Part 271/22/88 Vancouver, Canada
The next morning Ashley got up early with Richie. They showered and dressed, then ate breakfast in their room. By 9:00 AM she had accompanied him to the studio.
Jon smiled as he saw how happy they were together when they strolled in, hand in hand. He saw the look on Dave's face and remembered that he was the only one that knew about their relationship. Dave was staring at them, and the room got very quiet as the other's turned around and saw them.
Richie paid no attention to anything but Ashley. He smiled at her then, still holding her hand, leaned forward, bending his head and kissed her on the lips.
That's when Obie spit out his coffee. The room filled with laughter.
Richie snickered. “What's wrong Obie?”
Dave shook his head. “Since when did you two start kissing each other?”
Ashley turned her head in Dave's direction. Her face flushed when she smiled. Richie looked down at Ashley and winked.
He then looked back at Dave and smiled. “Since we decided we are more then just friends.”
Dave's mouth dropped open Obie just sat beside Jon shaking his head. Tico, who had been on the couch this whole time, didn't say anything.
Alec smiled. “That's great! Congratulations to the both of you.”
Ashley sat down in the chair along the back of the mixing room as Richie took a seat beside Jon. He spun around in his chair and smiled at Ashley as Jon told him he had just written a new song and he wanted Richie to hear it.
“Actually, Dave and I had been working on the music yesterday,” Jon said as he picked up the acoustic guitar that was resting beside him.
Dave shook his head. “This song makes perfect sense to me now.”
Jon smiled. “Good”
Dave began to play the intro on keyboard and Jon strummed the guitar.
“I don't need a license, to sign on no line. I don't need a preacher to tell me your mine. I don't need no diamonds; I don't need a new bride. I just need you to look me in the eye.
I know they have a hard time, your daddy don't approve. I don't need your daddy telling us what we should do. There's a million questions I could ask about our lives, but I only need one answer to get me through the night.
Can you tell me where we fit in. I call it love they call it living in sin. Is it just you and me or this world we live in. We are living on love; they say we are living in sin.”
Richie gave Ashley a knowing smile and glance. She laughed, her cheeks turned pink from the adulation that she and Richie's relationship was getting.
“Is it right for both our parents to fight it out most nights, then pray for god's forgiveness when they both turn out the lights. Or wear the ring of diamond, when your heart is made of stone. Is right to hold you and kiss your lips good night, that promise is forever if you sign it on the dotted line.”
“I'm thinking solo here, and then finish it out with the chorus, maybe something a little more.” Jon said to Richie.
When he finished the song, he looked up and smiled and sat his guitar down. Dave sat down and crossed his arms.
Ashley's heart was in her throat, but the smile on her lips was all Jon needed. Jon had a great way of taking it and making it seem so Romeo and Juliet sounding.
“So, you both approve?” Jon asked as he looked at Richie and then Ashley.
Richie didn't know how to respond, so he looked to Ashley for the answer. She felt her turn from pink to red. She could barely look at Jon when she nodded her head.
Jon laughed but didn't say anything. Luckily for Ashley the song was put to rest for the day and they went back to recording the other songs they had wrote. By lunch time they ordered Chinese food and then the guys went back to recording. Obie, Jon and Richie explained a lot of the process to Ashley. Her admiration for Richie grew seeing him so involved in working. It was different then seeing him play live. She had fallen in love with him all over again, reminding herself of all the things she loved about him and now the list was longer.
Days went by and Ashley was enjoying the time she spent with Richie in the studio. It was so natural for them not to hide their feelings any longer. Spending more time with him, Ashley saw a different man then what she had known before. He definitely showed her how much he loved her. Each moment with him he had to touch her in some way, whether it was with his hand on her back, his arm around her, or just holding her hand.
Everything couldn't have been more perfect. During some down time, Richie nestled up to Ashley on the couch waiting for things to get started. He stretched out and Ashley laid down between his legs her back facing him her head resting against his chest. She was flipping through Rolling Stone Magazine, Richie looking over her shoulder as Dave was sitting on the table directly beside them trying to talk them into going out after they got done at the studio that night.
“Come on guys,” Dave kept saying.
Richie laughed, “Get Al to go with you.”
Dave hung his head. “It was fun the last time we went out,” He mumbled then rose his head back up. “Were you two going at it then?”
Ashley laughed and covered her face with the magazine.
