Explanations

Jon stared at the screen, shaking his head. He knew she was a smart girl, but she just wasn’t getting it. He skimmed over the ranting, knowing it was just the heat of the moment commentary – he knew deep down she didn’t mean that. Over the years, he grew a rather thick skin when it came to irritated females. He just took everything with a grain of salt. Still, he had to make her see his point of view. He was certain that he’d be able to make her understand if she would get past her mad.

PM FROM BILLY THE KIDD TO THE GODDESS HATHOR:
You couldn't be more wrong doll. I didn't do anything to help YOU. I did it to help Rich.

No on all counts. I didn't think you'd be "on board" or that you'd push back. Actually, to be honest, I thought you'd be flattered that he was jealous. Do you know how many women in the world would kill to be 'the meat in a Jon and Richie sandwich'? Yeah, I know what all you women talk about. And don't deny it and say you've never said it. I've read your stories, and I've seen some of your comments on other writers' stories. You HAVE said it before, so don't deny it. So, in my mind I just figured how much better it would be to be the woman fought over than just "the meat" in the sandwich.

If you're expecting me to apologize for having a small circle of people I care about and trust, for Rich's sake, I hope you're not holding your breath while you're waiting, because there's no way in hell that's ever gonna happen. Do you know how many times I've been burned by people I was supposed to be able to trust? Do you have ANY idea how many times someone I trusted and called 'friend' or even 'lover' fucked me over? Even the genius that you are, you can't count that fucking high. And through it all the only people that haven't done that are the ones that are still in that "chalk circle" I've drawn around me. But, it's not just a chalk circle...it's The Great Wall, doll.

PM FROM THE GODDESS HATHOR TO BILLY THE KIDD::
Look, spare me the "poor me, people try to use me" sob story, OK? You aren't the first, last, or worst to be screwed over. And my bad, I thought that when I started to mean something to Richie, that I started to mean something to you. Won't make that mistake again.

And Mr. Ego, there's a difference between talking a good game, and meaning it. C'mon, genius, it's fan FICTION! MAKE BELIEVE for Christ's sake. I've seen your shows. I've heard the banter. You know as well as I do there's a line between what's real and what's part of the show. "Hath" is a persona I've cultivated over the better part of the last 18 months. She's a big believer in equal opportunity, and she puts on one fucking good show, but she’s a fake, just like you.

For crying out loud, YOU of all people should know about giving the people what they want. So yeah, I've written some stuff about you. Big freaking deal. I also appreciate the writing talents of some of the others out there. It doesn't mean I want to engage in those activities. Fuck, Jon, I'm working on a slash story too; do you think that means I really want to see you get fucked by Richie? uh, NO.

And you weren't *god, I can't believe I'm typing this* "fighting over me" Get real. You were pushing him into something he probably wasn't ready to admit. Possibly he would have eventually, possibly not. Either way, it's HIS decision and MY decision....not a tableau for you to manipulate.

And no, I don't want an apology for having a circle of friends you can trust. I don't even give a shit whether I stick around long enough to get into it. You really don't matter all that much in the grand scheme of my life. I don't have to like Richie's family -- I just have to tolerate and be polite. Just like you don't have to like me.

And you're absolutely right...you didn't help me. You FUCKED me over.

Look, let's agree to disagree. You think you did this wonderful thing, making Richie jealous, getting him to yell at me, hang up on me and call me a whore. You have a strange sense of what's wonderful. I think you let your "I know what's best for everyone, because I'm Jon fucking Bon Jovi and if you don't like it, kiss my ass" attitude get in the way of something you had no business getting involved in.


PM FROM BILLY THE KIDD TO THE GODDESS HATHOR:
Wait.

He called you names? He mistreated you?

He has NEVER mistreated or disrespected a woman. I had no idea he would go that far. Hell, you weren't even supposed to know that I'd "meddled". But, I slipped up. I do that from time to time. I didn't want you apologizing for something that I had done, and knew perfectly well what I was doing when I did it.

