A few weeks passed by and my relationship with Jimmy and my work with Brian couldn't be better. We were working our asses off to be ready for the next tour that was going to start in two days. Six months on the road with the funniest guys and my guy, it didn't seem like a bad idea at all. But my band didn't think so. They said they couldn't just rely on Brad, the rhythm guitar for our band, he wasn't as good with solos as I was. So Brian gave me the brilliant idea of asking one of his friends to replace me temporarily. Problem solved!

I kept playing with them every wednesday and friday until we hit the road. And for my amazement, Brian was there every week, unfailingly, watching all my performances mindfully. Most of the nights, after the show, he would stay with me just drinking and talking about life and music until the bar closes. Those were the best nights. Although sometimes he would just stay in the back, probably trying to disguise his presence for me. But I was able to find him every time, that fedora hat never seemed to deceive me.

When my eyes didn't find him at the ordinary audience, my fingers couldn't function well enough in that old fret board of my imitation of Gibson. They bumped together and sometimes I could mess up the whole phrase. My mind would go lazy as hell. Shit, what the fuck was happening to me?

Jimmy never came to see me playing, he was just too busy with his obsessive need to compose songs and his drug induced oversleeps. He could be too self-involved sometimes and having sex after doing some heroine just wasn't my best type of fun anymore. I've stopped using that much but Jimmy just couldn't, he was always feeling the urge. But our talks were just as amazing and deep as the sex so, I wasn't prepared to give up on him yet. He was the closest I had of a male friend since high school.

And so was Brian.

Damn, I’m so confused!

Zacky asked Jess out a few times, but as far as I am concerned, none of them was able to make the first move to the bedroom yet. And they are probably right, it's better to know each other very well before hoping into the bed like bunnies. But Jess, with her uncontrollable desire, couldn't stop talking about how she imagined him all naked and curled up on her after they had wild and crazy sex. That girl was driving me insane with her abstinence crisis!

So, as I needed to do my last gig with The Darkest Hour before hitting the road, Jimmy finally came up with the idea of asking the guys to have a reunion party on Pure Rock Bar. He figured they worked so hard to be 100% on that tour, they had to relax at least for one night before the tension starts to rise again. And nothing better to chill out than some good old rock'n roll, right?

That night I was going to play to my favorite people in the world, Zacky was bringing Jess (she was finally free from her concerts that friday night), Matt was bringing Val and Jimmy would finally see me on stage, his very favorite place to be at. So...no pressure at all tonight, huh?

"Hey guys, can you at least pretend that you're going to miss me while I'm gone for three months?" we were on the very small backstage of the bar, doing our usual talking rituals before the gig.

"What do you mean by pretend? We never wanted you to go in the first place, Ems. We enjoyed the new guy, his playing is great and everything but...he's not YOU!" Brad said in a sweet tone even though he was bigger than Matt. We've started together this whole thing a few years ago and we were just too attached to that band to let it go now.

"Oh thanks Brad, but I really have to do this. I need to get out of the city and try out new things, new paths. Here I just feel trapped in a routine, I hate feeling I have no way out of here. Scott is wonderful, he's gonna grow on you and you won't want me back, you'll see!" I said looking at Brad's, Joe's and Tony's eyes. They smiled weakly and went to dress up, not even saying a word back to me.

Tonight was going to be a tough night, I could feel it…

---

Jimmy's POV

I made sure I had invited all the guys and the staff to come and watch Emily perform her last gig before we hit the road tomorrow. We were heading all the way up to the east coast for 3 months. After that we'll take a month to rest and then, hit the road again for the west coast. I get tired just by thinking. But what was really cheering me up was the fact that Emily was going with us, cause I don't think I could handle myself without her. All those stressful bus trips, jitters before each concert, not eating or sleeping properly. I mean, I loved the wild stage part but...the after-concert was getting me worried, sleeping with strangers, dealing with groupies, getting high secretly. I just needed a break from all of this rush then. I was planning to take it slow this time…

I called everybody but one, Brian was unreachable today. I've called his cellphone several times during the day and nothing. All of us have already arrived at Pure Rock and still nobody could find fuckin Gates. Johnny was the only one who couldn’t make it cause his wife Lacey was having a hard time on her last months of pregnancy. Hopefully we would finish the tour before the first Sevenfold baby arrives.

