*~*Kamalei’s POV*~*

After spending all day yesterday lazing around on the bus, as we went to the next venue I was happy to be able to get out and walk around in the warm sun. I enjoyed watching movies all day yesterday with Zacky, but having to be on the bus was no fun, I needed the ability to wander if I wanted.

My brother and the guys had to do a sound check this morning, Brian asking me to stay behind to take care of Kelly and her vomit situation in exchange he would keep an eye on Zacky. She seemed to have felt better yesterday as the day went on but again first thing this morning she was puking her brains out. I held her hair as she continued emptying her stomach, Val stopping by the open bathroom door.

“Is she okay?” Val asked quietly.

“I think so… I hope so… She might not be able to work today Val.” I told her.

“Yeah, maybe she should stay on the bus. Leana and I can work the booth today.” Val replied.

“What about me? I can work…”

“Don’t you have to watch Zee?” Val questioned with a smile.

“Yeah I guess I do… Does that mean I have to go backstage alone?” I said my eyes getting wide.

“Yeah hun. Don’t worry the Berry boys will be there too.” She said, “Kelly, sweetie, you stay on the bus today. If you feel better you can come down to the booth but I think you should just rest.”

Kelly gave Val a thumbs up as she kept throwing up in the toilet. I rubbed small circles on her back, helping her get rid of everything that was seeming to poison her at this moment. She flushed the toilet and stood up, wiping her face on the nearby towel and tying her hair up into a messy bun.

“Thanks Lei baby… I don’t know what’s wrong with me…” Kelly said slowly walking over to the table and taking a seat.

I handed her a bottle of water from the fridge as I sat down opposite her, “Well does anything else feel weird?”

“Not really…” she said sipping at the water.

“Kelly, I don’t want to ask because it’s not my business but,” I said lowering my voice as I looked around, “Do you and Brian use… oh god this is weird… protection?”

Her face flushed bright red as she looked down, “Sometimes… sometimes we forget.”

“Bitch you pregnant?!” I joked before seeing the fear in her eyes. “But seriously, did you get your period?”

“Well, not yet. I have a few more days until then…” she trailed off before starting to panic, “Oh God Lei, what if I am? What am I going to do?”

“Then you are going to tell Brian and the two of you will figure it out. Don’t think the worst yet… you could just be sick. We wait a few days and then I’ll go get you a test. Okay?” I reassured her, grabbing her hand in mine and squeezing it gently.

“Okay.” She answered as she made her way to her bunk, “I’m going to go lie down. You should go find Zacky and the guys…”

“Alright. I have my phone so just let me know if you need anything.” I said as I walked around the bus grabbing my phone and tossing it in my small purse.

Grabbing my credential passes off the couch I double checked that I had my wallet and cigarettes in my purse and headed off the bus. The warm air was relieving after being cooped up on the bus all yesterday in the A/C. I looked around before deciding on a direction to walk. I could hear the sound check going on the stage so I headed into the direction of the music.

“Hey Hottie!” I heard Austin yell out from a few busses away from ours.

I turned around my hand on my hip, “Stop calling me that already Austin! What’s up?!”

“I heard about Zack. He okay?” he asked catching up to me as I headed over towards the stage area.

“Yeah, I’m supposed to be watching him to make sure he’s not all fucked up. That’s why I’m on my way to find them…”

“Slackin girl! I thought you were the hard-working hottie…tsk tsk…” Austin teased.

I shoulder shoved him lightly, “Shut up! Brian traded with me because his girlfriend is sick and she needed my help.”

“She okay? What’s her name again?” He asked.

“Kelly. She’s my home girl from back in the day…she should be okay after some rest.” I told him.

“Listen to you, Dr. Hottie giving out diagnosis and shit…” Austin laughed as we showed our credentials to the guard at the backstage gate.

“Would you cut it out already!” I laughed, “I’m just making sure everyone is okay. Zacky did get a concussion and end up in the hospital. I’m just doing what the doctor told me to do.”

We got to the top of the small stairs and stood on the side watching the guys do their sound check. After a few minutes Zacky noticed me and flashed me a reassuring smile that he was okay. Matt and Jason Berry came out from behind us handing Zacky, Brian, and Johnny different guitars to check that they were sounding the way they wanted. Austin threw an arm around my shoulder pulling me closer to him as the guys started another song to check the sound.

He leaned down to speak in my ear over the music, “So I was wondering if you have to work today?”

“No. I’m off today…” I said shaking my head.

“Cool. Maybe you could come see my band today then?” He asked making me scrunch up and giggle from his warm breath by my ear.

“Maybe.” I said watching my brother’s band play and catching Zacky throw a glare at us, “It’s not really up to me where I go today…”

“What do you mean?” he said louder than expected as the music stopped.

“Well I have to-”

“My babysitter is back! Look I’m still alive!” Zacky interrupted throwing his arms out wide.

I rolled my eyes at him, “Like I was saying before, I have to go with Zacky wherever he goes today. Doctor’s orders.”

