Country Lovin

Chapter 1

Richie Sambora is a man very respected and loved in the music industry, although fallen by the waist side with critics. He’s had many professional accolades in his 30+ years in the business. However, his personal life had been lacking in all accounts of what a man needed and wanted for himself. Richie Sambora was no different from any other man in that respect. At 52 he had been with some of the most beautiful women in the world and was very well known for being a ladies man. But there was so much more to him than what people thought. Sometimes being him can get so lonely. He had been divorced from Heather Locklear for 5 years and has had 2 steady girlfriends since. Currently taking care of his 14 year old daughter, while Heather was taking care of the messes of her own life. He was working hard making his third solo album, planning a small solo tour, and owning a fashion line. He would see an ex girlfriend from time to time, but he had no one special. Most women he would date were there mainly for the perks of being seen with a rock star. He knew they weren’t there for him at all. He had gotten to the point where he’d rather not bother. When it happens, it happens.

Richie had just finished listening to a new mix for his new album, but still had a full day of meetings with his NikkiRich partner, Nikki Lund. In the last meeting of the day, Nikki mentioned that Brad Paisley’s jacket was ready for him. Brad needed it for his awards show on Sunday night that he was hosting. Nikki said there was no way to get it to Nashville on time. Richie and Brad had been good friends for some time now, since White Trash Beautiful’s inception. Making clothes for Carrie Underwood and Kelly Pickler. Brad had seen a few of Richie’s leather jackets and contacted him. Richie had loaned him a few previously, Brad liked it so much he wanted one of his own. Richie had no real plans for the weekend. Ava was going to her friends for the entire weekend. So he figured he would take the jacket to Nashville himself. He called his assistant, Denise to set it all up.

Richie was to board the plane at 8pm to Nashville, TN. He ran home to pack and took Ava to her friends. “You sure your gonna be alright while I’m gone, Tinkerbell?” he asked her. Ava knowing how protective her dad was of her, but really trying to break away a little said “Dad, I’ll be fine! Just go and have fun already!”. Richie nodded with a pouty lip, gave her a hug and a peck on the cheek. “No Tyler while I’m gone! I’m serious, Ava!”. Ava stood to attention, hand salute over her right eye, “Yes Sir!”. Richie was already getting into his car. He looked up to blow her a kiss but she was inside. ‘Damn’, he thought, ‘they grow up so damn fast’. The thought was quickly pushed from his head, as he rushed home to grab his bags, get into the limo and drove to the airport. It wasn’t until he was on the plane when he started thinking how he’d wanted more kids than just Ava. But it just hadn’t worked out that way. His last girlfriend had 3 babies and at the time he felt he wanted more but after awhile came to the realization that 52 was a little old to start again. He was beginning to think 52 might be too old for a lot of things. Who would fall madly in love with him. HIM, not his money, fame, just for him. The lonliness was seeping in again. This was why he stayed so busy. When he had too much down time, he had time to think and time to feel empty inside.