Avery’s POV

“This game is boring,” Jimmy groaned sometime after both Maya and Matt disappeared into the back room. I couldn’t believe she left me alone with Brian breathing down the back of my neck, especially after that talk we had in the gift shop. I could see him eyeing me with that smirk on his face, causing my heart to flutter in my chest every time I looked at him.

“We’ve done everything in this game!” he continued to whine, now hanging upside down off the couch next to Johnny. “Can’t we do something else?”

“I’m fine with just drinking,” Zacky chuckled, his arm stretching behind me after seeing Brian shift towards me. I was thankful for his protection, but both of them were sitting extremely closed. I was surrounded by a wave of sweet cologne that was making my head cloudy.

I licked my lips and reached out for my cup but Brian passed it to me first. “So, Ave, any private parties planned tonight?” He asked, his dark eyes meeting mine.

I frowned and a deep creased formed on my forehead. What was he talking about and why did he care? He had made his actions very clear the other day and I would be damned if I would let him get to me again…though deep down I really wanted him too. Why did he have to have this kind of effect on me? I wanted to hate him and move on but instead I just simply melted under his gaze and touch. It was like torture knowing that he didn’t want me the way I wanted him.

“What does it matter to you, Gates?” Zacky answered, a smirk coming over his face. I ducked myself into his side as I chewed my bottom lip, interested to hear the answer that question too.

Brian shrugged and took a sip of his beer as his pinky finger gently touched the side of my leg. I took in a sharp breath, feeling the goosebumps explode on the sight. Why did he make me feel this way?

“I just thought maybe the rest of us could be included this time,” he smirked, looking even smugger. “We like a good party just as much as you do, Vee.”

“Did someone say party?!” Jimmy interrupted, stopping his wrestling with the Xbox control and letting it fall to the floor. “You know you can’t spell party with out Jimmy!” I raised a brow at him with a giggle. “So what are we thinking?”

Jimmy came over behind us and put his arms around Brian, Zacky, and I, rocking us back and forth on the bench. “I’m thinking low lighting, driving music, and an assortment of shots. It could be a shot party!” He screamed in my ear as I recoiled into Zacky. This guy really didn’t have a volume control switch.

“We’re not having a party, Jimmy,” Zack chuckled and Jimmy’s head crashed down on my shoulder. He let out a loud whimper and I sympathetically patted his head, his hair falling in my face.

“Why do you always have to destroy the fun…” he sighed on my shoulder. “I just wanted to have a nice evening with—Hey short shit, I bet I can beat you at a shot challenge!” I gapped as I watched Jimmy fly across the room and grab the bottle of Jack off the windowsill, amazed at his sudden switch. Must be nice to be so free spirited.

“Anyway, so what’s the plan for the evening?” Brian’s eyes were looking at me again and I nervously chewed my bottom lip. He smiled at me and lifted his beer to his lips.

“Ave’s coming with me to the after party,” Zack answered for me and Brian’s face fell. Those brown eyes narrowed on Zacky and I felt like I was in the middle of a war zone. Was he hoping I would go with him after what he did to me? If he wanted to go with me, he needed to ask and apologize. “Right, Ave?”

I took in a deep breath and nodded slowly. “Yeah, Jason asked if I wanted to get a drink later too,” I shrugged, averting my eyes and taking a big swig of my drink. Was this whole thing awkward or was it just me? Right now I wished I was anywhere but in the middle of these two guys. You could cut the tension between them with a knife.

Thank goodness at that exact moment Matt and Maya appeared from the back room. As soon as I saw Maya, I gave her a pleading looking, begging her to help me. She gave me a sympathetic smile and moved away from Matt just as the driver announced we would be arriving soon. Maya made her way over to the table and looked between Brian, Zacky, and I, shaking her head.

“Have a nice time?” Brian asked as he turned towards her. Maya just chuckled and shook her head again.

“Yes, now move it, Brown eyes,” Maya said, patting Brian’s shoulder so he would get up. “I need to talk to Ave about our set up.”

“There is plenty of room on the other bench, love,” He smiled, the two of them glared each other down. Oh, this wasn’t good. “Besides, didn’t your mother teach you to say please and thank you?”

