Seize The Day

I woke up with Cassy’s legs wrapped around mine and her arms around my waist. When I looked down at her face she was smiling and was snoring softly. She had dragged me out to drink last night with her boss and some coworkers since I had done nothing but work for the past three months. I had been dragged into the studio by one of my best friends from high school who I was in a band with during the day and had to work in the bar at night, it was exhausting. “Cass wake up.” I said shaking her shoulder. She mumbled and buried her face in my chest. I shook her arm again and she grunted.
“Five more minutes.” She mumbled rolling over pulling the blanket over her head. I rolled out of my bed and stretched. Cassy suddenly shot up in bed. “Oh my god they’re coming home today!” She said excitedly turning to look at me. She frowned, “Why aren’t you excited you get to see Matt”
“And Zacky,” I added, I bent down to pick up my clothes from last night and tossing them in the hamper. “I was enjoying the drama free life I have without those two.” We didn’t see the guys very much before they left for tour they recorded a music video then left for a U.S Canadian and South American tour, and have been gone for two months. Cassy went for a few dates when they were on the east coast but I couldn’t get the days off to go with her.
“I think it’ll be fine.” She said getting out of the bed. “I mean they both seemed pretty good when I saw them.” She stretched. “Are you coming with me to surprise them?”
“Hmm? No I have to go to the studio.” I said pulling on a pair of sweats. “I’ll drop you off though and come by later.”
“Party pooper.” Cassy said walking out of my room. We both showered and Cassy rushed me to get ready so I could drop her off at Matt’s before they got home, Brian told her that they wouldn’t be back until around three and it was only one.
“It’s not like we’re going to be late. Besides are you just going to wait outside until they arrive?” I asked as she dragged me out of the house.
“No I’m meeting Leana and Lacy at Matt’s. Leana has a spare key.” She said opening the driver side door for me. I drove her to Matt’s and dropped her off. “When you finish you have to come here immediately okay?” She said as she slid out of my Tahoe.
“Aye, aye captain.” I said leaning against the steering wheel.
“Oh and bring booze or something as a welcome home gift since you’re not participating in the actual surprise.”
“Sir yes sir.” I said looking at the house. I hadn’t been here since the night before they left for tour when they had a “family” dinner which I chose to avoid, but I still had to drop Cassy off.
“Show more enthusiasm soldier.” Cassy said before slamming the door and walking up to the front door where she was greeted by Lacy.
Being in the studio was stressful because the rest of the band came in for the writing session and there were still sour feelings from when I left the band, which meant a lot of head butting on the lyrics and how the songs should sound. I was relieved when Ash called it a day and sent me home. While I was walking out to my truck my phone buzzed.
“Make sure you go home and change first. –C”
“God she’s rude.” But I did as she said and went home to change out of my skinny jeans and hoodie into a white dress with a jean jacket and some tan booties. On my way to Matt’s I stopped at the liquor store and picked up a case of beer and a bottle of vodka. When I pulled up in front of Matt’s house my phone went off again.
“The doors unlocked just come in we’re out back –C”
I slid out of my truck grabbing the beer and my bottle of vodka. I felt so awkward just letting myself into Matt’s house and felt even more uncomfortable as I walked through to the back yard. I was trying to prepare myself to see Zacky and Matt. I really didn’t know how to face Zacky and Matt at the same time. That night I messed up and gave Zacky so much fake confidence that we had a chance at fixing our relationship but I honestly didn’t know if we could. I stopped in front the sliding door and took a deep breath before opening it.
“She’s here!” Brian shouted when I opened the glass door going to the backyard. “And she brought booze what a good girl.” He said smiling at me, Cassy who was sitting on his lap got up and came and took the case of beer from my hand, and when she tried to take the vodka I wouldn’t let it go.
“Kaylin let it go.” She said holding onto it.
“No get me a glass.” I said quietly. Ever since I had walked in Zacky and Matt had been staring at me and it made me uneasy. Cassy sighed and grabbed me a red cup from the table and handed it to me. I set it on the table and cracked open the bottle pouring half a glass.
