. “We only got engaged last night.”

He held my hand tighter, as another reporter asked me a question. “Kmae, where do you guys want to get married?”

I swallowed, and finally said something. “I’d love to go to Paris…yes, Paris. I’ve only been there once…but when I was there, it seemed like everything was so sweet-smelling and nice.”

Richie looked at me and whispered in my ear, “You’re really good at this.”

“Takes talent,” I laughed.

They all laughed, and asked another few questions. Richie looked over at me every once in a while and smiled. I loved his smile. Then, finally, came the afterparty, where I could finally feel free to talk about my newly engagement.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Love Lies Chapter 41



After I got done getting my pictures taken, I walked back over to Jon, who was sitting alone, drinking a beer.

“You guys done?” He asked.

“Yeah,” I said.

“You look very pretty tonight.”

I blushed. “Thank you, Jon.”

“Every girl needs a comment every once in a while,” he smiled. “You’re the perfect one to compliment.”

I blushed again. “You’re very sweet, Jon.”

“Hey, hey, hey!” Alec yelled. “What’s going on in the big house?”

I could tell he was drunk as the smell of his drunken breath came over me.

“Alec,” Jon said, trying to not show his anger, “we were having a conversation.”

“You guys,” he hiccupped, “are together?”

“No,” I said. “I’m still with Richie, remember?”

Jon unsteadily moved.

“Oh yeah,” he said, as if he couldn’t remember. He let out a weird laugh, and slowly backed away.

“That was awkward,” I said.

“Yeah,” Jon whispered. He looked at me. “You’re going to the after party, right?”

“Of course,” I said. “Aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” he said. “I was going to go to the bar first. Would you like to join me?”

“I would,” I said, “but I don’t know if Richie is going.”

“Forget him,” Jon said, angrily.

I looked at him confused. “Forget him? What do you mean?”

“Don’t you need some kind of break from him sometimes?”

“He was just gone for nine months,” I explained.

Jon looked at me and laughed. “I just want to buy you a drink, is that okay?”

“Let me go talk to Richie for a second, okay?”

“Alright,” he said. “Hurry back.”

I rushed over to Richie, who was talking to Doc, their manager.

“Hey,” Richie smiled. “What’s up?”

“Is that okay if me and Jon go to the bar for a little bit?” I said, trying to smile and make it seem less awkward as Doc stood there.

“Aren’t you going to the after party?” Richie said.

“Yeah, Jon just wants to buy me a drink first. You know, for old time’s sake.”

“Alright,” He smiled. “Behave!” He said sarcastically.

“I promise I will,” I smiled.

“Or I’ll have to give you punishment later.”

“Hey,” I laughed. “There’s nothing wrong with a good spanking.”

Doc and Richie both laughed as I went back over by Jon.

“The body guard is actually letting you go?” Jon said, referring to Richie.

“Yeah,” I said. “But we still need to go to the after party.”

“I know, I know,” he said. “You’ll be fine.”

“You’re basically drunk already,” I said.

“Shit happens.”







We went to some bar, and he bought me a drink.

“So,” he said. “How are you?”

“I’m good,” I said. “I could be better.”

“Why’s that?”

“Oh, you know,” I said. “I’m just a little stressed.”

“Stressed?” He said. “How come?”

“Richie’s gone a lot…I get a little lonely. But it’s nothing really.”

“Aww, babe,” he said. “You’re not supposed to be treated like that.”

“I’m just happy for him,” I said. “It’s fine how he treats me, as long as he’s happy.”

“That’s not how you’re supposed to see life,” he said. “You’re supposed to be happy.”

“I am happy,” I said. “I’m really happy for him…”

“You’re not supposed to be happy for him, you’re supposed to be happy for yourself.”

“I am, Jon. I really am.”

He looked at me, and I slowly looked away.

“I’m going outside to smoke,” I said.

“Alright,” he said.

I walked out the back door, to an enclosed alley, where I sat down on a metal block that was laying there. I didn’t light a cigarette; I just sat there and looked as the warm July sun beat down on me.





After about twenty minutes, Jon opened up the back door and closed it behind him, and looked at me.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

“Yeah,” I said. “I just needed some fresh air.”

He sat down beside me, and looked me in the eyes. “You know, Kmae, I really miss you.”

“I miss you too, Jon.”

“I mean, I miss, your hugs, your kisses, your everything.”

“Jon, that’s real sweet of you, but-“

“Kiss me.”

“What?” I said confused.

“Please, just kiss me.”

“Jon, I’m with Richie, you’ve gotta stop living in the past.”

“No! Kiss me goddammit!”

“No, Jon. I can’t just-“

I was interrupted as he pressed his lips to mine, and leaned over, locking the door. I tried to pull away, but something was wrong. My body wouldn’t let me. It wanted me to kiss him.

And there we stood, kissing, under the warm July sun, with our memories surrounding us in every direction.

Love Lies Chapter 40


 

“Hey, darling,” I heard Richie say, as I rolled over and looked at him. “It’s time to wake up, sleepyhead.”

I slowly opened my eyes as I watched him look at me. “How long have you been up?”

“An hour or so,” he smiled. “I like watching you sleep. So peaceful.”

I yawned and then smiled at him. “You’re too cute.”

