Chapter 16

♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫

The next morning I was sound asleep when I heard a pounding on my front door. I could hear Jovi growling and Jon stumbling around downstairs. Was it weird that I actually found it comforting when he answered my door instead of me going down there myself? I turned over in my bed when I heard another male voice. I shot up to a sitting position. Who the fuck was here at picking up my alarm clock it read, seven o’ clock in the morning. It was Saturday, my day to sleep in. I didn't have to work the only thing I had to do was take Anna baby shopping. We had run into them after coming back from dinner last night Jake had to watch the shop during the day so he couldn’t take his wife himself. Anna needed a few things from the town away from us that our small town didn't carry. She convinced me to drive her in Jake's truck. When Jon had heard about it he offered his SUV. I just stared at him for a few minutes. He wanted ME to drive his extremely expensive car to another city. Jake actually felt better about us using Jon’s vehicle instead of his truck because he really didn't want Anna bouncing around. Jake and Jon talked for a few minutes over to the side while Anna gushed over that I was going to the dance with Jon. I had to keep reminding her that it was just as friends.

I grabbed my robe from the end of the bed then pulled my hair in a ponytail before heading down putting my glasses on as it went. I froze half way down my stairs. Jovi was being petted by a man with dark black hair. Blinking a couple times I rubbed my eyes a few more times. Okay, I knew I had Jon Bongiovi sleeping in my spare bedroom, but he didn't act like a rock star so I kind of forgot that he was one. He was just Jon, a friend that was staying for a couple days. I took a deep breath and cleared my throat “Jon.....”

He turned to look at me, holding a garment bag in his hand. “Uh morning Shanna...”

“Jon what's going on? It's seven o’ clock in the morning.... and who...” I knew it was stupid asking who the man dressed in black was. But I wasn't exactly full awake.

Jon looked frustrated “I called Richie to ask him if he would messenger me my suit for Sunday overnight …. so it would be here today... “

“Okay ...” I nodded following. “but what is he doing standing in my apartment?”

“He decided against shipping it since he thought it might get lost..” He snorted.“he'd personally deliver it himself ...” He shot a glare at his friend who just grinned back at him.

Richie moved towards me and I raised an eyebrow. “ignore Jonny's bad manners. I'm Richie Sambora...” He held out his hand to me. Then looked slight surprised when I didn't shake his hand.

“I know what your name is ...” I stated softly rubbing a hand through my bangs I looked at Jon who looked just a tad annoyed that his friend was there. “I am going back to bed … I have to get up in two hours to take Anna to Albany to get baby things... with YOUR car..” I muttered as I stomped back up the stairs.

♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫

Jon watched Shanna go back upstairs and turned back to his friend who was still standing at the foot of the stairs watching her leave. “yo Sambora get your eyes back in your head ..” he hissed. Grabbing his friend's arm Jon dragged him from the stairs. This was definitely not what he had planned when he called Richie to send his suit to him. He was on a tentative friendship with Shanna right now especially after her break down last night. He put the bag in the room he was using and went into the kitchen. He ran a hand through his hair fighting back a yawn. They had stayed up pretty late last night talking. After she went to bed he had stayed up a couple more hours, he was trying to come up with some ideas. One of them was trying to figure out a way to get her a dress for the dance. She had mentioned she had a skirt but he wanted her to look fantastic. He stopped in mid stride to look at his friend who was grinning at him.“what you looking at asshole?”

“nice… “ He shrugged “got any coffee I drove over eight hours to bring you that suit .. you could at least offer me something..” He looked around the apartment. Jovi had followed Jon into the kitchen and laid down on the ground by his feet. “seems the dog likes you..”

“his name is Jovi … and yeah he likes me ...” Jon started a pot of coffee he needed the jolt. He laughed

“what's so funny...”

“the night I met Shanna's brother … he tried to kick me out of the apartment … he's a cop by the way …. so don't get any ideas ..”he yawned again, rubbing his hand down his face “He tried to kick me out even threatened to shoot me..” he held up his hand before Richie said anything. “Jovi blocked him from getting near me … even growled and bared his teeth at him...”

Richie grinned “so you got an easy in … her dog likes you,,, she's letting you stay at her apartment... damn I never thought you work that fast..”

Jon shot him a look after grabbing himself some toast and a cup of coffee. “we are only friends Rich.” he shook his head “you want some coffee...” he sat down at the table. “I hadn't planned on you coming but I should have have known better....”

Richie grinned getting himself a cup and patting the dog. “come on man... I told you to tell me where you were ….when you told me to send your suit I couldn't pass up the chance. Don't worry Tic and Dave aren't coming just little ole me...so what are your plans for the bitchzillas?”

Jon set back against the chair and laid out his plans for payback towards Kari and her friends. He was suddenly very glad that Richie was there he could help him. Where he couldn't say something he knew Richie had no such compulsion. It was going to be an interesting couple days that was for sure.

A couple hours later Shanna came downstairs, her hair brushed wearing jeans and a sweater. She sighed “good morning Mr Sambora.... I am sorry about earlier but I am not a morning person.... add in I had not actually expected to wake up to find someone else besides Jon in my apartment” She went and got a cup of coffee. She sighed “what time is it anyway?”

