Chapter 16

The guys were getting irritated, they had been at the party for over an hour, mingling with a few friends and some of the crew while they waited for the record executives to show. Slinging back another beer, David went to get another round. Tico and Bobby, with a couple of guys from the crew, were playing pool. Jon, Richie, and Hugh sat at a table waiting for Paul to show up with executives. Finally Paul came over to the table with three men dressed in suits.

“They’re wearing suits? Are they kidding? This isn't some boardroom meeting. Lord, this oughta be fun,” Richie muttered and rolled his eyes. Jon just smirked at Richie.

When the introductions were made, Jon almost choked on his beer. One of the executives, Scott Reynolds, obviously the youngest of the bunch, kept calling him ‘sir’. It was starting to get on Jon’s nerves. Paul, reading the look in Jon’s eyes, took a deep breath, silently begging the kid to shut up.

“So would you mind telling us why you called a meeting tonight? A meeting you are over an hour late to. Our families flew in today as a surprise. So if we could just get to the point, please...” David's voice clearly showed his irritation.

Leaning his elbows on the table, Scott Reynolds nodded his head up and down, his excitement evident on his face. “As you all know the tour has been a great success... More than we had originally anticipated.”

Toying with the handle of his beer mug, Bobby laughed. “Gee, that sounds like you had a lot of faith in the band. Not to mention their fan base." Realizing he said the words out loud, Bobby shot a look at his dad.

Jon chuckled at his son’s comment. “That’s what it sounds like to me too, son.” Squeezing his son's arm, Jon conveyed to Bobby he wasn't angry at his outburst.

Scott knew he needed to correct his mistake, and fast, if he had any chance of getting the band to agree to his proposal.

“Sorry, that didn’t come out right. What I meant was the demand for you guys is growing faster than we anticipated. The fans want more. Right now Bon Jovi is the number one top selling concert tour of the year.”

Richie shot Jon a look, they both knew what was coming next. Wanting to stall the young man, Jon excused himself to use the restroom. Walking to the back where the restrooms were located, Jon pulled his cell phone out of his back pocket.

Joanne was getting ready to change her clothes when she heard Jon’s ringtone. This should be interesting. Joanne grinned answering her phone.

“Yes, my love. What can I do for you?” Her voice held a hint of laughter.

“Hey, Jojo. What I want you to do to me will have to wait a little longer. But right now I need you to do something for me.”

Sinking down on the bed, Joanne listened to what her husband wanted. “Give me fifteen minutes.”

Hanging up the phone, she punched a few text messages out. Done with that, Joanne walked over to the closet. Fingering Jon’s shirts, she pulled a dark blue dress shirt off the hanger. Putting the shirt on, Joanne went into the bathroom to retouch her make up.

Ten minutes later, a light knock on the door told her the girls had arrived. Three minutes later, they were in the elevator on their way to meet up with their husbands. Exactly fifteen minutes later, Joanne and the girls strolled into the after party. Security at the front door recognized all five women standing in front of them. Stepping aside Leo and Steve let them in. Glancing around the room, the women could see the guys sitting in a corner booth with three men dressed in suits.

“Come on, girls, let’s get a drink first,” Isabel said. Tucking her arm in with Joanne’s, she led the way to the bar.

When the bartender took their order, the ladies turned around in their seats so they could watch the crowd.

“The guys look bored,” Lani commented, taking a sip of her Long Island Iced Tea, nudging her chin towards the table the men were sitting at.

“I say bored is an understatement. Try irritated." Isabel took a healthy gulp of her Seven and Seven, observing the look of annoyance on Richie's face.

Tracy grabbed her beer. “I think it is time we made ourselves known.”

Melissa and Joanne both agreed, each holding a Jack and Coke in their hand. "Well, then, ladies, let us go collect our husbands," Melissa stated with a grin.