Matt’s POV

Breakfast at Reggie’s was unusually quite and I knew what was weighing on all my friend’s minds. These two beautiful girls that we had adopted into our group would be leaving us soon and we couldn’t bare the thought. Hell, I had grown so used to seeing Maya over the past two weeks that it was hard not to imagine her around. I mean that smile and those gorgeous eyes were engraved in my memory and there was no way I was going to let her go without a fight. Something told me that I needed her by my side and I wasn’t giving that up. I just hoped she felt the same way.

Though after the group returned from the bathroom, something was definitely off between us. Maya wouldn’t look me in the eye and was barely talking to me. What the hell happened in the bathroom? Did I do something to piss her off? I didn’t know but I was feeling the icy chill of her cold shoulder. Like right now, she was talking it up with Jimmy and Johnny and totally ignoring the fact that I was rubbing her thigh. Before she would at least lean back into me, but now? I could have been as good as dead.

“Are you okay, babe?” I whispered in her ear as she listened to Zack tell the story about Johnny trying to beat him up.

Maya froze when my warm breath touched her neck and just nodded, lightly patting my hand before pulling away. What was with her? I frowned looked over at Jimmy who didn’t seem to notice anything. Wait a minute. Was she holding his hand? That son of a bitch! I clenched my fists under the table, trying to control my rising anger.

I took in a couple of deep breaths, trying to concentrate on something else. They both told me they were just friends, so why did this bother me so much? God, I wanted her all to myself as my girlfriend. I couldn’t believe I was actually thinking that—M. Shadows wanting to be tied down to one girl on the road? That was a first. Usually I was all about open relationships when we were touring but right now it was the furthest thing from my mind. I wanted Maya and only Maya. Did she want that too? Last night and early this morning, I was certain she did, but right now? I had no idea. I was so fucking confused it wasn’t even funny. I had to get to the bottom of this. I just couldn’t let her go.

“And that little bastard made me break my hand. I played the first leg of the tour like the Quasimodo of guitar players,” Zacky laughed as the rest of the table roared with laughter.

“It’s true,” Johnny laughed. “He fucked up all over the place. Good thing you’re not lead guitar.” I forced a smile but I really wasn’t into this conversation. I just kept looking at the girl slipping away right before my eyes.

“Haha, good thing I knocked you out cold two times in a row, short shit,” Zacky said back, punching Johnny in the shoulder.

“Did it heal correctly? I mean that had to hurt, right?” Avery asked, learning forward with her elbows on the table. She looked totally engrossed in the story while Jason’s arm lay across her shoulders.

Zack chuckled and then took a sip of his coffee. “Of course, it hurt like a motherfucker,” he continued, holding up the hand. “But now I’ve got lightning fast fingers and Gates here better watch his back.” Gates rolled his eyes, leaning back with his arms crossed in front of him. He looked pissed and if I had to place a bet, it was probably something to do with Jason and Avery. When would he just fucking admit he liked her? We all knew it.

“In your dreams, Baker,” he huffed. “You girls should really come watch us play. See these fingers in action and watch me kick the shit out of Baker here,” he finished, waving his fingers in the air. Avery blushed and ducked her head while Maya rolled her eyes. Sure she was even giving Gates attention and he was on her shit list. What gives?

“We’d love to come see one of your shows. Tell you what, we’ll come our last night and then we’ll all party our asses off,” Maya said with a big smile as she looked across the table at Avery. The girls were the only ones smiling, the rest of us looked at them with deep frowns or hung our heads. Maya looked around the table, her face falling as she took in our features. “What?”

“You can’t leave us,” Jimmy said sadly, looking down into his lap.

“It’s not like we have a choice okay, it’s not our call,” Maya said, scanning the group and meeting my eyes for the first time in a half an hour. She looked confused and sad and I wasn’t really sure why. What was she thinking? “So Ave and I are going to make the most of our time left, right gnome girl?”

“Yeah,” Avery’s voice sounded uncertain and when I looked over at her I could see why. She was nervously looking between Brian and Jason with a frown on her face. What was going on there? “I need a smoke,” she said before climbing over Jason and heading for the door.

“I could use one too,” Brian said and Jason nodded in agreement. They both stood up and followed after the brunette, and I could only imagine the expression on her face when they both came out the door. I just wished I could see it.

