Part 16
The first two weeks of her career, Ashley was ready to give it all up. Waking up at 3:00 AM for photo shoots that lasted throughout the entire day wasn’t exactly a load of fun. Then dinner with snobby people in which she was told that could help her career, made the day drag on forever. She never got to bed before midnight.
She didn’t have time to dwell on Richie and that was a good thing, she thought. She didn’t have any free time at first and then when she had a few days off it didn’t hurt when she went down memory lane. Being with him taught her a lot, and she hoped she would learn from her mistakes. She still loved him, and knew she always would.
Her new manager was Julie Richards. A very nice woman in her early thirties, very down to earth and Ashley found her easy to talk to. Julie was her first pick as soon as she met her. On her off days, they hung out together shopping and going to parties that she got invited too.
Her first big photo shoot came one month later for Glamour Magazine. Ashley McGhee had arrived. That was followed by the French Designer runway tour that hit the European cities of Rome, Milan, and Paris. She only had a week off to rest and then it was more photo shoots for American Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and a test shoot for Victoria’s Secret that turned into her permanent thing.
She was scared to have a love life, and really didn’t want to be involved with anyone until the night she and her best friend Christy were at a nightclub in Manhattan. It was there she ran into Jason. He was very happy to see her and they hung out together for that night. At the time, she was living in a hotel room, until she found the apartment she wanted. Jason came home with her that night and all the pent up frustrations between them were extinguished when they ended up having sex.
Their first time that night was great, but Ashley soon found that she just couldn’t have sex with someone and not have feelings for the person. She still tried and tried, but it wasn’t the same as what she had before with Richie. Not that she compared Jason to Richie, there was nothing to compare. She loved Richie and no one would ever hold a candle to him, in anything.
After two months of her trying to fall in love with Jason, she gave up. She ended it abruptly, knowing she broke his heart when she told him she just wasn’t in the same place as he was.
She regretted every minute of it
______________________________________
With the Slippery tour over, Jon and Richie were hard at work writing for the next album. There were days when Richie didn’t really feel like working; days when he’d rather be someplace else. They had been over working at Jon’s when Dorothea walked in bringing them another beer. In her hand was the latest copy of Cosmopolitan.
"Thought you guys might like to see the latest from Doc’s daughter. She’s turning into a real beauty."
She flipped the book open to a full page ad for a travel company. "Come to Barbados," it read. There was Ashley gorgeously tanned in a skimpy turquoise bathing suit, droplets of water glistened on her skin as if she’d just come out of the stunning surf that was pictured in the background.
Richie felt a stir, longing for the woman who’d left him behind in that Ohio hotel room months ago.
Jon whistled long and low, "Would you look at that, damn she is looking good!"
Dorothea snatched the book away, "And she’s way too young for you!" She left the room laughing.
Jon looked over at Richie. "She doesn’t know," he said quietly.
Richie looked away, not saying a word.
"You miss her don’t you?" Jon persisted.
“Now I do," Richie answered upset that he had to admit it.
"Now you do?" Jon questioned arching his eyebrow. "Admit it Rich, you’ve missed her ever since she went away. Why don’t you contact her?"
"And just how am I supposed to do that? She has her own life now; she’s better off without me." Richie reasoned.
"Says who?" Jon scoffed taking a drink of his beer.
"She did," Richie answered lighting up a cigarette.
"She’s a ki…woman," Jon corrected his self, "what does she know?"
"Jon," Richie warned, clearly not caring for his friend’s comment.
"Come on man, I’m joking. Does Ashley know how you really feel about her?"
Richie looked down at the floor. "She wanted to go; she had to do something with her life."
"And?" Jon prompted lighting a cigarette.
"I let her go. I didn’t tell her."
"What the fuck! You didn’t tell her how you felt?"
"I don’t know that she would have believed me anyway."
"All she’d have to do is see how you’ve been moping around since she left."
"I have not!" Richie insisted.
Jon laughed. "Yes….you have."
Richie put out his smoke and picked up his guitar. Playing a riff he added, "It’s too late now."
"Ya never know Sambora," Jon said as he picked up his own guitar.
They both played for a few minutes; neither speaking until Jon looked up.
"Hey Rich?"
"Yeah.?" Richie said frowning wondering what was going on in Jon’s mind.
"You can’t win until you’re not afraid to lose, contact her."
"I’ll think about it."
They let the subject drop and got back to work.
________________________________________________________
During the month of November, Ashley moved into her own apartment in Manhattan. Doc wanted her to move to California, but she preferred the season changes and mostly the snow. Having grown up in Maine she would miss it for sure if she were to move to California.
