After All That We've Been Through

Matt's POV

"Yeah, it went fine, Larry. The DJ asked the same old question," I sighed into the phone. Don't get me wrong, I was thankful that our manager checked in after events when he wasn't here but I was fucking exhausted. Sitting here on the phone was the last thing I wanted to be doing. We had three days off before our next show and I wanted to get reacquainted with my eyelids. I wasn't sure when I had slept last, but it was at least two days ago. All this travel was killing me and my vocal chords.

"Good, I'm glad it was painless," Larry chucked, probably sitting on his patio looking over the beach. He had taken two weeks off from being on the road with us. Some days I wished I had that same luxury. "But you sound a little hoarse. Are you holding up okay?"

"Mentally, vocally, or physically?" Now it was my turn to laugh. In all honesty, I wasn't sure I was doing well in any of those fields. When I wasn't on stages, planning our next move, drinking, bullshitting with the guys, or threatening to kick someone's ass for doing something stupid, my mind was on Val and trying to figure out how to make up for that mess. God I missed her and the couple of text we shot back and forth the past few days were helping me keep it together. I loved her, I knew that now, and I wanted her back. I wish I could just take back my stupid mistakes.

"That bad, huh?" Was it that obvious? Shit.

"You know, just the normal stress of touring and the promotions," I shrugged my shoulders, watching the building fly by through the cab window. "And this shit with Val but most importantly I think I just need some sleep."

"Just take care of yourself, Matt. I know you don't want to cancel shows and we both know what stress does to you." Don't fucking remind me. Whenever I’m really stressed out, everything just seems to attack my vocal chords. For example, right now my glands and throat were swollen from trying to deal with everything. It hurt like a bitch to swallow and every syllable felt like sandpaper on my throat. "Just take advantage of this break, get some rest, have fun with the guys, and relax."

"Will do, Larry. But listen, I've got to go. I just for back to the compound," I joked, looking at the line of buses. "I'll talk to you soon."

I hung up my phone and handed the driver a Benjamin before I climbed out. "Thanks man," I said before shutting the door. Oh, my bunk was screaming my name so loud right now it wasn't even funny. I would go pass out, play song games, eat and then pass out again when we got to our hotel sometime tomorrow. It's going to feel so fucking nice to stretch out in a bed instead of being cramped in my bunk. That alone gave me some excitement.

"You're going to pay for that!" I heard Jimmy scream as I walked towards the bus, the sun setting behind us. "Shoot my guys head off again and I will put my foot so far up your ass, you'll shit rubber!" Well, someone's got Rev pissed off.

"Don't even start with me," Jason Berry's voiced echoed with a laugh. "We both know who puts your kit together and you won't make it one show without me. Sit your scrawny ass down and take a beating like a man."

"Who's bus are you on? DIE MOTHERFUCKERS!!" I bet those assholes are playing Call of Duty.

"You fucking killed me! You’re like a ninja…fuck you, I'm done! You know, one of these days, I'm going to run away into the woods and never come back!" I could see Jason standing at the top of the stairs of the bus as he pointed his finger as Jimmy. If I didn't know that they were best friends, I would have been concerned, but this wasn't anything out of the ordinary.

Jason turned to walk down the steps but thought better of it and turned back around. "But when I come back, I’ll be a knife master!" The bus exploded with laughter. "And I'm gonna kill every single one of you!"

"A knife master?” Jimmy roared, bent over laughing with a beer in his hand as I walk up the steps. “You’ll never beat my skills and that was by far the fastest turn around I've ever heard!"

As soon as I step foot on the bus, I saw what appeared to be thousands of little orange things on the floor accompanied by McDonalds bags and beer bottles. What the hell were they doing when I was gone? This place was fucking trashed, but I wasn't about to pick it up. It wasn’t my problem.

“Shads you wont fucking believe what—“ Jimmy started as soon as he saw me but my eyes were on something else. There was the very person that haunted my inner most thoughts, threatening to push me over the edge. She stood up as soon as she saw me with a small smile fighting her features. Val looked as beautiful as ever and my heart started to race.

“Val? What are you doing here?” I gaped, running my hands over my face as she looked at me with a smug smirk. Not that I wasn’t happy to see her, I was just surprised that all. “You look great.”

“Nice to see you too, Matt,” Val chuckled, looking me up and down. “And you look like shit.” Was it that obvious I needed sleep? Or maybe she was referring to the bags under my eyes and my two-day-old stubble that I had yet to shave. I just hadn’t had time.

