Zacky's POV

I couldn't believe how many tears were coming out this little petite girl! She looked so pitiful and weak, and all I wanted to do was pull her into my embrace and protect her from the world. Hell, no one deserved to be that sad because their best friend fucking crunched their heart under a rock. I honestly felt bad for the girl because I didn't know what I would do without the guys.

"Alright, sweetheart, we're here," I said as I pulled into Haner's driveway in her car. I looked over to see her body shaking with her little blonde head pressed sadly against the window. She looked like a mess.

"Hey," I whispered, grabbing her hand and placing a small kiss on her knuckles. "It's going to be okay. If I know Brain and Matt, they always take care of things," and then the brightest blue eyes I had ever seen turned on me. I gaped as I stared at them and all of their beauty, not even noticing that they were red and puffy. How was it that she was so beautiful even when crying? I had to blink a few times and shake my head to remember that warning look that Brian gave. There was not doubt that he had claimed her as his even though he hadn't said one word about her.

"Y-you d-d-dont get it..." her voice shook so badly that I could barely understand her. MJ was tugging at my heartstrings. "S-S-she h-hates meeee!" And that started the water works all over again. I sighed and got out of the car before moving over to the passenger's side and pulling her into my arms. I hugged her tight, not understanding the kind of pain of she was in. I couldn't imagine fighting so badly with the guys that we would never talk again. One of them had to say something so terrible that the other wouldn't forgive them. But what could MJ possible say that would cause Dice to kick her out? I didn't know MJ to have a mean bone in her body.

I scooped up the petite blonde into my arms and carried her into the house and set her down on Brian's leather couch. She had to be almost out of tears, right? Because in all honesty, I didn't really know what to do with these crying girls. Sure I knew that I needed to comfort them, but I had tried everything with MJ and nothing worked. Hell, Gates seemed to be the only one who calmed her down even the slightest. "Can I get you something to drink?" I asked, petting her long silky blonde hair. "Cocoa, tea, coffee..." I wasn't sure what Brian had but I was willing to try anything at this point.

"C-coffee..." her melodic voice shook as she looked up at me. I gave her a small smile as I wiped her tears away. " would b-be nice..."

"Sure thing, sweetheart," I poked the tip of her nose, hoping to get a rise out her and thankfully she gave me a weak smile. Okay, we were making progress. The tears had stopped, even if only momentarily. Maybe I could get her to talk about what happened before Gates got home and the whole thing started over. Why would it start over? Isn't that how chicks worked? "Are you going to be okay here by yourself for a minute?"

MJ nodded just as Pinkly jumped up on the couch. Man I had never been more thankful for that little furball than I was at that moment. I quickly moved into the kitchen and headed towards the Keurig. Oh hell, I need to make it two cups of coffee because my eyelids were starting to droop. It was four in the morning now and I didn't know how much more my body could take.

"Do you need cream or sugar?" I asked, handing her the red cup as I sat back down on the couch with her and Pinkly. MJ chewed her bottom lip and shook her head. "So do you work tomorrow?"

I was surprised to hear her chuckle lightly. "N-no...I-I never work Th-thursdays" Her voice sounded more in control but very raspy now. I could imagine that she was exhausted after that little show.

"Well, that's good because I would personally call Johnny for you if you didn't have it off," I smiled at her as I watched her pet Pinkly. Her eye still looked so sad even though the tears had stopped. She played with her hands as a silence fell between us and all she could do is sigh. MJ's piercing blue eyes glanced up with me a small frown of those plump lips. "Do-Do you want to talk about it?" I asked softly after taking a sip of my coffee.

MJ chewed her bottom lip for a moment before she took in a shaky breath. "S-She was mad about-about..." Was that a blush? Why was she blushing? "I-I..." She bit her lip again and looked down at her knotted fingers. "That I'm finally happy..." she decided on with a long sigh.

I raised a brow at MJ as she raised the mug to her lips. Well, that doesn't make any sense. Why would Dice be mad that she was happy? "What makes you say that?" My tone was cautious as I watched her. I didn't want her to start crying again.

