Chapter Six

Ava rushed down the stairs of the large L.A. house, laptop under her arm. Dressed in baby blue pajama pants and a white tank top with white fluffy slippers she barged in the lounge area only to find it empty.

Turning on her heels she headed for the kitchen. Finding only Rosa, cleaning up the dishes from dinner. The woman told her to check in the studio, being pretty certain she could find her father there. Ava did as she was told and headed down a flight of stairs and through a soundproofed door. She squealed in joy as it was not only her dad in there, but also his best friend.

“Uncle Jon! Why didn’t you tell me you came?” She rushed over to the caramel blonde man after setting the laptop on a coffee table and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Jon Bongiovi smiled at the reaction of the teenager. “Blame your dad for that, he’s known for two days now.” Setting her down on the floor he looked her up and down. “Have you grown again? Any more now and you’re like Steph.” He noted with a smile.

Ava grinned. “I’m gonna be as tall as you are Uncle Jon. Has dad told you about Oliver?” She asked hopefully. Knowing those two mostly talked about work it was a long shot.

Jon nodded as he glanced over at his friend. “Of course he told me about your horse!” He exclaimed happily. Remembering little about conversations about the horse but more about the trainer. “Gonna haul him up there as well someday?” He nudged the man next to him and Ava fell into a fit of laughter.

“Yeah right, like he’d get on. Either his pants will rip while mounting or he’ll fall off on the other side.” She giggled while her father glared at her before picking her up and tickling her sides. Jon’s head fell back and deep laughter filled the room.

Richie put his daughter back on her feet and crossed his arms in front of his chest, pulling out his lower lip. “I would be an excellent rider.” He stated. Jon and Ava shared a look and once again fell into fits of laughter, tears running down their cheeks. Richie huffed and took off towards the kitchen for a bottle of water.

Strolling back into the room carrying three bottles of water he saw his daughter sitting next to Jon on the couch, laptop open on the coffee table. They were scanning through the photo’s Jocelynn took of Ava’s first time riding Oliver solo.

Jocelynn.

She had just disappeared on him that afternoon. She didn’t come to dinner or show up at all during the rest of the day. They had made a connection that afternoon and she must have felt it as strongly as he did but that didn’t explain her running off like that. He snapped from his thoughts as Ava laughed at something Jon had said.

“Lemme see baby girl. You did so well.” He sat next to his daughter and kissed her temple.

Jon grinned. “Looks like you’re a real life cowgirl Ava. Those are some cool boots.” He commented on Ava’s square toe leather riding boots. They had pink stitching that was done subtly just to make it more girly.

Richie was in awe, the photos were not only perfect because it was his baby girl, they were also a great quality. Jocelynn sure knew how to work a professional camera that was for sure.  “Ava sweetie, why don’t you go over to the guest house for a bit and ask Lynn if she’ll join us all for breakfast tomorrow? She can meet Uncle Jon and you can ask her if she wants to come along to the beach.”

Ava jumped up and smiled widely. “Sure dad, back in a minute.” She kissed his cheek in  joy and headed out the door.

Jon chuckled. “Real subtle bro.”

The guitar players eyebrows rose as he stared blankly at his friend. “What the hell are you talkin bout?” Richie spoke. “Jet lag getting to ya?” Jon chuckled and shook his head.

Truthfully Jocelynn wasn’t sure what the hell she was doing in front of the Sambora household. After yesterday’s events with Richie she doubted coming in at all but Ava had been persistent and wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. So there she was, wearing a pale yellow sundress with flipflops and her pale pink bikini already under the dress. Her beach bag was filled with all the essentials. 

Knocking on the massive front door she waited nervously. Sure as hell luck wasn’t on her side. Richie opened the door and stood speechless. Ava never came to confirm Jocelynn’s plans so he assumed she wasn’t coming. But there she was, dressed casually sexy. Her hair curled over her shoulder and blue eyes were hidden behind Ray-ban’s.

Opening the door a bit wider he forced a smile. “Come in, Ava’s been excited about you joining us today.”

Jocelynn stepped inside and waited in front of the tall dark haired man. “Thank you for inviting me Richie. Ava is very persistent.”

Richie held up his hand and sighed. “She sure is. Come on in, breakfast is ready.” Turning he walked down the hallway to, what she remembered, was the kitchen. His broad chest was covered in his tight faded black t-shirt. Cross dangling on his chest. Shaking her head to clear her head she closed the door, dropped the bag and followed him into the kitchen where Rosa had prepared breakfast as if twenty people were coming.

Ava was wearing denim shorts and a white babydoll while munching on a piece of blueberry pancake. Next to her was a blonde man. Muscular chest visible through the few undone buttons of his navy blue sleeveless shirt.

He looked up and blue eyes matching hers stared at her in delight. Getting up from the stool he outstretched his hand. “You must be Jocelynn.” He exclaimed excitedly. “I’m Jon.”

It took Lynn some time to find her voice. Realization struck as she noticed she was in a kitchen about to have breakfast with two of the hottest men in rock and roll. Slightly star struck for the first time since she came here, she shook his hand. “Lynn is fine with me. Nice to meet you.”

Breakfast conversation wasn’t too difficult. Jon seemed genuinely interested in what she did aside from training horses and Ava was keen on finding out more about Lynn. The front man told her how impressed he was with her photos. Lynn could do nothing but blush and smile.

Not gonna tell him about that one time. None of their business. I won’t let them think I’m some groupie.

After finishing her orange juice and putting the glass in the sink Ava and the two men rose from their stools as well and they poured out of the house and into Richie’s massive black Hummer. Ava pulled on her hand and they occupied the backseat of the car leaving Jon and Richie to discuss work related things in the front.

Later that night, after they all had dinner together, the group piled on the couches in the living room to watch Iron Man. It had turned out to be a good day for the beach, seeking a secluded area the girls were talking horse language as the sun worked on their tan while the men dove into the salty water. After returning home Rosa had prepared dinner and they decided on a movie to watch.

Ava curled up next to her dad with Jon on the other side of the couch and Jocelynn was curled up in the plush chair. It didn’t take long before Ava fell asleep and was followed by Lynn. The men grinned at each other.

“Man you’re so screwed.” Jon spoke once the movie was over.

Richie raised his brows and shook his head. “No idea what you’re talking about man. How about you get Ava in her bed and I’ll wake Jocelynn.”

“How about you get your shining armor out first?” He joked as he lifted the teenager in her arms and exited the room.

Shaking his head, Richie moved over to the chair and shook the woman softly. “Lynn wake up, let’s get you to bed.” He whispered. Jocelynn stirred but didn’t wake up. Letting out a sigh he let his right arm curl around her back while his left arm supported her long toned legs. The woman curled herself into his body and continued to snooze.

Richie looked around and figured he wasn’t gonna be able to carry her all the way in to the guest house so one of the spare bedrooms would have to make due. Walking up the stairs he saw Jon pulling the covers over Ava’s sleeping body and smiled. Placing Jocelynn onto the bed of one of the spare bedrooms he pulled up the covers and hesitated before dropping a soft kiss on the top of her head and closing the door behind him as he left.