I was about to give up when I saw an inked man with a fedora hat sitting on a distant table for one. The dark ambient at the bar wasn't helping so I went close to the guy. For my astonishment, it was Brian.

"What the fuck are you doing here man? I was calling you and looking for you like crazy! How did you know we were supposed to meet here?" I approached him and he seemed as surprised as I was to see him. Instead of answering me right away, he stuttered.

"Well I..." Zacky came along and stayed by my side with a curious look as I was expecting Brian's difficult answer. He looked at Zacky and then he interrupted.

"Well, Jimmy, I forgot to let you know I had already invited Brian to meet us here, sorry..." Zacky said sure of himself, looking at me and then at Brian, who nodded in agreement. There was something going on, they were acting strange, I could feel it in their gazes.

"Oh yeah, you saw me calling him ten times before we came over and just now you remember to tell me this?" I asked a bit uptight. I've just known them for too long, they couldn't fool me like this.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, dude, I totally forgot...So, Syn, come sit with us up there in the front, there's enough chairs for everybody there." Zacky put his hand on my back and headed to our table while Brian got his drink on hand and smiled weakly at me, making his way to our table as well.

I followed them with my mind wondering a lot about what had just happened. I ordered a tequila shot to start and sat close to Jess and Zacky, waiting for the show to begin. Brian sat close to Matt and Val, at the other side of the table.

What the fuck was Brian doing there all alone? If I know him well, and I do, I think he was hiding. But hiding from whom, exactly? And why he hasn’t returned my phone calls?
Well, maybe I was just overthinking it. It was probably nothing…

The lights went off and only a red spotlight was directly focused on a single spot. And that spot was finally taken by who could make me forget about everything in seconds. She came in with a shy smile, nodded to the applauding crowd and looked at me before starting the first chords to the opening song. She was there all alone and I could see passion and concentration emanating from every inch of her while playing her blue-ish solo. Kind of introspective at first and then, BAM, the whole band exploded into that electrifying beginning of Luv XXX from Aerosmith. Woah, I didn’t know they were doing new stuff too! They were definitely good…

“HEY! Thanks for coming you guys, we are The Darkest Hour. And that’s our beloved solo guitarist that is leaving us today but she will be back as soon as possible. Ladies and gentleman, Emily Clarke!” the vocalist/bassist presented her to the audience as they were acclaiming her. I got up and whistled just to see how she would react. For my amusement, she showed her middle finger and her tongue to me before putting out the intro for Burn, Deep Purple. Thaaat’s my girl!

She nailed the song like she had written it. And when the main solo started after the chorus, well, something attracted my mind to Brian. Instead of paying attention to her performance, I started to look at his reactions. His deep concentration and intense looks towards her playing were bugging me like hell. But maybe it was just his way of paying attention to every guitar players he would watch, right? My mind must’ve invented this to make me jealous and it’s not a big deal. Right? But why his silly smile is fucking annoying me since I got here?
They played a few more songs from Zeppelin and Hendrix too, and the last one before break time was a deep blues called Tea for One.
There she showed her huge sensibility for that song, which was a beautiful scene to watch. That was the moment I noticed she was meant to play, she shouldn’t be doing anything else in this world. I felt guilty about having to take her to our tour just as mere crew. She deserved more than that. She deserved her own place at a big stage.
After she finished the song, she came in my direction with an ear to ear grin.

“Hey you! Did you like it?” she asked while getting closer to my open arms.

“Ems, that was awesome, specially the last song! Why haven’t you told me before you were that good? I would’ve come sooner…” I said in her ear as I hugged her tight.

“Believe me, I’ve tried to bring your lazy ass here before… But I guess you were too afraid of seeing with your own eyes what you have in your hands.” She teased me with her pouting lips and I couldn’t do anything else but to kiss it.

“Yeah, I’m guilty! But hey, today I saw your true passion for what you do. It seems like you were born to play music.”

“Aren’t we all?”

“Oh no, not like that. And speaking about passion and music…maybe you should…consider to stay here with your band instead of spending your precious time just handling Brian’s guitars and his smug acting?” I looked at her finally letting it out of my system. That was fast.

“What? What are you talking about?” Emily frowned and broke away my embrace instantly. Then she giggled ironically and started to walk away, leaving me there.