"She said she was waiting for-for my....erm...." MJ pushed her blonde hair behind her ears. "Dont laugh at me okay?"

"MJ, I wouldn't do that," okay, maybe if it was really hilarious I would, but I didn't see that coming out of her mouth right now. "You have my word."

"Dice is convinced that-that B-Brian is going to screw me over," she started and I could see where Dice was coming from. Though, I had to admit I had never seen Gates so possessive or hold onto a girl this long since Michelle. I had never seen him give me a warning look over a crying girl either. Was Gates falling for little Blondie? "And she-she...." Oh no, please dont cry. "She said that she was going to watch it all explode..in-in my face."

I let out a sigh, knowing that that sounded exactly like Dice. But how did that lead to MJ getting kicked out? Didn't she know that Dice was a bitch like that, specially since they had been friends forever? I opened my mouth to ask another question but MJ surprised me by continuing.

"She-she-she...oh god," there were those damned tears. I pulled MJ back into my side. "She-she said that she would be first-first in line to..." the little blonde shook her head and angrily wiped away tears. "To fuck Brian when he fucks me over....and she would-would enjoy it," she spat bitterly.

I didn't know what to say. I was honestly shocked that Dice would say that to her best friend. Had she lost her god damned mind? Now I wish that Brian had taken me with him so that I could beat the shit out that bitch. She out of everyone should know how fragile MJ is and know not to say something so awful. What the hell was Dice's problem?

"P-Please dont tell, Brian..." MJ whispers between new sobs, her eyes closed. "I-I dont want him to know..."

I nodded and pet MJ's head until she cried herself to sleep in my arms. A small smile came over my face as I watched her sleep peacefully in my arms with Pinkly. I just hoped that her dreams would off her some relief from the crappy day she had. I carefully scooped her small frame into my arms and took her up to Brian's room, tucking her in and placing a small kiss on her forehead.

"Where is she?" I looked up as I walked down the stairs to see Brain come through the door. He looked irritated and stressed out. "Is she okay?"

"She's pretty shaken up and hurt," I frowned lightly at Brian as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Poor thing cried herself to sleep before I took her upstairs to bed. What Dice did was pretty fucked up."

"What did she do?" Calm down killer, and stop clenching your jaw at me. I didn't do anything besides what you asked me to do. Dont take out your frustration on me.

"She just said something that best friends should never say to one another," I sighed, receiving a glare. I couldn't go back on my word to MJ. If he wanted the details he would have to talk to MJ.

"That was vague as hell," he sighed, moving past me to go up the stairs. "Care to elaborate?"

"I cant," I said simply with a shrug. "MJ asked me not to," and that wasn't a lie. "I think I'm gonna head home. See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, tell Shads I might be a little late," Gates said and I nodded before heading out the door. Thank god my house was only two blocks away.

MJ's POV

It had been about a week since Dice vanished from my life and it just wasn't the same without her. I mean, no one is ever prepared when they lose someone and even though she was still alive, not having any contact with her was like she was as good as dead. Brian had shown me the note that she left and I had read it every day since. Damn, for someone that was so smart, she was pretty fucking stupid. I just wished she would answer at least one of my text messages, seeing how I had told her I forgave her and that I was sorry a million times. I guess I would have to wait for that stupid trial to come up, even though I promised Malcolm I would make it go away. Call me selfish or crazy, but I couldn't give up getting my best friend back.

"Hey, MJ?" I looked up from the patio to see Brian standing in front of me with a cup of coffee. I gave him a small smile and a quick kiss as he sat down next to me.

