Part 17
12/24/87
Who was Ashley kidding? Of course she was going to Jon’s party. She spent the last three days contemplating going but she always came back to she should go. Her reasoning was that she could finally deal with the feelings she still had for Richie. It was obvious there was still an issue there and she needed to ask him, no…tell him he needed to give her room.
She got dressed and waited for Doc to pick her up. She was wearing a short black mini skirt that had a slit up the side, showing off her black silky stockings and high heels. Her blouse was a red V-neck. She wore the diamond solitaire necklace around her neck that Doc had bought her a few months back. She pulled her hair up in a very flattering French twist, leaving her bangs and some lose wisps of hair round her face.
By the time Doc pushed the call button downstairs, she had already drank one glass of red wine, to help calm her nerves.
“I’ll be right down,” She said pushing the button on the intercom. She grabbed her leather coat, putting it on and then got her purse, throwing it over her shoulder as she went out the door.
Doc was standing outside the limo waiting for her as the snowflakes flew around him. He smiled, extending his arm and putting it around her back as she got inside the limo.
After the limo pulled away from the curb in front of her apartment, Ashley’s nerves had her in such despair it showed.
“What’s gotten into you lately? You seem to be somewhere else,” Doc said as he looked at her strangely.
Ashley shrugged her shoulders. “I’ve just got a lot of things on my mind.”
“It’s not men trouble is it?” Doc kidded with her.
Ashley laughed, “Actually, it is.”
“Don’t waste your time on any man. You’re too young to let them worry you.”
Ashley didn’t say anything; she just looked out the window.
“Who is it? That guy Christopher?”
Ashley shook her head and laughed. “No.”
He patted her leg, “Okay. You don’t have to tell me.”
She was relieved that he didn’t press the issue with her. Trying to explain was the last thing she wanted to do. She had to get her mind together, so the rest of the ride, she did just that. Or so she hoped anyway. Doc was on the phone tying up loose ends, he stayed out of her hair.
When they arrived at Jon’s house it was past nine. As they started up the long winding drive Ashley’s earlier apprehension about seeing Richie again mounted. She decided to focus her attention on Jon’s home instead of thinking about Richie. Doc had told her he’d just gotten it as they came off the tour, joking that he could actually afford a decent place to live now. It was dark, however throughout the many trees that adorned the 5 acres of prime New Jersey ocean front property small lights were strung, giving it a magical quality .
Ashley smiled knowing that Jon had to have hired someone to do that because the last thing she could picture in her mind was him actually getting out there in the snow and doing it. The traditional French Country White Stucco home looked huge to her. It seemed like way too much for just one person to live in.
Turning towards Doc she asked, "Have you ever been inside?"
Doc nodded. "I was with him when he bought it."
"Tell me about it?" She asked.
Doc took a deep breath. "Well, let me see…" he paused while he tried to recall the interior details he knew Ashley wanted to hear."Most of the ceilings are high, something like 10 feet I believe. The great room has this huge six-dimensional 30-foot high ceiling; it’s unbelievable. There’s an open floor plan and I remember there being 3 fireplaces. Oh and you’ll love the flying bridge staircase entrance. "
The car came to a stop near the front of the house and he laughed a little self-consciously. "I feel like a realtor here. Let‘s just go in and Jon can give you the grand tour."
Still not so sure about going inside Ashley nodded and got out as the parking valet Jon hired for the evening opened her door. They walked up to the leaded glass door entrance and rang the bell. She took a deep breath to prepare herself for what was to come just before Jon opened the door from the other side.
"You made it!" He said as he hugged Ashley. Over her shoulder he added, "Hi Doc."
Doc laughed, "Looks like I’m just second rate around here when she’s with me."
"Well, I sure don’t want to hug you like this," Jon said as he released Ashley and stepped back. "Come on in and join the party."
"Ashley was asking me about the place Jon. I told her you’d give her the grand tour."
Jon smiled. "You want it now?" He asked.
Ashley smiled nervously as they made eye contact. "Do you mind?"
"Not at all," he said and then looked at Doc. "Everyone is scattered between the Great room and the Rec. room. You know the way and help yourself to the bar."
