Dice’s POV

Being stoned and working on the excerpts of the arguments and the US judiciary I was gonna hold against Malcolm probably wasn’t the best combination to start with. The smoke wafted away from the white coffin nail I was holding between my index and middle fingers as I attempted to write something down on the laptop I used almost never. Unless Johnny asked me to order some liquor and put me in charge of the monthly incomes and calculating the salaries of bartenders, then I really had no need for a personal computer. And I had completely no idea why a barely puberty hit teenager appeared at my door with a pizza. However I was grateful for it. It disappeared in the first five minutes. And I was still hungry.

My phone was turned upside down on the coffee table, vibrating every now and then – indicating towards a new text which I gave absolutely zero fucks about. God, didn’t he get the hint that I really didn’t want to talk to him? Or any Avenged member for that matter. I was very determined to get Malcolm behind bars so I had to get my head out of my ass and try my best to come up with something to hold against him in the court house. I need to have legitimate arguments, knowing how judges and the jury never took me seriously and discriminated based on my looks. That was basically one of the reasons I didn’t stick with the lawyer profession. But nevertheless every now and then I took up a case when a friend was in need.

I wasn’t quite sure what I was writing down and when I decided to have a quick look over, I cursed inwardly. No. I couldn’t do this with my head off to Jupiter! I fixed my hair up in a bun, tying it together with the hair band from my wrist as I got up to walk over to the fridge just to feel my stomach growl disappointingly when I figured we have absolutely nothing to eat. „Shit...”

I picked out a half eaten jogurt with what it seemed like a spoon grown into it and dropped it back, not willing to deal with none of that disgustingness at the moment.

My hands rubbed over my face, before I walked over to the couch where my black leather bag sat to take out my wallet. Look at that a twenty bucks and I thought I spent the last of my money on weed. What could I get for twenty bucks? Some microwave food perhaps? I sighed. Being poor sucked, but maybe if I didn’t drink my life away, get high every other day and have a russian whore for a car, I would have a lot more money to spend on some other meaningless crap.

I leaned over the counter to look out the window and see the sun still high up in the sky and blinding my eyes. Rayban’s it is.

Without over thinking the whole thing and changing from my pj’s to something more appropriate I pulled the sunglasses over my nose, took my cigarettes, the wallet and pushed my feet in some black flip-flops. I decided to save on the gas and take a long ass walk to Ralph’s . But once I walked out, my face dropped.

„Where the fuck’s my car?!” I looked around, scanning the empty driveway, suddenly it hitting me. Oh that MJ... She just couldn’t stay away from Syn’s cock, now could she... Oh I’ll show her! I’ll fucking show her for sneaking with that dickwad behind my back! But first to get some food...

The mid-day sun heated up my skin in a matter of minutes, making me sweat like a pig even tho I was wearing what I thought were Syn’s boxers, wasn’t sure tho, and a plain white tank top. It was hard not to notice all the stares I received, mostly because this neighborhood hadn’t experienced miss Dice walking the sunny streets of Huntington Beach. Some of the regulars joked I was a vampire and I will be kicked out of HB for being an almost albino. That wasn’t a secret – I didn’t like sun and avoided going out in the heat whenever I could.

As I smoked the walk away, I didn’t even notice a tall build stopping in front of me. I just attempted to walk around him, but then the tall dude grabbed me by my upper arm, pulling me back. Good I was on weed tho or else I’d showed him my karate moves.

„Dice,” I blew out the thick gray cloud right in the face of... M. Shadows. And didn’t even regret it. „We need to talk.”

„Talk,” I replied, taking another drag, before starting to walk away. He could talk – fine by me – but not to me.

„Can you just—„ He pulled me back again. Hey, what’s the deal? „Please, hear me out.”

„Is it gonna be long? I have some microwave food to attend.” And I think I made myself pretty clear when I said I didn’t want nothing to do with him so step off mine and your case, bub. My fingers kicked the cigarette butt away and I crossed my arms, inspecting his features. God, he was a handsome devil, I could give him that.

„Microwave—„ He frowned cutting himself off, „Look, maybe I buy a pizza and we go to studio and talk there?”

Good looking and buys me food... But that didn’t mean I wasn’t still angry with him. However I was indeed broke and he offered to buy me food. I wasn’t too stoked on going with him to the studio, but what the hell. I shrugged, „Okay. Let’s go.”

His eyebrows raised, „Really?”

„Yea, I’m stoned and I want some munchies.” The pizza I devoured earlier? Hell, that was just an appetizer. I needed another five to satisfy my growling stomach.

