"Okay come on." They hurried down the same hall they never should have been able to enter anyway.
Richie had stayed in the waiting area, so they stopped by the room to get him.
He stood up when Ashley came back out.
"What happened?" He asked, but didn't really want to know, if it meant John had come to his senses and remembered her.
"He thinks he's in love with a wicked witch! Stacey hissed. Dorothea was not one of her favorite people.
"Sorry I know you had high hopes he would remember." Richie looked at her sympathetically, but deep down he was relieved that for this little moment in time. She was technically single and definitely in need of a friend to help get her through it. He hoped to at least be there to comfort her.
"Come on, I really need to get out of here Richie." Ashley looked into his deep chocolate brown eyes with such hurt and pain, he felt his own heart hurting for her.
"Okay darlin, let's go." He gently put his hand at the small of her back and softly nudged her toward the door.
John was getting antsy in the hospital bed and he had this nagging headache, that just wouldn't seem to go away. Dr. Whitmore had ordered several tests for him, so his afternoon would be spent getting thoroughly evaluated.
He laid back on the pillow trying to shut his eyes to escape the pounding in his brain. But when they finally shut, one name rang out through his thoughts. Ashley. He instantly opened his eyes and wondered. "Who the hell is she and what was she doing with Richie?"
Even with her face bruised up under her makeup, he could tell, she was gorgeous. If she was hanging out with Richie, she was probably an easy lay. Maybe he would find out later, when he felt better.
He was very glad to see Dorothea. She was in all his thoughts when he woke up. But the feelings felt new. Like they did in the beginning of their relationship. A longing ache that only she could satisfy. Truth was it shocked even him. He didn't think he had felt this way about her, for a long time now. But she was his girlfriend so it just made sense that these fluttering feelings were for her.
As John was laying there. In walked a hot little ray of sunshine. A cute little red headed nurse. With just the right amount of assets, for him to admire. He looked over at Dot with her face in a magazine and then back over to the little goddess taking his blood pressure.
John Bongiovi, never turned down a chance to hit on a hot babe. At least the old John didn't. The one before he had met Ashley, a few months ago. And since waking up from his injury, he was feeling more like the old John.
He was looking for signs, that this little red head might be interested in him too.
From her giggles to her constant smiling. He figured he had his answer. Girls always made it easy for him to stray on occasion from Dot, here and there.
He recalled some of those times as he opened one eye to see Dot still looking at a magazine. All the girls that chased after him at the club. Especially after a show. I mean girls are the reason he got into music in the first place.
And it was just so damn easy for him. If Dot was working and a few times, if he really wanted to live rather dangerously, at the club when she was actually there. He would take them to the back room at the Fast Lane and see just how fast he could get them to drop their panties to the floor. Except the rare joyous occasion, when they already weren't wearing any. The thought of getting caught, only seemed to fuel his hunger. Dorothea was a karate champion and he knew she could kick his ass whenever she got ready. But it didn't seem to slow him down any.
He had been a cad, and he knew it too. But there were so many fine ass girls and so little time. And he wanted to sample every variety he could. He woke up with a new lust and vigor to see just how many more notches he could add to his belt. He wanted to be with Dorothea, of course. But he wanted to be able to sample dishes on the side, also. He thought of a new life motto for himself and grinned. "Have your cake and eat it too. Well that's just perfect!" he thought.
And the cute red headed nurse with the big tits that was in here right now taking his temperature. Well she was at the top of his list. And when everybody cleared out later. He was going to make his move. But right now the pounding in his brain was driving him crazy.
"Is there anything I can help you with Mr. Bongiovi?" The cute nurse stood beside him and smiled, noticing just how helpless and handsome he looked at this moment.
"I have this nagging headache, that I can't get rid of." He looked at her and gave her a hint of a grin. He felt too bad to even flirt right now.
"Okay, I'll get you something for your pain and I'll be right back."
"Okay thanks."
Dorothea was getting a little restless and bored. "I think I am going to go, so you can get some rest."
"Okay thanks for coming baby. I really appreciate it. I'll call you later."
Dot left and the nurse returned with the medicine. He swallowed it and laid there with his eyes closed wishing the pain would go away.
"I'll come back and check on you in a little while."
"Okay thanks."
Stacey looked at the backseat covered in bags. "Ash you have all these clothes in John's car. What are you going to do with them now?"
"I guess I'll take all of it back to my house. There's no way I'll be moving in with John any time soon."
"I'm sorry. What about your Dad? He might get out on bond. What if he looses his temper and hurts you again?"
"I don't know and at this point, I don't care. My life is just so crazy and without John I really just don't give a shit what happens to me anymore."
"Hey don't talk like that girl, you have a lot of people that care about you." Stacey spoke up trying to get her out of this dark mood.