He wasn't supposed to mistreat you. I never meant for that to happen. Honest.

PM FROM THE GODDESS HATHOR TO BILLY THE KIDD::
You wait. This just proves my point. We are people, not figurines for you to fuck with. We don’t always think and do what YOU, the all powerful, all knowing Jon want us to.

Yeah. He called me a whore, accused me of slutting around with my guy-friends, and then thought the could make it all better with a half-assed "I’m sorry" later, and an ambush at the Pats game this weekend.

You two really are cut from the same cloth, aren’t you? Thinking you control everything.

Well, I have news for you, I control me. I control what I do and what I will put up with. I will not put up with your arrogance and Richie’s misplaced jealousy. I deserve far better than that.

If you want to know the truth, I sent Richie home Sunday, and wouldn’t let him touch me. For him to say those things; on some level he must believe it, no? That kind of deep-seated anger isn't "all of a sudden".

In any event, you let me see the kind of guy he is when things take a harmless left turn, and you showed me a couple of things about myself, too; none of which I like. So I guess I do owe you a thank you for making me see this stuff before things went further.

PM FROM BILLY THE KIDD TO THE GODDESS HATHOR:
NO NO NO! He wasn't supposed to be an ass! I was absolutely sure that the fact that he trusted ME would protect you. That's what I was trying to say before.

I fully expected him to go off on me! Hell, I pushed the buttons, I was ready to take the shit! I didn't know he would say mean and hateful things to you. Which makes no fucking sense. Normally, he would go off on me! Even if it wasn't my fault, so I was sure that with there being no doubt it was my fault I'd get the brunt of his anger.

But don't worry, I'LL handle Mr. Sambora.

And you’re calling him ‘Richie’.

PM FROM THE GODDESS HATHOR TO BILLY THE KIDD::
Jon, I'm a big girl. I'll get over it. I don't want to, but I will. I've been through the hateful before, and "they" all say that behind every hateful remark is a little truth. I know a little of what went on with his other women. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I don't want to be a chump.

Yeah, he’s "Richie". "Rich" was someone I loved, trusted, and respected. He doesn’t have that anymore.

Please, don't make things any worse. I've still got a little dignity left; I don't want him thinking I came sniveling to you. Leave it be. You owe me that much courtesy.

PM FROM BILLY THE KIDD TO THE GODDESS HATHOR:
Alright, Jen. I'll leave him alone. But, I want you to know that it doesn't sit right with me letting you take the ass chewing that was meant for me, and not saying something to the prick.

PM FROM THE GODDESS HATHOR TO BILLY THE KIDD::
You’ve done enough damage, Rock Star. Leave it, and me, alone. Please. If there’s even a shred of decency in your too-big head, you’ll give me this. Call it a parting gift if you will. Goodbye, Jon.

Arrogance

Monday, when Jennifer went back to work, she logged onto the board during her lunch hour, and saw that Jon had left her a PM. She hadn’t wanted anything to do with Richie, and that included avoiding Jon.

PM FROM BILLY THE KIDD TO THE GODDESS HATHOR:
How're you and Rich? I haven’t heard from him in a couple days; I assume you have him locked up in your bedroom? Tell him to relax and unclench. He called me a couple of days ago...and uh...well...let's just say he was less than happy with me.

Jennifer’s eyes teared up. Richie didn’t say anything to Jon about them breaking up. Typical. Well, she wasn’t going to do it for him.

PM FROM THE GODDESS HATHOR TO BILLY THE KIDD:
Sorry about that.

PM FROM BILLY THE KIDD TO THE GODDESS HATHOR:
No need to apologize. I'm quite deserving of his anger, considering how many buttons I was pushing the other night. But I owed him. No offense taken and T's the only one I want. (No offense).

Besides, the day I can't handle Sambora is the day I pack up and move to Antarctica. He went off, and I told him he was being an idiot.

