*Carry On*

****Matt's POV****

"Thanks for being incredible, Los Angeles! We love you all!" I yell into the mic, waving at the crowd. It feels good to play close to home and feel appreciated, even if this first show kind of sucked.

Zacky gives me a small knowing smirk as we all take our final bow. We are a little bit all over the place tonight but the fans don't seem to notice or minds. It feels good to know we made someone's night.

"I totally fucked up the riff in Afterlife," Zacky laughs to me as we all turn to exit the stage. "I just couldn't hear Jimmy through my head piece."

"That's alright, I fucked up the words in Critical Acclaim...remind me why we decide to put those tongue twisters in there?" I clap Zacky on the shoulder as a pack of groupies flock toward us.

"It's your own damn fault, Shadz. It can only go up from here," Zacky pulls up his aviators and puts on the charm. "Evening ladies, did you enjoy the show?" He asks with the classic charming Vengeance smile. Damn, well I guess someone is looking to get laid tonight.

Speaking of which...I let my eyes wander over toward Kaylyn who has been standing on the side of the stage drooling all night. Yeah, I'm pretty sure she had been eye fucking me the entire show. Whenever I look, there she is staring back. I guess I haven't thought about her like that before, but damn the girl was hot. If she wants to play, who am I to stop her.

I dodge a pack of fans and divert them toward Johnny as I walk back to one of the towers and grab a bottle of water. As I lean against the large backup amp, my eyes wander to Kaylyn. She is wearing a tight pair of jeans that make her ass look amazing and a cut off Pantera t-shirt. Damn that's my type of girl!
I put down my water and decide to go mingle with the fans, only to have Kaylyn turn around and crash into my chest and fall to the floor. "Whoa Riz, where's the fire?" I laugh as I help her up.

I glance to where she was coming from and see Gates flirting with a bunch of groupies. I look back down at Kaylyn and she has a large frown on her face and then it all makes sense. Riz has the hots for Gates...

"Oh...I-" I start but Kaylyn cuts me off. I can see the hurt in her beautiful brown eyes and I instantly want to pummel Gates for making her upset. Has he been leading Riz on this whole time? Well I'm not fucking surprised, that's what Synyster Gates does: uses women and breaks their hearts.

"Save it Matt, I don't need you to lie for him to make me feel better," She mumbles with a frown plastered on her face. She deserves better than the way my asshole friend is treating her...and it looks like he doesn't know she exists. Is Riz fair game then?

I sigh and throw and arm over her petite shoulders and pull her in for a hug. I hate to see girls upset, and damn it, I consider Riz to be a friend. Will more come out of it? I don't know and I don't mind if it does. She's a real sweetheart and the guys already love her! I guess I'll just have to see how this evening goes.

"Come on Riz, I know something that will cheer you up," I say and grip her shoulder, steering her away from Brian and the groupies. I can't help but notice Kaylyn's pitiful stare at the twins as a frown comes over my face. It hurts to see her like this.

You fucking asshole, I think, meeting his gaze as I lead Kaylyn back toward the bus. I know when I'm feeling blue, a good old shot of Partone does wonders.

Once back on the bus, I sit Kaylyn down at the table and start my search for the the best medicine a girl could ask for. I quickly grab two shot glasses,and a lemon and set it down in front of her as I continue to search for the tequila. She looks up at me with a raised brow and a look of concern.

"What's all this for?" Kaylyn sighs, lazily rolling the lemon around the table. "Are we fighting over scurvy?"

I chuckle as I pull out the bottle of Patrone that is hiding in the back of the liquor cabinet. "Just a little something to take off the edge," I say with a smile, grabbing a knife and the sugar bowl on the way back to the table.

Kaylyn let's out a little sarcastic laugh before pouring us both a shot. She downs hers before I can even start to slice the lemon. "Damn, Riz, didn't know you could drink," I laugh, giving her a warm smile.

"The burn feels better than anything else right now." She looks down at the table and I put my hand on top of hers, letting out a sigh.

"I know it's not any of my business," I start, her eyes turning to look at me. Damn she's beautiful. "But you deserve better than whatever ringer Gates is putting you through. That douche you saw back there, he doesn't go away until we get back to Huntington Beach," I sigh, filling her shot glass and passing her a sugar dipped lemon.

"Great . Just what I needed..." Kaylyn throws back the second shot and bites her knuckle before taking the lemon. She's even cute when she's choking down a shot. "Another. Fucking. Asshole."

"But listen...if you ever need anything at all, I'm here for you. Even if you just need at little something to take off the edge," I tease, wiggling my shot at her before taking it. Shit, I forgot how much this burns! Fuck!

I give her hand a gentle squeeze as she gives me a sad little smile. Kaylyn then scoffs again and pours another shot before immediately drinking it. I guess Gates must have messed her up good. I can't believe someone as smart as her would go for his tricks...but then again, we never expected her to sleep with him on the first day either.

Kaylyn leans forward and puts her head in her hands, taking in a shaky breath. "I'm such an idiot...how could I believe that he might actually care," she mumbles into her hand. I can already hear the emotional distress in her voice and I know she is on the verge of tears.

"Shh...Riz your not an idiot," I whisper, leaning forward across the table. I carefully brush her dark locks out of her eyes and behind her ears. I sigh as my fingers graze her cheek, knowing I could be playing with fire. "Look...whatever he's doing to you obviously isn't making you happy. So why let him continue to play these mind games. The guys my best friend but I also know what a dick he is to women...and I personally apologize for him."

I take her face into my hands and rub away the tears that are spilling out on her cheeks. "If you were my girl, I'd never let you cry because of me, knowing that I did something to hurt you. Gates is an idiot for putting you through this," I whisper, realizing that our lips are inches apart.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Notes

Who walked in on them? Gates? Jimmy? Johnny?

What does Kaylyn think of Matt at this point?