Brian’s POV

„Good job, Shads,” I rolled my eyes, my attention fixed on him and his perplexed features.

„What did I do?” A deep wrinkle formed between Matt’s eyebrows as Dice snatched the last piece of bacon, before pecking his lips.

„I’ll take care of it,” She replied simply, getting off Matt’s lap and walking towards the door.

„Hey, no kiss for me?” I leaned in my seat to see around the corner as she was pulling her cowboy boots on and flipping me off with a sly grin on her face, „You’re hurting my feelings, Dice!”

In response she slammed the door shut, leaving me with Matt. All alone with Sanders. Could this day get any better? He spoke up a single second after Dice had left, „We’re not repeating this ever again.”

„What? Breakfast? You have to admit it’s nice tho.” I grinned, not willing to hear what he had to say to me. Shads could play rough, but in all honesty he was just a jealous bastard that didn’t like to share.

„Don’t play dumb,” He glared, reaching for the whiskey bottle I had set on the dark surface earlier. Oh and I have to share, don’t I? What different was sharing miss Laphroaig from sharing Dice? „If you touch Dice ever again, I’m gonna smash your skull in.”

„Aren’t you a bit over exagerating now?” I frowned. Dice was an easy pray and truth be told, she had nothing against being the pray. I’d never do something a girl doesn’t want and I knew she wanted me. It was a bit hard saying no to think about that fiery little red, knowing I’ve had one of my best nights with her.

„I’m serious, Gates. This was the last time. Besides you have MJ,” He took a mouthful from the bottle, wincing right after. „Why are you fucking around with Dice instead of MJ is beyond me.”

Excuse me? I gaped at him, „Did you see what just happened here?” Did he honestly think I’d be fucking Dice if I could get that fine ass blondie? Give me a fucking break, man. „You honestly think I’d be screwing around with Dice if I could get MJ?”

„Excuse me?” Matt nearly choked on the whiskey, his eyebrows jumping up high, „I think I’m a bit deaf over here... Or hearing things... Did you just say you can’t get MJ?”

Fuck, had I said it out loud? I sighed, propping my arms on the kitchen island. „Without a commitment? ... no.”

„Then take her out a couple of times, what’s the big deal?” What’s the big deal? He should really get his head out of Dice’s ass and look around at the people besides him. Was this his first day on this planet?

„You don’t get it, Matt...”

„What’s there not to get? Just get it over with so I get my garage clean,”

„She’s too good for me!” I exclaimed, angrily rubbing my hands over my face, before a heavy sigh dropped over my lips, „Look... You don’t understand, if I fuck her over, I swear she’s gonna die,” and I wasn’t even joking. There was something deadly wrong with that girl, I mean, sure, each and everyone was fucked up in his own little adorable way and I’m not saying MJ’s fucked upness – is that even a word? I don’t know – isn’t adorable, but I’m, jokes aside, afraid to go near her without hurting her.

Matt looked amused and confused at the same time, „a bit melodramatic, but okay, continue,”

„I’m not afraid to say she’s fucked in the head,” I tapped my temple a couple of times.

„You’re fucked in the head,” He frowned. Thanks, dude.

„Just- just hear me out... I swear whatever that dick of an ex had done to her, it’s left a big ass scar, I’m not a monster Shads. I’m not gonna rip it open and pour salt in the wound.”

„So... you’re out of the race... Am I getting this right?” He leaned further on the island, his hazel eyes glued to me. Was I out of the race? I don’t know, but that seemed the right thing to do. Hell, I was so fucking bipolar lately – I didn’t even know what I was or wanted to do. Get some sleep, Haner.

„As much as I don’t want to, I think I am...”

The front door flung open. „Okay assholes, get ready, I have an epic plan!”

„I should really start locking the door,” I mused. Why was she back? Dice walked in still wearing my boxers and was those her lovely nipples saying hello to the world? Behave, Gates... But... No! Okay, let’s just look her in the eyes. The ones she had in her face region. The other face. The upper face.

„Shut up,” She said, stopping between me and Matt. Her forearms rested on our shoulders. „Look, it’s MJ’s birthday today and I’m throwing a barbecue party,”

„Birthday? Why do we find out about this only now?” My eyebrows puckered together. I mean, she could’ve given us a hint by... oh I don’t know... starting to sing ‘Happy Birthday, MJ!’, was that too hard of a task for a chick who can work through her shift being two bottles deep? I don’t think so.

