MJ's POV

Ever since I walked in the door, I had been swamped. The line to get drinks was four people deep and I couldn't catch a break. My lip was starting to get sore from gnawing it in concentration as I made drinks, took money, and counted change. It was a Tuesday night for crying out loud! Why were we so busy? It was only then that I realized that most of our patrons were dressed to the nines and must have decided to come out after a wedding or something. Well, at least my tip jar was overflowing, and so were the back pockets of my denim shorts. Looks like I was going to be able to afford groceries and smokes this week!

Taking deep breath, I let my eyes wander over the crowed to find the Avenged guys and those two blonde twins at a back table. They were all were all apparently laughing at something that the blonde with shorter hair said, that is except for Brian. He was staring blankly into his glass of scotch after swirling it around time after time. Something was up with him, and it all started when we pulled up. I wonder what he actually wanted to talk about, not that I minded hearing his flattering words. I was just good at reading him, which was unique because I sucked at social cues. And who were these blondes? They seemed to know the guys and the one with the longer hair seemed to have a thing for Brian. I watched as she ran her finger around the rim of her glass as she watched him.

"Miss! Miss!" I turned to my left to see a handsome gentleman in a button down shirt and tie waving a fifty at me. I smiled and leaned forward on the bar, not even realizing I was practically flashing him my boobs in my low-cut tank-top.

"What can I get for you," I asked with a small smile as I pushed a stray piece of hair behind my ear. He put his elbows on the bar and leaned closer to me, a very handsome smile playing on his lips.

"Can I get two pitchers of IPA and a tall glass of you?" A blush formed over my cheeks as I turned away to take his order. What was it with guys and using that stupid pickup line? When I brought him back the pitchers and set them down on the counter, he shook his head and frowned at me. "You're missing something," he said, licking his lips.

I shook my head as I took the fifty. "Sorry, I-I--"

"She's got a big ass biker boyfriend who would beat your ass in a second," someone answered for me. My blues landed on Zacky as the guy disappeared with his drinks, forgetting over twenty dollars in change. Oh, well, now I can get Dice a pack of smokes too.

I felt guilty for snapping at her earlier, specially after Matt told us that she had been in a gnarly car accident. I mean, how insensitive could I get? Yes, I was stubborn, but that didn't mean that I wanted her to be hurt. To add to my guilt, Max informed me that I would be taking over her shifts this week because she was on bed rest for a concussion. I fucking sucked as a best friend and I would have to make it up to her. This tip money in my back pocket would go toward making all Dice's favorite foods, including my ever famous frozen chocolate covered bananas.

"Thanks," I said, giving Zacky a genuine smile as he took a seat next to Charlie, one of our regulars. "That's the third one from this freaking bridal party." I let out a long sigh before taking a sip of my Vodka and OJ one of the regulars so generously bought me. But I didn't have time to stop yet, because at that moment I looked down the bar to see four regulars moments from needing refills. I quickly moved to make the drinks and set them down before their hand's could even leave the bar. I was starting to get pretty good at this.

"So what's going on with you and Gates?" Zacky asked when I walked back down to him with a PBR tallboy in my hand. Yes, I knew his drink order too.

A deep blush fell over my face as I caught Brian watching me through the crowd. In all honesty, I didn't really know what was going on between us. What I did know was that he was starting to grow on me in more ways that one. I liked him. Hell, lets be honest, I liked him a lot. I chewed my bottom lip as I focused in on those piercing green eyes that reminded me of Dice. "Honestly..."I said, pushing my hair behind my ears nervously. "I dont know but I do know he understands me," I sighed. Why did he have that look on is face? "Who are those blondes with you guys?"

Zacky chuckled and took a sip of his beer. "Those are the Dibenedetto Twins," he glanced over his shoulder and pointed to each of them as he spoke. "The one with the short hair is Val, Matt's ex and the one with longer hair, that's Michelle. Has Brian mentioned her to you?"