“I mean…maybe you should stop to think for a minute. You deserve better, Ems. You don’t need to travel with us to show how good you are. You need a spotlight to shine and the backstage is not for you.” I followed her quick steps between people when I realized she was heading to the ladies room. She opened the door and held it until I noticed I was being forced to get in there. What the hell are we doing here anyway?

“You don’t want me to go with you, right? Cause you want to have sex with a lot of groupies and I’m just gonna be in your way…” she said it in an angry tone before turning her back to enter into the individual cubicle.

“No, it’s not like that Emily! I just…I just don’t wanna have to share you with anybody else there. You’re gonna be busy as hell with Brian. You will never find time for me. You belong here, playing, not with a bunch of guys doing crazy stuff on the road.” I could listen to her pee as I was talking. And what would people think if they see me here, talking to an invisible person inside the ladies room? To hell with those people, I needed to convince her.

“Ohh, so, now you’re jealous? Even after we spent hours arguing about this, that I only have eyes for you and nothing would ever happen?” she came out of the cabin and went close to the sink to wash her hands.

“Yeah, and speaking about that, what’s up with Gates? He wasn’t answering his phone and when we got here, he was already here before us. Have you invited him before me?” now it was my time to get uptight and cross my arms. I knew she hated when I didn’t trust her but I needed to know.

“No! You’ve said you were going to invite everyone so I haven’t called anyone. He was here cause he knows I play every wednesdays and fridays, that’s all! We stayed talking a few hours before the gig.”

“Oh so he came here many times before today?” she stared at me for a moment without a straight answer.

“No…I mean…Yes, he has come before. But what’s the matter with that? He cannot be here without you around?” she landed her hands on her waist and kept frowning at me. Oh, now I got it! He had been watching my girlfriend playing here without letting me know that. Cool, way to go bro!

“NO! He can’t! Not without fucking telling me!!” I yelled at her face and regret it at the same time.

“Oh God, James, GROW UP! He’s my fucking boss!” after shouting back she looked at her watch and started to walk to the door. “Shit, I have to get back in there. I’ve decided already, I’m going, period! It’s my chance to get the fuck out of this damn city to work with some good musicians and you’re not gonna take it away from me. We talk later…” she nodded with a disappointment look and got out not before slamming the door.

I was left there with a dumb face and angry as hell. How could they hide something like this from me? And why would they hide it? I could expect this lack of consideration from Brian sometimes, he’s just like that, I know him. But from Emily? And maybe Zacky knew and was covering them up this whole time? I felt betrayed by everyone. Damn, I need a fix…
Without even thinking twice, I just took a tiny tube full of cocaine out of my pocket and spread it on the table. Then I just snorted the entire row. I knew I had promised Emily I wouldn’t be getting high today but…I just couldn’t, it was out of my reach now.
My relief was instant. But I could still feel the anger consuming my insides. And now that feeling had just intensified.

---

Brian was sitting there along with Zacky, facing his drink while exchanging glances at Emily and Jimmy’s embrace. Matt and Val had just left to stretch out. Zacky was talking to Jess as he analyzed Brian’s behavior.

“Hey, what’s wrong honey? You seem distracted…” Jess asked him in a discreet tone while placing one of her hands on his left cheekbone. He looked back directly at her.

“Oh, no, it’s nothing, J. Wow, have you seen her playing? I just loved the band, they kick ass!” he smiled at her after being able to change the subject. She got the message.

“Yeah, they are cool. But they need to play more of their own songs, they are awesome too. It’s bad she has to leave her band, her long date project. Emily is totally devoted to this, to her music.”

“Oh, I can clearly see that. She told us she has no hope about this going far but now I think they’ll have a shot someday. We made it, why not them?” he said it before licking his pierced lips. Jess had never felt as seduced by a lip ring as she was feeling then. As it wasn’t enough one, he had two to bring more fun to his perfect fleshy mouth. She enjoyed very much to play with his snakebites between kisses but now she was craving for more. Jess wanted so bad to feel his lips traveling through her body, his tongue playing with every inch of her innumerous nerve endings and erogenous zones. Oh, God…

“Now you are the one who dozed off! Are you still in there, J?” Jess woke up from her extremely sexual mental pictures and chuckled as she felt her face flush. She was definitely desperate. And she would never let him go to that three months tour without sharing a single night with him. It had to be that night!

