CARINNA.

I walked down the shoreline, pushing some stray strands of hair out of my face. My ear buds were in, playing some random 90s alternative from the Eve 6 station on iHeart radio, and I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going. That would probably be why I smacked right into a hulking form that seemed to almost materialize in my path. "What the fuck, bro?" I snatched my ear buds out and looked up, right into the laughing face of M. Shadows, who was clutching a football. "Heyyy, Carinna, right?" I nodded, lowering my sunglasses. "Sorry about that. I tried calling out to you, but it seems like you weren't listening," he gestured to my ears and I blushed, shoving the buds into my pocket and smiling. "No worries. I wasn't paying attention, so it's my bad." He shrugged and tossed the football back to a bouncing Johnny so that he could turn his full attention to me. "So what's up? You look awfully cute to be going nowhere," he smiled, winking. I reached up and adjusted the bow in my hair, glancing down at my outfit. "Ha, thanks. I just needed some alone time. You know, get away from the noise," I shrugged, smiling. He nodded, understanding. "I definitely know how that is. You're not from around here, huh? Not used to it?" I shook my head, starting to walk and noticing he was strolling casually alongside. "Nah, I grew up in Florida. A super small town. Sometimes I just have to get away, especially from the night life. I mean, we had clubs in the cities there, but nothing like this." I looked up at him, brushing some hair behind my ear, and he nodded, his hands in his pockets. "Ah, got ya. So what made you decide to move all the way across the country?" I looked out over the ocean for a moment, savoring the view, before turning back to him. "Change of scenery, I guess? Tired of the small town life, and I just needed a change. My best friend Grace came with me, and it's been really great." He smiled, flashing dimples and bright hazel eyes, nearly making my heart stop. "Glad to hear it! Well, I need to get back to the guys before they start following us." I laughed and he stopped walking, pulling his phone out of his pocket. "Hey, Carinna?" I stopped and turned, meeting his eyes before slipping my sunglasses back on. "Yea?" "Would you like to go grab some dinner some time? I don't know when you're off work, but we could go tonight if you're free?" His voice lilted, making it a question, and I laughed at the hopeful expression. "Sure, yea, that would be great. I'm off for the next couple of nights, so tonight would be awesome." He pumped his fist in a playful cheer, earning another laugh, and handed me his phone. "Here, put your number in and I'll call you in a few hours so we can figure something out." I took the phone from him and typed in my name and number, and then quickly snapped a cute picture for the contact. "There ya go," I said, turning on my heel to walk away. "I'll see you tonight."

MATT.

I didn't expect to run into her out here, and especially not while I was out here with the guys blowing off some steam. She looked sexy and girly in her little beach get up, and it took a significant amount of control to keep my hands off of her. I could ruin her. Destroy her. I undoubtedly would, eventually, but why not start off as the nice guy? It's always so much more fun in the long run.

"Dude, wasn't that the cute red head from the bar the other night? The one dressed like Harley Quinn?" Jimmy popped the top off of his beer and leaned back in his beach chair, looking over at me. "Yea, I'm taking her to dinner tonight." Brian smirked at me from Jimmy's other side, and nodded, looking at my phone. "Hey, you should text her and get that sexy blonde friend of her's to meet me tonight," he said, flashing a toothy grin. I laughed, nodding and took a swig of my beer. "Yea, I'll get right on that," I said. Before I could text her, though, Zack shot up in his seat, nearly spilling his beer all over Johnny. "Hey, get that other little red head too! The cage dancer!" He yelled, causing some people close by to look at him in alarm. He ignored them and nudged me repeatedly until I slapped his hand away. "Alright, shit! I'll figure something out."

Matt - Hey, it's Matt.

Carinna - Hey! What's up?

Matt - I have a great place we can go tonight. Oh, and Brian wants to meet your friend, Grace. And Zack likes your other friend, too.

Carinna - LOL! That's awesome! When and where?

Matt - 8 tonight at Beachfront 301. Make it a group date?

Carinna - Yes sir! See you then.

