Matt’s POV

“What the fuck are smiling about, Sanders?” Matt Berry asked as I paced the back stage area, reliving my early morning with Maya. I just kept replaying her words over and over again in my head. Hell, it wasn’t every day that the girl of your dreams admitted that she loved you. Okay, so maybe she hadn’t used those exact words, but we both knew what she meant—she loved me. And though I couldn’t be completely sure, I swear she uttered those three little words while we were making love. Hell even the possibility of her saying them made my heart swell.

“Are you that excited for sound check this morning?” Matt continued and I just flipped him off, the smile not moving from my lips. He had been the one that pulled me away from Maya way too soon this morning. Fuck, I hated sound checks before noon.

“Nah, he finally got laid again last night,” JB chuckled, slapping my ass as he passed by with Jimmy’s drum bag. “Took fucking long enough for you guys to stop pouting.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed, punching him in the shoulder. “At least I’m getting laid,” and it was true. I hadn’t seen either of the Berry brothers with a girl in the last few weeks. And if truth be told, I think they both needed it. They were starting to act like little bitches. “I think Christ has seen more action that you lately!”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Johnny said, looking offended. He was sitting on the couch with his bass across his lap, watching Jimmy’s sticks fly on the drum pad. The Rev looked like he was in a different world as his hands moved at warp speed. He was holding a conversation with Gates but he didn’t seem to be all there. A smile ghosted Jimmy’s lips but he only half laughed at whatever Gates was saying. What was up with that? Usually Jimbo was over the top with his shenanigans with Gates.

“He just means that you’re usually too short to see over the bar to meet to a women,” Zack shot back for me, causing all of us to laugh except for Johnny, who flipped him off.

“You son of a bitch! You’re just jealous because I’ve seen more ass than you for weeks. Face it, Vee, you’ve lost your touch!” Johnny shot back, laughing.

“Fuck you, Christ!” Zack took a sip of his beer before spitting all over the short one.

“Did someone need a shower?” Gates piped up.

I hadn’t had the chance to talk to Gates yet today, but judging by his mood and the stupid grin on his face, he and Avery made up. Not to mention that I saw them making out in the hallway before we left for sound check. He obviously wasn’t too excited about this sound check either but at least he wasn’t pouting like a little bitch or drinking his life way like yesterday. That little gnome was good for him and we all knew it.

“You’re going to fucking get it!” Johnny yelled, whipping the beer off of his face and launching after Zacky.

“Remember, you can take him! You can fucking beat his ass, Christ!” Gates edged him one, roaring with laughter with Jimmy. Did we learn from this the last time when Zack broke his hand? They were going to fight over my dead fucking body. We didn’t need anyone out of commission.

“Okay, we are ready for you dicks on stage,” Matt Berry announced, reappearing through the door. I hadn’t even noticed that he left.

All throughout sound check my mind was on one thing and one thing only—the beautiful woman sitting in the sixth row. Damn it, I couldn’t concentrate on anything that I was supposed to be doing with her eyes on me. She turned me on and made me feel awake and alive. Hell, I was getting so fucking turned on just seeing her sway to the beat with Avery. And to make matters worse, all I could think about was Maya saying those three little words to me. Would she say them again? Had I heard her correctly? I fucking hoped so!

“Matt? Matt!”

I shook my head and stepped down off the rise, looking at Nigel, our sound technician, who was waving his hands at me. Had I missed something? “Did you fucking hear what I said?”

“No dude, sorry,” I smiled sheepishly, running my hand over the back of my head. Somewhere behind me I heard the guys groan in frustration and I knew I had fucked up. What was it that I was supposed to be listening for again?

“How is the balance? Can you hear everything in your earpiece? This is a different set up then we usually have so I want to make sure everything works,” Nigel said, trying to stay calm, even though I could see the frustration written all over his face.

“Umm…yeah, I can hear in my earpiece, but I could use a little more Jimmy and Zack.” Fuck I hoped that was actually what I needed and I wasn’t pulling answers out my ass. We needed this to work and we only had a few minutes left before we had to move off stage for the next band. Tonight we were first in the line up after the opener so that we could make it to our destination in Pennsylvania on time.

“My levels could be turned up too, Niggy! I cant hear my Gatesy-poo or Vengy!” Jimmy screamed from the back of the stage as my eyes wandered back to Maya. Just then one of our fireworks exploded and both girls jumped, causing me to laugh. They were too cute and funny and I couldn’t image being on the road without them. I didn’t even want to think about them going back to college.

“Five minutes left, guys!” Matt called and I cursed under my breath. We weren’t ready for this show yet and it wasn’t anyone’s fault but my own.