“Yeah, I’m here, just enjoying my view.” Jess grinned at him and he approached her mouth. They shared a long and deep kiss, both exploring each other’s desire. She could feel he was yearning for her too by the strong way his hand was grabbing her inside thigh. Please, where was all that self-control she had until now?

“Hmm, considering how good that was, you really like the landscape, huh?” he smiled to melt her heart.

“Oh, you have no idea how much I like it…” they kissed briefly again between smiles from both of them. “And speaking of how much I’ll miss you while you’re gone for three fucking months…” she made a sad face.

“Oh, don’t even remember, it’s gonna be a torture not being able to see you every day. Promise me you’ll call me before going to sleep every day, ok?”

“Only if you promise to call me as soon as you get up!”

“Okay, is a deal. Our phone bills will be huge though… But whatever, we work our asses off to make money so, why can we just spend all of it at the best way possible?” his green eyes met her gray ones and they never let go. They laughed and when the silence rose, they started to contemplate themselves.

“Hey, V, can I ask you something?” she broke the silence and her cheerful face just broke down together.

“Of course, hon, ask me anything! What is it?”

“It’s just…I’ve been meaning to ask you this since we started to see each other but…never had the chance. So I want to have it all cleared up before you go.” he nodded and frowned. “Well, there it goes. I’ve once heard a story that you had a bad break up a few months ago, am I right?”

“Oh, yeah, you are.” his glowing grin had transformed into a half-hearted smile in seconds.

“I also heard it happened in the middle of a tour?” he nodded again. She was trying to convince him to tell her the story, finally. She felt like there was something holding him back since their first date.

“Yeah, there was this girl, I thought we were happy and everything but…then, on some sunny day, I was leaving the tour bus to have breakfast when I saw her in all hugs and kisses with Linkin Park’s drummer. I guess she forgot to tell me we were able to see other people so…” he let out a sarcastic chuckle. “And that is my sad story, I had really liked her and went through a downswing period but now, it’s all past memories.”

“Ohh, sorry about that my cutie-pie. I just don’t understand how it’s possible for someone to break your heart. You’re too cute for that!” Jess grabbed his cheeks gently forcing his lips to form a pout. She laughed at that adorable scene and now was her time to steal his lips to hers. “I mean, look at those eyes!! You drown me on them every time you stare at me like this. Yeah, exactly, now you can stop doing that. Stop it, I mean it!” Zacky started to laugh non-stop.

“Oh, so what you’re gonna do if I don’t stop looking at you?” he teased her and that made her wonder about having him right now at the back of his car.

“Oh, I can’t even put on words the things I would do to you.” Jess replied in his ear before quickly biting it. His big smile appeared again easily, she could feel it against her cheek. Oh, how she loved that smile and how he loved when she was whispering dirty things to him. “Maybe I could show them to you and more later?” she showed a naughty smile with one of her brows raised and he got the message. It would be happening tonight, definitely!

Before they could get carried away right there, Jess decided to break the hot mood that was growing again and got up. That was when she noticed Brian was getting annoyed by their couple mumbling.

“Be right back, hon. Ladies room.” She went away to let him alone with his upset friend. Brian wasn’t staring at the Jim and Emily anymore, they weren’t anywhere to be seen now.

“Hey, bro, what’s up with you today?” Zacky asked while Brian looked at him with the corner of his eye.

“I just can’t believe you found a girl before me…” Brian chuckled and thought he could divert Zacky from that particular subject they had discussed before.

“You think you can fool me? I saw how you were staring at the happy couple before…”

“What? Oh, Zack, c’mon, I’m over that stupid thing… That was nothing.” he nodded negatively and drank his whisky.

“And how do you explain to me why I had to save your ass from Rev before? And why the hell didn’t you answer your damn phone?” Brian stared at him and took a deep breath. Zacky was the only one who knew Brian was frequently watching her concerts and never told anyone, he needed to be nice to him now.

“Jimmy needs to chill out, ok?! That’s exactly why I haven’t told him I’ve been here before, I know he is going to overreact. And it’s not like that, I’m here to listen to their music, not to take her to the next hotel room.” he took another sip of his glass and kept watching his surroundings, like he was looking for someone. When Emily passed by them with a heavy pace towards the backstage, he stopped looking. She seemed angry and distracted and didn’t remember they were all there to appreciate her work. Brian got surprised she didn’t even notice him there. “And about the phone calls, well, I happened to let my cellphone on silent mode, I just saw the 20 calls when you guys were already here.”