“Gates just move for the lady,” Zack groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. However, no one was moving and the tension was again rising in the room, making me feel really uncomfortable.

“I think I’m gonna—“ I started but Maya cut me off.

“Actually she didn’t, so move your ass,” Maya smirked and crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing on Brian. She smiled though her tone was sharp. “And haven’t you ever heard of moving for a lady? Let’s go, Gates.”

Brian scoffed and shook his head, looking over at me and then at Matt, who was glaring in our direction. “Yeah, well I don’t see one of those standing here so I think I’ll stay. The bench over there is free.”

“Dude, come on, don’t be a dick. Just move your—” Zack started but just then Maya swatted the fedora off Gates head and across the room. Oh, I really didn’t like where this was headed. In my experience, it wasn’t a good idea to piss Maya off because then you are forever on her shit list. I’ve seen her make a person’s life a living hell for much lesser crimes.

“Oops, sorry about that,” she shrugged, looking innocent. “Now you’ll just have to go get it.” I pinched my eyes shut praying that Brian would just move but to my horror, that was the last thing that happened. “Ave and I have some business to discuss.”

“What the hell is your problem?” Brian crossed his arms in front of him but refused to budge. “I’m not moving. You’ll be perfectly fine sitting down on the other bench. Besides whatever you have to talk about set up you can say in front of me and Baker.”

“What the hell is my problem?” Maya scoffed, putting her finger on her face like she was thinking. That was never good to get her sassy side out. “Oh, I don’t know maybe you screwed over my best friend and now you’re trying to do it again? Well, guess what, she doesn’t want you. You lost your chance, Gates!” Maya snapped and I felt my stomach drop to my feet. Even though I was thankful for Maya sticking up for me, it didn’t feel right. “So move onto your next victim because that is not going to be Ave again. Get that sick twisted little thought right out of your head. Right, Ave?”

“Well last time I check, Ave was old enough to make her own fucking decisions and didn’t need a fucking baby sitter, right Ave?” Brian shot back and I sunk down in the seat.

I suddenly felt all eyes on the bus on me and I wanted to disappear. Something didn’t feel right about all this and I didn’t know why. Hell, I knew I liked Brian but why did I feel like I was going to be sick right now? It was then that those dark eyes met mine and I gapped.

“Here we are!” the driver called as the panic started to set in.

“Ave, you don’t have to answer to this asshole,” Maya continued. “He’s just playing jealous because he realized he's missing out on the best thing that ever happened to him. Well, guess what, brown eyes? Ave’s too good for you! So you cant take your jealous ass and go the other way and not give her a second look!”

“I’m not fucking jealous!” Brian was suddenly sanding and glaring down at Maya. I couldn’t take it anymore. “I am just looking out for—“

“Looking out to make sure no one else touches what you had? She’s not allowed to be happy after you decided that you didn’t want her, that she wasn’t good enough for you? She’s not a fucking toy for you to play with when you decide that you want her!” I suddenly felt like I had bee slapped in the face by the reality of Maya’s words. “That’s fucking rich!”

“I-I have to go…” I said, and climbed around Brian and ran out the door. Thank goodness the bus just stopped because I felt sick and wished I had road on our bus instead. I couldn’t hear any more of that conversation.

“Will you all just calm the fuck down? Look I don’t care what happened, just stop—“

“Avery wait!” A voice called after me but I was moving too fast to decipher who it was. As soon as I got off the bus, I fled towards the merchandise truck to get to work. I really just couldn’t deal with the drama anymore and I needed some time to think. I was so confused.

I kept running until I reached the truck and collapsed on the back part of the loading dock. “Fucking hell…what was that mess back there?” I rasped to myself as I tried to catch my breath, not realizing that I had just ran the length of the venue until just now.

I couldn’t believe that Maya just told Brian off and basically told him to stay away from me. Did I really want that? Kind of? I don’t know…I was so confused right now it wasn’t even funny. I knew that he was probably just playing games but part of me hoped he was slowly coming around, that he might actually like me. I mean, today was the first day that he had actually touched me and showed interest again and I really liked that. Did that mean he liked me too? Well, now I would never know because Maya told him I wasn’t interested. I knew after everything that happened that I shouldn't like him but I would be lying to myself if I said I wasn’t still into him.