“Jesus, want something to mix with that?” Matt asked walking up examining my red cup filled halfway with vodka.
“No I’ve had a long day.” I said before tipping my cup back drinking as much as I could before the burn was too much.
“Was the studio that bad?” Cassy asked she had sat back down of Brian’s lap. At the mention of the studio all the guys looked slightly confused.
I sighed setting the bottle down on the table “Yes it was, it’s been three years but he still hates me for leaving.” I said sitting in an empty chair.
“Well I mean it was your band, you were the reason it started.” Cassy said putting her arm around Brian’s neck.
“Wait Kay was in a band?” Johnny asked surprised.
“Yes, it was the quickest and easiest way to piss off my parents.” I said leaning back in the chair. “But I didn’t last very long as the singer.”
“Then why were you in the studio?” Leana asked from her seat next to Jimmy.
“I’m still friends with the lead singer slash guitarist and we still write the songs together just none of the members are there, usually.” I pulled a fresh pack of cigarettes out of my jacket pocket. I had quit smoking when I was eighteen but addictions never die.
“This shit again.” Cassy groaned “You quit what are you doing?” She was annoyed.
“I believe it goes something along the lines of ‘if you control the addiction it never controls you’ or something.” I said as I unwrapped the pack.
“Kaylin Marie Horne.” Cassy said reaching to take the pack from my hand, I held it out of her reach. “You know your mom hates smokers.” She glared at me angrily.
“She also hates drinkers.” I said holding up my cup,
She made a face, “Then smoke some of mine the chances of you getting lung cancer is considerably less.” Cassy said pulling her little metal cigarette case out of her purse. She smoked these disgusting all natural cigarettes and to me they tasted and smelled horrible.
“I would rather get lung cancer than smoke one of those disgusting things.” I said pulling a cigarette out of my pack and lighting it.
“We’ve been dating for four months and I never knew you smoked.” Brain said looking up at Cassy.
“Doesn’t that mean that you don’t pay enough attention to her?” Matt said flipping a burger on the grill.
“I pay plenty of attention to her.” Brain said defensively.
“Of course he does.” Cassy said kissing Brian’s forehead. I made a gagging noise and Cassy glared at me, I put up my hands. “You don’t get to comment on other people’s relationships when you can’t even keep one for yourself.” Everyone just stared at her in shock because that was probably the meanest thing she has ever said in front of them. I knew she was only half serious but the others didn’t.
“Is twenty-two too late to pull the “I was raised in a shitty environment” card?” I asked leaning back in my chair taking another drag from the cigarette.
“That can’t even be an excuse your brother is engaged to the girls he’s been dating for SEVEN years.” I nearly choked on the smoke from the cigarette, why did she have to bring that up. “And your parents are still married, not happily, but they’re still together.”
“Yes he’s marrying a raging bitch.” Renee the girl he’s had on again off again relationship with since high school she had always hated me because I hated how she would cling to my brother like a leech. “And at least your parents had the decency to get divorced instead of forcing their child to deal with them screaming at each other every night.”
“You have a brother let me see.” Jimmy said excitedly standing up I opened up the gallery on my phone and found a picture of my brother with Renee. “Oh she’s pretty and you and your brother look nothing alike.” We didn’t my mom always said he got all the German stock and I was left with the Hungarian genes. He was unbelievably tall with almost white blonde hair and fair skin, where I was short with tanned skin and dark brown almost black hair.
“Oh she is pretty.” Leana said everyone had gathered around me to look. “But they look like they’re the siblings not you.” Which was true a she had fair hair and the same deep blue eyes my brother has.
“I’m jealous of that ring.” Lacy said, my brother made a healthy living as an engineer so he could afford and major rock to put on her bony finger.
“You know this means you have to settle down to soon.” Cassy said playing with Brian’s hair.
“Right because I’m in a place to get married.” I scoffed, I heard Matt clear his throat.
“Everything is ready so serve yourselves.” Matt looked uncomfortable and when I looked Zacky he met my eyes which made me uncomfortable. As we ate the guys told stories from the tour, Leana was the first to leave because she had work in the morning, then Zacky. Then Brian and Cassy followed by Johnny and Lacy. That left Jimmy, Matt and me. Jimmy was beyond drunk and was falling asleep in his chair.