I chewed my bottom lip, watching the expression change on Zacky's face. I knew what he was going to tell me even before he said it. "I'll take that as a no. That's his ex, but dont worry to much about her. She's nice, unless you're Brian," he chuckled. "I dont know what he did to piss her off...wait I probably do, but she and her sister just got back from six months in France."

I let my eyes wander back over the small group in the corner with a frown. So the Michelle and Val were back hanging out with their exes for what reason? Were they back in town to get there men back? Is that it? My brow furred as I turned to make screw driver. I passed it back over the counter, not taking my eyes off the blonde twins as they sang to the jukebox with Jimmy. And where had Brian gone? Oh, right, his hourly dose of nicotine.

"MJ, dont worry about them," Zacky said, pulling me back to reality, his hand laying on top of mine. "How are you holding up?"

Why was everyone so concerned about my well-being? I was twenty-four years old for pete sake! I could take care of myself. But in all honesty, my emotions were all over the place between what happened with Dice and everything going on with Brian. Could I trust Zacky not to run back to his friends with the information I shared with him? I didn't want to be some laughing stock of the group.

I ended up just shrugging my shoulders and picking up my drink. "It's just been one hell of ride since I moved here," I finally sighed. "Though this place has been one of the few places that I actually feel welcome."

"You didn't feel welcome at the studio?" There was Zacky's high questioning brow. "You're welcome back anytime, you know." Is that so? What was I going to do at the studio. "Have you actually heard us play yet?"

"No..." I said honestly. I guess I had been caught up in my job and well, Brian, to actually listen to what they sounded like. A small frown fell over Zacky's lips and I couldn't explain why that made me feel guilty all over again. Okay, so I know I lead him on that night and then left him as we were about to...you know, but that wasn't intentional. I just couldn't go against my rule, though I would probably kick myself later for breaking it with Brian. Fine, I'm a hypocrite! But at least Brian is being a really good at pretending that he cares about me. Plus, he's always been there whenever I needed him. That support was a nice thing to have.

"Well, listen, we've got a gig in Long Beach in a couple of weeks. Why dont you come?" Now that wasn't a bad idea. God, knows I loved concerts and I bet I could even convince Dice to go with me. "I'm sure Brian would enjoy having you there." I blushed at his words just as Brian went out the front door. Something was up with him but I was almost scared to find out. Had Dice been right to warn me about him? I just refused to believe that he wasn't the kind to just fool around because of everything he had done for me so far. Hell, the guy bought me a car, even though I wasn't happy about it. I hoped that Brian would forget to have me pick up and I wouldn't have to take it. So far my plan was working.

"I'd love to come if I dont have to work," a smile fell across my face.

"Oh, and I almost forgot why I came over here." Zacky pulled out a set of keys on an Vengeance University lanyard and set them in front of me on the bar. My eyes grew wide as I looked down at them, my heart racing. No, this cant be happening! I thought I dodged the car bullet. Fucking Gates and his stubborn ways. Well, I could be stubborn too. "I picked up your new ride for you. It's got quiet a bit of a kick for such a little car."

I frantically shook my head at Zacky and pushed the keys back. "I dont have a car," I said simply and crossed my arms over my chest. Zacky knit his brow together in confusion as he looked at me, trying to figure the whole thing out.

"Gates asked me to pick it up...that bastard bought you a fucking car?!" I looked down at my boots and bit my lip, as my fingers nervously played with the frayed edges of my denim shorts. "MJ..." Zacky ran his fingers through is hair and then shook his head with a big ass smirk on his face. What was I missing here?

"Fine so I knew that he bought me a car but I cant accept it, okay!" My heart was racing in my chest as my eyes caught Michelle appearing behind Zacky.

