Chapter 18

Sarah tried to talk to her but she just wasn’t in the mood to talk so Sarah let her be for a while. Meanwhile she had gotten a phone call from her mother asking when she was coming home because her father was having a fit when he saw the news and wanted to know what was going on with them and wanted them home as soon as possible and to stop acting like children. Sarah wanted to tell her that she wasn’t coming home but all her things were there and she needed to take care of a few things before she decided to hit the road with Richie. This was so not the conversation she wanted to have over the phone with them. She told her mother that she would be coming home soon and would explain everything to them then. When she hung up the phone she took a deep breath as she sat silently by herself as she thought about what she was about to do and how she was going to change her life. She just hoped that her best friend would make the same decision that would make her happy.

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 Richie and David were trying to get Jon to stop drinking as he hadn’t stopped since he last talked to Karen. He was trying to understand why she didn’t want to be with him when Sarah wanted to be with Richie. His insecurities were coming out left and right and the guys had only seen this a few times before.  

“Jon you have to snap out of this. We go on tomorrow and you know how you are with a hangover when you sing. Plus you’re a little bitch when you’re like this.” David said to him not trying to be a jerk.

Jon just looked up at him and gave him the stink eye before he opened his mouth but nothing came out at first which was good. “Look Jon David is right the more you drink the more you’re going to be a little pisser and you know it. Plus Tico won’t take much more of your little pity party and you know that. And Alex? He’s going to say the wrong thing to you and you’re going to go ballistic on him and then we won’t see him for days you know that. So get your shit together and man up will you? You want her go get her and stop wallowing in here. Just tell her how you feel and if she wants to come with us fine if she doesn’t then fine with that. You’re Jon fucking Bon Jovi you can get anyone you want.” Richie told him anything to get him to stop drinking because they had a show to do tomorrow night and they needed him sober.

Jon looked at both of them and said, “But I love her guys, I love her. I get what you’re doing I really do and for you guys I’ll sober up ok? And I am going to talk to her just give me some time. Can you guys just leave me alone for a while, Please?” he asked them as he just needed some time alone.

“Jon I don’t know we really don’t need you drinking anymore than you have.” Richie told him concern and looking at Dave.

“I won’t ok I just want to see if I can try and get some sleep and see if I can sleep some of this off.” He told them.

“Fine if you promise.” David said.

Jon just got up and went into his bedroom and flopped on his bed. He was tired and he just went out he was that tired. Meanwhile Rich and Dave stayed in the living room just in case he had an urge to either raid the bar or call room service for more booze.

As the guys were watching t.v. the phone rang and Richie picked it up quickly because he didn’t want it to wake up Jon and he also was hoping it was Karen. “Hello?”

“Richard? Where is Jon I need to speak to him now.” Mrs. B. told him.

“Oh Mama B. Hi.” He said as David nearly choked on his beer. “Well Jon is sleeping right now and told us he didn’t want to be disturbed.” He told her and knew she didn’t buy it one bit.

“Oh what’s he doing sleeping with some bimbo? Tell him I’m on the damn phone Richard and I want to talk to him right NOW!” she demanded.

“Mama B. I swear to you he is sound asleep. That’s why David and I are here in his room watching over him and I’ll have him call you the minute he wakes up.” He told her now getting annoyed himself while throwing one arm in the air and showing Dave as he is shooting himself in the head.

“Richard is he with that girl that he saved because if he is…” she started to say.

“Mama B. there is someone at the door and we have to get that I swear I’ll have him call you bye.” And he hung up. “Oh my God that woman is…” Richie tried to finish as David did.

“Nuts? Yeah I’ve known her longer than you have Rich and she hasn’t changed one bit. He’s her golden child and that will never change. I just feel sorry for Tony and Matt they just never had the chance to match up to Jon. Or given the chance I don’t know how Jon deals with it.” David told Richie.

“Yeah I know.” Rich said feeling a little bit guilty.

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Karen had packed her bags and asked Sarah if she had hers packed.

“Yeah I’m all set. You know you still need to talk to Jon and tell him you’re not coming back with me.” Sarah told her sadly.

“Yeah I will. Is Richie coming to the airport with us to see you off?” she asked her.

“Yeah he’ll be coming why? Is that ok with you?” she asked her concerned.