“Oh god…” Maya breathed, watching them go and leaning her elbows on the table. “That is a disaster in the making right there,” she sighed. “Fuck, can someone go supervise?”

Johnny waved his hand at Maya. “Nah, let them duke it out. They’ll figure it out and Avery will either love it hate it.”

“Gates would have to admit he actually likes her first,” Zack chuckled, pulling his coffee cup to his lips. He was right about that one, though watching him deny it over and over was hilarious. “We can all fucking see it. We’re not blind, specially since he’s never been jealous in his life.”

“Can we just cut the crap!” Jimmy suddenly interrupted. “We are all ignoring the huge elephant in the room…the fact that Knife Girl and Little One are leaving! You can’t go! You can’t.” he tried to explain and I nodded my head in agreement.

“I’m sorry, Jimbo, but there’s nothing I can do. It’s not our—“ Jimmy reached out and pressed a finger to her lips.

“Yes there is!” Was he really going to tell her our plan, because I didn’t like it one bit. I didn’t want her to throw her self or appear available to anyone guy. The thought alone made me see red, which was always dangerous. When I lost my temper, I really lost my temper. There was no turning back once the little red demon was out in the open. “We want to sabotage the new guy.”

“What?” Maya laughed like we were joking. “That’s never going to work, besides Papa Jacobson would have all of our asses. Not to mention that Ave and I have to go back to college in the fall. You can’t keep us forever.”

I gapped at her, though it wasn’t like she was looking at me. What did she mean she had to go back to college? Fuck I totally forgot about that fact! I couldn’t let her go, not yet. I selfishly wanted more time with her, even if it was only for two and a half more months.

“That’s what you think, Knife Girl, that’s what you think,” Jimmy said with a wicked smirk on his face. “You’re stuck with us…unless someone has brainwashed you and you don’t want to stay!” His eyes grew wide as he took her head in his hands and studied her eyeballs.

“Jimmy, relax, I’m fine. I’m just being realistic,” Maya said as I glared at Jimmy. He was my best friend but I still didn’t like him touching her. Plus I couldn’t shake the feeling that they were hiding something from me. “Why put of the inevitable?”

“So you want to leave?” I asked with a deep frown, not able to contain my question any longer. I was feeling pissed off, irritated, confused, and just down right upset and I didn’t know how much longer I could pretend like I didn’t want to kill something.

Maya turned to face me, her jaw agape. She looked like she was trying to decide what to say but Jimmy answered for her. I couldn’t miss the look exchanged between Zack and Johnny. What? Did they know something I didn’t?

“Of course she wants to stay, she’s my Knife Girl! We haven’t even started on our adventures yet. I still have to take you on a late night venue quest…go to Taco Bell at three in the morning…” Jimmy continued but I couldn’t take it anymore. I need to know.

“Maya can I talk to you for a minute?” I interrupted, standing up and looking down at her.

She nodded and quickly followed me back towards the bathrooms in the small hallway with a frown on her face. “What is going on?” I asked her and she shrugged her shoulders.

“Nothing, I’m just trying to enjoy my morning. You’re the one getting all angry and touch about everything,” she deflected, looking down at her nail polish instead of meeting my eyes.

I rolled my eyes and took a step towards her and she looked up at me with a raised brow. “And with good reason!” I snapped. “Doesn’t it bother you that you’re leaving in three days and you might not see me again?” I asked her, looking down into those beautiful brown eyes.

Maya shrugged her shoulders and looked towards the door. “It’s going to happen anyway right? So why fight something that I don’t have any control over? We’re just having fun and like all things fun, they have to come to an end. I’m not going to sit and pout over it, Matt. I wont do that.” She explained and I just shook my head, running my hands over my face. So she didn’t feel the same way I did? Well, that’s just fucking perfect.

“So that’s it, huh?” I scoffed, turning away from her for a moment. I had to keep myself in check even though I felt like screaming. “This…” I pointed between her and me. “Was only fun? Am I only a good hook up to you? God Damn it, Maya! This isn't just a hook up to me. I told you that I wanted all of you and I fucking meant it!" I snapped and all she did was gap at me. Fucking perfect.

“Matt…I-I…” she started but I put my hands up in the air. I couldn’t hear anymore of this when I already knew where it was going.