“Shit, let’s start at the guitar solo of Seize the Day to make sure that you’ve got the right pedals plugged in,” I said to Gates. He nodded and moved over to Za to relay his instructions.

By the time we had finished the song, I was feeling a little better about our sound check. They guys didn’t seem to notice my mental absence but then again I don’t think they’d blame me if they knew what happened last night. It wasn’t every day the girl of your dreams admits that she love you and that you are the only one for her. I just hoped she didn’t go back on those feelings.

“You guys sounded great!” Maya said, running into my arms as I climbed off the front of the stage. “Oh, I wish we could see the show. You know how I love to see you up there,” she whispered in my ear, sending chills down my spin. I immediately felt an erection spring to life with that motion. Why did this woman have that effect on me?

“Maybe we could arrange something so you could,” I offered, pulling her into my body. I was addicted to her and I could never have enough. I was close to the fucking overdose and I knew it, but what could possibly happen if I overdosed on love? Has that field been scientifically researched? Fuck, I knew now more than ever that I couldn’t live without her, which meant I needed to come clean about everything. Larry’s rules, the Val situation, and how we could make this work when she went back to school.

Maya bit down on her bottom lip and looked up at me with excitement in her eyes. So imagine me surprised when she suddenly frowned. “I can’t leave Ave and Jess to do all the work tonight. They want to see the show too, especially Ave because she and Gates finally made up. Thank fucking god because if I saw her cry one more time was personally going to castrate him.”

I threw my head back with a loud laugh, loving Maya’s feisty side. She was really my perfect match because I felt the same way about seeing Gates pout about her. “Well, let me talk to some of the roadies and see what I can do. You girls deserve a night off every once and while.”

“What do you have an in with the boss or something?” Maya teased, walking her fingers up my chest in a seductive manner. I could see the mischief in her eyes and I swallowed thickly to control myself. Come on Sanders, hold yourself together. You cant just run off right now and fuck her senseless.

“I may…but it’s gonna cost you,” I threw her a wink and she just tilted her head with a questioning look. Oh, this could be exactly the opportunity I was looking for to hear those words again last night. I chuckled and flashed her a dimpled grin as I hugged her petite frame to my body.

“Oh yeah? What could you possibly want from little ol’ me, big guy?” Oh, she was good at acting all sweet and innocent, even though I knew exactly what kind of freak she was in the bedroom. That act wouldn’t fool me. I narrowed my eyes and bit my bottom lip as I ran my fingers through her long hair. Fuck, it was no surprise how much I wanted her, especially when my boner was stabbing her in the thigh.

“Well…” My hands slid down her sides and dropped on her ass. I picked her up with one swift movement, her legs wrapping around my waist and my lips firmly on hers. “I want to hear what you told me last night again,” I whispered against her lips, the joy and excitement flowing through my veins. Only that joy was short lived because she pulled away and looked at me with a confused look.

“What?” Fuck, why did she look both scared and confused? Don’t tell me she didn’t fucking remember what she said to me last night? But that was exactly it. One look in her eyes told me that she honestly had no idea what I was talking about.

I took a deep breath, cursing inwardly, realizing I was definitely not going to hear what I wanted to hear. It was obvious that she had no idea what we talk about last night and I wasn’t going to push the topic. Like Ave had warned me before, if I did too much at once she would push away from me and I didn’t want that to happen.

“Nothing,” I said, forcing a smile as I let her stand back on her own two feet. This fucking sucked but I was convinced if she said it once, then she would say it again. “Let’s head back to the bus. I’m fucking starving.”

“Matt!” Maya said, grabbing my hand and turning me back to face her. Shit, I was hoping that she wouldn’t ask questions. “What are you talking about? What did I say last night?” That look of panic in her eyes was killing me and I didn’t want her to feel that way. I would give anything to take away the anxiety that I caused her.

“Nothing, M. You didn’t say anything important,” I sighed, running my hands over my face. Just by the look on her face I knew that she wasn’t buy it.

“Bullshit, what the hell did I say last night, Matt?” Now she was starting to get pissed off, which was the exact opposite of what I wanted. Damn it, why did I have to open my big mouth? I could have just left well enough alone because not only did it suck that she didn’t remember, but also that she was undoubtedly going to freak out about it. “Tell me!” she urged, shoving me lightly in the chest.

I took in a deep breath and slowly let it out, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Matt please.” Her eyes were suddenly staring into mine and I knew I couldn’t keep it from her. If she really meant it, she wouldn’t be upset when I told her, right? At least that’s what I was telling myself.

