The Aviators

Jimmy is the funniest guy I’ve ever met. I just thought I’d tell you that. Every time I encounter the drummer, who is one of Matt’s closest friends, he’s always making everyone crack up. He knows countless jokes and one-liners that always, always, get everyone cracking up so hard you’d think an explosion was set off. Or perhaps just one of those fart-producers. Jimmy has a few of them lying around. Even here at Matt’s parents place.

We’ve already been here five minutes and Jimmy’s already pulling pranks on people. He just got done telling Matt his parents have left and aren’t coming back, when Mr Sanders senior pokes his head out of the garage and waves a spanner at us. That’s one busted. Jimmy just shrugs and wanders into the garage, which is actually where the guys have set up their studio.

It’s jam packed with amps, guitars, Jimmy’s first serious drum kit, ProTools rig and an assortment of gear I have no idea what they are. Not that I need to know, all I need to know is that the band is pretty awesome and not to get in the way when they’re working. Yeah, totally not connected, obviously.

I’m standing outside by Matt’s bike, arms linked together across my breasts. Having never been here before, I’m a little nervous. I can see Matt talking with his Dad, obviously about me, because he nods toward me several times. Straining, I can almost hear what they’re saying; I lean forward more.

“You spying on ‘em, Val?”

I jerk around fast. Jimmy is leaning against the handlebars of Matt’s bike, a cheeky grin on his face. Blinking at him I find I can’t answer. My mouth just hangs open in a helpless gesture. He chuckles, not in an unkind manner.

“You want to come inside and wait for him?”

Shaking my head, I find my voice, “No thank you, I’d better just stay here.”

Jimmy smiles faintly, before nodding and heading back toward the garage. “See you in there, then.” His voice disappears as he does.

I look back across to Matt. He’s still with his Dad but he’s now looking directly at me. I tilt my head. He smiles and motions for me to join them. Gripping my elbows, I walk over to stand next to him. Matt rests a hand on my shoulder while glancing at his father.

“Dad, I want you to meet Valary.” Matt looks to me. “Val, this is my dad.”

Lifting my gaze, I find myself peering into warm hazel eyes that are identical to Matt’s. His father smiles at me, a soft expression which lights up his whole face.

“Well, hello there, dear. I’m Gary.” He smiles more. “Matt’s told me, and his mom, a lot about you.” He holds a hand out to me. I hesitate, glancing toward Matt. He inclines his head encouragingly toward me. I take Gary’s hand; he squeezes mine in a gentle grasp.

I bite my lip, before saying, “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

Gary quirks his eyebrows at me. Matt gives a low chuckle. His father shoots a sharp look at him. Matt shrugs and turns away, leaving me with his father. I blink then look at him.

Gary sighs, “Just call me whatever you’re comfortable with, Valary. But, I wouldn’t mind if you called me ‘Gary’.” It is my name.”

I nod a little, feeling somewhat tongue-tied. He smiles at me, a warm expression. Then he motions toward the studio.

“Go join them. You’ll enjoy yourself. They are very good at what they do.”

I nod again, as he nudges me through the doorway. Matt looks up from where he’s planted himself in front of a large computer monitor. He smiles and grabs a stool, pulling it next to him, and patting a hand on it.

“C’mere, Val. Sit.”

Carefully making my way to his side, I slide down onto the stool and tuck my feet beneath it. He smiles at me then turns his head to his other side where Jimmy has sat himself on a swivel stool. He must use it for when he’s behind the drums. Jimmy waggles his eyebrows.

“So, Matt, is that tech coming today? I want to meet him.”

I tilt my head. Matt shoots a look at me then answers his friend, “Yeah, Brian says he’ll be here a little later.” I lean my head on his shoulder, listening as he and Jimmy talk. The drummer is still wiggling his eyebrows, one eye looking directly at me. I try not to giggle, because Matt is still talking.

“I’m not really sure about him. He strikes me as a little...I don’t know...odd.”

Jimmy laughs, “You’ve only met him once, Matt.”

Matt shrugs, acting all nonchalant; but, I sense tension beneath his cool facade. Jimmy just gives him a level look, then rolls his eyes and pushes himself around to a position at his drums. Matt sighs and absently drapes an arm around my shoulders, squeezing a little. Leaning more against him, I tuck my head down and nuzzle into his shoulder. He smiles at me as he taps his foot on the floor.

Jimmy picks ups his sticks and does a roll across the heads, before glancing toward us and grinning.

“By the way, he can’t be odd.”

Matt scratches at his cheek. “What?”

Jimmy chuckles. “He can’t be odd...because I am.”

