After All That We've Been Through

Brian's POV

"Haner? Haner!?"

I rolled over in my bunk and opened my eyes to find Matt shaking me awake. My head was extremely fuzzy and I was positive I was still drunk off my ass. That bottle of scotch and I have been such good friends...I was really sad to see him go...but don't worry, that's when the black goodness of my eyelids took over. Fuck, I don't remember why I started drinking in the first place!

"What the fuck, Shads?" I slurred as he forced me into a sitting position.

"Get your ass out of bed! You have that interview Metal Nation Radio in an hour with Zee."

Fuck I forgot about that...but was it after my sixth or seventh glass of scotch? I smiled up at Shads as I pulled my pillow back under my head. "Can't we just reschedule? I have a hot date with my eyelids," I murmured before feeling a sharp blow to the back of the head. "What the fuck?"

"We are not canceling this interview! Metal Nation is one of the only stations that play our music so you will grace them with your presence today!" Matt roared, pulling me out of my bunk and onto the floor. "I don't know what's caused you to go down this sudden path of self destruction, but pull the stick out of your ass and get your act together!" He continued to talk but my eyelids drifted shut...thank you again Mr. Scotch!

The next thing I know, I am shoved into a freezing cold shower with yesterday's clothes plastered to my body. "Ahh you're a fucking asshole, Sanders!" I yelled, turning off the water and wiping my hair out of my eyes.

"You've got five minutes to sober up, Gates and your coffee is on the table!"

I sighed and stripped off my soggy clothes before climbing back into a warm cascade of water. The warmth felt so good but the nauseating throbbing of my head was something I was desperately trying to avoid. I closed my eyes as I willed myself not to vomit just as a set of piercing blue eyes forged my thoughts.

"Fuck," I hissed. I didn't want to deal with anything Kady Parker related today...or any day for that matter!
"Haner, let's go!" Zacky's voice called from the door as I stumbled out of the shower. I quickly pulled on a pair of ripped jeans, black v-neck t-shirt, and my beanie. God knows I don't have time or patience for my fucking hair today, let alone this interview.

Before I know it, we are pulled up outside of the radio station and my coffee hasn't had any of the desired effects. Damn it...I don't want to get off this bus. All I want to do is sleep...

"Are you ready?" Our manager Larry asked as he came up the stairs of the bus.

"Yeah," I groaned, getting up and pulling on my leather jacket. "Let's make it quick."

"He had a rough night," Zacky said behind me while I lead the way into the studio.

"Well I hope he can keep it together. This is one of the biggest interviews of the tour."

"I'm fine, Larry," I growled, turning around to face him just in time to see red locks heading in our direction.
"Fuck!"

"What now, Haner?" Zack asked as I sank down on the couch in the waiting room. I felt like I couldn't breath and the will to vomit was coming on strong. I placed my head in my hands as a surge of panic racked my body. What the hell was going on with me? Since when does Synyster Gates get nervous around a girl he's turned away?

"Why the hell is she here?" I hissed just as the door opened.

"Nice to see you too, Gates."

My head snapped up to meet the dark gaze of those crystal blue eyes and I suddenly feel like I'm falling through a black hole. I knew I regretted my words that night, but I had no idea how much until this moment. That look in her eyes hurt and I hated myself for it. Kady Parker hated me and I deserved ever ounce of that hatred. However, no woman was going to get the better of me and make me feel like dirt. I could do that all myself!

"I thought this was a guitarist interview," I said, moving my eyes away from Kady's glare. "Nothing personal, Violet..." I sneered, using her stage name. Her jaw instantly stiffened and I got a small sense of pleasure knowing that I was causing her grief too.

"News flash, dick wad," Kady suddenly laughed. "I play rhythm guitar AND sing!"

"Umm sorry to interrupt your ....discussion," I small mousy voiced woman suddenly cut in. "But DJ Prez is ready for you now..."

Without another word, the four of us piled into a small studio and took a seat at a round table. I quickly put on my Synyster Gates persona, knowing that it was easier to deal with all this shit when you act like you don't give a damn about anything.

