Dice’s POV

For those last three weeks life had been good. The sun was setting over the horizon every day. It was a heated summer, but even the realization of that last mug of coffee I was holding in my hands, couldn’t ruin my day. Nor did the cigarette which I broke in half. A house in one of those high-end neighborhoods. The jogging jocks at 7 AM to go with my morning coffee. Matt Sanders almost naked body slipping out of the pool with a loving glimpse to his hazel eyes. Those sunny days I didn’t possibly have a single care in the world just building up to realize I was living the ultimate American dream. But dreams had the tendency of going bad when no one was looking.

A tendency of ripping the soul out of the dream... I had this tendency. Just imagine that this dream was a person... Two arms, two legs, a body and even a head for my sheer entertainment. And what did I do? I became the ripper and just dug my long crimson nails inside the chest of this dream and ripped out the heart, the soul, the core of everything good. I ripped it out, threw it to the ground and stomped it later spitting on the thing. Why? ‘Cause I didn’t like life this easy. I didn’t like to live without that little thrill to my days and maybe, just maybe, I was a little scared.

Matt was ready to go through hell and back just to satisfy each and every of my needs and I didn’t like that. He treated me like a princess, but I wasn’t a princess. I grew up in a slum neighborhood. My life was a basic survival track – the strongest gets through the day. A tad dramatic, but that’s how it was. We didn’t have a lot of money, I couldn’t get all those wonderful things other kids received on a shiny silver plate. Actually I was a nobody. Still am. And Matt wanted to make me a somebody. And he tried to do it fast. I wasn’t ready for the tempo, I wasn’t ready for the love he was willing to hand out, knowing I couldn’t give anything in return, not even the love he was asking for.

That time I jumped out of the taxi and was certain I am ready for it, hadn’t been the truth. I tried to convince myself that it was the right thing to do, to give up my twisted ways and just spend my time with Matt, trying to satisfy his thirst for love and everything beautiful, but honestly I wouldn’t know what love was if someone hit me in the face with it. So because everything happened so fast, I started pushing him away, since that’s the only thing I knew how to do.

The same had happened with me and Corey. MJ’s brother. He was such a sweet guy, but he expected too much from me in a too little time. I wanted to give him the same love back in return, but I didn’t know how to do it. I got confused, I got frustrated, I got annoyed mostly with myself ‘cause those wonderful things he did for me just felt extremely sickeningly sweet. Try and understand me – my foster family was made of a drunkard father figure and a mother who was a control freak. It was a good day when the dishes weren’t flying around and didn’t hit me and two of their other kids in the face. I grew up in a habitat filled with anger and rage - those were the only emotions I knew. The only feelings I was introduced to.

As I figure right now – very similar to MJ’s life since she met Malcolm, but since she hadn’t taken her part in the perverse survival game my childhood happened to be, she didn’t know how to get out of it, nor what to make of it. She was petrified once being thrown in the scenery of anger, pain and constant violence. I grew up with it and as they say – what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. I could say my life with the foster family was like nine long years in military, it was best to just keep a low key profile and nod to every question, even tho it sounded stupid as hell. The belief in something like love had disappeared just like the illusion of attorney’s driving red Ferarri’s. At the time Yale was as appealing to me as a new shiny toy car to a small child, one of the main reasons being – it was far away from home. The real lawyer job on the other hand was as inviting as a headache. Five days out of seven I was constantly questioning my self if that was the smart choice to make... Frankly, I wasn’t smart. And those two remaining days I was too busy partying to question anything. I was truly talent-less, but then I figured my talent other than breaking a couple of noses – I was a professional partier... and an asshole. Either I was gonna end up like a drunk and an attorney with no moral standards, or... I end up as Dice from Johnny’s Saloon. My anger switch was flipping on and off and I swore God had broken my volume control, making me the perfect bartender for Johnny’s – a place for buff and tattooed guys to come and have a good time over a bottle of beer, not asking for any of that lovey – dovey crap in return.

So when Matt showed up with his raging boner – it was perfect, the bestial needs had to be satisfied and I was happy when finally no one was expecting something emotional in return, but, man, had I been wrong. From then I couldn’t say I liked how the show was going, but I couldn’t really whine about it – they had given me the best seat in the house – front row center.

