Chapter 36: Scars On His Heart

As he walked closer to the stage his mind was running wild. "How did I get myself in this damn predicament?" He wondered.

The day she broke his heart in to pieces, he promised himself to never give her the chance to hurt him ever again. He never wanted to see her or have anything to do with her.

He banned her from coming to the Fast Lane. He made sure to stay clear of any place Scandal was playing. He avoided her like the plague. He tried so hard to put her out of his thoughts. The day they broke up, flashed in his mind and opened old scars in his heart.

He was reminded of all those questions he wanted to ask but couldn't, because he ran away from her like a hurt little boy. Including the most important one, that he was never brave enough to ask. "Did she ever really love him at all?" He still wondered.

"Why are you always looking at me like you're so pissed off?" She asked, as he was staring a hole right through her.

"Maybe it's just the way I feel, everytime I look at you."

"You can't hate me forever. It's been almost a year Johnny! That was the past and you need to get over it!"

"Don't tell me what to do! I don't need your damn advice! Keep that shit for your current boyfriend! Oh yeah I forgot, you can't keep one!" He laughed.

"How the hell do you know what I have? Unless you've been asking around about me?"

"Don't flatter yourself. I don't give a shit who you're with! Let's get started so we can finish up and I can get the hell out of here!"


"Okay. I've been working on a song. But it's raw. I can't get it out of my head and on paper the way I want to."

The drummer and a guitarist Harold found to temporarily sit in, started playing along with her.

She started to sing a little of it. But as soon as he heard the first line, it was already ticking him off. But when she sang out, "I remember the good times baby and the bad times too, looking right at him. He couldn't believe it, "she must be trying to piss me off!" He thought. And then she belted out, "goodbye to you" and he just lost it.

"Stop!" He yelled. "Just fucking stop!"

"What is it Johnny?" She asked like she didn't know.

"I don't want to hear that shit!"

"It's just a song!"

"Do you think I'm a dumbass? The only thing you can come up with is a damn  break up song?"

"Well I have another one." She replied.

"Wait a minute I'll be back." John walked off toward the bathroom.

Richie had been watching them and walked over to her. "Hey darlin, how have you been?" He asked smiling at her.

"I'm doing good Richie. Is he always this hard to work with?"

"Everyday of his life." He laughed. "But I didn't break his heart."

"Is that what he told you?"

"He doesn't like to talk about it. You know how he is. You can't shut him up when he's happy. But when he's not he's in his own little world."

"He's still punishing me. I was young and dumb and just looking for a good time. I didn't know he changed the rules of the game. He's the one that taught them to me."

"I think he fell for you before he realized it. And that changed everything."

"Richie I know he slept with other girls behind my back. I heard the stories."

"If he did, he wasn't in love with any of  them, like he was with you."

John went to the bathroom to splash a little water on his face. "I've got to get through this night." He mumbled looking at himself in the mirror.

He stood there a few minutes and then he walked back to the stage and picked up his guitar and slid his red glove on.

The band started playing and John joined in on guitar and Patty sang a different song. That he luckily didn't feel she was singing about him.

When she was finished, he looked at her.
"Your voice has gotten stronger. You sound really good." He told her, hating to admit it. She could always sing, but something in her voice sounded better.

John talked to the rest of the band a few minutes and then they played along as he  started singing one of the songs he wrote. Patty stood in awe watching him take command of the stage.

He was damn good and there was no denying it. She always loved watching him perform. He loved it and it showed.

When he was finished, she walked over to him smiling. "Wow Johnny! Your voice is  deeper, it sounds so awesome."

"Thanks." He quickly looked away from her and thought, "damn she's beautiful when she smiles."

They practiced a few covers and that was it. Practice number one was down in the books, luckily with no bloodshed.

John helped them pack up all the equipment quickly.

"You want to get a beer Johnny?" Patty asked hoping they could at least be civil to each other.

"No I've got to go."

"What's your hurry?" She asked watching him throw stuff in a bag.

"I'm going to see my girl."

"Oh so you really are seeing somebody?"

"Yeah, Ashley. She's gorgeous, smart, and best of all, all mine. I've got to go call her." He jumped down off the stage to use the payphone.

Patty watched him walking away. She remembered when she used to love for him to call her. And how he couldn't wait for her to call him. "Damn things are different now." She thought as she watched him dialing the payphone.

"Hello."

"Hey Baby."

"Hey John."

"What are you doing?"

"I just got out of the shower and was drying off. You caught me naked as a jaybird." She giggled.

"Okay, I have a nice visual of that in my head. And I might be getting a little hard right now." He laughed.

"Oh you are huh? Well I don't know if I'm interested."

"Oh I'll make you interested."

"I have mace you know, and I'm not afraid to use it."

"To see you naked again, I'll risk a little mace in my eyes. Hell I'd face a firing squad." He laughed.

"Well damn, that's some determination!" She laughed and so did he.

Patty was watching him and noticed how happy he seemed. She wondered if he was ever that happy with her.

"We just finished up. Can I come over? I really want to taste you. I mean see you." He chuckled.

"Oh you're in a mood."

"Yep the same mood you always put me in, horny." He was trying to use a sexy deeper voice.

"Well I don't let just anybody in my bed you know. You have to have certain qualifications!" She giggled.

"Oh I have them and as fast as I can get over there I'm going to show them all to you." He chuckled.

"John, here is your glove you left on the stage." Patty smiled handing it to him.

He muffled the phone. "Thanks, I forgot it." John slid on his glove.

"John who is that?" Ashley asked. Hearing he was trying to muffle the phone.


"Oh it was Patty bringing me something I left on stage."

Just the mention of this girl pissed Ashley off.

Patty turned around and looked back. "Well I'm leaving, good night Johnny."

"Good night baby." John's eyes got huge. "Oh fuck! Did I just call Patty baby?" He thought. "Maybe Ash didn't hear it. Oh please oh please God, I hope she didn't hear it."

Patty walked to the door smiling. She mouthed to herself, "baby."

He just decided to act like nothing happened. "Ashley, are you there?"

A very cold voice replied. "Yes I'm here!"

"What's wrong baby?"

"Don't you dare call me that! Not after you just called that bitch baby!"

"Ash, I'm so damn sorry! I didn't mean to say it I swear! I was on the phone with you and I wasn't paying any attention to her and it just came out! Please don't be mad! Can I still come by? Please!"

"Hell no! I'm going to call up Bret and call him baby and then I'm going to bed!"

"Oh hell you better not!" John yelled and he heard click as she slammed her phone down in his ear.

Richie had ordered a beer and was listening to all this drama.

"Fuck!" John yelled and slammed the payphone down.

Richie was grinning. "I heard some of that. One practice and Patty is baby now huh?"

"Fuck no! See that bitch is already ruining my fucking life! Ash told me, she just got out of the shower and was still naked, while she was talking to me and I was going over there. I slipped up thinking about that and called that bitch baby by accident and now Ashley is pissed!"

"Remember I asked you how you were going to juggle all your women? Now we know, not very well!" He laughed.

"Oh fuck you Richie! This shit ain't funny!"

