Cowboy Casanova

11 - Me

"Don't tell the boys though."

"I won't. I promise." I was talking to Doc McGhee, Bon Jovi's manager. He had gotten me a front row seat and a backstage pass for their March 15th show in East Rutherford. He also allowed me to stay with them until their Australian leg in October, meaning I'd be traveling the US and going to Moscow with them. I couldn't wait to see them again. The only one I wasn't ready to see was David. We weren't exactly on good terms when they left to resume their tour. Not after he found out about the song. I started packing my bags. I couldn't wait to spend seven months on tour with the guys. It'll be a great experience.

"I also mailed you a hotel key so you can get into Richie's room to put your stuff."

"Thanks, Doc."

"No problem. See you at the concert." He hung up.

I got to the hotel an hour before the concert started. I knew the boys were going to be at the arena getting ready. After unpacking, I headed to the arena. When I got there, I heard the boys laughing. When I heard Richie's laugh, I swear the smile was permanently etched onto my face. I loved his laugh. I knocked on the door but hid.

"Richie. Go get it."

"Why me?"

"Just go do it."

I did my best to hold in my laugh. When the door opened, I covered my mouth. Richie walked out a little farther then started walking the other direction than I was. I quietly walked up behind him but attacked him in a hug.

"What the fuck!"

I laughed as he turned around. "What the hell?" I just continued to laugh as he gathered me in a hug. I hugged him back. He pulled away and just looked at me.

"What?" I asked, finally calm.

"How the Hell did you get here?"

"I drove, dear." He kissed me and I kissed him back.

"How'd you get back here?"

"Doc mailed me a backstage pass and a front row ticket."

"I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too." He kissed me again and I kissed him back.

"I knew it!" We jumped and turned around to see Alec and Jon. Both of us blushed a deep red.

"How long have you been dating?" Jon asked.

"About three months." Richie admitted.

"Damn. We were right." Alec said. We nodded.

"Who else knows?" Jon asked.

"You guys are the last ones in the band to know." Richie said. They nodded.

"We won't hear anything at the hotel tonight, will we?" Alec teased.

"No." I laughed.

"Oh. By the way. Hello!" They attacked me in a hug. I laughed and hugged them back.

"Missed you guys too." Tico came out.

"Hey Lyssa." He said, hugging me. I hugged him back.

"Hi Tic." David came out last. It was a little awkward.

"Hi Elyssa." He said.

"Hi." Nothing but silence.

"Anyway." Richie said. Doc came out.

"Hi Lyssa." He said.

"Hi." I smiled.

"You mailed her a backstage pass and a front row ticket?" Richie asked.

"Yeah. I also invited her to stay with us until our Australian leg, so she'll also be going to the Moscow Music Peace Festival." Doc said.

"Awesome!" The boys, except David, said. I just smiled as Richie hugged my side.

"Just ignore him and you'll be fine." He whispered in my ear, seeming to read my mind. It wasn't long before they had to go onstage.

"You guys will do great. I know you will." I said.

"Thanks Lyssa." The boys, even David, smiled.

"Break a leg." I said as they started out to the stage. Richie gave me one quick kiss before going out onto the stage. Despite how sick everyone was looking before going out, they sure looked a lot better as soon as they hit the stage. Jon looked like he was struggling though. That's what Richie had told me a couple months ago. He sounded good, but not as good as he usually did.

"Now this next song. Richie wrote especially for a special girl and she's down here in the front row. Let's hear some applause for Ms. Elyssa Warner." Jon said. I felt my cheeks go red as the crowd roared with applause. As it neared the end, I could tell that Jon was getting tired.

"I'm sorry to say this, but this is the last song of the night." Jon said. The crowd "aw'd".

"I know. I know. I was enjoying being back home in Jersey. But right now, I think I need a little ... Bad Medicine." The crowd cheered as the boys started playing Bad Medicine. They walked to the front of the stage and took some bows. After a few bows, the boys thanked the crowd then went backstage. I moved through the crowd to find the security guard, who helped me get backstage to get to the boys. When I got backstage, Jon was collapsed in a chair.

"You okay, Jon?" I asked. He just shook his head. "You don't look too well."

"I'll be fine though." He said, clearly out of breath.

"Jon ... you're sick. You need to rest."

"Can't." I sighed. I felt arms wrap around me.

"Hi." I turned around and smiled as Richie gave me a peck on the lips. He took me back to his dressing room, where he plopped down in a chair.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine. Just a little tired."

"You look it." I took an old shirt, got it wet, then wiped it across his forehead, attempting to cool him down a bit.

"Thanks." He smiled.

"No problem." We got back to the hotel an hour later. "I'm worried about Jon." I said as I watched him take his jacket off.

"Yeah. He's  been like this for two months now."

"I'm worried about all of you. You're getting overworked."

"We'll be fine." I sighed and watched him take off his shirt.

"Are you sure?" He came over, wrapped his arms around me, and pressed his forehead to mine.

"Yes." He kissed me and I kissed him back. The kisses got longer and more passionate.

"Go take a shower." I said.

"Do you have to ruin the fun?" He laughed.

"Maybe we can have a little fun when you get out of the shower." I said. That caused him to raise an eyebrow then head for the shower, grabbing a few towels on the way.