I felt myself harden in my shorts, reading her last text. I'd have her calling me sir soon, and not jokingly either. I finished off my beer and nodded over at the guys, who started whooping and carrying on like teenagers. It would begin tonight, and I couldn't fucking wait.

GRACE.

"SYNYSTER FUCKING GATES WANTS TO MEET ME?!" I was jumping on my bed like a little girl after Carinna relayed the message to me. Lana had taken the news of her date with Zacky way more maturely than I was, but fuck it. Carinna laughed, flipping her phone around to show me the screen. "Yep, see? Matt even remembered your name." I clutched my chest and flopped down on my bed in a mock faint, and then began kicking my feet and squealing excitedly. Can you say ridiculous fan girl?

Lana popped her head in the door way, laughing at me. "Well, princess, you probably shouldn't squeal like that in front of him or he'll find out that you're a fucking stalker!" I threw my pillow at her, missing her by a mile and hitting the wall next to the door. I shot up off the bed and threw the double doors of my closet open, staring at the contents of my wardrobe. "Carr?" She stepped up beside me, leaning into my field of vision. "Hmm?" I continued staring straight ahead, scanning my clothes. "What the fuck am I going to wear?" She laughed and rolled her eyes, grabbing my arm and pulling me to the door. "I've got the perfect thing."

When 7:00 rolled around, we were dressed to the nines and standing in our kitchen, taking a couple shots of whiskey to kill the ridiculous nerves that plagued us all. I noticed Carinna nervously checking her phone every ten seconds, occasionally typing and then deleting. "Dude, what the fuck are you doing?" I finally asked her while Lana poured a final shot before we left. Carinna looked up distractedly and shoved her phone in her clutch, accepting the shot from Lana. "Wha-? Oh, nothing. I just want to make sure we get there at the right time..." That was Carinna. She hated being late because it looked lazy, but hated being early because it looked pathetic, like her life was so boring. I groaned and rinsed my glass out, setting it on the counter and checking my lipstick in the side of the chrome toaster. "We're fine! Besides, who cares as long as we get there, right?" She nodded, laughing. "Why can't I just be more like you and not worry so much?" I shrugged, kissing her on the cheek before scampering towards the door. "Because, dahling, there's only room for one careless diva in this house!" I winked at her before throwing the door open with flourish and excitedly beckoned them forward. "Come on, come on, come on! We have boys to woo!"

CARINNA.

We parked down the block from the restaurant, figuring a last minute walk would help us shake our nerves completely. Plus, it was an absolutely gorgeous night and the night life was buzzing, even on a Thursday. By the time we reached the restaurant, we were a few minutes late, but the alcohol had done its work and we were laughing and relaxed as the hostess showed us to the table. Matt, Brian, and Zack had chosen a table outside, and stood up as we walked out. "Hey there," Matt said as he leaned down to kiss my cheek. I smiled, taking the seat across from him, and ordered a Long Island from the waitress before she moved on to take everyone else's orders.

By the end of dinner, I could tell that we had all relaxed tremendously and everyone was hitting it off. When the waitress brought Matt's card back to him, he stood and held his hand out to me, helping me stand. "Hey, do you want to take a walk or something? Just the two of us?" He stooped a little to look me in the eye, making him ridiculously adorable and appealing. I nodded, leaning down to the girls. "Hey, we're gonna go for a walk. You guys alright?" Brian puffed his chest up and slapped Zack on the arm. "Don't worry, ma. They're in good hands, ya hear?" I rolled my eyes and smiled with Grace and Lana cackled, obviously tipsy.