Don't get mad at that, it was my turn for the name calling.

PM FROM THE GODDESS HATHOR TO BILLY THE KIDD:
No offense taken, and I already know he’s an idiot. I have no doubt you can "handle" him -- Christ -- you've been doing it forever. Doesn't mean I'm still not sorry that he lashed out at you.

PM FROM BILLY THE KIDD TO THE GODDESS HATHOR:
Don't apologize. Really. I pushed the buttons hoping to make him mad. It worked.

Don't ask why I did it. Just accept the benefits and move on.

PM FROM THE GODDESS HATHOR TO BILLY THE KIDD: :
"benefits"?!? Are you fucking insane?

Do you know how mad at me he was? If you can call a raging case of self-doubt joined by sleepless nights, feelings of inadequacy, stupidity, and depression "benefits"...

You are one fucked up individual, Jon.

With that, she went to bed. What the hell was wrong with these people?

The next afternoon, she saw Jon had answered her back. She wasn’t sure she wanted to read anything he had to say, but the curiosity got the better of her, and she had to click the little envelope icon.

PM FROM BILLY THE KIDD TO THE GODDESS HATHOR:
Jen, I have to start by saying that I don't usually explain myself and usually don't have to, because for the most part I'm either dealing with people that know me so well they understand why I do something, or I'm dealing with people that I don't care whether they understand why I did something. So, I'm asking that you try to be patient while I do something I don't normally do.

Richie is a major commitment-phobe, since the divorce with Heather. Hell, you should know that already. He says things like...I love her, I wanna marry her....etc. But, when it comes down to the brass tacks he runs. Or, he'll do something to make her leave. I've watched it happen several times. I wasn't going to stand by while he fucked up the best thing that's EVER happened to him. So, I pushed him.

I made him see just how important you were to him. C'mon Jen. Think. I'm his best friend. His brother. Even if he didn't trust you, don't you think he would've trusted ME? Isn't that just a little bit telling on it's own? The fact that he got all jealous and threw a tantrum, even though he knew...KNEW...that I wouldn't touch you for ANY thing. And not just because of T. Because believe me when I say this, as much as she means to me...and that's a hell of a lot...Richie means more. So, as tempting as you are, doll. You're not tempting enough to make me lose all reason and risk Richie's friendship and loyalty. Thanks but no thanks. And he knows that.

But, he lost his mind in a jealous fit. Then had to spend some time wondering if he'd lost you and knowing how he'd feel if he had. Now, he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he can't live without you, and he's more afraid of living without you than committing to you.

So, there ya go. You're welcome.

Oh, and by the way....

Cheryl, my assistant, still has a job because she didn't fuck up a damn thing. There weren't any hotel reservations to fuck up.

Oh, but thanks again for your hospitality.

PM FROM THE GODDESS HATHOR TO BILLY THE KIDD::
You arrogant, son-of-a-bitch.

When you fuck with my life, well-being, sanity, and sense of self-worth, you fucking well owe me an explanation; I don’t give a shit who you THINK you are. I don't care if Mr. Big Shot Know-it-all Rock Star thinks his shit don't stink and "you either know me or I don't care what you think". You fucked with me, Jon, and I don't like it. I don't put up with people, even well meaning people, even the best friends of the people who mean most to me, interfering in MY life.

You said flat out that you pushed his buttons on purpose. Did you even THINK what that would do to ME? Nope, because outside your own little circle of people you love and trust, the rest of us don't mean shit. Fine. I can accept and understand that. Either that or you'd just assume that I "got what you were doing" and be all on-board with it. Or you thought I wouldn't push back. Well guess what, sweetheart? You thought wrong.

Boy do you underestimate me. I am not one of the Koolaid-drinking crowd who think blindly that all you touch is gold and that everything you do is right.

