Chapter 1

Unlocking the front door to my house, I could hear the phone ringing inside, but by the time I had the door unlocked, and closed behind me, the ringing had stopped.

“Well that figures,” I muttered to myself, kicking my shoes off by the front door.
I was in the middle of closing the living room curtains, and turning on the lights in the living room when I heard “Tokyo Road,” coming from my bag on the dining room table. As I reached inside my bag for my cell , the ringing ceased.”What the hell” tossing my cell on top of my bag. Walking in the direction of the kitchen, the house phone started up again! This is ridiculous, let them leave a message. I had just stepped in the kitchen doorway when the answering machine kicked in.

“Grace Avery Madison Where the hell are you?!,” my younger sister screamed into the machine.

With a slight chuckle I crossed back into the living room, picking up the phone “Hi Reese!What’s up?,” tucking the phone under my chin while I walked back to the kitchen.

“Well it’s about damn time you answered! I have been calling your cell, and the house, why didn’t you answer?,” Reese inquired with a slight touch of irritation.

“Sorry work was crazy as hell, then Robert and I had to go over schedules for next week, then I stopped for gas. Wait..why am I explaining myself to you! Why didn’t you leave me a voice mail?”

“You drive me crazy! I swear Grace if I was there right now, I would slap you!!”

“Yeah right, you just keep believing that.” Chuckling at the thought of Reese slapping me. “So what’s up?”

“You want to know what’s up? You really want to know?” Reese yelled in my ear.

“Will you stop yelling at me!”I yelled back at her.

“Sorry I am just so excited, and you have been a bitch to get a hold of!”

“Now you got me, so what has you so worked up that you felt the need to stalk me?” I teased.

“You are so not going to believe what happened to me today?” Reese shouted at me.

“Reese you know I hate playing these guessing games with you, so please just tell me!” I pleaded.

“Nope you have to guess, at least once, please.” beseeched Reese.

“Did you win the lottery?” I huffed while leaning back against the kitchen counter.

“No! Try again.” commanded Reese.

“You are moving back home?,” something I have been wanting ever since Reese was transferred to the New York offices two years ago.

“Stop with the guilt trip please,” pleaded Reese.

“I give up, just tell me,” sighing.

“Since you seem to be having an attitude right now,and you ignored my calls, maybe I won’t tell you after all.” pouted Reese.

“Oh please, you know damn well you are going to tell me, it is driving you crazy, so just spill already.” I was starting to get annoyed with this little game.

“ I hate how well you know! OK, but you might want to sit down before I do.”

“Fine, but can I get something to drink first?”

“Yeah, but you might want to make it something strong.” replied an excited Reese.

“That good huh?” I said wryly.

“Oh yeah. It is that good.” Reese assured me.

Padding into the kitchen I grabbed a glass from the cupboard, filling it with ice. Opening the refrigerator I took out a can of coke. “Alright, I have my drink, let’s hear your news,” pouring my coke in the glass.

“One of the local radio stations here in New York was holding a contest to see Bon Jovi perform at David Letterman’s studio for the release of their Greatest Hits cd,” Reese explained.

Not sure where the conversation was going, or what it had to do with me I simply replied”OK.”

“I Won THE LAST TWO TICKETS!!!!,” Reese screamed in my ear.

“WHAT! YOU WON?!” I screamed back.

“I WON!! I actually won!” Reese still could not believing she actually won.

“Oh my word, do you have any idea how much I hate you right now?,” laughing.

“Well gee thanks a lot. I see the love is gone.” chortled Reese.

Feeling the overwhelming need to sit down, I wandered into the living room, plopping myself down on the couch. Reese and I have been fans of the band since we first heard “Runaway”, and now she was going to see them perform in a small venue. Something I have always wanted to experience. Yep jealousy was rearing it’s ugly head. Before her transfer, Reese and I would always go to concerts together, especially Bon Jovi concerts. Reese was hot for Richie Sambora; I on the other hand lusted after the man himself, Jon Bon Jovi.

My thoughts were interrupted by Reese screaming my name,” Grace, did you hear what I just said?”

“No sorry. Guess my thought ran away from me.”