What was it with his guy and grabbing my hands. "I have to say that I'm shocked," was all that he said, still shaking his head. "I've never seen him--" I couldn't stop the stupid smile from falling over my face, imagining what the end of his sentence was going to be. Did that mean maybe Brain was going to ask me to be his girlfriend? Oh, I knew he liked me! I couldn't wait to talk to Dice about this, well, I hoped she would still talk to me. Maybe I could bribe her into some girl talk with those chocolate covered bananas. I suddenly felt giddy and very much aroused. Where was that sexy man?

"Zacky, can you go help Val with Jimmy?" Michelle interrupted as she put her hands on his shoulders. "Seems Blondie here told him it was okay to dance on the table, and he fell down and is talking more insanities than normal. Something about rolling dice with some knives. I have no idea." She looked amused but I didn't miss as Zacky cursed under his breath.

"I'll talk to you later, MJ," Zacky said before pecking my cheek over the bar and disappearing in the crowd. I smiled lightly and was thankful for his friendship. Maybe I had been to hard on him at the studio the other day. He really was just a kind-hearted guy.

"So can I get another one of these," Michelle waved her glass at me with a small smile. "So you're MJ? Did I hear that right?"

"Yep, that's me," I said with a nervous smile as I took her glass and made her the fifth vodka and cranberry of the evening. Even I could tell by the way she was staggering around that maybe she should slow down. "Here you go." The drink landed with a soft thud on the bar as the fellow blonde eyed me.

"So you're Brian's new fling?" Fling? I didn't know what we were but I wasn't about to admit that to her. I bit down on my lower lip as I made a Long Island for the nice lady to her right. "Oh, so he hasn't said what you are, has he?" Was she frowning? That seems pretty odd for an ex in response to the question she just asked.

I handed the brunette her change as a frown fell over my face. "Not yet," I whispered.

"Oh, sweetheart, please dont fall for his tricks. He's nothing but a womanizing man-whore." Michelle set her hand on top of mine in a motherly way and my blue eyes looked up to meet him. Was this her idea of a warning? I furred my brow at her and crossed my arms over his chest. "Trust me when I say that he will get bored and he will move on. It's not you, sweetheart. It's just how he is."

"Brian hasn't--" I gaped at her but she just shook her head with a sad frown.

"I know, but dont get your hopes up. Brian Haner Jr. doesn't have feelings...just a very talented dick," she finished with a thoughtful smile on her face, leaving me gaping. "Get out of there before you get burned," with that she stood up and headed back to the table.

As I watched her go back towards the table, my heart sank in my chest. What did she mean he was just going to play me and leave me? No, he couldn't do that to me. I was sure that Brian cared about me. He wouldn't have done all this stuff for me just to fuck and leave. These people must be smoking some kind of crack.

"You good for a break, MJ," Max called somewhere behind me. Oh thank god! I dont think I could stand in this scorching bar for more than a few minutes. It was hotter than hell in her and I was surprised my makeup hadn't melted off my face.I had to find Brian. This all had to be some kind of misunderstanding and I knew just seeing him and touching him would put this feeling inside me at ease. Why did he have that affect on me?

I quickly made my way outside and leaned against the brick wall and pulled out the last pack of Marlboro's that I snagged from Dice's stash. I put a cigarette between my lips and lit up, enjoying the cool night air blowing through my long locks. As I inhaled, my eyes landed on the beautiful navy blue BMW in the packed lot and a small smile came over my face. He had to have cared to do something like this, but it didn't mean I wasn't going to get him to take the car back.

"So what's a pretty girl like you doing in a hell hole like this?" one of the guys in a suite asked next to me as he drunkenly wrapped an arms around my waist. "You're so fucking beautiful," he breathed and I could smell the liquor on him.

"I'm flattered but--" I said, pulling out of his grasp with my cigarette between my lips. I was so sick of this. Couldn't these guys just leave me alone?

"She's taken, back off," a voice growled from behind me as they pulled me protectively into their embrace. I instantly relaxed as I felt those familiar calloused fingers run down my exposed tattooed shoulders and land on my ripped denim shorts. I shivered under his touch and dropped my freshly lit cigarette into the ashtray outside. "What are you doing to me?"