I lift my head to give him a curious look; he catches my gaze, winking at me.

“Do you agree, Val?”

Before I can answer, Matt says, gruffly, “You’re a crazy motherfucker, Rev. You’re not odd. Odd is something you’d call an uncle...”

“No,” Jimmy retorts, “the word you’re looking for is ‘eccentric’. Aneccentric uncle.”

He tosses a stick up in the air and then catches it, bringing it crashing down on a ride hat. I try to stifle a giggle; Matt picks up on it and squeezes his arm around me more. I peek up at him. His lips curve in a soft smile. I flush and look away a part of me feeling silly at my behaviour, but another still uncertain about everything that is between us.

Matt still hasn’t said anything about...well just about everything. He’s just cool, calm...casual. He hasn’t really spoken much since yesterday, just necessary communication. And, it’s still bothering me. Then again, he’s obviously preoccupied with the band and the album record, so I can’t really complain. I’m not the only thing in his life he needs to deal with.

Matt scoffs, “You’d be an eccentric uncle.”

Jimmy gets this thoughtful expression on his face as he absently taps the plastic tip of his stick against his top teeth. I tilt my head at him. He grins my way then swings around on his stool letting out a loud whoop, the sound echoing in the relatively small space. Matt shakes his head and shifts round so he’s facing the computer.

“Dumbass,” he mumbles half under his breath.

Brian walks in then and cocks an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. I notice the bulge of his biceps and flush pink as he catches me looking. He lifts an eyebrow at me, lips twitching before he shoots a mock glare at Matt.

“Who you calling a dumbass, Shads?”

Matt leans back on his chair, having moved his arm from my shoulders and chuckles low. “You’re best buddy, Bri.” He nods toward Jimmy, who is still spinning on his stool.

Brian looks over, just as the drummer comes to a halt and pretends to sway wildly. He rolls his eyes and goes to stand next to him.

“Rev...for fucks sake...”

Jimmy crosses his eyes, grinning like a madman. “Yeah?”

Brian just shakes his head and looks back over at us. “Denmore’s on his way over. Wanted to have a look at some gear first.”

I feel Matt tense up at the mention of the tech, and glance at him.

“Master?” I whisper. He shakes his head at me, not smiling. I bite my bottom lip before placing a hand on his arm, a soft touch, barely noticeable. His jaw tightens the muscle bulging in a sign that he is becoming irritated. I drop my hand and shift around on my stool.

Jimmy catches what’s going on and scowls. “Oi, what’s got up your ass?”

“Hmmm?” Matt glances toward the drummer.

Jimmy points his stick at him, lips twitching in vague amusement. “I said: What’s up your-”

“I know what you said. What’s it to you?” There’s an edge to Matt’s voice. Jimmy isn’t fazed though and just gives another of his laconic grins.

Hiding a smile, I turn away to look around the studio. Zacky waltzes in at the same moment as my eyes settle on the doorway. Full of life and energetic as ever, the guitarist flops over a pair of amps and waves toward us.

“Hey, JD just arrived...he’s chatting up your dad, Shads.”

Matt rolls his eyes and, hands gripping the armrests, pushes up out of his chair. I look up at him; he doesn’t meet my gaze. Instead, he focuses his attention on the doorway, pausing before striding out of the studio. Zacky turns to follow him; Jimmy springs up and sprints out after them. I frown, wondering whether I should follow, but I don’t get a chance as Brian flops in the chair beside me.

“Hey, Val. What’s going on between you two?”

I tear my eyes from the backs of the other men and turn to look at him. “Pardon?”

Brian’s eyes are soft, warm, a hint of concern in their depths. “You and Matt? What’s going on?”

Pursing my lips, I wonder where he’s coming from. Unless Michelle said something to him, I can’t fathom why he would even care. Or why he would even ask. He lifts an eyebrow, his expression gentle.

“Val? You can talk to me. I won’t say shit.”

My cheeks flush, and I lower my eyes, unable to meet his tender gaze. “Nothing’s going on...”

“Bullshit. He’s been acting fucking weird lately.” Brian’s face is tight; the angular lines of his jaw and cheekbones appear to stand out more than usual. I shake my head. He grimaces. “Chelle notices it too...”

Like that makes me any less reluctant to talk about it. I duck my head down more. Hoping he’ll take the hint, I wait for him to move away. But he doesn’t. Instead, he grasps the edge of my stool and tugs me closer to him. I let out a soft gasp and glance up into his eyes. They’re deep and dark, filling with a swirling hue of seriousness.

“Valary, don’t pull this shit. You’re obviously stewing over some shit that’s going on between you, and it’s not healthy.”

