Between the Lines

This was ridiculous! Why does she have to do this interview? Why does he have to come to the show? Couldn’t he go somewhere else and promote the new record?

He’s a successful Rockstar for God’s sake; he could go to every show. They would be very happy to have him, would do anything when he would come …well, there you have your answer Julie; your boss would do anything too!

She shook her head and poured herself a cup of coffee. I simply have to keep it together. She sighed. But it has been way too long.

“Hey, Julie. How are you doing?” her co-host Jeff greeted her with his always happy face. He was a morning person. She shuddered. She needed at least two coffees before she was able to talk.

“Hey Jeff.” She answered and sipped at her fourth cup of coffee.

He eyed her carefully. “Nervous?” he asked.

She sighed. “No.” More annoyed, she added in her thoughts.

“You try to stay calm and play it cool, huh?”

“What are you talking about?” sometimes Jeff was speaking in riddles.

“Oh, come on. You can’t tell me you aren’t just a bit excited to meet Mr. Rockstar in person.”

“Just a normal interview.” Julie replied and prayed that Jeff would buy it. Normal interview, my ass, she thought.

He squeezed his eyes together. “How does your husband feel about it?”

Julie nearly choked on her coffee. In the last second she was able to avoid splashes of the hot liquid on her outfit. The wardrobe girl could thank her later for it.

“Ha! I knew it.” Jeff exclaimed triumphantly.

“Jeff!“ she said in a sharp voice. “You don’t know anything. Don’t make me angry!” He could be so annoying sometimes.

He raised his hands defensive. “Ok, ok…I’m just saying I could understand that he isn’t happy about you meeting all those sexy guys and Mr. Rockstar in particular.”

She frowned, but before she could reply, he added. “I know, I know…you are together for more then four years now and you have Lauren, but in the end you two are still newly weds.”

Julie rolled her eyes. They got married a little bit over two month ago in Vegas. It wasn’t planned, it just happened. Their daughter Lauren was totally excited about being Mommy’s and Daddy’s flower girl and the only witness to the ceremony. I should have never told anyone here, that I got married…and it definitely was a stupid idea to work here.

But she couldn’t resist the job offer when her boss asked her to work in front of the camera and not only back in an office to do the research for the show. She told him, she had to be home early everyday to pick up her daughter from kindergarten, but he was happy with it. So, she was still working a lot from home and only came into the studio in the morning while Lauren was at school to record the show. I should really stop this shit!

“Ten minutes till recording!” the assistant yelled through the hallway.

“Listen, Jeff…Let’s just get this interview over with.” Julie turned on her feet and walked over to the set. I need to relax. It’s just an interview. Everything will be great. I did that a million times. Her smoothing wasn’t really working. The idea of seeing him in a couple minutes...HERE…in front of all those cameras, it was a nightmare. Why is he doing that to me?

The lights were checked, the cameras were brought into position and her make-up refreshed. She took a deep breath when the director counted down to ten and the intro of the show could be heard. She forced a smile on her face.

“Good morning America. I’m Jeff Matthews…” Jeff started.

“And I’m Julie McKenzie. Welcome to the show.” Was her voice trembling? She was probably imagining that, right? But why were the people behind the cameras were looking at her so weird?

“Well, our guest today is just back from promotion work in Canada. The new album of his band is out now…Welcome Jon Bon Jovi!” Jeff announced.

Julie gulped when Jon entered the set in tight blue jeans and an equally tight black shirt. He looked a bit tired, but had his typically mega watt smile on his face and didn’t hide his beautiful blue eyes behind sunglasses.

He greeted Jeff with a handshake, then turned to Julie and pulled her in his embrace with twinkling eyes. “Hi, baby.” He mumbled into her ear, so only she could hear it. Her heart beat kicked up immediately. These strong arms, this hard body, his voice and his scent…God, I will not survive this interview.

Jeff eyed Jon sharply when he hugged Julie longer than appropriate. But he was a pro and after Jon took his seat he asked how he was doing.

“I’m fine. A bit tired, you know. The last two weeks were a bit rough and we just flew back from Canada this morning. We had lots of interviews to attend.” Jeff nodded and waited for Julie to ask the next question, but she was just staring at Jon. Immediately Jeff jumped in.

“So, your new record is out now. I listened to it and I have to say…wow…that’s something completely different from Lost Highway.”

Jon nodded. “Yeah, it’s a good old loud rock record. We had a lot of fun in the studio during the recording. Especially Richie.” His eyes travelled back to Julie. He wasn’t looking at Jeff at all.

“So, did you do it, because so many fans wanted that rock sound back?” Jeff asked and tried to get Julie’s attention at the same time. She needed to say something other wise their boss would freak.

“No, I wouldn’t say it that way. Lost Highway was a big success. It was important in the musical development of the band to do that Nashville influenced record. I would even say without it we wouldn’t have made this heavy rock record now.” Jon answered Jeff’s provoking question without hesitation and let his gaze travel down to Julie’s well toned legs. He could swear she was wearing stockings under that black skirt.

