*~*Kamalei’s POV*~*

There Zacky was, lying on the bed, with Sarah on top of him, without her shirt, kissing him, their hands all over each other. I didn’t scream. I didn’t yell. I just stood there frozen in shock. I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I searched my emotional bank to find an appropriate response to the slap in the face I was currently experiencing.

The creaking door finally caught their attention, Zacky looking like a deer in the headlights, Sarah wearing a smug smile. I was distraught and shaking uncontrollably. I finally found my voice, keeping it low and trying desperately not to burst into tears.

“What the fuck?” I said, “I can’t fucking believe this…”

“What? You aren’t together are you?” Sarah said looking between me and Zacky as she climbed off him, scrambling to find her shirt.

I shook my head as a few tears fell, “No... Whatever happened to ‘I’ll wait.’?”

He stood up and walked closer to me, the darkness in his eyes scaring me, “I don’t know Lei! Whatever happened to I’m not ready yet!?” he yelled.

I put my face in my hands as the tears began to pour from my eyes.

“I don’t want to wait for you if you’re just going to bounce around from me to my fucking brother! Who’s next Lei?” He screamed at me, frightening me and causing me to cry harder.

“I’m going to go.” Sarah said clambering out of the room, closing the door behind her.

I looked up at him, opening and closing my mouth like a fish out of water, wanting to tell him but not wanting to make a scene at his party. I couldn’t speak and went back to crying harder into my hands.

“What is it Lei?! What do you have to say for yourself?! I saw you and my brother making out IN MY GUEST ROOM!” he yelled.

I glared up at him before I reached back and slapped him hard across his face, his face turning at the impact.

“Your brother came after me! I would never! How fucking dare you think I would be so easy to jump into bed with your FUCKING BROTHER!” I screamed back at him.

“I’m sure he did… just another lie, Lei? You’re quick on your feet with your brother, I’m not so easily fooled…” he said.

I stared at him at the hurtful words he said to me, tears flowing, “I’ve never lied to you and I’m not lying to you now. This is why I didn’t want to tell you, because of course you would take his side over mine. He’s your brother. Even if you did take my side, I don’t want to ruin your relationship with your brother. That hurts a lot coming from you that you think I would lie to you. Fuck all of this. I don’t need this bullshit. You’re just another liar, like all the rest. I was a fool to think you would really wait for me to be ready! I guess you couldn’t get it from me so you found someone else! If I see Sarah downstairs, I’ll send her back up for you!” I screamed at him.

I slammed his bedroom door as I went down the hall and down the stairs, thankful that no one I knew well enough was at the bottom of the staircase to see the eyeliner streaking my face as I cried. I ran to the downstairs bathroom, locking the door and sliding down the back of the door to a crying heap on the floor. I could hear a loud slam, a crash, and Zacky screaming, “FUCK!!!” repeatedly from upstairs. This only upset me more, but I knew that I had to pretend to be fine at least until we went home. I cleaned up in the mirror, washing the streaks from my face before taking a few deep breaths and exiting the bathroom.

Kelly spotted me from the living room and rushed over to me in the hall, “Lei, what’s going on?”

“What are you talking about?” I said monotone, pushing all of my emotions down.

“Zacky is up there flipping out. Jimmy and Brian went up to stop him.” She said looking up the stairs.

“Stop him from what?”

“Apparently he’s up there breaking everything. Do you know what his problem is?” She asked.

“No.” I answered and she looked at me bizarrely.

“No? That’s it?” she asked me incredulously.

“Mmmhmmm. Did you see Sarah?” I questioned looking around the living room.

“What the fuck is going on with you? Kamalei, your best friend is up there losing his mind and you are looking for some chick we met tonight?! What the fuck?!” Kelly yelled.

“He’s a grown up.” I said walking away to where I had spotted Sarah just outside the patio door.

I approached her and saw the fear just behind her eyes as she shied towards her brother Benji. He looked at me strangely after her odd reaction.

“Sarah, Zacky is waiting for you.” I said to her void of any emotion.

She stared at me surprised, “Uh. Okay… I guess.”