And even right now, when an obviously intoxicated fellow was waving a Franklin in the air and slurring sweet nothings and how I was his absolute favorite, trying to get me to go home with him with offering to bring the whole world to my feet, all he had gotten was my attention. I might have laughed on the way he looked like, that is if I remembered how to laugh over something this idiotic.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and when I saw who was the reason of the earthquake in my pocket I figured my luck was starting to run out. Mister Jay the Humble. My eyes locked on Max as I gestured I’ll take the call and will be back shortly. Ha- that was a funny thing to even think. My shortly was never actually what shortly stood for in the first place.

Quickly I disappeared in the stock, pushing the phone up to my ear with a simple, „Dice.”

„Hey, babe, I’m kinda missin’ you, you know...” I could tell he was smirking without even seeing the guy. I sighed, knowing perfectly where this all was headed. „You told you’ll come back.”

„Yea,” I bit on my lip, inspecting the shelves of different whiskey brands, „Some things came up.”

„Yeah, I figured you’d say that,” He exhaled and I could tell he was at some kind of party, judging by the background noises and the loud cheers of course. „But even tho you didn’t keep your word – I kept mine.”

„What do you mean?” I shot a quick look back to the door where someone had seemingly just crashed in. The party back there was in full blown right now and Frank had to actually throw out the regular drunks in order for some fresh meat to get in.

„I came to get you,” What? Please don’t tell me he’s in Huntington Beach... or in Johnny’s... Nah, it didn’t sound like Johnny’s, more of a some kind of college party. „You think you might ditch whatever you’re doing and come meet me?”

„Uhmm... Jay, I’m kinda working right now,” I said, leaning back against the wall.

„Working?” he laughed. Was it really that unbelievable? „Where do you work? I’ll come over and negotiate your release,” Jokes about imprisonment weren’t really my shot of tequila, but whatever kept his boat floating.

„That’s really out of the question right now since this place is being thorn apart and the best I can do is try to call it a night in an hour or two,” But I knew no frat party lasted that long, so I don’t think it was even worth considering to talk Max into taking the full shift.

„Perfect!” He exclaimed in joy, „I’ll text you the address. You need someone to pick you up?”

„Nah, I’ll find my way ‘round,” I replied, getting quite confused with who the hell could he know around here good enough to crash the party.

„Okay, I’ll see you in an hour?”

„Or two.”

„Or two... Okay, get back to work and I’ll see you then.”

Once the conversation ended, I was really, really confused over Jay being the one to come to Huntington Beach. He never seemed the guy to just come after a girl who bailed on him. I could hear Max shouting my name from the bar and when I returned to my station, I saw Brian in front of me with that drunk bliss in his eyes. And most of the people squeezing their way to the bar to get a drink.

„And here comes the femme fatale!” He shouted, a drunk smile gracing his physiognomy. Femme fatale? I shot him a raised eyebrow. „Dice, babe, be a dear and get me another scotch...”

„I think you’ve had enough, Haner,” I replied, taking another dude’s order. Brian shook his head – no.

„Dice, come on, move your sexy ass and make me a drink!” he shouted over the other dickheads who thought it was a good shot to just yell out their orders. Had MJ already left? In the heat of the night? Well, that had been real fucking smart. And I was thinking to finish in two hours? Yeah, tough luck.

„No, Gates, go home.” I took the money from the guy who ordered Coors Light and locked my eyes on another, who asked for ten shots of pure tequila. How is he gonna bring them to wherever he and his company was – wasn’t really my problem, but if you ask me, it’s just a waste of his money, since someone clearly was gonna spill them over either Gates or another very drunk customer. Brian attempted to shoot me a death glare, but all he managed out of that attempt was a barely angry look.

„You’ll be sorry, Dice,” He pointed a finger to me.

„Yeah, yeah,” I waved him off, before taking the tequila bottle and filling those shot glasses. I noticed him searching his pockets and finally pulling out his keys. Oh like hell he’s driving a car in that state! My hand went for the keys and yanked out of his fingers, dropping in my back pocket.

„What the hell are you doing?” He frowned.

„Catch a cab,” I stated simply, taking the money for the shots.

„Give me back my keys!” He slurred. I took a deep breath, before turning back around from the register to give him a one time exclusive – very, very patient look.

„You’re drunk, Gates, there’s no way I’m allowing you drive in this condition,” Besides I had to get to Jay’s party somehow. „Did you forget how it ended for me? I’m lucky to be alive,” But even luck had a price tag.

His shoulders dropped as he let out a heavy sigh. „You’re right... But you mind giving me a couple bucks for the cab?”

„A rockstar is asking money from a bartender?” Hell, the world is really coming to it’s end. However I pushed my hand in the pocket of my shorts and pulled out a thick stack of my tips, handing a couple of fifties to him. „But go home, okay? Don’t do anything stupid,” But he just waved me off before disappearing in the crowd.