"Look, call her back. If she's really pissed she won't answer. If she's just mad and wanting you to apologize, she will."

"Okay." He dialed, sure she wouldn't answer.

"Hello!" She hollered.

"Ashley, I'm sorry but I was thinking about you being naked and talking to you and baby just slipped out. She knows I would never call her baby! I love you! Please Ashley, I'm sorry!...................Ash?"

"What?" She mumbled.

"Can I come over? I want to just tell you I'm sorry in person. Then I'll leave! You can shoot me with the damn mace, if I don't! Please Ashley, you know I love you!"

Richie snickered sitting on a stool, listening to John begging over the phone. This was the part of a relationship he sure as hell didn't miss.

"I guess but you're not coming inside!" She insisted.

"Okay thanks. I'll be there in a few minutes! Bye Ash, I love you." He hung up.

"See I told you. She just wants you to beg for her forgiveness, but she's not that pissed or she wouldn't have picked up." Richie patted him on the shoulder.

"We'll see. I'll get down on my damn knees if it will get me in her damn front door." He grinned. "I've got to go." John turned to leave.

"Good luck Casanova!" Richie laughed.

And John turned around and shot him the finger.

He walked out to his car and changed his shirt to one he had in his car.

He pulled up at Ashley's. He sat there a minute thinking of what he wanted to say.

He got out and knocked. She finally answered the door.

"Yeah." She snapped, as she pulled the door open and saw him standing there with sad ocean blue eyes she couldn't ever say no to.

"Hey thanks for opening the door. You didn't call Bret, did you?"

"Of course not." She emphasized.

"I'm sorry for being a real dumbass. But you look beautiful."

"Don't be nice to me, I'm mad at you."

"I love you. Are you going to let me in? You don't have that mace do you?" He smiled.

"I haven't decided if I'm going to use it on you or not."

"Oh damn please don't. But if you still want to, at least let me get a running start. I've got more painting to do in the morning." He chuckled. "What smells so good?"

"I was baking a cake for you, but you made me mad and I didn't put the frosting on it."

"Well let me in, I want to try it. I'm starving."

They walked in the kitchen and he spotted it on the counter. "I love chocolate, it's my favorite.

She got out a plate and some forks and cut him a piece. "Here you go."

"Thanks." He took a bite. "It's good. Why aren't you eating any?"

"I'm not that hungry."

"Come on Ash, eat some."

"Okay."

They each ate a piece and went to the living room.

"I can tell you are still mad at me. It's not what you think.  I never called her baby. I only call you that."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I never wanted to call anybody baby before I met you. So see there was no way I called her baby. But you fried my brain saying you were naked while I was talking to you and I just got mixed up. I'm sorry. Do you forgive me?" He looked at her and tilted his head with a devilish little grin on his face.

"I can't stay mad at you." She smiled back at him.

"Good now come here, I've been missing you all day. He pulled her in for a hug and leaned down and began to kiss her soft and slowly. Caressing her body. Then he pulled back a little. When is your Dad coming home?"

"Any minute now."

"Okay, well maybe I better go. But I could come back when he goes to bed and stay a while."

"Okay."

"Just call me, when he's asleep. I love you."

"I love you too."

He went out the door and walked home.

As soon as John entered his front door, he heard. "Johnny is that you?"

"Yeah it's me."

"I washed a  bunch of your dirty clothes I found in the Mustang. Do you have any in the other car?" Asked Carol.

"Yeah, there's some from today."

"Okay, I'll get them. You know it's starting to look like a car lot around here with all these vehicles." She laughed. "How did you like your first day working at the club?"

"It was okay, but I have to help out with the band for Harold and Patty's in it?"

"Really? That Tommy kid isn't in it is he."

"No he's not even in her band anymore, they broke up a little while after we split."

"Well that serves her right. To cheat on a handsome hard working boy like you."

"That's one of the things I like about Ashley, Ma. I know her feelings for me are real. I wish you would change your mind about her. I love her."

"I just think you are too young and busy trying to start your music career to get all involved with a girl that might break your heart, just like Patty."

"She's nothing like Patty! They are total opposites! Forget it, I'm going upstairs."

"Are you in for the night?"

"No I'm going back out later."

"Okay lock the door when you leave and please be careful."

"I will."

John ran up to his room. He turned his radio on. He flipped the dial to 103.5 and WAPP had just started playing Foreigner's Head Games. He loved this song. He turned it up, he picked up his guitar, and danced around his room playing along and singing along with it.

He really got into it. Now he wanted to use it for one of the covers to play at the club. When it went off he sat in his chair at his desk. A cheesy love song came on, that he knew well. Air Supply's I'm All Out Of Love. Normally he would have flipped the dial, but this time he couldn't. She had been on his mind so much lately, and this was her favorite song. "Damn it Patty." He thought as the words rang in his ears. He had listened to it with her so many times. She loved it and it made her so happy. And he always loved to see her happy.

 He sat there listening to the words, as a floodgate of memories was opened up. He reached in his desk and pulled out an old ratty old Rolling Stone magazine. He still had it because of an interview he liked with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.  Tucked inside the back cover, where he had stuck it months ago, he pulled out the first photo ever taken of him and Patty together.

He sat there looking at the photo. Remembering how crazy he was about her.  How he would have done anything for her. They were supposed to make it big. Get a record deal and get the hell out of this town together. "How did it all go so wrong?" He wondered.

Chapter 35: My Past Is Back To Haunt Me

John woke up to what felt like a jackhammer pounding in his brain. He opened his eyes and there she was, the most beautiful girl in the world to him.

He thought he had dreamed about her being here. But she had come back, she was real, and laid out like a goddess beside him. "God she is perfect, what did I ever do to deserve her." He thought as he eased himself up off the bed trying not to wake her.

He hurried to the bathroom medicine cabinet in search of some relief for his throbbing head. He found some Tylenol and took a few of the pills. Then he looked around for something for his stomach. He saw some Pepto and swigged half the bottle. He opened some mouthwash on the counter and took a cap full in his mouth and swished it around to remove the nasty taste of the Pepto. Then he staggered to the kitchen where he smelled the aroma of fresh coffee brewing.

"Damn you're up!" Richie exclaimed when he saw John dragging his ass toward him.

"What are you doing up? It's not even daylight yet?" John asked looking like he had been through a rough night.

"I got up with Erica. She had to be at the diner early for work."

"Oh hell she stayed over with you. Are you getting back with her?"

"Yeah I think we are. I've missed her. And she missed me too. It's why she came by."

"You mean you missed rolling around in the sack with her." John laughed.

"Yeah that too." Richie chuckled.

"Damn I feel like I'm dying and I have to go over to Galaxy later to meet Harold to start painting."

"I wish you would ask Harold if I can help paint too. I need some money for Van Halen, next week."

"Just go down there with me, I'm sure he will let you."

"Is Ashley still sleeping?"

"Yeah I didn't want to wake her up."

"She took care of your sorry ass last night. She cleaned you up, changed your clothes, and had you laid out in the bathroom with a blanket and pillow. I walked in and she was rubbing your head with a wet rag and you were moaning."

