Chapter 63: Not Strangers Anymore

Ashley looked into her room and she was fuming mad.

 Jake and Dorothea were sprawled out in her bed and it was obvious what they had been up to.  She picked up Jake's jeans and swung them at him.

"Get up!" She yelled. "Get the fuck out of my bed!"

Rickey appeared in her doorway. "I tried to stop you. Come on Ash, at least let them get dressed!"

Richie and Alec and Stacey heard the commotion and ran up to see, what was going on.

"You get the hell out of my room too!" She pointed her finger in Rickey's direction. While a naked Dorothea scrambled for her clothes on the floor.

Jake was laughing. "Sorry Ash, we needed a bed and you weren't using it! I was hoping you would come home, but Dorothea beat you to it! Now she can tell you what you're missing."

"You are disgusting Jake! Put your damn clothes on!" She yelled and threw the rest of his clothes at him.

Dorothea had an angry look on her face. "Fuck you Jake!"

"I thought that's what we did!" He laughed.


"Ashley please don't tell Johnny about this. I was mad because he threw me out! I didn't mean to go that far with a damn stranger!" Dot was trying to explain.

"Oh babe, we're not strangers anymore!" Jake chuckled.

"Are you out of your damn mind? Of course I am going to tell John, what a lying slut you are! If you are pregnant? There is no telling who's damn kid it is!"

Dorothea pulled her shirt and panties on. And sat down at the end of the bed, closer to Ashley. "If I'm pregnant it's still Johnny's. I used condoms with everyone but him."

"I don't believe a word you say! You are probably just trying to get pregnant so you can try to trick John into being the daddy! Well listen up bitch! John Bongiovi is all mine!"

Dot got a smug smile on her face.

"Really for how long? A whole day? I don't remember him calling out your name when we were fucking all night in his bed!"

"You fucking bitch! Ashley didn't even think, she felt anger take over her whole  body and with all her might, she swung and  slapped the shit, right out of Dorothea's face.


Dot's face got hard with anger, as she rubbed her cheek. I guess your boyfriend didn't tell you about me! You got away with that one, but make no mistake, I can hurt you little girl!"

"I know all about the karate Dorothea! I'm not scared of you!"

"Well you better be! Go ahead tell Johnny! It doesn't matter. I know it's his baby."

Ashley felt arms wrap around her from behind. "Oh is Ash jealous, that Dot rode the Jake train?" He laughed and licked inside her ear."

"Let me go! Damn that's disgusting!" She hollered and started elbowing him and almost got him in the nuts. He grabbed Ashley around the throat and pushed her on the bed holding his hands there choking her. "I fucking told you about hitting me!"

Richie started yelling from the doorway.

"I was hoping you were going to make that mistake motherfucker! Rickey started over there to get him off her, but Richie shoved right past him and swung right at his head. Jake turned and grabbed him and they both started swinging repeatedly as Rickey and Alec tried to pull them off of each other.

Ashley just laid there. Thoughts of all the times he hurt her coming back all at once.

"Don't you ever touch her again! Or me or Johnny, either one, will beat your fucking ass!"

Ashley finally sat up. She was shocked she couldn't believe what Richie had just done for her. Her ocean blue eyes locked with his dark brown ones, but she had no words to describe what she wanted to say to him.

"Are you okay?" Stacey walked over to her and hugged her.

"Yes I'm fine. But she was holding back tears and Stacey knew she was going to lose it soon.

"Get out! Everybody please get the hell out of Ashley's room." She shoved them toward the door and closed it behind them.

Ashley broke down. "Oh my God when he grabbed me, it was like I was back there all over again. He's grabbed me around the neck so many times. I had forgotten how scary it is when you can't breathe."

"I know, it's okay. Wow did you see Richie? I thought he was going to kill him!" Stacey asked thinking how hot Richie looked taking up for Ashley.

"Yes I need to thank him." Ashley dried her eyes and went looking for Richie.

Richie was outside standing by his car. He was about to take Alec to get his bike.

"Hey Richie."

"Hey baby are you okay?"

"Yeah, I appreciate what you did for me. It means a lot to me that you would do that."

"You're welcome. I just couldn't stand by. No man has a right to ever put his hands on a woman like that."

"Well thanks. And she reached up to hug him. He pulled her close and held her  way longer than he should have. He said his goodbyes and got in the car with Alec.

Ashley packed another bag and abandoned all hopes of doing laundry. She locked her bedroom door this time and couldn't wait to get back to John.

She walked up to Stacey. "I'm leaving. I just can't even be here til Jake leaves."

"I understand honey. Call me okay. I worry about you."

"I will, I'll call you later."

Ashley walked out to the Mustang to be greeted by John's Mother. "Hello Ashley."

"Hey Mrs. Bongiovi."

"Are you okay? Looks like you've been crying."

"I'm fine."

"Is Johnny with you? We haven't even heard from him."

"No mam,  I'm sorry about that. He loaned me his car to come over here."

"I'm surprised, he doesn't let anybody drive his car." Carol looked at her with a disapproving glance.

"I could get him to call you."

"That won't be necessary. Richie told us where he is living now. And since my son refuses to act decent, and keep in touch with his family, I will be dropping by soon. So please let him know, so he can clean the place up and undoubtedly get rid of all the half dressed girls hanging around there. If not I'll have to do it myself."

"Okay I'll tell him." Ashley rolled her eyes a little.

"I hope there's no hard feelings that we are pressing charges on your Father.  But, he is an animal that almost killed my child and needs to be punished!"

"No he's my father but I don't think I can ever forgive him for almost killing John."

"Since when do you and Dorothea Hurley hang out together? And just what were you girls doing alone in there with Richie and all those boys all night?" She glanced over at Ashley's house to see Dorothea and Jake standing outside.

"I wasn't even here. Dorothea was in there all night with them. And your guess is as good as mine at what she was doing with them."

"Well if we hear another loud party, I'm calling the police! That is not going to become the party house for a bunch of delinquents!"

"Is he one of your boyfriends?" She nodded over at Rickey.

"I only have one boyfriend and that's John." She glanced to see she was asking about Rickey. "That's my brother and yes please if he throws another party call the cops. He shouldn't be doing that anyway."

"Just where will you be?" She glanced in her car. "I certainly hope you aren't taking all that stuff and trying to move yourself in on my Johnny. He isn't feeling well right now and that's the last thing he needs."

"John asked me to stay with him."

"I doubt that, but thanks to your father he is out of his mind right now, so maybe so. Will you tell him that  sweet little nurse from the hospital keeps calling him. He really liked her and will want to know."

Ashley sighed. "Oh yes I will sure tell him. I've got to go, John is waiting for me."

"Bye dear." Carol walked back to the house as Ashley watched her.

"What a bitch! How the hell is John her son?" She thought as she drove away.

She pulled up and John was sitting out on the steps out front smoking a cigarette and smiling at her.

"What are you doing out here? Waiting for me?"

"Yep your suprise is here and it's ready for you."

Okay can you help me get all this stuff? I didn't get to wash clothes. It's a long story."

"Yeah." He grabbed her bag and the basket of laundry. They walked inside and he threw the stuff down. " Follow me." He took her hand and walked her into the bedroom. I had them come get the old bed. This is brand new, they just pulled the plastic off of it. The sheets and comforter are new and I even had them put it over here on this wall. It's a totally different room. So all my memories here will be with you." He smiled his full 1000 watt smile at her.

She laid down on the bed and smiled back at him.

"Oh it's comfy John I love it. Thank you for going to so much trouble for me. I wish I could get a new one at my house."

"You need a new bed?" He made a face knowing her bed was fine.

"I do now! I found Jake and Dorothea naked in my bed, this morning!  I was fixin to threw up my whole wonderful breakfast you bought me. They had a big party there last night and got together somehow."

"Really Jake and Dot slept together?" He asked kind of shocked.

"Yep and she had the nerve to ask me not to tell you!"

"Damn I just can't see those two together."

"Well they definitely were together, in ever sense of the word."

Something on her neck caught John's eye. "Hey what happened to your neck?"

"It's nothing." She started unpacking her bag.

"So you like the bed?" He asked grinning at her.

"Yes it was so super sweet of you. I almost forgot. I ran into your Mom, who doesn't approve of me driving your car, by the way."

"Oh well, she'll get over it." He put his atms around her smiling. What else did she say?"

"She's mad you haven't been by to see her, she said Richie told her where you are and she's gonna come by."

"I need to go over there. It's real sorry of me, that I haven't even called them. I need to get this damn phone turned on."

"Did she say anything else?"

"Yeah a few things. Most of it was kind of hateful. She saw my bag and hopes I'm not pushing myself to stay here with you because you're not well and you don't need that right now."

He laughed. "Yep that's you pushy Ashley, pushing yourself in here taking advantage of Carol's poor, defenseless, little boy. Shame on you Ash." He chuckled.

"Yep that's me." She smiled looking at just how cute she thought he was right now.

"Was she nice to you at all?" He asked seriously.

"Well yeah, she was smiling when she told me the sweet little nurse from the hospital kept calling you. And how much you really liked her and would want to know she called." She looked up at him with a hint of hurt in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry Ash. That girl means nothing to me. Please don't worry about anything my Mom said. I love you, and nobody but you, and the only girl I'm crazy about is you. Okay? Now poor defenseless Johnny needs a hug."

She laughed. "Okay come here. She pulled him into her arms and held him tight. I love you too!"

"I guess I need to break down and go see her before she does show up over here. Do you want to go with me?"

"Oh no, no offense, but I've seen enough of your Mama today."

"Okay, I don't blame you."

I'll ride with you, so I can get my car though."

"Okay, let's go so, I can get this over with. Are you coming right back?"

"Yeah."

"Just leave the door unlocked."

"Okay."

"When I leave Mom's I'm going to get the phone turned on."

"That's great, you need that!"