“close to lunch time how about we head to the Katie's diner... then you can go pick up Anna for your girl shopping trip... I'll show Rich around town if that's okay...” Jon asked as he got his coat.

Shanna sighed “You do know this is going to cause a stir .. you were bad enough but both of you in our little town..” She shook her head “ Kari is bound to find out ...”

Richie looked at Jon at that point but he shook his head. “Don't worry about her remember what I told you last night...” he tossed her coat to her. “besides I am hungry and I don't feel like cooking or eating leftovers...anyway I think Caleb took the last of the leftovers to the station yesterday morning...”

'you told him to ….. okay we can go to Katie's maybe we will be lucky and it won't be busy...”

They headed out after making sure Jovi was set for a couple hours. Shanna walked into the diner. Katie was an older lady with graying hair. “well Jonny good morning... ready for me to feed you up …. ahh Good morning Shanna my dear... oh … “She blinked “you brought a friend...”

Shanna sighed giving Jon a pointed look. “this is..Richie … he's one of Jon's friends..he got in this morning...” She sat down in her usual seat. Jon and Richie grabbed the other seats next to her. “I'll have the usual Katie if that's okay....” They quickly ordered and sat down to eat. Shanna kept her head down as she could see others in the diner watching them. She knew they would be stared at. She had warned Jon about it. “are you sure you still want me to use your vehicle to take Anna shopping, Jon? “

“I told you four times last night Shanna... its okay it be better for Anna anyway... Jake even said so... the shocks in his truck aren't the best and with her eight months pregnant...” He gave her a look. “besides it gives you two girls a bit of time together Jake said you haven't had that in awhile.... its not a big deal.. I'll probably show Rich around town or hang out with Jake at the Coffee shop... since Cal works today right?”

“yeah he's on shift today because he has tomorrow off.” She finished her egg white omelet having to to fight not to gag at seeing the huge breakfast Jon and Richie were devouring.  “he's bringing my mom and Kam to the dance … cause .. Cassia .. doesn't do dances..” She shrugged.

“well I am looking forward to it ..” Richie stated.

Jon shook his head at his friend, “it sounds like it will be fun... I am also looking forward to meeting your mom and your niece.” They finished up their lunch before heading over to the coffee shop. Jon handed Shanna the keys. “there is a gas card in there if you need to put more gas in it but I put more in yesterday … “

She nodded “got it ...” She walked into the coffee shop. Kari stood over to the side taking orders. She ignored her completely heading to Anna who sat at the counter. “okay chic you ready...?”

Kari stood half way frozen a grin blossoming on her face. The object of her desires had just strolled in behind the town recluse or nerd. His jet black hair framing his face laughing and talking with the other hottie. She slowly made her way over to him “well hello Mr Sambora...welcome to the Coffee Hut …what can I do for you...”

Richie acted like she wasn't even there “so is this Jake and the lovely Anna..” He strolled over to Shanna. He kissed Anna's hand “my … you seem to be glowing dear ...”

Shanna smiled “Richie this is Jake... Jake this is Richie Sambora he's a friend of Jon's he brought his suit down … then I guess heard so much about our lovely little town he decided to grace us with his presence.”

Jon grinned to himself. He had to laugh inside at the way Richie just dismissed Kari completely when they walked in. He pulled Anna aside while Shanna was introducing Richie to Jake. He had left Richie at the house earlier this morning when he took Jovi for a walk. He had run into Anna where they had a conversation and she had solved his issue for him. He was just confirming what they talked about earlier. “Now you know what to do, right?”

Anna nodded her head yes. “Yes, I am to take her out to a few stores saying I want to do a little browsing. Have her look around and pick a few dresses she likes, make her try them on and then have her pick one. Once she picks one I am to take it up to the sales lady and ask her to hold it. Then I call you let you know what she picks. Then you come and pick it up for her so she can wear it to the dance.”

Jon nodded “Yep thanks Anna, oh and see if you can get her to pick out a coat … to go with it … something nice ..” He grinned. “either that when I pick up the dress I'll grab the coat...” He shrugged.

“you are more than welcome Jon.... you are good for her … I don't think I've seen her smile like she has in awhile …. and I am sorry..” She sighed rubbing her back.

“what for...” he kept an eye on the conversation that Richie was having with Jake and Shanna so they were not over heard.

“Kari's my sister .. and I know she's been cornering you since you got in town... She's a good girl she just overzealous ...when she likes someone ...”

Jon didn't say anything she must not known the comments that were made towards her friend. It was not his place to say anything so he didn't. “its okay Anna its not your fault but thank you anyway...for both that and helping me with this little sneaky job..”

Anna nodded then turned and greeted her friend like they weren't talking about anything at all. “You ready to go Shan? I have eaten and now I am ready to go shopping...” The two girls left without a backward glance to the guys.

Jon grinned looking at Jake “your wife is one a million man...” 

Jake nodded "I know i am one lucky guy you want some coffee?"

  

♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