Brian’s POV

The pounding on the downstairs door woke me up. My eyes flustered open just to see Alice soundly asleep on my chest. She was home late last night and I had absolutely no idea where she had been. I kinda didn’t buy the story about having a couple drinks with girls, not realizing what was the time and leaving only when Sutra closed. Smelt like very fierce bullshit to me. You see, I knew that place - Meg used to go there when she had grown tired of Johnny’s daily animals. She had a friend who was bar tending, which meant she crawled home only after nine in the morning. The place worked until the very last customer, so you have to understand my confusion and the disability to put the pieces of the puzzle together, when Alice claimed she was at Sutra, came home after the bouncers threatened to throw them out and pulled in at little over four AM.

She was, in fact, a bomb as short-shit would say, but she was young and I had been around to know better.

I got out of the bed, trying not to wake her and grabbed a pair of sweats to pull on on my way downstairs. That was some persistent motherfucker trying to bang my door in. „I’m coming!” I yelled, getting a tad irritated.

I glanced around the corner of the hallway to have a quick glance on the clock. „Ten AM?! This better be good...” I hissed as my hand reached to unlock the door. I let out a grunt, shielding my eyes from the sun.

„Here,” Before I could understand who was standing in front of me, something was shoved in my chest. Once I regained my vision and took a hold of what seemed like a guitar pedal, I saw Megan in front of me. What the fuck was she doing up so early? She usually was the one to sleep until noon. Before I could realize what’s going on, she had turned around and was walking away. Chris and her dog were playing not far from us.

I sighed, looking down on the ... Rowin LEF-614? „Hey, this is not what I asked for!” I shouted back at her.

„Aren’t you a little picky this morning?” She shot me a little side smirk once she twirled around and now was walking backwards.

„I need the Pioneer, Meg!”

„Make do with what you have!” Did she just wink at me? I rubbed a hand over my face, sighing. That chick’s gonna be the death of me. „It has the same analog delay you wanted and in bonus you can kick out a real clean sound! Be thankful I didn’t bring you the deep blue overdrive! Bye!”

„It has a rock sound, I need something heavier!”

„You have a boss pedal, don’t you? You’ll figure something out!” I didn’t want to figure stuff out, that’s why I needed what I needed, goddammit! I took a breath, before turning around and closing the door shut with my foot, inspecting the pink pedal in my hand.

„Fuck this...” I sighed, throwing it somewhere on the couch, before seeing a very much naked Alice standing on top of the stairs. I had to fight with the growing urge in my pants. The need was almost bestial.

„What’s wrong, baby?”

I kept inspecting every curve of hers, imagining how it would be to take her right the fuck where she was standing. Her leaning over the handrails, me sliding in her from behind... her dirty blond hair falling over one shoulder, those monsters on her arm teasing me... No, fuck! Why the fuck was I thinking about Meg? „Put some clothes on, goddammit,” I snapped, angry at myself as I went to pick up my half empty pack of Marlboro from the coffee table.

As I pulled out a smoke, I couldn’t shake the vivid picture of Meg screaming for me. „Pull yourself together, man...” I whispered, shaking my head. I slid the patio door open and took a seat on one of the outside chairs, lighting up my cigarette.

Why was the thoughts of her still haunting me? I closed my eyes as I took a deep drag. Those ripped denim shorts she was wearing today... Man, why was she such a fucking tease? I know I had fucked up, royally if I might add, but not even half of the shit she thought about me was true. If only she knew...

„Bri, baby, is everything okay?” Alice asked somewhere from behind me.

No, everything is not fucking okay! I’m fucking a nineteen year old and I love a hardass who hates my guts! How the hell would this fall under the category of being okay?