“Well, at least you can make up for the rest of us,” I gestured around to the others, knowing that they were in the same state as myself. This tour had been rough on all of us. Zack’s eyes were halfway open as he sat at the table with a beer in his hand, ready to face-plant on the table while Johnny reclined back on the couch watching the scene with tired eyes. The only ones who looked normal were the Rev and Jason but I swear those two never slept and could make it through anything. Where was Haner? Probably hiding in a corner somewhere with Parker. That had become the new norm.

Val pulled me into a hug and I couldn’t help but pull her close into my body and kiss the top of her head. “But really what are you doing here?” I mumbled into her hair.

“I came to see you,” she peaked up at me with a smile and I swear I was going to lose my mind right then and there. There was just something about Val that made me forget about all my problems and be happy. She was the person I wanted to spend forever with. “Thought maybe we could talk about a few things.”

“I’m glad you came,” I took her hand and lead her back towards the master bedroom and shut the door behind us. “I’ve miss you,” I said, pulling her down onto my lap and caressing her face with my thumbs. It was almost like I was checking to make sure that she was real and wasn’t going to disappear before my eyes. Thank god this wasn’t an illusion.

“I’ve miss you too, which was why I wanted to clear all this up,” My eyes locked with hers as a smile pulled across my face. “And there are those dimples…glad to see that hasn’t changed,” she giggled, cuddling into my side. “I forgive for whatever happened,” I opened my mouth to explain but she held up her hand to me. “I don’t want the details, Matt. I just want to move forward and pretend it didn’t happen. Can we do that?”

Why was Valary the best fucking chick on the face of the earth? This right here was the reason. She loved me and I was stupid to almost throw that away for an old fling. She just wanted me for me and to cut all the crap out in the middle, and boy did I like a woman who cut straight to the chase. I guess that’s why she worked so well as our tour manager when we first started out, and our merch girl. She has been with us, with me, every step of the way and there was no turning back now.

“Yes, and will you stay with us until we head back to the west coast? We’ve got a few show in the way but I’d love it if you stayed,” I begged, brushing a lock of hair behind her ears. She smiled and put her hand on my cheek, leaning into me and pushing me backwards on the bed.

“Well, I’ve got a week off of work right now,” she said with a smirk. You see both of us knew full well that she was running Vengeance University while Zacky was out on tour with us. So, I guess her boss wouldn’t have any problem letting her stay if I threatened to beat the shit out of him, right? “But maybe if you ask nicely, Zacky will let me work from the road.”

“I think we could come to some kind of agreement,” I smiled up at her. “Now come here.” Without waiting, I crashed her body into mine, my lips leading the charge. As soon as we met, I felt a feeling of relief wash over my body. Everything was going to be okay. It was going to work out. I knew I couldn’t live without this girl so I would have to find a way to keep her with me. Maybe it was time to be a man and finally propose to her. Hell, we’ve been together for four years.

“I love you,” Val said against my lips as I flipped myself on top of her.

“I love you too, Val.”

Kady’s POV

Oh, if Brian wanted to play games, then boy was I going to play. He thought he could get me all turned on to make me crack? Well he had another thing coming. I knew exactly how to push his buttons and make him squirm. Don’t get me wrong, my core was burning for him, but the one thing I hated more than two-faced bitches was losing. I could probably blame that little trait on growing up with Caleb, but that was story for another time.

We were now sitting in some fancy-ass restaurant with candles on the table. It was a nice place but I was more of a dive bar and burger joint kinda gal. If Brian wanted to spend his money on me, who was I to tell him no? Besides, this wine was damn good and I hadn’t had a decent steak in months. My mouth was salvating at the thought of finally having something to eat that wasn’t fast food, hotel breakfast, ramen, or something from a can. God I couldn’t wait!

As we sat at the table, my fingers walked their way up Brian’s inner thigh while he was trying very hard to tell me a story about the last time he and the guys went out to eat. He kept pausing and swallowing thickly before continuing for a few more words. You see, I was being a bitch and tease by rubbing my hand over the saluting soldier every time he seemed to regain himself. Oh, if I kept this up, he’d drag me into the bathroom and have his way with me. Did I want that? Of course I did! Are you nuts? Have you seen that cobra he’s got hiding between his legs? Plus, it would mean that I’ve won the war and Kadence Parker always wins in the end.

“Yeah…you think we could-could…go out without being seen?” Brian said, his voice cracking on the last word as I squeezed his balls through his jeans. I ran my tongue over my lips as he watched me through those narrow browns, a seductive smirk on his face. Come on, Haner, crack! I can tell you’re on the edge.