The stupid asshole... Somehow I didn’t think he’ll go home. He never learned. Sure I knew I was no better, but at least I wasn’t screwing my prays so openly. To be quite honest – I was almost never home and that was basically because I knew it would be easier for Matt to forget that little thing that we had if I wasn’t around, but the moron wanted to hurt himself intentionally and showed here every other night. What a masochistic lunatic. His situation was close to one where he’d be tied to a chair and I’d have a baseball bat. Pissing me off seemed the right thing to do just to get some kind of reaction out of me. In this case each time when he came to the bar and saw me flirting with my regulars was like a hard hit to the head with the bat. Frankly, I was flirting only because he showed up. How else would I make him realize we’re not meant to be? Yes, I haven’t broken up with him, but only because I really believed that would kill him. I was looking for a cheep place to rent, but it seemed the previous house we and MJ lived in had been the cheepest goddamn thing around here and like hell I’m getting it back after I trashed the place and just ditched without a word.

Somehow I had survived those two hours and somehow out of sheer luck I had talked Max into closing the bar. But when I pulled up to the address Jay provided me with, I realized that hadn’t been luck. There was no luck. No luck at all.

I even parked Brian’s car at the end of the street. Walking felt really appealing, since I knew the vehicle would get smashed if I left it anywhere closer to the house. Did I mention a fret party? Well, a fret party for Johnny’s regulars. At one point the bar went completely silent and I questioned where all the goons had went to, well... now I knew. A simple two story house, who was pushing it’s limits. There had to be at least three hundred people, but the right question to ask was – why weren’t the cops doing anything about this madness? There was no way I was taking a drink from anyone, I knew what these parties meant. Okay, i knew what a fret party meant – a sausage fest where most of the girls gets raped. But with the buff and tattooed guys strolling around, I really didn’t even know what or how things were done around here.

I swallowed thickly and watched as a guy was thrown out of the second floor window, landing in a bush of roses. That seemed like ouch. I met a couple of my regulars on my way inside and I won’t be lying when I say I almost got deaf when I walked inside. Fine, I had nothing against Linkin Park, but either I was getting too old for this, or that was way too loud.

The audience of the Linkin Park songs and whatever the hell they filled those red cups with were a mix of very underage looking people and people who were close to their thirty and just looking for a good laugh, either their fix of youth. Maybe it made them feel young around these baboons, maybe they came here to have proof they’re smarter, better and well saner than this. Either way this was chaos. What was I saying about running out of luck? When a sixteen year old crashed in me and poured his liqour over my t-shirt, the rest of the goons were practically eating me up with their stares. At this moment it seemed Lady Luck was a fucking hooker. And I was freshly out of cash. Or so I thought, when I found Jay pushing his way through the wanna-be-studs. He didn’t look too happy about any of this. And I had only one question to ask- „What the hell are you doing here, Jay?”

„I have no idea what happened,” He pulled me in a tight hug, „At first there were just me with my friends and my friends teenager brother, but now... Now I don’t know what’s happening here...”

„You know this all’s illegal, right?” I doubted he really cared, since it wasn’t his party, but I had to fulfil my duty as the law knowing citizen and inform about the thing that was happening here. „Cops should be here any minute...”

„What cops?” He scoffed, pointing to three officers shaking their hips right behind us. Oh... „So, you want something to drink?”

„Are you gonna roofie me?”

„Sure, if that’s your kink,” He replied, dragging me through the crowd and to their make shift bar, which was just a table with all sorts of liquor. The low end of course, ‘cause I knew what happened when a bottle of Grey Goose of Jim Beam was brought in a fine get-together like this. It disappeared in seconds. My eyes scanned the liquor and to be quite honest, I didn’t want to drink any of this shit. My liver was from the high end so... But before I could tell him of my plan, he was dragging me all across the room and upstairs. We passed at least four dudes who were playing tonsil hockey and as far as I could see were about to jizz in their pants. Jay pulled me in a room and locked the door behind us. It was considerably more silent here and my eyes locked on another four guys and two girls. And booze that I was ready to intoxicate myself with.

„So how’s the party outside?” One of them smirked.

„Top notch.” Jay replied sarcastically, taking a glass and filling it with Jack Daniels, before handing me.

„Who’s this fine lady, Knox? You checked if she’s not underage?” Another guy hung his arm around Jay’s neck. Knox? Somehow I got this eerie feeling...

