The Aviators

Zacky opened the front door and peered out as he recognised the familiar growl of Matt’s Harley, rolling up the driveway. He stepped out onto the front porch, crossing his arms. Matt brought the beast to a halt, switching the engine off and swinging off the seat. Removing his helmet, tucking it under his right arm, he crossed over the driveway to step onto the porch.

“You took your time,” Zacky smirked. Matt just rolled his eyes and pushed passed him through to the front hall. The guitarist followed him inside. “What’s up with you?” he asked, as if he could feel something was a little off with the singer.

Matt shook his head, setting his helmet down on a table near the front door. “Nothing. Is Syn here?”

“Yeah, he got here half an hour ago. Michelle’s with him.” Zacky rubbed at the back of his neck then added, “The new guitar tech hasn’t arrived yet. Should be here soon.”

Matt nodded, absently, and made his way toward Zacky’s living room where he could hear voices; Brian and Michelle having what sounded like a heated argument. He paused outside just as he caught the tail end of Michelle’s sentence.

“...unfair. I mean, no one should have to be in that kind of position.”

Matt frowned as Brian responded. “Yeah, well it’s not like she chose it, is it? And I doubt Matt really likes it that much either.”

“I don’t think he gives a shit. I mean...jeeze, he treats her....”

Matt stepped into the room, interrupting their conversation in a gruff tone, “If you’re talking about Val, I treat her a lot better than any other asshole in her life ever has.” He glowered at Val’s twin.

Michelle met his sharp look and sighed. “I won’t dispute that. But, you must admit, slavery’s a bit outdated.” She gave him a look which bordered upon disgust. Matt shrugged, taking a seat on a leather lounge next to Brian. Michelle sighed loudly, and then stood up and walked out.

Matt watched after her then groaned, leaning back against the couch. “Damn it...she acts like this is easy for me...”

Brian shook his head. “Man, she just doesn’t understand. Hell, I don’t think any of us does.”

Matt grunted, effectively ending the conversation before it really got started. There was silence for a moment.

Then the guitarist leaned over to give him a man hug then sat back, cracking a grin. “Well, anyway...how’re you, man?”

Matt lifted his shoulders again. “Can’t complain.”

“No?”

“Nope. Life’s pretty damn sweet.” Matt forced a smile, his mind a million miles away. Brian narrowed his eyes on the singer’s face, but before he could argue the fact, the doorbell chimed and they heard Zacky’s voice calling out.

“He’s here!”

Matt rolled his eyes and leaned his head back yelling in response, “Yeah! We heard the bell...why don’t you go open the door, you freak!” Inwardly he was grateful for the interruption. He could feel Brian staring at him, probably not convinced by his nonchalant act. Yet, there would be no time for a heart to heart over it, because they could hear Zacky coming down the hall with their guest.

“Hey guys, this is JD.”

Matt and Brian turned their heads to look over the back of the couch. Zacky stood in the large double doorway a grin as wide as the Cheshire cat’s pasted across his face. He couldn’t be any more welcoming than a dog that had been separated from its master for five minutes. Standing next to him, practically towering over the guitarist was a man who could definitely rival Matt in the height and weight category.

The guitar technician that their old friend Walter had highly recommended was nothing like anyone Matt had expected. He was a big, burly man, with cool black eyes, a stern visage, and a thick head of black hair, which stuck up in a haphazard manner.

“JD?” Brian spoke up, lifting one eyebrow. Matt frowned slightly a niggling thought at the back of his mind; but, he made no comment as the big man smirked.

“Jason Denmore.” JD tipped two fingers to his forehead in a salute.

Zacky was still grinning as he said, “Guitar tech extraordinaire.”

Brian snorted. Matt’s eyes narrowed, a strange feeling stirring in his gut, joining that lone thought. He clenched a fist on top of his left knee then allowed it to relax. Yet, the feeling didn’t go away. He liked to think he was a good judge of character, and even though the guy had barely walked into the house, Matt sensed that he was not exactly who he said he was.