You see, ever since that awful nice, Brian insisted that I stay at his house and took me pick up some more of my things. I was greatful that the handsome devil had been by side, extremely supportive, and overly kind to me all week. Hell, Brian had barely let me out of his sight, not that I minded. Sure, I went to work but he was always close by and/or checking on me. I didn't know if it was because he thought I was so fragile that I would just crumble apart at the seems at any second. Or maybe he was just afraid that I would take off to find her. Either way, it was comforting to know that he was looking out for me, even though we still hadn't talk about what we were officially. Was I Brian's girlfriend? It sure as hell felt like it but I honestly wasn't sure what he thought. I knew that I had fallen for him but I didn't want to push my luck, specially when I didn't have anywhere else to go.

"Hmm..." I asked, watching the sunrise over the pool with my coffee cup at my lips. Today was my first day off in a week and man was I ready to enjoy it. I just wished that I could enjoy part of it shopping with Dice like I used to do.

"Do you want to come to the studio with me today? Jimmy's got something that he is dying for you to hear," Why did he have to be so sexy with that smirk? I smiled at him over top of my coffee mug, feeling butterflies bounce around in the pit of my stomach.

I lightly shrugged my shoulders as I stood up and made my way over to him. I was wrapped only in a towel and a bikini since I had just gotten out of the pool from an early morning swim. Little did I know that the water relaxed me too. "I'd love to...specially if it will make Jimmy happy," I teased, moving to sit on his lap. "Unless there is another reason you want me to come?" I gave him a sexy smirk, causing him to lick his lower lip.

"Oh, I could think of about forty different things I could find for you to do at the studio," and each and every one involved him touching me in some way. Not that I was complaining. I fucking loved when he touched me. His fingers brushing my flesh alone made me feel alive and oh so turned on. Just like right now with his fingers coyly walking up my inner thigh. "So what do you say? Little pleasure for Jimmy....a lot for me?

I chewed my bottom lip as a blush fell over my lips, his fingers tracing small circles over my black swimsuit bottoms. A soft moan escaped my lips but I made myself pull away. "Well, we better get moving then," I said with a wink.

"I'll give you a reason to move," he growled lustfully as he reached out and pulled the towel away from me. I blushed again and subconsciously put my hand around the fading bruise on my wrist, no thanks to Malcolm. I just hoped I wouldn't see him again anytime soon.

Brian's eyes met mine as a wicked little smirk fell over his lips. Oh, that look told me more than he would ever know. You see, over the past week, I had gotten pretty good at reading Brian's facial expressions and I could tell just by that smirk that he wanted to play. "You're such a little fucking tease, you know that?" he breathed, standing up to catch me because I had pulled away from his grasp again.

"What's the matter?" I giggled lightly, giving him a sexy yet innocent look. "Something wrong...?" It was fun to play these little games with him.

"Oh, I'm about to do something wrong...to you," he growled, his brown eyes full of lust. He lunged at me and I dogged out of the way just in time for Brian to go head on into the pool. "You-you!" he laughed, spluttering as he appeared back above water. "Oh, you're going to get it!" he hissed as I doubled over with laughter. I wasn't ready when his hand reached up and grabbed my leg, pulling me into the pool on top of him. His talented fingers flew over my body, murderously tickling me. "I'll teach you to play these dirty little games!"

The next thing I knew, Brian had me pushed in the corner of the pool with his lips glued to mine. I felt like was walking on sunshine as he hands cupped my face in the most passionate kiss. The butterflies exploded in my stomach and chest as our tongues danced. And at that moment, I knew that I couldn't deny it any longer. I was in love with Brian Haner Jr. I was on cloud nine.

After a moment, Brain pulled away and pressed his forehead to mine, staring into my blues intently. "What are you thinking?" he breathed and a blushed fell over my face. I knew that I couldn't tell him that I loved him because he would go running for the hills. I wasnt that dumb. If I learned anything over the years, it was to let the guy say those three little words first.

"Just how perfect this all seems. I mean how you helped me turn a bad situation into a-a good one, you know?" I improvised, running my fingers along his cheek. I could see something different in the way he looked at me but I wasnt sure what it was. Did he love me too? "What about you?"

I swallowed thickly waiting for his response, my body full of longing for him in more ways than one.

Notes