“I am Richie Sambora,” he smiled, “if you haven’t noticed.”

“Oh, I’ve noticed,” I smiled. “I’ve REALLY noticed.”

He laughed as we both sat up, and gazed around our bedroom. Clothes were strung through the bedroom. I felt my hand, and saw the ring still shining.

“It looks really beautiful on you,” Richie smiled.

“Thank you,” I glanced at the clock. “It’s nine?”

“Oh shit,” Richie yelled. “We have a photoshoot at ten, and afterwards it’s an after party to celebrate the success of the tour. I better get ready. You get to come too.”

“That’s okay, we can take a shower together.”

We both got up and went into our bathroom, and got into the shower. I missed the moments where I got to take a shower with him. It had been nine months.

We got out and got changed. I put on a nice green dress with ruffles. It was bigger now, because I had lost so much weight, so I didn’t need Richie to zip it up like normal.

I walked into his closet. “How do I look?”

“Hot,” he smiled. “I almost shit my pants looking at you.”

“Is that a good thing?”

He smiled as he got closer to me. “You tell me,” he kissed me, and wrapped his arms around me.

“Richie,” I said against his lips. “I don’t mean to stop you, but it’s nine-thirty, and we’ve got a photoshoot to go to.”

He laughed as he slowly kissed me one more time, and finally pulled on a pair of jeans and a leather jacket.

“What shoes?” I said.

“You know those silver heels you have?”

“Yeah?”

“Those are sexy, wear them.”

I smiled as I went into my closet and grabbed them. I slipped them on and went back into the bathroom, did my makeup, and put my hair into a bun, and finally got ready.

“You set?” he smiled as I could hear his cowboy boots coming from downstairs.

“Yup! But wait, we still haven’t talked over how we’re going to explain this ring to them,” I said.

“If they notice, we tell them,” Richie said. “If they don’t, then we’ll tell them at the party.”

“Sounds good.”

We both went down the winding staircase and got into the limo. I felt a lot better today, but a little sore. I didn’t care. It was worth it.

“Is Dot going to be at the photo shoot?” I asked, referring to Dorthea. It’s not that me and her didn’t get along, it’s just that, well, I didn’t like her very much, and I know she didn’t like me either.

“Nope,” he said. “Just you, me and the guys.”

“Good,” I muttered to myself.



When we got to the photoshoot, Jon, David, Tico and Alec were getting their pictures taken as Richie stood beside me with his arms around my waist.

“Hey, Kmae!” Jon yelled. “You’re here!”

“I wasn’t planning on staying home,” I said. “Do you want me to be lonely?”

“Well, you have been for nine months. You should be able to handle an extra day.”

I punched him in the shoulder. “You’re mean.”

“No, I’m Jon Bon Jovi.”

I rolled my eyes. “What’s Dorthea doing?” Not that I care…

“She’s with her sister today. I guess they’re going shopping for her sister’s baby shower or something.”

“Oh, that’s nice.”

“They should’ve invited you.”

I shook my head. “Nah, I’ve got you guys to babysit tonight.”

“We can always take care of ourselves.”

“Yeah,” I said. “You said that last time when I found you in the hallway by our hotel room.”

“It was warmer out there then in the room!”

I laughed. It was actually good to have Jon being my friend again, after all that had happened back in ’84. Now he was a little more mature, and had a wife.

“Kmae,” Richie said as he came up next to me, “is that okay if I take some by myself?”

“Of course!” I smiled. “Go right ahead.”

He gave me a kiss on the cheek and went into the photo shooter’s photo session place.

I turned back to Jon. “So, how was your tour?”

“Oh, great,” he said. “Dorthea left in the middle of it though.”

“Why’s that?” I asked, puzzled. I couldn’t believe that she had left…right in the middle? She must be crazier then I thought.

“She just wasn’t fit for it,” he said. “We were going to come and get you, but when she left, we were in Paris.”

“I love Paris,” I smiled. “That sucks that she left you guys.”

“It’s okay,” he said. “We’re just kind of having problems.”

“I hope they all resolve,” I said.

“I hope so too,” he said. “I really love her.”

“I know you do.”

He looked down. “She just isn’t the same person she was when I met her, you know?”

“Oh, I know,” I said. “You were different at one time too.”

“I know I’ve changed too,” he said. “But she’s just…I can’t explain it. She just doesn’t want to love me like I want to love her.”

I didn’t know what to say. He and Dorthea had never been a very good couple in my mind. They just didn’t share the same tastes, the same love.

“Can I honestly tell you something?” I said to him.

“Kmae,” he said. “You know you can tell me anything. Go right ahead.”

“I never approved of her,” I said. “She just is…odd. You know?”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t know you didn’t approve.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Yeah, It is.”

“Kmae, I’m not gonna argue with you.”

“Well, too late.”

He laughed. “You’ve got a way with words.”

“Halleluiah,” I said.

“Kmae,” Richie yelled. “You ready for pictures?”

“I am if you are!” I smiled as I yelled back.

“Kmae,” Jon said. “Can we talk later? It just seems that I can tell you stuff and you actually listen.”

“Anytime,” I smiled. “See you.”

He waved as I walked over to Richie, put on a smile, and tried to look glamorous for the camera, as Jon watched in agonizing heartbreak as Richie held me close.