„Yea, wouldn’t want you to end up like your wash out of a brother,” The first one, the one with the snake tattoo on his neck, added. Boy was it a fine line between running out of luck and running out of any chance of getting the luck back. I noticed Jay’s knuckles become white.

„Your brother?” I asked sheepishly. I mean, he knew I came back for a trial, but he didn’t know what was the trial about.

„My brother was nothing, but an idiot,” He answered angrily, „Tho I’d like to meet this bitch Lucy Reed who got my father behind bars too.”

Oh he didn’t know how close he was to the bitch. He had no fucking idea... I brought the glass to my lips, and anxiously swallowed every little bit of the warm liquid, forcing it down like I forced most of Jay’s family behind bars.

„Jay, tell us what happened,” One of the girls started and Jay looked back at me to check if I’m not running away, because of the tension in the air. Well... i was really considering the option. „I read something about it, but I don’t know anything really...”

„I don’t really want to talk about it,” I felt his arm snake around my waist and pull me closer. Crud! „Mal just received what was coming for him, but I swear I’d be ready to kill the bitch for what she done to my dad. Mom’s seeing the fucking shrink because of her! She tore apart our fucking family...”

„So you’re here for your dad?” Someone asked.

I felt Jay’s hand relax as he looked at me with a smile, „No. I’m here to bring this fine ass specimen back to Vegas.” He pressed a sloppy kiss to the top of my head. „So how was your trial?”

Uh-oh... „Good... I was helping out a friend. An asshole ran in his car and refused to admit it was his fault. Got five grand out of him,” I lied.

„You’re a lawyer?” The dude with the snake tattoo arched his eyebrow.

„Y-yeah...”

„Knox, your winning ticket is right here,” He pointed out to me, like it was so obvious.

„What do you mean, Trev?”

„Well, maybe Red right here knows who’s this Reed bitch, or she could try and get your dad out of prison, either option’s really something...” Yeah, it would all be just fine and dandy if I wasn’t the one to put him there in the first place. A funny thing this all turned out to be, by doing the right thing I ended up having the worst fucking timing, waking up in the Hell’s Kitchen, surrounded by the hell hounds who were asking for my help to guide the way for the horseman of Apocalypse.

Brian’s POV

For a good amount of time I was too drunk to really comprehend the situation I had fallen into. The cliche of being a rockstar. Women, drugs and alcohol - those were the three importance's of having the power to do whatever the hell you want, but the harsh truth was – not every one deserved this power. I was one of them. My life seemed to be an endless party where the sobriety was overrated and the hangover never came, the main reason for it being – the bottle never left my fingers. Maybe physically I was sober, the merry-go-round stopped spinning and my body ached for something else than the stiff liquor and constant bats to my head, but mentally I was always drunk. Mainly on life and my decisions. And my stupidity.

You think you’d do good things... great things when you had those thousands of people, who breathed every word of yours like it was the last drop of air they’d ever receive, but no. The generosity was overrated just like sobriety. The feeling of being wanted was by far the best feeling there was. And those people, who hate on me for being the exact dick I was, can go suck on it, ‘cause obviously they’d never experienced the sea of people bowing for them and making them feel like nothing else matters, but they. Sure, the fame had gone to my head, I was a cocky bastard for taking it for granted, but stop and think for a moment... What would you do in my exact place?

You’d tie yourself to a one certain person instead of exploring how far could the fame actually take you? You mean to tell me you’d really be faithful, when smokin’ hot people are throwing themselves at you and all you have to do is unbuckle your belt or if you’re not as shallow as me – agree to be treated like you’re the royalty. The apple of ones eye... Don’t be a hypocrite, you’d do the exact same thing I’m doing. You’d enjoy yourself to the full extent.

I can’t change who I am, neither I want to. I have everything I ever wanted so why would I commit to something I’m not sure I’m willing to have? Yes, I’m talking about MJ. I’m not sure what she’s feeling towards me, but for the first time in my life I don’t know if I like the endless attention. It seems like she’d jump of a bridge if only I asked her to, but somehow I can’t get her out of my head. I try writing it off as she’s one of my best friends, but then again – I don’t think about Dice in that way. I never have... Sure, I love her to death, and in this situation I’m not afraid to use the word ‘love’, ‘cause it’s no that kind of love that involves the Cupid, butterflies in the stomach or even a broken heart. Dice is like the other half of me, the more feminine one, who get’s me without the actual need of hearing what I have to say. If I wouldn’t know better, I’d say she’s my twin, but MJ... I’d say she’s even afraid to speak her mind around me, afraid of hurting whatever there’s to hurt.