She shrugged, „Beats me.”

„So this is you inviting us?” I questioned.

„Inviting? What? I swear you get more fucked up by each passing day, Gates.”

„Then what do you want from us, Dice?” Matt spoke, trying very hard to keep his eyes on her face. Yea, I know that struggle dude, that’s why I’m not even looking at her, but at Pinkly.

„You, big boy, are gonna manage the grill and you, mister Gates... well... knowing how you got on my good side last night, I have a special little role for you...”

Oh god, I hope it didn’t involve ‘me’ and ‘jumping out of a cake, butt naked’ in one sentence, but somehow judging by her smirk, I think that was exactly what it meant.

Dice’s POV

I was an amazing party planner, even tho I think MJ was a bit angry with me? Why? I don’t have the fucking slightest clue. Maybe she knew I had an awesome threeway – thanks for asking- with simply two of the hottest dudes to walk the face of earth? But why would that make her pissed at me? Gates was throwing himself at her for crying out loud, completely not my fault that she turned him down and I kinda, itsy-bitsy fell on his dick. Oops? But to redeem my sins, I was gonna throw simply the best motherfucking birthday party you’ve ever seen. Well actually, it was simply gonna be a casual barbecue, but what made it amazing? Avenged fucking Sevenfold! Each one of them was gonna come.

And knowing I was operating on little to no sleep, cut me some slack, before you say I forgot the fact that MJ is working the night. But no worries, I’m awesome and a superwoman so I talked Max into taking over, but then I remembered MJ was kinda close with Max, right? So I decided to bug our other bartenders Keith and Monk, but then I realized Keith is working along MJ and Monk is home with his five year old. No fucking worries tho, I had that shit under control and asked for our lovely ladies to help me out. Rachel was simply the coolest ex stripper I knew and she worked at Johnny’s. We had the most fun messing around with the patron’s when out of pure miracle we had our shifts together. But that was very rarely, ‘cause we trashed the bar most of the times we worked together. And besides she was only occasionally working at Johnny’s Saloon . She was there only when she wasn’t attending her other customers. No, she’s not a prostitute! Jesus. She’s a hairdresser, but I bribed her with letting her do what the hell she wants with my hair so she’d take the shift. I’m not sure what she has planned for me, but I swear if she’s gonna leave me without hair, I’m gonna kill her. That’s a promise.

So that’s that. I know, I know, you all want a friend like me, but before you confess your undying love to me, I did something else. No, I didn’t burn down the house. I called those MJ’s girlfriends from back home. Some Stacy and Amelia? Or Natasha and Candy? No, those were my favorite strippers. Stacy and Amelia it is, so I called them and I got them to come to the party. MJ used to build mud pies with them when they were little, or decapitate barbies. Pick your poison, I just know they used to be close.

So where am I now? Outside Johnny’s, getting out of my booze stocked car with a wide grin on my face.

„Dice,” Bobby – the other bouncer nodded, stepping away the door to let me in. He was just as big as Frank, I don’t even think they made them smaller these days, but this one at least had hair. He was an ex military, but a fucking cool guy.

I made my best straight face, impersonating him with a simple military salute and a deep, „Frank,”

He started laughing. I was feeling simply magical and almost too happy, knowing I hadn’t slept. Like not one bit, this was... my thirty first hour I was up after five night shifts. How was I functioning was beyond me. Probably some kind of third breath I was having right now, but I’m not gonna give in. Not now. Not when i’ve gotten this far. I can fall asleep when I drive back home, no problem – I’m dead, died in my sleep – painless, easy. But before that super amazing plan, I have to inform MJ about her twenty fourth birthday party.

I pushed my way up to the bar. But on the good note – I’m fucking broke. Like not simply broke, but broke like - we’re gonna use coffee filters as toilet paper, ‘cause it’s cheaper - broke. Why is that good? Keeps me away from my excessive drinking. And I didn’t even feel bad about it, well maybe... Mostly I spent my cash on the booze and now I realized I could just have jacked a few boxes from the stock... Okay, whatever, but besides that I got the best fucking gift for MJ! That required a little bit of money, but those were the best fucking fifty bucks I’ve ever spent. No, Synyster Gates is the other gift. The one that’s not so cool.