“Yeah that’s not a problem as long as he doesn’t dig into me about Jon sure.” She told her.

“I don’t think he’ll do that plus I’ll talk to him about it if you want.” She said to her hoping she’ll change her mind. “You know they had a show last night and well he wasn’t up to par. I mean he did great on stage as always but off he was a real jerk to everyone. Richie said that he even told his Mom off over the phone.” Sarah explained to her as Karen turned to her as she just looked like she was going to blow.

“So? Are you blaming me for that? Oh my God Sar he has fucked girls left and right and have dumped them right after and he’s mad at me for not wanting to commit right away to him? After what happened to us? His nut case of an ex? Of your ex? Yes I know what I would be getting myself into and so do you? But I’ve never told him yet what jackasses I’ve been linked with. Or that jackass in college who date raped me and called it what? Oh I was asking for it. Then the second one who thought beating me up was a sport. You know if Jon cheats on me I’ll just lose it Sar you know that’s why I hate Kyle and what he did to you. Look I’m sorry but our plane doesn’t leave for another eight hours and I need to get out of here. I’ll be back in a little while.” She told her as she headed to the door.

“Wait Karen where are you going?” Sarah asked her worried.

“Look I’ll be ok. I just need to be alone? Love you bye.” And she stormed out.

Sarah was besides herself that she let Karen leave and knew the guys would be pissed. She picked up the phone and dialed Richie’s room but there was no answer so she then tried Jon’s room.

“Hello?” Richie said.

“Richie? Oh thank God you answered I really didn’t want Jon.” She told him upset.

“Darling what’s the matter you sound upset why?” he asked her.

“It’s Karen we were talking then we had an argument and she stormed out and now I don’t know where she is.” She told him tearfully.

Richie just stood there thinking that this was all he needed. “Ok Sarah just stay calm we’ll figure out something I promise. Right now I have Jon sleeping again and I would like to keep it that way. I’ll have David stay here while I come to you. I’ll be right there Babe.” He told her and hung up. Richie explained to David what happened and to call him if he needed him and he left.

When Richie got there Sarah was a mess and Richie tried to calm her down. He told her that Karen was a big girl and that she probably did need some time to think this out. “But Richie she’s not thinking straight. What if something happens to her Again!” she said excitedly.

“OK do you want me to send out a couple of guys to look for her? I could also call Mitch to see what he says?” he asked her.

“Oh I don’t know because if they do find her and confront her she might get really pissed that we didn’t trust her enough. Right? Oh God I don’t know what to do. Richie what should I do?” she asked him confused.

He looked at her lovingly and said, “It’s ok Darling she’ll be back. She just needs some time to work things out. Why don’t you come back with me to Jon’s room? We can relieve David some as we wait til Jon wakes up sound good?” he asked her.

“Oh I don’t know Rich I should really be here when she comes back shouldn’t I?” she asked him.

“Darling you have to let the apron strings go. All she wants is some time to herself. Your flight leaves in eight hours and if she isn’t back in five I’ll have the posse out for her before she knows what hits her alright?” he told her as he kissed.

 She looked at him a little hurt by that remark. “Apron strings Rich? Really? The way you guys hover over Jon don’t you think you should cut the apron strings?” she said to him a bit strongly.

“Ok I get it I’m sorry. We do hover around him like little old ladies at times but he has been thru a lot lately and his drinking when he’s down has picked up some so yeah we have been checking up on him more. I mean he’s been drinking for the last few days so we can’t leave him alone so this is what we do for each other. Darling what’s the real reason Karen took off because I feel there is some more to this than your telling me.” He asked her trying to stay calm.

Sarah sat him down and told him what Karen said to her before she left. Richie sat there and listened intently and was a little shocked at why Karen was all of a sudden gun shy when she knew what she was getting into with him. She knew what rockstars did behind the scenes but more he also knew that one: the girls talked about this as Sarah had told him and two: Sarah also told him that she and Jon had somewhat talked about this and Jon’s past because of Dorothea and how she was a little gun shy especially on how they all met. Richie didn’t begin to know what went thru a woman’s mind.