But hell, I’m not afraid to hurt anyone... I don’t want to – yes, but afraid? No. My actions proves it perfectly, otherwise I wouldn’t have hooked up with the girl I know she hates. Why did I do that? Could you possibly ask me an even harder question? I don’t know why the fuck I do the things that I do. I just do. Like after Dice told to go home... Did I? Of course not, I hit another couple of bars and only then I stumbled up the stairs of my house and fell in the bed. I fell asleep instantly.

But something woke me up... The emptiness of the bed. I couldn’t deny I was still drunk, it was humanly impossible to become sober in a couple of hours after the large dosage of booze I had poured in myself. I strongly believed one day I’ll die of intoxication, but for what’s worth – I’ll die a happy man, since liquor was the one to help me forget all the wrongs of my doings for most of the time. But it didn’t help me forget of the empty bedside.

I forced myself to get up from the bed and only then I realized I had been sleeping with my clothes. I woke up in my leather jacket and I still had my boots on. And the room was spinning... the perfect start of the day.

But when I exited the room, the smell of food being prepared hit my nose and just then I remembered I hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday’s morning. Thank god for MJ, otherwise I’d probably die of starvation.

To say I stumbled in the kitchen was an understatement... it seemed my brain was shutting down one brain cell at a time, but it started working when my eyes locked on MJ’s tempting body by the oven. Somehow just the thought of me being inside her, turned on whatever brain cells I had left because of the excessive drinking and let me manage my way to her, just for my hands to fall over her petite hips.

„What are you doing out of bed on your day off?” I mumbled against the skin of her neck. Sure, this made me in fact an asshole, acting like this with her was the wrong thing to do, but then please, tell me why did it feel so right? „And why do you look so damned tempting?”

My lips trailed kisses all the way from her neck to her shoulder, before I gave a light bite to it. This was probably still booze making me appear so macho and the eternal stud like, but in all honesty I just wanted to let her go, to stop hurting her, but I couldn’t... I just fucking couldn’t. I was a selfish bastard. „I-I was making some-some breakfast...”

I smirked, my hands travelling up her stomach, „Thanks, but I think I already found my breakfast,” My hand shot up to disappear behind her robe and cup her breast, feeling the soft skin under my fingertips and her nipple between my index finger and thumb. I couldn’t mistake the silent moan for anything else, but a sign to have my wicked ways with her.

I pulled out my hand from her purple robe and turned her around, turning off the oven and right after pushing her against the kitchen island, undoing the knot of the robe, revealing her perfectly flat stomach and the black laced panties. My eyes locked with hers and I knew she realized I wasn’t feeling very gentle this morning. I was never gentle and I was exceptionally rough and needy when I was drunk and soon to be hungover.

I pushed the lace piece down her legs, my hands running up her thighs to raise her on the island. Her eyes were locked on my fingers who undid the belt of my pants. But then she frowned, „Wh-why are you wearing your jacket?”

The corner of my lips raised in a smirk, „’Cause you didn’t undress me,” Her blues instantly shot up to me and I couldn’t miss the blush on her cheeks. She was almost too cute for it to be legal. And sexy... Don’t forget sexy as hell. And I was starting to get really impatient, that’s why it was only a matter of seconds, before my pants were down and my hard cock was inside her. She cried out and I couldn’t understand if it was because of the pain or pleasure, but there was no way I was stopping now.

Her arm snaked around my neck as my fingers had a strong grip on her thighs. It wouldn’t be a wonder I’d marked her, I was famous for it. Her eyes closed as I picked up the right tempo. „Look at me,” I demanded in a low growl, she shook her head and I could feel her walls tightening around me, „MJ... Open. Your. Eyes...”

I didn’t know why I wanted that, no... more than needed... I needed for her to look at me and know how much I wanted her. The need was almost painful even now and I just couldn’t get enough of her. MJ’s eyes flustered open and her lips parted. Her eyes were clouded by lust or was it something else... No, I didn’t want to think about it. She shouldn’t have those feelings. Vaguely I realized I just heard the car door slam just outside and with a loud cry from her part a ‘fuck’ from mine, I came... and so did she... at the right exact moment when the front door flew open.

„Gates! MJ!” Dice barged in the palest I’d ever seen her, stopping mid track only when seeing me pulling my pants back up and MJ getting off the island. „Oh... Sorry, I didn’t...” Did she honestly look taken aback? Well, that was a first. „Anyhow... Is that food I smell?!”