John laughed. "Hell I thought I dreamed that."

"No it was real. She came in with Sebastian and said they ran out of gas. Dot was here and told her you were puking and to leave you alone and let you pass out in the bathroom and sleep it off. She said she wasn't about to leave you there."

"Yeah Dot's a bitch like that. You get sick or pass out, she doesn't give a damn! She ain't taking care of you! Did she say if Sebastian made a move on her?"

"She didn't say, but he told me going to get the gas, she pulled a damn can of mace on his ass! So I'm guessing he did."

John laughed. "Good she should have sprayed his dumbass with it. I'll find out from her later."

"So you and Dot were alone for a while. Anything worth telling happen?" He grinned.

"Hell no! She was talking about she missed me and hoped I'd be here, when she came by. I told her to go back to Bobby. She tried to kiss me and I remember biting the shit out of her lip."

Richie laughed. "Ouch man."

"She was just fucking around with me trying to mess with my head and fuck up, what I have going with Ashley. Let me get some of that coffee. I need to wake my ass up!"

John drank two cups. "I need to go get Ashley up. I've got to go home and get ready."

John drank his last sip of coffee and walked to the bedroom. He laid down on the bed.

"Ashley." He said softly rubbing her hair.

"Hey." She smiled opening her eyes. "Are you feeling better?"

"A little bit. We need to go. I have to go home and get ready to go over to Galaxy. I have to meet Harold there this morning to start painting."

"Okay."

"So what happened with you and Sebastian?"

"Nothing, what did you think happened?"

"It was driving me crazy, that you left with him. I just didn't understand why you took off!"

"I tried to tell you last night. But you were so drunk. Angie fell on your lap and you just sat there smiling at her while she told you that she had always had a crush on you! All right in front of me! You acted like I wasn't even there!"

"I'm sorry, but that was nothing, she was just drunk. But what I remember is Sebastian rubbing on your ass while showing you how to make a shot playing quarters."

"He didn't really do anything."

"He didn't make a move on you at all last night?"

"It was nothing John!"

"Well tell me then!"

"He stopped the car taking me home and asked me if I wanted to make you jealous and cheat on you, he would help me out."

"Fucking prick! I knew it, I knew he would make a fucking move on you! What did you say?"

"Well he put his hand on the top of my leg and I pulled some mace out of my purse and told him, I would shoot him in the damn face if he didn't take his hand off!"

"He fucking touched you!"

"John calm down! He was harmless!"

"I knew you shouldn't have gone with him! You can't trust these guys around here baby!"

"I'm sorry John, but please just let it go. He stopped when I told him to."

"But you are my fucking girl and that asshole knew that!"

"It was my fault, I never should have left with him."

"Well don't worry about it, but me and him will be having some words later! Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, I am. She got up and they walked out into the  living room where Richie was sitting on the couch.

"We are out of here man. If you want to meet me at Galaxy about 8:00, I'll be there."

"Yeah. I'll go get ready now. Good morning darlin." Richie looked over at Ashley. "Looks like you took good care of him." He smiled at her.

"Good morning and I tried." She smiled back.

They walked out and got on the motorcycle and headed home. John pulled up at Ashley's. She got off and she hugged him.

"I love you baby."

"I love you too. Have a good day at work."

He kissed her a small kiss on her lips and she went inside. He drove over to his driveway and went in to take a shower.

A little while later he pulled out in the 280 headed to the Galaxy Club.

As he pulled up he saw Harold's Cadillac in the parking lot. He had  a couple of  duffle bags on his back walking up to tbe door.

"Hello Johnny. You are here early."

"I wanted to get an early start. Do you think Richie could help me paint? He needs the money?"

"Sure, I don't mind helping him out."

Richie's Camaro pulled up. And he got out.

"Can you two get the rest of these bags it's everything you'll need to paint." Harold asked.

"Yeah, let me get my radio out of my car." John replied, walking over to his car.

Richie and John carried in the bags and got ready to paint.

"I want you to do the two back offices today. Just make sure you do a good job. Don't forget Patty is meeting you up here at 4:00."

"Yeah I remember." John replied.

Harold walked off to his office.

"So you've got to spend time with Patty. That should be fun for you." Richie snickered.

"I tried to get out of it, but Harold has done so damn much for me! I couldn't say no! As bad as I wanted to."

"Is Ash okay with it?"

"I explained it to her. She knows I don't want to be anywhere near her. But she's working with Bret starting Monday, and I don't like that shit either."

"I bet you don't. The Fast Lane has all those back offices to get all cozy in. And that back dressing room with the big couch. What did Lemma call it?"

"The den of sin?" John replied.

"Yeah that was it, I've gotten lucky back there a few times."

"I have too, but this is Ash we're talking about. She didn't turn Bret down all those times to just jump his bones now."
                             

"But it's different now, it's not her first time anymore. You remember how easy it was to do it after you got your first time out of the way." Richie replied.

"Damn I know what you're saying. But I am a guy. Once I saw how easy it was. I tried to screw any girl that would let me." John chuckled.

"Yeah me too, but I don't think Ashley is a nympho or anything like that."

"No I mean she definitely likes it, but she's not attacking me to do it with her." John grinned.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. I saw how she took care of you last night. She could have just left you there like Dot said. But she didn't. I think she really cares about you."

"I know she does and I trust her. But Bret Michaels, hell no! I'll never trust that dude!"

"I don't blame you. I wouldn't want Erica working with any of her exes. But she has a touch of a nympho in her though." He laughed.

"Oh damn!" John laughed with him.

They got all the furniture moved and put plastic down and taped it up and started painting.

They both looked up when a pretty blonde entered the room.

"Hi which one of you is Johnny?"

"I am." John stopped painting and turned around.

"Hi I am Kristin. She started to smile at John. "Oh my, you are gorgeous! Remind me to thank Harold for hiring some eye candy around this place. She giggled. "It's nice to meet you."

"Thanks but I've got a hangover from hell, and I feel like straight up shit today." He grinned. "Oh and nice to meet you too. This is Richie."

"Hi Richie."

"Hi darlin. Are you here to help us paint? Because if you are, you are going to distract the hell out of me." Richie grinned checking her out.

She smiled and couldn't quit looking at John. "I'm actually a bartender here, but I'm helping Harold out until he gets everything under control. He promised me it's just temporary though and he's going to hire somebody to help him. Do you guys need anything?"

"No, but thanks we are good." John turned and started painting again."

Richie watched her stand there checking out John's ass, with a smirk on her face.

"Damn Johnny! You really have a nice ass!" She giggled."

John just smiled and shook his head and kept painting.

Richie looked at her. "I guess I will have to come up here more if you will be serving me my drinks." He smiled.

"Yeah, I'm up here every night but Monday. Johnny you should come see me one night. We could go somewhere when I get off."

"I'll probably be too busy working."

"Well it sounds good to me. Can I get your number and maybe I can call you sometime?" Richie smiled hoping she would say yes.

"Yeah sure." She grabbed a pad and pen off of the table and wrote her name and number on it. "Here you go. Johnny do you want my number too? In case you have any questions or need help with something here at the club or just want to talk." She smiled noticing what a pretty shade of blue his eyes were, when he turned around.