They went out and got in the ZX and drove away. It was a beautiful drive up the beach today. They pulled up in John's Mom's driveway. Ashley got out and walked over to her car and cranked it up and backed out headed back to the apartment.

John took in a deep breath, before he opened the front door and walked in.

"Ma, I'm here!" He called out.

"Johnny! Hello dear. How are you? Are you feeling better?"

I am, I got my whole memory back!"

"How? The doctor wasn't even sure you could!"

"Alec helped me he reminded me of stuff. I saw a video of me and Ashley. I felt dizzy and passed out and hit my head, but when I came to, I remembered  everything."

"The doctor said it was dangerous to do it that way! You could of had a seizure!"

I was having really bad headaches but they are way better now."

"So your head feels a lot better?"

"Yeah it's good. I got rid of Dot. I don't understand all of you letting her worm her way back into my life and pushing Ashley out! It was real dirty how she got done. And I'm really mad about it."

"We were following the doctor's orders. You were so insistent on seeing her. It was like you were back in love all over again. Just forget about Ashley, son. She had a house full of boys over there last night and she's hanging out with Dorothea! They had a wild party over there. Richie and Alec were at it and I saw with my own eyes Richie hugging Ashley in the front yard this morning and believe me son, that wasn't a friendly hug! Not the way they held onto each other!"


John was questioning her hugging Richie. In his mind, when he plainly told her to stay away from him and she didn't even mention, he was there.

"Ashley wasn't even home last night and Richie's her friend." He tried to set her straight.

 "Her car was there!" Carol blurted out.

"Yeah but she was with me all night."

"Well that is disgusting I don't want to hear about your sexual excapades!"

John laughed. "My what? We didn't do anything, we slept on the couch!" He corrected her quickly.

"Well still that girl is trouble and stop letting her drive your car! Her car will probably be repossessed now that her Dad is in jail and she will want to drive one of yours!"

"She doesn't need my car! That new car she drives was given to her by her Grandfather, for her birthday and he paid cash for it! But if she did have payments on it I would pay them for her. I would make sure she didn't lose it. Look Ma quit bad mouthing her. I love her and I just don't know why you hate her so much? She hasn't done anything to you, but try to be nice!"

"Well for one thing she has too many boys hanging around! Her clothes are too short and too tight! And she's from the south with questioable morals and you could do so much better!" What about that sweet little nurse. Let me get her number, she left it for you. She has called you so many times. I want you to take her out."

"No I'm not taking her out! I had her number! I threw it in the garbage!"

"You know I don't understand you! She would be a good girlfriend for you, somebody you could settle down with, and she has a good job. Not some big chested little tramp you can't trust!"

John was thinking how he knew the nurse for 30 minutes and already slept with her. "Look Ma I love you, but you don't know what you are talking about. I trust Ashley just fine. And she is my girlfriend. So no, I'm not going out with anybody else. Just drop it! Please stop riding me about this! It's why I moved out! Ashley isn't perfect, but news flash Ma, I'm not either and I've hurt her a lot and she still loves me."

"You have a doctor's appointment next Tuesday. Would you like for me to go with you?"

"Yeah I would. You know I hate going to the doctor." He made a face.

"Okay dear, I will plan to go. Maybe we can eat lunch somewhere." She smiled.

"Sounds great. I guess I'm going to go. My heads starting to hurt a little."

"Okay take care dear, I love you."

"Love you too Ma."

John walked away feeling like he had been through the ringer. "Is she ever going to stop trying to run my life." He wondered getting in his car. He swung by the telephone company to turn his phone on. The nice lady finished up the paperwork and had him sign a form. She had her keys laying on her desk.

"Where did you get that keychain from?" He asked staring at the heart with two names.

"Right next door. The girl makes them while you wait." The older lady smiled.

"Okay thanks." John took his copy of the phone order form and walked next door to the locksmith shop. It didn't take very long and he had a little gift for Ashley, that was sure to make her smile.

He tore off the tag and added a key he also had made and couldn't wait to show it to her.

He made his way back to the apartment he walked up the steps and opened the door. Ashley had been on a cleaning spree and the whole place looked awesome.

"Hey baby. God it smells great in here."

Oh it's this candle. I love the harvest apple smell it's my favorite.

"Well here I got you something. You already have the key to my heart, so I thought you might as well have the key to my apartment too." He pulled it out of his pocket and laid it on the table.

She picked it up. "Aww this is so sweet. You are the sweetest most thoughtful guy, that I have ever known. Thank you so much. She pulled out her Alabama keychain and added that ring to her new one.

"How was your visit with your Mom?"

"Okay I guess but she really has been conducting her own stakeout at your house." She knew about the party. About Dot being there, and she even saw some crap going on over there today. Ashley looked at him and saw that darkness in his eyes she hated to see.

"Yeah, what was it?" She cautiously asked.

"Well since you went over there and came back here and didn't even bother to tell me Richie was there. Can you tell me what the hell you were doing hugging him for a long time in the damn front yard?"

Chapter 62: Hate To See You Hurting

John walked over to the couch. He could tell Ashley was upset. He tried to put himself in her place but, he knew he couldn't handle it. If she had slept with three other guys, memory loss or not, it would kill him. "I'm sorry about finding her here. She won't be bothering us anymore."

She looked at him and simply replied, "okay."

"Ashley you've hardly said anything to me and I need to know if you're okay?"

"Yeah, I am. I'm so glad you have your memory back." She smiled a fake smile that he noticed instantly.

"Good try, but what's wrong? Please tell me. I can't try to fix it, if you won't talk to me."

"She got a little teary eyed. "You can't fix this John. I know it's not your fault, it's all in my head. I'm trying, I really am. But every time I look at you, I see you with those other girls, and it hurts me so damn much!"

"God I wish you knew just how sorry I am. I swear they didn't mean anything to me. If my mind had been right, I wouldn't have ever touched them. Before the memory loss, I never cheated on you Ashley. I swear I never even wanted to. I hate to see you hurting like this."

"What if Dorothea's pregnant?" She asked with the look of dread on her face."

"She's not! She can't be!" He blurted out, not wanting to even think about it.

"Well she thinks she is. Would your Mother really want you to marry somebody you don't love?"

"Don't worry about my Mom. It's why I moved out. So I can make my own decisions. And I ain't marrying anybody right this minute.

"But I really want to know. Please tell me the truth. What would she want you to do."

"My Mother is Catholic, she would push it for sure. And it being the first Bongiovi grandchild, would only make it even worse."

"That's what I thought."

"But she also hates Dot with a passion." He reminded her.

"She hates me too." Ashley looked up sadly.

"I don't think she really does. She's just a little jealous. I'm her oldest, she's having a hard time letting go. She doesn't ever like anybody, I'm with. She'll come around, when she sees how much I love you."

"I doubt that."

"Have you heard from your Dad?"

"I refuse to talk to him. Rickey told me, your parents are pressing charges. He is being charged with attempted murder."

"I could probably get the charges dropped."

"He almost killed you John! Why would you want to?"

"I'd do it for you. Ashley I'd do anything for you."

"Thanks but I couldn't ask you to do that."

"Just think about it. Baby you look so tired." He noticed looking at her bloodshot eyes.

"I'm so exhausted." She took her hair down and shook it out and slipped her favorite sweatshirt on over her top.

"Let's go to bed." John replied tugging on her arm.

"John, I'm sorry but I can't sleep in there?"

"What? Why not?" He was totally confused.

"You had sex with Dorothea and Angela on that bed and I am sorry but I just can't."

"I didn't even think of that. I wish there was something I could do, to take it back."

"Well there's not, but I'm really trying to get past it. I just need some time. Okay?"

"Yeah baby what ever you need. I'll do anything you want."

Ashley stretched out on the couch and he laid down behind her and held her as they drifted off to sleep.

John woke up early. He had pondered for a while what he could do to remedy the bedroom situation. He got up and got dressed and tiptoed out the door. He went to the rental store where he had rented the furniture. He lied and told them he just didn't like the bed he had rented. He ordered another one to be brought out later today, when they came to pick up the old one. He picked out new comforter and sheet set, that he was sure Ashley would love. He wanted to surprise her. He hoped this would help her feel better about staying at the apartment.

When he was finished he stopped by the dinner to get her favorite breakfast meal, an omelette, home fries and toast.

 He even tried to order her some grits, because he knew she loved them. But the waitress told him they didn't even have them. He ordered some coffee and looked at the newspaper. There was a big write up about Van Halen being at the Paramount Theatre tomorrow night. With everything that had been going on he had forgotten all about it.

The waitress brought out all the food and it was mistakenly prepared to eat there instead of to go.

"Can I please get it all to go?" He looked up at the older lady with a smile."

"I'm so sorry, I remember you ordered it to go." She apologized and got busy boxing it up.

John finished reading the article while he waited. He paid for the food and tipped the lady and hurried out to his car.  He headed back home proud of everything he had done for her.

He went in the apartment but he didn't see her. He walked to the patio and she was out there at the table drinking some coffee she had just made.

"Good morning baby. I got you some food. I even  tried to get you some grits, but they don't even have them." He smiled hoping for some extra points for effort.

"Aww that's so sweet of you John. I don't think any place here has grits. "

He sat the food on the table and they began to eat. It was so much food. She had plenty left to put in the fridge for later.

"You didn't forget about Van Halen tomorrow did you?" He asked finishing up his coffee.

"I kinda did." I've been so worried about you, and what's going on with my Dad. I just forgot about it."

"Do you still want to go?" He asked, hoping she did."

 "I really do, but didn't you give Richie the money to buy the tickets? Remember you wanted to make sure  all our seats were together."

"Oh shit I did!" Damn it I don't want to go over there!" He bellowed out, not ready to see Richie again or deal with him.

"Do you want me to go?" She asked holding her coffee cup.

"No! I want you to stay completely away from him!"

She laughed. "It's just Richie, he's harmless. Just what are you afraid is gonna happen?"

"Hell I don't know what he's dreamed up about you in his head. But he's professed his love for you and kissed you twice!"

