Sometimes Our Saints Are Sinners (TVH sequel)

Sometime early in the morning, I felt a calloused hand gently touch my arm followed by a breath of spearmint blowing in my face tenderly. The hand shook my arm the slightest bit and I shifted uncomfortably.
“Brian I swear to God…” I muttered, my voice barely coming out as a whisper. I rolled my shoulders as I dug my face into my pillow, hoping that he would just leave me alone. “Let me sleep.”
“Brian?” That was not Brian’s voice. I opened my eyes slowly, my gaze meeting with a different set of brown eyes. They definitely weren’t Brian’s eyes, but the honey brown orbs that contained small flecks of blue in them were beyond familiar.
“Sam? What the fuck are you doing here?” I would have been surprised to see Sam here if I had not been so tired. I squinted against the light coming from behind the boy standing in front of me, the brightness hurting my sensitive eyes. “What time is it?”
“It’s eight o’ clock in the morning.” Sam chirped happily. I kept my eyes narrowed as I gave the brunette figure a displeased look.
“And again I ask; what the fuck are you doing in my apartment?” My voice came out scratchy as I raised my voice, shoving my hand under my head to prop myself up.
“Your mom called because she needed help moving some heavy stuff today.” Sam informed me. I nodded and pursed my lips.
“Right, because my mom still loves you.” I stated. A look of triumph flew across Sam’s face before it turned to curiosity. “You know you really shouldn’t be up here.”
“Why not? I thought we were good.” Sam asked, appalled. I smiled a bit and nodded slightly.
“We are. But if I had screamed when you woke me up you would have had to deal with five body-building men covered in tattoos that know who you are and would castrate you.” I explained, watching in amusement as realization ran over Sam’s round face.
“Wait, Avenged Sevenfold is here? Now?” I nodded and Sam jumped up. “Holy shit. I have to go talk to Syn and Zacky.”
“Wait!” I called as he turned his body from me. Sam looked back over his shoulder and I motioned for him to come back over. He pouted and let out a sad breath. “They’re sleeping. You can’t just go in and be like ‘omg Syn you’re my freaking idol will you sign my face?’ That’s embarrassing.”
“I wouldn’t ask him to sign my face.” Sam scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’d ask him to sign my arm.”
“Wait until they wake up, Sammy.” I reached my hand out to him and he took it, his eyes running down my arm. His gaze met the green bracelet he had given me sophomore year and a sad smile crossed his face.
“I know I’ve said this a million times before but… You know I’m sorry, right? I didn’t mean to hurt you like I did.” Sam apologized as he twisted the bracelet with his fingers. I nodded and rubbed the back of his hand with my thumb.
“I know. It was just wrong place, wrong time.” Sam gulped and moved his mouth, making his dimples protrude slightly.
“Do you still feel anything?” Sam wondered, stepping a bit closer so I wouldn’t have to stretch my arm out so much. I shook my head a bit.
“Not as much as I used to.” Sam smiled slightly and I returned it. “And I don’t know if it’s because my friends are here or because getting to see you after four years of resentment, but I’m better.”
“I am too.” Sam whispered, squeezing my hand a little bit. “I’m glad you called me that one time in jail, otherwise we’d probably still be bitter.”
“I’m happy that we’re friends again.” Sam smiled and nodded. I kissed his fingertips and he booped my nose before letting his hand drop.
“Well I guess I should go help your mom with stuff and wait until Avenged gets up.” Sam sulked, his impatient nature getting the better of him.
“How agonizing it must be for you.” I snickered, a smirk resting across my face. Sam’s eyes narrowed and I rolled my eyes. “They’ll be down soon. I’ll call you over when you can meet them, okay?”
“Fine.” Sam groaned as he walked out of my room. I let out a breath and smiled as Sam turned and beamed at me one more time before stepping out of my apartment and onto my balcony.