My eyes popped open, when I realized she’s between my knees and sucking my fucking dick. I even had the full view of her tits, what more a man could wish for? Okay, tell whatever about this chick, but one thing’s for sure – she was a fucking wizard with her mouth. My head tilted back as I raised the cigarette to my mouth. I tangled my fingers in her blond locks, forcing her to take me in deeper. „Fuck yes...” I moaned. I didn’t think twice when I pushed her down, hearing her gag on my dick. This wasn’t love, I didn’t care if I make it too rough for her, hell I wasn’t even sure I liked the chick. I mean, yeah, she was a fucking good lay, but everything she wanted from me was the fame she gained fucking me.

I jerked her hair, cumming straight in her mouth. She was such a dirty little whore. I smirked, taking the last drag of my smoke, „Go clean yourself up.”

„Only if you promise we’ll go out,” Even at this kind of pitiful state she could gamble for my money? I had to give fucking credit points for that alone.

„Sure, but now leave.” I sighed once she was out of my view.

This was just a super good act, that’s what it really was.

Meg had thrown the engagement ring in my face, I have to add she was still wearing it at the time, so it ended in a very fierce black eye. Once I found out she had lost the child, I lost my shit. I couldn’t be with her in one room longer than necessary – I was going insane. I was drunk constantly and had only slight idea of what I did and said to her. Actually? The outcome was really over due at that point. But one thing I can say with hundred percent certainty – I didn’t cheat on her after she lost the baby. I couldn’t... I could hardly look at any woman at the time, damning them and everyone else for the shithole my life was.

I couldn’t forgive myself for what I made Meg go through and at one point in my adventures around the bars, I stumbled over Alice. She knew exactly who I was, which made it fucking easy for me. Two drunk nights and she was hooked on her fifteen minutes of fame. Maybe I should thank her, ‘cause she made me go easy on drinking my life away, but then again... I shook my head, „What the hell are you doing, Gates?”

Meg’s POV.

„...I got a bill from some fancy ass clinic up in north LA, saying my wonderful mother had a liposuction,” I sighed, taking a mouthful of the coffee Chris had bought me, „Like it’s my responsibility to suck Jack Daniel’s and fat out of her ass...”

„You both still on the verge?” We stopped so Chris could sign some cover of him on an issue of Revolver. I thanked god the fans that preferred me over my band members came out only at night to play, which left me chilling through my day while every guy of the Wasteland was struggling for his dear life. Or maybe I could thank Lady for that. Oh, who knows, right? „There you go, honey.”

„Thank you,” The girl was eyeing him with a pure bliss. Okay, how the fuck does these rockstars do it? It looked like the girl worshiped the ground he walked on and was ready to lick up the spot where he’d once stood.

I shook it off as we walked along the street, „No, I mean, I don’t even think about the shit she’d done to me, ‘cause, man, Gates? He fucking tops it all, but as soon as I’m at peace with whatever, she pulls another fucking stunt!”

„You were at the premiere?” he asked casually, winking at some bypasser teenagers. Oh that dirty dog...

„Fuck no!” I exclaimed, „I may not hate her, but I won’t show any affection towards the woman. Although Sanders is on this crazy fucking mission of setting everything right between me and my mom,” I raised the cupboard cup to my lips, „This is really fucking good,” I pointed to the coffee, which surprisingly wasn’t black, „What am I drinking?”

„A valley girl latte,” He snickered, „So why is Matt trying to cool everything off between you and Barbara?”

„No, seriously dude...”

„It’s a frappucino.” Okay, not that I know what the hell that means, but cool.

„It’s good,” I repeated, taking a sip, „And I don’t know man... One time when we were drunk he tried explaining the whole situation, it had something to do with Brian, but hell, man, I don’t remember.” We had been walking around for what it felt hours and I suddenly realized I had to be somewhere, „Shit, what’s the time...” I looked down on my wristwatch, my eyes growing wide, „Fuck, dude, I need to run!” I gave him a quick hug, before emptying the cup and throwing in the nearest thrash can. „Dude, can you bring Lady back to my place?” Not even heard the answer, I already was handing him the leash.

