Lex’s POV

After going home from talking with Val I felt a lot better. I knew now that I at least have someone to go to when things get rough. She gave me some great advice, though. I had been acting different. I needed to start being myself again. Today, Zack was going into the studio. I was going to go in for a little while my mom took Avery for a little visit. I needed to act like I was ready for him to start the new record and I support him all the way.

“Hey, babe, I’m leaving.” Zack said from the doorway of our room.

“Oh, okay. Hang on.” I finished buckling Avery up in her carseat and walked over to Zack and wrapped my arms around him. He loosely put his arms around me. “I know I’ve been acting so weird lately and I’m sorry. I just have been so overwhelmed that I can’t even think straight. I know I’ve lacked in the wife department. Work is stressful and I have to get use to the schedule Avery’s on again. I know you probably think these are all excuses, but really they’re not. I love you, Zee. Have a good day. I’ll be there in a little while.” I kissed him lightly and pulled away.

He let a breath out. “Thank god. I was beginning to worry. I love you too. I’ll see you in a little while.” He smiled a smile that finally reached his eyes and walked away. I wasn’t far behind him, either. I was ready to put this chapter to rest and start my one with Zack, again.

Zack’s POV

I finally felt relief. Lexi finally gave me the sign that everything is okay. As I drove to the studio I couldn’t stop thinking about her. She just totally caught me off guard and blew me away. I smiled at myself when I pulled into the parking lot. I got out and made my way into the studio. This would be the first time I’ve seen Brian since he showed up at my house looking for Lex. The thought thirty minutes ago terrified me, but now not so much.

“Hey assholes!” I yelled and laughed afterwards. They all replied with a hello and continued on with whatever they were doing. It was early so most of them weren’t ready for the day. I wouldn’t be either if it wasn’t for Lex’s reassurance. Brian wasn’t here yet, however, he was always late. I walked over and sat next to Matt.

“Hey, dude.” I said.

“Hey.” He replied looking up from his phone.

“When are we getting started?” I asked, knowing the answer.

“Rhetorical question much?” I laughed. “After dickhead gets here.” I nodded. “Did you ever talk to Lexi?” He asked.

“Not about the situation, but she gave me some reassurance today. She actually seemed like she loved me and apologized. She’s coming up here in a little bit.” I explained and then took a drink of my coffee.

“That’s good. Val said she talked to her, also.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, she said you were throwing things way out of proportion and that Lex is fine. She is just stressed and we all know how she gets when she’s stressed.”

I laughed. “That’s true.” The door opened and Brian walked in.

“Finally!” Jimmy shrieked. “It’s about fucking time.”

He laughed. “Sorry!” He walked over and set his stuff down on the table next to me.

“Hey, Gates.” I nodded towards him.

“Zee.” He nodded back at me. “How things going?”

“Pretty good, you?”

“Same.” He smiled.

“Let’s get this show on the road.” Matt stated. “Zack, Brian, you guys are up first.” We both nodded and made our way into room to lay down our tracks.

Lex’s POV

After dropping off Avery at my mother’s house, I made my way over to Val’s to pick her up so we could go out to breakfast and go to the studio. Today has started off great and I was only hoping it would stay that way.

“Hey.” Val greeted me happily when she got into my car.

“Hey.” I smiled back at her and pulled out of the driveway.

“Where are we gonna eat?” She asked.

“Duh, IHOP.” I laughed. She nodded.

I drove to the nearest IHOP and we got out and went inside. Once we were seated she didn’t hesitate to bombard me with questions.

“So how are you and Zack doing now?”

“I think that I finally made things okay again this morning. I actually acted like myself.” I laughed.

“How are you?”

“I still have guilt and I’m still beyond hurt that I lost Brian, but I just have to move forward. I can’t be upset around Avery. She needs a happy environment.”

She nodded. “Yeah, she does. Speaking of Avery, guess what?” She smiled.

I cocked an eyebrow. “What?”

“The stork has stopped by our house.” I squealed.

“It’s about fucking time you guys get pregnant!”

“Yeah, I know. After you and Zack had Avery I really started to think about it and finally Matt and I talked and decided to try. I’m a month in a half along.”

“I’m so happy for you!”

Once we got our breakfast we scarfed it down while talking. After about an hour we decided to go ahead and leave to go to the studio. On the way there the thought of seeing Brian surfaced. My stomach began to turn and I felt guilt again. I sighed and tried to shake the thoughts out of my head.

“What wrong honey?” Val asked as I parked the car.