He grabbed Ashley’s hand and led her into the enormous kitchen.
“Let’s get you something to drink first,” he said.
"That would be great."
They entered the kitchen and Jon approached the counter lined with wine bottles.
"Red or white?"
Ashley had been looking at the beautiful bay window. Hearing Jon’s question, she turned around. Her eyes met with Richie's, who had come to stand justt inside the kitchen door on the other side of the room.
"Ash?" Jon asked.
She turned away from Richie and gave Jon a blank look.
"Red or white?"
She shook her head in dismay and tried to smile. "I don’t care you decide."
Jon gave Richie a quick glance as he poured himself and Ashley both a glass of wine. When Jon handed Ashley her glass, she downed the entire glass with one sip. She then grabbed the other glass from his hand and took a sip as she leaned back against the counter.
“So, what were you saying?” She asked as she saw out of the corner of her eye that Richie was still watching her.
The look on Jon’s face was one of uncertainty. He dropped his head and smiled. “How about that tour now?” He asked her.
She nodded her head and followed him out of the room and towards the staircase. She could feel Richie’s eyes on her every move and that made her nervous. She jumped when Jon kindly put his hand on her back as he waited for her to go up the stairs in front of him. He noticed she seemed on edge and knew exactly why.
“Ashley, are you going to be okay?” He asked her as they got to the top of the staircase.
She turned and looked at him. “I don’t know Jon.”
He opened his mouth to say something, but thought better of it. Instead he started showing her the six magnificent bedrooms, each having their own attached bathroom with wood inlay floors; something Ashley marveled at.
Back downstairs, Richie kept his eyes on the stair case anxiously awaiting Ashley to return so he could approach her. He planned on just being himself, nothing more and certainly nothing less.
After the complete tour upstairs, Ashley followed Jon back downstairs. She wasn’t able to avoid eye contact with Richie again, but at least this time she managed to smile at him. She felt excitement inside when he smiled back at her.
After Jon showed her his prize exercise room that looked more like a gym to her than anything else, they returned to the main level of the house and were standing between the foyer and the dining room. The party was now going full swing.
“Let’s go see what’s going on down the hall,” Jon said.
She followed him inside the Rec. room, that was full of people, all of whom she knew. Jon had made a joke about the tour ending at his house and Ashley laughed catching Richie’s ear. It made him miss a shot, and he looked up at her.
She turned her head, trying to act like she didn’t see it and it was all she could do to keep from laughing. However, he did see the tiny smile on her face.
“This is Dorothea, the love of my life,” Jon said as he grabbed Dot’s waist and pulled her to him.
She laughed, wrapping her arm around his waist in return.
Dot smiled at Ashley. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard great things about you.”
Ashley smiled as they shook hands. “Likewise. I’m sorry we missed each other on the tour. I wasn’t there all that long though.”
"Ashley!" Dave exclaimed as he came towards her.
He had a woman with long blond hair at his side. He hugged Ashley tightly and then turned back to the woman he was with.
"Meet April, she’s my one and only."
“Nice to meet you, April,” Ashley said.
“Congratulations, on your career. And to think I knew you when.” Dave said hugging her again. “I knew you when you were just a little girl.”
She narrowed her eyes, “Watch it. I’m almost legal.”
“Ashley’s birthday is on New Year’s Eve,” Doc said from behind her. “She’ll be eighteen.”
“New Year’s Eve? Now there’s another party,” Jon laughed.
His smiled widened just a bit when he said, “And it’s the big 18!”
"Is that all you plan on doing from now on?" Dorothea joked.
Jon nodded his head and smiled. “Yeah! I have a new home to show off.”
"So we get to trash your place twice during the holidays Jon?" Richie said coming up behind Ashley.
"Let’s save the trashing for hotel rooms and condo's in Vancouver." Jon laughed.
Richie tapped Ashley on the shoulder. “Where’s my hug?” He asked her.
She turned around and smiled, placing her arms around him. It was meant to be a short hug, but Richie had other ideas. He squeezed her tight and held her close.