“Brian, Brian, you need to stop this! Forget about this girl, she likes Jimmy, they are so happy together. Jimmy took so long to find a girl he really likes. You don’t wanna get in their way, right? And remember, I won’t be always around to save you. What are you going to do with this ‘little crush’ when you’re gonna have to work with her 24/7 on the road?” Brian curved his mouth to the side and let out a heavy sigh again. Zacky was showing him more than he had thought and could handle. Now that it was all set up for them, Brian couldn’t just fire her to find some random tech guy for replacement. She was too good and no one could know his style better than her, no one would know his tunes like her, no one could handle his guitars like her, he wouldn’t trust anyone to do that job but her. And besides, he would never find someone in less than 24 hours. In fact, he didn’t want to.

“Yeah, thank you very much Zacky, now I’m fucking overthinking this too… But it’s all gonna work out, I’ll find a temporary girl in the road and will just forget about her, ok? You don’t need to worry about it, I would never betray one of my best friends. Never! She’s just forbidden for me, just my employee, are you happy now?” Brian said as he was feeling tired of that same conversation over and over again. He got up and stretched out his legs.

“Out for smoke…” Brian finally went away when all the guys were heading back to the table, Jess came back too.

“Hey…do you know what’s up with Jimmy and Emily? I bumped into her getting out of the bathroom and she almost pushed me to get out of her way. Then I came into the bathroom and there was Jimmy getting out of there too, a bit angry and acting a little awkward.” Jess said while the lights went off and the band was coming back to the stage.

“Trouble in paradise?”

“Yeah, I guess…” she glanced at Jimmy and saw how hectic he was. Way different than he was before. She frowned but forgot about it. He was just like that, full of surprises.

---

I sat down back on the table and tried to calm my nerves with a dose of scotch. Nothing was really working to control my rage by now. I just had a bad feeling about Emily going on that tour, couldn’t she just considerate my opinion for one second? Sometimes things can get so tough on the road, I didn’t want her to see that or pass through it with us. I mean, I knew she enjoy getting a little crazy for once in a while but…our kind of insanity could be a lot for her to handle. Or not?

The band got back to the stage and they continued their performance. Emily seemed angry now, her playing was rough and her eyes felt cold and distant to me. I was angry too but…seeing her like that just made me want her more. Her temper was extremely sexy to my eyes, their music was invading my ears and running through my blood like as if it was vital to my survival. That’s how you are supposed to enjoy music. And being sane just wasn’t the right way to go to that place. I was as high as the sky now. I sighed in satisfaction.

When I was entirely focused on the music and Emily, I heard a buzz coming from the bar close to our table. What the fuck are those guys talking about?

“Have you seen the guitar player? She’s smoking hot!”

“Oh yeah, she is. She must be the band slut. Otherwise, why would she be playing with them?” the guy smirked.

“Oh but she’s good, don’t you think?”

“I think she must be good at one thing: blowjo…” I didn’t even think of letting him finish that sentence, my clenched fists flew directly over that fucker’s shirt collar and I pressed him against the balcony before punching his face with all my strength, making his drink to fly away from his hand instantly. Oh it felt so good to finally shut that guy up! That was exactly what I needed now, to leave all my fury into someone’s stupid face.

“JIMMY! Oh my god, what are you doing?!” Matt’s voice suddenly invaded my momentary blindness, trying to hold my arms on my back. Then I realized I was circled by a lot of perplex looks pointing at me. The band didn’t stop playing though.

“LET ME GO NOW!” Brian was now between me and that worm, trying to depart us. “What the fuck did you say about my girlfriend again? If you have the balls, say it to my face, you son of a bitch!” the guy was staring at me with eyes popped to his face, his palms up in my direction.

“Hey, Jim, calm down! Wait a second! Scott??? What the fuck man! What happened here!?” Brian traded glances between me and the guy he called Scott. Who the fuck!? Brian knows the prick?

“God, man, I don’t even know what happened, I was just here talking to my friend and this guy simply attacked me out of nowhere!!”

“WHAT? Tell them the nicest things you were saying about my girl, you piece of shit! FUCKING TELL THEM!!” I felt my fists closing again against Matt’s tight grip on my arms, all I wanted was to simply break all his teeth with just another punch to teach him a good lesson to shut the fuck up when all he has to say is bullshit.

