Chapter 7: Heartbreaker

On the ride home. "What's going on Ash, why are you so quiet?"

"I'm just thinking about Bret, I guess. He looked so sad, when I talked to him.

"What is the story about him? I mean he seems so crazy about you, but you weren't together that long."

"No, but we were really close. We had an instant bond, it was like we were made for each other. We were inseparable, I hadn't ever met anybody like him. It didn't take very long and I was head over heels for him."

"Well, he is definitely gorgeous, and he really has a thing for you. So if he's single now, why don't you get back with him?"

"I have a lot of feelings for Bret. Part of me wants to get back with him. He is such a great guy, and I have missed him so much. But the other part of me has these feelings for John, that I can't explain. I feel things for him, that I've never felt before. I'm so confused."

"What about Jake? I know you loved him."

"I really did, but there was a side to him you didn't see. A dark side nobody saw, but me."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing I want to get into right now. But I have no intentions of ever getting back with Jake."

"Okay, but this thing with Johnny, is not a good idea. You see how him and Dorothea went at it. And the next time you see them together, they will be lovey dovey like nothing ever happened. I would just hate to see you get in the middle of that mess."

"I know what you're saying, but he says he wants to break up with her."

"Then Ashley, what in the hell is he waiting for? If you sneak around on the side with him, I can promise you that is all you will ever get from him." 

"I know, you're right, but he seems so sincere. God Stacey, I don't know what to do."

"Well then stay the hell away from him, before he really breaks your heart, honey. Johnny Bongiovi thinks he is God's gift to women and you can't believe a word he tells you. He's a real heartbreaker. 

"But when he looks at me with those gorgeous blue eyes my heart just melts."

"When I was at the club two weeks ago, he was there without Dot and he had two busty blondes hanging all over him. At the end of the night he left with them. It really is out of sight out of mind with him."

"That's why I said, I'm not ready to date. There's too many games involved and after I caught Jake cheating, I'm just not ready to deal with it."

"What about Bret, can you trust him not to cheat?"

"It's the same thing, girls hanging all over him, every chance they get. I guess it's the being in a band thing. Girls just love muscians."

"And you have a thing for guitar players, you sure make life hard for yourself."

"I know, I'm my own worst enemy for sure."

"Well what about Richie, he is a guitar player and he is so cute.

"I like Richie, but more like a friend. But I thought you said he was as bad as John."

"He probably is, but at least he is single."

"And cute with his dark brown bedroom eyes." Ashley giggled.

"I just get a bad feeling about Johnny. I heard about him, long before I ever met him. He has a reputation for being a real dog." Stacey replied.

"Let's just forget about it for now. Will you come over tomorrow and help me get ready for the wedding."

"Sure, we will get you all prettied up."

She pulled up in front of Ashley's house and she got out and went inside. She took a shower and got ready for bed. Her phone started ringing.

"Hello."

"Ashley, hey baby it's John. Can you hear me? I'm on a speaker phone and sometimes it messes up."

"Hey John, yeah I can hear you."

"I just wanted to tell you I had a good time with you, tonight."

"Thanks, it was fun. I loved watching you on stage."

"I got such a rush, being up there tonight. Southside is a really cool guy. I look up to him. He's one of my favorite singers."

"You looked really good up there."

"Thanks. Sorry all that shit with Dot went down. She wasn't even supposed to be there until ten. She was trying to pick a fight all night. Patty, my ex, really pushed her over the edge."

"I'm sorry, I could tell how miserable you were."

"It's not your fault. She just gets in these moods sometimes. She hates Patty, she thinks I still love her and want to get back with her."

"Do you?"

"No not anymore. Patty really broke my heart and there ain't no going back."

"How long were you with her?"

"Eight months and she cheated on me with a guy that used to be in her band. I broke up with her and I never looked back."

"God John, that's awful. I know how that hurts."

"Well I moved on, I got with Dot and tried to forget about all the shit with Patty. Dot hates her, and she turns into a major bitch, when she's around."

"No offense John, but how do you put up with it? She was so mean to you tonight."

"I've been with her a while, off and on. I guess I just got used to it. But I'm ready for a change."

"That's how it was with me and Jake. I knew things weren't right. But I just kept letting it go. And it got worse. I should of listened to my heart. I knew it was over."

"That's what I need to do. Listen to my heart. Ashley, when I met you I wasn't ready to instantly feel the the way I felt about you. But it made me realize, that what I have with Dot is a lie. She's not who I want to be with anymore. When I first saw you, I told Richie look at her, I think I'm in love. But when I kissed you on the beach with the moonlight shining down, I think I lost my heart to you, right then and there."

"Oh John please don't say these things to me. My heart just isn't ready to hear it."