“I was beginning to think you were leaving me out.”
She stepped away and smiled, never answering him she looked down at the floor.
Jon excused himself saying he had to go play host but before he left with Dorothea he told Ashley to not worry about needing proof to drink.
"It’s a private party no one is going to question you."
The pool table was unoccupied so Dave asked Ashley if she wanted to partner with Richie and challenge him and April to a game.
“I don’t know how to play,” Ashley said in protest.
“I’ll show you how, Richie offered.
“April’s not good either,” Dave said.
“HEY!” She said slapping his arm.
He laughed, “I was kidding. She’s decent.”
April rolled her eyes and turned to look at the sticks to make her selection.
Richie took Ashley’s hand. “Come on. You have to learn how to play pool.”
He pulled her gently and smiled when she gave in to him. She pulled her hand away from his, still she didn’t want to play. Richie quickly handed her a stick and then picked out one for him. Dave went to racking the balls and April was chalking the end of her stick.
Ashley turned to Richie and frowned, “What’s the chalk for?”
He grinned, picking up a piece and applying it to the end of her stick. “It’s so the tip don’t slip on the ball when you hit it. That could cause a scratch.”
“A scratch?”
“Yeah, it could cause the queue ball to go in. You don’t want that.”
Ashley shook her head, “How will that cause the cue ball to go in?”
He placed his hand on hers and smiled. “I’ll show you all in due time. It’s confusing until you actually play.”
She sighed. “Alright, but you better not laugh at me. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
Richie smiled and winked at her and she shook her head, knowing what he was thinking about. He came up beside and leaned over.
"Have I ever laughed at you when you're learning something new?" He whispered in her ear.
She blushed and walked away from him. When she turned back around she smiled at him and they both laughed at each other.
Dave got done racking and then Richie broke them. Ashley jumped as the cue ball crashed into the others making a loud sound. He sank 2 balls, one of each.
“Would you rather have big balls or little ones?” Richie asked Ashley looking at her rather seriously.
She blinked, “Excuse me?”
Dave snickered and Richie gave him a shut up look. He then went over to where she was standing.
“I’m sorry, what I should have asked you is, do you want striped or solids. Striped balls are all higher numbers and the solids are lower.”
She laughed, “Okay. I get it now. I guess big ones then,” She said with a wink and then turned away from him. She didn’t want to give him a chance to react on her comment.
Richie then took his next shot sinking another ball and then another one, missing on the third shot. April went next and missed her shot. Dave’s turn he managed to sink three.
Richie had kept quiet, but now it was Ashley’s turn. He turned to her, “Do you see anything you think you can hit?”
She laughed. “Um, no.”
He pulled her to him and showed her a shot. “If you hit the cue ball right here,” He said pointing at the right side of the ball, “You can make that ball go into that pocket.”
She turned her head and looked at him as he rose back up from bending over the table. He smiled at her. She then bent over the table and thought about what she was doing. Richie leaned over her and again showed her where to hit the ball.
“Don’t hit it too hard, though. But don’t hit too soft either.”
“Great,” she said rolling her eyes.
“Just concentrate on what you are doing,” he said watching her as she was concentrating on the ball.
Finally she took her shot and was delighted she made it. She turned around to Richie and smiled.
“Thanks, there Teach,” she giggled.
He laughed at her joke and then Dave managed to sink three balls on his turn.
Ashley finished the rest of her drink and Richie picked up her glass and smiled.
“I’ll be right back with your refill.” He left the room before Ashley could say no.
“Damn it,” She whispered under her breath.
When he returned he had her a glass of red wine. He handed it to her. “My shot?”
She nodded her head and picked up the glass of wine after he turned around to take his shot. She watched him carefully. She couldn’t help but look at his butt when he bent over. She took a deep breath and leaned back against the wall. When he was done he stood by her.
“I didn’t want any more wine,” she said to him.
He laughed. “Yes you did.”
She turned and looked at him, “NO I didn’t.”
He laughed again. “Then why are you drinking it?”
“Cause you got it for me.” She leaned over to him, “You know what happens when I drink and I don’t want that to happen.”
