Chapter twenty-eight

After the show was over most of the parents tried to get backstage to see their kids. Jon wasn’t an exception, but he didn’t think of all those people who wanted to tell him how great his daughter was tonight.

Richie had more luck and was the first person backstage at the wardrobe of the girls. He knocked softly.

“Come on in.” Kris yelled and he carefully opened the door.

“Are you all dressed, girls?” He asked with his right hand clapped over his eyes. Kris laughed.

“I’m dressed and I’m the only one here, Richie.” He looked around surprised. “The others already changed while I was on stage and as I’m the only girl in the band…this is all mine now.” Richie laughed.

“You were absolutely amazing, Kris.”

“Thank you.” She blushed lightly. “Where’s dad?”

“He got caught up by all those people who want to tell how amazing his daughter is. He’ll be here soon.” Richie assured her…or maybe himself?

She nodded and walked closer to him. “Did you like it how I played your song?” she whispered and placed her hands on his chest.

Richie swallowed hard and grabbed her hands. He needed to control the situation. “Yeah, I liked it. I liked it a lot.” She smiled at him with happy eyes. “Kris…I’m flattered, but…” her eyes lost the happiness immediately.

“…but you are married.” She continued his sentence. He nodded softly and pulled her into his arms.

“I’m sure you’ll find some else. You are beautiful young intelligent woman; you will need to beat them off with a stick.” She nodded sniffing. He didn’t say anything about the age difference on purpose. Something was telling him that she wouldn’t accept that argument. The way she acted around boys her age and around men showed him that she was probably going for someone older in her life.

“Aww, darling don’t. You should be happy, you just rocked the house.” He kissed her head softly and rubbed her back. He hated it that he had to disappoint her. He hated it that she was crying because of him.

“Yeah.” She pulled away from him and dried her tears just in time before Jon rushed into the room.

“There she is. What are you already doing here?” He asked Richie, but didn’t wait for an answer and pulled his daughter in his embrace. Richie silently moved to one corner of the small room. Why was it so damn hard to tell her that this couldn’t work?

“The show was great, Kris. You were great. You kicked their ass. I’m so proud of you. I love you.” All these words came out of his mouth while he hugged, kissed and squeezed her tight. She laughed.

“I love you too, dad.” Jon sighed happily and pressed her even closer to his body. Finally. Finally she said. God, he was so happy.

“Come on Jon, let her breath.” Dot pushed him away and hugged Kris herself. “A great show, baby. You looked amazing in that outfit.”

“Thanks mom.”

“You really focused on your breathing.” She turned to the door and could see David and the rest of her band with Alex and Michael standing in the hallway.

She laughed. “Yeah, I think I drove Daniel crazy in the last couple days.”

“Nah, just a bit. I like scales.” The keyboard player hugged her tight and they all entered the room. The small room was now loaded and they could hardly move around.

“The outfit. Simply amazing.” Michael rushed to her. “Believe me, not a single guy in the room didn’t want to bed you down when you were up there.” Jon groaned. Kris laughed. “What?” Michael turned to Jon. “She has that all from you, so stop complaining.” They couldn’t help it and laughed out loud. Jon shook his head. It seemed he got over the first shock after he met me.

“Well, well, well…is there a party going on here?” a voice asked from the door. They turned around and saw the guy she nearly slept with standing in the door frame with three guys, who always followed him around, behind him. They were all wearing leather jackets and black jeans. Kris clenched her fist, if she could only wipe this smug grin out of his face.

“So, Kris how about we go out and party a bit?” he asked chewing his gum.

“No, thanks.” She said with a hard edge in her voice. It seemed he didn’t see Jon and the other adults, who were standing in the right corner of the little room and couldn’t be seen from the doorway. Otherwise he wouldn’t had the balls to ask her, she was sure about that.

“Aw, come on baby.” He took a step towards her and tried to pull her close. Teddy stepped in front of her immediately and pushed her into Daniel’s and Steve’s arms. The other boys were forming a circle around her to make this idiot couldn’t get close to her.

“Back off Anderson. Find someone else for your list.” Teddy growled. Kris flushed deeply. Now she knew that this bastard was having a list on which all the girls and their sexual abilities were listed. He wasn’t hiding it, but showed it around proudly.

Kris was holding her breath. Would he go? It would be suicide to fight against Teddy and she was sure Jon and the rest of the guys were only so quite, because Dot was keeping them down. One wrong move from that bubblegum chewing idiot and he had to deal with an uncontrolled father and more importantly with an angry mother who had a black belt in karate.

“I wanna be on your list.” Michael stepped around Teddy and walked close to the boys with the leather jackets. Kris hid her laughter. Sometimes Michael just did the funniest things to relax a situation. She hadn’t figured out yet whether he was doing it on purpose or he simply was so stupidly naïve.

“Uhm, no thanks.” Anderson paled and took a step back, so Michael couldn’t touch him.

“Aww, why not.” Michael pouted. “I thought you fuck everyone who’s coming your way?” Steve chuckled lightly. He loved girls too, but he had at least the decency to remain silent about the girls he slept with. The others could push as much as they wanted his credo was “A real gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell”.

“Yeah, uhm…well not everyone.” Anderson stuttered with a flushed face and rushed off; his fellows right behind him.

Daniel put his arm around his boyfriend’s neck and pulled him close for s kiss. “He has no idea what he’s missing.” He said dryly after they parted again. They all laughed.

“So, how about we got and get something to eat?” Teddy asked.

“Again?” Kris shook her head. The others chuckled.

“What do you mean ‘again’? We had lunch, now it’s late evening and I worked my ass off up there. I’m hungry!” Teddy said lightly pissed.

“And you were great.” Kris rose on tip toes and waved him down. Curious he leaned down and was rewarded with a kiss on his cheek. He straightened immediately and blushed furiously. Jon tried to hide his laugh. That huge guy seemed to have a crush on her.

“So, how about burgers?” Alex asked and looked around. They all nodded, except Kris. She looked at Jon unsure.

“What? Go! Go and celebrate.” He shoed her out of the room. They would watch out for her; they'd just proved it again. She smiled.

“We will take her home, Mr. Bongiovi.” Daniel said.

“It’s Jon. And thanks.” Now, it was Daniel’s turn to flush.

“See you later, dad.” Kris hugged him tight and kissed him shortly.

“I wait till you are home, sweetie.” He whispered in her ear.

She shook her head smiling and rushed off with her friends and band mates.