"Where have you been all night?" I breathed as his lips moved to my neck. I closed my eyes and leaned back into him, feeling my arousal start to rise.

Matt's POV

I drummed my pen on the table as I tried to think of lyrics to the kick ass melody running through my head. Shit, why was this so hard? I tossed the pen on the island in frustration and looked over to see Dice passed out on the couch. She looked so peaceful sleeping there and even with all the cuts and bruise she was still fucking breathtaking. There was just something about her that kept me coming back. Dice was wild, crazy, and honestly the smartest person I knew. I just couldn't get her off of mind and if she hadn't been injured I most definitely would have taken advantage of our alone time together.

I closed my eyes and all I could see what our last time together. She looked so hot on the hood of that Mustang and my dick twinged at the mere memory of her red locks falling down her back. Dice had this look about her before she released that drove me mad and all I wanted to do was give her that please over and over again. Shit, now I'm going to have the bluest balls knowing to man.

I looked back down at my notebook at the half finished song I shared with the guys. It was about sex, most definitely and okay, maybe Gates had been right. It is about fucking Dice. But it wasn't done yet. I still needed the bridge and an ending. Fuck but all I could think about was how angry she had been at me earlier. Damn, and she fucking said we were done, but I wanted more from her."Some live repressing their instinctive feelings," I muttered to myself before picking up my pen with a smile. This was it!

And she swore up and down that she didn't have feelings and that I wasn't allowed to have feelings for her. But fuck, I think maybe I did. What about Val? "Protest the way we're built." And of course everything that went wrong in between us was my fault. Though we both knew better. "Don't point the blame on me." I smiled and I hummed a few different melodies until I found one I liked. I wrote down a few notes to remember my though process, happy with my bridge. "Caught up in the madness to blind to see, I'll hunt tonight." Oh and how I wanted to jump onto of that hot tamale on the couch.

"What the hell are you humming?" Dice's voice asked in a groggy tone from the couch. I heard her quick intake of breath as she sat up, looking at me with tired eyes. "It actually sounds decent...which is surprising coming from you," and there was that snark that I loved so much.

"Thanks," I chuckled, forgetting she was wearing that ridiculous onesie. She slowly stood up and shakily walked toward the island. Her scratched hand reached out to grab Chinese take out container but instead snatched my lyric book from me. "Come on, Dice, give it back!"

She held out a hand to keep me back as I walked around her to try and get it back. Her beautiful green orbs scanned over the page with an amused look on her face. "You're a fucking pervert, you know that that?" she tossed the book back into my arms. "Pure X rated shit."

"Hey, you're the one who said it sounded decent," I knit my brow at her, watching an unreadable expression cross her face. "So now you dont like it?" A frown fell over my face.

"I didn't say that, you know I fucking love sex," she mused. "So is this about me?" Her delicate fingers pointed to the book in my hand. I gaped at her for moment trying to choose my words. She would kill me if I admitted to it but I also couldnt tell it was someone else. It was a lose-lose situation. "I knew it," she said, pulling out a cigarette from the pack on the counter. "You're so fucking obsessed with me that you had to write about it," she chuckled and blew out a puff though the patio door. "Have to say I'm flattered."

"Dice, look I--"

"You dont have to explain yourself to me, Sanders." Why did she look so sad all of a sudden? "We're just having fun, no string attached. If you want to tell the world how fucking good I am in the sack then that's your prerogative."

At this point in time I didn't realize I was standing inches from her. I carefully reached out a hand and caressed her cheek, our eyes locked. "You know even after a car accident, you're still beautiful," I said, licking my lips. I slowly leaned in to close the distance between us and my lips lightly grazed hers. However, it was at that same moment that my phone sounded on the table. Shit, I forgot to call Val.

Notes