"God John, it was nothing, Richie's not really in love with me. He's lonely. Erica keeps jerking him around and he just wanted to be with somebody."

"Another man's tongue jammed in your mouth is hardly nothing!" John was getting just a little bit jealous and angry.

"It didn't mean anything to me if that's what you're thinking?"

"Well was he a better kisser than me?"

"Are you even serious?"

"Yeah I would like to know!"

She started smiling.

"What he's better than me?" He asked getting pissed.

"Of course not. When you kiss me my heart flutters and my body tingles."

"So you didn't feel anything?"

"Nothing at all."

"It just pisses me off he thought he could get away with it, because my mind was fucked up. So just stay away from him. Okay?"

"Yeah sure whatever you want."

"Whatever I want huh?" He got that little gleam in his eye, and she knew where he was going with this.

She quickly looked away and started clearing things off the table from their morning feast.

"What's wrong?" He asked noticing she was acting a little weird."

"Nothing I'm just clearing the table."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm fine."

"Ash he grabbed her hand. I love you, and nobody else."

"I know, I love you too."

"I'll handle Richie and the tickets." He reassured her.

"Okay ."

"I have a surprise coming for you at 1:00."

"Really, for me? What is it?"

"You"ll just have to wait. Unless you have any special talents to get it out of me." He gave her his devilish little grin.

"I guess I'm waiting then." She picked up the containers and headed for the kitchen to put them in the trash.

John wanted to chase after her, but he knew, she was having a hard time dealing with his infidelity, even though there were very special circumstances. How could he even expect her to forgive him,  when he knew in his heart, he wouldn't be able to get over it himself, if it was her.

He went to throw his cup away and check on her. She was standing at the window looking outside.

"You okay?" He asked wanting to touch her but trying to give her a little space.

"Yeah, I need to go home for a little while."

"No Ash, Jake's there! I sure don't want you there with that asshole!"

"Rickey's there. He will stomp a mud hole into Jake if he messes with me!"

"I don't like it Ash, let me go with you!"

"No y'all just fought last night. Can you drop me off?"

"Just take the Mustang. How long will you be?"

"A couple of hours. I need to wash some clothes, and get some more of my stuff. Give me your dirty clothes and I'll wash them for you."

"Okay, but I wish you wouldn't go."

"Don't worry so much. I'll be fine." She bagged up his small pile of laundry and he walked her to his car and she drove away.

He was watching her pull away when Angela was walking out of the office and called out for him. "Johnny!"

"Yeah." He turned to her.

"So you're back with the blonde."

"Yeah but I was never really broken up with her."

"Well what about the brunette? You sure need a lot of girls to keep you satisfied. I remember when you only needed me. You know we never got a chance to finish what we started and I have been hot and bothered ever since. How long is she going to be gone?"

"Look Angie you need to understand this. I was out of my mind for a few days or I never would have slept with you or took back up with Dot. I appreciate the offer, but sleeping with you again, never should have happened. I love that girl, that just drove off and I ain't doing shit that would fuck that up!"

"I guess I don't understand how you can be buried deep, in my pussy one minute and totally in love with some random chick the next!" She said in a huff. Thinking he was just blowing her off.

"Look she ain't just some random chick! I was in the hospital and having trouble with my memory. I lost a couple of months and couldn't remember her!"

"Well you are so much better in bed now Johnny. You really have mastered your skills. Anytime you want to visit the old days or make her jealous, you just let me know!" She walked away and  turned around to see if he was watching her ass as she was walking in her tight Calvin Klein jeans. And was very disappointed, that he was already up the stairs, almost to his apartment and hadn't even noticed.

Ashley pulled up at the house and she was shocked to see Richie's car still there. She went in and it looked as though they had thrown a party after she left.

Stacey came out of the kitchen with a rag and a cleaning spray in her hand. "Johnny really needs to get a damn phone over there! These assholes were really partying it up here last night!"

"My God!" Ashley looked around at all the mess and trash everywhere."

"Were you here?"

"When I got home from work and figured out what was going on, I came over! I even saw Dorothea here late last night!"

"Oh damn! John threw her out last night! She was there when we got back to his place! She came out of the shower naked and he threw her clothes over the railing to the parking lot and she had to go out in a towel to get them!" Ashley exclaimed with a satisfied look on her face.

"Damn I would have paid money to see that bitch get what she deserved!" She laughed cleaning up some spilled beer.

"Is Richie still here?"

"Him and Alec are passed out on the couch over there."

"Okay, I'm going to get Rickey's ass up! He's cleaning this mess up."

She stomped up the stairs and threw her Dad's door open. "Rickey you can just get your dead ass up and get downstairs and start cleaning the big ass mess y'all made! There's a shit ton of stuff down there, and it's all on you Bubba to get it up!"

He threw a pillow at her. "Get the fuck out
Ash! I'm sleeping! I'll get it later!"

"You sure as hell will and nobody better have touched a damn thing in my room! Or I'll be whooping somebody's ass!" She turned to leave the room and go check on her room.

Rickey realized where she was going. He fell out of the bed onto the floor. "Hold up Ash! Don't go to your room yet!"

"Why what the fuck is going on in my damn room?" She bolted to her bedroom door and turned the knob.  When she pulled the door open, the morning sun was shining through her window, and she couldn't believe what she laid her eyes upon.

Chapter 61: You're A Dead Man

"NO she won't be able to make you happy Richie! She's MY damn girlfriend and you're a fucking DEAD MAN!" John yelled burning a hole,  right through the back of Richie's head with blazing glare.

Richie closed his eyes. He knew by the words, John had just spoken. The universe had fucked him again, and  he had his memory back and was here to reclaim his girl. He slowly turned  to face his furious ex-friend. The one who had been the closest thing he would ever have to a brother.

"John! Ashley cried out, having a hard time believing he was really here and remembering who she was.

"Yeah baby, Alec helped me remember everything tonight!"

Ashley ran over to him. Fresh wet tears trickling down her cheeks.  John's face softened a bit, as he felt her warm body rub against his, when she took her rightful place back in his arms. He closed his eyes and drifted away  with her, just the two of them.  He pulled back and looked at her with so much pain and regret showing on his face. "I'm so sorry baby, for everything I put you through. Please forgive me."

Richie had seen enough. He didn't have a chance with her now. He turned to leave.  John broke free from Ashley, the fury returning to his face, and grabbed his arm. "You ain't going no fucking where!"

"It's over John, you win! You always fucking win! She loves you, and wants to be with you!" Richie was pissed and feeling kind of sorry for himself.


"What the hell did you think you were doing? Trying to fuck with her damn mind like that! You knew how fucking much I had hurt her and you just couldn't wait to jump in and try to fucking steal her from me!" John yelled and stood with his teeth clinched and his hand making a loose fist.

"From you? You didn't even know who the fuck she was man! Much less have time for her. You were too damn busy out fucking other women! Like Dot, who's probably pregnant  with your damn kid! And Angela! Just how many fucking times do you plan to hurt this girl? She deserves way better than the way she gets treated by you and you know it! But don't worry, I'm sure she will forgive you, for every damn thing you did, and she'll stay by your side until you hurt her again!"

"She's my fucking girl Richie! If anybody in this damn world knew what she meant to me, you did! So just tell me what the hell you were thinking? Were you just trying to fuck her, while I was out of my damn mind?"

"Of course not! She means more to me, than just a damn lay! I told her I love her, and I meant it!"

"John please stop! Nothing happened!" Ashley pleaded with him.

"No! Plenty happened he kissed you and had his damn hands all over you!"

John looked at Richie. "Why did you come here tonight?" He asked, his temper building to a rage.

"I watched Jake kiss her and tell her he still loved her. I thought maybe she was back with that dude and I was worried about her. I just came here to check on her!"

"Bullshit! That's Richie code for I thought she was alone and vulnerable and maybe I'd get in her pants while Johnny is out of the picture!"

"No that's actually a Johnny move! I hear you like to fuck your nurses right in your hospital bed, while your girlfriend is out of the room!" Richie yelled out through the quiet night air,  sick of John and his shit!"

"Well she's probably available! Since you're always after my sloppy seconds! Isn't that why you went after Angela?"

Ashley felt John's words slash through her heart. Another reminder of the girls he had recently been intimate with. she couldn't believe, those words had just came out his mouth.

Richie couldn't believe it either. But he knew John was so mad he wasn't thinking clearly.

"So you're trying to claim Angela too? Is there any available girls left in this town for rest of us? Or have you fucked them all while you conviently couldn't remember your girlfriend? I'm beginning to wonder if you really lost your memory at all! I think you just got tired of being tied down, and faked it so you could go fuck, whoever the hell you wanted to!"

"You Son of a bitch!" John yelled as he threw a punch at Richie, connecting with his jaw.

Richie fell back stunned and just a little disoriented.

"Come on asshole! I'm going to beat you unconscious!" John yelled in a rage.

A black car John remembered very well, pulled up in the driveway. He looked over to it, already pissed and out of control.

"What the fuck is that prick doing here?" Jake asked Ricky spotting him as soon as they pulled up at the house.

"I don't know? But he's on my fucking property now!" They jumped out.

"You're a little lost aren't you Bongiovi, I saw you with that brunette tonight, shouldn't you be somewhere picking out diapers with her?" Jake laughed.

John wondered, how in the hell he knew about it. "Fuck you Jake!" He yelled straining his husky voice more.

"She's not near as hot as Ashley but she's a good match for you! Don't worry about Ash, I'll take good care of her!"

"The fuck you say! My memory is back and Ash is all mine!" John stared at Jake and was so angry he felt adrenaline pumping and he started feeling invincible.

"Ashley go in the house!" John yelled to her. He didn't want her to to get hurt.

"No John!" She cried back with a confused look. Shaking her head no.

He turned to her his eyes blazing. "Ashley go in the fucking house now!" He yelled and the look on his face scared her a little so she did what he said. She ran to the door and went in. Straight to the living room window and stood there. Knowing they were going to fight. And mad at her self that she couldn't stop them. She was worried about John gerting hurt again.