Richie winked at Dave, “In so many words, yes we were.”
Ashley pulled the magazine away from her face and held it up as she tried to read an article about the latest movies, but the conversation around her was making that impossible
Dave shook his head again. “I just can't believe I never knew it. You two did a good job not letting on.”
Obie turned around. “I knew what you two were up to. I just kept my mouth shut and minded my own business,” he said as he picked up another piece of pizza.
Richie laughed at him. “Yeah okay, whatever you say.”
“No, I'm serious,” he said pushing his glasses back on his nose. “I could tell. That's why Ashley wouldn't have anything to do with Jason.”
Ashley smiled to herself. Then he continued. “Although, I am confused about that night at the bar Ashley.”
She lowered the magazine away from her face. “What are you talking about?”
Obie was in the middle of chewing up his bite. When he was finished he explained. “You and Jason at the bar. If you and Richie were seeing each other then, why were you and Jason together that night?”
Ashley laughed softly, feeling her face heat up from the embarrassment. She knew Richie was eagerly awaiting her explanation. “Richie and I were fighting that night,” She said.
“Oh that's right. That stripper deal, ugh?” Obie said grinning.
“Okay, the past is the past,” Richie said slightly irritated at Obie for bringing it up.
He wrapped his arms around Ashley's chest and lowered down to speak to her. “So do you want to go out for awhile tonight?”
“If you want to we can,” she answered coyly.
“What do you have in mind Dave?” Richie asked.
“I'm not sure yet,” he answered.
Hearing the door open, Dave turned around. Doc walked in and right away saw Richie and Ashley on the couch. Dave turned back around and lowered his head, not knowing what to expect.
Ashley and Richie saw him come in, but did nothing to move away from one another.
“Hey Doc. How the hell are ya?” Obie asked as he spun around in the chair to look at Doc who was walking up to the mixer board.
“I've been better,” Doc said his tone sour.
“What the hell's going on here, a party?” He asked looking around the room, but not looking at Ashley and Riche on the couch.
Dave laughed, “No that was last night. We are actually working our ass off today boss.”
Doc looked straight at Dave. “Could have fooled me,” he said, his mood still the same.
The room got uncomfortably quiet as Doc stood with his arms crossed looking into where Jon was standing with earphones on his head.
Ashley moved off of Richie. She was sitting on the couch when she said, “I'm going outside.”
She got up and Richie was right behind her. They both went out the side exit door that lead out to the parking lot. Richie pulled out his cigarette pack and handed Ashley one as the door closed behind them.
“I need to quite smoking,” she said as she took it from his hand.
Richie lit her cigarette with his lighter and smiled before he lit his own. He leaned up against the wall. “Don't let him bother you, Darlin,” he said gently.
She flashed him a sideways glance before she looked up at him fully. “I can't help it.”
Richie took a drag from his cigarette as Ashley shivered in the cold air. The sun was warm, but it was still quite chilly.
“Let me get you a coat to wear,” he said handing her his cigarette.
He opened the door to go back inside. When he reached for his jacket lying on the couch, Doc looked over his shoulder at him then turned back around.
Richie went back out the door and put his jacket on Ashley's shoulders. After she handed him both cigarettes, she slipped her arms inside and smiled. “Thanks.”
Ashley finished her cigarette and crushed it under her shoe on the pavement. She then put her arms around Richie's waist, resting her head over his heart. “I love you,” She said as she squeezed her eyes closed to block off the tears.
Richie's heart melted. He hugged her tightly in his arms just as she was doing him. “I love you too Ashley.”
Meanwhile as they embraced, Doc happened to see the whole thing unfold right before his eyes as they were visible from the window. He hated the sight of the two of them together. He was positive that Richie was using her and he couldn't believe that Richie had the audacity to do it to his own daughter after he made it perfectly clear she was hands off to them all.
Jon came out of the sound room and saw Doc staring at Richie and Ashley out the window. Jon ran his hand threw the top of his hair. “Doc,” He said.
Doc turned around and forced a smile, “Jon.”
Jon was at a loss of words as he knew nothing to say to him at that moment.
Doc lifted his chin. “I come to see how things were going.”
“You going to hang around for awhile?” Jon asked him.
Doc nodded, “I planned to, but I'm not sure if I will now.”
Jon thought quickly. “I planned on the guitar getting done tonight, but I can switch it.”
