The Aviators

“Can I ask you something?”

Leash off, Bella is racing along the water’s edge, tail flagging nineteen to the dozen, as we walk along the beach front. Matt is holding my hand, his thumb tracing circles against my palm. The end of Bella’s leash is hanging out of the back pocket of his shorts. I peer up at him, thinking on his earlier interactions with my sister. He looks down at me, lowering the shades that are covering his gaze.

“What is it?”

Meeting his eyes, I mull over my thoughts. “Well, you and my sister...I don’t get why she’s like...that, with you.”

Matt gives me a long look then sighs. “It’s not just her. It’s me too.”

I flush, lowering my eyes. I wasn’t going to mention that, after all it’s not my place to comment on his conduct. My sister is one thing, but Matt’s a no go zone, as far as I’m concerned.

Matt squeezes my hand. “Val, it’s a long story.” He gives a short laugh, no trace of amusement evident. I wonder at that, and peer up at him again. His brow is furrowing and he pinches at the bridge of his nose, this time pushing his shades up his face.

I shuffle my toes in the sand; I took my sandals off earlier, hiding them under a bush back up the beach. You’d think that people might steal them, but Matt says he used to always hide things there and no one has ever found them. The sand is cool on my feet and I give us both time to consider Matt’s statement. Then I glance at his face again.

“We don’t have to be anywhere right now...you could tell me.”

Matt cocks an eyebrow at me, the dark arch rising above the top of his Aviators. “Are you asking me?”

I blush, realising he’s gently correcting me. Lowering my eyes, I murmur, “Sorry, you don’t have to, if you don’t want to...” There’s silence then and I shiver, wondering if he’s mad at me. He says nothing more, for now.

We keep walking; Bella bounces back toward us, shaking her body, spraying water and sand over us. Matt laughs, releasing my hand and lunging at her. She dodges him then stands still several feet away, tongue lolling from her mouth. Matt growls at her. Bella barks back at him, tail wagging so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t fall off the end of her body. Matt pauses, as she runs back toward him, and allows her to jump up on him. He dances around with her, and then begins chasing her along the stretch of sand.

I hang back, watching them. Bella seems to be laughing at Matt in that familiar irrepressible way that all dogs have. I think dogs always look perpetually amused with humans. He’s laughing too, yelling at her as she twists and turns, avoiding him.

“C’mere, you crazy bitch!” Matt’s laughing so hard he can’t keep up with her and eventually collapses on the sand, several feet from where I’m standing. Bella rushes up to him, standing all over him, and licking him all over the face.

“Stop, stop...Bella...quit it...” He’s pushing at her, chuckling deep in his chest, finally managing to get her to move aside so he can sit up. Wiping his sleeve against his face, then bracing his palms against his shins, he looks over to me. “Whew...crazy dog...Val, come over here.... Bella, sit.” The last he shoots at the still wiggling Lab who’s trying to pounce on him again.

Bella whines, he glares, pointing at the sand. “Sit.”

If a dog could pout, I’m sure she would be, but she obeys him, laying her head between her paws and gazing at him with that look of adulation I think only dogs can pull off. He smirks at her then swings his head back to me.

“Val.” Matt pats the spot beside him.

I blink at him, adjusting my pants, before joining him. He rubs gently at my arm then wraps both his around his knees, clasping his hands in front of them. Shuffling into a comfortable position, I lean my cheek against his shoulder. He smiles at me before gazing out at the small waves that are breaking on the sand.

We sit in silence for a long while watching as other people pass by. A group of teens race pass kicking a ball between each other; a young woman jogs along the water’s edge; an older couple walk by heads together, hands linked together in a sign of their love. A family: mom, dad couple of kids and a dog appear near us. Bella takes an interest and springs up, dashing over to the other dog.

Matt calls out to her, a stern note in his voice, “Bella! Get back here!”

She barks once at the other dog, who whimpers and races back to its owners. But after a moment, Bella obeys, dashing back and sprawling out on the sand beside him. He smirks, reaching over to ruffle her ears. She wriggles her body, bumping her head up against his hand. He chuckles low and begins to stroke her fur. I smile a little, observing the way he treats her. He’s firm, yet gentle. Kind of like how he is with me.