“What are you doing over here already, Ave?” I turned around with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth to see the Berry brothers coming towards the truck. They must need some of their equipment. “You’ve got a few hours before you need to set up. We don’t play until tomorrow, you know. We have sound check today, but that’s it.”

I quickly lit up and took in a long drag, feeling the nicotine work its magic. “Just having a moment to myself,” I sighed with a cloud of smoke. “And I forgot to take inventory in Dallas,” I lied but I couldn’t hide the frown on my face.

Jason passed a piece of paper to his brother and walked over to my side, looking me up and down. He frowned when our eyes met and held me at arms length. “What’s the matter? And don’t tell me nothing because I can see it in your eyes,” he said and my jaw dropped slightly. Did Jason know me that well already?

“I’ll be fine, just some drama on the bus. Nothing to worry about,” I said, pushing the comment away with my hand. “How was your ride?”

“Honestly?” Jason chuckled, answering my question instead of pushing the topic further. I was very thankful for that. “It was boring without you girls. I think that’s the first time since we left that we haven’t been on the same bus. Though between you and me, I would be fine with just you with me on the bus.” Jason gave me an obnoxious wink and I smiled and shook my head.

“You got something in your eye there?” I laughed as he pulled me into a hug, all of my anxiety melting away. “So what are you doing tonight?”

Jason put his chin on top of my head as he playfully rocked me back and forth. “Well, unfortunately, the guys asked me to go out on the town with them tonight. So I guess I will be at some fine strip club establishment with my brother, Dan, Za, and Christ. It’s a stag night or else I would invite you as my plus one.” Jason frowned and shrugged his shoulder.

“That sounds fun,” I said with a smile, though part of me was hoping that he could distract me for the evening. Hopefully Zacky was still available. “I bet you’ll have some fun stories…specially if you get Jimmy to go,” I chuckled and Jason’s eyes got big as he nodded.

“You don’t want to see Rev at a strip club,” he laughed. “He is even more hyper than you saw him today and he thinks he is a smooth talker, but…well I be you can imagine the rest.”

“Yeah,” I took another drag before I kicked my cigarette away. “Well…It’ll be a lonely night here without you. Do you know what the others are doing?”

Jason took a seat on the loading dock of the truck and pulled me onto his lap, his hands holding loosely around his waist. I just felt so comfortable around him and I loved that there was no pressure—it was just natural. “Well, this a festival, so there will be some bands playing tonight. I think I saw Breaking Benjamin and Five Finger Death Punch’s buses parked. So I’m sure they will be going to party with them, specially since we’re all buds.”

“Any chance you guys will be back before the party is over?” I asked, just trying to find someone to hang out with tonight. Sure I could hang out with Maya if she wasn’t glued to Matt, but if I knew my best friend, she would be sneaking off into private while the night was still young. Zack was always an option but something told me that he would be with Brian after what happened on the bus. Zack told me before that he was Brian’s wingman and vice-versa. I was pretty sure that whatever was going on between Brian and I on the bus today was no more—there was no way Brian would be looking for me tonight.

Jason turned me around in his lap to look me in the eye. “Why, what are you offering here?” he teased, wiggling his eyebrows at me. I threw my head back and laughed. “Not strippers if that’s what you mean,” I giggled.

“Damn. Well…I cant promise anything, but I’ll see what I can do if you’re going to miss me that badly.” He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear with a small smile. “Tell you what, beautiful, how about we go get breakfast tomorrow? Just you and me?”

I smiled at Jason and nodded. “Sure, that sounds fun. Just promise me you wont be too hung over.”

Jason held two fingers up to his head like he was going to salute me and I laughed. “Scouts honor.”

“JB LETS GO!”

“There’s your call,” I sighed and Jason nodded with a small frown.

“Well,” he said before leaning forward and quickly pecking my lips and setting me back on my feet. “Gotta go, see you soon, Ave.” I stood touching my lips as I watched him run off after Jimmy, hearing someone laugh behind me.