“What happens when you drink?” He asked her innocently.
She rolled her eyes and handed him the glass. “It’s my shot.”
As she looked over the layout of the table she wasn't able to decide what to shoot at. Richie saw her trying to decide and couldn't resist saying, "If you're undecided I can show you what balls to go for."
"She's a woman; she should know what balls to go for." Dave said to Richie.
"Sometimes we need to guide them to the right ones, Dave." Richie told him.
“You men are just sick,” Ashley snapped when she glanced up at Richie.
“I agree. Must it always be about sex with you two?” April asked lighting a cigarette.
"No sometimes we talk about music," Dave said nodding his head.
Richie laughed, “Sometimes.”
Ashley looked up at Richie who was still laughing. She stood with one hip cocked out smiling, “Okay, Sambora. What BALLS do you want me to pick?”
Richie smiled seductively as he reached down to his crotch, making like he had to adjust himself.
Ashley rolled her eyes and shook her head slightly. "In your dreams," she said sarcastically.
Richie took a sip of her wine. "Been there, done that."
“Go for the one on the right!” Dave yelled.
This time Ashley and April laughed when Richie grimaced and stepped backwards. He made eye contact with her as she bent over to get ready for her shot and she smiled at him.
“Wait,” he said walking around to her side of the table.
He stood behind her leaning over her he showed her where to hit the ball. He let his body touch hers in hoping that would get some sort of reaction. It did inside her and she held her breath until he moved away from her. That’s when she saw Jason walk in the room. Their eyes met as she was leaning over the table. He gave her a half smile as he walked over to Dave and they shook hands.
Richie rolled his eyes thinking Jason was always there in the background somehow and wondered why.
Ashley finally shot at the ball and missed. She turned to Richie and put her hand on her hip. “That was your fault.”
“My fault?” He asked her, puzzled.
She walked up to him, taking her glass from his hand. She looked in dead in the eye as she took a long, slow sip.
“You really didn’t have to bend over me like that,” she said in a low tone of voice when she lowered the glass from her lips.
Richie chuckled, rearing his head back. He was delighted to know that he could at least get something out of her. He went to the table to study for his next shot, and saw Jason walk over to Ashley. He tried not to pay them any attention, but it was all he could do as he scanned the pool table. Finally he made his shot and missed, but it didn’t surprise him. When he walked back over to Ashley, Jason was still there and there seemed to be some tension between them.
Jason looked at Richie and nodded, then took a drink from his beer. Richie saw the look on Ashley’s face and knew something had happened between them.
“It was nice seeing you again Ashley,” Jason said cordially.
The look on Ashley’s face told Richie all he wanted to know.
“It was nice to see you too,” she replied.
Jason once again just nodded at Richie then walked away from them both. Ashley stood uncomfortably with her back against the wall. She finished off her wine in one swallow and tried to relax.
“What was that all about?” Richie couldn’t help but ask.
Ashley cleared her throat. “What was what all about?”
Richie turned his head to her but she wasn’t looking at him. He decided to leave well enough alone. He didn’t need any kind of confirmation from her. He didn’t say anything as he walked away from her to get another drink. On his way out of the room he passed by Doc who was stumbling in. Richie stopped at the door to see if he needed any help, he knew what had happened to him.
Doc walked in and sat down on the barstool beside Ashley.
“What happened to you?” She asked.
“Jon’s poke-her game.”
Dave and Richie both started laughing. “Gets you every time, ugh Doc?” Richie asked.
Doc sat down on the barstool, leaning against the wall. “I sweeeeeeeeear, he does this to me on p…pur..purpose.”
Ashley’s eyes were wide, having never seen him drunk before. To make it worse, his shirt was ruffled, his face was beat red and he had red lipstick prints all over his face.
“Are you going to be okay?” Ashley laughed in amazement.
He laughed, twirling around on the seat. “Yeeessss. I just wanted to come down here and tell you all that I love you. Richie, I love ya man! Dave..you too!”
Doc then put his arm around Ashley.
“Did you see Jason?” He asked her.
Ashley blushed. “Yes Doc, I saw Jason.”
