Chapter 81

Ciara had a restless night filled with the nightmarish vampires and the blue eyed stranger in the hallway. Just for good measure, her screwed mind had to throw in the tall, dark eyed guitarist of the band too.

When she woke up early dawn, she felt drained and deathly tired. Her mind was jumbled and in serious need of nothingness. Dragging her tired butt out of bed, she made her way towards the shower, hoping to rinse the unexplained nightmare from her mind.

Dragging a pair of jeans over her legs, a tee and settling for some comfie sneakers, she did a quick tie up of her unruly curls and headed for the door. She had had enough of the room for a while, time to get started with the day.

Excitement rushed through her at the thought of experiencing something new.

Trotting down the hallway, she was quite surprised by the hustle and bustle of friendly faces moving about so early in the morning.

“Hey! Ho! Eeeaasssy!”

Ciara’s breath was knocked from her. A pair of long fingered hands gripped her arms.

“Oh geesh. I’m sorry Richie. I’m like a little girl at a carnival. So much to see!” She licked her lips nervously, fully aware of the humungous palms burning her skin.

His laugh was gentle and his puppy eyes warmed the coldness of the morning. Her dream rushed backed like ominous clouds in her mind and she stepped back.

“You wanna cup of java? I could do with one, shit I hate waking up so damn early.”

She shook her head.

“It’s really not necessary to baby me you know. I’m a big girl I can get my own coffee and besides, I doubt that you treat every roadie to a cup of coffee.”

The friendly eyes twinkled .

“Don’t fight it sweetheart, its only coffee. Just tap into you wild side and say yes.”

She blushed, furious at herself for being so rude.

“Yes, thanks.”

Dipping his head towards the other direction put her feet into motion.

“So are you ready for your first show tonight? The Bon Jovi train can get quite crazy sometimes but whatever happens, you will never regret it. Just too much fuc....fun.”

“To be honest, I’m excited yet nervous. I’ve never done something like this. I’m used to a 5 to 9 job.”

Brushing her cheek with his knuckles , he winked.

“You’ll do just fine. You look like one tough cookie.” To be honest, she looked kinda frail this morning but who was he to burst a girl’s bubble?

“Heck , I hope so.” She managed a smile.

The diningroom was busy so early in the morning, resting his hand in the small of her back, he guided her towards a table filled with hungry looking men, gauging by the groaning plates.

“Hey! Ciara! Come sit down.”

“Thanks, morning David, Teek.”

Richie slipped into a chair opposite her.

One chair remained empty. Hhhmmm..Mr. Oh-so-holy-rockstar.

“He’ll be here in a few, seems Jon is running late this morning.” He gestured towards the empty seat.

After the rest of the introductions have been made, Ciara took a sip of her first taste of coffee, eyeing the men’s healthy appetites.

Sneaking a look around the diningroom, she was hoping to catch the blonde heartthrob of the night before, but no such luck.

“You looking for someone?” David offered with a goofy smile on his face. “ I knew you would make friends quickly.”

Blushing guiltily, she nodded.

“Actually, yes I do. I met some guy last night....hey now! Its not what you think!” She silenced the wolf whistles.

“So tell us sweetheart, what’s his name?” Teek enquired, his eyebrow arched playfully. Jonny boy had some competition!

Smiling from the rim of her cup, she shrugged.

“Actually I don’t know. He didn’t give me his name but I’m sure I’ll see him soon enough. He said he’d been working for Bon Jovi for quite a while. “

Clicking his tongue, Richie winked. “Pretty and secretive huh?”

“No, really I don’t know what his name is. He has blue eyes, a very modern haircut, blonde, nice smile....maybe you know him?”

Silence fell across the table. Tico’s hand was stuck midway towards his mouth. David forgot to swallow his coffee and Richie just....stared.

“Are you sure you haven’t seen this guy before?” Obie offered.

“No..no why?” Delicate eyebrow arched together.

Sharing a look she didn’t quite understand, they shrugged, continuing with their meals. They were obviously avoiding her question.

A hearty breakfast and some good company later the rockstar still hadn’t shown up.

A bit disappointed and upset that she was working for such a self righteous man, she excused herself. It was time to get her hands dirty and own some money.