I let Matt lead me off of the patio and over to the boardwalk, and never once did he try to let go of my hand. When we had walked for about five minutes, quietly and comfortably, he finally broke the silence. "So, did you have a good time?" I nodded, looking up at him. "I had a great time! Thanks so much for inviting us out. I know Grace and Lana really enjoyed themselves." He laughed, and it wrapped around me like a soft blanket. "Yea, the guys were psyched when they agreed to come along. They're great girls." I nodded, smiling proudly. Grace had always been a handful, but she had always been my handful, and I lived for the days when she was happy. I might have only met Lana a few months ago, but I held her in the same light, and I felt an almost motherly affection towards the two. "They really, really are." I shivered just a little in the chilly night air, noticing that I had left my jacket in the car. Suddenly, Matt's arm snaked around my shoulders and pulled me to him, shielding me from the breeze, and I was consumed with his scent, which was a perfect mixture of his cologne, soap, and just a little bit of sweat. I found myself nuzzling into him, groaning contentedly before I could catch myself. He laughed, squeezing me gently. "Comfortable?" I nodded, closing my eyes and letting him lead me down the strip, sighing happily. Who the fuck saw this coming? One minute I'm in a small town complaining about the smell of cow shit fertilizer, and the next I'm snuggling up to M. fucking Shadows on the boardwalk.

We walked for a little while longer before turning around to head back. Upon reaching my car, I was met with the sight of Brian and Grace making out like teenagers against the back of the car, oblivious to their surroundings. "Get a fucking room, you two!" Matt said, causing them both to groan into each others' mouths, and Grace smiled sheepishly over her shoulder. "Oh...you're back...yaaay..." I burst out laughing, standing up and away from Matt and unlocking my car to grab my jacket out of the front seat. "Please, Grace, your excitement is embarrassing me." She snorted and I slipped my jacket on, looking around. "Hey, where's Lana?" Grace shrugged, pulling her phone out. "I don't know. She walked off with Zack a while ago. Said something about him giving her a ride home." She scrolled through her messages as Brian jumped in, "Or maybe she was riding him?" Matt laughed and Grace flipped her phone around, showing me the message. Satisfied, I turned to face my date, looking up at him. "I really had a great time tonight. Thanks for inviting me." He opened his arms, allowing me to slip into them easily for a hug, but when he leaned down to kiss me, I turned my head to the side, forcing him to either kiss my cheek or make it awkward. I felt his body stiffen and he let out a puff of air, holding me against him. "What was that for?" He breathed into my ear and I shook my head. "I'm just not sure I'm ready to go that fast. I just met you and all, and I'd rather it not get fucked up." It felt like an eternity passed before I felt him relax and nod, and we broke apart. He opened the car door for me and I slipped in, looking up at him. I couldn't tell for sure, but I figured my embarrassment made me think I saw a look of anger in her hazel eyes. I blinked and it was gone, replaced by a warm smile as he told me goodnight and shut my door.

As we pulled off, I listened to Grace chatter about Brian this and Brian that, all the while glancing back into my rear view mirror. Matt was still standing where I'd left him, watching the car drive away. Brian stood next to him, arms folded over his chest, talking to him without taking his eyes off the car. For some reason, the whole scene made me uncomfortable, but I shook it off and joined Grace in her one sided conversation about the night.

MATT.

"That was cold, man," Brian said, watching the car drive off. He had obviously noticed that she wouldn't kiss me, which only pissed me off more. I clenched my fists, my jaw locking shut in anger. Did she know who the fuck I was? I take her to dinner and play the complete fucking gentleman, and I get a goodnight fucking hug while Brian practically fucked Grace against the car? And who knows what Zack and Lana were up to? "Yea," was all I could say in response. Brian looked over at me before we turned to walk to our cars. "So? What the fuck are you going to do about it?" I stopped, looking over at him, a devilish smirk dancing across my lips. "What the fuck do you think?" He arched a brow and stared at me. "Be careful, bro. She's a different type of chick, and Grace will go fucking ape shit if you hurt her. I like her, man." He ran a hand through his hair and watched me for a minute before we both started laughing. "Ah, what the fuck," he said, punching my arm. "I'm just fuckin' with ya. Sometimes ya just gotta take 'em down a notch." I pulled my car door open and laughed, shoving him towards his car. "Fuck off, man. By the end of the next date, I'll have her chokin' on my dick." He held the door of his car, slapping the glass. "That's fuckin' right! Now, let's go find out where in the hell Zack ended up!"

Notes

I had this idea in my head and figured I'd crank it out before calling it a night!

Looks like Matt's not used to rejection, and he's not gonna stand for it. Wonder what's going to happen to Carinna?

And where in the hell did Lana go?

Night!