“Did you two make up?”
Ashley held her breath, knowing that one was coming. She glanced at Richie, who while standing at the door gave her a disapproving look then turned and left the doorway.
She lowered her head and kicked her heal back against the wall, wondering why it mattered to her so much that Richie had now found out about her and Jason.
Doc nudged her. “I thought you liked him.”
“Can we discuss this later, please?” She asked him, softly.
Dave nodded his head. “I always knew that you and Jason would hook up.”
Ashley turned her gaze to Dave and he added just as Richie walked back into the room, “I hope you two get things worked out.”
The look on Richie’s face made her feel suddenly sick, still Doc wanted to make sure everyone knew about how he felt about it.
“I loved the fact that Ashley and Jason were dating,” Doc said to Dave. He shook his head. “But for reasons that Ashley doesn’t want to discuss, she broke it off. “
“Who’s shot is it?” Ashley asked, trying to change the subject.
“Mine,” Richie said sarcastically.
The game ended when he sunk the eight ball.
Ashley walked away from him to put her pool stick down. She was getting ready to leave when Jon walked in. He was laughing and his laughter was followed by more from the hallway. Sebastian and Dave Sabo walked in behind Jon. When Sebastian saw Ashley his laughter faded into a wide grin.
“So this is where you are hiding the beautiful women.” He said out loud to anyone that was listening.
She smiled at his comment and Jon laughed.
“Bas, be nice,” Jon said.
He looked at Jon. “I am being nice.”
He walked over to Ashley and took her hand. “We meet again,” he said.
The music that had been playing all night changed to Journey's Open Arms. Bas swept Ashley into his embrace.
"Let's dance."
She laughed as his swaying was over exaggerated.
“Lying beside you, here in the dark, feeling your heart beat with mine,” Sebastian sang with the words.
Richie knew he had no right to be jealous but watching Sebastian act that way with her, he was ready to kill him.
Jon stood watching Sebastian continuing his foolishness with Ashley and saw how Richie was taking it.
“We sailed on together,” Sebastian sang grabbing her hand and extended it outward.
“We drifted apart,” he moved away from her.
“And here you are by my side,” he then pulled her to him again. This time he took her arms and wrapped them around his waist. Ashley continued to laugh modestly.
Suddenly Sebastian dropped down on his knees, taking her hands he looked up at her.
“So now I come to you, with open arms. Nothing to hid, believe what I say. So here I am with open arms. Hoping you see what your love means to me…open arms.”
He got up laughing, “How are you doing there baby?”
She laughed; closing her eyes she shook her head. “Fine.”
He arched his eyebrow, “Yes you are.”
Richie stood watching Bas and Ashley interact. He was furious but he fought to remain calm. It wouldn’t do to act foolishly in front of everyone, and then he’d have to explain that too. He turned and saw the look on Jason’s face and knew he had witnessed the same thing he had. When Jason saw Richie, he turned and walked back down the hallway.
Richie clenched his teeth and turned as Ashley was walking towards him. Her smile made his heart pound.
“Where ya going?” He asked when she got right in front of him.
She giggled. “The little girl’s room.”
When Ashley left the room, everyone else started milling around and no one had noticed that Sebastian had slipped away and followed Ashley upstairs.
When Ashley was done she opened the bathroom door and turned the light off behind her. Just as she turned the corner, Sebastian came around the corner and grabbed her by her shoulders.
“Shhhhh!” He whispered. “Come here.”
At first Ashley was startled but then she said, “No,” and pulled away from him.
She expected him to let go of her but instead he pulled her up against him and rubbed himself against her the wrong way, as his hands were on her face while he was trying to kiss her.
“STOP!” She tried again, just as he pushed her against the wall.
Just when Ashley thought he was about to do something that terrified her, someone grabbed him from behind and pulled him off of her. After she realized what happened, she saw that person was Jason.
“She said to stop!” Jason said.
All the alcohol that Sebastian had drunk clouded his thinking. His reaction came in a swing to Jason’s face, but Jason was coherent so he was able to move away. Sebastian retaliated by grabbing Jason by the neck. As they started to struggle, some punches were thrown and they ended up at the top of the stairs. That’s when Jon saw what was going on and darted up the stairs, three at a time to break them up. Richie was close behind him.
