Matt’s POV

I gapped as Jimmy dragged the stunning girl away from me. She really was gorgeous with those perfect curves, long tattooed legs, a nice ass, and lets not forget those hauntingly beautiful brown eyes. What did Jimbo call her? Maya was it? She really was something. Damn it, I always missed out on the good ones when I was late for parties, though this time it was for a good reason. I had a round of golf and a dinner meeting with our manager, Larry, where we talked tour details and scheduled a few appearances along the way. Now all we had to do was sign a few contracts and we were all set for the second leg of our tour, living the next nine months on the road. We would be playing the Mayhem Festival for the first three months, followed by the City of Evil tour for the last six.

I watched as Jimmy leaned into Maya and whispered something in her ear, causing her to giggle as he kissed up and down her neck. I swear I heard her moan from here, making my dick twitch enviously in my pants. Fuck, I really missed out. I forced myself to look away before I got angry and headed toward the kitchen for a drink. I couldn’t believe that I was jealous of Jimmy—though I’d never actually admit it.

Obviously I had some catching up to do since Jimmy was about to close the deal with Maya and Gates had been sitting dangerously close to the same girl since I arrived. Which said a lot because he was usually taking a tally of how many women he could make it through in a night. Either he really liked her or she was proving to be a challenge. My vote was the latter, mainly because I could see the frustration in his features. I chuckled as I watched him lean in and she pulled away, denying his advances. Oh this was great—Gates never got told ‘no’. Though, I couldn’t deny there was something vaguely familiar about the petite girl. I just couldn’t put my finger on it—I had seen her somewhere before.

“What the fuck are you doing in here, Shadz?” Zacky asked, walking through the door. I held up the bottle of Jack, indicating that I was making myself a drink. “Same here, man.” He reached out and grabbed a red Solo cup and filled it with ice and Captain. “How was the meeting with Larry?”

“Good, we are all set to leave for Burbank in three days. Larry said he would come by with the contracts soon.” I said after taking a sip of my drink. It had been a nice two-week break home, but it was time to get back out on the road again. It was boring sitting at home when I knew I could be having the time of my life on the road with my brothers.

Zacky nodded, looking out over the party on veranda. “Sounds good, man. Did he get us a new merch girl?”

I chuckled and shook my head, knowing that it was his and Gates’ fault that we lost Jackie. You see, Jackie had been hooking up with Syn the first leg of the tour, and as a sick joke Zacky convinced her that they were dating. Though we all know that Gates doesn’t date girls, he just bangs then until he gets bored and moves on. The poor girl realized the truth when we got back to Huntington Beach and he wouldn’t return any of her calls. So, she up and quite and I didn’t blame her, but now we didn’t have anyone to work the merchandise booth.

“No, but he said he would be holding interviews tomorrow. Hopefully they will find someone on such short notice,” I shrugged. “Though he said to tell Gates not to screw the employees and you not to get in their heads,” I laughed, the whole thing sounding absurd. “I think you should pass that message onto Gates.”

“Tell me what?” Speak of the devil himself. Looks like he had pulled himself away from the little brunette long enough to get a refill. He reached out and started to mix his signature game closer cocktail with about six different kinds of alcohol. Somehow I knew his night wasn’t going according to plan with this girl and he was grasping at straws. Knowing Gates, he wouldn’t back down now that he had a challenge. He would try anything and everything in the book to get that girl to his bed. For her sake, I hoped she knew how to hold her liquor.

“That you can’t fuck the employees anymore,” I chuckled, seeing Brian wag his eyebrows at me.

He laughed and looked back at Zack and I. “Well, I cant promise anything but I will be good if I can close the deal with that little number.” The look in Gates eyes reminded me of an animal that was on a hunt, ready to take down his pray at any cost.

“How’s that going, for ya?” A smirk spread over to my face as I motioned toward the girl that Johnny was now sitting next to.

“Honestly?” Gates leaned forward and put his elbows on the island, his long hair failing forward. “She’s piece of work but I can tell she wants it. I just have to break the shell, and what better way to do that then with some liquid courage?” he laughed, wagging his eye-brows again.

“Well, looks like Short Shit is trying to break that shell too,” Zack laughed. Brian whipped around and threw his arms up in the air.

“I cant fucking believe that guy. I’ve already told that bastard to back off twice now,” Gates growled as we watched the girl stand up and try to move away from Johnny. It was only then that I noticed that she was his height.

“He’s just excited because he found someone his size,” I laughed, throwing my head back. “Though she is a hot little number too. Just like the girl Jimmy’s macking on.”

“That’s her friend, they came together. Rev stole her away from me, that bastard,” Gates said bitterly as he picked up his drinks. “Anyway, see you assholes around. I’ve got to go get my girl back from dipshit and get my dick waxed.” He nodded before turning and heading out the door, yelling at Johnny along the way.