“Jimmy, calm down, would you! Come on, let’s go outside, get you some air…” I was almost getting rid of Matt’s hold when he started to guide me to the exit door. “God, man, what’s wrong with you, you don’t usually start beating people around like this!” we passed through the security guy with an anger look on his face, he was about to come to take me out of there too.

“He was talking shit about her, Matt, tell me if it is not a fucking good reason for me to smash his head into the ground, tell me!!” as we were outside now, I couldn’t stop walking from side to side when Matt finally let go of me. “And what the hell, Brian knows him? Where did he come from?”

“Jimmy, c’mon man, you need to forget about this and calm down. I almost couldn’t hold you there, what’s up with all that rage anyway? Let the guy be, to hell with him!”

“Just…just let me get back in there or…bring him here, I haven’t finished with that dick just yet!” my path was going directly to the door again but Matt held my body and pushed me back.

“What? Forget about it, Jim! You’re totally beside of yourself. Do you really think that Emily didn’t witness what just happened from the stage? She’s working, for god sakes! She’ll be so pissed at you man… Go walk, go home, go anywhere else but I won’t let you go inside again.”

“Okay, Matt, okay, I’m gonna walk to clear my head, but I’ll be back to talk to Emily and get her home, okay?!” I started to walk aimlessly with my heart still accelerated, letting Matt behind. Oh god, that jerk had just ruined the night that was already bad. In fact, I ruined it…

---

Matt got back inside and they were all quiet and peaceful now. Brian was still talking to that Scott guy, trying to understand what had really happened.

“How was I supposed to know she is his girlfriend? And I was having a private conversation here, it’s not of anyone’s business, it doesn’t give him the right to punch me like that!” Scott said while placing some ice chips on his cracked and now fat lip.

“I totally forgot how you could play this arrogant jerk I always knew you are…” Brian chuckled in a negative nod. “You are just angry cause she’s better than you and you don’t have the guts to admit it! I should’ve called someone else in the first place…”

“What? She? A GIRL? Better than me? Please Brian…” he smirked in contempt even though he could still feel the aching of Jimmy’s knuckles smashing his jaw.

“You were the one who called me desperate to have a job. Now look at you, replacing A GIRL on her band… Get over yourself, you should thank her, you asshole!” Brian said one last time before he would lose his temper to that stupid son of a bitch too.

“Don’t get me wrong but…”

“Don’t get you wrong? You’re so damn lucky I wasn’t the one listening to your little talk. You would feel that hurt multiplied by fifty times on your cocky face, motherfucker.” Brian said it in a really threatening tone staring at his eyes. He was totally regretful about calling that guy now.

Scott showed his finger and finally shut his mouth and Brian got back to their table, wondering exactly what he had said about Emily. Maybe it was better for him not to know.
God, she already knew him, the band too, it was all set up for them, they couldn’t find a new guy now. They would have to bear with him now, unfortunately...

---

The concert ended and the last thing I wanted was to face Jimmy now. I just hoped that Matt convinced him to go home. What the fuck happened there anyway? When I noticed they were all already trying to depart the fray. I never felt more embarrassed before, I don’t know how I was able to finish the songs, my hands and legs were trembling like jelly. And now that feeling was being replaced by pure anger.

I said my goodbyes to my band mates with a half-hearted smile and started to pack my stuff for good now.
When I was ready to go, I finally approached the table where the guys were waiting for me. Matt was the first to hug me and then everyone greeted me with affection. I tried to be nice, smile as much as I could, but I was actually dying to go home and forget about that night. But first I needed to know exactly what had happened. I went straight to Brian.

“Hey…can you…explain me what the hell was that all about?”

“Oh, that was nothing, really, don’t worry. This guy said something that pissed Jimmy off and well, you know, he…”

“He just punched some random guy out of nowhere? Just like that?” I was outraged, that wasn’t the Jimmy I knew.

“Well…yeah. But he must’ve said something really bad, otherwise he…”

“Who was the guy? I couldn’t see from up there.”

“Oh, it was…it was the fucker who’s replacing you.” Brian hesitated and I got completely dumbfounded with that info.

“What? Your friend, Scott? What the hell man!! Where is he now?” I started to look for the guy I barely knew in that still dark surroundings and failed to find him.

“Yeah, he’s not technically my friend, he’s just someone I know. Or at least I thought I knew. He’s gone already, don’t worry.”