Matt catches my look. “What’re you thinking, Val?” He removes his shades, hooking them on his shirt. The whole time he keeps his level gaze on my face.

I flush a little. “Oh...just that some people would probably be surprised how gentle a man you really are...”

He tilts his head, bemusement in his eyes. “Oh?”

Lowering my eyes, I strain some sand through my fingers. I really have no idea what made me answer him that way; the words just came out of my mouth. Matt shifts his weight so he’s looking at me. I peer at him. He continues to give me that quizzical stare.

I bite my lip. “Well, y’know your whole stage persona...”

Matt’s dimples come on show then, lips curving in a broad smile. “Yeah. I’m a right motherfucker.” He shakes his head, expression becoming sombre. “Most people don’t get to see the real me. I reserve that person for those closest to me.”

He brushes a finger against my cheek, smiling softly. My cheeks glow from the attention; I duck my head down in embarrassment. The thought that he’s including me in that statement makes my throat tighten a little. I mean, he’s said the words, but it’s still so fresh. And after what happened...before. I can’t handle the intimacy of the situation right now. I know that makes no sense. But, it’s one thing to hold his hand, or walk next to him, but the close, tender touches which are so much more intimate, that’s not as easy to cope with.

Matt tilts my chin up so he can meet my gaze. There’s a look in his eyes that I can’t decipher, but it sends tingles down my spine.

He leans in closer and nuzzles against my cheek, murmuring, “I’m nice to fans...and...y’know, they deserve that, ‘cause they’re what keep the band out there.” He sighs, sitting back a little, looking at me. “But, they’re not family.”

Matt looks away again, but leaves his hand resting against my cheek for a long while. I lean into his touch, wanting to maintain the contact between us. What he’s saying makes perfect sense to me. I know that bands like to connect with their fans, but that the truly successful ones are the bands who manage to keep their private lives from encroaching on their professional ones. And the fans respect that.

I know there are a small minority who go out of their way to slag off the partners of the guys. I’ve even seen, recently, a couple of things about me. Not the truth mind, because no one other than the guys and management know that I’m a slave, that Matt bought me. But, still it’s a little sad how much time some people, especially teenage girls, spend on pissing all over the guys’ private, personal lives. Though, part of me is curious as to the reaction that would occur if the fans found out about our relationship.

Matt clears his throat, drawing my focus back to him. I open my mouth to speak. “Ma-”

“Shhh.” He presses fingertips to my lips. “Don’t talk.” He runs his thumb along my bottom lip. “I wanna tell you some things...so, just listen. ‘Kay?” I nod.

He sighs, withdrawing his hand, raking his fingers through his hair. Whatever he wants to say isn’t coming easy, which becomes obvious when he mumbles in an absent tone, “Gotta get rid of this shit...” The corners of his lips quirk a little. “Might get Jason to shave it off for me.”

I tilt my head. He looks at me. “Berry.” His brow furrows. “You didn’t think I meant Denmore?”

Shaking my head, I look down at the ground. Matt huffs. “Anyway.” He leans back in the sand, folding his arms. “Did I mention I have a sister?”

Moving onto my side, I shake my head in the negative. I can’t remember if he has or not. He might have, but I probably wasn’t paying attention. Bad Valary.

He glances at me sideways a proud smile gracing his lips. “Amy. She’s a pro basketball player. You’ll have to meet her sometime.” He rubs at his cheek. He’s leading to something important; I can tell by the way his eyes are focussing on a spot in the distance.

I wait, curled on my side, watching, listening to him. He heaves a sigh.

“She and Chelle were best friends, back in elementary school.” Matt lays a forearm over his face, breathing deeply before continuing. “They were in the same year, a couple below me and Syn.”

He tenses up at some memory that must come to mind. I reach out to lay a hand on his bicep; it’s tight. Kneading gently, I ease the tension. He shifts his arm and smiles at me. My stomach does back flips at the warmth in the expression. It makes me wonder at what he’s actually doing. No other master I’ve had has ever told me anything of their personal lives. They’ve never opened up to me. But then, I wasn’t there for that, was I? I was nothing but a sex slave to them. Once again, Matt is proving the difference between him, and them, to me.

He goes on. “Michelle tolerated me back then whenever she came over to hang with my sis. She just thought of me as Amy’s annoying big brother.” He gives a harsh laugh. “Then she started going out with this punkass. Can’t remember what year that was.”