I pulled her over to the seats and sat her down on my lap, looking her straight in the eye. “Last night you told me…” I sighed again and tried to fight the huge smile that was spreading across my face. “You told me that you’ve never had as strong of feeling for someone as you do me and that you’ve never felt so devoted….and,” I stopped with a smile, trying to read her features but I couldn’t.

“And what?” she whispered, her hands now cupping my face.

“And I could have swore while we were making love that you said those three little words…”

Avery’s POV

“Do you know it should be illegal for you look so damn appetizing in a dress like that?” Brian said, pulling me into his arm after he handed his guitar off to Za.

I couldn’t help but blush and bite down on my bottom lip. His compliments never got old and they always affected me in the same way. I think it was because I could tell that he actually meant it, especially with the way his hands were running over my curves in my white sundress. “You look absolutely sinful, Ave.”

Brian leaned forward and placed a hungry kiss on my lips. “But no where near as good as you playing up there on stage,” I giggled against his lips. I couldn’t get close enough to him and I wanted more. His smell and presence were driving me insane and I couldn’t believe that we had wasted a whole day fighting over nothing. It was all stupid now.

“Eww…Ave, please don’t encourage his ego. It’s big enough for the whole damn band as it is,” Matt Berry teased as he walked by with an armful of chords. “Oh, and Gates you fucking owe me a new bottle of wine. Don’t think I didn’t notice that it was missing.”

“Fuck you! Who said I took it?!” Brian called over my shoulder, half laughing.

“Don’t think I didn’t fucking see it on the table in your room this morning when you answered the door.”

Damn it, we were caught. Brian said that it would be okay to take it, and I believed him. Oh well, I would do it again in a heartbeat, especially if it meant we would have another amazing night. We spent the early hours of the morning making up and let me tell you, the make up sex was some of our best. I just hoped that we didn’t have to go through that again. I hated fighting with Brian.

“You fucking snoop!” Brian laughed, pulling me toward the exit. “But fine, I will get you another bottle of wine.” And maybe we should make a stash of our own! That wouldn’t be too bad of an idea, come to think about it.

“Thank you! Next time fucking ask. Would that be so fucking hard?” Matt laughed and punched Brian’s shoulder before he disappeared behind the curtains with the equipment. We took that as an opportunity to leave and hightailed it for the door.

As soon as we were outside, Brian pressed my back to the concrete wall, looking down at me like an animal who had corned his prey. “I’ll tell you what is fucking hard,” Brian growled in my ear before grazing it with his teeth.

I could feel his member stabbing me in the stomach and I swallowed thickly, trying to gather my thoughts. How was it that he could have me soaked in a manner of seconds? I didn’t know, but I did know that I loved the feeling of being in his arms. Whenever he touched me or looked at me I felt like the luckiest girl on the face of the earth. I guess that was all part of being in love.

“What do you think about sneaking away for a little while before the show? Just you and me, beautiful,” Brian whispered in my ear, his fingers running through my long dark hair and then down my sides. I felt every nerve ending in my body come alive when his calloused fingers grazed my skin. Brian was like a fucking drug. “We could go get some lunch and then I could have you for desert…” My heart fluttered in my chest at his words and I wanted that more than anything. I still had yet to actually cook for him but maybe when we went back to Huntington Beach in two weeks.

However, when I opened my mouth to respond, someone else’s voice came out. “Ave! There you fucking are!” Zacky said, appearing around the corner. “Where the hell have you been?”

Brian cursed under his breath and took a step away from me, glaring at Zack. We should have known better than to think that we’d have any private time before a show. There was always someone or something standing in our way. Maybe we could sneak away when we arrived at the next venue.

“Sorry, Z, I’ve been a little busy,” I said, looking up at Brian with an apologetic smile. “What’s up?”

“I have the most brilliant fucking idea and I need both you Maya to help me execute it,” Zack said excitedly, looking between Brian and I. Only Brian didn’t look too happy about it. In fact, I could see his jaw tense up and that was never a good sign.

“No,” Brian said simply. “Matt and I already told you that it wasn’t fucking happening. You heard what Larry said about the rules.” Wait what? My dad said something and no one told me? What the hell was going on here?

“What the hell are you guys talking about?” I asked, stopping in my tracks and looking back and forth between them. “My dad gave us rules?”

“Yeah, what’s going on?” Maya’s voice sounded behind me. I felt her arm snake through mine and I smiled at her. She looked the happiest I’d seen her in a long time, though I’m not exactly sure what changed in the past ten minutes? Did Matt give her a really great quickie?

