I got up and got dressed, then walked downstairs to the kitchen to see Ryden making breakfast. As far as she was concerned, she had no idea I was standing there. In my shirt, and in a pair of my boxers. I thought she said that she would never wear my boxers.

"Mornin' sunshine." I grinned. She turned back around to look at me, and flashed me the whitest smile.

"Morning, sweetheart." She said before turning back to the stove.

"What're we having for breakfast?"

"Eggs and bacon. You want anything else?" She turned around and grabbed a plate from the cabinet, and a fork from the silverware drawer. I watched her, and thought for a moment.

"Toast and coffee?" I asked, walking over to the kitchen table, sitting down. She nodded, and walked over, getting the coffee started.

"Sleep good?" She ask. I nodded, running my fingers over my hair.

"I slept alright. What about you?" I asked. She shrugged, getting all of my food together, and grabbing a coffee mug. She walked over and sat the plate in front of me, and afterwards, she grabbed a napkin and poured me my coffee. I grinned and she smiled.

“I slept okay I guess.”

“Thanks, gorgeous.” I said as she handed me my mug. I took a sip, and sat it down, moving on to my food. She sat down in front of me, keeping her eyes focused on me. I stopped eating and looked up at her. “Is something wrong?”

“No..” She trailed off. She didn’t move her gaze, she just kept staring. Honestly I was getting a little worried that I might have had something on my face.

“Then what is it?”

“I can’t stare at the man I wake up to in the mornings? I’m pretty sure you so the same thing when I’m not looking."

Although she was right, I didn’t argue. I knew that she’d end up having her way one way or another. I took another sip and ran my hand through my hair. “We need to figure out what we’re going to do today. I don’t want to sit around and do nothing.”

Ryden looked down. “I don’t have anything planned today.”

“Well. How about you go to that college interview that Matt got you? I’m sure he went through a lot of trouble getting you that.”

“You’re defending a man who beat me?” She asked. I shook my head, placing my mug back down.

“Not one bit. I was just saying that since he went through all of that trouble to get you that interview, that you should probably go.” I replied, shrugging slightly. I looked over the bruises on her face and around her arms and shoulders. Suddenly, I felt bad. It did seem like I was defending Matt; but not intentionally. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose and got up, walking over to her. I pulled her up gently and pulled her close to me, resting my chin on the top of her head. She whimpered a little and pulled away, shaking her head slowly.

“I’ll go get dressed. Then I can go to that damned interview.” She mumbled.

“Is there a reason that you don’t want to do this?” I asked.

“It’s not what I want anymore. I don’t even know what I want now. Because ever since I met you everything has been so great and I’ve been able to forget what it was like to have responsibilities, and it’s made me feel great. I don’t want to do any of this anymore. I don’t want to have to worry about having to pay for everything and I sure as hell don’t want to worry about being away from you.” She said, looking down. She took a sharp breath, and then sighed. “I feel like a totally different person while I’m with you. I know I’ve only been here and known you a while but it’s all changed me. I don’t want to go back.”

“You’ll have to eventually. I mean tour starts soon and I won’t be around all the time, Ryden. I can’t stay here and cater to all of your needs when you want me to.”

"I never said anything about you ‘catering’ to my needs, Zack. I understand that you have other things to do rather than stay with me.”

“What are you getting at then?” I raised my brow.

“I want to go on tour with you and the guys.” She huffed, crossing her arms.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea with what went on with you and Matt.” I said. “I don’t want that for you. And I know you don’t want that as well.”

“You don’t know what I want.” She said. I shrugged.

“Okay. Maybe I don’t. But I know what I want. And it isn’t you being around Matt anymore. I’m trying to decide what’s best for you, here.”

“That isn’t your place.” She said. “I can make my own decisions. If you don’t want me to go just fucking say so. It’s not rocket science.”

“I do. I just don’t want you around Matt.”

“Then keep me away from him. Not that hard.” She shrugged. I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose.

“Fine. I’ll let you go on tour. But we’re getting our own bus. Do you hear me? You will not be making ANY contact with Matt until I say you can, because he’s a fucking dick for treating you like that, and I’m not gonna tolerate it.” I stated. She looked at me and nodded, wiping her eyes quickly. She had rolled her eyes at me when I started ranting. And then I realized that I made myself sound like a hypocrite. How could I say that she should take the interview he got her, and then call him a dick not even 30 minutes afterwards?

“Right.” She mumbled. She walked upstairs, and stayed there for a while. Though, while she was upstairs, I decided to finish my breakfast, and get some paperwork and orders done. I was working on my own clothing line, Called Vengeance University, and it was coming along just nicely. I had my brother Matt and one of his friends help me model and design my clothes. I even wore my own clothes. No big deal. I just really loved how comfortable the shirts were. Not even sorry.

A while later, Ryden came back downstairs dressed in a cute skirt, and one of my red and black button downs. She looked stunning. Just absolutely stunning. As soon as I regained my senses, I cleared my throat.

“Beautiful.” I mumbled. She looked at me and raised her brow.
“Hm?” She asked. “I didn’t hear what you said.”

"I said, you look beautiful." I repeated. She grinned.

"Thanks. Now.. Let's just get this over with." She said, and she walked out the door.

Notes

Oh Gosh guys it's been forever since I updated. It took me like 2 weeks to get this together because of getting sidetracked and stuff. I hope it's not too long or too short? Hope you guys like it, too. It kind of sounds ridic tbh.