She took her time decorating, carefully selecting modern décor for her large studio apartment that had a beautiful view of the city. The bedroom was a loft upstairs. The staircase as wide, set off to the side in the living room just at the door. She loved it the first time she saw it and without shopping around she claimed it hers.
Doc promised to visit for the holidays and he did. Arriving December 20th at her doorstep with two bags of presents she laughed when she opened the door.
“You look like a tan Santa Claus.”
Doc smirked. “I see you are still a smart ass,” he said walking in her door after she stepped aside.
“Hey!” She said.
He turned around and laughed. “A very beautiful smart ass, I must say.”
He took the bags of presents to the tree in front of the window and then turned around. Opening his arms he smiled. “It’s so good to see you.”
She smiled and embraced him, “It’s good to see you too.”
“Love the place,” he said looking around after they parted.
She grinned. “Thanks. So do I! Would you care for some coffee or anything?”
“Coffee sounds good.”
She went into the kitchen area and started making a pot of coffee as Doc walked around the studio, looking at her pictures and such.
“So what’s new?” She asked over her shoulder.
“Time off for the holidays. Jon and Richie are writing, they will be going into the studio soon I assume. I’m heading to a bar to check out some band that Jon has a friend in called Skid Row.”
“Skid Row?” She asked coming into the living room.
Doc nodded his head, “Jon’s got an eye for talent, so I promised him I would. You should come with me.”
“When are you going?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“Okay, I’ll go. Sounds like fun,” she said.
“You know that the guys live in Jersey, right?” Doc asked turning at her with a glance.
“No,” she said. “I didn’t think much about it actually.”
“As close as you were with Jon and Richie, I’d thought you would have kept in touch with them.” Doc said.
"I've been busy Doc. You know how hectic it can be out there." Ashley said trying to explain why she hadn't kept touch.
“I know but as close as you are, I would have thought you would go see them.”
She sighed. “Well maybe I will. I haven’t had the chance to.”
“Jon will probably be there tomorrow night, I’m sure,” Doc continued. “I know he’d be happy to see you.”
Ashley smiled. “It’d be nice to see him,” she said but wondered if that would only lead to other trouble.
__________________________________________
A little nervous about seeing Jon, Ashley walked into the bar behind Doc. It was smoky and drab, but crowded. They made their way past the front door and she saw Jon right away. He had been standing at the bar ordering a beer. When he turned around he saw Doc and couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw Ashley behind him. He was coming towards them with a big smile on his face. She had a funny feeling in her stomach when he looked right at her.
“Doc, you didn’t tell me you were bringing Ashley!” He said as he wrapped his arms around her, “It’s good to see you!”
He hugged her so tight she couldn’t breathe.
Upstairs, Richie saw Jon walking from the bar towards Doc. He did a double take, leaning up towards the table slowly, when he saw Ashley. He sat back and sunk a little lower in his seat; she was the last person he expected to see tonight. He swallowed nervously. She looked simply gorgeous.
Doc laughed, “Well, I didn’t know she was coming until late yesterday afternoon.”
Jon loosened his grip on Ashley and smiled at her again, kissing her cheek. “You look great! And I just so happen to be here without a date,” He teased.
She smiled and leaned her head close to his. “I guess I’m in luck then.” She giggled
He took her hand. “Come on, we have a seat up at the top,” he said to Doc as he pulled her along behind him.
Suddenly it occurred to Jon that Richie was sitting up at the table and he wasn’t alone.
Jon spun around. “Would you like to meet the guys first? They are over here at the bar.”
Without waiting for a response he took off in the direction of the bar. The tall man with long dark blonde hair turned and nodded his head at Jon.
"I thought we were going to sit down," Ashley said.
Jon shrugged his shoulders. "You gotta get a drink anyway," He laughed and totally ignored the look Doc shot him.
Ashley laughed, turned back around and found herself staring face to face with the man that nodded his head at Jon as they approached the bar.
“Hello,” He said to her, taking her hand he shook it gently.
“Bas, this is Ashley. Doc’s daughter,” Jon said, still holding her other hand.
Sebastian laughed. “I know who she is. I’ve seen her millions of times. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”
She smiled at him. “Thank you.”
“My name is Sebastian Bach. Call me Bas, or anything you want.” He winked, "Just call me."
Sebastian was clearly coming on to Ashley and Jon pulled Ashley away from him, then introduced Doc. He introduced both her and Doc to the rest of the band and after a few minutes of talking Jon pulled Ashley off to the side.
“Listen, you need to know Richie’s upstairs,” he said.
Ashley could barely keep her mouth from flying open.
“Ashley, he’s not alone.” Jon said resting his hand on her shoulder.