After I had gotten dressed and ready for the day I decided to wake up the five monsters, although it was probably too early for them to be even dreaming of waking up. I pulled out two pans from my kitchen and clanked them together a little bit, flinching when they made a satisfyingly loud and obnoxious noise. I let out a sound of contentment before taking my pans and walking towards the hallway that was holding the guys. I stopped in the middle of the hallway, smirking evilly at the sight of their open doors, which gave me full reign to smack pans as close to them as I wanted. Instead I spared their hearing and stayed put in the middle of the hallway as I began smacking my pans together loudly. The deafening echo ran through the halls and I saw a few of the men jolt as the reverberating noise hit their ears. “Up and at-em, beautifuls! It’s time to move some shit for my mom’s wedding and we need strong men to do that. So rise and shine sleepy-pies!”
“Kid I’m going to knock you unconscious with one of your pans if you don’t shut the fuck up!” Zach yelled angrily from his spot next to Brian on the mattress in my old bedroom. I humphed a bit but continued to smack the pans together.
“New approach: Get your lazy asses out of bed or I will personally cut off your testicles with a rusty butter knife and shove them down your throat!” I heard laughter coming from downstairs and I went over to the opening of the steps to see my Aunt Bobbie and Uncle Darryl snickering at my threats. I grinned widely at them and Bobbie gave me a thumbs up before moving towards the back door. I set down the pans and went into Jimmy and Johnny’s room, stepping on a space between their legs and jumping.
“You’re annoying.” Johnny mumbled as he rubbed his eyes.
“Thank you. Now please get up. We have things to do today.” I said, kicking Jimmy’s shin lightly. Jimmy let out a loud moan and stretched his whole body across the bed, managing to make me fall with a loud thump.
“What was that?” I heard from the other room. I rubbed my butt as I picked myself up from the floor, which was sore from the fall and stood up.
“Jimmy’s stretching knocked me off the bed.” I grumbled sadly as I went into the other room. Zach and Brian were now sitting up, suddenly concerned about the loud noise that came from the other room. I smirked and winked. “Good, you’re up.” Brian and Zach shared a look of irritation before rolling themselves out of the bed and went over to their bags to get dressed. The only one that wasn’t up was Matt, which I suspected would have been the easiest one to get out of bed. I opened the door, which had been closed without my knowledge, and scampered over to his bed. I took in a deep breath before screaming as loud as I could. Matt swatted at me and I slapped his hand, which made him open one eye to look at me. “Good morning, Vietnam! Get up.”
“Make me.” Matt taunted. I groaned and rubbed my face.
“You did this at the pool two days ago and I got you to get in. You know I can get you out of bed.” I argued. Matt just shook his head at me and smiled. “Don’t make me tackle you.”
“Sounds kinky. I’m in.” Matt mumbled as he snuggled against his pillow. I let out a grunt and left the room, going to the hallway closet for my secret weapon. Four heads popped out of the doors, observing with anticipation at what I was going to do. I shoved a few things around before I found the perfect weapon, shaking it up before skipping back to Matt’s bedroom. Amused looks spread across the four faces as they saw what was in my hand, following closely behind me as I entered Matt’s room. His eyes were closed, which gave me the perfect opportunity to put the blow horn in close proximity to his ear and press the button. The room was filled with a chorus of the blow horn and Matt yelling loudly. The four friends burst into laughter behind me as Matt curled into the fetal position, holding his pillow over his years for long after I had stopped using the blow horn. I pulled the pillow away from his head and kneeled down so that our faces were just inches apart.
“Are you done being a little bitch?” I asked innocently, tilting my head sarcastically.