“Oh my god, what am I supposed to do now, Brian? We are hitting the road tomorrow morning and… Oh, I’m gonna kill Jimmy!” I breathed heavily as Jess reached us.

“Hey, Ems, what’s up, do you need a ride home? Zacky is driving us.”

“Oh, no Jess, you can go, I don’t wanna be the third wheel there. Brian can drive me, right?” he nodded right away.

“All right then…” Jess got closer to my ear and started whispering. Brian just pretended he was distracted with something. “I don’t know if it will be in my bed or in his but…it’s finally happening tonight Ems, wish me luck.” she grinned at me and I tried to hide my dissatisfaction. God, everything I wanted was to go home and crash into my bed. Now I would have to put up with their moaning buzzing in my ears the entire night away.

“Good luck…just try to not wake the entire neighborhood, okay?” she hit me in the shoulder and I winked. Okay, now I just didn’t have anywhere to go! It was just…perfect!

I took my guitar and my stuff and we were heading to Brian’s car when Jimmy appeared from nowhere. I could see he was altered just by looking at his gigantic pupils. He was definitely high.

“What are you doing here, why aren’t you home yet?” I said angrily while putting my stuff on the trunk of Brian’s car as he stood by the door watching where this was going.

“Cause we still need to talk. C’mon, I’ll take you home.” he tried to hold my hand and drag me with him but I just pushed it back quickly.

“Let go, James, you’re just the last person I want to talk right now!”

“Look, I’m sorry about what happened in there, okay? I lost it, I don’t usually act out like this. I was defending you. Please, let’s just… just come with me, I’ll explain everything!” I stared profoundly at his abnormally huge blue eyes that were now dark as the night sky and I could see he was trying to apologize. But I just couldn’t deal with him like this. I knew the chemicals on his bloodstream had forced his actions before. There was no excuse for that.

“Really, Jimmy? Do you know who that guy was? He is the one Brian found to replace me in this three months, I was gonna present him for you today. Now you go find me another guitar player cause I fucking need one now! Can you do that at midnight?” he sighed and his hand hid his face in shame. Now he couldn’t even look at me straight. His lack of words was my answer. “That’s what I thought…”

“Fuck, I didn’t know! I swear I didn’t know! Let’s just…talk, please!”

“No, not at all, I’m tired as hell. I’m not talking to you like this. Sober your ass up and maybe I can think about talking to you again someday… Goodbye!” I just got into the car without looking back. Brian said a few words to him I didn’t even pay attention and he got in too.

“Don’t you think you were a little harsh on him?” Brian asked while driving his way to my house.
“Brian, have you seen his behavior? He couldn’t stand being dry just one night to please me. I begged him not to use anything today. He did it anyway…”

“But you know him, it’s just his way of having fun.”

“Yeah, cause punching someone is a real fun! He’s way out of limits, Brian. I’m getting worried…” I bit my lip, trying to hold back a few tears that were almost forming in my eyes.

“Oh, don’t, he’s always like this, Emily, I know him forever. Sometimes he does stupid but most of the times he knows his limits.”

“I hope you’re right…” we stayed in silence until he was parked in front of my house. But not actually parked, cause there was already a car in there. Zacky’s car. Oh no, they really stayed here…

“Is that…Zacky’s car?”

“Shit, Brian…” I sighed heavily one more time for the collection today and I hold my hair back in despair. C’mon, God, start cooperating here!! “I forgot to tell you…Zacky and Jess are…god, they are finally…you know.”

“Ohh…Really? They haven’t yet?” I nodded. He drew his perfect naughty smile to me.

“Please just…can I just stay at your place tonight? I just need a good night of sleep to forget this day ever existed. I don’t have anywhere else to go…” I stared at him hoping he would be touched by my bad situation.

“Of course, there is plenty of space there. I would never let you stay here to be audibly tortured by those two. Let’s go! But…let me warn you something. My house is really far from yours, don’t be scared!” he giggled and just drove off to his house. I smiled at that sight, my savior's grin.

Notes

a bit of action on this one, hahaha. Hope u liked it, its huge again, sorry =/ hahaha
Commeeeentsss, feed meee please! ;D
Oh and by the way, what do you think that should be happening at Brian's house now? And should I just narrate what will happen at Jess's place? xD
Hit mee!!