Jake laughed. "You order her around like a damn puppy! I remember that about Ash, she loves being told what to do! Especially in bed!"

"You motherfucker! John jumped across the driveway and grabbed a hold of Jake as they tumbled to the ground.  Fists were flying and punches were thrown so fast, it was hard to tell, just who had the upper hand.   But John was on top of Jake. He was taking out a lot of rage, a double dose. His anger for Jake and what he still had for Richie.

Alec and even Richie stood back to make sure it was a fair fight. Even though they were fighting themselves, Richie was going to look out for John. Just like real brothers would.

Jake started laughing. Wow is that all you got, Jersey boy?" He pushed John off of him and got himself back on  his feet. "Let me show you what this Mississippi boy has, when your fucking friends ain't holding me back!" He tackled John right to the ground, he had been the captain of the football team and those skills came in handy. He had John down in a choke hold and it looked like John was giving up. "Do yourself a favor and stay the fuck down! Ashley is mine and you'll hear her calling my fucking name out tonight!" Jake laughed in John's face as he had him sprawled out on the ground.

John saw red. He gathered strength, he didn't know he had. He grabbed Jake by the throat and pushed him off of him and pushed him back until his head hit the metal bumper of his car. He started punching him in the face over and over like a crazy man. Richie and Alec pulled him off. Of him. They just stood there staring as John seemed to have the strenth of several men. He was out of breath and fell to the ground having trouble breathing.

Ashley ran out of the house. She kneeled down beside him. "Are you you okay?"

"I'm fine, I just got the wind knocked out of me." He replied with jagged breaths. She helped him up. They walked over to his car parked in his parents driveway. He sat down on his hood. Still catching his breath and looked at her, how beautiful she was, with her hair sparkling in the moonlight. He couldn't believe how much pain he caused her. "She knows about the other girls I slept with. I'm going to lose her, but I can only blame myself." He thought to himself.

He wasn't sure where to start apologizing,  but his heart came pouring out. "I'm so sorry Ash. I got all my memory back now and the old memories are mixed with my new memories. I can't believe what an asshole I was to you." His eyes were sad and remorseful. "Richie's right, I treat you like shit. You deserve so much better than me. I understand if you want to breakup with me. But please Ash, just know how sorry I am and that I never meant to hurt you." He wiped a tear out of the corner of his eye.

She looked into his eyes, but she didn't say a word. She threw her arms around  him and pulled him close to her and just held him. Never wanting to let him go.

"Let's get out of here." He softly spoke in her ear.

"Okay"

They jumped in his car. Leaving Rickey helping Jake to get up and Richie to take Alec back to the club to get his motorcycle.

John was driving. His thoughts running wild with how bad he had treated her. He was going to have to find a way to make it up to her. Pulling up at the apartment, he saw a blue Grand Prix parked a couple spots over from his white car. He got aggravated. "Damn it!"

"What is it?"

"Dot's here! Can you stay down here a minute?  And I'll go up and get rid of her."

"No I'm going with you!"

"Okay, but I don't know what kind of shit she might pull!"

"Whatever, but I'm going in there too."

They got out and walked upstairs. He hesitated at the door. Not really wanting another confrontation right now. He put the key in the lock and took a deep breath as he crossed the threshold with Ashley.

The apartment was dark and no sign of her in the livingroom or kitchen. John opened the bedroom door and when they heard the water running, they realized she was in the shower.

John beat on the door. "Dot get out here!"

"Oh good you're home!" She called through the door and walked out completely naked drying her hair with a towel. She instantly froze when she saw Ashley. She covered herself with the towel quickly, wrapping it around herself. "What the fuck is she doing here?" She screamed, stunned by her presence. "She needs to get the fuck out of here!" She hissed looking at John.

John was having a hard time controlling his anger. "Ashley belongs here! You're the one, that needs to get the fuck out!"

"Your confused, your brain is still messed up! You don't mean that." Dot tried to convince him, hoping he hadn't remembered everything.

"Hell yes I do mean it! I have all of my memory back! How long did you think you were going to get away with lying to me? I remember I caught your sorry ass cheating on me with Bobby!"

"I made a mistake with Bobby! And I didn't lie! You thought I was your girlfriend and I was just trying to help you!"

"How the hell were you helping me? You ran the only girl I love away! You made me cheat on her, by sleeping with you and you threw your birth control pills away, so I would get your ass pregnant! So tell me Dot, just how in the fuck were you helping me?"

"I love you Johnny, we were back together! I just wanted us to be a family! She grabbed her belly. "And when I have this baby, we will be!" She gave Ashley a dirty look.

"Come off it Dot! You're not pregnant by me and you damn well know it!" John yelled hoping like hell this was one of her little games.

Dot looked crushed. "How can you say that to me?" We made love better than we ever have before! You were so tender and passionate with me. It was the best sex of my entire life! Dot looked over and saw this was hurting Ashley. So she took it a little further. "And you just kept going and going all night! I was amazed at just how long we really did it and how many times you came inside me! I know I'm pregnant! I felt it instantly!" She smiled looking over at Ashley.

Ashley felt sick to her stomach. She wished she hadn't heard any of that. She felt like she was going to vomit any second.

John looked over at Ashley and how uncomfortable she looked. He knew this was hurting her more. He turned back to Dot. "Just shut the fuck up Dorothea! You really want to know the truth! I was out of my fucking mind! I was having constant visions and fantasies of Ashley, when I was with you. Every time I touched you, in my mind I was with Ashley! That's why it was so different and so much better!" I was making love to her and it was only good because I love her! I can't stand you!"

"Well you definitely made love to me and when this baby's born you will be a father! Whether you like it or not!"

She looked at Ashley. "Save yourself some heartache right now! Just as soon as I have confirmation from the doctor and visit Johnny's Mom to tell her I will be giving her, her first grandchild, she will make him marry me!"

"Shut the fuck up Dot!" John snapped, hating her at this very moment.

"Why? You know she will! She will make you marry me in a church before any body finds out I'm pregnant!"

Ashley ran into the living room and sat on the couch in a state of shock.

"No I won't marry you! I love Ashley! I couldn't ever marry you! Now get the fuck out!"

"What?" She couldn't believe he wanted her to go.

"Get tbe fuck out now!" He shoved her toward the door.

"My clothes! I need my clothes!"

He hurried to the bathroom and scooped them up. Here you go!" He opened the door and threw them over the railing to the ground below.

"You fucking asshole!" She yelled hurrying out the door to retrieve them, still in her towel. John slammed the door and locked it and went over to the couch to comfort Ashley.

Chapter 60: The Happiest Man In The World

John wasn't sure what to make of it. At first he had the impression, that Ashley hated the guy. But now he had her in a lip lock and his hands roaming on her body, which was especially bothering him. And he wasn't the only one.

Bret was standing there beside them. He was very annoyed with this dudes declaration and sudden affection for Ashley. When they finally came up for air he yelled. "Come on Ash, you're not buying this guys bullshit are you?" He looked at her seeing that hopeful, gullible, I hope you're telling me the truth look. "Fuck it!" He yelled. Realizing she was really believing him.

Richie was with John, who was standing there with his jaw still open a little, from watching the kiss. "What the fuck is Ash thinking?" Richie mumbled to himself.

John replied not able to stop staring at Ashley, still talking to this guy. "That guy's bad news ain't he?" He couldn't remember but he sensed it, deep down in his gut.

"Yeah, he's bad news and I know he's just playing Ash. I hope she knows what the fuck she's doing."

John didn't like the sound of this, but what could he really do. With his head pounding he decided to double up on his alcohol intake to ease the thumping in his brain. Maybe it would drown out the constant thoughts, of her rolling around in his brain.

Outside the club. A blue Grand Prix had pulled up. Dorothea had worked all day and went by the apartment when she got off. When John wasn't home she knew where to find him. She had to talk to him. They really needed to work things out. She parked right next to Alec, who was getting off his motorcycle.

"Long time no see stranger." Dot looked over at him dressed to the nines, with some snake skin cowboy boots on.

"Yeah, I'm not too popular around here these days. With me making that tape and Johnny kicking my ass and all. But I heard what happened to him, so I guess it's safe to show my face now. So you two are back together?"

"Did you really have any doubts that we would get back together?"

"Well he wasn't too happy when he caught you fucking around with Bobby! He said he was done with you and I believed him."

"You know I hate you guys and all your damn double standards! Johnny has a long history of cheating on me, but I sure don't have to tell you! All you assholes lie for him and make it, so damn easy for him to get away with it!"

"It's the bro code babe! Bro's before hoe's."

"Watch it Al!" She snapped back, not wanting to hear his childish shit.

"Look! Would you really want me to call you up and tell you, Johnny went home with some waitress? I mean it doesn't mean shit to him. He's just blowing off some steam!"

"Steam? Are you that fucking dumb Al? And don't think I don't know, that you are talking about Marie Delvecciho. I knew all about Johnny leaving the Starlight club with that bitch!"

He laughed. "Well then, you don't need me to tell you! But I do have a question for you Dot?"

"Well then let's hear this freaking masterpiece!"

"Why do you put up with Johnny? When you damn well know he lies and cheats on you, repeatedly. I just don't see what you get out of it."

Dorothea looked kind of sad and disappointed. "I really don't know. I thought I loved him. That I would do anything for him. But he's never going to change. I went back to his apartment this morning to get my wallet and he was fucking the damn apartment manager doggy style, right there in the middle of his bed!"

"Damn Dot! Ouch! That's rough, even if you expect shit like that, from him. I'm sure it must hurt."

"He tried to explain it away, she was some old lady neighbor he used to fuck back in the day and he got carried away!"

"You're not talking about Hot Angie are you? She lived across the street from him?"

"Maybe, hell I don't know." Early 30's, blonde."