Yeah, Einstein, I know about Richie's commitment phobia. Do you think after the shit I went through with *ugh* Brandon, that I would be any different? Did it not occur to you to think why I was pushing back on relocating to LA (he hinted, but never came right out and asked, and I pointedly ignored the hints). NO. Of course not. 'Cause I'm outside that little chalk circle you've drawn around your life.

So, to HELP me, what you did was push me blindly into a situation where I had to deal with jealousy, anger and a sense of betrayal with no warning because you wanted to make sure that HE didn't screw something up. Guess what, big shot, it is screwed up. He wasn't anywhere near to fucking things up with me -- at least not from where I'm standing, and to tell you the truth, that's the only perspective that counts. Yours means less than a cockroach’s.

Of course he SHOULD have trusted you. He SHOULD have trusted me, too. He should not have gone off on either of us, but now I see that you made it a point to make sure he did. Who fucking died and made you God?

I suppose I should thank you..... your pre-emptive strike did nothing but solidify in my mind that manipulation and underhandedness is the only way to deal with him, and frankly, that just isn't me, and I don't need that much drama in my life. It's fucked up enough without trying to figure out how to make him learn a lesson he should be willing to embrace on his own. I don't want someone in my life who is only there because his friend bullied him into it.

The fact that he got all jealous and threw a tantrum over something you did must make you feel good; that you have that kind of control over another person. Good for you.

And I don't give a rat's ass if I WAS tempting enough for you. You may be nice to look at, but you have never done it for me. Sorry to burst your bubble there pal, but regardless of what YOU would have wanted or not, I did not, and do not, want you.

So I'm really happy for him that he knows that he "can't live without me". Great. So what if it only cost me a little bit of self-esteem. As long as YOU'RE happy with the results, I guess that's all that matters.

And wait a minute... You came to my house fully intending to do this shit just to fuck with Richie? After I opened my home to you? Man, you are a piece of work.

But let me tell you something.....if you expect me to kiss your ass in thanks, well you can kiss mine.

You had NO right to fuck with me. None whatsoever.

You are no longer welcome in my home or in my life.

Break Up

When Hath got to work, she was surprised to find her desk phone ringing.

“Hey there,” she said softly. “What are you doing up so early, Rich? Jon got off alright, said to tell you -- ”

“Look, I don’t care what he told you to tell me,” Richie answered, his voice mean and hard.

“Huh?”

“Your behavior with Jon last night was totally unacceptable. If it’s him you really want, you should have said so, instead of leading me on. In case you didn’t realize, he’s totally smitten with T, so your efforts were wasted anyway.”

“Wait, what? What the hell are you talking about? I don’t ‘want’ him – I never have. It was just harmless flirting, and for God’s sake, we weren't even in the same damned room!”

“Do you whore around with all your men friends? You do seem to have an awful lot of them.”

“Rich! How dare you!”

Jen heard him sigh on the other end of the phone. “I don’t want to hear it. I know what I know, and I know what Jon told me. I have some stuff to do, I need to go. I just wanted to tell you that if you want Jon, I won’t stand in your way, though T may kick your ass. I’ll talk to you later.” He hung up with out saying goodbye.

Jennifer stared at her phone, not quite sure what had happened. She quickly pressed ‘redial’ and waited. And waited. And finally, it rang through to voicemail. This is Rich. Talk, baby.

“Rich, I don’t know what the hell that was all about,” Jennifer said, “but I sure as shit didn’t deserve to be hung up on or called a whore. You have one hell of a nerve. Don’t call me back.”

By the end of the day, she had ignored several phone calls, emails, and texts from him, deleting them without looking or listening to them. When she got home, she checked in on the board out of habit, and checked her PMs. There was one from Richie. She was tempted to ignore it, but in the end couldn’t help herself.

Jen, I'm sorry for what I said, and for hanging up on you this morning. I don't blame you for not answering your phone or email, but I hope you see this. I was being stupid, I know, but Jon knows how to push my buttons. I know that whatever was going on was just on the computer and didn't mean anything AND I know that his fiancée would have his ass in a sling if he ever seriously THOUGHT about getting hot and heavy with another woman -- even one as lovely as you. It's just that he called me this morning to brag on how good you looked all rumpled from sleep and he described your bathroom and robe and hell, I know.....I KNOW that you don't think of him that way...it's just...