“I swear all he thinks about is sex,” Zack mused, shaking his head and pouring a line of shots. “Maybe we should put him in sexaholics anonymous,” he chuckled.

“Is there even such a thing?” I raised my brow, just as Jimmy came carrying the tattooed beauty through the kitchen. Their lips were glued together as they passed, heading for the upstairs. Fuck you Jimmy. I groaned, eyeballing the shots on the table. Maybe a buzz would make my night more successful. “You up for a challenge, Vengeance?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” he said before we started our line of shots. “On you mark, get set, go!” he announced before we raced to see who could finish first. In the end I was victorious. “You fucking cheated!” Zack accused, his eyes starting to gloss over. “Rematch!”

“If you say so, V. I will kick your ass a second time,” I chuckled, this time pouring lines of Patron. “On three. One. Two. Three!” I started to pick up shot by shot, each one making my eyes water. “Ah, beat you again you fucking pussy,” I chanted, throwing my arms up in victory, only I didn’t expect them to feel so fucking heavy. And there was the alcohol flooding my veins. Damn, now this is what I was looking for because now I felt like fucking superman.

It was then that Gates came back through the kitchen with his new toy and my phone started going off in my pocket. “Sanders,” I said, answering it after the third ring.

“Hey, Matt, this is Larry. I’ve got those contracts. Do you mind if I bring them over for you guys to sign? That way I can send them out first thing in the morning,” he said, my ears ringing slightly from all the noise around me.

“Yeah, sure thing. That is as long as you don’t mind a little party. You’re more than welcome to join us,” I explained, rocking back and forth slightly as the booze hit me.

“I may take you up on that, buddy. The girls went out so I’ve got nothing else to do. See you in about ten minutes.”

Avery’s POV

I had to admit, this party was pretty fun and never in my life had I talked to one guy at a party for so long. I couldn’t believe that Brian had stuck to his word and decided to keep me in sight all night. Though, I couldn’t help but blush every time he touched me. I mean, he was freaking gorgeous and could have any girl at the party, but he was sitting her with me. He made me laugh and I couldn’t deny that I liked his touch, but I didn’t want to give him the long idea. I’m sure a guy like Brian was only looking for one thing and I wasn’t about to put out and have that kind of ‘fun’ tonight. I didn’t want people to think I was some kind of slut.

“So how are you doing on that drink, love?” Brian asked, setting his hand on my thigh for the third time tonight. Each time he touched me it resulted in the same response—an outbreak of goosebumps covering my body. He was good, I’d give him that but I wasn’t about to put out. What would my dad think if he found out?

I gently picked up his hand and put it back on his leg, not missing the small sigh that escaped him. “I could use a refill,” I admitted, feeling my nerves flare up again. Something about Brian made me feel nervous and excited all at the same time and I wasn’t sure if I liked the feeling or not. Did I like him or was this the alcohol talking?

“Well, I need one too. How about I mix you up something special?” Brian asked, throwing me a wink before he stood up and disappeared into the house.

I chewed my bottom lip as I watched him go, thinking about the great conversation we had been having. We were talking about our hobbies and our musical interests and surprisingly we had a lot in common. We were both very into Duran Duran and Queen, as well as Jazz. I had loved the stuff ever since high school when I played saxophone in band. It would always be a love of mine. Now if only he would keep his hands to himself, though part of me didn’t want him to stop touching me. No Avery, you cant think like that. You are not the type of girl that does one night stands, besides, you’ll never see him again. That’s more of Maya’s style.

Speaking of which, where did Maya run off to with that guy? Was his name Jimmy? I don’t remember, specially since I think that was two drinks ago? I slowly stood up to get a better look. That bitch was nowhere to be seen and I wasn’t about to go traipsing through the crowd to find her, mainly because as soon as I stood up, I realized how tipsy I actually was. My head spun as I took a wobbly step in my heels, grabbing the patio table for support. Okay, so maybe another drink wasn’t the best idea. I would just have to pretend to sip it because if I kept this up all the walls I worked so hard to build would come crumbling down—I had no control over myself, my emotion, and desires when I was drunk.

“So what’s a pretty girl like you doing at a party like this all alone?”

I moved my blurry gaze from the patio table to a guy with red mohawk. He was about my height but had muscular build and heavily tattooed arms. He was attractive but not nearly as much as Brian. Speaking of which, where had that sexy ass man gone to? I mean, what was taking so long with those drinks? Did I really think he was sexy or was it the booze talking? You bet your bottom dollar that he smoking hot and those lips. I wanted to kiss them—no Avery that’s the alcohol talking and I think you’ve had enough.

“Hello? Did you hear me?” The guy said, waving his hands in front of my face. I shook my head and tried to focus my attention on him. How did the alcohol creep up on me this fast? I didn’t know but I felt good.

