Chapter 25

After soundcheck was finished, the girls looked around not sure what to do next. Obie saw them and motioned them in the direction the guys had disappeared. Backstage a member of the crew looked at their laminates and pointed them towards an open door. Peeking in, Desi saw Jon and hesitated, unsure, until Ana pushed her into the room.

“Hey.”

“Hey Beautiful.” Jon greeted Desi  with a bit uncertainty. “What did you girls think of soundcheck?”

“It was interesting.” Desi was still a little annoyed.

Ana poked her. “Ignore the ungrateful bitch Jon, it was great!”

“Thanks. You must be Ana.” Jon held out his hand. Ana shook it.

“I’m sorry.” Desi gave herself a mental shake and performed the introductions. “Where’s Richie? Ana really wants to meet him.” She smirked at her friend’s murderous look and stepped out of reach. “What? It’s true!”

“Then that makes two of us darlin’.” A deep voice spoke from behind them.

Turning, Desi grinned at Richie and went through the introduction routine again. “Ana’s a fan.” She leaned over to murmur to her temporarily speechless friend. “I warned you...payback’s a bitch!”

“I’d be disappointed if she wasn’t.” Richie assured an obviously flustered Ana. “Why don’t we sit down over there and get to know each other a little better?”

When they’d moved away, Jon turned his attention back to Desi. “Please don’t be mad at me. I just want to make sure that you don’t get hurt again.”

Desi sighed. “I know. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me....really.”

He slid his arms around her waist, linking his fingers and resting them in the small of her back.  He leaned in closely to her ear and whispered. “Am I forgiven? “

The soft tone vibrated through her ear , sending a chill down her spine and after taking a moment to recover, she spoke softly. “Yes. “

“Good, “ He replied as he placed a sweet kiss along the nape of her neck. “Now can I say just how much I missed you? “

Desi couldn’t help but smile. “ Yes over and over if you like. “

Jon released her waist , turned her to face him then placed several sweet kisses on her lips. “I missed you , I missed you  I missed you. “

Wrapping her arms around his waist, she eagerly returned his kisses . “I missed you too, though I just don’t see how this could be happening so fast. “

Jon pulled back for a moment, gazed down into her beautiful eyes . “I know , I never thought “ he paused, a warm smile spread across his lips. “I never thought I could feel this way again. I never wanted to -- til now. “

Before Desi could respond, Obie stepped into the room . “ I hate to interrupt this party but you have an interview scheduled in about 5 minutes and Rich your mom just arrived. “

Jon reluctantly pulled away from Desi , “ Okay will be there in a few “ he replied though his gaze remained fixated on Desi.

Obie started back out the door when Jon called out. “ Could you escort the girls back to their seats ? “

“Sure “ Obie answered then turned his attention away so they could say their goodbyes.

“I guess I gotta go , “ Jon whispered a hairs breath away from her lips. “See you after the show” he leaned in and kissed her passionately.  Then he pulled away and with a wink he turned towards the door and walked out leaving Desi to catch her breath .

Richie had departed but not before giving Ana a kiss and promises of getting together after the show for a later dinner.

Both girls headed back to their seats and settled in for the show.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The show was incredible , Jon definitely was in a good mood and the guys were on fire.  Playing rarites such as Raise Your Hands and Open All Night.  Both Jon and Richie smiled at the girls as they made their way to the circle for a couple songs . Things were going nearly perfect, as perfect as they could get when it happened.  They had just finished the first song into the encore and began Glad All Over , Jon just pivoted on his heel and almost immediately Desi knew something was terribly wrong .

Pain etched cross Jon’s face as he clutched tightly to the mic stand while bending down to massage the calf . All the while without missing a note , He then tried to walk it off but a pronounced limp became evident . After finishing the song , he spoke “I think I just wrecked my leg but its okay I still have another one. “ he forced a smile and started into Prayer.

She stopped dancing , her mouth dropped for a second watching him intently as he grasped his calf , his face coated with pain.  “He’s hurt , I have to go to him “ she said not sure if Ana heard her or not .

Desi made her way through the crowd , with Ana following closely on her heels.  She made it over to wear Obie was standing . “I knew I would see you. “ he responded. “Come with me . “ he lead them beneath the stage to his small, quick change area.

“You know what happened? Is he alright ? “ Desi asked her voice coated with worry.

“Have no idea . But the doctor is on stand by as soon as we can get him off the stage. “ Obie answered as he watched and waited for the last bars of Prayer to be over.

It seemed like any eternity before Jon descended down the steps with David on one side and Richie on the other. His head dipped down as a string of curses flew out of his mouth .

Desi patiently waited for them to slowly approach her before walking up to him . She waved Richie away then placed his arm across her shoulders as she slipped her arm around his waist.. “ Lean on me.“ she quietly ordered , not giving neither David or Jon a chance to argue before she started to walk him to the golf cart that was waiting for him.

Once they had him settled into the golf cart , Desi hopped in the front .  “We’re ready . Lets go.” She quickly glanced over to a Ana, who if it hadn’t been for the concern she had for Jon would have laughed at all the guys reaction to Desi and her ordering everyone about. Sweet, soft spoken Desi turned into a drill Sergeant in a matter of a few moments.  “See you in the back. “ was all she said as the driver quickly took off for the backstage area and to the doctor that was waiting for Jon to arrive.