“Drop it Baker, it’s not happening, we already told you no,” Matt said, still leaving both Maya and I in the dark.

“Well, I don’t think that’s your decision,” Zack countered, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Larry doesn’t control their lives and they are old enough to make their own choices. I think it would be a great fucking idea!”

Maya and I looked at each other and then back at the guys. What the hell was going on here and why wasn’t anyone telling us anything?

“No,” Brian said sternly again and I just gapped at him. He was answering for me now? Since when?

“No what?” I asked. Now it was my turn to cross my arms in front of my chest.

“Someone better start explaining what’s going on here,” Maya added and I nodded my head in agreement. I could tell just by her posture that she was getting pissed off from being left in the dark and the guys making decisions for us.

“Yeah, especially if it’s our choice!” I looked pointedly at Brian and he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “What rules did my dad leave and what is Zack talking about?”

“Fucking hell,” Brian groaned. “When your dad agreed that we could see you, he told us we had to follow certain rules. We were going to tell you but, well you know what happened,” he sighed.

“So what exactly are these rules?” Maya looked pissed and I was getting there too.

“He said that we had to promise that you girls wouldn’t end up in the public eye and that you had to go back to college in the fall,” Matt sighed, looking at Maya with a slight frown. “And we agreed that it was your choice of whether or not you wanted to be in the public eye,” he continued motioning towards him and Brian. “Because I want everyone to know that you are my girl Maya. I don’t want there to be any question in anyone’s mind.”

“Same here, Ave,” Brain put his arm around my waist and pulled me into his side. “I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to hide you…but your dad thought it might be better to keep our relationship from the public. Its up to you though, Babe.”

I blinked at him and then shook my head. “Wait a minute, so what was the deal with Zacky?” I was still confused.

Zacky excitedly rubbed his hands together and then looked at Maya and I. “I want you two to model the new line for Vengeance University,” he said, his green eyes glowing with excitement. “I’ve got the clothes all ready to go, I just need pictures to put on the website. I even have the few that you girls helped me to design. So who better to model them then you two gorgeous ladies? Jess could join you too if she likes.”

“No!” Brian growled, pulling me back into his side. “I don’t want creeps ogling over my fucking girlfriend.”

“No one is going to know who they are, Gates. I already told you that. We don’t take pictures of faces unless it’s for a hat. You don’t have anything to worry about. We’d do it by my pool in two weeks when we go back. What do you say?” Zack asked, his eyes pleading with us.

Maya and I looked at each other with small smiles coming over our faces. We had always wanted to model, especially our own designs, and this was exactly that opportunity in a way. “Oh, and did I mention, I’ll let you keep anything you try on in the warehouse?” Zack added, making both Brian and Matt groan. I knew they didn’t like the idea but they didn’t have a say. This was our choice and I didn’t see the harm if we weren’t showing our faces. My dad would never know, right?

“Count us in!” Maya said, grabbing me and jumping up and down.

“Hell fucking yes!” Zack yelled, while Brian and Matt groaned. They worried too much. We would be fine and dad would never know. “Come on, let’s go discuss details and see if Jess will join us before the show.”

“You better not keep them the whole fucking time,” Brian called behind me, lighting up a cigarette. “Remember we leave on the bus right after were done, and I want time with my girlfriend before we go on stage,” he said, blowing out a cloud of smoke.

“You’ll see her when I’m done with her,” Zack teased, earning the middle finger.

“No, I want to know what the hell you are planning, so we’re coming with you,” Matt said, following Zack and Maya as I stole a drag from Brian. I took his hand and pulled him along with me, not wanting to waste a minute of our time together. I had no problem with Brian knowing exactly what Maya and I would be doing, especially after we made that promise to each other last night. No secrets. No one else with complete honesty all the time.

“Don’t worry so much, the girls will be in good hands.”

“You better hope so, Baker or else you’re on Larry’s shit list.” Matt grumbled as we reached the bus.

“Relax, this isn’t my first rodeo…so I was thinking that we would…” Zacky started, pulling up a picture on his laptop. Only I really wasn’t paying attention. My eyes were on Brian as his hand moved dangerously up and down my exposed knee and thigh. What kind of game were we playing now? Was he trying to get me to back out of modeling gig?

“So what do you say, Ave?” Zack asked me, smiling at whatever he had just said. In all honestly, my mind was in a euphoric state from Brian’s touch and I had no idea what he had just said. I just wanted to close my eyes and let Brian have his wicked way with me.

“Sounds perfect, count me in,” I breathed, though I was looking directly at Brian with a totally different thought in mind.

Notes

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