He wasn’t given time to ponder that, though, as Zacky was asking him a question. He blinked at his friend.

“What?”

Zacky rolled his eyes. “I said you want to show him what we’ve planned so far?”

Matt rubbed at his cheek. “Yeah, sure.” He looked over at Brian. “You got your pad?”

Brian nodded, reaching into a bag that was propped at his feet. Pulling a worn notepad from its depths, he turned to look at JD.

“Find a seat. And take a look at this.” He held out the pad. JD took possession of it as he sank down on the chair Michelle had previously occupied. Matt’s brow furrowed as he noted, vaguely, that JD being heavier, would leave a bigger indent in the leather chair. He observed, as casually as he could manage, JD settle back into the seat and lift the notepad to eye level. His black eyes slitting as he scanned the document. Matt kept up the surveillance from the corners of his eyes trying not to make it too obvious. Brian and Zacky of course were engrossed in the tech for different reasons, and the three men began to converse over the notes the guitarists had made about the band’s upcoming album. Leaving Matt to just listen and watch.

Matt felt left out on the one hand, but on the other he was thankful because it allowed his mind to focus on other things. Valary was of course top of his list of things to ponder. He could still see the pained expression that she had been sporting as he’d walked out on her. Part of him felt terrible for leaving her there without explaining things. But, the rest of him just wasn’t ready to deal with the whole situation.

Buying her had been a huge commitment on his part, even more so than if she had been a girlfriend he was going to marry one day. Because with marriage the onus was on both partners to keep the relationship working. But theirs was an unbalanced relationship. They weren’t partners. Partners meant that each was in an equal position. Matt and Valary were far from being equals. However, the reason he had purchased her...well, he wasn’t ready to front on that particular point. Not to her, not to himself, even.

He shifted on his seat, eyes flickering up from his absent staring game with the floor. He blinked once as he realised that JD was staring at him. There was a knowing look in the other man’s eyes, as if they could look right into his soul, his mind. Matt frowned faintly. JD’s lips twitched as if he wanted to say something but then Zacky got his attention and he was once again drawn into a discussion about amps and guitar technique.

Matt muttered to himself, pushing up from his seat. Zacky glanced up at him.

“Where you going?”

“Getting a drink...want anything?”

Zacky rolled his eyes. Brian laughed. “Whatever’s in the fridge, Shads.” He looked at JD. “Want anything?”

“Got some juice?”

Matt shrugged, “I’ll have a look.” He turned and walked out of the living room. Michelle was in the kitchen hands buried in a bowl of flour. She glanced up at him as he entered.

“Why didn’t you bring Val with you?”

Matt scowled at her question, but didn’t answer as he went to the fridge, opening the door and staring intently inside. The sound of her hands leaving the bowl reached his ears, and then she was standing right next to him, flour sprinkling all over the floor at their feet.

“Matt, answer my question.”

He grabbed a couple of bottles of Jack, and a small one of orange juice, popping the lids, before shooting a hard glare at Michelle.

“What do you want me to say?” His voice was rough.

“Why isn’t she here?” Michelle’s gaze narrowed suspiciously. “You haven’t done something to her? Lost your temper?”

Matt stalked over the tiles to the bench, placing the bottles on the granite surface before turning to face her. He worked his jaw for a moment, while trying to formulate a response. Michelle stood opposite him her lips drawn together in a tight line.

Matt sighed. “She didn’t want to come.” Not exactly true, but he didn’t feel up to explaining what was really going on. Well, that wasn’t true at all. He’d told her to stay while he went out. But, he had every right. He was her Master. Not that he was even really consciously thinking of that. He met Michelle’s stare gauging her reception of his statement.

She sighed, shaking her head. “I don’t believe you.”

He grunted. “Whatever.” Grabbing the bottles he left the kitchen going back to join the men.

Brian looked up as he walked in. “Hey, JD says he can start straight up tomorrow.”

