Ch 31

Richie was at his home in Point Pleasant, New Jersey when the phone rang.
Since his relationship with Ally was over, he had some time to relax and recharge a bit.
He didn’t realize just how tired he has been from the constant schedule.
Mentally, all he knew how to do was play, rehearse, travel, sleep. Over and over again. Day after day, venue after venue.
As much as he loved performing, he realized that he was losing a part of himself in this process.
He missed his old friends and family. He decided that during this break besides gearing up for his own solo tryout with Mercury Records, he was going to entertain his friends.A lot.
Half in slumber and half buzzed from an afternoon filled with drinking margaritas to eventually plain tequila, he continued to let the phone ring as he lay in bed.
‘Who the hell is that?’ He thought as he tried to ignore the phone.
The young blonde laying next to him was becoming irritated at the phone’s consistent ringing.
Annoyed, she sat up and tugged at Richie.

“Baby, aren’t you going to get that?” She asked.

Groggily, he glanced at the phone and shook his head. ‘No.”

The blonde continued to look at the phone.

“Rich, c’mon now. You don’t want me to get it do you?” she teased.

Knowing how this person was. Richie jumped up, he slowly began to look at the phone and gather his thoughts. Several seconds went by when he decided to pick up the phone receiver.

“Hello?” He asked.

“Richie? Hey it’s Kendall.”

Richie suddenly jumped out of the bed and walked towards the window.

“Hey Ken. How are you.”
He now was wide awake.

“Good. Just wanted to let you know that Trin knows.”

Richie was trying to gain his thoughts together. He didn’t remember what Kendall was talking about.

“Knows what?”

Kendall began to laugh.
“She knows about the job silly.”

Richie now sat on the side of the bed wiping his eyes. He loved her voice, her laughter. The more she laughed, the more it soothed him, as he relaxed, his mind went back to the surprise Jon, Richie and Kendall had in store for Trina. He began to laugh.

‘I can’t believe I forgot that so fast.’ he thought.

“I take it she’s happy?” Richie teased.

Kendall giggled. “To say the least.”

Richie snickered. “I’m happy for both of you. You’re a talented lady. I can’t wait to see you.” Richie said to her softly.

“Aww. Me too. By the way, thank you for telling me she was in Jersey. Was wondering why she hadn’t come home after hearing the news reports.”

Richie looked at the receiver. He couldn’t help but smile. He was oblivious to the person next to him. All he could think of was Kendall. He couldn’t wait to see her, talk to her, be with her.
The two had become very close since Trina took the reporting job.
Both loved their friends very much, but also found that they had a mutual love of music, family, movies.
Kendall coming to join the three of them would only make things better for Trina, but also make things better for Jon and better for him.

“No problem.” Richie said softly.

“I’ll be in Jersey around 8:30. I have to meet him around 9.”

“I told him I’d be there. You know as the ‘official notebook passer.’ ” Richie joked.

Kendall let out a huge belly laugh.
“Dear God, he’s driving Trina insane Rich.”

“Think about what he’s doing to himself. I don’t know if I could handle it.” Richie said.

“He’s a strong guy. He’ll get through this.” she told him.

“Sure he will and we’re all helping him even though he’s probably driving Trina and Juanita to drink every night.” Richie said.

“Yeah. You’re right. Better get going. Talk to you tomorrow.” Kendall said.

“See ya darlin.” Richie said hanging up the phone.

Angered that she had been ignored, the blonde walked over and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Who was that?” She asked.

“Not you.” he told her.

She looked at him strangely.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Like I said. Not you. None of your business.” he said.

Sadly, she looked at him as she tried to touch his shoulders, he brushed it away in guilt.

Knowing that her dreams of a future of him were disappearing as quickly as she met him, the girl got up, picked up her things and began to walk out of the room.

“She must mean something to you for you to turn on me as fast as you did.”
“She is.” Richie mumbled. “She is.”