Suddenly he started radiating as the dimpled smile took over his face. It turned out he had a new car – a slick black audi and it was parked just a couple of feet from us. I would most probably kick myself in the shin later for agreeing to this, ‘cause if I’d be in my best mind there was no chance I would get into his car without a very heavy pursuing. And bribery. Don’t forget the bribery!

„Are those Syn’s boxers?” He asked as he pulled out on the street with me getting to my dj skills and going through his cd collection. What was that smell? Smelled like... something I have never smelt before. Oh yeah, money. Those leather seats were probably the comfiest I’ve ever sat on and for a simple sedan car it was pretty large.

I shrugged in response, „Could be... But then again I have a pretty big collection of men’s underwear.”

He said nothing so I just put in a S.O.A.D. album and searched for Chop Suey. We’re rolling FUCKING suicide! That probably was the tastiest fucking intro right there. Had never had a single clue what the lyrics were, but that didn’t stop me from bobbing my head along, before I went completely crazy with the hair band flying out of my hair and it going all the possible ways as my hands started hitting the rhythm against the dashboard. Yea, the pot was starting to leave my body. Now it was only my own insanity.

The song changed to something that was simply stupid right before the best fucking part. I leaned back in the seat to look him over with a deep frown. His hazel’s were on the road and he acted like that hadn’t been him and the car grew a set of balls to act against the will of miss Dice and switch the song on her own mind. Well, i wouldn’t say Toxicity was a bad song, but it wasn’t that good. Some tasty drums, but that’s all. Oh and I knew words to this one, so he could consider himself oh-so lucky, because I would and will start singing, „conversion, software version 7.0... Shit, I don’t know what kinda acid you have to take to come up with those lyrics...”

„The song is in fact about drugs... What did you think ‘toxicity’ stood for?”

I gave him a patient look, for being the mister know-it-all and a sarcastic, „unconditional love.”

He arched his brow at me, before the clarity washed over him. „Oh, you’re joking.”

„Never been more serious.” I sighed, getting back to scanning his cd’s, „Sooo... was the gamble worth the fuck up’s?”

With the corner of my eye, I saw him smirk. „You know the gamble is always worth the risk... Dice.”

„I wouldn’t be so sure. Once I lost fifteen grand,” I shrugged, remembering one of the first times I took MJ to Las Vegas for a little inside scoop of my life.

„I start thinking maybe short-shit is right,” He frowned, getting me all confused. Johnny was never right, so what the hell was he talking about?

„About what?”

„Are you involved with the mafia?”

...what? I threw my head back in a loud roar like laughter, being close to tears from all the laughing. Jesus, that was the best thing I’ve heard all day. „I wish!”

„Then... where do you get all the money?”

„Well that’s rude.” I was still laughing lightly as I switched the S.O.A.D. cd to Mudvayne.

„I’m serious.” Did he really consider the thought of me being a part of mafia? That would be super awesome, but no one took in a chick with an overly active anger switch. I’d kill everyone!

„I’m fucking broke, Sanders! Do you think I’d be willing to stuff myself with microwave food if I had money?”

„But you just—„

„Yea, sure, sometimes I have dough, but that’s never for long. I think I’ve left more cash in Las Vegas than your little band all together.” And that was one of the main reason’s I didn’t go to Nevada anymore, always ended up in Las Vegas playing blackjack or when I ran out of money – strip poker.

„The question still lingers. Where do you get the money?”

„Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. That’s life. I get money just like you all do. By working my pretty little ass off. And winning cases.”

„What cases?”

„I’m a lawyer.” I stated simply, realizing we took three turns left. What was he doing? Why were we going in circles?

„Fuck me... So Jimmy had been right...” His chest trembled from the laughter.

„About what?”

„You being a lawyer. You just don’t seem the type...” He gave me a moment of his beautiful hazel’s.

„Don’t underestimate me.” I smirked.

„Never have.” He smirked back.

„So this little driving in circles is because you’re trying to get to the point? Am I right?”

„So you caught me, huh?” Well, it was kind a hard to miss the same Starbucks we passed four fucking times, knowing the drive to their studio from our house took less than ten minutes.

„Look just tell me on who’s behalf are you here? Yours or Syn’s?”

„Both. Listen, go easy on the guy, okay? He called the deal off before he slept with MJ, he was out of it.” Uhmm... could he repeat that, please? Syn quit?

„Even more of a reason for me to be mad at him – he’s a quitter!” I exclaimed, throwing my arms up in the air.

„I’m serious.”