“But you did hear your fans wanting a rock record?” Jeff dug deeper.

Jon laughed. “Sure. It’s hard not to hear Bon Jovi Fans.” A smirk reached Julie’s face.

“So, do you guys already know when the touring starts?” she asked and could see Jeff exhaling relieved. Finally she snapped out of her trance. She nearly snorted. If he would only know.

“Well, the tour starts in Japan in two month and after that we will be on the road for about eight month. The last show should be at Giants Stadium.” Jon answered and locked his blues eyes with hers. She smiled. Those eyes were beautiful.

“So, they let you in again?” she commented his answer.

He laughed. “Yeah, they did.” She chuckled.

“Touring for eight month. That’s a lot of separation from the family. How do you handle it?” Jeff tried to get Jon’s attention back.

“Well, we talk every day on the phone and when we play close to home our families will hopefully join us for a night or two. But we have to make sure the kids do not miss too much school.” Jon looked shortly at Jeff, before he turned his attention back to Julie again.

She wore her hair in an updo. It looked beautiful, but he had to admit he liked it better when she would wear it open; when it would fall freely over her shoulders. In the outfit, especially that blouse, she looked rather conservative. You could hardly see her throat or her beautiful breasts…he nearly groaned when he realized what she’s wearing under her outfit. You witch!

Her eyes darkened when she saw his reaction. She had to fight for control when he tried to change his position lightly. Seems something was getting uncomfortably tight.

“Don’t you miss your wife something terribly when you are touring so long without her?” Julie asked. Jeff frowned about this intimate question and was sure Jon wouldn’t answer it, but he surprised him.

“Sure. Show me the guy that doesn’t want his beautiful wife in his arms every night.” He looked Julie deeply in her eyes. “But I think I miss her more than she misses me.” He added with a little sad smirk.

Julie nearly gasped. “Well, I can tell you, I would miss my husband like hell when he would be gone so many nights like you. I just wouldn’t show it openly. It would only make it harder for him to go.” Jon’s eyes lit up.

“Really?” he asked with a huge smile.

“Really.” Julie replied with twinkling eyes. Jeff looked from his co-host to Jon and wondered what he missed.

“But your youngest daughter and her mother, your new wife, should be able to join you on the tour, right? How old is your daughter now?” Jeff was getting angry about the way Jon was flirting with Julie and checking her out. He wasn’t sure her husband would be fine with it and Jon’s wife probably either.

“Well, she’s three and a half now and very proud that she’s in kindergarten. I’m not sure she’s willing to skip it for a couple days.” Jon stopped shortly and smiled at Julie. “And my wife is working for a couple hours every day, so it could be a bit difficult.”

“What about when she stops working?” Julie asked. Jeff looked at his notes. That wasn’t one of the questions from the list.

Jon’s eyebrows rose. He looked at her surprised. “Well, the last time we talked about it, she told me she would go nuts without work, me touring and our babygirl in kindergarten…maybe I should asked her again. It would make things a bit easier.” He added with a smile and darkening blue eyes. She was really wearing a corsage under the blouse.

Jeff couldn’t believe it. It looked like that Rock star wanted to bed Julie down right here. He cleared his throat. “Well, one last question.” Jon turned his head back to him. “If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?”

Jon exhaled sharply. Not because of the question, but the way Julie was crossing her legs and letting the lace trimming of her stockings become lightly visible. “Uhm, well…honestly I don’t know. I always wanted to be musician…” he gulped. She was driving him crazy. “…I can’t imagine having a nine to five job in an office…maybe a salesman. Wouldn’t be so different from what I’m doing now.” He suggested and hoped he wasn’t sweating too much and the interview would be over soon.

“Interesting.” Jeff said and turned to the main camera. “Our guest was Jon Bon Jovi. His new record is in stores now. Thanks for watching.” The music of the show could be heard again in the studio, and then the director called “Cut!”.

Julie got up immediately and left the set for her wardrobe. She could swear Jon was right behind her, but when she opened the door after a light knock Jeff was standing in front of her.

“I don’t know what this idiot was thinking.” He said angrily. She looked at him confused.

“Julie, he literally undressed you with his eyes.” Didn’t she realize it?

She flushed lightly. “Well, that’s ok.”

“Ok? OK? I don’t think that’s ok!” Jeff screamed.

“Why shouldn’t it be ok, when my husband wants to see me naked?” she asked.

“Your husband?” Jeff asked stunned.

“Yep!” she answered before she opened the door and found Jon standing in the hallway. Smiling she gave him a deep kiss.

“Could you pick up Lauren from kindergarten? I need to talk with my boss for a second.” She asked after they parted and were able to talk again.

“Sure, darling. But do me favor…don’t change the outfit!” he said and left with a wink in Jeff’s direction.

End.

Welcome

I wrote this story as a contribution to a Fan-board Mission. Of course I didn't win. I didn't expect that as a non-native speaker, but it was a good training.

The story is called "Between the lines" and all I say is that an interview with Jon sure can be interesting. Enjoy!