No more excuses. I was dumb, and wrong, and I'm sorry. Please, call me later, OK? I love you.

~ R

“Oh no you don’t,” Jennifer said to the screen. “You can be a hurtful, jealous fool, call me a whore and hang up on me, then think this makes everything right? I don’t think so.”

She took a deep breath, and hit reply.

First off, I’m only answering this so you’ll leave me alone. Stop calling me. I don’t know how you could think I'd [a] take any of that shit with Jon seriously and [b] be the kind of girl to "love the one you're with." I NEVER gave you any reason to think that about me. Never.

Second, jealous fool or not, this whole mess means on some level you actually believe I would have, or would have WANTED to, mess around with Jon. You’re screwed up in the head, Rich. Completely. What in the hell kind of woman do you think I am? Your apology doesn’t mean anything. You can’t just make this go away with a few pretty words.

I swore I would never let another man make me feel like absolute shit....and look what's happened.

I gave you the power to made me feel horrible about myself and I swore I'd never let a man do that to me again. Well guess what? I’m taking back that power. I loved you more than any other man I've ever known. I trusted you with my body, mind, and soul. And look how I was treated.

I will not allow you to shatter me like ex-ass did. It took a long time to get back to normal, and I will NOT go through that again. Not even for you.

I'm leaving the cell phone home and going to NYC tomorrow. Please honor my wishes and leave me alone. I need a clean break. In this, I deserve to get what I want. You owe me that much.

I can’t say it’s all been fun, but it mostly has. I truly loved you, Rich.

Damn you for that.

Saturday, Richie tried all day to reach Jennifer, redoubling his efforts after he read her message to him. A thousand times over. She wasn't answering any of her phones, and he couldn't even leave any more messages because her voicemail was full. Pacing in his living room, he felt awful that he’d said those terrible things to Jen and hurt her; he didn't know how to make it better.

Yes, he did. He had to go see her and say to her face that he was sorry and didn't mean to say those horrible things to her and make her think he didn't trust her.

When he couldn’t get through to her, he resorted to trying her friends. Krissy hadn’t seen her, and he got Willow’s voicemail. He'd tried calling her mother, but Ma didn't know anything about Thursday, and didn't know where Jen had gone.

Saturday night, he finally reached Stephanie, and surprised the hell out of her.

"Stephanie," he'd said, "it's Rich."

"Hello," Stephanie said cautiously.

"Uh, I can't seem to find Jennifer," he said, "and I really need to talk to her."

"Well, Cheryl and I met her in the city today," she said, "but she should be home by now. She said she was going to take a pill and go to bed." Stephanie was quiet for a minute. "She's really sad."

Rich sighed. "I know and it's my fault. I need to apologize but I can't get to her."

"She's probably sleeping now, but she’ll be at the game tomorrow," she said. "Looks like you're out of luck until later. She should be home after 6."

"OK," Richie said. "I'm coming out there. To Boston. If she talks to you, don't tell her, ok? I don't want her running away from me."

Stephanie was quiet. "OK, but you'd better fix this. She loves you something fierce."

"I love her, too," Richie said. "I'll fix it."

Sunday he flew into Boston. He'd called in a couple of favors, and arranged for a helicopter to fly him from the airport to the stadium. He got there around the start of the third quarter and went to the controls room. He had a plan.

Halfway through the third quarter, Jennifer's brother nudged her. "Look at the board," he said.

Jennifer looked. For a donation to the Patriot's Charitable Foundation, you could have a message displayed on the big board. Everyone always read them and oohed and aahed over birthday greetings, anniversary notices, and marriage proposals.

"HELLO TO JENNIFER IN SEC 315 ROW 11" it said.