"No I'm good. I'll just call Harold if I need anything, but thanks."

"Okay, let me know if you change your mind. Well I'll let you guys get back to it then."

Richie watched her walk out and hit John on his shoulder. "Damn who are you? That girl was flirting all over this damn room with you and you ignored the shit out of her? What gives Johnny?"

"I just ain't interested."

"Since when? You know I've been there right with you. I know how you flirt and get phone numbers, whether you have a girlfriend or not! Hell Johnny I know for a fact you got laid in the back of the Fast Lane when you were with Dot and you knew she was in the damn building!"

"That was the old me, before I slept with Ashley. Being with her has changed me. I think I really love her. And yeah Kristin is cute, but is she worth losing the best girlfriend I've ever had? Hell no! Now let's get back to painting. And I thought you were getting back with Erica?"

"I am but I don't see Erica anywhere around here." He chuckled.

"Okay but leave me out of your schemes, because I really am trying to be faithful to Ashley. Even if it kills me!"

"And it just might!" Richie laughed stiring the paint.

They worked in the room for a while and after a couple of hours. It was finished. They looked around and were surprised themselves at how well it turned out. They took a break and decided  to go get something to eat at a little restaurant next door.

They stopped at the bar. "Kristin, we are finished with the first room and we're going next door to get something to eat." John started to walk away.

"Wait, I'll go with you guys. I was just going to go over there myself."

"Okay I guess." John replied.

She ran over and grabbed John's arm and walked beside him all the way to the restaurant as Richie grinned walking behind them watching this chick, practically throwing herself at John.

They walked in and looked around. There was only a couple of people in the whole place

"One more office to go. I think the first one turned out really good." John smiled at Richie and then started looking over his menu.

"Yeah we could start our own painting company. Richie and Johnny's professional painting services." Richie chuckled looking his menu over.

"Maybe but I like Johnny and Richie's professional painting services better." John replied.

"You know I could use some help painting in my bedroom Johnny. If you're interested?I work late so it might mean you staying late at my place." Kristin smiled across from John, staring at him.

"Nah this is just something I'm doing for Harold. But Richie does that sort of thing all the time, and he would love to do some work in your bedroom." John looked at her with a little smirk.

"Yeah, I can do any work in there you need done darlin." Richie looked over at her and smiled.

"Yeah maybe I'll get back to you on it Richie." Kristin replied with a frustrated look on her face.

She couldn't believe John wasn't catching on.

"Van Halen's in town next week. I'd love to go with you. But watch out! I'm a total lush, when I've had a few to drink. I probably won't be able to keep my hands off of you! I think you are so hot Johnny!"

"Sorry, I'm already going with somebody else."

They ordered their food and it arrived pretty quick.  They were halfway finished eating, when Kristin went to the bathroom.

"Damn it son! You are going to have to give her what she wants man, she's practically begging for it!" Richie laughed.

"I ain't giving her shit! I've tried to let her down easy but this shit ain't working. She tried to rub my fucking leg under the damn table."

"Damn, she's hot for you man. I would have already jumped all over that!"

"Well go ahead so she will leave me the hell  alone. There's a payphone. I'm going to call Ashley."

John went over and started dialing.

"Hello."

"Hey baby. Have you been missing your boyfriend? Because he sure is missing you."

"Aww you're so sweet. I sure have. How is the painting going?"

"Good, we have finished one office and we are about to start on another one. I'd love to see you. Are you doing anything?"

"Not really, just some laundry."

"How about you come see me later?"

"Okay, let me finish this up and I'll come by there for a little bit."

"Okay good. Do you know where it is?"

"Is it the one by the post office?"

"Yeah, that's it. I love you Ashley."

"I love you too John."

"I need to go get back to painting."

"Okay bye."

"Bye babe."

He walked back to the table smiling.

"What are you so damn happy about?" Richie asked looking at him.

"Ash is going to come see me later."

"Okay well here comes little miss determined to get in your pants."

"Aww hell." John chuckled and finished up his burger.

While they were walking back to the club, Kristin ran her hands through John's hair.

"God I really love your hair Johnny. I just love long curly hair it really turns me on!"

John rolled his eyes at Richie. He had already had enough of this shit. "Yeah my girlfriend loves it too. Listen Kristen, I'm sorry but I'm just not interested. My girlfriend Ashley is super hot and she totally has my heart. I think you're cute and all but I am taken and you really need to stop."

"Are you sure? I mean she's not even here."

"Yeah I'm sure." He walked off from her. Shaking his head.

"Hey I'm available." Richie chuckled looking at her and the mad expression on her face.

"I've got to get back to work!" She stormed off to the bar.

Richie walked into the office they were going to paint and John was putting down the plastic.

"Well she's pissed." He laughed.

"Oh well she wouldn't leave me alone. I got tired of her not taking a damn hint!"

"You know if you were single you'd be all over her."

"Probably but I'm not, so I just want to get this room painted. I have the other pain in the ass showing up here at 4:00."

"Oh yeah Patty. How are you going to juggle all these damn women?" Richie grinned.

"I ain't juggling shit. There is not a damn thing going on with me and Patty!"

"Is that what you're telling yourself? It's not hard to see you still have feelings for her."

"No I don't! She cheated on me! We broke up! I moved on! End of story!" He emphasized.

"Okay I believe you. But Patty won't if you look at her like you did at the Fast Lane yesterday!"

"Look I don't want to talk about her! I'm happy Ashley's coming to see me, and right now we have painting to do!"

"Okay boss, let's get started." Richie laughed.

About and hour later. Ashley pulled up at the Galaxy. She got out and went inside. Kristin saw her walk in.  "Hi can I help you?" She smiled at her from behind the bar.

"I'm looking for John Bongiovi."

Kristin's smile mysteriously left her face. "Well he is busy right now working. Are you Johnny's girlfriend?"

A smile took over Ashley's face at the mention of John's name. "Yeah I am."

"Oh, Harold doesn't like girlfriends or boyfriends hanging around the club. It's to distracting while we are trying to work. Johnny mentioned you when he took me out to lunch today. We had a great time." She grinned from ear to ear.

Ashley looked concerned. "Really he took you out for lunch?"

John rounded the corner to put some water in his cup.

"Yeah he took me out to lunch. We had a great time. He's a great guy and so freaking handsome. But how do you ever put up with girls flirting with him. It would drive me insane!"

"Ashley I've been waiting for you. Come here!" John smiled really big. He wasn't sure what was going on with her and Kristin but he knew how to handle it.

He grabbed Ashley and began to kiss her. He gently moved his tongue in her mouth and kissed her so deeply and so passionately her knees buckled. Then he pulled back slowly to witness the fact that Kristin's jaw had indeed dropped to the floor.

"Kristin this is Ashley. The love of my life." He smiled at Ashley. And she smiled back at him.

"Well Harold won't like your girlfriend hanging around." Kristin snapped with a pissed off look on her face.

"Well you let me worry about that!" John put his arm around Ashley and walked her to the back."