“You really thought that you could go out all together and not be recognized in the city you were playing? Man, you guys are dumb. At least I can pull my hair in a ball cap and Cal can put on a beanie and we look somewhat normal to go out,” I said, leaning back in the plush chair with one arm on the back. Brain’s eyes immediately shot to my chest, gaping at me. What? Oops did I forget to wear a bra today? Oh, well. They weren’t comfy anyway and how much were they really going to help my B cups? I was too thin to have anything bigger than that, though Brian and the fans didn’t seem to mind when Ryn jacked them up.

“Are you fucking kidding me, Kady?” Brian hissed, leaning towards me.

“What?” I shrugged at him, playing innocent, though I knew exactly what he was talking about. I traced my fingers over the rim of my wine glass, causing it to sing lightly. “You don’t like my music?”

Brian leaned back and pinched the bridge of his nose while I took a sip of my wine, giving his member a break from my teasing. Oh, but don’t think its over. The night is young. He was going to break first, I was positive, and then I was going to make him work for it. Man, desperate heated sex was the best.

“You’re not wearing a fucking bra!” Brain whispered, looking around to make sure no one was looking at me as I arched my back to make my hard nipples more pronounced. “Put your jacket back on.”

“Why? I don’t see a problem. I’m comfortable,” I threw him a smirk, moving to grab one of those delicious rolls they brought to the table with the olive oil. Yum!

“I can see your nipples clearly through your shirt!”

I shrugged my shoulders again, taking a bite. “Lucky you then, huh?”

Brian let out a small groan, knowing that he was going to win this war. “Fuck, Kady. What if the press shows up or fans? Are you really going to wave hello to them with your tits?”

“I don’t see what the big deal is. They pretty much see the whole thing when I’m on stage anyway when Ryn has those babies jacked up with duct tape. And if the paparazzi gets a pic, sell that shit on Ebay to the highest bidder. Hey, that’s actually a really good idea!” I turned to my purse that was sitting on the ground between Brian and I but he was faster.

“You’re not fucking serous are you?” Maybe I was. Hell, if they were going to get a picture of me, I might as well be the one who reaps the benefits, right? It would be a win-win for everyone! Okay, maybe this was the wine talking right now, but I bet I would still think this was a good idea in the morning.

“So what if I am? What’s it to you, Haner?” I smirked at him, my fingers walking down his leg again.

I watched as he took in a deep breath, trying to ease his frustration so he didn’t explode at me. He let out a long sigh before he spoke. “Because I don’t want my girlfriends fucking nipples plastered all over the internet!”

A satisfied smile pulled over my lips as I looked back at Brian. It was the first time that he had actually referred to me as his girlfriend, shattering his playboy image at the seams. I raised my brow at him as he gaped at me, realizing what he had just said. Got you, Haner, there is no getting out of this now.

“So I’m you’re girlfriend, huh?” I mused, shaking my head at him, very amused. Was I seeing anyone else? No. Did I want to be Gates’ girlfriend? Yeah, I guess I was ready for the real deal now since we spent most of everyday together. Plus, I loved the bastard no matter how much he tended to piss me off with his arrogant ways.

Brian scoffed and shook his head, a smile falling over his lips. “Yeah, Kad, I guess you are,” he admitted. “So you better put that fucking jacket on before I jump you right here in the middle of the restaurant. You don’t want to have to explain that bad publicity stunt to Ryn.” Oh, so now he was going be smug about it. Well, two could play at that game.

“Hmm…I think it’ll bet too warm with it on, so I’ll just remain comfortable,” I smirked back at him just as the waiter came with our food. Damn, did that steak look and smell absolutely amazing. However, I wasn’t prepared for Brian to pull my plate away just as I was about to cut into it. “What the fuck, Haner?”

“You can eat once you’ve put the jacket on,” he said simply, his mouth full of that delicious looking steak. I shrugged and reached over and started to eat his instead. “Damn it, Kady, stop being stubborn and just put the jacket on!” he growled, pulling his plate away too. I crossed my arms with a pout on my face.

“So you cant eat now either?” I was amused and he was aroused. Oh, don’t forget that my hand had been teasing Haner the third under the table this whole time. I could feel that little beast throbbing in his pants, just waiting to be unleashed. The combination of his anger, sexual frustration, and irritation would get me exactly what I wanted. “Too bad, because cold steak isn’t as good as hot.”

“Just. Put. On. The. Jacket.” Brian hissed through gritted teeth, biting his knuckle as I played with the zipper of his pants. Oh, yeah, I was going there. His hand moved over to my thigh but I simply slid out of reach. Fuck no he wasn’t going to beat me at my own game. Plus, he knew I would make a spectacle out of us by moaning as loud as I could. He didn’t want that kind of attention. We were already trying to hid from fans. “Damn it, Kady!” Oops, did the zipper come down so I could touch the tip through his boxers? Good thing we were at a table in the back of the restaurant.