I turned on my heel and walked back in the house, grabbing another beer from the bar. I could hear Brian and Jimmy trying to get Zacky to calm down, but only because I was listening for it. No one else at the party had seemed to notice much of the commotion with the pounding music throughout the house. Kelly was heading up the stairs to see if she could help Brian and Jimmy, only to get Brian yelling at her to get back downstairs. She came down the stairs, shaking her head as she made her way over to me.

“He’s broken almost everything in his room. The TV is in a million pieces on the floor. The mirror is shattered all over too.” She said to me watching my face for any reaction.

I started chugging some of my beer, hoping that it would help ease the hurt he caused me.

He can break everything in this whole fucking house for all I care. It’s nothing to what he’s done to me. He made me trust him. He lied to me. He said he was different, but he’s just like the rest of them. A manipulator. He couldn’t get his physical desires from me so he moved on…My heart hurts so fucking bad. I want to go home. I don’t want to be here anymore .I don’t want to be in this fucking house anymore. I can’t handle this much longer. Where’s my brother?

“Have you seen my brother?” I turned and asked.

“No.” Kelly replied.

“Okay… well I’ll see you tomorrow or something. I’m going to walk home.” I muttered as I grabbed another beer for the walk.

“What?! Just wait for us and we can take you home. I’m sure Matt is around here somewhere…” She said.

“No it’s okay. I need the walk.” I said kissing her cheek and heading to the front door.

“Where are you going?” I heard Val ask as I had my hand on the door knob.

“I’m going to walk home. I need some fresh air.” I said flatly.

“Lei? Are you alright? Does what’s happening up there…”, she asked pointing upstairs, “have something to do with you?”

“No.” I lied.

I didn’t want to lie to Val, she was always so sweet to me, but I couldn’t tell anyone what happened.

“Are you sure sweetie? The only time I have ever seen him like this is when it comes to you, Kamalei.” She said softly but seriously.

“I don’t want to talk about it. Please don’t say anything to anyone. I just want to go home. I just need to walk and clear my head… Please Val.” I pleaded with her as I could feel my eyes water again.

“Alright. Please just go straight home. We’ll be home in a little bit. I’ll say someone dropped you off if Matt asks… please text me when you get home so I know you are safe.” She said hugging me to her and I let some tears escape, “You and I can talk about it later if you want.”

“Okay. I will. Thank you Val.” I said wiping my eyes and heading out the door.

The cool California breeze whipped my hair behind me as I walked towards my brother’s house. It was refreshing as it mixed with the steady flow of tears that were falling down my cheeks.

I can never say anything to anyone about Matthew. Matt would kill him if he knew he tried to force himself on me. It was almost like Micah… it was the same fear.

I wrapped my arms around myself, hugging as I shivered at the flashbacks of Micah beating me senseless and the newest assault with Matthew.

To add insult to injury, Zacky, instead of stopping his brother, decides to just be a brat and take some kind of a revenge conquest on me. I guess I shouldn’t be too mad as we aren’t together or anything but still. It hurts. He said he would wait for me. He said I was worth it. I guess I’m not. I’m not worth a damn thing to him. To anyone…

Before I knew it, I was at the house. I looked up at it from the sidewalk for a minute taking in a big sigh. I went in and Bella ran up to greet me, and for that I was thankful. I needed some unconditional love. I took my heels off and went up to my bedroom as I texted Val that I was home, Bella following. I threw myself down on the bed, tears once again pouring from my eyes, as I buried my head into my pillow, alternating between screaming and crying. Bella whimpered before jumping up on the bed next to me, curling up and resting her head on my arm. I turned over and cuddled with her, softly petting her as I found Baby on the pillow next to me. I wanted to chuck the stuffed tiger across the room, but at the same time I couldn’t.

It hurts too much. Another heartache I wasn’t ready for. How could I let him do this to me? I’m so worthless…

I hugged the tiger to my chest, crying harder, letting my sobs fill the house. Bella nudged me with her wet nose, telling me in a way with her puppy dog eyes, ‘It’s okay. You have me.’ I laid on my side and hugged Baby to me as I stroked Bella’s head gently crying myself to sleep.