Zacky stood there with his arms still out wide, “What?! I don’t get a hug? I’m waiting…”

I slinked out from Austin’s arm and hugged Zacky, “You are so needy…” I told him as I stood next to him.

“Oh I see…” Austin said and I could hear a hint of disappointment in his voice, “Well if Zacky lets you, why don’t you two come over and watch our set today. It’d be cool since you’re off today.”

I turned to Zacky and asked with my puppy dog eyes, “Can we? Pleeeeeaaassseeee….”

“Yeah, why not.” He said looking down at me before Brian called him back over to check the last of their guitars, “Oop. Gotta go. Lei you wait for me? We’re almost done.”

“Automatic.” I said smiling and watching Zacky bounce happily back out on stage.

“I’m excited that the Dr. Hottie is going to watch me play today.” Austin said as they started the music again.

“Stop calling me that Austin…” I pushed him lightly, “Or maybe we won’t come see you play today…” I teased.

His smile faltered, “Aww… you wouldn’t do that to me? I thought we were friends…”

“Yeah we are but don’t think that would stop me.” I smirked.

“You’ll be there.” He smiled throwing his arm around my shoulders again, “I know you will be.”

I laughed and watched as Zacky looked back at me with a darkness in his eyes. I shifted uncomfortably under Austin’s arm as he pulled me closer again. Zacky ripped his guitar off his shoulder as soon as the song was over and handed it off to Matt Berry as he stormed over towards Austin and I.

“If you’ll excuse us for a second.” Zacky gritted as he grabbed my arm and pulled me with him down the stairs and behind the stage out of sight.

“Zacky boy what’s gotten into you?” I asked him, shocked at his actions.

He looked at me for a second before he started pacing back and forth in front of me, yanking his hair.

“Stop or you’re going to rip your stitches.” I said reaching out and pulling his arms down, turning him to face me.

“You don’t like him right?” He asked me quietly as he came just an inch from my face, “Or do you?”

I was taken aback by his question but made it a point to look deep into his emerald eyes as I answered, “No Zack. I don’t like him. He’s just a friend.”

“A friend like Jimmy or a friend like me?” he asked still close enough for me to shiver in excitement at the feeling of his breath on my lips.

“Like Jimmy.” I said breathlessly as he closed the gap between us getting the answer he was looking for.

His hands grabbed onto my hips and pulled me closer to him as he deepened the kiss. My arms instinctively wrapped around his neck before he pushed me away. I looked at him with a crazy expression as my brother came into view from the side of the stage.

“Good.” Zacky said contently.

“What are you two doing?” Matt questioned looking at me suspiciously, “You okay Lei?”

I looked at the ground and wiped at my lip, “Yeah, I’m fine. Just coming up with what we were going to do today between now and the show.” I said thinking fast.

He raised an eyebrow glancing between Zacky and me before shaking his head and walking off mumbling, “Weirdos. Two weirdos…”

I looked at Zacky wide-eyed as Austin came down the stairs next.

“So I’ll see you guys later?” Austin asked.

“Yeah, we’ll be there man.” Zacky replied smiling.

Austin walked off back towards the busses and I saw the way Zacky glared at the back of his head with a smirk. He turned back to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and walking towards the merch stands. Val and Leana were unloading boxes from the trailer when we got there and I broke away from Zacky to go and help.

“Lei, you don’t have to. Leana and I can get it.” Val said as I grabbed a box next to her setting it down behind the table.

“It’s okay. We aren’t doing anything right now, are we Zee?” I asked smiling.

“Nah. I’ll enjoy a tasty beverage back here…” Zacky said going over to the cooler, fishing out a beer, and plopping into a chair resting his feet on the table.

“Lazy ass.” Val said slapping his leg off the table as she walked past him.

We continued unloading the trailer and Zacky continued drinking in the back, Jimmy, Johnny, and Matt joining him shortly after I started helping. I could feel eyes on me as I checked some merchandise in a box and turned around slowly to catch Zacky staring at my ass as I was bent over. He smirked at me as he sipped his beer, before turning back to what Jimmy was saying. I walked back over to the trailer and found one last box in the back.

“Val do we need this box too?” I called out from inside the trailer.

“Yes please!” She yelled back.

I grabbed it by the open flaps and pulled hard, feeling my back pop painfully as I fell on my ass, “OW! Fuck!”

“You okay?!” Zacky said jumping into the trailer and rushing over to me.

“Yeah, that just fucking hurt. I didn’t think it was that heavy…” I replied as he helped me stand.

“Don’t you know you lift with your knees and not your back?” He teased.

“Yessss….” I rolled my eyes at him as I held my back, “Fuck…”

“Is it really sore?” He asked concerned, still holding me by the waist.

“I’ll be okay…” I said, “How did you get in here so fast?”

“I was gonna go piss. Then you screamed.” He answered, “I’ll grab the box.”

I let him carry the box to the table as I jumped down from the trailer, wincing at the movement. I went over to the box and bent down, instantly regretting the action as pain shot down my back causing me to whimper.

“You’re done for today. Come on. I need my chaperone.” Zacky said turning to Val, “Val I’m taking my babysitter…”

“Whatever, Zee.” She called out as she helped Leana organize some of the shirts.