She blinked. “And you think that’s going to bother me?”
“Ashley...”
“Jon,” she said quickly. “I’m over it, really. Okay?”
Jon bit his tongue to keep from spilling Richie’s feelings to her. Richie needed to be the one to do that, but he doubted if that would be tonight.
Instead, Jon smiled. “Okay. I just wanted to warn you.”
“Warn her about what?” Doc asked joining them.
“About Sebastian,” Jon said motioning for the bartender. He looked back at Ashley. “He’s trouble. Stay away from him.”
She smiled and arched her eye brow a hint of mischief in her dark brown eyes. “Trouble’s my kind of man,” She giggled.
Jon and Doc both looked at her and she giggled once again.
The bartender took Jon’s order, ordering a coke for Ashley and a glass of wine for Doc.
“Jonny, I’ll be back. I see someone I need to speak to. I’ll meet you both upstairs,” Doc said getting his wine before he left.
“You want something to calm your nerves?” Jon asked Ashley as he put his arm around her drawing her close to him so she could hear over the music.
He wasn’t stupid, he knew she was still in love with Richie. He read it in her eyes when at the mention of his name earlier.
Ashley smiled and nodded her head, and so he ordered her two shots of tequila when the bartender came back around. When no one was looking, she downed the both and then they headed up the stairs to where Richie was.
An uneasy feeling came over Ashley as she and Jon got closer to the table. Jon was still holding her hand and he squeezed it gently as Richie came into view. He was talking to the girl he was with. Catching a glance of them, he looked up and nodded his head in their direction. As his and Ashley’s eyes met, he smiled. Ashley smiled back and her heart started pounding when he got up from his chair.
“What a nice surprise,” he said staring at her.
She smiled and started trembling when she realized he was going to hug her. Coming closer, his eyes were still as deep as ever. That same look had her mind spinning and the next thing she knew she was in his arms, smelling his memorable scent.
“It’s good to see you,” he said into her ear.
He pulled away and flashed her that great smile he always had.
She hesitated, and then smiled. “It’s good to see you too.”
He winked and then turned to sit back down at the table. Jon was halfway seated motioning for her to come and sit by him. When she did, Richie introduced her to the blonde headed girl that was sitting beside him.
“This is Caitlin. Caitlin, this is Ashley, Doc’s daughter and a very good friend of mine.”
Caitlin was a pretty girl with blonde hair just barely past her shoulders and striking blue eyes. She smiled at Ashley and offered her, her hand.
“Hi. Nice to meet you,” she said.
Ashley smiled back and shook her hand, “Nice to meet you too.”
She then felt the urge for a cigarette. Opening her purse she pulled out her pack and opened them. Jon quickly offered her a light and she smiled as she leaned towards him inhaling until it was lit.
“Thanks,” She said. Smiling she sat back in her chair, looking down towards the stage.
“Anyone need anything to drink?” Richie asked.
Ashley and Jon both said no. Caitlin smiled and put her arm around Richie’s neck. “I’ll take one of those drinks that you know I like,” she said kissing his lips.
Richie pulled away from her quickly, “Okay. I’ll be right back.”
Ashley watched Richie leave and Caitlin watching him leave. Then Caitlin turned back to Ashley.
"Excuse me but I keep thinking I've seen you somewhere before,” she said.
Ashley smiled as she sipped her drink. Jon leaned into the table. “She’s a model.”
Caitlin studied her face. “I was thinking I’ve seen pictures of you.”
"She's graced the covers of some fine magazines but I'm still waiting for that Sports Illustrated swimsuit one." Jon said.
"As long as you aren't waiting for the Playboy spread" Ashley joked.
Jon’s eyes lit up. "Now there's an idea!"
Ashley playfully slapped Jon’s arm as Richie came back to the table. He had a beer and a drink for Caitlin. Ashley recognized the drink right away and she felt the surge of jealousy run thought her.
“What did I miss?” Richie asked seeing that Ashley and Jon were laughing at something.
Jon was looking at Ashley when he raised his head to Richie. “I was telling Ashley she should pose for Playboy.”
Richie frowned, shaking his head he sat down. He handed Caitlin her drink and she smiled, kissing his cheek.
“Thanks baby,” She said.
Ashley cleared her throat softly and looked at Jon. “I’ve changed my mind. I need a drink.”
Jon nodded then got up from the table. Ashley watched him go off towards the bar in the back corner. Catching Richie’s eye she quickly looked away. Her emotions were like a rollercoaster, and she knew she had made a big mistake coming.
Jon returned and sat the glass down in front of her. “Last time I remember you having one of these it was followed up with a Screaming Orgasm.”