Doc's face became red. “Then he'll be with Ash…” he stopped himself. “Fine, do whatever you want, but don't do it on my account. If they want to be together, that's their business and I'm staying out of it.”
“Doc,” Jon started but was interrupted by Richie and Ashley coming back in through the door.
They were laughing and joking with each other. Jon saw Doc's forehead wrinkle and knew it was upsetting him. When Ashley sat down on the couch, Dave and Tico went to Doc and started talking to him, just to try to ease the tension. Jon motioned for Richie to follow him outside the door.
Ashley picked up her magazine and Richie left the room.
When Jon turned around, Richie knew something was going on. He cocked his head sideways wanting an explanation.
Jon answered him before he even asked. “I think it's best if you and Ashley go.”
Richie drew in a deep breath and let it out loudly.
“Rich come on. I didn't know he was coming,” Jon told him.
“I didn't say you did Jon.” Richie snapped. “I just don't think avoiding him is the way to handle this.”
“So what do you want to do, rub it in his face?” Jon said quickly. “I only see that making it worse. You have to admit, it's a lot for him to get used to.”
Richie threw up his hands. “Fine whatever you say. You're the boss.”
“Damn it Rich, don't act this way.” Jon said as Richie turned away from him.
Richie stopped before he opened the door. He knew he shouldn't have acted that way with Jon. He turned around, face to face with him.
“I'm sorry, man.”
Jon smiled and slapped his arm. “It's okay. I understand. Trust me okay?”
Richie nodded his head and then they both went back through the door into the studio. Ashley was on the couch, her feet curled up beside her, the magazine covering her face. Doc was inside the sound room talking with Obie while Dave, Tico and Al were replaying a track that had been recorded earlier.
Richie walked over to Ashley. “Let's go.”
She lowered the magazine and had a questioning look on her face when she saw that Richie wasn't smiling. “I'll explain later.”
She put the magazine down and got up from the couch. Richie grabbed his coat and said goodbye to everyone inside, Ashley did the same still unsure why they were leaving.
When they left the studio, Richie was quiet as they walked down the hall to the elevator. Ashley could feel the tension; the lump in her throat that had developed since Doc had arrived had now doubled.
Inside the elevator Richie finally broke his silence. “Jon thought it was best that we leave.”
“Oh,” Ashley said softly.
The remainder of the way back to the hotel, neither of them said anything to each other. When they got to their room Ashley went into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. The tears that she had been fighting off released with the soft click of the lock.
When she came back out sometime later, Richie was lying on the bed watching TV. He looked up when she came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel and one wrapped her around her head. Her eyes were red and she was sniffling.
“I don't want to go anywhere,” She said sitting on the bed.
Richie frowned and leaned up touching her bare shoulder. “We can stay in and order room service.”
She nodded her head, without looking at him. When she went to get up, he pulled her back. “Ashley.”
She turned her head to look at him, “I don't want to talk about it.”
Richie tried to smile. “We need to talk about it.”
She removed his hand and got up off the bed and went back into the bathroom. Richie sighed loudly and fell back onto the bed again. A few minutes later, Ashley returned dressed in a silk plum nightgown that was long with cross crossed spaghetti straps. She laid down beside Richie, curled up on her side and closed her eyes. Richie reached over to her and rubbed her shoulder, but she didn't move. Then Richie curled up behind her resting his head in his hand and kissed her shoulder softly.
“What's wrong?” He asked softly.
“I can't help that I am upset that my father won't even talk to me now,” she answered him in a small voice.
“Ashley,” He said as he moved closer to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. “I know this is hard on you, but we will work it all out. In the long run, everything will work out.”
She turned on her back and stared up into his eyes. “Richie, this is never going to work. This is your career and he's your manager. Don't you see that?”
“And don't you see how much I love you?” He argued.
Tears filled up in her eyes again. “I do see how much you love me.”
“Then you know that I'll do anything for us to be together. Nothing will come between us, not after I almost lost you for good.”
She closed her eyes; the tears broke through her eyelashes and streamed down her face. When she moved her head so he couldn't see he lifted her chin back up with is hand and cupped her face.
He kissed her lips softly at first and then opened his lips to indulge in her sweet taste. He pulled away and smiled. “Let's see what we can do to change your mood.”
He lowered his head down to her neck biting her softly and she giggled.
No comments:
Post a Comment