As they entered the office. "Who is she John? She said you took her out to lunch? That you had a great time with her."

"I just met her Ash and she started freakishly flirting with me. She followed us to the restaurant, I didn't ask her to go. Richie tell her!"

"It's true darlin. She zeroed in on him the moment she met him."

"Well I don't like it John."

"I told her I had a super hot girlfriend. That I was very happy with. Don't I get any points for that?" He grinned.

"Don't smile at me like that! I can't be mad at you for being so damn cute if you are going to smile at me like that."

"Good give me a kiss."

She kissed him as Richie went back to painting.

"So how does the office look?"

"It looks really good." She said looking around.

"Yeah he already had offers to paint other stuff." Richie chuckled.

She looked at John. "Like what?" She raised her brow."

John looked at Richie like he could kill him.

"Kristin's bedroom, but I ain't doing it!"

Ashley was mad but trying to let it go.

"I know that look. Are you pissed at me? Come on Ash don't be jealous. I can't help it she came on to me. I swear I didn't lead her on at all! She just wouldn't take a hint!"

"Okay. I believe you. Just please do me a favor and stay away from her!"

"Already done. Now kiss me again." He grabbed her and pulled her into his arms and held her tight while they kissed and lit the room on fire. Richie glanced over and felt like he was a third wheel and in the way.

"Thanks for coming by.  I missed you baby." He smiled looking into her eyes.

"Okay well I better be going so you can get back to work."

"I'll see you tonight."

"Yeah, just call me."

They were looking at each other. "Bye John."

"Bye baby."

Ashley walked out of the room and through the bar. She looked over at Kristin as she exited the club.

"Richie and John finished up the room and cleaned up the what they could.

"Damn it's almost 3:30." John announced dreading another run in with Patty. "Are you leaving or staying?"

"I guess I could buy a beer and hang around for a little bit."

"Good I just don't know what kind of shit Patty might try to pull. Let me change my clothes and I'll meet you at the bar."

"Okay."

John changed clothes and walked out and Richie was waiting outside the door.

They walked over to the bar. "Can we get two beers Kristin?"

"Yeah is Bud okay?"

"It's fine."

He laid down his money and grabbed his beer and Richie paid for his and picked it up. When he turned around there was Patty knealing on the stage by her stuff. Giving him that look that always melted him like butter.

                                   

"Damn it." He thought to himself.  "My Past is back to haunt me. This is going to be harder than I thought." He heard in his head as he approached the stage staring her down.

Chapter 34: Live Hard Die Fast

"Damn it! Johnny just hit my fucking car!" Sebastian yelled driving up the road to get the hell away from John.

"I'm sorry, John's all messed up on tequila! He really shouldn't drink that shit!"

"Are you really wanting to go home? I mean we could go somewhere else, if you want to."

"No thanks, I really just want to go home."

"Where do you live?"

"Right next door to John."

"Are you serious? Johnny fell in love with the girl next door?" He chuckled.

"Yeah I guess so. I moved here, and I met him the first day and I instantly knew there was something about him. We just had this connection."

"Where did you move here from?"

"Mississippi, the town I'm from is across the bridge from Biloxi."

"I've heard of Biloxi. I guess there ain't a lot of guys in bands around there."

"Heck no, it seems like here all y'all are in a band or trying to be. But I'm a sucker for the long hair. Always have been. And yours is really nice by the way."

"Thanks. Well that southern accent of yours is sexy as hell."

"I don't even notice it. It's just the way I talk."

I dated a girl from the south and she was really wild. He grinned.

He pulled over on the side of the road and turned the car off. "Look Ashley I think you are really fucking hot and if you're mad at Johnny and wanting to make him jealous by cheating on him, I don't mind helping you out."

He ran his hand lightly down her arm to her waist and followed down to the the top of her bare leg and rested his hand.

"I tell you what Sebastian."

"Oh you can call me Baz."

"Well Baz you better take your fucking hand off of me, right now, before I use this can of mace on your damn face!" He looked up and she had pulled a little can of mace out of her purse and had it pointed right at his eyes.

He closed his eyes. Hoping like hell this chick wasn't serious.

 "Don't squirt me with that damn shit! It was just a suggestion, chill out okay! I've been sprayed before and that shit will fuck you up! I'd rather be shot! Damn you southern chicks are crazy!"

"You better remember that! And I don't need any suggestion like that from you! What the hell would make you think I wanted to cheat on John?"

"Hell I don't know. I saw you were jealous of Angie sitting on his lap and Johnny was ignoring you."

"Hell yes I was jealous! And if I had sat on your lap or Richie's, he would have tried to rip y'alls heads off! He was just drunk, he doesn't ever ignore me when he's sober."

"Okay well, I'm just saying, he seemed very okay with her sitting on his lap."

"Yeah I thought so too." She said kind of sadly.

"Calm down Johnny! Damn!" David tried to hold on to him as Johnny was pulling away from him but he was still slippery from the shower and he fell down on the ground and they had to help him back up.

"How the hell did you get soaked anyway?" David laughed.

"Ashley pushed me in the damn  shower and turned it on!"

"Damn she must of been pissed about something!" David laughed.

"Hell maybe, I don't know! Who the hell can figure out women these days! Where the fuck is she going with him?" John yelled still glancing down the road.

"She wanted to go home man. He just offered to take her there that's all." Richie replied trying to calm his drunk ass down.

"Bullshit! I could have taken her home! Sebastian ain't no stand up guy! He ain't never just volunteered to do anything without there being something in it for him. He's going to make a fucking move on her and you know it!"

"You are so fucked up! You couldn't drive her anywhere! And she was pissed at you for hanging all over Angie!"

"I wasn't hanging all over shit! She jumped in my lap telling me how she had always liked me!"

"Exactly you drunk ass! All right in front of Ashley! That's why she left and why she tried to drown your ass in the shower!"

"Damn it! I bet she's really pissed at me!" John slurred and felt a little nauseous.

"And if he does make a move on her, Ash ain't going to go for it! You know that! Hell you barely got her to sleep with you! So chill out and sober the hell up!" Richie yelled. Not wanting to babysit a grown ass man all night. "Come on back inside."

They went inside and John headed straight for the bathroom. A few more people had shown up with a couple of familiar faces.

"Damn, what are they doing here?" Richie mumbled to himself, surprised to see Erica and Dorothea with a couple of other girls he didn't recognize.

"Richie what was going on out there? Looks like Johnny's all messed up." Erica giggled.

"He's had too much damn tequila."

" We heard him yelling. Who did his girlfriend leave with?" Dot asked, very curious to find out.

"Sebastian took her home just because Johnny was drunk and showing his ass."

"Blondie couldn't take being around him while he was loaded, huh? She laughed. Well Johnny is a piece of work on tequila, that's for sure."

"I told him to slow down but you know how hard headed he is."

"Did he get sick yet?" She asked smiling.

"Hell no! And he better not!"

"So what's going on with them? I heard Alec made a damn porno of Johnny and Ashley in bed together! I thought she was a damn virgin!" She laughed.