"Sounds right, wow he was so damn lucky to be plowing that field, when he was only sixteen. Is she still hot?" Alec grinned.

"Fuck Alec I couldn't tell you! I really didn't notice!" But it doesn't matter. I just don't understand why he won't give me a real chance, without always fucking around behind my back!"

"Well he's capable of it. He didn't cheat on Ashley once, that I know of. And some of the chicks I saw throwing it at him, were really hot!"

"It's just not fair Alec, I stood by him. I have tried to do everything he has asked me to do and he just keeps hurting me. So, he caught me one time! You guys all covered for him! So tell me how once compares to all the times that you knew about him cheating on me!"

"Johnny is real popular with the ladies. What can I tell you. It's just the way it is. And if he ever makes it to the big time it will be alot worse. But for his girl, he wants her to be true and loyal to him."

"I was caught between two men that care alot about. That's why I lied. I love them both. Why should I keep paying for that?"

"I don't know, but lying to him made him not trust you. If you lie about that. What else might you lie about?"

She blew her breath in frustration.

"You know he'll be pissed if he gets his memory back and finds out what you did to Ashley!"

"I didn't do shit to that bitch! He's the one that forgot about her. I just took the opportunity for another chance with him. I have been trying to get that anyway!"

"Well he'll leave you and go back to her, he claims he loves her!"

"Not if I'm carrying his child he won't!"

"Damn Dot, you'd use a kid like that?"

"No but I may already be pregnant though."

"Well good luck trying to tie Johnny down. He ain't going down that easy!"  He walked over to the door and left her standing there thinking about what he had just said.

She stood there, knowing it was true. He would go back to Ashley, if he found out. "I have to be pregnant. I just have to be." She thought as she entered the club, looking for John.

He  wasn't hard to find. They were always hanging around the damn pool tables, ganged up checking out all the hot girls in the club.  She walked up behind him and Richie and laid her eyes on what they were watching.

She bumped John's shoulder. "Hi Johnny." He heard spoken softly in his ear. He turned around, surprised as hell to see Dot standing there.

"Dot, how did you know I was here?"

"This is always where you are when I can't find you. We really need to talk. We can't just leave things like we did this morning. Please Johnny." She really wanted to work things out with him.

John couldn't concentrate on anything but Ashley and Jake. He glanced over at her, and Dot followed his eyes to see her and Jake standing there smiling together.

"Who is that guy with blondie?" Dorothea asked smiling really big, sitting down with John at a table.

"Her ex I think. Why? You like his looks or something?" John replied with an attitude.

"Well he does look mighty damn good! I wonder why she let him get away?"

"I don't know Dot, if you're so damn interested, why don't you go fuck him!" Johnny was already jealous of the dude and Dot's infatuation with him was making it worse.

"What's your damn problem Johnny? What are you so mad about."

"Not a damn thing! There's nothing, that great about him. His hair ain't even long!"

"I don't know what your looking at, but he looks like a hot damn guy to me!" Dot was almost drooling.

John watched her and looked over at Ashley, who was making eyes at the guy. He  sat there and mumbled to himself, "what the hell do they see in him."

Dot turned back to him. "Let's go somewhere so we can talk."

"Not right now." He replied and looked back at Ashley. To see her and Jake still standing there smiling and talking.

Dot noticed John watching her again. "What the hell do you keep looking at that bitch  for? I'm trying to talk to you about our damn relationship!"

John had been sucking down a good amount of alcohol, trying to forget his problems and relieve the throbbing pain in his head. "Look I told you I ain't getting into that shit right now! I'm hanging out with my friends and we can get into it later!"

"I am sick of you ignoring me for your damn friends! Maybe some other guys around here would be interested in spending time with me!"

"Whatever! John snapped at her and walked over to the bar. "Can I get another tequila shot and a beer?" He looked around for Ashley and he didn't see her anywhere. He downed the shot and grabbed the beer hurrying back to the pool table. "Where'd Ashley go?"

"Fuck if I know, she was here one minute and gone the next."

Alec walked up to John. "How's it going?"

"Alec!" John smiled and threw his arm around his shoulder. Where the hell have you been? You didn't come by the hospital or anything. You too busy for your bro? You know I could of died right?" John slurred a little but the headache was finally easing away.

Alec looked at Richie with a questioning look. And Richie just nodded back at him.

"Sorry I've been busy. But I did hear about it. I hope youre okay."

"I will be when I finish this!" He held up his beer. "Have you seen Ashley?" John asked looking around for her.

"No man sorry. I did see Dot though."

"Well if you see her again warn me! I've had enough of that bitch for one night!" John stumbled a little swigging the rest of his beer.

Alec laughed. "Damn, I heard you were back with her. Are you already trying to escape?"

"Why does everybody keep saying I'm back with her? I've been with her, but I was about ready to cut her loose, when she told me she might  be pregnant."

"Damn you may have knocked up Dot! Sounds like a nightmare to me!" Alec laughed and so did Richie.

"You ain't shitting, hell it sounds like one to me too." John chuckled and looked over at Richie. "Listen do you think Ashley is getting back with her ex?"

"Nah he hurt her really bad. Ash was all upset about it. She wouldn't ever go back with him." Richie replied matter of factly and it seemed to piss a drunken John off.

"How do you know so damn much about her? It must of been one hell of a kiss!" John started yelling with his hoarse scratchy voice.

"You kissed Ashley?" Alec asked, very surprised with a smirk on his face.

"Yeah I did she isn't with anybody right now!" Richie cut his eyes at John, who was too drunk to notice.

"Well maybe not, but when whoever she was with, comes to his senses. He will be ready to kill somebody else!" Alec chuckled looking at Richie."

"Well whoever he is, I'll kick his ass!" John yelled and stumbled back and fell into a chair that was pulled out at a table.

Richie and Alec laughed. "Damn you're trashed. You can't drive home man. Alec put his hand on John's shoulder.

"I can't go home! Dot's there waiting for me. I can't deal with anymore of her shit tonight!" John laid his head on the table.

"Take him home with you Richie!" Alec looked at him, knowing John was in no shape to drive.

"No man, take him with you. I have plans. I'm trying to go see a girl."

"Who? Whose more important than your best friend?"

Richie just gave him a weird look with no reply and a sly grin.

Alec grabbed Richie's shirt and pulled him over to the side. "You can't be that fucking stupid!"

"I got to know if she's okay. I have to go see her!"

"When this shit finally hits the damn fan, I want a front row seat. when Johnny gives you the same damn beating he gave me!" Alec laughed.

"It won't turn out the same! I ain't no damn pussy!" Richie chuckled.

"Hey fuck you man! Alec replied flipping him the bird. Richie just laughed and turned around and went up to the bar to buy one more beer.

"Come on Alec grabbed John's arm and pulled him up. "Where's your keys?"

"In my pocket." Alec grabbed them out. "You can come back to my place since your best friend is too busy messing with other people's girls. I'll have to drive your car though, I'm on my bike and you are too fucking drunk to hang on."

He loaded John up. And started driving to his Mom's little house in Sayreville.

They pulled up and John was kind of out of it. He parked the car in the driveway and they got out. Do you need any help man?"

"Hell no, I'm good." John replied getting out slowly. They walked in and went up to Alec's room. "Damn you need to clean this fucker up, John laughed uncontrollably as he plopped down in a chair.  Alec picked up clothes throwing them out of the way. In a pile. "Don't forget I'm doing you a favor!" He mumbled as he poured him a shot of Jack Daniels out of a bottle in his room.

"Are you hungry?" Alec asked throwing off his jacket and sitting down.

"Starving! You got anything to eat?"

"I'll go check. I'll be back. Make yourself at home."

John turned on the t.v. he turned passed some channels and landed on Happy Days reruns. He turned it off quick. "Fuck that!"  He sat down and a tape case over to the side caught his eye ASHLEY XXX. "Damn the perfect name I bet this bitch has a perfect body." He popped in the tape and sat back for the show. Someone had already been watching it so it was already to the really good part. It sort of looked familiar like he had seen it before and then he saw his own face. He stood up."What the fuck!" He yelled as he realized it was him and Ashley making love.

He felt like his brain was ripping into. As he couldn't tear himself away from the screen. He saw it all. How happy they were, how much they loved each other, how they tenderly made love together. He knew that was the best sex of his life. He got up and took the tape out and slung it in the case. He ran down the stairs to the kitchen. "What the fuck is this?" He held up the case.

"Fuck! I should of hid that damn thing!"

"What the fuck is it and how the fuck do you have it?"

"You don't remember but we already had this fight!"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I recorded you and Ashley having sex for the first time?"

"First time?" What the fuck? You better start talking!"

"Fuck what your doctor said! I'll just have to tell you everything!" Alec started to explain.

"Ashley is your girlfriend not Dot! You caught that bitch cheating on you with Bobby?"

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

You got into a fight with Ashley's huge Dad. He had hit her and he choked you unconscious, cutting off your blood supply to your brain. You lost four months of your memory, when you woke up. You thought Dorothea was still your girlfriend.  She moved right in, shoving Ashley out of the way and she started fucking you. She's trying to get pregnant in case your memory comes back, so you won't go back to Ashley."

John grabbed his head, it felt like it was splitting. He stood up, staggered back, and passed out. As he fell, he hit his head on the kitchen floor. He didn't look like he was breathing.

Alec kneeled over him. "Johnny man, wake up!" He slapped his face trying to wake him.

"What the fuck man! Get off me!" John snarled and shoved him. "You made more tapes you motherfucker!"

"Johnny you're back! You remembered!" He exclaimed.

"Fuck yeah I remember! I told you I was going to fucking kill you, if you did anything else to hurt Ashley!" John got up in a hurry and felt dizzy and almost fell. Alec grabbed him and held him up.

"I'm sorry about the tapes man."