“I just realized I have to see Brian…”

“Forget him. Remember you have to act like yourself if you want to put this whole ordeal in the past.”

I nodded. “I know. Let’s go.” I opened the door and got out and Val did the same. We slowly made our way inside. I could hear the sounds of guitars so my nervousness subsided knowing I won’t see Brian for a minute at least.

“Hey, babe.” Val smiled when she saw Matt sitting on the couch.

“Hey.” He smiled sweetly back at her. God, they’re so cute. “Hey, Lex.”

“Hey.” I smiled.

I heard the guitars in the other room stop and in about ten seconds Zack and Brian appeared. I smiled at my husband as he wrapped his arms around me. I avoided eye contact with Brian completely.

“Hey, baby.” Zack breathed.

“Hey.” I pulled away. “It sounded good in there.”

“Thanks.” He smiled. I could feel the tension between Brian and I, but I just tried to ignore it. “Aren’t you going to say hi to Brian?” He asked.

I nodded. “Hello, Brian.” He looked at me. I could see a mixture of regret, pain, happiness.

“Hey.” He stated. I made my way over to the couch and sat down with Zack. I could feel Brian’s eyes on me, though. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to come up here. ***************************************************************************************************************************

A few hours passed and things had lightened up a bit. Brian and I still didn’t say a word to each other, but I was being sidetracked by everyone else. I forgot how fun it was to come up to the studio with them.

“So, Lex. Why didn’t you bring Avery up here? The whole crew would like to see her.” Johnny asked.

“Babies and loud sounds don’t mix well.” I laughed. “Plus, with all the alcohol and smoking it’s not a good environment.”

“Mommy of the year award over here.” Matt laughed.

“Oh, shut up!” I laughed. “I want what is best for my baby girl. I’m pretty sure Zack feels the same way.” He nodded.

“Well, Lex and I are needed at the local coffee shop.” Val piped in.

“Yes, I’m starving and could use a latte.”

“Okay, let’s go. You guys want anything.” They all told us what they wanted, minus Zack. Something was bothering him, but I had no idea what it was. I walked over to him and kissed his cheek.

“Everything okay?” I whispered in his ear. He nodded. “I don’t believe you. When I get back let’s have a talk, okay? I know something’s bothering you.” He looked at me with those green eyes and I smiled and pecked him on the lips. “Love you.”

“I love you too.” Val and I made our way out and to the coffee shop down the street. There was no point in driving, so we walked.

“What’s going on with Zack?” She asked.

“I’m not totally sure. There’s something wrong, but no telling what. I told him that when we get back we’re going to talk about it.”

“Good. He was fine up until the past twenty or so minutes. He got really quiet.”

“Yeah, I know.” I sighed. “I just hope everything’s okay.”

“I’m sure it is.” She said opening the door and we walked in. We ordered everything and then made our way back to the studio. My stomach was turning and my mind was racing with all the things that could be wrong with Zack. What if Brian had said something to him?

“We’re back with goods.” I said walking in. Everybody got what they ordered and sat back down. Zack sipped at his coffee just staring into space. I walked over to him and sat down next to him.

“Thanks for the coffee.”

“You’re welcome. Can we go outside and talk?” I asked. He nodded and we got up. We made our way outside. Zack leaned up against the wall and lit a cigarette.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Nothing.”

“There’s something.” I sighed. “Just tell me, please. You were fine and then out of nowhere you’re not.”

“What happened between you and Brian?”

“Nothing happened. I already told you that.”

“Something obviously fucking did, Lex. You guys aren’t talking to each other. You and I both know that’s not normal. So once again, tell me what the fuck happened.”

“Once again I’m going to fucking tell you that nothing happened.”

“You’re lying. How can you stand here and fucking lie to me.”

I shook my head. “Whatever Zack. Believe what you want.” I turned around walked back inside. I picked up my bag. “I’m leaving.” I told everyone.

“What the hell, why?” Val asked.

“Because Zack wants to be an ass. I’m not going to put up with it.” I heard the door shut and Zack was back in the room.

“Why are you leaving?” He asked. “You’re obviously running from something.” I turned around and looked at him. “If you had nothing to hide you wouldn’t be acting this way.”

“I’m not going to get into this in front of everyone.” I said through my teeth.

“See! If you weren’t a fucking slut this wouldn’t be happening at all!” I looked at him coldly.

“Excuse me?”

“If you weren’t a fucking slut…” I cut him off my colliding my hand to his face.

“Fuck you, Zack.” I stormed out in tears.