"She was, Johnny didn't know he was filming it. He climbed up on Jack Ponti's sky lights with a high powered zoom lens. Johnny beat Alec's ass for doing it and showing the tape around to people!"

"That serves Alec's perverted ass right. I would have kicked his ass my self if he had tried to film me and Johnny having sex together!"

"He said it was just a joke. And that really pissed Johnny off."

"Damn, so is he really into this girl?"

"He says he is. And he seems crazy about her. Are you still with Bobby?"

"When he's around. He works out of town and he's gone a lot. We aren't real serious though. Bobby has changed since he got out of the army. He doesn't even want to talk about his early discharge and he's drinking a lot." But you know how it is with ex's. You always wonder what might have been. But now I'm thinking it may not have been worth what I lost?"

 "Speaking of ex's Johnny had a run in with Patty at the club tonight!"

"Yeah when we were together, that bitch just wouldn't quit coming around and Johnny wouldn't let me beat her ass!"

"Now he has to work with her in a house band at Galaxy"

"What? How?"

"He's working for Harold now and he wants them to work together."

"Well damn they will be back together in no time then! I knew he never got over that bitch!" Dorothea got mad just thinking about all the fights they used to have about Patty."

"She seems like she really pisses him off! He said he could never get back with her!" Richie replied.

"Yeah he told me that shit too, but when I see them together, it's obvious he still has a major thing for her! She fucked him over and he can't get over it!"

"Ashley, so you want me to take you home then." Sebastian figured she wasn't interested in him at all.

"Yeah please."

He tried to crank the car but it wouldn't crank. "Damn it! I forgot I'm out of gas!"

"Are you messing with me? There's not any damn thing around here!"

"I'm sorry. Johnny gave me some money for gas but I forgot about it!"

"Well what are we going to do?"

"We can hitch a ride. Anybody will stop for you! Just hang your cleavage out!"

"Hell no! I ain't hanging shit out! Or getting in a damn car with some freak I don't know! See where that's already gotten my tonight!"

"Damn baby you're vicious! How the hell did Johnny tame your ass?"

"He ain't tamed nothing!"

"You're fucking him though! I know you are!"

"That is so none of your damn business!"

"You are just one more girl in Johnny's growing harem!" He laughed.

"I don't think so! 'Cause I ain't worth a damn at sharing!"

"So what number was 'ol Johnny on your list?"

"What list are you talking about?"

"You know how many guys you've slept with?"

"Oh! Mine is a really short list, and John is the one and only person on it!"

"Really and you thought Johnny was that special! Damn I've got to get with that boy and see what lines he's using if he bagged a babe like you!"

"I don't think lines will help you Sebastian. You are so full of shit your eyes are brown!" She laughed. "Let's just walk back to Richie's and he can take you to get some gas."

"Okay. I guess it's not that far."

"Where did Johnny go?" Dorothea asked Richie, looking around for him.

"The bathroom, I guess." Richie replied.

"I'm going to go check on him."

"Okay."

She knocked and turned the knob and opened the door. John was nauseous and sitting on the floor. His hair and clothes were drenched.

"Get out!" He yelled.

"John, it's me Dot. Are you okay?"

"What the hell are you doing here Dorothea?"

"Erica missed Richie and wanted to drop by and see him. I hoped you would be here."

"Why? You want to rub Bobby in my damn face some more? He slurred.

"No Johnny! Me and Bobby aren't really even seeing each other that much . He's working out of town a lot and most of the time he's too busy for me."

"Don't tell me that shit! Don't try to make me feel sorry for you Dot! You wanted Bobby and he's just doing you like he did before. Remember how we got together in the first place, because he didn't have any time for your ass!"

"I know. I remember. You know I'm hung up on him. He was the first guy I ever slept with and I just can't get over him!"

"That's why I'm glad I'm with Ashley. I am the one and only guy she has ever been with and she puts me first in her life! You sure as hell never did!" He was trying to rub it in hard because he was damn tired of hearing this shit about Bobby.

"Yeah she must care about you a lot. I can tell by the way she left out of here with Sebastian tonight!" She laughed. "You know he is a horny dude! He made loads of passes at me, I never even told you about." She giggled trying to make him worry. "They might be doing it right now, this very minute!" She laughed.

"Oh hell no they ain't." John tried to stand up but he slid back down on the floor. "You know you really are a bitch!"

She laughed. "I bet you miss this bitch though!"

"No not even a little bit." He looked at her and his eyes still showed a little of the pain she had caused.

"John you know you missed me and how good we were together." She grinned.

"I ain't missed shit about you!"

She got right in his face. Her brown eyes gazing into his blue drunken eyes.

"Not even my tongue? And what you said I was so good at?"

"Giving me head? Hell no, Ashley's better!"

This really pissed Dorothea off. She pinned his back against the wall. "You are lying! That little virgin ain't better at sucking your dick than I was!"

They were face to face.

"Yeah she is! She gave me the best head I ever had! And as a matter of fact she's the best lay, I've ever had too!" John wanted to piss her off as much as he could. She hurt him deeply going back to Bobby and he wanted to hurt her just as much.

"Well I don't believe you! You're full of shit!"

"I don't give a shit what you believe! But it's damn true! She's the best and I love her!"

"You barely know her! You are just in love with her spreading her legs for you!"

"I can get that anywhere! Ashley's special, I fell for her the first time I saw her! Ask Richie! When we walked away from her. I told him I was in love!" I just had to get rid of what was tying me down!" He laughed a drunken chuckle.

"Bullshit! You're just trying to piss me off!"

"No really, it's true!"

"Really? So you haven't cheated on her yet?"

"Nope and I ain't going to?"

She smiled. "You would cheat on her, it just ain't happened yet!"

"Nope now go away!"

Dot leaned down and started kissing him and running her hands through his long hair. God how she had missed his hair. Bobby kept his hair short. Even after she had begged him to grow it out. She was really pouring her heart into this kiss. All of a sudden, he bit her lip.

"Fuck Johnny!" What the hell did you do that for? My damn lip is bleeding!"

"Stop fucking around with me! I ain't going to cheat on Ashley! Especially with your ass!"

"If I really wanted to have sex with you, we would already be fucking! Especially in your condition." She laughed.

"Just get the fuck out of here Dot! Let me die in peace!"

"Why do you do this to yourself? You know how you get drinking tequila."

"Live hard die fast, and right now the faster the better."

John grabbed on to the toilet bowl and started throwing up.

"You never could hold your liquor! That is so damn gross, I'm out of here!" Dot went back into the living room. "Well Johnny is praying to the porcelain God!" She laughed.

"Oh God! I ain't cleaning that shit up!" Richie laughed.

Sebastian and Ashley walked in. She was very surprised to see Dorothea sitting there.

"Ashley, I thought you left?" Richie asked wondering what was up.

"We ran out of gas. Can you take him to get some?"

"Yeah darlin, I can."

"Where's John?" She asked looking around.

"Puking his guts out in Richie's bathroom. But I've dealt with this many times with Johnny! Just leave him alone! It's his own damn fault! If it were me, I'd just leave him laying on that bathroom floor when he passes out! Dorothea answered coldly.