~~

Ciara groaned as she straightened her back. Blowing an unruly curl from her sweaty face, she felt a twinge of embarrassment as she watched her fellow roadies rushing on, doing their daily tasks without so much as a sigh.

Hell! I am a whoosie!

Rubbing the small of her back, she made her way towards the direction of the bathroom, only to be bulldozed by a wild eyed girl.

“Ooooh shit!” she cried out in despair as she watched the clothes scatter in all directions.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you, wait let me help!” Ciara felt a tweak in her back muscles but bend lower nonetheless.

“Its all my fault. Shit! Jon is going to have my ass for this!” The girl was actually close to tears!

One look at the crumpled shirt in her hands and the tears let loose.

Ciara picked up the last of the clothes and patted the terrified girl’s back.

“It’s not that serious hun. Its just a shirt, it can be washed and ironed again. No biggie.” Geesh this Jon guy seems to be a royal asshole!

“You don’t understand. He’s supposed to wear this tonight. I was about to take it to his dressing room. I’m late as it is, what am I going to tell him now?!”

Biting her bottom lip, a thought crossed her mind.

“Hun, I’ll make you a deal. Give me the shirt. I’ll make sure her gets it.”

Relief was quickly drowned by uncertainty and the girl shook her head.

“I can’t let you do this. You can’t take the wrap for this. If I just got my ass to work earlier, none of this would have happened.”

“Listen...uh....”

“Kerry.”

“Kerry. I’m not scared of Jon. I’ll take the damn shirt. You cant tell me this is his only shirt? It sounds like he is acting like a spoiled little boy. I wont have him shout at you, not on my beat. So you go wash your face and take these with you and sort this out. I know the other band members and I’m sure they wont treat you bad. They’ll understand that accidents happen. Go now, run along...”

Kerry’s thank yous escorted her all the way around the corner.

Pushing her hair out of her face, squaring her shoulders, she made her way towards the dreaded dressing room.

It was about time I meet him, arrogant ass!

Jon’s body stiffened as hot and cold flushes zinged through him. She was close, and she was pissed! His lips pulled into a half smile. She gave off quite a buzz when she was mad! He wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of those flashing eyes and sharp tongue.

He laughed softly but froze as a knock echoed through the room.

Her scent drifted though the door in a misty cloud. Oh fuck!

“Mr. Bon Jovi? I’m here about your shirt.”

Grabbing the towel he had thrown onto the table moments ago, he slammed his face into it.

A muffled “Come in.”, came through the door and Ciara opened the door before her courage fled.

Closing the door behind her, she swung around only to gape like a gawky teenager.

Muscles ripped down his back, sloping into the tightest ass she had ever seen on a man.

WOW! Now this is one rock hard meat palace!

A snort or something sounded like it grated from the towel.

“Just put the shirt over the chair thanks.”

Staring at the crumpled material in her hands, she cleared her throat.

“Well, there is a little problem. Well ...uu...you see. Kerry had a little accident and...”

Still standing with his back to her, he snarled.

“Oh let me guess. She fucked it up again!”

“Now listen here! It was really an accident, she ran into me, so its partly my fault. Don’t you have anything else to wear? The poor girl is nervous as it is, I’m glad I brought this to you and not Kerry. Her nerves are shot, she told me that you would act this way!”

“How sweet of you. While you are busy playing the fairy godmother, why don’t you pull a shirt out of your hat or something.” His voice was dripping sarcasm.

Ciara suddenly lost it, who the hell did he think he was?!

“You are such an arrogant bastard! People make mistakes , that’s human. Oh sorry I forgot you aren’t one, so you expect everyone else to be perfect!”

His back muscles coiled at her words but she was beyond stopping.

“And a godmother has a wand not a hat! And lastly if it wasn’t for helping Kerry out, I would have told you to go to hell and find your own shirt, but I won’t . I’ll get you one even if it damn well kills me. When do you need the shirt your majesty?”

Jon has never in his life been so tempted to turn around and see her swallow her words the moment she saw his face...not now..he loved the turn of events...his little game.

“I want it now but seen as you are new and you don’t know where everything is, I’ll give you an hour and it better be fucking ready.”

Digging her nails into her palms, she stomped her foot.

“Can you please turn around and look at me at least?”

“I don’t have time for your tantrums, get me that shirt. I need to get ready.”

Fury bubbled like molten lava from her insides. She turned on her heel and slammed the door.