“You are so lucky I like you.” Matt growled weakly as he sat up in his bed. I paused for a moment, over-analyzing the statement I heard. Did he mean as a friend? Or does Matt still have feelings for me… if he ever did? I had somehow, in my five months of being MIA from the rest of the world, convinced myself that everything that had happened between Matt and me was a lie. Even my relationship with Brian—or whatever it was that we were involved in together—was seen as a setback and the thought that I should just erase all thought of continuing a relationship with either of the men lingered in the back of my mind. Obviously my certain affair with Brian mere days ago shot that idea straight to hell, but I couldn’t stop thinking that maybe Matt did have feelings for me and maybe Brian did have unspoken feelings for me and neither of them lied about my importance to them. I accepted that I was in a pickle, and my head was already beginning to hurt from stress.
“Well you’re lucky I like you too, Matt.” I finally answered as I stood up from my crouch on the ground. Matt looked taken back by my response, but immediately wiped the shock off of his face before scowling.
“You mean you make them deaf in one ear when you like them?” Matt spat, scrunching his face up. I shot the boys in the doorway a look and they all glared at me.
“Trust me, I could do a lot worse to you guys. Just be glad I didn’t pour scalding water on you.” Fear flickered in all of their eyes and I smirked. “Yeah, you guys better wake the fuck up when I tell you. Now get dressed.”
*
“What exactly are we doing again?” Zach asked for the millionth time as we stood awkwardly outside of the shop. There were people buzzing around us, all family members and friends moving stuff from a fairly large truck part on the dirt road. I had seen multiple people struggling with a few boxes, but no one asked the five masses of muscle for help or even batted an eyelash in their direction. I looked around for Mom, knowing that she would give us plenty to do since we couldn’t find any work for ourselves. But she was nowhere in sight.
“Ah… we’re supposed to be helping, I guess.” My eyes continued to sweep through the small lines of people, but my vision failed to catch the sight of Mom within a fifty foot radius. “This morning Sa-” I coughed a bit, realizing I didn’t want to mention Sam to the guys, since they have no knowledge that we had become close friends since my return home. Five pairs of eyes gave me suspicious looks and I scratched the back of my head. “My Aunt Savannah came in and told me we’d need to help move some stuff for Mom’s wedding but, um…” I once again attempted to look for my mother, but instead my eyes landed on someone better… and smaller. I squealed and jumped a bit before crouching down and opening my eyes. “Brookie! Come here baby!” The little girl with long blonde ringlets in her hair ran over to me, hugging me tightly as I picked her up and spun her around. I kissed the pudgy girl’s cheek and grinned widely at her. “Hello there, lovely. I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“Hi ma.” The child’s voice made my mouth widen, although I didn’t think it possibly could. I pulled on one of her little ringlets, which bounced after I let it go. She was so beautiful.
“What are you doing here, little one?” I questioned, swaying back and both on my feet. A high pitched giggle left the small lips of the girl I held tightly to my side and she grinned.
“Pa sent me to find you.” She replied in her high pitched voice. I raised my eyebrows and pursed my lips, trying not to smirk.
“Oh. Pa sent you.” I reiterated, rolling my eyes a bit. Of course he’d send a six year old to come find me. Because wherever I am, Avenged Sevenfold is sure to follow. “Well I’ll let you go get Pa after you meet my friends, okay?” The child nodded and I turned to the guys, who were white as ghosts. “Guys, this is Brooklyn.” The group mumbled hellos and my attention went back to Brook. “Now Brook, these are my best friends. They’re like my brothers.” I shifted Brook into one arm as I pointed at Brian, who had an unreadable expression on his face. “That’s Uncle Brian, or until Bri-Bri. He’s real nice and fun to play with, but he’s a bit full of himself sometimes.”
“Is that why his hair is so big?” Brooklyn asked in an innocent voice as she eyed Brian with her wide eyes. I admired her extraordinary eyes, one of which was light blue while the other was hazel, before bringing my attention back to her question. “Because he keeps all of his love for himself in it?”
“Yes. That is exactly why.” I winked, snickering like a madman. Brian cracked a smile and laughed a little, unfrozen by the young girl’s joke. I shifted my body a little to point to Johnny, who was grinning at the slam against Brian. “That’s Uncle Johnny. He’s Aunty Emma’s boyfriend, and he’s pretty fun to play pranks on.”
