When I woke up the next morning I showered and dressed in a pair of black leggings, red tank, and a long black cardigan. I took extra time and curled my hair in loose waves. As I was driving the kids to the daycare center I decided to call my dad. “Hey daddy, I got a job!” I gushed “That’s great babe, where at? What are you going to be doing?” he asked. “It’s a clothing line called Vengeance University, I’m their new graphic designer” I stated proudly. “Wow that’s great babe, I’m so proud of you” he said excitedly “Thank you! And you’ll never guess who owns it!” “Who?” He asked. “Zacky Vengeance, the rhythm guitarist of Avenged Sevenfold!” “Really? I bet you are just all kinds of excited” he said with a laugh “I am, it’s so awesome! But I have to get the kids into the daycare so I can head to work, I’ll call you soon! Love you!” We disconnected and after I got the kids settled in their rooms I started my drive to work.

When I got to work Zack called me into his office. “Hey Brook, ready to start your first day?” he asked. “Oh yeah, I’m really excited. What am I doing first?” I asked “Well first I thought I’d give you a little tour of the place, then we’re gonna go get you set up with your own computer, and you can get started.” he said with a smile. “Okay, sure. Let’s do it.” Zack showed me around VU, and showed me the office where I was going to be working. “Okay, here’s the office. The guys come around a lot, mostly to bug me because they’re bored. I’m sure they’ll want to meet you, since Brian has apparently taken a liking to you and your family.” he said with a smirk. I could feel my cheeks heat up. “Oh, well okay. That’s fine. I’ve always wanted to meet a few rock stars anyway” I said with a grin. “Okay. I’ll let you get started. Design away madam!” he said as he walked out. I turned my ipod on shuffle and started working. A few hours later, I heard someone knock. I turned around and it was Brian. “Hey Brian, come on in.” I said as I turned my music down. “A Journey fan. Nice.” he said looking around. “Hey the guys are here, and they want to meet you. You up for it?” he asked with a slight smirk. “Sure, I’d love to.” We walked out of my office and into Zack’s. “Brook this is Jimmy, Johnny, and Matt. Guys this is Brook, the girl I was telling you about.” I smiled shyly and waved “I have no idea what he’s told all of you, it may or may not be true” I said with a smirk. The guys laugh and Matt said “Only good things, I promise. We were just heading out to grab some food, do you want to join us?” “Sure, just let me grab my purse and I’ll be ready” I said with a smile. I still couldn’t believe I knew the members of one of my most favorite bands, and that I’m working for Zacky Vengeance. I walked back into Zack’s office and Brian said “B you can ride with me, if you want.” I smiled and followed him out to his car.

The ride to the restaurant was full of conversation. From music to movies to favorite foods, we talked about it all. We finally pulled up to a little Italian place on PCH. “I hope Italian is okay with you, Jimmy wouldn’t shut up about it.” he said with a smile. “It’s great, I love Italian food.” We got out and went inside with the guys. The hostess sat us and we all looked over our menus. Once we ordered the conversation picked up. “So Brook,” Matt said “You’re from Georgia right?” “Yeah, a small town about an hour north of Atlanta. I was born and raised there.” “Wow, why did you decide to move all the way across the country?” He asked, and all the guys’ eyes were on me. “Well” I began with a sigh, “I divorced my husband over a year ago, we reconciled, and things just didn’t work out. I moved my family out here to get away from him and his constant verbal abuse. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made so far.” I said with a smile. “Your family, do you have kids?” Asked Jimmy. “I do. I have a four year old son and a two month old daughter.” “They’re probably the cutest kids ever” Brian said. I grinned at him, “he’s right, they are pretty damn adorable.” “Well I love kids. I want to meet them!” Jimmy said excitedly as he clapped his hands together. “Yeah that’s a good idea Jim, why don’t we have a little barbecue to welcome you guys to California and the Avenged family?” Matt suggested “I’m down, as long as there’s alcohol” Johnny said while we all laughed. “That would be great, I think Cam would really love that. Thank you” I said with a huge smile. “No problem, I’ll talk to Val, Zack and Jimmy you guys talk to Leana and Gena and make sure nobody has anything going on, we can do it this weekend if you’re down Brook.” “Sounds good to me, we don’t have any plans for this weekend. I have to finish up my Christmas shopping though.” I replied. “I can show you around Huntington, take you to the mall and stuff.” Brian volunteered, “Yeah, take her one day this week Bri, you can leave work a little early one day Brook” Zack said. “Awesome. I have no idea where I’m going, and I’m the wrong person to give directions to” I said with a chuckle.

After lunch was over, I returned to work and finished working on a few designs. When I was getting ready to leave Zack came to my office. “You know,” he started, “I think Bri really likes you. I haven’t seen him like this in months. It’s good to see him happy again.” he said with a smile. “I like him too Zack, but after everything that’s happened I’m extremely reluctant to just jump into another relationship. I’m completely terrified that I’ll get hurt again.” I replied. “Jesus Brook, what the hell did he do to you?” Zack asked with concern in his voice. “It doesn’t matter, I’m away from all that now, and ready to start a new life. I refuse to live with his shadow looming over me any longer, I refuse to compare him to every man I meet. I…oh shit. Sorry. I just kind of started rambling on you” I said, slightly embarrassed. “Hey that’s ok” he chuckled “let it all out, I’m here for you. I have a feeling that we’re going to be spending a lot of time together outside of work” he said with a smile. “Maybe so, we’ll have to see. I gotta run and pick up the kids, I’ll see you tomorrow Zack” “Later B. Just don’t let your hatred for your ex ruin the possibility of a future with Brian” He replied and gave me a hug. I smiled as I left work, and went to pick up my babies. Maybe Zack was right. Maybe there is a possibility of a future with Brian. I’d have to get to know him a lot more than I do now first.

Notes

Happy New Year to all!