Chapter 7

Arriving at JFK at 7:30 in the morning after a 14 hour flight and two stopovers, Madison was not a happy camper. I could have walked here faster! This was like going down every aisle in a supermarket just to get milk.

After collecting their bags, they went outside and spotted a man holding a up a sign with Joanna's name. "That would be me."
"Joanie? God, it's so good to finally meet you!" Joanna turned to find a tall, striking redhead and immediately hugged her. "Kris! We're going have such a blast - I can't believe we're actually here!"

Patti was Kris' friend. Though very shy, she was just as warm and friendly as Kris and Madison took an immediate liking to both of them.

Jeff, their coordinator, turned their attention to the two women who seemed to be posing for an imaginary photographer, and made the appropriate introductions.

Nina and her sister Lindsey seemed to regard the four of them with disdain. They merely nodded at the intros, unsmiling lest their makeup should crack. You couldn't help but notice that they had 'Designer' stamped from head to toe, as if they had been manufactured in some evil Chanel factory.

Wonderful. I get to travel with The Hilton Sisters From Hell. At least Paris was dorkily moronic.

*****

"What do you mean 'can you skip lunch'?" Joanna looked at Madison in disbelief. They had just checked in at the Four Seasons and the big comfortable bed was beckoning Madison. After that long flight and limo ride, she was exhausted and food was the last thing on her mind. So was meeting a bunch of rock stars.

"They are paying for all this," Joanna waved her arms around the beautifully appointed suite, "not to mention the trip to Europe. Don't be so rude. The least you could do is go down and meet them."

Madison thought that the logic would be true if she was the rock star, but grudgingly got up and showered. Dressing casually in jeans and a light sweater, she watched as Joanna donned her makeup. She's so much prettier without the magic markers.

Meeting Kris and Patti in the hallway, they caught the elevator down to the banquet room. Just as they were entering it, Madison's phone rang. It was one of her artist friends. Motioning for them to go in first, she took the call.

Her friends were flying out tonight for Chicago to do a jewelry show and wouldn't be able to meet her. Disappointed, she walked into the banquet room.

The girls were already situated with their plates of food at various tables, giggling at the conversation of the men around them. There were a lot of men and Madison supposed that some of them were actually from Bon Jovi. She recognized Jon right off the bat, but didn't really know the rest.

Jeff waved her over to the buffet and introduced her to some of the crew. The road manager, the technician, the 'computer guy', giving a brief explanation of their various jobs. They were all loading up their plates and suddenly Madison felt famished and decided to follow suit. She noticed the burners under the chafing dish and cautiously stepped back trying to pick at the entree from where she stood.

"They're dead, you know."

"Huh?" Madison spun around to find a tall, dark haired man watching her curiously.

"Who is?"

"The crab. You look like you think they're going to jump out at you."

"Nice. Actually, I was keeping away from the burners. They're hot."

"Yeah, they're weird that way."

Madison laughed, shaking her head, but continued to poke at the crab from a distance.

"Do you need help with that?..... I'm Richie, by the way."

"Yes, thanks." Madison was glad for the help. "So, what do you do here?"

Richie gaped at her but she didn't seem to notice as her attention was on the succulent crab in the hot chafing dish.

She also didn't notice Jon and some of the guys trying to hold back their laughter, but Richie did and flipped them off as discreetly as possible.

"I play the guitar."

"You do?.......what kind of job is that?"

Jon and company lost it then. Serves the idiot right for being so smug these past few days. They were practically rolling on the floor and this time Madison did notice.

"Oohhh.....you mean for the band."

"Yeah.....thanks for the ego boost."

Madison turned a few shades of red and said the first thing that came to her mind.

"Crab," she pointed, ".....please?"

*****

Richie had noticed her the minute she entered the room. Petite, no more than 5' 5" and pretty. But there was something more than that. There was something very real and down to earth about her.

She seemed oblivious to the band. And distracted.

When she backed away from the banquet table and started grab at the food from an awkward angle, he decided to make his move.

*****

Helping her with her plate, he led Madison back to his table and pulled out a seat for her next to his.

"This is Dave, his job is to be a jerk. And he does it pretty well. He also plays the keyboards on the side."

David flashed her a big grin and flipped Richie off under the table.

"Standing over there is Jon and his job..."

"Oh, I know who Jon is."

Richie pouted at her, making her laugh. "Sorry, I can't help that."

"By the time this tour is done, you will know who I am, darlin'." Richie grinned and waggled his brows at her.

I think I just might enjoy this tour after all. For the first time, Madison noticed his deep dimples and a sparkle in his eyes that came from within.

*****

"I can't believe that one of us has managed to snag a Jovi!" Kris was beside herself with delight as she watched the two who seemed to be in deep conversation.

"She's not 'one of us', you know." Joanna was dumbfounded. "She's not even a fan. Besides, they're only talking."

"Oh come on, Joanie, just look at them. They're perfect together."

"You're a Richie Girl, Kris. Doesn't that bother you?"

"Why should it? I'm not going to lie and say I don't wish that was me, but hey, he looks happy."

Joanna shrugged, "well, okay then. So, do we change our strategy and focus on Jon?"

"Like we could steal him from Dot."

They burst out giggling.

*****

"Hi, Richie, I was getting lonely when you didn't come back to the table."

Richie turned at the sound of the honey dipped voice. Nina sat facing him in the seat next to him and laid her hand on his shoulder.

"Looks like you're finished helping her with her loaded plate. Come on back to us. I'd love to know more about that sexy cologne you're wearing." She put an extra emphasis on the word 'loaded'.

Stroking her hand lightly down his arm, she tilted her head, smiled and sauntered off back to her table.