“He’s really short, ma.” Brooklyn pointed out. My mouth began to hurt as my smile stayed glued on my face. “Just like Aunty Emma. They must be perfect for each other.”
“They are, baby girl.” I breathed. My stare landed on Zach, who was watching me with wide and perplexed eyes. “Now that is Uncle Zacky. That’s the son of who T.T. is going to marry, so he’ll actually be related to us. He’s also real nice, but beware of his eyes. They can suck you in and get you to do stuff.”
“Like make you get up from the couch?” Brooklyn gasped. A laugh shot out of my mouth, making me curl over a bit. I was so proud of this child.
“Exactly.” I couldn’t get enough of this kid, and Zach also seemed a bit entertained by her banter. I turned to Jimmy, who looked the happiest out of all of the five men to see Brook. “That’s Uncle Jimmy. He’s the most fun out of all of them.”
“He’s real tall.” Brooklyn cooed. I nodded and smiled at Jimmy.
“He is, Brookie, but he knows how to live. He likes to watch Disney movies and eat pizza and play games.”
“Like tag?” Brooklyn wondered excitedly, bouncing crazily in my arms. I moved her to my other hip so my arm could have a break, although she hadn’t ceased her bouncing.
“I love tag.” Jimmy replied in a fond tone. Brooklyn squeaked and Jimmy’s eyes grew so wide with happiness I thought the crystal blue balls would fall right out. Matt’s eyes met mine as I bounced Brooklyn on my hip, trying to make sure she wouldn’t fall out of my grip.
“The last one on the end is Uncle Matty-Bear.” My small faltered as the name slipped from my mouth, reminding me of the times we shared when I would call him by that.
“He looks kind of scary, ma.” Brooklyn whispered, leaning in towards me as she watched Matt in uneasiness. I kissed her forehead gently.
“I know. But he’s also very sweet and will protect you from everything. It’s hard to find people like him.” I felt a small weight lifted as I honestly said what I had thought about Matt. Although I still felt a little hurt by what I walked out—or in, really—on, my opinion never changed about how I thought of him as a friend. After all, he did stop a concert to make sure I was okay. Matt was also smiling, his eyes soft as he met mine. Brooklyn smiled a small smile and waved to him, which made him waved back at her. That action melted all of the stiff postures of the group, and Zach stepped forward a bit.
“Can… Can I…” His voice faded out as he walked up until he was a few feet from us. Brooklyn leaning far out of my arms to get a good look at Zach.
“Wow. You do have real pretty eyes.”Brooklyn announced as she stared in wonder. A second later she ripped her gaze away and looked down, acting bashful. “You’re not going to make me do stuff, are you Uncle Zacky?”
“Of course not, sweetheart.” Zach mumbled. The other four came behind their friend, although they all rested a few feet from us. Each of them began talking to Brooklyn, who was more than happy to have conversations with new people. After minute I heard the clapping of shoes jogging across the rock and I turned to see Sam walking towards us.
“Sammy!” I greeted enthusiastically as he walked behind me and onto the side that Brooklyn was not on. His hand rested on my hip and he kissed the crown on my head.
“Hey Jess. And hello there, you beautiful child!” Sam pulled Brooklyn from my arms and spun her around, making her squeal loudly. Once he was done he put her back into my care and looked anxiously at the five men, who at first looked confused but were growing angry with every second. I coughed and shifted uncomfortably.
“Guys… This is Sam. Sam, this is Brian, Johnny, Zacky, Jimmy and Matt, although you already knew that.” Tension was quickly filling the air as Avenged realized that this was the Sam that screwed me over six years ago, and even Brooklyn was beginning to feel uncomfortable in the presence of the thick air.