„Like you give me a choice!” I heard him laughed behind me as I rushed away.

Thankfully, Travis had picked a place not too far from where I was now, meaning I will be only five minutes late if I won’t decide to run in the nearest 7/11 for a pack of smokes. No, no... I can go without smoking for a couple of hours, right?

Duke’s was a place where I had gotten hammered more than once, but then again, I think I had made myself a bit more than tipsy at every fine establishment. See, Duke’s was not a bar, originally it’s some kind of sea food restaurant if you will and I won’t be lying if I told I’ve never eaten there. But I have to say, they serve the best Caipirinha. So points for that... And for being the start point of drunk adventures around the pier.

I made a quick turn around the corner of the Gap and rushed up the stairs, the pier staying on the right of me.

I saw Travis leaning against the wall, looking simply mouthwatering, as for me? I believed I was a darn hot mess. I had completely forgotten to wear something nice, before I left the house with Chris, so here I was, standing in a Homer Simpson t-shirt, slutty shorts and boots. And probably with red cheeks from all the running. Fuck, I craved a smoke so bad...

I ran up to him, panting heavily, before I held out my index finger, „Give me a sec,” I murmured, regaining my breath.

„Were you... running?” He chuckled.

„yea... Sorry I’m late...”

„Actually, you still have five minutes,” With a pure disbelief written all over my face, I raised my head to look up.

„Are you serious?” I straightened up, feeling my frantic heartbeat. „Five more minutes?” He nodded, a wide smile on his face. Could I make it to the nearest 7/11 and back in five minutes? „Fuck, then I’m out of here!” I threw my hands in the air, confusing him, „Just joking,” I chuckled, seeing him calm down.

„That’s a cute t-shirt you have there,” he pointed out with a nod.

„Yeah, well, that’s a part of my pj’s.” I laughed as he guided me inside.

We took a table by the window, with a marvelous sight down on the beach. The waiter brought us our menu’s and left shortly, swearing he’ll be back in five. Yeah, the only thing that will be back in five, is his hangover. The dude reeked of cheep vodka.

„So what will you be having?” He questioned still looking over the menu.

„Hmm... I guess I’m settling for the Hula Pie... Sounds delish,” I smiled, putting down the menu. A chunk of vanilla ice cream on top of an orea crust? Sounds perfectly like my kind cup of tea!

Once the waiter came, he ordered something Ahi Parmesan and the pie for me. It seemed like the waiter was gonna throw up just thinking about it.

„So you’re from around here?” I asked once the waiter left.

„Yeah, I’m renting an apartment just a couple blocks away,”

„Oh cool,” I replied, taking a sip of water, „And what do you do for a living?”

„I own a music shop just around the corner,”

„You don’t mean the The Rock & Roll Emporium, do you?”

„Yeah, the same exact one.”

„You guys have the coolest staff!” and give me stuff for free in exchange for a picture of mine... But I don’t think the owner needed to know that.

„Thanks,” he smiled, „And what about you?”

„Uhmm...” Did he really not know who I am? I mean he owns a freaking music shop! Or maybe he’s just messing with me? If not – I could start from new slate, letting him get to know the real Megan Hills, not starstruck him with the old cunt – Raven McQueen. „I-„ I was cut off by a very familiar voice,

„Oh, hey, Hills, fancy meeting you here,” Brian fucking Haner was standing next to the table with his arm around Alice looking like she was his fucking property. Don’t you dare blow this for me, dick...

„Hi,” I sighed, greeting back. Travis was looking between Brian and me, his eyebrow cocked. So he knew who he was, but he didn’t know me?

„Are you-„

„Brian Haner, man,” he chuckled, extending his arm for Travis. „Also known as Synyster Gates.”

„I’m Travis,”

„Nice to meet you, and this here,” He looked over the smiling Alice affectionately, „Is my lovely Alice.”

