Chapter 70

Walking into his room, Jon scratched at his bicep. He had swatted at more bugs that night than he could ever remember. Generally, he didn’t mind the outside shows, but tonight, the bugs had been more than a little out of control. He headed for the mini bar. He must have swallowed about seven hundred of the little fuckers and he needed something to get the taste out of his mouth.

Pulling his shirt off he reached around behind his shoulder, scratching everywhere he could reach. Couldn’t he just rip his skin off and be done with it already? Good Christ he hated the damn bugs.

Beer in hand, he headed into the bathroom. A shower just might help. They had done a runner that night and he was still sticky with the sweat and after-show stink that came from his two-and-a-half-hour work out. The water felt blessedly cool on his hot, itchy skin.

He closed his eyes as the water rained down on him. One more show tonight he thought as he shampooed and soaped, then it’s back home for at least a night. He’d stay with Cilla. He didn’t think it would be a problem. The guys could stay at the hotel, but he wanted, needed to be with her.

Drying off he mentally ran through his schedule for the next few days. The press conference, two shows in Boston, Central Park, and the last two at MSG. It was almost over.

He pulled on shorts and watched the stars twinkle outside his window. He was taking his kids on vacation for a week after the last two shows and then hopefully they’d be headed to New Orleans for the Arena Bowl.

He wished Cilla would come to Greece with him and the kids. The weekend had been great. The kids really seemed to like her, even Romeo had come around. He knew though, that even if he got down on his knees and begged and pleaded that she wouldn’t come with them. He could probably convince her to come to New Orleans but to take a week off to play with him and the kids? He shook his head in resignation. He would never get her to do that.

With a sigh he stretched out on the bed. His big, empty bed. He was not looking forward to sleeping alone. They had only spent a few nights in a row together, but that was enough for him to know he didn’t want to sleep apart anymore. Once the tour was over, neither of them were going to sleep alone again if he could help it.

He was too wired to sleep, and he didn’t feel like watching television or going in search of the guys. He wouldn’t be good company for anyone right now anyway. He glanced at the clock and picked up his phone. It was late but Cilla would just be getting up about now, or maybe she was already working. He couldn’t remember what time she actually got started.

Cilla’s phone rang just as she was locking her door to head down to the kitchen. Smiling when she saw who it was, she sat on the top step and opened her phone.

“Hi.”

Just the sound of her voice had him feeling better. “Hi yourself Sweets. How are you?

She set her bag down. “I’m good, a little tired, but good. How was the show and why aren’t you asleep yet?”

“The show went well, but I must have a million bug bites that itch like hell. You wanna come scratch my back for me? And I need to unwind a bit, but I don’t think I’ll be getting much sleep.”

“I’ll scratch your back for you when you come home. Why won’t you be getting much sleep?”

She was almost certain that it was for the same reason as her, but she wanted to hear him say it.

Jon closed his eyes and tucked a hand under his head, “this bed is awfully big and empty Sweets.”

“So was mine” she said quietly.

“Where are you right now?”

“I’m just outside my door, sitting on the steps and no, I’m not going to get naked for you.”

Jon chuckled low, “that’s okay babe, I’ll get you naked tomorrow night when I get back.”

Cilla smiled, “promise?”

“Oh yeah.” He yawned. The adrenaline was starting to wear off and he was starting to fade.

Cilla heard the yawn. “Go to sleep now onny. We’ll talk again later.

“Okay babe. Love you.”

She laughed quietly, he sounded like he was just about asleep. “Love you too and check your e-mail later.”

He nodded, “okay. Bye babe.”

Cilla shook her head and skipped down the stairs. He would be back tomorrow night. Maybe after the press conference they could get a bite to eat. Better yet, she should cook for him. She made a mental list of things to pick up at the store. She hoped he wouldn’t be too tired to eat. He sounded exhausted just before they had hung up.

Once she got things going in the kitchen, Cilla booted up her laptop. Thinking for a minute, she composed a quick note to Jon.

To: blueeyedguy@hotmail.com
From: queencilla@gmail.com
Re: Cake

Hi there. Hope you’re feeling rested this morning. I attached the final design for the cake. What do you think? Did you decide on a flavor? Let me know.

Miss you.

Love you.

~ C

Attaching the design she sent off the note and waited for Sid to show up so they could load the cases and start their day.