“Can you help me carry him inside?” Matt asked setting his beer bottle down on the table.
“Yup.” I stood up setting my cup on the table. Matt lifted Jimmy out of his chair looping one of his arms around his waist and throwing one of Jimmy’s arms over his shoulder, I did the same. It would have been so much easier moving him if I wasn’t half his size and wearing heel. We stumbled inside with Jimmy Matt wanted to take him upstairs to an empty bedroom. “Okay hell no I’m wearing heels and that is way too many stairs to carry his drunk ass up.” I said looking at the stairs.
“Fine we’ll put him on the couch.” Matt said turning towards the living room. We flopped Jimmy onto the couch on his stomach, I turned his head so if he threw up it missed the couch and he wouldn’t choke on it, Matt went upstairs and grabbed a blanket and threw it over Jimmy. Matt walked back outside to clean up a bit, I followed him.
“I should probably go.” I said picking up an empty beer bottle.
“Why don’t you stay?” Matt said grabbing one of my hands. I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. I told Zacky we would talk after he came home, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about him I wasn’t sure how I felt about anything anymore.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea Matt.” I said looking up at him.
“Why not?” He asked.
“Jimmy’s here and I’m worried about Zacky.” I said looking down.
“Jimmy is knocked out and what Zacky doesn’t know won’t kill him.” Matt said bending down to look at my face.
“I still don’t think it’s a good idea. It hasn’t been that long since we broke up and there’s still some stuff we have to figure out.” Matt sighed and straightened himself.
“Please just stay, please? It’s been hard not being able to see you these past couple of months, and I promise I won’t try anything so please?” When I looked up at him his eyes were begging for me to stay.
I sighed. “Fine I’ll stay.” Matt pulled me into a hug
“Thank you.” He whispered into my hair. He took the bottle from my hand and set it on the table before leading me upstairs.
“Do you want a shirt?” He asked when we entered his bedroom. There were suitcases and clothes scattered everywhere.
“If you can find me a clean one.” I said looking around his room. He tossed me a black shirt with the sleeves cut off. “Now turn around so I can change.” Matt laughed, “I’m serious.” I said looking at him trying to keep a smile from coming across my face; I wanted to laugh when he actually turned around. I pulled off my booties tossing them in a corner along with my jacket and my dress. I pulled Matt’s shirt over my head.
“Are you done yet?” Matt asked turning around.
“Not yet.” I said unclasping my bra underneath the shirt and pulling it out the side. “Now I’m done.”
“How do women do that? Taking a bra off without taking off their shirt?” Matt asked taking off his shirt and tossing it onto a pile of clothes.
“It’s a gift.” I said climbing into his bed it was the only neat thing in the room.
“Ah I see.” He said unbuckling his belt and sliding off his jeans. He walked over to the bed, “Move over the right side is my side.” He said looking down at me.
“I don’t think so.” I said shaking my head. “I sleep on the right side.
“No it’s the side closest to the door so it’s my side.” Matt said putting a knee on the edge of the bed.
“I don’t care I always sleep on the right side.” I said looking up at him. Matt had a sly smile on his face, “What, what are you going to do?” I asked pulling my legs under me so I was ready to move.
“I don’t know what am I going to do?” Matt asked leaning farther forward before tackling me and starting to tickle me.
“Wait, Matt oh my god wait stop!” I said between laughter and gasps for air. “Oh my god stop before I hurt you.” Matt stopped and looked down at me. I was suddenly overly aware of his body hovering above mine, one of his hands on my hip and the other pinning my right arm above my head. He leaned down and kissed me softly. “I thought you weren’t going to do anything?” I whispered when he pulled away.
“That was it.” Matt said moving away from me and pulling the blanket out from under him. I sat up looking at him. “Now lay down.” I pulled the blanket back and climbed under. Once I laid down Matt pulled me into his arms. “Goodnight.” He whispered before kissing my forehead.
“Good night.” I whispered back before nuzzling into his chest and falling asleep.

Notes