"Hey! You guys came!" Brian came and hugged me. I glared at him.

"You just had to say he could spend the night didn’t you!" He smiled.

"He does finish school tomorrow, and we’re going to delay the new CD till we finish a small tour." I put my finger to his face.

"Oh no! He is not going on tour! Forget it Brian! No way!" Next thing I knew someone was hugging me from behind. Brian rolled his eyes. When I turned,

"Val!" I yelled and hugged her normally. I saw a few other girls come in and take their place beside both Syn and Johnny. They were both short, probably around the same height.

The one beside Synyster looked curiously at me as is she was about to pounce in anger,

“I’m BETH!” The one beside Johnny jumped out and tackled me in a hug,

“Um… um!” I repeated unsure what to do.

“Beth, release!” I heard Matt say loudly. She leaned over me grinning. This ‘Beth’ tucked a piece of her shoulder length brown hair behind her ear and her big blue eyes buzzed with excitement. I smirked at her because she seemed to fit for Johnny: brunette, blue eyed, hyper, short and from what I could tell had her ears pierced twice, her tragus and that seemed to me it.

“BOY AM I TIRED!” Beth stretched her arms up high, correction she has a belly bar too.

“Savanna, this is my girlfriend Robyn Graham.” The girl inches forward still silent. She had chestnut brown hair that went just past her shoulders and the same big blue eyes as Beth.

“Hi, I used to go to school with the boys!” I held out my hand,

“I heard.” This Robyn girl then turned and walked out of the room.

“Okay then.” I said quietly.

“She’s um… protective.” Synyster stated.

“LET’S GET DRUNK!” Colleen suddenly appeared in the room with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s and Jimmy followed behind her with a few cases of Budweiser.

My eyes went to Jake.
“Hey Jake let’s go set you up downstairs okay?” I looked at Matt who motioned me to follow him. When we reached the basement I saw there was a big screen television with some fancy stuff.

“Zacky’s niece comes a lot, so we have lots of movies.” Matt reassured me. I smiled at him.

“Thanks for having us.” He put me in a side hug.

“Go pick something Jake!” Matt encouraged.

“I would drink with you guys but I don’t want to leave him by himself.” I explained watching him.

“Come on, just one?” Matt asked with that damn innocent smile.

“Maybe. One. Maybe.” I concluded.

“Here Mom! Cars!” I grinned at him

“Cars it is!” I said smiling at him. Matt fixed it up,

“We have food upstairs if you want.” Matt offered before walking upstairs.

“Okay buddy, I’ll go get us some food and be right back down alright?” When he nodded he snuggled up in the blanket with a big smile on his face. I took my time going up the stairs and I saw a few other people had arrived.

“Here.” Val handed me a bottle of beer. I took it cautiously. I hadn’t really drank alcohol since the party where I… ‘conceived’ Jake. Socially or for work, sure.

I grabbed some pizza and finger foods with a can of Coke for Jake. As I walked down I heard another voice in the room with Jake,

“So you like cars?” it was Zacky. I could never mistake his voice now that I’ve reheard it.

“I love cars and dogs. My mom won’t get a dog.” I smiled and nibbled on some cheese.

“I have a dog, his name is Ichabod.” I heard some rustling and then a gasp,

“WOW! He’s cute! Can I see him?” Jake sounded so happy.

“Sure little dude, we’ll convince your Mom together.” I could’ve sworn I heard a wink. I finally stepped into the basement.

“What are you two up to?” I said scarring Zacky. Jake giggled.

“Nothing!” He jumped under the blanket.

“Nothing huh? I might have to check that!” I set down our stuff and began tickling him.

“Help me out Zacky!” I said nudging him, he smiling and began tickling Jake and Jake’s high pitched giggled filled the basement.

After a while I realized Zacky hadn’t left and Jake had dozed off.
“You do know everyone is partying upstairs right?” I asked obviously.

“Yeah but I like it down here with you two.” He said looking everywhere but me. I squinted my eyes, that had sounded something like a hint at something. With an instant I pulled Zacky’s face to mine closing my eyes.

I felt Zacky pull me closer and then move a piece of my hair. We finally pulled away after a minutes or two and just sat starring at each other breathless.

Why did I just do that?
“Mom? I’m tired.” Jake mumbled and leaned against me falling asleep again,

“Um.” Zacky said.

“Right.” I answered.