"But I'm telling you the truth."

"I don't know how I feel John. I have feelings for you, but I also have feelings for Bret. And there's things you don't know about me."

"So tell me, I want to know everything about you."

"Not right now. It's late, I better go get some sleep, so I'll be ready for the wedding."

"Yeah, are you excited about your big date with Richie." He laughed.

"Yes, of course. I can't wait for the handsome Mr. Sambora to pick me up."

"You know I was pissed when I found out he asked you to go with him to the wedding?"

"Really?" She giggled.

"Yeah I mean you should be my date, not his."

"Well you already have a date."

"Not the one I want though."

"Dorothea was pretty pissed at you, do you think she will even go."

"She's working in the morning. She is supposed to meet me at the church. So we'll see. If not, I guess I'll be going stag. But maybe I can wrangle you away from Richie." He chuckled.

She laughed. "I don't think so mister, you better leave my handsome date alone."

"That's the second time you called him handsome, do you really think he's cute?"

"Of course, Richie's a doll. Are you jealous of him? You sound a little bit jealous." 

"Me, jealous of Richie? Nah, but I am jealous of him getting to spend time with you. Do you remember Shelly, the girl that put her hand in my lap at the bar."

"Yeah."

"She told me, that you and Richie made a cute couple."

"Really?"

"Yeah, is he your type?"

"I don't think I have a real type, but most of them are guitar players." She giggled.

"Oh so you're a groupie, well now that changes everything." He chuckled.

"Nope, I'm not a groupie, just a fan."

"Well remember, I like my fans very friendly."

"Yeah, that's what I heard. Didn't you leave the club a couple of weeks ago with two friendly blondes hanging all over you?"

"Maybe, because I do have weakness for blondes. But that was before I met the hottest one of them all."

"Maybe you should call her." 

"I just did, I'm talking to her right now."

"Oh you're good. I bet you can worm your way out of anything."

"Sometimes, if I have to. If you think Richie's so cute, what do you think about me?"

"Oh you are absolutely gorgeous. But you already know that."

"I love hearing it from beautiful blondes, though."

"I bet you do. Well I guess I better go to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow, John."

"Okay baby. Good night."

"Good night."

Ashley hung up and went to bed. John picked the phone back up to call Dorothea.

"Hello."

"Dot it's Johnny. Can you talk?"

"I can but I don't know if I want to."

"All I want to know is if you're still going to the wedding with me." She hesitated and he was hoping she would say no, so he could be with Ashley.

"I don't know, maybe we need some time apart."

"So you're not coming?" He almost sounded hopeful.

"What do you have going on, because it sure sounds like you are trying to get rid of me!" Dot snapped.

"No, I just know you are mad at me and I don't want to ruin Robby's wedding fighting."

"Do you still want me to go?" 

"No no no........ Is what he heard in his head but what he said was, "Yes if you still want to."

"Okay, I'll be there then."

"Damn it." He thought. "Okay see you at the church."

"Bye Johnny."

"Bye."

He hung up and went to bed.

Ashley woke up and ate breakfast. A knock at the door startled her. She got up and opened the door.

"Hey girl come on in. Do you want some eggs and toast?"

"Yeah thanks."

"So are you excited about going to the wedding?"

"I do love weddings. The beginning of the rest of your life. It's magical."

"Make sure to get a picture of you and Richie. Y'all make the cutest couple."

"So I've been told. John said some girl at the Fast Lane said so."

"Well it's true. I wonder if John still has a date?" Stacey giggled.

"I don't know, she was pissed. He doesn't know if she will show up or not."

"Well if he ends up with no date it serves him right and y'all don't do Richie dirty and leave him blowing in the wind, with no date. John can go by his dang self."

"I wouldn't do that to Richie. I said I would be his date and I will be, come hell or high water."

"Good, now let's get started on this hair."

They put all the curlers in her hair.

"Let's go over to my house I have a bunch of new makeup, I want to use on you."

"Okay, let's go."

As they walked outside John was on his porch and saw Ashley and he walked  right over to her.

"That's a great look on you Ashley. You look so hot. John laughed.

"Oh my God John, go away. I don't want you to see me like this!"

"Why not? I love you in curlers, Ash. Their really turning me on." He chuckled.

She laughed. "Oh God, I was just fixin to go to Stacey's to finish my hair and makeup. I was hoping you were still asleep!"

"Nope." He laughed. "I got up early."

"Well I'll see you later. It's gonna take me a while to get ready."

"Okay but you're beautiful, even with the curlers in your hair and no makeup on." He smiled.

"Thanks, but I sure don't believe you." She grinned looking at him.

"Come on Ashley." Stacey tried to hurry her along and get her away from John."

"See you later John."