Ricki and Pete: My love will not let you down

Tension

Pete answered at the phone. A few seconds before the atmosphere had got agitated; in fact, both had suspected that Maureen was calling. Just when Pete realized it was his friend Fred to call, they both chilled.

Fred wanted to remind to Pete the dinner they were having on that night. It was a simple dinner between friends, a chance to meet in a life always full of commitments and a way to tell each other some news.

Pete pretended to remember perfectly the time and the place, but he had forgotten about the dinner itself and if it wasn't for Fred, he would have stayed home on that night.

Ricki understood what was happening from Pete's words and at the end of the call she reassured him she wouldn't have minded to stay alone for one night.

Later she decided to have a walk. She had so many thoughts running in her mind, from her children to finally be back with Pete. Hearing music come from the various shops in the zone, made her think about "The Flash" and sigh. She felt her stomach aching and her heart beating slower. Yeah, Ricki Randazzo was feeling sad and she was the only one, maybe, that could realize there was a real beating heart inside of her and not a cold stone.
She kept walking watching the street under her feet. It was so grey, just as her mood. Cars passing fastly, lots of people talking, kids screaming, dogs barking, but nothing could really distract Ricki.
The song that she composed the previous night started playing in her head when she heard someone say:"Ricki Randazzo?"
She turned around and found a tall man staring at her.
She looked at him. He seemed familiar, but she couldn't recall who he was.
"Is that you? The promise of rock?" Said the man.
"Sal?" Asked Ricki since that quote reminded her of the bass player of the band she used to play with before to move to Los Angeles.
"Woah, for a moment I thought you had forgot about me" replied him.
"You have to forgive me. I was over thinking and I haven't seen you for so long" answered Ricki, now happy to meet an old friend.
"I grow old, but babe, you look always the same"
"It must be the way I dress, because I really grow old so much" replied back Ricki, giggling. "How are the others?"
"Well, I barely meet them. Some have moved to other States. Sebastian is in Florida, Alex lives in Missouri. Vince has married a Spanish woman and I guess he now lives there". Explained Sal.
Ricki felt a little disappointed cause she would have loved to meet the other members of the band.

She kept on walking with Sal and they both recalled lots of happy and funny moments of their youth.
"So, for how long are you staying here?" Asked Sal, just a moment before to leave Ricki.
"Until Tuesday I guess" she answered.
"I'd love to see you once again"
"Well, I'm free tonight, we may just go out and have a meal. Some fast food maybe?" Proposed Ricki.
" You're still the same. I like it." Answered the man and right after deciding what time to meet, he greeted her and continued through his way.

While having lunch, Ricki announced to Pete that she was going out with her old friend Sal that night.
"Sal? That Sal!?" Exclaimed Pete.
"Yes. Don't get angry, what else do you think can happen huh?" Answered Ricki, with a calmer voice "I'm sure he's married right now and has his own family. Old times are gone, honey".
"I never liked that guy by the way" said Pete.
"Peeeete" said Ricki with a cheeky smile "are you jealous? "
Pete kept eating and didn't say a word, while Ricki burst out laughing "Pete Brummel is still jealous of the ex Mrs. Brummel! What a news!"
Pete mentioned a smile, but stayed silent. He took the empty plates and started washing them.
Not talking was a way to tease Ricki years before. When their relationship was still good, he just teased her not answering to her questions. Ricki would have wrapped her arms around his wrist and kissed his back until answers didn't come. When it started changing in bad, Ricki used to get pissed at him and stopped talking to him.
"What about Greg?" She questioned.
Afraid to end up in a fight, Pete answered "Yes, I'm jealous. I know I'm the first who moved on with his life, but I love you and just the thought of somebody else touching your body makes me crazy"
Ricki was almost speechless. She forgot about the sweet, romantic side of Pete. Before to meet him, Sal had tried to court her (in his own way), but she never felt attracted by him. Pete was sweeter and more clever as guy. Ricki liked him immediately and never denied him a kiss or a caress.
If only he had never stopped being like that, maybe they'd still be married.

Pete stared at Ricki:"I don't know what's happening to me. I should be by Maureen's side right now, instead I'm here confessing you my inner feelings. Even if I'm trying to follow my heart, I can't help asking myself whether is right or not".
Ricki caressed him motherly. She had felt that confused when she left her home and felt again that way after her band break up. A moment when you need somebody that tells you what's right and certain because you're scared to find that all by yourself.
Pete took her hand, then he slowly touched her arm and he pulled her towards him to hold her into a hug.
That hug was the most heartfelt Ricki had received in years and she felt happy to be embraced by Pete.

Ricki was almost ready, she was taking her earrings when she heard the sound of her guitar coming from the kitchen; some hours before she was playing it and then she had left it on the sofa just because she realized she was late.
"Pete" she yelled from her bedroom, but of course he didn't hear her.
She went to the living room and found Pete messily strumming the guitar.
"Pete, please" Ricki said, taking away the guitar from his hands and putting it in its case.
"Oooh, are you jealous of your guitar?" Replied Pete giggling.
"Yes" answered Ricki determined "I don't like when people touch it"
"You would let me touch it once" said Pete pulling her close to his body.
Ricki walked back and replied:"it was another one...and it was cheaper".
Seeing Pete holding her guitar brought her back to when she was trying to teach Pete how to play guitar. She took it really seriously, but at the same time she couldn't help but laughing about Pete's lamentations. It was also a way to stay closer and touch him and that brought them to sexy moments every now and then.
Ricki mentioned a smile thinking about those moments and Pete noticed it.
"Linda, send me a message when you wanna come back home okay?"
"Don't ya think he's gonna drive me home?" Ricki answered annoyed by being called with her birth name.
"What I mean is that he's gonna drive you to an hotel and I'll take you from there...unless you don't want any suspect on us" replied Pete, starting to feel the jealousy running through his blood.
"Don't worry, your marriage won't end tonight" answered Ricki laughing.
Pete took the car keys and drove Ricki to the place she had to meet with Sal.
After she got out, he rushed away to the restaurant, breathing and trying to don't look nervous in front of his friends.