"Yeah like me. I care about what happens to you Ash. I know I can't replace Johnny. But if you need anything, I swear I'll be there for you." Richie smiled looking over at her riding shotgun, next to him. He started daydreaming about what a cool couple they could be together.
"Thanks Richie. I don't let a lot of people in my life, but I always feel like I can trust you." She gave him a genuine smile. Not a fake phoney one she sometimes gave to people.
"I guess we can drop John's car at his apartment and pick ours up." Richie suggested looking at Stacey. "I probably need to make sure his place is locked up too. Do you need to get anything out of there? He asked Ashley.
"No I don't need anything." She couldn't dare go inside and face the memories of them together, making love last night.
They pulled up at the Bradley Beach apartment. Everything there reminded her of John. The salty smell of the air, brought her back to them making love on the beach. John's 280 ZX, parked two cars down. His empty pack of Marlboro cigarettes, he had crumpled up and threw down next to the stairs.
It didn't feel temporary. This loss felt like it was forever. She never intended to let John get this close to her. She tried to guard herself from him. But he broke down every barrier she threw up to save herself from pain, just like this.
"What in the hell am I going to do?" She asked herself. Feeling like her whole world was caving in. "Stacey can you help me get my bags out of John's car?"
"I've got them Ash. Richie opened the door and tossed her bags in Stacey's car. "There you go." He shut the door.
"Thanks. See you later Richie." She jumped in the car with Stacey and they drove off. She was ready to get away from Ocean Avenue and try to shake all these memories of John, before she truely lost her mind.
"Can we stop at the Fast Lane. I need to explain to Bret what happened and why I didn't come into work today."
"Okay sure."
They pulled up and Bret was outside next to the building with his new girlfriend.
"Damn Ash you're making me look bad already blowing off your job!" He yelled as she got out. When she got a little closer. "What the fuck happened to your face? Did Bongiovi do that to you?"
"No if course not! I don't want to talk about it right now!"
"You're Ashley right?"
"Yes." She replied with a pissy look to this girl she didn't even know.
"I'm Lacey. Listen honey, I have some makeup that will cover every bit of those bruises. I am a dancer and all the girls use it. Hell it will even cover up a tattoo if you need it to!"
"Really?" Ashley asked. Very interested in getting rid of these ugly bruises.
"Yeah sure. I have some at the club. I am on my way there now. If you want to swing by The Candy Store later, I'll give it to you."
"Oh thank you so much."
"Bye Bret see you later." Lacey opened her car door.
"Bye baby, I'll call you."
Lacey got in her car and pulled out of the parking lot.
"Now tell me who fucked your face up Ash!"
"My Dad okay!"
"You're own damn Dad hit you?" Bret was shocked. Is that why you blew off work?"
"He got arrested. John hit him because of it and my Dad tried to kill him!"
"Damn Ashley! What did he do to him?"
"He choked him. He was knocked out for a while. When he woke up he had lost some of his memory. He can't remember the last few months. The doctor said the oxygen was cut off to his brain." She was visibly upset and on the verge of tears.
"Is he going to be okay?"
"Yes I think so, but he doesn't remember me at all!"
"Really? Ash, I'm so sorry. Does the doctor think he will get his memory back?"
"He really doesn't know. And the worst part is he thinks he's still in love with Dorothea!"
"You're joking!"
"Nope sadly it's very true. He doesn't know who I am."
"I'm sorry Ashley. This can't be easy for you."
"It's not. I love him, but it's killing me, knowing he's with her."
"Well listen, take off a few days if you need to. I'll talk to Harold. Everything will be ok. And it's just an Idea, but maybe you should go visit Johnny, when he's by himself. Just the two of you. It might make a difference and help him remember you."
"Maybe thanks Bret. I'll be in to work tomorrow."
"Okay if you're up to it?"
"Yes I need to focus on something or I'll lose my mind. Bye Bret." She climbed back in the Jeep.
Stacey drove her over to the Candy Store to get the makeup from Lacey.
They got out and walked under the big red awning and in through the diamond studded door. Lacey was standing at the bar when they walked in. "Hi Ashley." She called out, over to her.
"Hey. Wow this place looks wild!" She smiled as she looked around at all the decor.
"Follow me to my dressing room and I'll show you how great this makeup is."
She took her to the back room and sat her in a salon chair and gently removed the makeup she had on and put on some Miracle Wear #5. Instantly all Ashley could see back in the mirror was flawless skin.
"Wow, it's gone! Oh my God Lacey! Thank you so much!"
"God Ashley, you are so beautiful, let me do a little makeover for you."
"Okay, I guess." Lacey applied more makeup and Ashley loved the feeling of being pampered.
The door swung open and a very pretty blonde came in. "Lacey are you doing makeovers again?"
"Yep and showing her how great this foundation is. Ashley this is Candi."