“Let’s go wander. Austin should be playing soon.” He said as he looked at his watch.

“Oh, so now you’re okay with him? Now that you know I don’t like-like him…” I asked him.

“It wouldn’t matter.” He replied keeping a straight face.

“Liar. You are one jealous man Zee…” I said pushing him lightly.

“So?... I’m protective of those I care about… sue me.” He smiled at me.

We walked over to a beer stand and Zacky got us each one, handing me the cup. We turned around to walk back towards the way we came when a group of girls around my age spotted Zacky and started getting flustered. Zacky saw the craziness that was about to ensue and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer.

“Play along. Please.” He whispered in my ear making me giggle.

“Oh My God! Zacky Vengeance! You are like, the best ever!” A blonde girl shrieked running up to him.

I wrapped my arm around his waist as I looked up at him. He looked down at me smiling softly as he took a sip of his beer.

“Thank you.” He replied to the girl after tearing his eyes away from me.

“Could I get a picture with you and maybe an autograph?” she asked giving me dirty looks.

Zacky watched as she shot me a glare, and I could see the anger flash behind his green eyes as he turned to me and kissed my lips softly.

“You don’t mind do you baby? It’ll just take a minute.” He asked me after he broke away.

“No babe. Work is work.” I smiled.

The girl looked disgusted at me and Zacky’s response was to plant another kiss on my lips, “Just a minute baby…”

“Alright.” I answered sipping my beer happily.

The group of girls all looked at me like they wanted to punch me and all I could do was wear a smug grin as Zacky watched their faces.

“If you’re going to look at my girlfriend like that then I’m going to have to refuse.” He said gaining all of their attention quickly.

They all looked at him surprised at his comment, their attitudes towards me changing instantly at his refusal.

“No, no, we didn’t mean anything. Please Zacky, we’d love to get a picture with you. We love your band…” the girl pleaded.

Zacky turned to look at me, “Baby?”

I nodded as I stepped forward and took the girl’s phone to take the picture. They all huddled together and I snapped the picture. I handed her phone back to her and she pulled out a pen from her pocket asking him to sign her concert ticket.

“Thank you so much! Both of you!” she said as she stared at the ticket.

“You’re welcome. Hope you girls enjoy the show.” Zacky said as he grabbed my hand in his, interlocking our fingers and turned us to walk away.

Once we were out of sight and earshot we busted into laughter at the girl’s reaction to his decline.

“Her face was…so…classic…” I said between my laughter.

“She was devastated I was going to deny her.” He chuckled.

“You weren’t going to though! You’d never do that to a fan.” I said regaining my breath.

“Of course I would.” He said stopping in his tracks and looking down at me, “She was rude to you. I don’t care who they are, no one treats you like that when I’m around.”

I locked my hazel green eyes with his emerald ones feeling his sincerity behind his words, “Zacky…”

“I’m serious Lei.” He said leaning down and pecking my lips gently, “No one.”

He squeezed my hand in his as he started walking again towards the stage. We swung our interlocked hands, skipping and laughing as we finished off our beers.

“What the hell are you doing?” Matt said from behind us.

Zacky and I pulled our hands away quickly as we turned around slowly.

“Hey….” I said drawing it out.

“Don’t hey me. What the hell are you doing?” He asked crossing his arms over his chest.

“Playing?” I answered.

“Playing? What kind of playing involves holding hands and skipping?”

“The ‘stay away from Zacky he’s taken’ playing?” Zacky said nervously.

“What? You’re fuckin single.” Matt said annoyed.

“Yeah, but I don’t want all these groupies on me. They come after me like flies on shit.” He answered.

“So you’re using my sister?”

“I offered. It’s fine Matt. Nothing is going on. We’re just playing so they leave him alone.” I said standing up for Zacky.

“That better be it. Mice and Men is up soon, you guys gonna check it out?” Matt asked lightening his tone.

“Yeah. Just gonna grab another beer. Lei?” Zacky asked me holding his hand out.

I took it, avoiding interlocking our fingers in front of my brother, and we skipped towards the merch booth for another beer.

“Holy shit balls… that was scary.” Zacky said as we slipped in the side of the tent, grabbing beers from the cooler.

“Fuck yeah… good thinking.”

“It was kinda true…” Zacky said handing me an opened beer.

“Yeah, those groupies are pretty nuts…” I said taking a swig of the cold beer.

“I meant the taken part.” He said and I nearly spit my beer everywhere as I choked.

“What?” I said as he patted my back lightly.

“You. You’ve taken my heart Lei. Whether you wanted to or not, you have it.” He whispered quietly smiling down at me.

“Zee… I…” I stammered not able to find the words to respond to that declaration.

“Come on. Let’s go watch Austin.” He said grabbing my hand in his again and pulling me from the tent.

Notes

Alright my loves... here is your next installment. Hopefully I can update more often but I can make no promises... What do you all think? Leave me some comments so I know how you all like it! Thank you for your votes, comments, and subs... I appreciate it all! Much love and Aloha <3 <3 <3 XoXo