Matt cocked an eyebrow as he handed the drinks to them; JD nodded his head in thanks as he took a long pull from the bottle of OJ. Matt gave a quick smile then looked at Brian.

“I haven’t told Dad we’re gonna be crashing his place this week.” The guys did the initial demo recordings in the Sanders’ garage, which had been converted into a mini-studio set up back in the early days. They had decided to return there for their next album, because they always worked well there. Matt’s parents were always good company too.

“Your studio is at your parents’ place?” JD gave Matt a sideways glance, curiosity evident in his eyes.

“Yeah. We do all our prepping there. It’s kind of cozy...but, it’ll do, until we have to go do the final product.” Matt parked his ass back next to Brian, looking over at JD with a thoughtful expression. That thought he’d had before rose up again, flaring uncomfortably in his mind, and causing the skin at the back of his neck to tighten. “So, it probably won’t be super exciting for you, just yet.” Matt kept his tone light, not wanting to reveal his suspicion.

JD just nodded, crossing thick arms over his chest. Matt had a vague thought that JD was not someone he would want to tangle with. Shaking his head, he pegged the big male with a curious look.

“So? Who else have you worked with?”

JD shifted on his seat, rubbing at his wrist before answering. “You’d be the first actually. I was sort of helping out a friend’s gig on the side of my other job. He told me I should get into the tech thing for money. Said I was good at it.” He shrugged. “He’s always got good advice and considering my other job’s gotten quiet. Thought I’d follow through.”

Brian spoke up then, listening into their conversation. “What’s your other job?”

Matt leaned forward just as interested as his band mate. Perhaps whatever JD revealed would explain the vibes he was getting from him.

JD’s brow furrowed slightly, his eyes holding a shadowed look. “I don’t...like to talk about it.” He laughed darkly. “I mean...it’s not illegal, or some shit. It’s just...it’s a way to get money.” He tightened his arms over his chest, muscles swelling from the slight strain. Then he relaxed them, the smile becoming softer around the edges.

“It’s a depressing job. But, I feel like I have to do it. I guess I just have a Good Samaritan complex.” He coughed gruffly, clearing his throat. “Anyway. If this guitar tech thing works out, I might switch to doing this permanently.”

Brian smiled broadly, “Well, I can say we’re glad you’ve decided to do this. Right, Shads?” He looked over at Matt. Matt nodded absently in agreement, his mind still picking at what JD had said. None of it really explained what Matt was feeling, in fact it just added to the confusion. Still, he couldn’t really expect to learn every little thing about the guy when he’d just met him.

Perhaps over the many long days of recording the album he would get to know him better and it would all become a lot clearer? He could only hope that would be the case. He didn’t like not being sure of people.

Stretching, he looked across to his friends. Zacky had finished his beer; Brian was closing up his notebook. They both looked over at him. He forced a smile their way, as he rolled his head on his neck.

“Damn, I’m stiff.” Matt stood, rubbing at the back of his neck.

Brian snorted, standing as well. “You need to loosen up, buddy. I know exactly what you need.”

“Yeah, get some Jack into your system,” Zacky laughed, levering his body out of his chair. Matt rolled his eyes at the other guitarist.

“Jack does Jack-all for me.” He shoved a hand in his pocket reaching for the keys to his bike. “Goose works better for me.” He started to head for the kitchen. But then he caught JD watching him, and getting to his feet. He paused, looking back.

JD blinked, pulling a baseball cap from his back pocket, jamming it onto his head as he asked, “Thinking of going somewhere to drink?”

Matt smirked faintly. “Yeah, we’ll go downtown. Shoot some pool, have a drink.” Get to know each other better, and make sure this working partnership will actually work, Matt added silently in his head.

Without waiting for a response from the other man, he cast a quick look at his watch as he left the living room. He had a couple of hours, and then he’d head home, back to Val. But, first he wanted to pick JD’s brain a little more.

Notes