„And I’m not?” I exclaimed in fake shock, „fine. But do you honestly think I don’t fucking know that MJ will start hooking up with him behind my back sooner or later?” Maybe she already has, knowing my car was missing from the fucking driveway. I’ll seriously hurt her if she hurts my baby. Like... break her barbies or something. I don’t know... I was a shitty friend, I don’t even know what she was into besides the obvious – insane guys.

„I...”

„Puhlease, I’ve grown up with her. Sure, she’s afraid of me, but not as much to give up on Syn. I’ll let them pretend I’m clueless and they’re darn good at sneaking around, when in all honesty – they suck.”

„So... You mean to tell me you have nothing against them hooking up?” He was a clever little cookie. I mean why would I have something against it? MJ was a grown ass woman and could make decisions for herself, except the ones that included shopping on ebay and calling off the trial for Malcolm to get what was coming for his sorry behind for a long time.

„Nah.” Sure, I had banned them from drooling all over MJ when she was working, but that was only because I was fucking pissed, but hearing MJ sob herself to sleep every night or more precisely morning – it left me thinking. And I figured Syn knew how to calm her anxieties, how? I don’t know. He just did.

„And what about us?” He asked, being all serious.

„What about us?” I cocked my eyebrow.

„Are we good?” Good? Oh well, I wouldn’t be that sure about that, however the weed left me horny.

I smirked and leaned over to unzip his pants. „What the hell—„

„Oh shut up, I know you want it.” I said pulling out his dick and starting to pump it, licking the very tip as he let out a ragged breath, trying to handle the blowjob and the steering at the same time. I didn’t know if I was capable of deep throating him and I know, I know I had swore I’d never do it, but let’s just try. Slowly I guided it deeper and deeper into my mouth, nearly choking on his length once he came in my throat. Never had been the swallowing type, but did we have any other options? I pulled back, cleaning the corners of my mouth, „well that escalated quickly,”

„Shit, that was uncalled for...” He said, an apologetic look to his face.

„That doesn’t mean you had to cum in my mouth in the very first two minutes,”

„I-I’ll make it up, I promise.”

„Whatever. But no one needs to know we’re back on good terms. I want them to think I’m still hating your gut so I can play MJ and Gates.” Oh hell, I was evil. I know, but I was Dice and it turned out Gates had rolled the number six when he decided to play games with MJ as for MJ herself? She rolled five when she figured it’s a fucking good idea to sneak behind my back and steal my fucking car!

„So we’re not going to the studio?” He frowned.

„Sure we are. As some wise man once told me – I’m your gambling problem only when you’re losing, and MJ and Gates are making me loose my temper really badly for hiding shit from me.”

Brian’s POV

Absolutely fucking nothing was going my way today. It probably was a stupid idea to get smashed last night, but did I think about what torture it’s gonna be the next day? Who ever thinks about it? And Jimmy writing guitar riffs too wasn’t doing any good for the recording process. He created notes that I had never heard of and Matt too was going out of his mind, just try and tell me the song we’re working on now with him singing about ravaging someone’s body and the gambling motive in the riffs wasn’t about fucking Dice!

With my black Schecter in my hand I was going through the lyrics as I made my way to one of the back rooms to get me that Pioneer which was nowhere to be found lately. I was very motivated to finding it, even if it took me the whole fucking day, ‘cause I knew it would be just as much productive as me slacking around and acting like I was trying to come up with something brilliant when in all honesty my mind was wrapped around MJ’s perfect little being. So maybe if I had to think about something else, like trying to figure where’s that fucking pedal, I wouldn’t have to drown in my sorrow. Speaking of the Pioneer ... It had disappeared just like that, like our technicians. Where were the fucking roadies?

This room was filled just with a bunch of crap, none of it that looked like it could be of use to me. I cursed loudly, holding on to that last strand of insanity and keeping myself from smashing my gun against whatever it would come in contact with. I was so done with the day that I just wanted to get home and empty that bottle of vodka, because I, obviously, wasn’t a welcomed guest at Johnny’s no more, which made me hate the bitch even more. Fine, take away MJ, but how the hell could she talk Johnny into banning us from the place? That was bullshit!

And there goes the guitar... I pinched the bridge of my nose once I realized what had I done and saw the guitar in two on the floor. And a hole in the wall. „Fantastic...” I hissed, sliding my fingers through my hair. Nice job, Gates. Now the recording will really come to halt, ‘cause I’m not using any other gun besides the black and white Schecter which’s resting in pieces on the ground.