“You know what…don’t worry about it. I get it now,” I scoffed before turning and walking away out the door. I felt like I had been played and that really pissed me off.

“Shadz what are you doing?” Zack called as I stormed past the table. I didn’t want to talk to anyone and I sure as hell didn’t want to admit that I was overly invested in a girl that I just met two weeks ago. I was an idiot but I couldn’t help the way I felt about her. I still wasn’t going to give up that easily on her, I just have to make her see that I was worth it—someone worth staying for.

“Dude, where are you going?” Gates called after me as I walked down the street. I was going to walk back to the venue to clear my head and the fresh air would do me good. I had to come up with a plan.

Avery’s POV

As soon as I walked out of the diner, I pulled my pack of cigarettes out of my purse. I needed some kind of release from this anxiety and stress that was building up inside me. And as if I wasn’t confused enough before, last night sent me into a whirlwind and let’s not forget my dad’s latest new. I needed to figure all this out and fast because I didn’t have a lot of time left

I took in a drag of my cigarette and leaned against the brick building with my eyes closed. I could vividly recall my evening with Brian—his smell, his kind words, his touch, and his kiss. God that kiss was good; one that made your toes curl and made you breath for the first time. Not to mention that his lips tasted amazing, like a mix of beer, smoke, and spearmint, which was a surprising intoxicating combination. I craved more and every time I looked at him it was the only thing I could think about. I licked my lips at the thought just as I heard the door ding.

“Hey beautiful, mind if we join you?” I opened my eyes to see Jason’s kind smile staring back at me. Oh, and there was my other problem.

Jason was one of the sweetest guys that I had ever met and he was just so easy to be around. He was a great listener, could make me laugh like no other, and knew exactly how to make me happy. I couldn’t deny that I liked him too, but a relationship with Jason seemed almost too easy—very vanilla. It would be like every relationship I had before, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but nothing life changing.

So what did I want, something that was electrifying that might not last, or a safe relationship where I could just breeze by? Well, that’s if Brian was even interested, which I honestly had no idea. I knew he wanted to sleep with me but that was about it. And honestly, I wasn’t looking for a hook up. Hell, I wasn’t even looking for anything but a fun summer and boy had I found it. This summer was turning out to be one of the best I’d ever had and I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to ride the summer out on this crazy adventure, not that the Bahamas didn’t sound fun.

“Sure,” I said, blowing out a cloud of smoke to see Brian watching me. I smiled lightly and looked away again, feeling a blush come over my cheeks. Why did he have this effect on me? “So do you guys have plans for tonight? Any big parties?” I asked, just trying to make conversation.

“Just the normal party,” Brian said, still not taking his eyes off me. “Are you going?”

I shrugged my shoulders and looked over to Jason who was leaning against the wall next to me. “I guess, unless Maya has other plans.”

“Well speaking of other plans,” Jason said through a cloud of smoke. He smiled at me before he continued, making me giggle slightly. “I was wondering if you wanted to grab a late dinner after we get everything picked up?”

“What kind of dinner are we talking here?” I asked with a raised brow, though I was already in. I was so sick of eating food from a microwave or the drive through. If I wasn’t careful, I would surely weight 300lbs by the end of this tour. Well, if I was staying through the deration of the tour.

“Anything you want, beautiful.” Jason wagged his eyebrows at me as my eyes lit up.

“Oh…I love Italian food,” I practically moaned, puffing my cigarette again.

“Well if you’re having Italian, count me in too,” Brian said, his eyes narrowing on Jason. Shoot, I completely forgot he was standing there…I blushed and hid behind my curtain of hair. “It’s not everyday we’re in a town with a good Italian place. We could all go, like one big happy family.”

“Actually I was thinking it would be just Ave and m—“

“I can call and make the reservations now if you’d like,” Brian’s eyes met mine and I couldn’t help but lick my lips. My thoughts were suddenly flooded of images of last night and out pervious night together, making me feel a little weak in the knees. I shook my head and pushed the though away, knowing that it was stupid. That was a pipe dream because it wasn’t going to happen again—I wouldn’t be his play thing.

I wiggled my shoulders lightly at the though of some really good pasta. “Anything to get me away from boxed dinners….make the call,” I basically cheered, only to receive a frown from Jason. What was the matter?