"Well, I'm certainly glad it isn't you then!" Ashley snapped at her and walked to the bathroom.

She knocked lightly.

"I told you to fucking go away!" John yelled.

"It's me Ashley." She slowly opened the door. Are you okay John?"

"No I'm pretty sure I'm dying! But you don't give a shit! You took off with Sebastian!"

"John you had that Angie girl sitting on your lap. You were flirting with her, right in front of me!"

"I was not! She fell on my lap! I didn't put her there!"

"Well that's why I left with him and he was only taking me home!"

"Then why are you back here!"

"He ran out of gas!" She giggled.

John laughed under his breath. "Dumb fucker, I told him to get some gas. I even gave him some money!"

He grabbed his stomach and moaned.

"Oh John." She grabbed a rag and put some cool water on it and wiped his forehead and face with it. Her touch felt so good to him. Soft and soothing. Her being there with him seemed to make him feel a little better.

"I'll be right back."

"Ash don't go!"

"I'm just getting you some dry clothes. I'm coming right back."

She went over to a pile of clean folded clothes on Richie's dresser and got him a clean pair of jogging pants and a white muscle shirt.

She went back in and he was laying flat out on the floor. She pulled his shirt off over his head and unbuttoned his pants. He grabbed her arm.

"I'm so sorry Ash."

"It's okay John,  just let me take off these wet clothes."

She slid the wet jeans down and slid them off and pulled his underwear down and off.

She slid  a pair of Richie's jogging pants on him. She put on the dry muscle shirt. She grabbed a towel by the sink and tried to get his hair as dry as she could with it. Then she went and got him a pillow and a blanket off Richie's bed.

She sat there with him and rubbed his forehead with the cool rag. Richie opened the door. "Damn you're really taking care of him huh?"

"Yeah, can you help me put him in the guest room?"

"Let me get David."

 They came in and carried him to the guest room and put him in the bed. She covered him up.  She put the rag on his head and he grabbed for her hand. She laid there with him, still holding his hand when she fell asleep."

When Dot was ready to leave she came back to the guest room and opened the door. She stood there in the doorway not liking what she was saw. Her Johnny laying in bed with another girl holding hands while they slept. This really pissed her off. Especially since Erica was apparently getting back with Richie and staying the rest of the night here with him. It made her want to be back with Johnny.

"I need to get rid of this bitch!" She thought to herself and shut the door and walked to her car plotting and planning how to get back her man.

Chapter 33: Too Much Tequila

John walked back over to Ashley wishing he could have gotten rid of Patty. He knew he had to face her sooner or later. He wanted to fix this. To get rid of this girl that was a thorn in his side and a big pain in his ass. But he couldn't and now Ashley was going to be pissed and he didn't blame her.

He walked up to her. "Keep in mind I love you, okay."

"No you keep in mind, I'm pissed John! Did she say she would quit?" Ashley asked him, but in her heart she already knew the answer.

"Not exactly."

"Well what exactly did she say?" She asked with a raging attitude.

"She couldn't quit because she really needs the job. Her record deal she had been promised fell through."

"How does a record deal just fall through?"

"It happens a lot. One day you are really what they want. The next they take a pass, there's someone they like better."

"That's crazy. But I guess it kinda happened to Bret when his record company went bankrupt."

"Yeah, let's get out of here."

"Okay." Ashley mumbled disappointed that Patty would still be in their lives.

They walked out to the motorcycle. "I'm sorry Ash, I really tried. I don't want to work with her. And I was a real ass for demanding you not work here at the club. I trust you. I don't trust Michaels though."

"I'm not really taking the job. I just wanted you to see how it felt."

"Listen Ashley, I really have no right to tell you not to take it. Sometimes I know I'm a jealous prick. If you can make more money here, you should do it. I love you and I know you love me, so go ahead. It will be fine. But be sure you tell them you need next Friday off, though. Van Halen's here that night and we are going!"

"Oh John it means everything to me that you are trying to bend here, about this. I know Bret's a sore subject for you. I really appreciate it, but I just can't be happy about you spending time with Patty. I see the way she looks at you. There's something there. I just don't trust her."

"Well just trust me. I don't care about her. You couldn't shake me if you tried. My heart only has room for one special girl. And in case you didn't already know it, it is filled to the brim with you."

She smiled. "Oh John that is so sweet. And don't worry about Bret. He knows it's over between us."

"Okay, but I think we need to lay down some ground rules." John propped himself up on his bike looking at her.

"Okay, what?"

"I don't want you wearing any of your short skirts up here with him. Or any of your low cut shirts." He smiled.

"Are you serious? John, I wear all of that for you."

"Good I love all of it, but I don't want Bret being reminded of  anything he ever had with you and getting any ideas."

"Well I have some stipulations too."

"Okay." He grinned wondering just what she was going to say.

"I don't want you taking your shirt off when you get all hot and sweaty. You do it all the time and  it drives me wild and I don't want her gawking at your hot chest!"

John smiled. "Really you think my chest is hot?"

"Damn right! When I see you like that, I get all turned on, for sure."

"You never told me that."

"Well it's true."

"What else?"

"I don't want you alone with her."

"Well I sure as hell don't want you alone with Bret!"

"Okay." She replied.

"Let's go by Richie's. His parents are out of town tonight. He said to stop by if we didn't have anything going on."

"Okay."

Pulling up at Richie's, they saw a few cars already there. And a motorcycle that belonged to Alec.

"Oh God John, Alec's here! I don't know if I can go in."

"Come on baby, don't worry about him! He won't say anything to you!"

"Okay, but if he does I'm leaving!"

Ashley was nervous to go in. She hated Alec for recording the tape of her and John. And showing it around to people.

Richie saw them come in and hurried over to John. While Ashley started talking to a few girls she knew from the club.

"Are you going to be cool man? Alec's here."

"Yeah as long as he stays out of my damn face and the hell away from Ashley."

"That's cool man, I already warned him not to start any shit." Richie replied glancing over at Alec.

John walked outside on the porch and Tico came up to him. "Hey John, how's it going man?"

"I'm good Tico."

"You want a beer?"

"Yeah grab me one."

"You and Alec still going at it?" Tico asked handing him the bottle.

"If he pops his mouth off, we will be."

They heard car tires screech to a stop.

Who the hell is that? Tico asked looking at the car until a dude stepped out.

"Oh hell Sebastian, what's up bro?" John asked with a crooked grin.

"Not a damn thing. Dave was supposed to go with me to check out Galaxy and his ass punked out to take off with some dudes to a club in the city."

"Well hell why didn't you go with them?" John asked laughing.

"No room in the damn car!"

"Why didn't you drive then?" John asked and started drinking his beer.

"I'm on fucking empty man, I just coasted here on fumes."

John dug in his pants pocket. "Here man here is a couple of bucks. Make sure you buy gas and not damn beer, though!" John grinned.

"Okay okay thanks Dad!" Sebastian laughed. Let's go in, a beer sounds good."

"They walked inside and Sebastian noticed Ashley right away.

 "Who the hell is the hot blonde?"