*~*Zacky’s POV*~*

“…I guess you couldn’t get it from me so you found someone else! If I see Sarah downstairs, I’ll send her back up for you!” she screamed at me before slamming the bedroom door behind her.

I paced back and forth in front of the bed a few times, clenching and unclenching my fists. I was angry. I was angry at me. I was angry at her. I was angry at everything.

“FUCK!!” I screamed as I took my beer bottle off the table and threw it at the wall.

“FUCK!!” I shouted as I threw the remote control at the TV breaking the flat screen, bits flying as it spidered the screen.

“FUCK!! FUCK!! FUCK!! FUCK!!” I cried out as I punched the mirror repeatedly even after it had shattered and cut my hand.

I looked at the blood coming from my knuckles and it made me angrier. I grabbed Sarah’s left behind beer bottle and threw it across the room at the bedroom door, barely missing Brian as he opened the door.

“Zee! Hey! What’s wrong!? Calm down!” He exclaimed, running in and stopping me, as I went over to my glass balcony door winding up to punch thru it as well.

Jimmy ran in after him, “Zacky! What’s gotten into you tonight!?!”

“FUCK!!” I screamed as I grabbed the alarm clock off the table and threw it at the already broken TV.

“Bro you’re bleeding all over the place!” Brian said as he tried to get a hold on me.

I picked up the broken alarm clock and threw it again at the TV, letting more bits of screen fly everywhere. I was incoherent. I didn’t want to talk to Brian or Jimmy. I wanted them all to leave me alone so I could do my drugs, drink myself into oblivion, and forget everything.

I heard the door creak open again, Kelly poking her head in, “Zacky are you alright?”

“GET OUT KELLY! GO DOWNSTAIRS!” Brian yelled at her, causing her to rush out.

I sat on the edge of the bed, putting my head in my hands and yanking at my hair, “FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!”

Jimmy sat on one side, Brian on the other and they rubbed circles on my back as Jimmy spoke, “Zee, what happened man?”

“I fucked up guys. I fucked up and I don’t know how to fix it.” I mumbled.

“Is it Lei?” Brian asked quietly.

“Yes and no. I need a fucking drink.” I mumbled.

“I think you’re good for tonight.” Jimmy said.

“Fuck you Jimmy! I know when I’m fucking good. Right now I’m not fucking good!!” I stood up and screamed at him.

Jimmy stood as well, reminding me that although he was lanky, he was tall and intimidating.

“Zack. Sit. Down.” He said sternly with his arms crossed over his chest.

Even Brian’s face showed they were prepared to stop me by force if need be. I sat down on the bed again.

“What happened?” Brian asked me.

“I can’t. I just can’t tell you. I’m sorry. I fucked up. I need to try to fix this.” I replied shaking my head.

“Let us help you. Just tell us what happened?” Brian prodded.

“I can’t. Where’s my brother?” I said standing up slowly, clenching my fists.

If it really was him forcing himself on her, I’ll fucking kill him. I promised to keep her safe. I told her nothing would happen to her here and then my own brother does this!

“I don’t know I haven’t seen him in a while. He’s probably downstairs somewhere.” Brian replied.

“I need to talk to him.” I said as I walked over all of the broken glass and into the hallway.

The guest room door was shut and I opened the door to find my brother looking out the window. He turned to look at me with smirk on his face. I walked across the room to him before grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, slamming him into the wall.

“What the fuck did you do to her?” I said thru gritted teeth.

“You mean what did she do to me?” he asked.

“No Matthew. What did you do to Lei? Did you fucking kiss her?” I asked him menacingly.

“She slapped me.” He said.

“Did you fucking kiss her Matthew?” I asked again tightening my grip on his collar.

“Yeah. She tastes as good as she looks too. Like a perfect strawberry…” He said smirking at me.

“What the fuck is wrong with you? Since when do you think it’s okay to force yourself on someone?” I slammed him against the wall again.

“What are you talking about? She wanted it. She came up here with me and everything.” He attempted to justify.