Brian picked up my hand and put it in my lap, zipping his zipper back up. Oh, what a party pooper. “Can I talk to you, in private?”

“We are in private,” I smirked, knowing his was beyond pissed now with my teasing and defiance. He grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the chair and towards the bathrooms. “Aw…but what about my steak?” I whined, though I didn’t really care. I would eat it cold or hot. I knew I had won.

“It can wait,” he growled, his tone low and husky. As soon as we turned the corner where no one could see us, he pushed be firmly against the wall, his lips on mine. The electric spark that happed the moment our lips touched was enough to push me over the edge. Our lips moved feverishly against each other, not able to get enough as our tongues fought for dominance. God he tasted good, like a mix of nicotine, mint, and something else. I could get addicted to his.

Brian’s hand moved up and pulled my hair, making me gasp against his lips. He lifted me into the air by the ass, his free hands now squeezing firmly. I could feel his member poking into my warm core through our jeans. Damn, whoever said that clothing was necessary obviously didn’t have a sex drive or life like this. Clothes were just a distraction and a means to slow us down.

“Into the bathroom…” I gasped in his ear as licked, sucked, and kissed up and down my neck. Oh, god this felt like heaven and I wanted all of him. I hoped he didn’t have plans tonight because this was just going to be a warm up. “We don’t want to be seen by—“

“Oh, I’m sorry! I-I didn’t mean to disturb you…”

Brian and dropped me back on my feet as soon as heard the voice, cursing under his breath. Yeah, I felt the same way buddy. I fixed my shirt and gave the girl a fake smile.

“No problem, sugar, we just…well, you saw,” I shrugged, my core screaming. She looked at me before her jaw dropped and then she squealed.

“Oh-Oh my God!” She practically screamed, her eyes going wide and bouncing on the balls of her feet. “You’re-you’re Violet Rouge!”

I smiled and suppressed a sigh, looking from Brian down the ground. His back was still to the girl, so hopefully she hadn’t seen that I was about to hook up with Synyster Gates. Because in all reality, if she knew who I was, then she would damn well know who he was.

“Yes, yes, I’m Violet, can you keep it down,” I said, moving around Brian, hoping that he would dodge into the bathroom to avoid this scene that was happening now. Fuck hopefully this girl hadn’t snapped a picture or something. “Look, I’ll sign anything you want and take a picture with you if you—“

“AND THAT’S SYNYSTER GATES!?” Fuck, that asshole turned around didn’t he. Why didn’t he run the other way? I swear he was an idiot when his was horny…or just in general. I turned around to see his fake fan smile. Oh, don’t forget his raging boner that was very hard to miss in his jeans.

The girl blushed madly, looking him from head to toe and then back to me in my disheveled state. “I cant believe you two are actually together! You said that you weren’t in that interview and-and I was really sad. I cant wait to tell my best friend. She’s right over here, she’d love to meet you two!” Oh, god she was simply gushing with excitement and I felt like I was going to puke.

“No, please don’t,” Brian sighed. “Look we’ll sign whatever you want and take a photo and get you free tickets, just you cant say anything about—“

“About what you saw, got it sugar? We’ll even throw in backstage passes. I’m sure you and you’re little friend would love to meet Gunnar or Axel right?” Oh this was priceless. She looked like she was going to faint. Brian and I just didn’t want this in the press yet. We had enough on our plates with tour and didn’t need the press too. We had enough press as it was.

“Oh and M. Shaddows and Zacky! Please!”

“Sure, just we have to get going, what’s your name?” Brian whipped out his phone and took down the girl’s information. I cant believe we were paying a fan to keep quiet, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

“What the fuck just happened?” Brian hissed as we climbed into the cab with to-go boxes with our uneaten dinners.

“We paid off a fan so that she wouldn’t tell anyone she saw us about to fuck like rabbits in the hallway of a five star restaurant,” I laughed, thinking it was funny now. “Speaking of which…” I turned to look at him with lust-filled eyes. “Where were we?”

Notes

Sorry it's been such a long time since I've updated! Don't hate me too much! :/ I've been working on some other projects. If you're interested, check out my fun co-write with Devil Price called My First Syn, or any one of of her stories (Danger Line, High Voltage, The Writer), they are truly brilliant!

Also, if you're looking for a good read check out "Banned in a Book" by MeRi!

Thanks for reading! :)