Chapter sixteen

After the concert the band was driven to a nearby airport. As usual Sarah and Richie shared a car with Jon.

Now that they were in the car, Sarah could see Jon was in a lot of pain and hoped Richie was right. On stage he tried to hide it but not anymore. She couldn’t help but think if Richie would get injured, she’d feel even worse.

The drive wasn’t very long and they all moved to the plane.

Sarah followed Richie to the same seat at one of the tables. David followed them and sat on the couch on the other side of the small walkway.

Jon was the last to get on the plane and sat down opposite of Richie, putting his leg up on the seat next to him.

“I’m starving; I hope Jane’s got some good food.” Richie said just as Jane passed by.
“I even got your favorite.” She smiled brightly at him.
“Good woman.” He smiled back.

He had many favorites so it was still a surprise what it would be this time.

Over the sound system they heard the pilot say how long the flight would be and when they’d arrive. When he finished his explanation the plane started moving.

Jane brought out dinner when they were up in the air.

After a big work out like a concert, they always were hungry so Jane had made sure of a second dinner.

It had been years ago that Sarah had been on a plane but this was definitely much better than back then. The privacy was nice, no strangers she had to worry about. The luxury certainly was amazing, the chair she was sitting in was the most comfortable seat on a plane she ever sat in, even the business class seat.

This was very different from a commercial flight, somehow it was homier.



After dinner Sarah started to get tired, she hadn’t gotten used to the long hours yet, it had only been a week.

She’d been with Richie for a week, she though, a lot of things had changed in that week.

She eased back in her chair and against Richie.

“You tired?” He asked gently. “There’s a bed in the back if you want to nap.” He suggested, a bed would be more comfortable after all.
“No, I’m good here.” Sarah rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, she didn’t mean to actually sleep, just rest her eyes for a while.

Richie checked his watch, still a while before they got to the airport and then the drive to the hotel. He snaked his arm behind her and rested his hand on her hip.

He turned his head and continued his conversation with Jon.



Sarah opened her eyes when the plane landed; she had fallen asleep on Richie’s shoulder after a few minutes. Now she hoped she hadn’t been snoring, that would be even more embarrassing, especially with everyone there.

“Honey, we’re here.” Richie said softly.
Sarah stretched and sat up in her seat. “I fell asleep.”
“Yes, you did.” Richie confirmed.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” She apologized.
“Apologizing for sleeping? You really don’t have to apologize for that.” He rubbed his hand over her hip.
“Sorry.” She said again.
Richie chuckled.
Sarah realized she just apologized for apologizing. “Sorry.” She said again.
Richie chuckled again. “You’re cute.” He said. “We better go.” He gestured to the rest of the band.

Almost everyone was off the plane by now.

Sarah got up and followed the person in front of her.



At the hotel Richie went for a quick shower while Sarah waited for their bags to arrive. They only had their carry-ons, the rest would be brought to their room.

It didn’t take long before there was a knock on the door and Sarah went to open it.

The bags stood at her feet, the person that had dropped them off just knocked on another door, dropping another bag.

“Thank you.” Sarah said.
The man turned around and looked at her, a bit surprised. “No problem. Do you need help?” He asked.
“No, it’s alright. Thanks for dropping them off.” She said again.
“You’re welcome. I usually don’t get thanked though.” He answered.
“You don’t? That’s kind of rude.”
“They’re busy.” He shrugged. “Usually they don’t answer the door that fast and I’m already gone.” He explained and gestured to the other doors.
“That explains it.”

They said goodbye and Sarah moved the bags in the room, just as Richie got out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist.



They got comfy together in bed, Richie’s arms wrapped around Sarah.

“I was wondering,” Richie said after a few minutes, “if you haven’t had sex in ten years, why are you still on birth control?” He was glad she was but still wondered.
A little surprised Sarah looked up at him. “Because it does more than that.”
Richie gave her a confused look.
“It helps preventing pain and you can plan it out.” She explained.
“Plan it out?”
“Yes, take it longer than three weeks. I’m doing it now so I don’t get my period until I get home.” She explained the rest.
“I like that idea.” He smiled.
Sarah chuckled. “I thought you would.”
“But it still works, right?”
“Of course.” She assured him.
“Good.” He concluded, he still wanted kids, some day, later on but not right now.



The next morning Richie woke up with Sarah in his arms. When he looked down at her, she looked so peaceful that he stayed still in bed, knowing she’d wake up if he got up.

He held her for a while longer, thinking of what to do the next two days. For starters he needed to go to the gym, it had been over a week and now he wouldn’t have to have a running match with Jon, he’d win.

They also needed to go shopping, he had seen the rest of Sarah’s clothes and she deserved some new things, and nightwear, definitely nightwear. Something made out of silk or lace and flimsy. Would she wear a babydoll like that? He’d have to convince her. It would probably be more comfy than sleeping in her bra anyway, although he did like that view. He looked down again, straight into her cleavage.

It was well past 10 when he finally decided to get up, he realized he had been watching her for nearly an hour.

Carefully he untangled his arms, hoping she’d stay asleep but knowing better than that.

When he stood and turned to look at her, her eyes were open and she smiled softly at him, still half asleep.

“Morning,” he said, “want to order breakfast?”

Sarah was hungry too and agreed, she got out of bed to get dressed too.



Half an hour later they sat at the table by the big window of their room, it was sunny already.

“What do we do today?” Sarah asked before she took a drink from her freshly brewed coffee, perfect, how she wanted it.
“I’d like to go to the gym,” he hoped she wouldn’t mind, “I haven’t been since you got here and I need to do some running.” Richie explained.
Sarah nodded. “Okay.”
“Do you mind staying on your own for a while?” He worried about her.
“No, no,” she said quickly, “it’s fine. I’d like some time by myself, think some things over.” She assured him.
Richie reached his hand over the table and took hers, making her look up at him. “You sure you’re okay?” He asked, a little more worried.
“Yes, I just… Just some thinking.”

That didn’t help to easy Richie’s mind. What did she need to think about? There had to be something wrong, otherwise she didn’t need to think things over. Was she regretting it all? But she loved him.

He didn’t ask her again and spent the rest of breakfast talking about something else. She was entitled to some private time too.



After breakfast, Richie changed into running shorts and said goodbye with a short kiss.