“Sorry, I was just…erm…thinking,” I lied, a blush spreading over my face. God I hoped he couldn’t read me like a book. I never lie. That’s it, I’m not drinking anymore.

“So what are you doing over here all by yourself?” the guy asked again, putting his arm around my shoulder. What did Brian call this guy? It was another one of those ‘J’ names.

“Brian just went to get some drinks,” I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to keep my balance as I pulled out of the guys arms. “I’m sorry, what was your name again?”

“Johnny,” he chuckled, taking another step towards me. “Why don’t we go dance while you wait for him to come back,” he offered, reaching out to take my hand. Dancing sounded fun but I almost forgot that I have two left feet.

“You better not fucking dare, short shit!” I turned around to see Brian coming back towards me with two cups in his hands. I smiled as my eyes raked over him, taking in his heavily tattooed muscular arms, his dark hair and eyes, his broad chest. Mmm he was mouth watering to look at. No, Avery. Get your head out of the gutter, don’t lose yourself now. I shook my head again and swallowed thickly. “Get lost, asshole. Here’s your drink, babe.”

I took the cup, biting my lower lip as a blush spread over my cheeks. “Sorry about that. He’s a dick,” he said, taking my hand and pulling me back towards the couch. “So what do you like to do for fun?” And we are back to the small talk. Okay good, I can handle this.

I took a sip of my drink, the sweet flavor falling over my taste buds and making me moan lightly. He sure knew how to make drink.

“That good, huh?” Brian chuckled, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Very good,” I smiled as my blue eyes locked with his. I felt myself melt slightly under his gaze. “Oh, and what do I like to do for fun. Well, like I told you before, I’m a graphic design major at UCLA, so I like to draw and paint…basically any kind of art. Oh, and I love going to the beach.”

“Now you’re talking,” Brian chuckled, his arm going around my shoulders as he tucked me into his side. We were so close that I could smell his sweet cologne and a hint of smoke and mint toothpaste. I had to suppress the urge to moan because he smelled so damn good. “I love surfing, the sun, the feeling of the sand between your toes. Damn, I could live on the beach if the guys would let me.”

“Why wouldn’t they let you?” I asked curiously. I raised a questioning brow at him, thoroughly interested.

Brian chuckled and shook his head. “Because of my line of work. I’m not usually home enough to live on the beach as much as I’d like to.”

“What do you do?” Brian’s eyebrows shot up in the air in surprise. He gapped at me for a moment before scoffing. What? Was I supposed to know?

“Let’s just say I run part of a small business,” he said in an amused tone, watching me carefully.

“Like a CEO or something?” Man this drink tasted good. I couldn’t stop myself from sipping more and more of it. “And you travel a lot for it?”

“Yeah, something like that,” Brian laughed. Hearing him laugh was seriously one of the best sounds I’ve ever heard. “Do you want to see my office?”

I raised a brow at him, taking yet another sip. “Sure, I’d like that,” I said, going against my better judgment. He took my hand as a smirk spread over his face and he lead me back into the house and down a long and dark hallway. “So what do you like to do for fun?” I asked simply to make conversation.

Brian stopped in the middle of the hallway and took a step towards me, backing me into the wall. I licked my lips as he put his hands on either side of the wall. “I can tell you…but I’d rather show you.” Brian took another step towards me, his intoxicating smell filling my nostrils again and making me weak in the knees.

“Wh-what do you mean?” I swallowed thickly, realizing we were only an inch apart. He reached down and cupped my cheek with a smirk on his lips, his dark eyes locked with mine.

“You’re beautiful, Avery,” he breathed, caressing my cheek with his calloused fingers. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach going made and I was having a hard time calming my racing heart. The next think I knew, his lips brushed against mine, sending goosebumps all over my body. He was so gentle with his touch as I carefully kissed him back, only for his tongue to brush my bottom lip. I gasped lightly, and allowed him entrance. As our tongues blissfully danced together, I wrapped my arms around his neck, letting my fingers tangle in his hair. Oh, he tasted just as good as he smelled and I didn’t ever want this amazing feeling to end.

“Hey Matt! It’s quite a party you’ve got here!”

I froze as soon as I heard that voice, instantly recognizing it as my dads. What the hell is he doing here? Brian must have noticed my new state of panic because he pulled away and looked down at me with a frown.

“Avery, what’s wrong?”

Just then I caught sight of a picture of my dad and a group of guys on the wall behind Brian. My eyes grew wide as I read the words Avenged Sevenfold and saw all the now familiar faces. Oh I was going to be sick.

“I-I have to go…” I gapped, my heart racing even more. I was in shock. How could I have come to an Avenged Sevenfold party and not even be smart enough to put the pieces together? And I was fucking making out with Brian? Oh god, wasn’t that Synyster Gate’s first name. Now I’m really going to be sick.

I had to get Maya and get out of here before dad saw me.

Notes