Angry with myself I walked out of the room and ran into someone, „watch where you’re going, goddammit!” I raged, suddenly my eyes lowering over a blond head and those gorgeous blues. Fuck... „Shit, I didn’t know it was you,” I sighed. But what the hell was she doing here? Had Dice changed her mind on us, or more precisely had MJ? „What are you doing here?”

„I- I think I’m lost...” She said quietly, lowering her gaze over her feet.

„Lost?” Lost as in...

„Yea, I walked to the lady’s room and now I can’t get back,” She explained, but that didn’t ease my confusion. Lady’s room? What the fuck was she doing in the studio? How did she get in here?

„Back where?”

„To Jimmy... The recording room, I guess...” She sighed, looking up to me. I had to take a moment to make sure if I’m not seeing things, maybe I was going mad from all the booze I’ve been poisoning myself with lately. My eyes dropped over that sexy black dress. This is one hella hallucination if she’s really not here. I didn’t even know I was so good with fashion to put such an attire together. Unconsciously my hand went to cup the side of her face. She flinched on my touch, bringing a small smile on my face. She was real. And standing in front of me.

„Sorry,” I whispered, lowering my arm by my side, „I needed to make sure.”

„So... can you help me out?” She frowned.

„Oh right, you’re lost,” I chuckled, probably not making very much sense to her, but hell, did I make sense to myself? After diving in bottle after bottle for the past week? I wasn’t quite sure how I was alive, but that was probably thanks to a very good liver. Tho I couldn’t say my sanity was still with me. I took a breath before, sending her a smile and starting towards the recording room where I heard the voices of Jimmy and Zacky coming from.

„Did she get lost?” I heard Zack ask, „Maybe I should go look for her?”

„Sit your ass down, nobody can get lost in here!” Jimmy exclaimed and it sounded he had his mouth full. What the hell was he eating?

„So not true!” Was that... Fuck. I stopped in my tracks, feeling MJ run in my back. „Do you even remember how you left me here for the whole night, when it was my first time here?”

„Wh-why did you stop?” MJ asked as I was trying my best not to go in there and punch Dice square in the face.

„I can’t deal with her right now,” I said, my eyes still on the doorway from which I could see the red cloud of her hair falling over her shoulder.

„Who?”

„Dice,” I snapped. „If I see her, I will kill her.”

„Shit, Dice’s here?” Was it just me or she looked scared to death? I cocked my eyebrow on the view. Was she running from Dice? Now this is starting to get interesting.

„Is it just me or someone besides me doesn’t want to meet her?” A small smirk pulled at my lips.

„I-I took her car—„

„And?”

„You don’t get it, it’s like her child...” She explained, her eyes watching Dice in terror.

„So what now? You run away and never come back?” I attempted to joke, but that didn’t turn out that well, ‘cause honestly it looked like she was considering the option, „Shit, MJ, I’m joking...”

„Maybe if I could get home before her, she’d think I had nothing to do with it—„

„Other than the fact that Zack told he was gonna go look for you?” I cut her off. Now she was really over exaggerating. Fine, I did have some beef to set with Dice, but I wouldn’t say she was that insane to ruin MJ’s day just because she took her car. That was absurd. But then again, knowing Dice... I shook my head and took MJ by hand, „Come on...”

„No!” She yelled, jerking out of my reach and shaking her head frantically, „What are you doing? Do you want her to kill us both?”

„What are you—„ Oh right, the bet. I see. And with that the joy of meeting MJ vanished. She was still under Dice’s leash. My jaw clenched and I nodded turning to walk away, figuring she’d find her way. By then I wasn’t even gonna try and explain myself with the bet, however I was gonna fight with the raging boner in my pants from that one simple look over her slender legs and just walk outside to have something between my lips that never said no. Those wonderful Marlboro smokes.

My eyes spotted Dice’s Mustang and I swear to god I wanted to smash that car for making MJ go out of her head with the fear of what Dice will do to her, because she simply fucking borrowed it. I lit up my smoke, narrowing my eyes on the black car whilst taking a deep drag. Why doesn’t MJ have a car of her own? I pushed my hand in my pocket as the most brilliant fucking idea hit me. I hadn’t had the chance to give MJ a proper birthday gift and I had fucked up majorly.

A big smirk took over my face as I put out the freshly lit cigarette in the ashtray of our outside table. Synyster fucking Gates is a genius! And she can’t say no to this. I won’t allow it.

I rushed back inside to see MJ standing in the doorway of where all the action took place. The front door slammed behind me, bringing her beautiful eyes over me. I took her by hand, „You’re coming with me.”

Notes