Trembling, I try to pull back, but he’s holding onto the stool in a tight grip.

“Brian,” I swallow hard on his name. “Brian, please...just leave it alone...it’s nothing...”

His eyes narrow into slits, so what gleams between his lashes is almost black. “Bull-fucking-shit. It’s not nothing. If it were nothing, you wouldn’t be avoiding looking at me.”

Damn him. Damn him for being right. I shiver, tucking my chin into my chest. My heart is aching and a heavy sensation settles in the pit of my stomach.

“Please...” I whisper. “Please...just...just leave it...”

But Brian won’t back down. “Valary...”

Something inside me snaps, and I jerk away from him, raising my voice to get through to him, “It’s none of your business okay, so just leave it alone! Leave me alone...” My last words peter off in a pathetic whimper and I crumple into myself, feeling as if my world is crumbling down around me.

Brian gets this anxious look on his face and I feel his hands on my shoulders, attempting to soothe me. But, I don’t respond, my breaths escaping in desperate sobs.

“Oi? What the fuck?” Matt’s deep voice registers somewhere in the depth of my subconscious, but I don’t heed it, just rocking on the stool, clutching myself around my waist.

Voices war around me, as Matt and Brian talk over me. I don’t hear anything they say, too wrapped up in my emotional wave. Next thing, I feel strong, warm palms grasping my upper arms, pulling me into a hard embrace. I cling to the soft, worn cotton of Matt’s top, nuzzling into it; a patch of moisture spreading from where my face rests.

Matt moves one hand around a spot at the small of my back, murmuring soft, reassuring words to me. I tremble against him, and then shiver as Brian begins berating him over my head. I tune in then, listening to every word.

“You have some fucking nerve, Matt.” The guitarist’s voice is low, tense. “You are so fucking dense. You can’t even cop to the way you feel.”

Matt’s arms tighten around me, but he says nothing to defend himself against Brian’s tirade. Part of me wishes he would, but another is afraid of what I might hear. What I might find out. My heart feels as if it wants to explode out of my chest, from the fear of the unknown.

Brian goes on, getting more wound up at each word. “I mean how fucking hard is it to say you care? How fucking hard is it to cop to the fact that you might feel something for her? I mean, fuck...look at her, man? You’re lucky to have her...she’s lucky to have you.” He pauses for just a single breath before launching onwards. “You should tell her how you feel, ‘cause it’s pretty damn obvious, to me at least, that you’re totally fucking mad keen on her.”

I peek up, seeing a hard expression ghost over Matt’s face, but before he can answer, a voice speaks up from the door to the studio.

“Because he knows he can’t.”

I swing my head around as much as I can with Matt holding me. Brian glowers toward the entrance. Matt looks over too. I can’t see who is standing there because Matt’s big body is shielding me from view. But, I recognise the person’s voice and I can feel my blood freeze. That man from the mall...but...it can’t be? His name was something Douglas...not Denmore...right? Right...?

Matt, interrupting my thought, growls, “What the hell do you know, Denmore?”

I try to peer around his body, but he shifts blocking my view. So, I lean into him and just listen.

“What do I know?” There is a hint of amusement in his voice, deep, calculating. “That would be telling, and I’m not here for that. I was just making an observation.”

I feel Matt tense even more than earlier. “Well, keep out of something that doesn’t fucking concern you.”

Brian adds, in a stiff tone, “Yeah, ‘cause if you can’t we’ll have to tell Walter this won’t work. And we’d hate to have him think maybe his judgement isn’t so hot.”

There’s an uncomfortable silence, then the guy speaks in a solemn tone, “Walter doesn’t know everything about me, but don’t make judgements on face value. I’m pretty serious about my work. And I want this to work out.”

Matt doesn’t relax. But, Brian sighs and I see him nodding from the corner of my eye.

“Right...well, come in. We’d better get to work.” He turns to sit in front of the computer. Zacky and Jimmy join him.

Before I can protest, Matt shuffles me into a corner where I am hidden from view, and then he parks his ass on a stool in front of me. I can’t see over his back, but more importantly, I suppose, I can’t be seen. All I can do is listen, and I do so as the guy walks in and joins Brian by the computer, I assume, because I hear their voices as they begin to discuss the tracks.

Sighing, I lean against Matt’s back and close my eyes. Nothing to do but wait...maybe after they finish Matt will introduce me, but then again judging by how antsy he seems about the guy...maybe not...

I’ll just have to wait and see...

Notes

Thanks for the kind words, guys :D

Hmm...yes, Matt's still a closed book re his feelings, eh?
And, JD...well...