Jen smiled and looked at her brother. "What did you do?" She asked.

"It wasn't me - what the fuck?" John answered. Jennifer just shrugged.

"I'M SORRY I HURT YOU; I LOVE YOU, BABY" the next flash said.

Jennifer's face went pale despite the blazing sun. "Oh shit," she whispered.

"CAN YOU FORGIVE ME FOR BEING A JERK?"

"Awwww," the crowd responded.

"PLEASE? I WANT TO MAKE IT UP TO YOU."

By now, of course, Jennifer knew who these were from. The people in her section were chanting "Say yes!" Over and over, making her eyes tear up.

As she wiped the moisture from her eyes, she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Jen..." An all-too familiar voice spoke into her ear. She turned and there was Richie, looking as miserable as she felt.

"I'm so fucking sorry," he said to her. "I never meant to hurt you, to make you think I didn't trust you. I love you. And I know you still love me. I never should have doubted you. Can you ever forgive me?"

John nudged her again. "Look up at the screen." She did and saw herself up there with Richie. The crowd, when they saw who it was, started to point and cheer. The control room guy super-imposed the words "Jen" and "Jerk" over their pictures, making her and the 20,000 people who were paying attention to the board laugh. She smiled sadly at Rich.

"I do still love you," she said, “though Lord only knows why. You hurt me, Rich. And while this is a nice gesture, it’s not going to be that easy. I don’t know that I can trust you not to hurt me like that again." There was cold steel and a sheen of tears in her eyes.

"Baby if I ever do this to you again, I think you'll have to get in line to kill me."

The crowd around them started chanting "KISS HER! KISS HER!"

Jen locked eyes with Richie and shook her head imperceptively. "Don’t,” she mouthed.

Richie settled for pulling her in for a hug. When she stiffened against him and tried to push him away, he relented. “God, Jen, " Richie said. "Can you ever forgive me?"

Jennifer shook her head. “I don’t know. I can’t just now, I’m still too hurt, but maybe.” She pressed her lips together in a mockery of a smile and turned back to the game.

Squawk Box

When the alarm went of at 4:15, Jennifer groaned. And stretched. And yelped loudly when her knee hyper-extended. She’d forgotten that she didn’t have to wear her brace at night anymore. She had just swung her legs over the side of the bed, when there was a knocking on her door.

“Jen, you alright in there?” Jon asked, softly. Jennifer smiled at the concern in his voice. He was such a good guy.

“Yeah,” she called, groaning when the room took a half a minute to come into focus. “Gimme a sec.”

Jennifer stood slowly and shrugged into a kimono before opening the door. Jon was standing there in jogging shorts and a t-shirt, clearly fresh out of bed. Jennifer had to work to keep her eyes on his face rather than give a once-over to his bed-rumpled form. In love with Rich or not, Jon was a fine-looking specimen of a man, and she didn’t want to get caught scanning him for morning wood.

The other events of last night came crashing back to her brain. How the hell could Richie think she was really interested in sleeping with Jon? Not that he wasn’t attractive, hell, downright gorgeous, but she had Rich – why would she want anyone else? She blinked hard to clear the thoughts from her head. She’d deal with Richie later.

“I’m fine, sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. I forgot that I didn’t have my knee thing on and I stretched and it pulled.” She yawned widely.

“Tired?” Jon smirked.

“Yep. I waited up for another hour for you last night,” she teased. “You left me hanging, babe.”

Jon laughed, his voice still husky from sleep. “Sorry, doll, I thought you were just kidding.” He kissed her cheek. “Clearly, it’s my loss, ‘specially since we don’t have time this morning.”

“Story of my life,” Jennifer said, her dramatic sigh turning into another jaw-popping yawn. “Oh, damn, I need coffee. You want a cup?”

Jon nodded. “I’ll go down and get it started. Just tell me where stuff is.”