“Well we could go to Jon and tell him that Karen needed a little space and took off for a while but he’s not going to like it. He doesn’t like anyone going off on their own but the fans really don’t know what she looks like and they also don’t know that she and Jon have a thing for each other so she should be good. Why don’t you come down with me because Karen will know if you’re not here then she’ll know where to contact you plus Jon hopefully won’t kill me in front of you.” He told her smiling.

“Why would he kill you? She was with me when she stormed out believe me no one could have stopped her not even him.” Sarah told him strongly.

“You know that and I know that but when he gets angry you really can’t talk to him right at that moment Darling. Alright let’s head off into the firing squad.” He said as he opened the door as they headed to Jon’s room.

Luckily he was still asleep so they filled in David on what was going on and he was more than happy to be relieved. He had to call April anyway to see how she was doing as she had the flu and couldn’t come this time so he was keeping her up to date on what was happening.

“Alright good luck and call me if you need me. Oh and I’ll let Teek know what’s happening too. He had to let off some steam last night after everything. Don't really blame him I heard him mumble something about children. See ya later.” He said and took off.

Richie ordered some food and they got comfortable waiting for Jon to get up. It really did take that long when he smelled food coming from the next room. Richie had ordered enough really for the whole band just in case but half an hour had only had gone by when Jon stepped out of his room.

“What the Hell are you guys still doing here?” he asked them annoyed.

“Thought you might be a little hungry? Coffee’s still hot if you want some.” Richie told him as he was eating his burger and Sarah hers.

Jon walked over to the table and poured himself a cup and sat down but he did notice that Karen wasn’t with them. “If I ask where Karen is will I get my chop my head off?” he asked them both.

“No we won’t. As a matter of fact we didn’t know how to bring it up.” Richie told him as Sarah just looked at him then her watch.

“Really why? Does she hate me that much? And aren’t you two supposed be leaving for Boston soon?” he asked Sarah.

Sarah just looked at Richie hoping that he would answer his question. “Actually Jon yeah they are leaving in about less than four hours. I have a car that is going to bring them to the airport but there’s one little hitch.” Richie told him.

“Why what’s that?” he asked curious.

“We don’t know where she is.” He told him calmly.

Jon just looked at the two of them but knew Richie wasn’t kidding by the look on Sarah’s face.
“Are you fucking me! Why the hell did you guys let her go in the first place? You know she shouldn’t be out alone!” Jon said angrily.

While Sarah had tears in her eyes Richie looked him dead in his and said, “You know her you try stopping her when she gets something stuck in her head! What the Hell was Sarah supposed to do? Jump her! That’s like you trying to stop me from doing something Jackass!” Richie shot back at him.

“Will both of you stop. She just needed some time to herself ok? And in her mood God help anyone who tries to mug her that’s all I can say.” Sarah said as she took a sip of her soda.

Well the boys looked at her and started to chuckle. The Richie held her hand and said, “Well I’m glad you’re finally coming around that it wasn’t your fault that she took off.”

“Well your right I couldn’t have stopped her she was hell bent on leaving. But she better get her ass back here before we have to get on the plane.” Sarah told the boys.

“Yeah well that was my fault and I’m sorry.” Jon said as he finished his coffee. “I’m going to take a shower.”

“Oh Kidd by the way your mother called again and she didn’t sound happy and she wants you to call her ASAP.” Richie said with a smirk.

Jon just made a face as he entered his bedroom grumbling.

“Richie that wasn’t nice.” Sarah told him.

“No it actually was.” He told her back now smiling.

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 Karen had gotten back just in time four hours before she and Sarah had to get to the airport. But she found the room empty so she put their bags by the door. She had a sneaking suspicious where she was and she really didn’t want to go there before she left but now it looks like she was going to have too. She just hoped he would be civil. Walking up to his door and taking a deep breath she knocked and after a few seconds the door opened and there standing before her was this gorgeous man whose hair was in a ponytail and he was wearing a AC/DC t-shirt and the tightest pair of blue jeans that she believed he owned and was in bare feet.

“Hey Karen how are you?” he asked her smiling.

“I’m ok is Sarah here Jon?”

“Yeah come on in she’s here with Richie.” He told her as he held the door open for her.

Smiling back she walked in as those two were on the couch wrapped in each other’s arms.

Sarah jumped up and walked over to her not to happy. “Where the Hell have you’ve been? I’ve been out of my mind.” She chewed her out.