"Fuck!" He grabbed his head."Damn her Dad alost killed me! That bastard hit her! Fuck! Ash was at the hospital! I kissed Dot right in front her her! Damn it! More memories were flooding in. The sex with nurse. "Oh fuck!" He cringed. All the sex with Dot. Ashley was there. She knew we were having sex! Damn it! I fucked Angela! Dot might be pregnant! Jake's here again, he kissed Ash and wants her back! Damn it why couldn't I remember her?"

"You had damage because you had a loss of oygen to your brain." Alec tried to explain it again.

"Damn what the fuck have I done to Ashley? How is she ever going to forgive me? I can't fucking lose her!" He replied as Alec helped hold him up.

"I don't know man. Are you okay now?"

"Yeah I think so." John stood up on his own.

Is that it? Do you remember everything?" Alec asked as John's face started to blaze with fury.

"No where the fuck is Richie? He told me he had feelings for Ashley and kissed her and he's a dead motherfucker!"

"Come on Johnny! He's your best friend!"

"He ain't no damn friend of mine! So where the fuck is he?"

"I don't know man, he left the club. He said something about going by Ashley's."

John jumped up grabbing his keys and heading for the door.

"Johnny wait! Are you okay to drive?"

"Yeah." He responded, as he reached the door.

"Can I come?"

"You better not get in my damn way!"

John squealed all four tires as he pulled out of Alec's driveway.

Richie wanted to check on Ashley and tell her how he felt. Nobody had noticed her leave the club and her car was gone. He pulled up at her house and the only car there was her Trans Am,  so he stopped. He got out and knocked.

Ashley pulled the door open. "Hey Richie, what are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to come by and make sure you made it home okay."


"Yeah, I'm good. You didn't have to come out of your way, but since you did, come on in."

"Yea I had to, I wanted to see you." He sounded kind of nervous.

 "I saw the kiss with Jake."

"Yeah I think everybody did. Did John notice it?"

"Yeah but he doesn't even know who Jake is. So he didn't care."

Ashley was disappointed hearing that, she hoped John would remember something by now. "He's never going to remember me and he's going to marry Dorothea."

"Probably, they always find a way back to each other."

He noticed the tears in her eyes. "Ashley you can't put your life on hold for a guy that doesn't even remember you.

"God when I met John, he told me to call him by his real name, that everyone else called him Johnny and he thought it sounded like a little kid. Today he told me to call him Johnny that all his friends do." She began to cry. I love him. I don't want him to forget about me."

"Hey it's going to be okay." He pulled her into his arms.  "It's not his fault that his memory is probably gone for good. Did he tell you Dot's pregnant?"

"Yeah that she thinks she might be. He told me he didn't really want to be with her. But he would probably marry her, because it's his child. He kissed me and I could tell he wanted to do a lot more! I think somewhere deep down he might remember me!" She smiled holding on to hope.

"I need to tell you something and it's going to hurt you. But you really need to know."

She braced herself for the worst. "Tell me."

"Johnny's not the same guy you were with, he's back to his cheating ways. He told me he slept with Angela at the apartment today. Dot left and went to work. She forgot something and came back and she caught them having sex in Johnny's bed."

Ashley broke down sobbing. "Oh my God." This took all her hope away. "He probably didn't remember shit. He was just trying to get in my pants, like he does every other girl. Damn it!"

"Yeah that's how he is. And his family will make sure he marries Dot. They believe in taking care of your kids and working it out to stay together. She'll never stop him from cheating. But she already puts up with it anyway. She came to the club tonight to work it out with him. She'll always take him back."

"Then there's no hope for us." She cried and he continued to hold her. Breathing in her wonderful floral perfume, it was his new favorite smell. He was so glad he was there to comfort her and hoping since he was trying to convince her to give up on John, she might give him a chance. "Where's your brother and Jake."

"They went to the Pony, they asked me to go, but I just couldn't."

The phone rang.

Ashley grabbed it. "Hello. Yes I'm still up. I'll keep it unlocked. Okay bye."

"That was Rickey. They are coming back. The Pony is slow tonight. You better go, Jake has it in for you since you helped beat him up."

"Okay." They walked outside.

"I came here tonight to say something to you. Please don't say anything. Just listen, before I lose my nerve. I know I love you and I think I always have. I've sat back and watched Johnny treat you like shit. And heard about what Jake put you through. I just want you to know, you deserve so much better and I'm here for you. I can help you get over Johnny, if you'll let me. We can go as slow as you want to. I promise I won't ever lie to. You won't ever have to worry about me cheating on you. Ashley please make me the happiest man in the world and just give me a chance."

He was standing so close to her. He leaned down capturing her lips and gently slipping his tongue inside to take control of her mouth. Ashley was stunned, as he thoroughly kissed her and started caressing her in his arms. He pulled back and looked at the confusion in her eyes. As he moved a little, Ashley got a glimpse of something in the dark that caught her eye. As a car turned up the road and shined its headlights, there was no mistaking what it was. Or who it was, a very pissed off John Bongiovi, that had been standing in the driveway, watching them.

Chapter 59: Lost In Your Eyes

Ashley looked up and was so surprised to see John standing there.

 She started wiping her tears."I didn't know anybody else was here. You probably want to be alone, I'll go." She stood up, picking up her flip flops and turning to walk away.

He grabbed her shoulder. "Wait a minute. You don't have to leave,  because of me. It's a big beach. I guess, I can share it with you." He smiled hoping she would stay.

"Thanks."

"So what's got a pretty girl like you, out here so upset and crying?"

She couldn't tell him the truth. That is was because of him. That it was tearing her apart, to know he was back with Dorothea. "Just some family stuff."

"Oh yeah, I have a lot of that going on too. My family always thinks they know what's best for me. But that's family for you. You can't live with them and you can't shoot them." He grinned and she smiled.

"Hey I know this sounds crazy. But I have my guitar out in my car. And ever since I woke up in the hospital and saw you, I have been writing a song for you. I hope I'm not scaring you off. I swear I'm not some kind of nut job or serial killer. He chuckled nervously. "If I go get it will you listen to what I have so far. My voice sounds like shit right now, but I think I can do enough for you to get the idea." He smiled at her, wanting so much for her to say yes.

God she wanted to run into his arms. For him to tell her that everything was going to be alright. But she couldn't. He really didn't even know her. "Okay I would love to hear it." She smiled at him.

"Do you know how beautiful you are when you smile at me?" He grinned.

"Oh John, thanks." She looked up at him with her sparkling blue eyes. The beautiful eyes he had been dreaming of since he saw them in the hospital. The eyes that were the inspiration for his song.

"Don't go anywhere!" He started walking backwards still looking at her. "I'll be right back!" He turned and quickly hurried out to his car to grab his guitar.

He brought it back and stood before her.

"Everytime I see you, I wish I could tell you all of this, but I can't find the words."
"So here goes. Okay, remember my voice usually sounds alot better, it's really shitty right now."

"Okay."

He started playing a fast pace song and singing softly to her. Telling about the feelings he had when he first saw her. How he knew from the start she had to be his. How her smile brightened his world. He mentioned how beautiful he thought her blue eyes were and how he could get lost in them. It was amazing but his voice was husky and rough. Sounding nothing like the John, she knew. She was very concerned for him and hoped he was going to be okay.

"Oh John that's the most beautiful thing anyone has ever done fore me. What's it called?"

"Lost in your eyes." He laid his guitar in the sand. "I'm almost done with it."

He was so close to her she was smiling and her perfume was surrounding him. Taking him to another place. Where only the two of them existed. It was like a dream. He reached out to her and pulled her in his arms. It felt so right. This had to be where she belonged. He couldn't hold back.

He began to softly  kiss her. He about fell over when he realized she was kissing him back. Explosions went off in his head as they tumbled to the ground with passion igniting the fire in both their hearts. This felt so right for her to be in his arms. As their tongues continued their heated exchange.

She was an excellent kisser, but he wasn't going to be out done. He held her mouth captive as he drove her whole body wild. He could tell how much she wanted him. He wanted to forget reality and have his way with her, right then and there. But he wouldn't be able to make her any promises. He was in a mess with Dorothea, and even though his feeling were real and intense for this girl. He needed to stop this before it went any further. "She deserves more than I can give her." He thought, but he was weak and she smelled so damn good.

Ashley broke free from the kiss with reality settling in. "We can't do this John, you have a girlfriend!" She hated so much to refer to that bitch, in that way.

"I don't know if I do. We had a big fight. She left pissed at me this morning. I don't know if we can work it out. He replied disappointed that she brought up Dorothea.

"What would be so big you couldn't work it out?" She wanted to know, but hoped it was truly over between them.

"She's been fucking lying to me." John spoke with his own pain coming through, and a touch of anger in his voice.

"I'm sorry you're hurting John."

"I just don't know what to do. She kept a big ass secret from me!"

"What kind of secret?" She hoped he remembered about her cheating with Bobby.

"She stopped taking her damn birth control pills, without telling me. And we've been screwing like rabbits lately. She thinks she might be pregnant."

Ashley turned white, this was the worst possible news she could hear. "Oh my God! What are you going to do?" She asked almost breaking down herself.

"I don't know. She wants me to marry her. I know I should. But, I don't think I'm ready to be a husband or a father. And I know I can't trust her. What would you do, if you were me?"

"Oh I can't say! I have my own relationship troubles."

"You have a boyfriend?" He asked shocked and seemed a little disappointed.

She wished she could tell him that he was her boyfriend that she loved and missed so very much, but she couldn't.

"He's an ex. He just got into town last night."

"Oh were the two of you very serious?"

"Yeah we were together for a while."

"Damn." He thought. "He's a lucky damn guy." He was thinking, wishing she was his girlfriend. "So he wants you back?"

"I guess so."

"Well how was the sex when you were together?"

Ashley's eyes got big as saucers. She was shocked that he would ask her that. "I don't know, I've never had sex with him."

"Wait!" He smiled. "You can't be a virgin?" He was on the verge of a chuckle.

She closed her eyes and sighed. She opened them and looked into his deep blue eyes. "No, but I've only had sex with one amazing guy in my whole entire life, and it definitely wasn't him."