Matt turns his eyes to mine; there’s darkness in their depths. Whoever this guy was he obviously didn’t like him. I’m curious to know what happened, but I keep quiet, knowing that he will tell me.

“Amy thought the guy was bad news. She told me that she was worried for Chelle. And, anyway, I’d heard rumours about him.” Matt clenches his jaw. “Syn and I both tried to talk some sense into her...but she wouldn’t listen.” He grinds his teeth together. Scratch that, I think he must’ve hated the guy.

Matt groans. “She forgave Syn for interfering. I don’t really know why...”

“Maybe because Amy hadn’t told him about the guy?” I hazard a suggestion.

He snorts, but nods in agreement. “That’s probably it.”

He stops for a moment; Bella is shuffling forward then flops her belly over his feet. He smirks at her. Then he looks at me again.

“She stopped talking to my sister...and well, she couldn’t wait for me to drop out of school.” He laughs sardonically. “Which I did. Dropped out at Grade Ten. Couldn’t hack it anymore...” He chortles. “Not that you can really learn how to be in a famous band at high school.”

He becomes serious again. “Anyhow. That punk...ended up dumping Chelle. And just a few years ago he was arrested in Long Beach, for killing someone in a drive by shooting.”

I shudder at that. He wraps an arm around my waist, drawing me closer to him. We fall quiet after he finishes talking. The mood is darker than before, and I notice Matt withdraw into his mind, mulling over things. Bella is dozing at his feet, tail twitching every now and again. I snuggle into his side, relaxing and watching as the waves break against the shoreline.

Time passes, as do a lot more people; most of them I recognise from other forays out on the town. Several I’m sure I must’ve have seen when I went shopping with my sister. Huntington Beach is small enough for everyone to know just about everyone else. So, the fact that Matt and the band have managed to keep my identity under wraps is nothing short of a miracle.

Matt shakes his head, squeezing me gently.

“Anyway,” he says, continuing as if there was no break between his earlier words, “Chelle and I haven’t seen eye-to-eye ever since. I mean all that shit that went down...it’s not the only reason she didn’t like me...but, it’s the main thing.” He rolls his eyes. “Only reason she doesn’t talk shit to me now, or vice-versa, is ‘cause she and Brian are together.”

He looks down at me. “She’s been a great support for him with the band and everything. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he popped the question, any time soon.”

I smile at the thought of my sister marrying the guitarist. Yes, Matt and Michelle aren’t really friends, but she’s my sister and I can see how content she is with Brian. So, if...when it happens I will be very happy for both of them. Part of me wishes I could have something like what she has with Brian, with Matt. But, I’m a slave, so that’s a no go. Which really sucks.

If only...

Matt removes his arm from my waist, stretching both above his head. “We should head back.”

He tilts his head up to the sky. I follow his gaze. Clouds scuttle across the wide blue expanse. The sun is inching its way across the stretch of sky, signalling the passing of time. I nod a little.

He smiles at me, sliding his Aviators back on. “We can have an early dinner...’cause I think we missed lunch, somehow...” He gives an amused snort. “Ever had Japanese?”

“No.” I’ve never had anything much, really. Only since being with Matt have I ever had anything other than really plain sandwiches or broth...or whatever shit my former masters bothered to give me.

“Well, you’re in for a treat.” He strokes my cheek. “We can pick some up on the way home.”

I nod some more. My mind is too full with everything he’s just told me to really concentrate on the idea of food. But, my stomach is rumbling, so my body obviously is taking note.

Matt pushes up off the sand, dusting sticky grains from the backs of his shorts and legs. Then he holds his hand out to me. I grasp it tightly, and he pulls me to my feet. He dusts the back of my pants; a tingle runs up my spine, but I lean into his touch. A small smirk touches the corners of his mouth. He then nudges Bella with his foot.

“Wake up, crazy dog.”

Bella jumps up in an instant, tail flagging furiously tongue hanging between her canines. I can’t help but laugh at how comical she looks. Matt joins in, shaking his head.

“Silly mutt. C’mon, let’s go.” He squeezes my hand; a tender gesture. Then he turns and heads back along the sand.

I stay close by his side, smiling as Bella races ahead of us, impatient to get home.

Notes