"And we're back for power hour with the guitarist of two of the sickest metal sounds in the biz right now. You may have seen them headlining the Mayhem Tour but today they are here to answer your questions! From Fatal Facade, we have leading lady Violet Rogue and front man Gunnar Tebo. Today we also have the blazing guitar duo from Avenged Sevenfold, Zacky Vengeance and Synyster Gates. Welcome guys! Avenged tell us what you've been up to."

"Thanks it's great to be here," Zacky said into the mic. "We've just about completed the first leg of the tour but we've still got a good five months on the road before we hop over to Europe for their circuit. Thanks for having us."

"We are also promoting our new album, Nightmare which is a new sound for us. Thank you to all the fans for your support. You make all the travel and being away from our families worthwhile," I said with a small smile on my lips. In all honesty, I didn't have anything waiting for me in Huntington Beach after my break up with Michelle. My dad wasn't even home right now. He was on tour with Jeff Dunham and my step mom and McKenna. I had Pinkly and my band and that's all I needed.

"I know we've gotten lots of requests from the new album, so you are doing something right," DJ Prez said, pulling me from my thoughts. "Okay the next question is for Fatal Facade from Janny from Nebraska. How has it been co-headline with Avenged? Any fun stories from behind the scenes?"

"It's been totally fucking awesome playing with Avenged. We've got a sick and twisted fan base that follows both of our bands and we always aim to please. And for the funny stories...I honestly don't remember much. We party a lot and those guys on the Sevenfold bus know how to have a good time!" Gunnar laughed. I hadn't heard him speak before in an interview and I was honestly impressed with how poised her was. Gunnar was fucking right though, we did know how to party, and as long as Caleb stayed away from Matt and Zacky, we had good times together.

"Well I'm fucking jealous now! Maybe after this interview we can go party before you hit the road again," Prez laughed. "Okay, Violet CJ from Cali wants to know what it's like to be the only female on the Mayhem Tour this year."

"In all honesty," Kady started, her eyes locked on me with a small smile playing on her lips. Fuck what is she up to? "It's been a fucking sausage fest! Being the only girl on tour has really opened my eyes and nose to all the subtle ticks each of the guys has," she laughs. "For example, Gates here is extremely particular about the order of his guns and refuses to shower until and hour before the show..."

I narrowed my eyes at her from across the table and she laughs before continuing. Kady Parker, your are playing with fire. You better watch it or else you'll get burned.

"It gets a little stinky behind the scenes," she finished as everyone else laughed but me.

"So there is not a lot of action behind the scenes if it's stinky?" Prez asked with a surprised look on his face.

"Fuck no, we get action every night," Gunnar countered, elbowing Kady in the ribs. "And I know from sharing a bus for a few weeks that both Vengeance and Gates get propositions all the time."

"What about you Violet?"

All eyes were suddenly on Kady and she blushed lightly. "No matter what these dick wads say, I am a lady and I don't play and tell!"

"So you won't tell us if you've had fun with any of the guys on tour with you?"

"Oh she's had run of romantic rendezvous," I said before Kady could answer. Her jaw dropped and she looked at me with daggers. "She's got a couple of flings going on..."

"I take it one of those was with you?" Prez asked as the tension built up in the room.

"She wishes," I laugh just as her face falls. "But her really romance is happening within her own band. But really, we all get some ass here and there but nothing that really means anything. It's why we are all eligible bachelors...with the exception of Shadows...hit us up ladies!"

"Alright, ladies you heard Mr. Synyster Gates! Well be right back after Monster by Fatal Facade!"

"You fucking asshole!" Kady roared from across the table as soon as Prez took us off the air. "How DARE you talk about my personal life! You know nothing about me!" She stood up and threw her headphones and stormed out of the room.

"That was a dick move, dude," Gunnar said, leaning back in his chair and shaking his head at me. I looked over to see Zacky pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You better go get her back in here," he hissed as I threw down my own headphones.

"She fucking started it!" I raged before storming out the door with a cigarette in between my lips. I was so sick of all the bullshit and drama and I wanted a way out.

As I walked out the back door of the studio, I found myself face-to-face with the person I wanted to avoid. Kady had tears in her eyes and I suddenly felt like the worlds biggest asshole....I sighed and took a seat next to her on the pavement, knowing I had crossed the line.

"Listen, Kady...I'm sorry..."

Notes

Well Brian crossed a line in a very public way but will Kady forgive him? What will their bands say about the interview? Were they listening.