I was too deep in my joyful thoughts that I didn’t even notice bumping in what felt like a wall. „What the—„ I raised my eyes to see... no way. I saw MJ watching him with the same fucking look I did. Did I forget to mention that I lied some time ago? I did have an ex – MJ’s brother. The same one that was standing in front of us. His name was Corey and I had my longest relationship with him – two weeks.

„Aren’t you gonna give me a hug or something?” I heard him say to the dumbfounded MJ.

„Uhmm... what are you doing here?” She asked and I just came up with an awesome fucking idea. You’re a genius, Dice! It didn’t seem like MJ had noticed me, so I quickly dropped to the floor, avoiding all the stickiness and ... yeah. I tugged on Corey’s leg, getting him to look down at me with a frown. My finger pressed to my lips, gesturing for him to be quiet.

„I... You weren’t answering my calls and I was driving through so I figured I’ll come and say ha--” No! I punched his leg. No, you’re not gonna say happy birthday to her.

„Look Corey, play cool and don’t say anything, just listen to me. Don’t fucking congratulate her, I’m throwing her a surprise party, pretend you don’t know it’s her fucking birthday,” I said just as loud for him to hear it, but as for MJ? Be a completely clueless chipmunk.

He cleared his throat, continuing with a frown, „I figured I’ll come and say hi...”

Suddenly the music got louder and I had absolutely no idea what the hell was she saying. Did she believe him? I darn well hope so. „Cor!” I hissed. He didn’t even flinch. „Corey!” I half whispered, half yelled, „hey!” Finally I punched his leg again, „listen it’s nice meeting ya’, long time no seen and all that, but I need you to do something for me... Another bartender is coming in to take over MJ’s shift – she doesn’t know about it, can you just... kidnap her and bring her home?” he frowned even deeper.

„This is so crazy!” He exclaimed to something MJ had told him, but in all honesty I know he just loved me too much and said that to me. I mean – who doesn’t love me?

„Just do it,” I said punching his leg for the last time. How hard could it be to kidnap his own sister? Easy, right? „Oh and we live on Essex drive. The house at the end of the street.”

I crawled my way back to the exit, some clients greeting me with surprised looks, but in the end just waving it all off, knowing I’m famous for getting on all fours from time to time. Nothing out of the ordinary and knowing I lacked on sleep? Well, they couldn’t hold me responsible for my actions.

Once I got back home I was pleasantly surprised to see Jimmy and Zack decorating it with balloons and ribbons and all that ‘happy birthday’ crap while Matt was getting the food ready, Johnny was managing the dishes and other meaningless crap. I smiled widely finally seeing these guys doing something other than jacking off and walked up the stairs to my room.

That was where I found Syn, sliding his fingers over the guitar neck, making me go wet just imagining the way they’re gonna please MJ. Yes, MJ, not me. This stunning dude in the black button down shirt with rolled up sleeves and the purposely messy hairdo was gonna finally please my little blondie. „You learned the song?”

Jumpy? Ha-ha. So this was the way to startle him. I’ll write that one down. He took a deep breath, „Yea-yea, but I don’t get why you want me to play it...”

„’Cause it’s her fucking favorite song!” he gave me the brow.

„Barbie girl is her favorite song...”

„Yes!” I exclaimed, before continuing in a calmer manner, „Well, it used to be when she was seven and didn’t understand the meaning of it,”

„Dice,” He glared,

„What? Look, it’s awfully fun and MJ looks like a barbie, so just do it. She likes guitars, she likes you, so just do it!”

„Dice?” Someone addressed me from behind,

„What?!” I yelled back, getting fucking annoyed with everything and everyone, but that was not my fault, this was just my body shutting down. My eyes met with Jimmy’s blues.

„I think we have a problem,” He seemed to be a bit scared, well good, he should be! I took a breath and walked around him, before jogging down the stairs. I saw Corey, that’s good, but where the fuck’s MJ?

„Well, where is she?” I asked and he just pointed to the living room. I cursed in every possible language, well the ones I knew once I saw the passed out MJ on the couch. „WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?!”

„You told me to kidnap her, so I did!” Corey yelled back.

„Who is this guy?” Matt piped in.

„Shut up,” I pointed my forefinger at him, „and get me a bottle of tequila,” Why tequila? ‘Cause she despises the stench and is up in a jiffy.

„I think she stressed out and then well... yeah...”

Fucking hell, this was not how her birthday party was supposed to go. Like... not at fucking all.

Notes

I love this cover too much to not share it with you guys Barbie girl
Tell me your thoughts on this one!
-D. Price