„Y-yeah...” MJ sighed, fixing herself a bit, „I was just fixing breakfast.”

„Sweet,” and with that dice flunked on one of the island stools. Somehow I didn’t think she was here for the food. „Can you make me some waffles? Thank you.”

„So... what’s up?” I asked a bit confused by her being so side tracked – her eyes scanning the surroundings and let’s be honest, she’s not here for the first time.

„Oh you know, finding out that I hooked up with Malcolm’s brother and he wants me be the one to bail his dad out, but nothing major,” She mused silently and I had to be sure I heard it right, ‘cause it seemed I was the only one to hear it. MJ was too busy working her magic by the stove. A great frown took over my face as I went around and jerked her off the stool, dragging her to the living room.

„What the hell did you just say?” I raged, she looked anywhere but at me, when a heavy sigh escaped her and she brushed her fingers through her hair. „You’re not honestly considering it,”

„Dice, the waffles with chocolate sauce?” MJ shouted from the kitchen.

„Yes, please!” she replied, her greens fixed on me.

„Well?”

„No, I’m not fucking considering it, okay? Jeez...” She rolled her eyes obviously frustrated.

„Thank god...” I relaxed.

„But from what I get, his brother – Jay – the dude I lived with in Vegas, has set bounty on Lucy Reed,” She rubbed her hands over her face and looked like she was about to fall apart. Either from the sleepless nights or simply of everything that was happening. I helped her to the couch and took a seat beside her.

„He doesn’t know who you are?” I asked with a strong concern in my voice.

„No... I didn’t tell him my real name, however if he’s smart enough to put the two and two together, I’m sure he’ll figure who’s the one in the photos from after the first trial,” She threw her ankle over her thigh, shaking her foot nervously.

„Why isn’t he after, you know, MJ?” And thank god he wasn’t. Blondie had gone through enough as it was.

„’Cause he doesn’t care about Malcolm, he’s after the bitch who put his dad behind bars... And he wants to get me back to Vegas.” Her hands rested on the top of her head.

„Are you going?” I questioned, putting my hand on her thigh in a reassuring manner.

She looked at me patiently, almost measuring how big of an idiot I truly was. „Are you nuts? Does it look like I have a death wish on me?”

„Try going for the restraining order,” I said thoughtfully.

„On what proof? He’s not beating me up, nor he’s threatening me directly... this is so fucking messed up...” Her hands fell over her eyes and MJ appeared in front of us with a plate of waffles swimming in chocolate sauce.

„Is... everything okay?” She laid the tray on the coffee table, concern written all over her face. No everything was not fucking okay, but I guess that’s what you get if you’re a lawyer. Constant threats, but I don’t get why was she so worked up, it’s not like she hadn’t been threatened before.

„No, everything’s not fucking okay!” Dice cried out, her hands still covering her eyes. Don’t you fucking dare, Red, MJ doesn’t need to know about this. I could feel my eyes widening on Dice and the urge to put a sock in her pie hole just growing, „I forgot to cash Amber for her drinks!”

„You mean to tell you haven’t been home?” I noticed MJ holding in a chuckle. Dice’s hands slowly dropped from her eyes and to her lap.

„Does it look like I’ve been home?” She asked sarcastically, „My eyes probably are the most bloodshot they’ve ever been, I’m wearing the same clothes I wore two days ago and I have a feeling of a skunk dying in my mouth, what do you think, MJ?”

„Don’t you think Matt is... uhmm... worried?”

„Worried...” Dice retorted and snorted right after, „Well let me tell you—„

„Gates? You ready?” And speaking of the devil. He just barged in. It seemed like this was come one, come all day at the Haner house hold. Even tho he had addressed me, his eyes instantly fell upon Dice.

„Ready for what?” Please don’t tell me it was already time to go to the studio... I was in no shape to work today. Matt could just tell me we had something else planned, that I could swiftly cancel just like that.

„You weren’t home,” He ignored me completely and went in a straight attack at Dice.

„Well, you did tell me to find my own way home,” She shrugged, „I got lost.”

It seemed like Matt was fighting some kind of inner demons, before he exhaled heavily, „Come on, I’ll give you a ride home.”

„No,” She folded her arms, her eyes glued to the waffles on the coffee table.

„Stop fooling around, I won’t be home all day, you don’t have to worry—„

„No, Matt,” She turned her head towards him, „I want to go to the studio. With you.”

Notes