“Oh God really Sar? I told you that I needed some time alone and that I would be back before we had to leave right? Well I’m back and I’m fine so lay off will you. You don’t see the guys laying into me do you? I’m a big girl. So can we go now?” she asked her really annoyed.

“So you’re just going to ignore the fact that we are all upset with you?” she asked her.

“Great so your all upset with me huh?” she asked them as all of them shooked their heads. “Fine then I’m out of here I knew I should have called instead of coming here.” She told them as she turned and started for the door but Jon stopped her.

“Wait Karen can we talk for just a second please?” he asked her.

 Looking at him she really knew better, “Jon I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

“Please I swear I’ll be good I just need to talk to you for a second. Can you just step into my bedroom please?” he asked her again.

She knew better especially to go in there with him but there wasn’t anywhere else for privacy. She finally agreed and gave Sarah the eye if they weren’t out soon.

Sitting down in one of the chairs and staying away from the bed altogether she sat down as Jon shut the door. He walked over and sat on the end of the bed.

“So you wanted to talk so talk.” she told him unemotionally. As she huffed, “Look Jon I’m not going to fight you I’m sorry I didn’t want it to go down this way really.” She said to him.

“What to go down this way Karen?” Jon asked sharply.

“Look I know you’re mad at me but I’m not sure that I can come back with Sarah. With everything that has happened I just don’t think that I can handle your life style and that well that you’re over Dorothea.” She told him as he looked surprised that she said that to him.

Jon just looked at her not knowing what to say at first. Then he got up and knelt in front of her and took her hand. “Baby how can you think that. The whole time she had you I was scared to death that she was going to hurt you. And that it was going to be my fault. All I could do was pray that I could get you home to me. I could have cared less what happened to her you know that. How could you think that I want her?” he asked confused as hell.

Leaning over so he could really hear her as she was having a hard time talking now, “I get that you think that you don’t have feelings for her but I saw you looking at her when they were taking her out and you looked at her with what Jon sympathy, concern, or love? You need to figure that out first before we can figure out where we stand do you understand?” she asked him.

Looking into her green eyes he told her, “But I do understand Baby and right now you’re just a little gun shy and I get that but once Dot is taken care of everything will be alright I promise. Just take care of things at home and then come back to me ok?” he told her hoping.

Taking a deep breath she knew she couldn’t make any promises. “Jon I don’t know if I can do that I’m sorry.” She told him with tears in her eyes.

They talked for what seemed like hours as Richie and Sarah sat outside the room cuddled on the couch but not talking. They really didn’t know what to say since they were best friends with each of the people in the other room who they cared about more than anything else in the world. Richie had already given Sarah their schedule for the next two months so she could come to them any time when she was ready. Sarah finally had to check her watch and she realized it was time they had to get going.

“Richie we need to get going or we’re going to miss our plane.” She told him.

“Yeah ok let me go knock on the door and see what happens.” He told her as he got up and went to Jon’s bedroom door. He stood there and took a breath and then knocked. He could hear voices before he heard ‘We’ll be right with you’ so he turned around and went to sit back with her. “Well that went good.” He smiled at her.

“Yeah we’ll see.” She told him. “Look I’m going to call down to reception and tell them to come up to get our bags at least.” So she went to the phone and dial downstairs. Hanging up the phone, “They said they’ll be up in a few I really should get to the room and wait for them.” She told Richie as he got up again.

Walking back over to the door, “Guys I’m walking Sarah down to the room so one of the bellmen coming up can take down the bags to the lobby ok?” he said through the door.

Just then the door open and Jon and Karen walked out. “Ok I’ll walk down with you guys.” She told them and turned to Jon and gave him a kiss on his cheek. Jon just stood there and just gave a slight smile but there really wasn’t anything to go behind it. Richie and Sarah just looked at each other and knew things didn’t go well.

“Um Jon are you coming or are you going to stay here?” Richie asked.

“I’m staying here. Sarah I guess we’ll be seeing you soon you take care of yourself ok?” he told her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“Yeah ok I’ll see you in a little while Jon you take care of yourself.” she told him and gave him a huge hug.

Then the two of them just looked at each other and Jon turned and went back into his bedroom and shut the door. Karen looked down for a second then back up and said, “Ok guys we better get going or we’ll miss our plane.” And they headed out