“She didn’t fucking want it you fucktard! If she slapped you that means she didn’t want it. You stay the fuck away from her!” I yelled at him as I released my hold on him.

“Why? You aren’t dating her? Plus you just hooked up with that Sarah chick…” he said straightening out his shirt.

“Fuck you Matthew! You know how I feel about Lei and you just helped fuck it all up!”

“You did that all on your own brother.” He muttered and I flew back across the room slamming him into the wall by his collar before punching him in the face.

I knew he was partially right, I did go after Sarah, who had been desperately flirting with me all night long, but only after I saw Lei and Matthew kissing. I still loved Lei but the jealousy took over and I thought if she can then so can I. The alcohol and drugs helped cloud my reasoning. Little did I know at the time, she didn’t want Matthew.

I looked in Matthew’s eyes as I spoke just above a whisper, “She came here believing she was safe and you took advantage of her. It’s my fault that I didn’t protect her, but I didn’t think I would have to protect her from my own brother. You leave Lei alone. Don’t so much as fucking look at her. If you do and I find out you’ve come near her, I’ll not only fucking kill you myself, I’ll tell Matt to make sure the job is finished. You are my brother but I mean it Matthew. Stay the fuck away from her.”

He put his hands up, “Alright man. I’m sorry. I thought she was available and so I went for it.”

I released him and opened the door, “Well, she’s not. Get out of my house.”

He looked at me shocked for a second before walking out the door, “Look Zack, I’m sorry. I jus-”

“No Matthew. Get out. I don’t want to see you for a while. You’ve hurt my best friend in this world, and subsequently made me hurt her too. I thought I could trust you as my brother but obviously I was wrong. You don’t know where to draw the line apparently.” I said following him to the front door of the house and letting him out.

I turned around and walked back down the entry way to the bar. I grabbed another beer from behind the counter, taking a large swig, searching the room for Kamalei. Brian and Jimmy came out from the backyard, looking at me in disapproval.

“You better man? We saw you talking to Matthew and it looked pretty heated. You gonna flip out again?” Brian asked.

“I need to find Lei. Have you seen her?” I said ignoring Brian's inquiries.

“She left.” Val said from behind me.

I turned around to see Val looking rather irritated at me.

“Where did she go? Who did she go with?” I questioned.

“She went home. By herself.” She said crossing her arms over her chest, “We need to chat Zacky.” as she pulled me out into the entry way, away from everyone.

“You let her go home by herself? Did she drive? She was drinking...” I started before Val cut me off.

“She walked and she's fine. I asked her to text me when she got home and she did. What's going on? You're upstairs losing your mind and she's practically running out of here with tears in her eyes. What happened Zacky?” Val said seriously.

I knew she cared for both of us and I knew already she wouldn't tell Matt anything, but I had already broken Kamalei's trust in me once this evening and I didn't want to do it again.

“I can't Val. I just can't.” I told her.

She pinched the bridge of her nose, “Zacky, what did you do?”

“I can't say Val. I can't break her trust again.”

“Fine, don't tell me. I can't help you if you won't let me know what's going on...” she said as she walked off back into the party.

“I'm sorry Val!” I called after her and she just waved her hand in the air as a 'whatever'.

I felt around in my pocket, pulling out my phone. Grabbing it out, I made my way out to the backyard to a lawn chair by the pool, as I looked for her number. Looking around I made sure that all of my bandmates were out of earshot as I pressed the call button.

Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.

You've reached Lei. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you whenever I feel like it...hahaha. Have a good one! BEEP.

“Hey, Lei, it's me Zacky. Look...”

Notes

Part 3 is up! Thanks for being patient with me... I've been trying to jam out some chapters up ahead now that things are really on a roll. So, what do you think Zacky is going to do or say? Do you think what he has to say, Lei will accept? Will Val and Kelly figure out what happened? What about Sarah? What about Matthew? Will someone tell Matt what the youngest Baker brother did to his sister? Oh the possibilities... I'm curious what you guys have to say so please comment for me! Mahalo for all of your support and comments, they mean a lot! Much love and aloha <3 <3 <3 XoXo