"Oh only one? Well he was a damn lucky dude,  whoever he was." He smiled. "So what happened?"

"He's back with his ex. She wants him to  settle down with her."

"I'm sorry Ashley. Do you love him?"

"With my whole heart."

This ripped through John's heart like a knife. It didn't make sense to him. But he hated she was all hung up on some other  guy. "Maybe you should just move on. If she wants him to settle down, then that means she probably wants him to have kids with her. That seems like a hassle to me. I would just move on, if I were you."

"What if your girlfriend is pregnant?" She asked, afraid of the answer.

"I yelled at her. I was pissed. I told her I wasn't ready to have kids. But if she's pregnant, I'd marry her. I'd have to, it's my damn kid." He turned his head with a queasiness taking over his stomach, just thinking about it.

Ashley felt like her world was closing in. Oh my God she's pregnant and he's going to marry her. She couldn't breath. She stood up. Trying to catch her breath. She felt like she was smothering.  "I've got to go!" She started walking quickly to her car.

"Hey why are you leaving? Ash don't go!" He tried to yell, but his hoarse strained voice wouldn't get very loud. He was worried she didn't hear him, but she stopped and turned around with tears streaming down her face.

"How did you know to call me that?" She asked hoping he was remembering something.

He walked a little closer. "I don't know? It just came blurting, right out of my mouth! Was I right? Do people call you Ash?" He asked hoping he got it right.

"Yes. She couldn't bare to look at him. "Bye John, I've got to go." She started walking.

He called out to her. "My friends call me Johnny." This made her feel even more  horrible, that he didn't remember telling her to call him John. "Damn." She mumbled under her breath and walked away disappointed.

"He's never going to remember me and Dorothea's probably pregnant with his child." She sobbed to herself as she got in her car and drove away.

John watched her drive off. He couldn't understand. Why he had all these fuzzy feelings for her. She was a stranger. He sat down on the beach trying to sort out his feelings for Dorothea. "She's a damn liar, but she does love me. Maybe it's my fault I'm the one that wanted her to go on the pill, so I could quit wearing those damn condoms.

I should have known not to trust her to take the damn things! She did tell me she wanted to settle down and have children with me. Maybe I shouldn't fight it. Dot's loyal. She won't fuck around on me. She'd be a good Mom. She's good in bed and she doesn't mind giving me head. I wonder how Ashley is in bed? She's a great kisser. Oh the things I could do with that mouth!" He grinned. "Stop it! Stop fantasizing about a damn girl that you barely know. If things are going to work out with Dot, I have to stop cheating! I just have to!" He tried to convince himself, but he knew he loved sex, and loved it with different women.

He thought back to today and Angela finally being back in his bed. Oh he was having a great time when Dorothea busted up in the place. He was a lot more advanced now and sex with Angela was some of the best he could remember. "I wonder if Angela's in the office right now? Fuck!" He thought. "I can't even stop. Dot's probably pregnant right now with my damn kid and all I'd like to be doing is screwing Ashley or Angela! Shit I'm fucked!" He stood up more confused than ever.

He got in his car and just started driving, surprised when he pulled up at Richie's. He didn't even realize he had driven there, he was so deep in thought.

He got out and knocked. Richie pulled the door open. "Hey man what's up?"

"I'm fucked that's all!" He exclaimed as he stomped through the front door.

"Come on back here." Richie motioned for him to follow him to his room. "What's going on?"

"Dot's been lying. She quit taking her damn birth control pills and she thinks she's pregnant!"

"Shit she's trying to trap you, but how do you know it's your kid? Richie blurted out sitting down next to John.

"Who else's would it be? Dot don't fuck around!" John snapped back. He couldn't believe Richie would accuse her of it.

Richie remembered John forgot he caught her cheating with Bobby. But that was a big thing and he knew damn well he couldn't refresh his memory.

"Damn, so what are you going to do?"

"I don't know, she told me Ma would make me marry her. And she will, she will fucking freak out and then she will start planning the damn wedding!"

"Where is Dot now?"

"I don't know. I threw her out of my apartment this morning."

"What? Why?"

She came home early and caught me banging Ashley!"

Richie's eyes got huge. "ASHLEY?"

"Did I say Ashley? Damn, I meant Angela!"
And I can't fucking get that chick off my mind!"

"Angela?" Richie asked surprised.

"Hell no! Ashley. I only wanted to fuck Angela but Ashley is driving me insane! I can't get her out of my damn head. I found a tree behind the apartments, where I had carved our names in it. I don't even remember doing it! She was at the beach this morning. And I kissed her and she kissed me back! She told me her ex is here though and he wants her back."

"Was it Jake?" Richie asked concerned, but was very disappointed Ashley had kissed John. He was hoping she would stay away from him, since he was back with Dot.

"Maybe she didn't say his name."

"Now go back, you were banging Angela?" Richie grinned.

"Yeah we were really going at it and Dot walked in killing the mood."

"Damn." Richie laughed. "I'm surprised she didn't beat both your asses with her black belt!" He laughed.

"I didn't even think of that. She could have killed me! She is a fucking karate champion now!" He shook his head and sighed wondering how his life got so fucked up.

"So Angela, she's fucking wild right?" How about those roses tattooed above her ass?  Richie grinned, knowing first hand.

"Yeah, but how the hell do you know about the roses?" John asked with a little attitude.

"I fucked her, at her apartment?" Richie answered proudly, while grinning.

"When?" John stood up sort of angry and maybe a little jealous.

"Last week. Why? Don't give me that look!  You don't give a damn about her!" Richie replied wondering what the hell his problem was.

"You're right, I don't give a shit about her. See I told you. I'm losing my mind." He sat down holding his head.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, but these fucking headaches are killing me! And they're getting worse!"

"Do you need something for it?"

"Yeah whatever you have."

He brought him a bottle of tylenol and John popped a few pills and sat around a while hoping his head would feel better.

"I've got to go."

"Where are you going?"

"To see Harold."

"I'm going to the Fast Lane later if you want to meet up." Richie replied.

"Yeah getting shit faced seems really good to me right now."

John left and drove on to the Fast Lane. He saw Harold's car and across from it, he saw the Trans Am, that was at the beach this morning.

"Damn Ashley's here!" He thought to himself. As soon as he walked in he saw her still wearing the sweater but she had slipped on a pair of jeans. He stood by the bar sort of staring with his jaw open. She was holding some kind of book, like she was working there or something and didn't seem to notice him.

She was talking with Harold and Bret and laughing. She was in a much better mood than when he saw her on the beach earlier.

He wanted to go over there. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her again but that was just crazy! He had to stop obsessing over her. He was scaring himself, this obsession with a perfect stranger was bordering on psychotic.

Harold looked over and saw John standing by the door.

"Johnny!" He motioned for him to come over.  He grabbed him and pulled him in for a hug. He pulled back and looked at him. "Damn it son! I heard we almost lost you!" He patted him on the back.

"Not me, I'm too tough, you can't keep me down long." John chuckled.

"How are you doing?"

"I'm having a hell of a time remembering things. And when I do I get these really bad headaches. My throats really sore, you hear this scratchy hoarse voice. But I'm here, I can't complain. Dot's trying to fill some of the gaps in for me."

"Yeah, so you're hanging with Dot? Huh?"

"Of course, she's my girlfriend. I know she can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but she loves me. We've got to work a few things out though."

Ashley was sitting at a corner table eavesdropping.

 "Wow she really has the damn wool pulled over his eyes!" She thought. "I can't believe he's not still pissed about her going off the pill, without telling him!" She heard in her head, as she looked over at him sitting up on the stage talking to Harold. She turned back to straighten up her order forms. She glanced back over at him and he was staring a hole right through her.

"I hear you. I just kind of thought, you were happier without her?" Harold knew he wasn't supposed to say anything but he knew how happy John was with Ashley, and he remembered how miserable he was with Dorothea.

"You know how it is. Women drive you nuts, but you can't live without them."

"Don't I know it!" Harold chuckled. 

"So I just wanted to let you know, I'm ready to work for you again when you need me."

"Well just take a few more days off. Don't worry you'll still get paid. Get some rest. You look so damn tired. How's my car treating you?"

"I thought that was you ZX in the parking lot!"

"Yep but it's yours now. He grabbed John's keys off the table. This is the key."

"Thanks my brain is mush, since that guy attacked me."

"Do you remember any of it?" 

"No just what my Mom and Dad told me."

"Well don't worry about it. Do you want a beer?"

"I'll take one." He smiled.

Harold came back to him with the beer. 

"Thanks." John nodded over at Ashley. "She's working here now?" Trying to find out what she was doing there.

"Yeah, she's an assistant for me and Bret. Damn pretty girl, and she's so helpful and smart. And I love that southern accent she has. I could just sit back and listen to it all day." Harold smiled.

"I could too, I love those southern chicks. Especially the blondes." John chuckled.

"She's single you know." Harold hoped to give his brain a little nudge in Ashley's direction.

"Yeah she's totally fine. But I really need to concentrate on Dot right now."

"Again with Dorothea, you know I really didn't think, you two kids were that close!" Harold couldn't help it. He loved Johnny like a son and wanted him to snap out of it and remember he was finished with Dot.

"Yeah well things change, listen I can't tell my parents anything yet, but Dot might be pregnant." 

"Damn it Johnny! How many times have we warned you boys! Condoms, condoms, condoms!"

"I know, I know! Believe me I know! But she was on the pill!"

"So it didn't work?" Harold asked not believing it.

John took a deep breath getting ready for a lecture. "She quit taking them!"

Harold's face turned red he was so pissed. "So she didn't tell you trying to get herself pregnant! Damn it Johnny! Why the hell are you back messing with that damn crazy girl?"

Johnny's head started to split with a pounding headache. "Hold on, back with Dot? What do you mean back with her?"

Harold thought quick. "You know, the two of you break up all the damn time."