Jon grabbed Sebastian while Richie grabbed Jason so they would be separated. The party that was going on downstairs had come to a halt as now everyone was staring up at the top of Jon’s staircase at all the of the commotion. All except for Doc, who was passed out in the Jacuzzi.
“What the fuck is going on?” Jon yelled.
Ashley was close to tears as she stared at Jason who was standing across from her, out of breath. She was just about to explain what had happened, but Sebastian had to tell his side of the story.
“That mother fucker needs to mind his own fuckin’ business!” Sebastian said, glaring at Jason.
Jon’s mouth opened but the question came from Richie.
“What the fuck did you do, Jason?” Richie demanded.
Ashley came in between Richie and Jason.
“He was trying to get Sebastian off of me, Richie,” she said as she pushed Jason back gently with her hand just a few feet.
Sebastian laughed. “I only wanted to kiss you. Jesus!”
Jason shook his head at Sebastian’s account of what had happened. Ashley turned around just as Jon said, “Look, Jason if you can’t handle other men flirting with Ashley, then maybe you need to leave.”
“Jon, that’s not what happened,” Ashley said. “Sebastian…” her voice trailed off, her lips started to tremble.
She was horrified to tell what she thought Sebastian was trying to do. Jason gently put his hand on her shoulder as he looked at Jon.
“Sebastian went too far. I even heard her tell him to stop. I was trying to get him off of her Jon.”
Jon could see the tears in Ashley’s eyes and he knew what Jason wasn’t the one to blame.
“Bas, you need to leave,” he said as he escorted him down the stairs.
That left Ashley, Jason and Richie standing alone at the top of the stairs. You could cut the tension with a knife.
“What happened?” Richie asked.
“I was coming up the stairs to go to the bathroom and saw Sebastian with his hands all over Ashley holding her up against the wall,” Jason said. “I heard her tell him to stop, and that’s all it took.”
Ashley blinked back the tears in her eyes and smiled. “I’m glad you had to use the bathroom when you did,” she laughed.
Jason smiled. “Me too.”
Ashley wrapped her arms around Jason’s neck and gave him a hug. “Thank you.”
He smiled, as he rubbed her back. “No need to thank me. I would never let anything happen to you.”
She pulled away from him and smiled. Jason let go of her and gave Richie a short look.
“I need to go,” he said.
Ashley frowned. “You don’t have to leave.”
Jason once again looked at Richie. “No, I need to leave.”
He stepped forward and kissed Ashley on the cheek and then turned and went down the stairs. Ashley took a deep breath and leaned back against the wall. She watched as Jason said goodbye to everyone downstairs. When he walked to the door he looked up at her one last time and then turned and was gone.
Richie stood there, not knowing what he should say if anything. It was clear that Ashley and Jason’s relationship meant something to Jason.
“I think I need some fresh air,” Ashley said and she leaned back against the wall.
Richie took her hand and led her down the hallway. “There’s a balcony off of Jon’s bedroom. That would be easier then going down the steps,” Richie explained.
When they entered Jon’s bedroom the light was dimmed just enough to show the way to the French doors that lead out onto the balcony that overlooked a beautiful waterfall. Richie picked up a quilt on the chair in the corner and put it around her shoulders just before they went outside.
Ashley wrapped herself in the blanket and smiled up at Richie. She sat down and took a deep breath. Too much had happened and the night was still early.
“Do you want anything to drink?” Richie asked her.
She shook her head no.
“How about a hug?”
She smiled and stood up as he opened his arms up for her. He wrapped his arms around her, bringing her close to him. He rested his cheek on her head and smiled. She closed her eyes as she squeezed him in her own embrace, her head resting at his chest.
The wind was blowing around the corner of the house and blowing snow flakes all around them.
Richie laughed, “Burrrr….I might need to get in that blanket with you.”
Ashley giggled as she dropped it from around her and opened it up so that they both could wrap up in it. They stood that way for a long time, Richie just holding her.
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