"Hey it's nice to meet you." Ashley smiled.
"You too. You are very pretty. Are you a dancer?"
"Me? No I would be too shy, I couldn't do that!"
"We make great money!" Candi smiled looking at her.
"I'm too modest. It's not for me!" She blushed a little.
"Well with a body like yours and a few shots of tequila, you would do just fine!" Candi laughed.
"Well thanks, but no, I don't think so."
"Your boyfriend wouldn't approve huh?"
"I don't really have one right now, I guess." She replied sadly.
"You don't know if you have one or not?" Candi questioned.
"It's a long sad story."
"Oh okay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push."
"It's okay."
Lacey finished her face and worked on her hair just a little. Wow! Ashley this is total perfection! You really should consider modeling or something! Baby you are a natural beauty!"
And she spun the chair around to the mirror.
Ashley looked into the mirror and marveled at how she couldn't see any of the horrible bruises anymore.
"Here is a whole tube Ashley. This will get you through til the bruises are gone."
"Okay let me pay you for it."
"No, it's my gift to you. I'm just glad I could help."
"Thank you so much Lacey." She smiled at her.
"No problem sweetie."
They walked out into the hall.
"Well who do we have here? I always love to see a new face around the club."
"Ashley this is Travis. He is the manager of the club."
"Well hello Ashley. I certainly hope you are looking for a job. I can promise you, we can make a lot of money together."
"No I'm sorry. I just came by to see Lacey."
"Well you sure are beautiful. I would love to see you again. How about you let me take you out for a drink?"
"I'm sorry, I can't." She started walking to the door.
"Thanks again Lacey. I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome. I'm glad I could help."
"If you ever decide you need a job baby, just let me know. Here is my card and I would love to hear from you."
"Thanks." Ashley took the card.
They went through the big door and climbed up in the Jeep.
"Where to Ash?"
"I have to try to see John. Take me to the hospital please."
"Okay are you sure?"
"Yes I have to see him!"
They headed to Perth Amboy.
Ashley made her way to John's floor. She tried to sneak past the nurse's desk again.
"Excuse me miss, where do you think you're going?"
"To John Bongiovi's room."
"Are you a relative of his?"
"No I'm his girlfriend."
"I'm sorry but you will have to leave."
Ashley walked out with her head hung down ready to give up.
"Ashley are you here to see Johnny?" John Sr. smiled a warm smile at her.
"Is there anybody back there with him?" She asked.
"No. He was about to eat when I left out. Would you like to go back there?"
Yes please, I really would."
"Come with me." He grabbed her arm and walked with her down the hall. He stopped outside the door. "I am going to get some coffee. Take your time dear."
"Thank you." She smiled.
She lightly knocked and opened the door.
He was sitting in his bed picking at his dinner.
"Hey." She walked in and sat her purse down on the table next to the door. I just wanted to stop back in to check on you. I hope it's okay." Ashley smiled looking at John.
"Yeah come on in, it's Ashley right?" He couldn't take his eyes off of her. He was sure she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. He got a little nervous. Which was so unlike him.
"Yes it is. Are you doing okay?"
"Yeah just a little tired. I've been having all kinds of test run on me today. I'm just ready to get out of here."
"I hope you can leave here soon." She smiled and he felt his heart beat a little faster as she moved closer. To sit on the edge of his bed. He didn't know what to say. "John Bongiovi at a loss for words." He thought. "What the hell?"
"Where's Richie?" He asked then chided himself for bringing him up.
"I guess he went home."
"Are you guys dating?" John asked curiously.
"No I told you, we're just friends."
"I think I had a dream about you today." He grinned looking at her wishing he could kiss her perfect lips. "She probably has a big jealous boyfriend." He thought and caught himself looking at her chest and quickly looked away before she caught him.
"Really, you dreamed about me?" She smiled."
"Yeah but I don't remember much about it. I just woke up thinking about you."
Ashley smiled she was so happy to hear this.
"Well I just wanted to stop in and say hey. I better be going. I hope you feel better soon."
"Thanks for coming by Ashley." He smiled at her. "Come back and see me. Okay? I really want to see you again." He gave her his perfect brightest smile.
"Okay." She smiled back.
She went through the door and passed a nurse walking in. She walked down to the big swinging door, walking on cloud nine. She reveled in the smile he had just given her. "He dreamed of me. That has to be a good sign." She thought and remembered her purse. "Oh I forgot my purse." She turned around. She had a big cheesy grin on her face just at the thought of him being in her line of vision again.
When she got to the room the door was opened halfway. She peeked her head in to grab her purse and take in one more glimpse of her handsome man. Her smile was instantly wiped, right off her face. When she looked in and witnessed, John and the red headed nurse making out, right in his hospital bed, next to the half eaten dinner on his tray.
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