John glanced up. "She's already taken man, move along!" John laughed

"Damn she's with you?" Sebastian looked back at her, opening his beer and spilled it all over his shirt. "Damn it." He took it off and threw it by the door. "Well when you are finished write me a recommendation, because I'd like to take a crack at that! You lucky dog!" He grabbed John around the neck."

"You ain't her type man!" John glanced over and saw her laughing about something, one of the girls had said.

Alec was standing over by Richie. Making up an excuse to get the hell out of Dodge. He didn't want to deal with John.


"I need to go. I've got to pick a chick up at the diner."  He told Richie and slowly walked to the door.

"Hey Alec!" Sebastian hollerd. Walking over to him. "Just the guy, I need to talk to." He put his arm around Alec and walked him outside.

"What do you want man?"

"I hear you made your film debut!" He laughed.

"No man you heard wrong!"

"No I'm sure I heard right and I've got to see it! Come on Alec! I heard it's hot!"

"No your mouth's too big!"

"No I swear, I won't say shit. Who's in it? I heard a hot blonde but, Robert wouldn't say anything else."

"Look don't mention that shit around here!"

"Why? Is it somebody here?" Sebastian looked around.  "It's Richie ain't it? Was it him and some hot blonde?"

"No not Richie? But you're getting warmer."

"Johnny and that hot blonde inside! Damn it, I've got to see that shit!"

"No, what you've got to do is keep your damn mouth shut! And watching it ain't free."

"How much just to watch it?"

"At least 10 dollars just because I know you pretty well. I usually charge more. I quit showing it for free. And you can't say shit to Johnny. He'll  get really pissed about it!"

"I don't have any money on me man!"

"Well come find me, when you do!"

"Damn you're a hard ass, I'll have some money Friday."

"Come by my house then."

"Damn okay!" He replied disappointed.

Alec drove off and Sebastian stood outside smoking a couple of cigarettes and then he walked back in.

Inside an alcohol frenzy was underway. And John was getting in over his head. A guy showed up that worked at a liquor store, and he had managed to lift a case of tequila from his boss's delivery. And a game of quarters was getting  John pretty loaded.

Ashley was watching him get drunker as he downed shot after shot. And tequila wasn't a friend to John.

"Damn it Richie!" Fix another one it's my turn!" John slurred holding a quarter, ready to shoot.

Ashley spoke up. "John it's Richie's turn, don't!" But it was too late John had downed the shot and was so hyped up it was like he was already flying.

"John." She grabbed his arm.

"Yeah baby." He smiled his drunken happy smile at her.

"You are totally trashed. Please don't drink anymore."

"I'm only having fun baby. Do you want to do one?"

"No I don't do shots!" She exclaimed.

"Just a couple more I promise."

Some blonde was playing with them and Richie was really filling her glass full.

"Damn it Richie hold up! Why are my glasses way more full than yours or Johnny's?" Angie asked.

"Oh I'm sorry baby, I thought you were really thirsty!" Richie laughed, so drunk off his ass.

She picked up a quarter and tried to throw it and it bounced off the table and she picked it up off the floor and dropped it in John's drink.

"Drink up baby!" She turned to him with her face about an inch from his.

"Hell no, that shit fell on the floor. You lost so you drink it. That's your turn! That shit ain't mine!" John laughed.

She grabbed him and he stumbled backwards into a chair with her tumbling down on his lap.

"Oh Johnny, you're so cute, I've always  had the biggest crush on you." She smiled.

John was drunk and smiling back at her. "You have? I never knew that."

Ashley was standing there and couldn't believe John seemed to be flirting with this chick. Which was really pissing her off.

"Come on Richie. I'll play with you!" Ashley exclaimed. As she was getting more jealous by the second.

"I thought you didn't do shots!" Richie asked sitting on the couch.

"Here give me that damn quarter!" She yelled as Angie was giggling on John's lap.

"Oh you bitch!" She thought as she threw the quarter way too damn hard and it bounced off the table.

"Here you go." Richie handed her the glass. "Just down it real quick." She drank it down and almost gagged on the tequila as it burned going down her throat.

"Oh my God! That's disgusting!" She yelled. Hating the taste in her mouth.

Sebastian walked over to the table. Noticing Angie on John's lap sitting this one out. And Ashley playing with Richie. "Let me in on this!"

"Hop up Angie." John was trying to get up.

"No John, I'm comfortable!"

Sebastian got in behind Ashley. "Let me show you how to do it baby." He leaned into her and and bounced it off the table and it went in.

John just sat back and watched Ashley as Sebastian moved up so close to her. He was getting mad, but he wanted to see what she would do.

She smiled at Sebastian and and stepped back touching him and bounced it and it went in. And she made him drink it.

John was sitting there with Angie and was getting pissed at Sebastian and Ashley. "Get up Angie!" He yelled shoving her off him and standing up. He stumbled over to the table.

"I think you've had enough, Johnny." Richie  spoke up, knowing how he gets on tequila.

"No I'm good! Come on Sebastian you and me, this round let's go!" John's jealousy was showing on his face as he grabbed the quarter and got ready to shoot.

Ashley was pissed at him but she knew he had already had way too much to drink.

"John don't do this you are too damn drunk already! Please don't play anymore!" She begged.

"Why because you want to play with Sebastian? Do you need him to rub all on you again, to show you how to make the damn shot!"

Sebastian put his hand on John's shoulder.

John threw his hand off. "Don't fucking touch me!"

"I'm sorry man, I didn't mean anything by it!" Sebastian chuckled as he went to sit down on the couch and give John some room to cool off.

John grabbed Ashley's arm. "Answer me Ash! Did you like him rubbing on your ass?"

She broke free. "You go to hell! Why don't you pull that tramp back in your lap again!"
She yelled, walking to the bathroom with John following her.

She shut the door and he pushed it open.

"Get out John!"

"No I ain't! You're going to talk to me!"

"No you are drunk and you need to cool off!"

He was in front of the shower so she shoved him in it and turned it on.

"Damn it Ashley! What the hell did you do that for?"

"Well you looked like you need to cool off after that  tramp got you all worked up!"

"You're jealous of Angie? She's just a friend! I have known her since elementary school! She's like a sister to me!"

"Yeah right and I don't give a shit! I have a brother and I sure as hell don't sit on his lap like that! And you can have her! She stormed out of the  room leaving him in the shower.

"Ashley wait!" He got out and slid down on the floor, in his soaked clothes and shoes.

"Please somebody take me home!" Ashley exclaimed walking back into the living room.

"I can!" Sebastian spoke up quickly.

Ashley picked John's keys off the bar. She walked over to Richie. "Do not let John have these! He's way to damn drunk to drive!"

"I can take you home Ash!" Richie replied taking the keys.

"No I'm gone!" She grabbed Sebastian's arm and hurried out the door. When she heard John stumbling out of the bathroom.

"Ashley!" John yelled walking out the door with David and Richie. He was watching her walk out to Sebastian's car with him.

She turned to look at him but she didn't say a word.

"Where the fuck are you going Ashley?" He yelled and threw his beer bottle and hit Sebastian's car shattering the bottle as they drove away. He fell back and David and Richie had to catch him and hold him up.