*Carry On*

***Brian's POV ***

I walk toward the Bellagio Fountain with my beanie on my head and my hands deep in my pockets. I still don't know how Kaylyn found me or why she even came, but gut tells me to trust her. She is all that I've been able to think about since I left my house last week, even though we didn't even spend 24 hours together. There is just something about her that intrigues me. Sure she is smoking hot and sexy, but it's almost like she understands me....I have forgotten what that feels like.

I shake my head, pushing the thoughts away. 'Come on, Haner, you don't need a repeat of Aubrey,' I think as my eyes start to scan the crowd. 'You just need a good lay and a drink and she will be out of your head.' I smile at the thought as my eyes meet Kaylyn's through the crowd. I suck in a breath as her dark brown orbs stare back at me and I feel nervous. What the hell is this feeling? Synyster Gates is never nervous, particularly around women.

As I reach Kaylyn, a man in the crowd pushes through and knocks her sideways. I catch her before she hits the pavement as another wave of nerves flies over me.

"Careful there....you don't want to fall," I say with a chuckle as I place her back on her feet. I look her up and down and put my hands on her shoulders to steady her balance.

It's then that her dark brown eyes lock with mine and I feel like we are the only ones at the fountain. I run my tongue over my bottom lips, trying to find my words, but Kaylyn beats me to it.

"It's too late for that," she says before crashing her lips to mine. Every nerve ending in my body feels like it explodes and my hands twist into her hair. I pull her body against mine as we deepen the the kiss. I've never had a kiss like this before.

I slowly pull away, my hands on either side of her face. As I look into her eyes a wave of panic starts to go over me as my brain starts to function again. 'Get a grip, Haner. She's just a girl. Well, okay, so what if she's the first one you've actually been interested in since Aubrey? Get over it, she is going to leave me too. They always do," my brain screams, though the rest of my body remains confused. Did I feel more for Kaylyn than I was letting on? Hell did I really even know her?

I pull my hands away and instantly reach for her ring in my pocket. I hold it out to her as she gives me a quizzical look. Did she really think I would let Zacky keep it? A smile pulls as my lips as she takes it. She looks beautiful when she smiles.

"Oh dearie say yes and hold on to that man....it's obvious you two are in love," an old woman says and pats me on the shoulder. My eyebrows shoot up and my breathing quickens.

'Love? Did that old bat really think I was in love?' I think as Kaylyn turns away to answer her phone. My body goes into fight or flight mode and everything is spinning around me. 'I can't be in love! I don't know the girl,'I think as I start pacing, totally ignoring the old woman who is still talking to me. 'I have to get out of here. I can't love anyone...it only leads to hurt, hate, and disaster.'

With that thought, I turn and quickly make my way through the crowd, leaving Kaylyn talking on the phone. It is for the best. In my current state, me leaving her will guarantee that no one gets hurt. She has done too much for me already to have to endure the mess Aubrey made. I'm not even looking for a relationship, let alone love, so get me the hell out of here before it finds me, only to crush me again.

As I push through the crowd, I hear Kaylyn calling my name. I whistle for a cab and climb in before I see her face in the crowd again. I have the cab driver drop me off at a small dive bar on the outskirts of the city. No one in their right mind would look for Synyster Gates here.

"What will it be?" The bar tender asks as I take a seat. I pull my beanie done over my head further, hoping no one will recognize me.

I give him a small smile before saying," the strongest stuff you've got and make it a double. I need to forget who I am for a while." I sigh and put my head in my hands, trying to remember how my life got so fucked up.

As the bar tender sets a large drink down in front of me, my phone rings on the bar. When I see Kaylyn name flash on the screen, I quickly hit ignore and down half of my drink. Seconds later it rings again.
"Can't you take a hint?" I growl, swinging the second half of my drink. "Another please."

"You must really be avoiding something," the bar tender laughs before refilling my drink. "What's her name."

"Her name is mind your own business." Great now the bar tender was trying to run my life too.
As I sipped my drink and pulled out my cigarets, my phone rang three more times. Finally, I pick up my phone. "Didn't you realize that I left you for a reason? I don't want to be your next project or some sympathy card!" I hiss into the phone, my words starting to slur from the alcohol.

"Whoa, Gates, chill out," says a male voice. I look down to see Jimmy's obnoxious picture on my caller ID. I smile lightly and rub my hand over my face. "

"Sorry, I just want everyone to stop asking questions and leave me alone," I sigh, signaling for another drink.

"Listen, I tried to call off the guys the other night but you know how uptight they get. That Kaylyn chick is hot shit and could have given us a run for our money I think," Jimmy chuckles. I can't help but smile as I picture her smiling innocently at me.

"Yeah, the damn bitch found me here," I say. "But I lost her again. Did the guys put her up to that after they realized they were dicks?"

Jimmy sighs and I can tell he is choosing his words wisely. "What the hell is going on, Jimmy," I hiss, slamming my fist on the bar.

"She said she was with you before Zacky even called her for help,"he starts but I can tell this isn't the bad news. "But then Kaylyn called back and said you bolted....I think they may be on their way to try and find you?"

I feel my anger rising as the alcohol is taking its effect. "And then what? Drag me back home. Well they better be up for the fucking challenge! This could have all been avoided if they left me the hell alone!"
"I know," Jimmy responds in a sad voice. "And Brian, just remember, don't do anything I wouldn't do."
I throw my head back and laugh. "Cheers to that, buddy," I say before hanging up. Jimmy is my best friend and always know how to make me laugh.

I finish my cigaret and three more drinks before the bar tender cuts me off and calls me a cab. On my ride back into the city, I dialed some of my local friends. If the guys were coming to get me and drag me back to Huntington Beach, then I am going out with a bang.

"Hey, I'm in the city and having a party. Bring a good stash of E and be at Bellagio Hotel at six in suite 2. Great see you then," I say and hang up the phone.

Good bye feelings.

Notes

Did we really think it would be that easy to reeling the demons inside Mr. Gates? How are Kaylyn and the guys going to find him? What does Kaylyn think of him feeling? But how could we expect anything else after that lady threw the L-word around....that scares him...:p