“Well if that wasn’t the most adorable thing on the face of the earth,” Maya gushed as she came up and pulled me into a hug. “You two look so cute together…I think you should really go for it with Jason. Do you like him?”

I gapped at Maya, trying to process what she just said. Did I like Jason? What did she mean? Of course I liked Jason. “Like more than a friend?” she clarified, as if she could read my mind. I still didn’t understand how she did that. “Because I honestly wouldn’t give brown eyes the time of day. He’s just an ass—“

“You really didn’t have to say those things to him,” I interrupted and deliberately not answering her question. “He wasn’t doing anything wrong and Zacky was keeping him in check.”

“You’re honestly sticking up for him?” Maya raised her brows in surprise and shook her head.

I sighed and pulled away as I started to pace. “I’m not standing up for him…I just…I don’t know okay. It just didn’t feel right…”

“Didn’t feel right? Ave you can’t tell me you actually have feelings for that playboy. You don’t even really know him or if anything he told you was true.” Maya put her hands on her hips as she watched me. I got that she was trying to be a good friend but I was confused about everything right now and didn’t have answers. “Now Jason on the other hand, he’s a good egg. He’s more your type and the kind of guy you deserve.”

I could only shake my head and run my fingers nervously through my hair. “I’m just confused and don’t know what I want, okay.” I finally sighed. “Yes I like Jason…he is an awesome guy who makes me laugh, understands me, and is so attractive but Brian….he just makes me feel alive,” I tried to explain.

Maya took my hands and pulled me back over towards the truck to take a seat. “I just feel like… I don’t know…”

“I guess you’ll just have to wait and see who touches your heart first,” Maya finished for me with a smile. “I just don’t want you to get hurt…”

“I know,” I breathed. “But what are you doing tonight?”

A large smile came over Maya’s face and she practically jumped up and down with excitement. “Well, Matt is going to take me to the concert tonight and you know how much I love Breaking Benjamin…” she gushed and I smiled. “Speaking of which, I need to go get ready! I’ll see you later love.” Maya kissed my cheek before she darted back to the bus with huge smile on her face.

The rest of my night was pretty dull, well until Zacky picked me up for the party. We drank, danced, and Zack even introduced me to some of the other bands playing in this festival. Somewhere around midnight I found my eyelids starting to droop as I leaned into Zacky’s side on the couch.

“Ave, you okay?” He asked me, turning away from Ben Burnley from Breaking Benjamin.

“Yeah,” I said through a yawn. “I’m just tired. I didn’t get to sleep very much last night…and the beer is making me sleepy.”

“Do you want me to walk you back to the bus?” I shook my head, not wanting to pull him away from his friends or the joint that they just lit.

“Nah…I can manage. Thanks for a fun night,” I said and kissed his cheek before heading towards the bus. I slowly stumbled my way back through the dark, not realizing how tipsy I was until now. Oh, I couldn’t wait to collapse into my bed and just sleep. Hell, it never sounded so good as it did right now…

However, when I showed up at the bus I didn’t expect to find it full. Every bunk I passed was occupied and I could see appendages hanging out, hear the moans, and smell sex in the air. God, these really were baby making stations right now, weren’t they? It was like a damn orgy…and it only got worse. When I opened the back bedroom door, the first thing I saw was Maya’s naked back as she rode on top of Matt, loudly moaning his name. I quietly shut the door and headed off the bus, completely mortified. God that was my bed…and I would never think of it the same. Besides, what the hell was going on and where was I going to sleep?

I quickly made my way back outside and looked over towards the Avenged bus. Well, Zacky would be back sooner or later so maybe I could sleep in his bunk until he got back. I slowly climbed the steps of the fully lit bus but was surprised to find it so quiet. The bus was completely deserted with the exception of the one person I hadn’t seen since this afternoon. He was sitting at the table Face Timing someone with a smile on his face, making him look even more handsome than I remembered.

I slowly stepped backwards, not wanting to disturb Brian, but his eyes locked on me before I could disappear again. “Avery? Hold on, Dad. What are you doing here?”

“I-I was just looking for Zack since my bus is full…but I-I—“ I slowly continued to back up but Brain stood up and held his hands up to me. "I'll leave you to your call..."

“No—please stay.”

Notes

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