“So you’re Sam.” Matt finally said, his eyes accusingly sizing up the boy next to me. Sam was as tall as Brian, but in no way was he near as strong as Brian or Matt, especially when it’s five against one. “We’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Matt.” The name fell from Sam’s mouth like poison and Sam stepped a little in front of me, as though he were protecting me from him. About two weeks after I had arrived in South Dakota, I called up Sam, who was still living in Nebraska. He was more than ecstatic to come see me, and I had confided in him my whole experience in California. From then on he had been like a brother to me as well as a best friend, which meant that he thought very lowly of Matt at the current moment. Well this won’t end well. “I’ve heard a few things about you, too. Kind of low doing that to a girl, don’t you think?”
“Should you be talking? I don’t really think you’re in a position to be judging me for my crimes to Kid.” Matt retorted, his eyes looking at Brook and me before meeting eyes with Sam again, which confused me. Either on purpose or just subconsciously Matt began puffing his chest out to show he was bigger than Sam in more than one way.
“I don’t think breaking up with her because it was our time is as bad as stringing her along while you slept with other girls.” Sam spat. My face heated up like I had just stuck it in a pot of boiling water and I immediately stepped in front of Sam, hoping that this time I could stop a fight without getting almost punched.
“Okay, let’s zip it back up, guys. There’s a child here.” I nearly begged, sounding a lot weaker than I had hoped.
“Yeah, zip it back up.” Brooklyn repeated, which made my eyebrows nearly fall off of my face.
“Brooklyn, do not ever repeat that around your parents, okay?” Brooklyn nodded and I tried handing her to Sam, who was still glaring viciously at Matt. “Sam, take her back to her mom and dad.” Sam didn’t move as he continued his stare down, which made me grab his arm tightly. “Sammy. Take her. Now.” Sam placed her in his arms and looked down at her like she were his own before sending one more angry glance to Matt.
“I’ll talk to you later, Jessi.” Sam whispered. I nodded and he walked away in the direction of the truck, where the rest of the family had been during this whole situation. I ran a hand through my hair and huffed before turning my attention back to the men.
“I’m sorry about that guys, I really am,” I apologized, feeling extremely humiliated that Sam almost started a fight with Matt. “I didn’t think he’d act that rudely, he’s usually really nice and…” I let my voice trail when I realized that I was being look at by five extremely confused sets of eyes. “What?”
“Brooklyn, she…” Zach lost his words as he scrunched his face up, which just made me befuddled as well. “How old is Brooklyn?”
“Six.” I answered simply.
“And when did Sam and you break up?” He continued, his voice wavering a bit.
“Si—” I stopped myself when apprehension fell over me. I smirked and narrowed my eyes at them. “Let me get this straight. You five thought that Brooklyn… was mine and Sam’s love child?”
“Uh…” All five men began scratching the back of their heads and making incoherent remarks. “Well…” I rolled my eyes and sighed.
“You guys are ridiculous. You really think I’d leave my kid in South Dakota? I’m not that heartless.” I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Well I mean the kid had your hair and Sam’s dimples and had one blue eye and one brown eye and the age fits,” Jimmy babbled, shrugging a bit. I flicked my eyebrows and pursed my lips.
“I guess I could see why you thought she was mine, but seriously. I would have told you if I had a kid.”
“Why did she call you ma and Sam pa?” Brian questioned with a bewildered expression on his face. I laughed and smiled a bit.
“Brooklyn likes playing family when Sam is over. He and I are always her parents and she makes us actually take her places. She likes to pretend a lot.” I explained. All the guys nodded and mumbled to themselves, and I began to speak when I was interrupted by my mom.
“There you are!” She gave me an angry look and I raised my hands questioningly. “You are supposed to be helping us! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
“Well apparently not hard enough because we’ve been here the whole time and I haven’t seen you once.” I remarked. Mom stomped her foot and slapped her hands angrily against her thighs before walking off, which just made me roll my eyes. “Come on, now let’s actually do something.”

Notes

This chapter is by far my absolute favorite that I have written for this book. I'm so proud of myself.