“ Uh huh, I just bet they did.” teased Reese, as only she can.

Trying to hide my jealousy I told her how happy I was for her. Asking her to take some pictures for me as well.

“Nope sorry can’t do that. You can take them yourself!” Reese stated.

“What?,” flew out of my mouth as I choked on my drink.

“Take...them...yourself,” Reese repeated slowly, hoping Grace would get the hint.

Oh my word, she can’t possibly be saying what I think she is saying, can she?

“Uh Reese?” I whispered.
“Yes Grace?,” hoping that maybe now, Grace was understanding what she was trying to say.

“What do you mean by, take them yourself?,” my nerves were starting to get the best of me!

“It is real simple, I won two ticket, and you Grace, are going with me!” Reese laughed.

“Are you serious?” I yelled into the phone.

“Now who is yelling? And yes I am serious. Who else would I take?” Reese was surprised by Grace’s response.

“Sorry, you just caught me off guard,” I stammered into the phone.

“ Let me lay everything out for you. We have two front row tickets, after the show, there is a meet & greet which we will be attending. Does that clarify things for you?” Reese asked with a bit of amusement and a little annoyance.

“We are going backstage! We are going to meet them face to face?” Yelling once again.

“Will you please stop yelling! Get a hold of yourself, gee, you act like this when we meet them you are liable to get us thrown out!” Reese groaned.

“ I won’t get us thrown out. I promise.” Grace reassured her sister.

“ You better not, we have been waiting a long time to meet these guys, now is our chance. So let’s not blow it, OK?”

“ I get it, I get it.” I said with a giggle.

“ Are you going to be able handle meeting Jon in person? Or should I warn the poor man ahead of time about you?” taunted Reese.

“ That won’t be necessary Reese. I will be on my best behaviour.” Oh Reese if you only knew.

We spent the next hour discussing details, when I would fly in, how long was I going to stay, and of course, what we were going to wear. I told Reese I would call her tomorrow after I spoke with Robert. We reluctantly said our good night’s with the promise to talk tomorrow. Hanging the phone up I made my way towards the kitchen, I was in need of something stronger than coke at the moment.

As I stood in front of the stove, I reached for the cupboard above. Finding the bottle of Jack Daniels that had been given to me for my birthday a few months ago. Pouring a generous amount in the glass, I put the bottle back, took a nice long drink! A couple swallows later I could feel the alcohol flowing through me, doing exactly what I needed it to do, calm my nerves. Normally I don’t drink anything stronger than a glass of wine, but tonight I knew wine wasn’t going to cut it.

Slowly my brain started to process everything that has taken place in the last hour. It was then realization hit me right between the eyes. I was going to see him again! I can’t believe it, I am actually going to see him again! I was caught between being excited and scared. What if he gets angry with me being there, or what if he ignores me, what if he sweeps me off my feet. Yeah like that is going to happen I scolded myself. I can’t, no I won’t play the “what if” game. I will just have to wait and see what happens. If nothing else then I can at least say I meet the band.

Done arguing with myself I fixed me some dinner, since I wasn’t real hungry I just made me some vegetable soup with a small salad. My excitement was definitely overlapping my appetite, therefore I didn’t eat much. Washing the few dishes I had used, I put the dishes away, then wiped the counter down, satisfied the kitchen was clean again I shut the light off on my way out.

Picking my laptop off of the desk in the living room, I settled down on the couch. Deciding to check out the band boards for any news, or new photos, or even updates on the fan fiction stories I was reading. Nope nothing new. I went to facebook for a few, but no one was on so I logged out of there. Checking my email, I sent a few off, answered a few, deleted the crap that was in there as well. Shutting down the laptop, I made my way to my bedroom shutting off the living room lights as I went.

After I put my pj’s on I pulled the bed down then headed for the bathroom to do my nightly ritual of brushing my teeth, washing my face, applying moisturizer, and lastly, brushing my hair. Exiting the bathroom I crossed over to the bed, proceeded to climb in and snuggle down into the warmth of the blankets. Closing my eyes I Tried to sleep but I wasn’t sure how much sleep I would be getting, but I had to try. I fell asleep dreaming of a pair of aqua blue eyes and a beautiful smile.