Ashley picked up her drink and giggled, “Jon if I remember correctly, you were the one that screamed.”
Jon rolled his eyes, "Oh Christ I thought you'd have forgotten that by now."
Ashley leaned over and laid her hand on Jon's thigh. “I never forget a man that screams.”
Richie sat listening to Ashley and Jon’s banter talk and it had him very uncomfortable. He drank his beer quickly and then got up to get another one. He was pissed at Jon for flirting back with her knowing good and well that he had feelings for her. What the fuck was Jon thinking?
When Richie came back to the table Doc had joined them. He noticed that Ashley and Jon had calmed down too. He sat down beside Caitlin and flinched when she put her hand on his leg.
When Skid Row came on stage, Ashley got up from the table and leaned against the railing. Richie rolled his eyes as it wasn’t long before Jon joined her. They seemed to be awful chatty. Doc was now walking around the bar, talking to the people he knew as always.
Richie had a hard time enjoying himself watching Ashley and Jon all over each other. Caitlin wasn’t making things easier on him as she wanted to snuggle. She caught him off guard; kissing him he had no other option but to kiss her back. When he pulled away his eyes caught Jon and Ashley laughing at each other, Jon’s arm around Ashley’s waist.
“I sure have missed you,” Jon said smiling at Ashley.
“Awww, come on now,” She said laughing.
“No, it’s true. I hated to see you leave,” He smiled then touched her arm. “I’ll be right back,” Jon whispered in her ear.
Richie watched with anger as Jon walked away from Ashley, the direction he was heading in gave Richie the opportunity he’d been waiting for. Waiting for a minute or two to make it look good, he excused his self and got up from the table. Jon was washing his hands when Richie entered the restroom.
"Wanna tell me just what the fuck you’re up to?" Richie said with narrowed eyes
"What is that supposed to mean?" Jon asked as he dried his hands with a paper towel.
Richie’s anger was about to explode, “I’ve had enough of you flirting with her in my face all fuckin’ night, that’s what I mean.”
"You’re fuckin’ jealous!" Jon laughed.
Richie stood there glaring at Jon laughing; he really didn’t see what was so damned funny.
"Don’t you get it man? Ash ain’t all that comfortable seeing you with Caitlin. Damn it, I don’t know why you don’t just tell her how you feel."
Jon didn’t wait for a reply he turned and walked out the door. When he got back to the table Doc was there talking to Ashley. He sat down just as Doc was leaving.
Caitlin turned to Ashley, “So, do you live in California with Doc?”
Ashley shook her head. “No, I…”She made eye contact with Richie as he sat down beside Caitlin. She noticed the scrowl on is face and her heart shot up into her throat. “I live in Manhattan,” she finished.
“I just moved into a studio there,” she added quickly.
“WOW!” Caitlin said, “I bet those are nice.”
Ashley nodded her head, “I fell in love with it the first time I saw it.”
Richie couldn’t help but look back at her when she made that comment.
“So when’s the party?” Jon asked.
Ashley laughed. “I know how you guys party. You won’t be invited to any of mine.”
"Aww, Ash that's not nice we never trashed anyone’s place. Not on purpose anyway.
She laughed again. “And I’m still not inviting you. I like my stuff.”
Jon shrugged his shoulders, “Okay then come to my Christmas party. Doc’s coming.”
Ashley shook her head, “I’m…
Jon put his hand across her mouth, “I’m not taking no for an answer. It’ll be fun, right Rich?” Jon looked over at Richie and smiled.
Richie looked up and smiled. “You have great parties Jon. Really Ashley you should come,” He said staring her dead in the eye.
Ashley laughed and shook her head. “I’ll see if I’m free.”
Richie narrowed his eyes and cursed under his breath at the way she was acting towards him. If she only knew the truth about everything then she wouldn’t be acting so cold towards him. it killed him to sit across from her and not be able to touch her.
Caitlin noticed Richie seemed a thousand miles away. “What’s wrong?” She asked.
He shook his head, “Nothing.”
“Richie?”
“Look Caitlin, I said nothing. Leave it at that okay?” He then got up from the table and went to the bar.
Caitlin frowned and sat back in her seat, wondering what had gotten into him. She decided to go to the bar, puzzled by his coolness tonight.
"What has gotten into you?" She asked.
"I told you nothing, leave me the fuck alone," he growled.
"Leave you the FUCK alone?" She hissed.
"Can't I have a night without you crawling all over me?"
"Crawling all over you?" She questioned with a raised eyebrow. "You never complained any other time."
"Yeah well I am now. I'm sick of you hanging all over me," Richie said raising his voice louder than necessary to be heard over the band.