„What are you doing here?” I asked, going against all possible good behavior etiquette's and boosting my elbow on the table, getting a tad irritated. No, not a tad... ‘Cause a tad wouldn’t make me tap my finger against the table. I was starting to get real pissed.

„Diner,” He answer shortly, „but every table is taken, do you mind we crash with you?”

„Actually--”

„No, not at all,” Travis gestured to take the empty seats.

„Great,” I whispered as Brian sat down to the left of me and Alice took the seat on my right. I realized he was smelling of a freshly inhaled cigarette and I wanted to punch him square in the throat for not sharing.

„We aren’t interrupting anything important, are we?” Brian was too enthusiastic about this shit. What was he up to? I swear, I will murder his ass if he ruins this for me. „Like a date or something?” He laughed like it was too unbelievable to be true.

„N—„

„Yes, Haner, you are in fact interrupting,” I crossed my arms as I leaned back in the seat, shooting daggers at him.

His eyes fixed at me. He got too much amusement out of this if I might say, „Well that’s a shame.” He smiled, but not moving away or whatsoever. He was here to ruin this for me! That fucking asshole! What gain does he get from this?

„So how do you guys know each other?” Alice spoke inspecting one of the menu’s the waiter had left chilling on the table.

„You’re probably a fan of hers, aren’t you? You seem like that kinda person,” he told, boosting his forearms on the table. What the fuck was he talking about? He knew this was the guy from the beach! I kicked his leg under the table, but he didn’t even wince.

„A fan?” Travis asked confusedly as the waiter brought our food.

„Yeah, the Beautiful Wasteland, man,” Suddenly all the clarity washed over Travis’s face after Brian’s words. My hand reached up to pinch the bridge of my nose as I sighed heavily, trying not to murder my ex. „I mean the fucking Raven McQueen is sitting in front of you, how blind can you be to miss that!”

„Haner!” I hissed, shooting him a glare.

„Okay, okay, my apologies. It’s your date. Carry on,” He faked an apologetic smile and ordered something what I supposed was meat covered in meat and topped with meat oh and some salad for his girl.

„I’m so, so sorry,” I mouthed without a sound, feeling guilty for the asshole sitting with us. Travis smiled and shrugged shortly after, saying it’s no big deal.

„So what do you do, Travis?” He asked after a moment of silence and me pushing that delicious wonder around my plate, suddenly lost all my appetite. If it wouldn’t be for the waiter he brought their dishes and cut off the view of Haner for a single second, I would’ve killed him.

„I own a music store.” He replied, bringing a fork to his mouth.

„Cool,” he cut through his steak, „You’ll have something in common. Meg once had sex in a music store.”

I jumped to my feet, boiling with rage, „Can I have a word with you?” I spat through gritted teeth.

„Is something the matter?” He took a mouthful of his beer. „Are you not feeling okay?”

„Haner...” I clenched my jaw.

„Okay, fine, jeez...” He rolled his eyes, before wiping his mouth with a napkin, „Excuse us for a moment. Alice, be a dear, entertain Travis over there, okay?” Haner winked and I swear I’ll take that butter knife from the other table and will stab him fifty fucking times!

I headed straight for the toilets, figuring it would take less effort to clean blood stains off the tile floor and cover up a planed homicide.

A girl exited the restroom, before I walked in, dragging him along, not giving two shits if someone’s getting pissed over a guy in a ladies room. „What the fuck are you—„ I screamed, before he silenced me, crashing his lips against mine, pulling me up on the counter.

Oh hell... Don’t, Meg, don’t give into his voodoo... but... it feels so... good...

His hand slid up my back and disappeared under my shirt. My arms snaked around his neck as he pulled my hips towards his crotch, letting me feel just how turned on he was. Even through the layers of fabric, I could feel what had I missed out on. He was making me extremely wet, and he fucking knew that! He knew exactly which buttons to press! How did I know that? He was smirking in to every fucking kiss!

„What the hell is going on here?”

Notes