"Well we've been back together for a while this time." He replied massaging his temple.

"So what if she is pregnant? How can you be sure it's your kid?"

"Why is everybody asking me that? You know Dot is as loyal a Jersey girl, as they come. I don't have to worry about her messing around."

Harold smirked. Thinking to himself. "No you just have to worry about her fucking your old friend Bobby!" But he held it back to himself. Johnny couldn't take the news right now. He looked like shit. "Well don't worry girls have babies all the time. It doesn't mean you have to marry her or even stay with her. This ain't the 50's anymore." 

"You know my Mother, she would beat my ass if I left Dot blowing in the wind with her  grandchild!"

"Well don't worry about it right now, but for God's sake Johnny, wear a fucking rubber next time! You can't trust these air headed girls to pop a pill! And don't look at me like that, I hate the damn things too, but it's better to be safe than bouncing a damn baby on your knee that you ain't ready for! I just had this very same conversation with your brother Tony yesterday!"

John smiled.  "Tony's getting some action?"

"He's trying. He's crazy about this little girl, but the she's playing hard to get." 

"Oh I know how that is. John looked over at Ashley and Harold saw him.

"Why don't you go talk to her. She loves the same kind of music you do. You too kids have so much in common." Harold nudged him a little out of his chair.

Ashley got up and went back to her office. She only came in to get a couple of bands booked for the weekend and fill out some order forms. John got up and followed her. He knocked on her door lightly. 

"Hey can I come in?"

"Okay." She looked up at him, from her desk.

"Look there's a lot of weird shit going on with me right now. And it all seems to lead back to you. That kiss today was amazing. I seem to have a lot of unexplained feelings for you, so I'm just going to ask. Did we have a thing together or something?"

Ashley didn't know what to say. She looked at him wondering what was going on. "A thing?" She asked.

"Yeah, before I got hurt things were very clear to me. I was with Dot and yeah things were rocky, but we made it through it. Now some dude tried to kill me and I can't remember shit. But I have all these weird dreams and thoughts of you! I don't know where the hell they are coming from, but I feel like I'm going insane!"

"I'm sorry John. I don't think I can give you  the answers you're looking for." She had to lie. He looked so horrible. So run down and tired. She couldn't make it worse, he was already so frustrated and confused.

"Okay then I'm sorry I bothered you." He walked out the door. "I must just be obsessed with her and she must be hung up on the guy she slept with. I'm just wasting my time."

He sadly walked down the hall trying to put her out of his mind, once and for all.

Richie and David came walking in. They had just come from Richie's house. 

"Johnny shoot some pool with us man!" Richie walked over grabbing a pool stick and digging for some quarters.

"Okay." 

Did you talk to Harold? Does he have any work for us?" Richie asked.

"He said to take a couple more days off."

"Okay just let me know."

Ashley walked behind the bar and Richie saw her. I'll be right back. He walked over to Ashley and picked her up hugging her as John looked on, jealous as hell, but not knowing why.

Ashley smiled and hugged him back they were talking and laughing. "Damn what the fuck?" He stood there getting more pissed by the second. Trying to put her out of his mind sure as hell wasn't working.

Richie walked back over. "I had to mess with her." He chuckled.

"The two of you seem really close. How far have you gotten with her?" John asked with a disturbing look on his face. He knew how Richie was, so maybe she slept with him.

Richie questioned the look. "What's up man? What are you asking?"

"Just curious if you banged her. I saw her at the beach this morning and she told me, she's only been with one dude and you looked real damn chummy with her."

"Damn I wish!" Richie looked at her and smiled. "Yeah she's only been with one guy, but I assure you, it wasn't me."

"But I can tell you want to. Did something happen with her?"

"I kissed her and told her I have feelings for her, but she blew me off. She's waiting around for an old boyfriend, that probably ain't coming back." Richie looked at John,  hoping like hell he wouldn't ever remember Ashley and she would just give up on him.

"Damn, I didn't realize Richie had a thing for her too. And damn it. He kissed her!" He thought, kind of pissed off about it."Did she sleep with that ex asshole that just got to town?" 

Richie grinned. "Jake, no it's a different asshole." Richie looked up. "Well speak of the devil and there he is, in the red shirt." He was looking at Jake and Rickey, they had just walked through the door.

"That's Jake?" John asked feeling jealousy bubbling up from his gut. 

Ashley was rounding the corner looking for her band scheduling book when she saw Rickey and Jake she hurried over to them. "What are y'all doing here?" She asked with a totally surprised look on her face.

"Hey baby, I just wanted to come by and see where you work." Jake smiled looking at her. "Can we get a beer?"

"I guess you can, but then you need to go."

"Why are you trying to bum rush us baby?"

"Yeah Ash, you sure look guilty about something!" Rickey laughed.

"Don't she though?" Jake laughed. "Her face is red. She's all nervous. I bet your palms are sweating!" He grabbed her hands and knew he was right and continued laughing.

John was watching them and wondering what that was all about. It looked like he was holding her hands.

She snatched her hands away from Jake. "Will you just stop? I'm almost done. We can go to over to the Stone Pony, y'all will like it much better, over there!" She replied hoping to get these two the hell away from John, before Jake decided he wanted some payback for the night, John and the boys jumped him.

She looked over at John. And Jake followed her eyes. He bumped Rickey on his shoulder. "There's her problem! That fucking prick's here!" He nodded toward John at the pool table. "The one in the cowboy boots."

Rickey looked over at John standing at the pool table. "Damn Jake he's not that big! He got the jump on you!" Rickey laughed.

"Those two assholes standing there with him, were the ones that held me!" 

He looked back and noticed Richie and David.

Ashley looked at the growing rage building in Jake's eyes. "Stop it Jake! He doesn't  even remember! Please for me, just leave him alone."

"Are you sure he doesn't remember it, because the fucker is mean mugging me right now!"

Ashley looked over and John looked pissed staring right at Jake. "Oh damn!" Ashley thought. She had to keep these two apart. 

"Ricky stop him!" 

"From what Ash? Looking at the dude that whipped his ass! There's really not anything I can do. That long haired punk, needs his ass kicked!" He chuckled.

Bret was standing at the bar talking to Mike. When Ashley walked up frantic.

"Bret!" 

"Yeah baby what is it?"

"My ex Jake is right there with my brother Rickey and I'm pretty sure they want to jump on John!"

"Well they better do it outside because there won't be any damn fighting in my club! Wait, Jake? That's the one that hit you and knocked you down the damn stairs!" Bret yelled realizing who this guy really was.

"Bret please don't do anything! I just don't want him fighting with John. He doesn't even remember they fought before!"

"Don't worry if he starts any kind of trouble I will kick his ass myself!"

She looked like she was about to cry.

"Here sit down and have a drink, you are all upset. Mike get her a big glass of champagne."

"I'll be right back." He walked over to Jake and Ricky as Ashley cringed from the bar. 

"Hey which one of you is Jake?" 

"I am!" Jake answered without hesitation.

"Listen I'm Bret and I've wanted to punch you in the face for a long damn time!"

"Hold up, you must have me confused with somebody else!" Jake grinned.

John and Richie heard Bret yelling and started watching them argue back and forth.

You're the asshole that likes to play on the  damn phone! I called Ashley's new number, when I left town and you thought it was funny to keep telling me I had the wrong number!" Bret yelled. 

"My bad man it was just a joke damn!" He began to laugh.

"A joke it sure didn't feel like a fucking joke to me, when I thought for sure, the girl I was in love with was blowing me off! And was it a joke when you hit her and knocked her down that damn staircase! You like to hit girls huh?"

"What's he talking about Jake?" Rickey asked confused by his accusation.

"Nothing man! I didn't hurt her. I wasn't the reason she fell!"

"Are they fighting about Ashley? Was Bret her boyfriend or something?" John asked  Richie, trying to figure out what was going on.

"Yeah they used to be together." Richie mumbled, still trying to listen.

John wondered if Bret was the guy she had slept with and was so hung up on. She was with him a lot and she was smiling earlier, talking to him.

"Ashley come here!" Rickey yelled. "Did Jake hit you? Was he the reason you fell down those damn stairs?" 

"Rickey please don't! My memory from that night isn't good!" She began to cry and Rickey hugged her.

Jake put his arm across her back and Bret knocked it off. "Don't fucking touch her man! Even if you didn't knock her down the stairs, you fucking hit her before!"

"Look whatever happened between me and Ash is between us!" He yelled back at Bret.

"He hit her? That asshole hit her?" John asked Richie overhearing them yelling and feeling like his blood was about to boil, he was so angry.

"Yeah man I knew about it." Richie replied remembering the details Ashley had told him.

"Well why don't you fucking try to hit me!" Bret yelled totally pissed off.

Ashley got in between them. "Please stop! I just  can't take all this fighting!"

Jake turned to her. "Ashley I'm so sorry, for everything I've ever done to hurt you. I was a real dumbass and drunk most of the time. You didn't deserve any of it. I regret it  everyday, all of it. I'm sorry for cheating with Megan. I didn't know what you meant to me. I lost everything when I lost you. Please Ashley, I just want to say I'm sorry. You can have somebody beat my ass. I deserve it for everything I did to you. But I still love you. And I wish you still loved me too." Jake was all choked up. She had never seen him this way. It brought tears to her eyes, when it opened old scars on her heart.

She didn't know what to say. No matter how many times he had hurt her. He never poured his heart out like he just did to apologise. She moved a little closer to him.

"It's Okay Jake. I forgive you." He slowly put his arms around her. As they both had tears in their eyes.  He leaned in and kissed her, right there in the middle of the Fast Lane, with everyone watching. It caught her off guard. But it was sweet and warm and reminded her of how great he was when they first got together. Oh how she used to love him. How she prayed everyday he would change. And here he was telling her everything she always wanted to hear from him.

John was frozen in place. He had no idea why the sight of these two together like this, was ripping his heart to shreds and splitting his head in half with the worse pounding headache ever.