Brain nodded and turned away down the street as he pulled his phone to his ear. As he walked I couldn’t help but stare at that perfect ass, remembering its nice round curves naked. No, Avery, no. It’s not going to happen. He’s not interested in you like that, and you know you are strictly a relationship kind of girl.

“I thought I could be just you and I tonight,” Jason said as he put his arm around me. “Since our breakfast got interrupted.” Oh, so that’s the problem. I bit my lip, suddenly feeling stupid. Jason had done so much for me and here I was, being the most obtuse person on the face of the earth.

I frowned and turned to face him after kicking the rest of my cigarette away. I took a step towards him and he put his hands on my hips and pulled me in for a hug. “So…what if we ditch that party early and have one of our own? I’ll even throw in some ice cream. What’s your favorite kind….I think you told me Rocky Road?”

I smiled, loving that he remembered the strangest little details about me. “That sounds like a great plan…Italian and Rocky Road in one night? Sounds like a dream come true,” I giggled, hugging him tight. Jason really was an amazing guy, which was confusing me even more.

Just then the bell on the door rang again and Matt came storming out.

“Shadz where are you going?” Brian called after him but he just kept walking. “What the hell got into him?” He asked as I pulled away from Jason just as Maya came out the door.

I could see just from the look in her eye that she was about ready to lose it and was trying her best to hold it together. I quickly pulled her into my arms and walked her away from the guys. “M what happened?” I asked her once we had some distance.

“I-I…” she started but then stopped, trying to prevent the tears that were bubbling in her eyes. It was rare to see Maya cry, so something must have really been bothering her. I think in all the time that I’ve knowing her, I’ve only seen her cry maybe four or five times, and that was really something.

“It’s okay, breathe…” I assured her as I rubbed her back. “Talk to me.”

“I’m an idiot….”she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose now. “Matt just stormed off and I didn’t stop him…I-I just don’t know what to do.” Maya pulled me in a tight hug as I tried to process what she said.

“What do you mean?” I asked her, still not getting the picture. “What happened?”

“That’s it, I just don’t know. We were talking about us leaving in a few days and then he started getting all pissed off,” Maya said, with a shaky tone. “And I said it was inevitable that we would have to leave sometime…and all fun things have to come to an end.”

I raised my brow at her, pulling away to meet her eyes. “So you basically told him that all you were doing was screwing around? No wonder why he’s pissed,” I couldn’t help the smirk forming on my face. I saw those two together and knew it was more than just her usual fuck buddy. I knew she liked Matt and wanted more, but was she afraid to admit that to herself?

“We were just having fun…at least that’s what I thought,” Maya sighed and ran her hands over her face.

“Well, what did he say?”

“He said he wanted all of me and that he wanted to be exclusively with me…which I thought meant only for fun purposes…” Maya’s eyes got wide as she thought about what she just said. “Oh God I’m an idiot….”

I chuckled and pulled her back into a hug. “You’re not and idiot, you’re just used to college boys only wanting one thing. I guess the real question is, do you want more than just a fuck buddy? Do you want to be Matt Sander’s girlfriend,” I teased, getting an elbow in the ribs. “Oww…”

“I don’t know, okay,” she sighed. “I-I’ve never had this issue before.”

“Well, I suggest you figure it out quick because we’ve only got three days left until we leave.” I said.

“Not if we follow Jimmy’s plan,” Maya said suddenly looking mischievous. I raised a brow at her, not sure what she was talking about.

“What plan?” I asked but just at that moment the rest of the guys made their way out the door, laughing all the way.

“You ready, beautiful?” Jason suddenly interrupted, taking my hand and pulling me along with the group. I quickly grabbed Maya’s and she followed after me.

“I should be asking you the same thing,” she whispered in my ear, motioning to Jason’s hands and mine. “What’s going on there?” I shrugged with a blush because I honestly wasn’t sure.

When we arrived back at the venue, we all went our separate directions to get ready for the afternoon and evening festivities. However, as soon as I started to go up the steps to the bus I felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Ave, can I talk to you for a minute?”

Notes

Well....?

So Mattaya has trouble in paradise? What is Maya thinking? Will she try and patch things up with Matt or will she put more distance between them?

Who stopped Avery from getting gone the bus?