"FINE! I won’t hang on you anymore. In fact you can just go to hell!" She turned and walked off.
As she came back up to the table her anger was evident in the way she looked. She grabbed her purse and coat and glared at Jon and Ashley.
"Caitlin?" Jon questioned.
"Both of you! You and your friend can just go fuck yourselves."
Jon sat there with a stunned look on his face, watching as she stormed out of the bar.
"What the fuck was that all about?" Ashley asked.
"Damned if I know," Jon answered.
Richie saw Caitlin storm out of the bar; he did nothing to stop her. Having her there tonight was nerve racking anyway. He downed the beer he ordered then asked for another before returning to join Jon and Ashley.
"What's up with Caitlin, bro?" Jon asked as Richie pulled his chair closer towards Ashley and sat down.
Richie shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno she got some kind of bug up her ass and I didn't feel like putting up with it. This is better anyway," He said casually draping his arm across the back of Ashley's chair.
Ashley downed the drink she had been sipping on. Feeling Richie’s arm on her chair she casually sat up, not knowing what to do. Finally she got up, “I’m going to the bar, want anything?” She asked them both.
"Still got that fake ID? I'll take a beer," Jon said.
“Of course, it’s come in handy quite a few times.” She giggled. She looked right at Richie, “And what can I get for you, Mr. Sambora?”
"Would you give me a screaming orgasm?"
As hard as she tried to keep the smile off her face, it was impossible. She knew he was joking with her in a way to get to her and that really made her mad deep down inside. But then, it thrilled her that she still had that effect on him. She turned and walked off in the direction of the bar, knowing good and well that Richie was looking at her ass. She put a little extra swing in her hips just for him.
Jon leaned forward so he could talk better to Richie. "Okay Ash is gone. What did you say to Caitlin to piss her off?"
"Say?" Richie asked as he took a drink of his beer.
Jon laughed. "We’ve been friends for how long now? You purposely pissed her off didn’t you?"
"Yeah you got me. I couldn’t be with her and Ashley at the same time," Richie admitted.
"You’re not with Ashley," Jon pointed out.
"I know and it’s driving me fuckin’ crazy!" Richie said.
Jon threw his head back and roared with laughter.
"What’s so funny?" Ashley asked as she came back and set their drinks down in front of them.
Richie smiled, “Nothing for you to hear.” He said taking his shot and downing it. “Best orgasm I’ve had.”
“You’re so easy.” She said glaring at him.
“Gee, thanks.”
“No problem,” she said and sat down in the chair that was closest to her, on the other side of the table away from Richie.
Richie stared right at her until she looked at him. That’s when he looked away. This wasn’t exactly the next meeting he hoped he would have with her, bur really he never thought he’d see her again. Now, he just couldn’t get things right to save his life.
Ashley felt the beginning’s of a headache coming on. She rubbed her head and rolled her head around, releasing the tension Richie had caused in her neck and shoulder muscles. She knew she had better get out of there, before he started his shit with her.
She leaned across the table and forced a smile at them both. “I think I’m going to call it a night.”
"Doc's busy let me take you home," Richie offered.
She stood up and smiled.“No thanks. I’ll just take a cab,” She said to him.
“Ashley, are you okay?” Jon asked her.
“Yeah, I’m just not feeling so good right now. I want to go to bed.”
She and Richie made direct eye contact again and she shook her head. Picking up her purse she waved, “Maybe I’ll see you at the party.”
She walked off before either of them had time to respond.
Standing outside waiting for her Cab, it was quite chilly. She wrapped her arms around her waist and started shivering. Her mind was on Richie. She had to get away from him. The party was another place she knew she couldn’t go. Seeing him brought back old feelings that she clearly hadn’t had time to deal with.
She shook her head and turned to walk down the side walk. When she did she turned right into Richie.
“Don’t go,” he said sadly.
“Richie,” she said softly, as she shook her head. “I…” She stopped, staring at him the words weren’t processing easily.
“I know it’s me that’s making you want to leave.”
Again, she shook her head. “No really. I’m just tired. I’ve drank way to much and I just want to go home.”
He stood quietly as she stood shaking in the cold. She turned to him again. “You didn’t have to run Caitlin off. She was nice.”
Richie laughed, “I don’t want to be with Caitlin.”
Their eyes met and she felt a rush into her chest. The honking of the horn made her thoughts stop before they started.
“I have to go,” she said and then went towards the taxi.
“Ashley,” Richie called after her.
When she turned around he was walking towards her. “Come to the Christmas party. Please?”
She had a faint smile on her lips as she climbed inside the cab. She didn’t dare look at him. Instead, she laid her head back against the seat and closed her eyes.
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