Jennifer laughed. “Silly man, why the hell would I want to go all the way downstairs for my morning cup every day?” She indicated the far corner of the room, where a small counter sat over a dorm-sized fridge. A gleaming silver Keurig coffee maker sat on the counter. “I’ve got a Columbian roast, French vanilla, and hazelnut, I think.”

“Columbian is fine.” 45 seconds later, he was sipping from a heavy stoneware mug. “Mmm, God, that’s good.”

Jennifer chuckled. “Damn, you’re easy. Go take your shower. I’ll meet you downstairs in half an hour.”

He backed out the door, and Jennifer turned and made her way to her bathroom. She turned on the shower and let out a little scream when she saw Jon’s reflection in the mirror. He had an evil grin on his face.

“Ya know, we could conserve water and share that shower,” he said, with a leer.

“Aw, babe, now I know you’re teasing. There isn’t enough time for me to enjoy a proper shower with you. Hell, there’s barely enough time to wash that hair. We’ve only got half an hour.” She slid the robe off her shoulders. “So I suggest you get back to your room before you get too tempted and miss your interview this morning.” She put her hands in the neck of Richie’s t-shirt and started to pull.

“Tease,” Jon said, laughing. He left her room, shaking his head at her. He was glad she was comfortable enough around him to tease and flirt, especially since it looked like Rich was going to keep her around for a while. He was serious when he’d asked his friend when he was going to marry Jennifer, and he suspected Rich was serious when he’d said that he’d marry her today if she’d do it.

Jennifer and Jon met up in the kitchen at a few minutes before five. “Ready?” Jennifer asked.

“Yep,” he answered. “Thanks again for the hospitality.”

“Please, it’s what friends do. Thanks for the distraction.”

“Anytime.”

They went out to her garage, and aimed for the Caddy. “I’ve been taking the Tahoe because it’s the only car I could get my leg into straight. Now I can drive the Caddy,” Jennifer said, grinning like a fool. “Hopefully I’ll be back on the Harley soon.”

“Just don’t push yourself,” Jon counseled. “Take your time and take it slow.”

“Yes, dear,” Jennifer answered, rolling her eyes. Jon hesitated at the car door. “Jon, there’s a Dunkies about a half mile from the stadium,” she said. “We can stop there and you can get in the back while I run in for a bagel.”

“Are you in my head?”

Jennifer laughed. “No, but I am sleeping with a rock star. I’m way more conscious of appearances now than I was at the start of the summer.” She knew that there would be press outside the stadium to catch a glimpse not only of Jon but of the Krafts and the players who were being interviewed. It would cut down on the speculation if it looked like Jennifer was his driver.

They made the switch, and when they pulled into the stadium, the press was there in full force, and it wasn’t even 5:30 yet. Jennifer shook her head. “How do you put up with all this?”

Jon smiled. “With a smile and a wave. What else can you do?” He reached over the seat and squeezed Jennifer’s shoulder. “Thanks again,” he said. “See you soon, I hope.”

“You’re welcome. Good luck with your parents and T this weekend.”

“Thanks.”

“Break a leg,” Jennifer said, tongue-in-cheek. Jon was laughing when he got out of the car.

He got through the interview and hung around to talk to the Krafts and the players after their parts were done. When he finally got out of there, it was close to 9:30. He donned his shades and hat and went outside. He smiled when he saw the car waiting. The driver took his bag and opened the door, letting Jon settle into his seat. The driver stowed Jon's bag in the trunk and climbed into the car. "Logan, sir?"

"You got it," Jon said. "Is there any water back here?"

"Check the little cooler on the floor," the driver said. "Ms. Petruzzo asked that we provide a drink and snack for you."

Jon chuckled when he saw his favorite brand of bottled water and a couple of big apples in the cooler. Yeah, he thought, Rich has himself a keeper.

He got to the airport and through security and settled into his seat without any hassles, for which he was grateful. He settled into his seat and waited for takeoff. He'd be on the ground in a few hours, and on the way to his parents'.