Maya’s POV

I was confused and didn’t know how to handle the situation with Matt at the moment.
Normally I wasn’t even brought into situations like that, I mean I knew it was about fun and that’s what the men knew too.
They didn’t want more from me and I didn’t care or couldn’t afford to care to be honest.
Was it with Matt any different?

He said he wanted all of me, but I didn’t know he wanted me like that, was he really talking about boyfriend - girlfriend kind of want?
Would that lead to something?
I mean, after the tour I had to go back to college, should I let myself be stuck in a relationship where I knew it would end anyway…

He wouldn’t and couldn’t really mean it… He was on the road, many women around him, sooner or later he would forget about me anyway, he would be just like the other… and leave me, so why having the trouble now…
Problem was, Ave was right and I did like Matt… did like to spend time with him, and about the sexual attraction we don’t even have to talk about, that was more than obvious.

In the end, would that still change something? No, it wouldn’t…

I sat behind our booth because I didn’t really feel like company right now… Matt was pretty clear when he stormed off that it was done anyway, so why was I even thinking about this right now?!
We had three more days and we would leave, three more days of having fun and partying, I shouldn’t be sitting here thinking about what if…
I hated what ifs!

“Knife girl, was searching for you… You also going out this evening? Having dinner with us?” Jimmy plopped down beside me and I smiled, he was there whenever he was needed right?!

“Are we? Going out?” I asked lifting my eyebrow at him and he chuckled.
“Well, as far as I know, Jason invited Ave to dinner, Brian was there and invited himself, while he on the other hand invited the rest of us, too… So yeah, we are going out.” Jimmy clarified and I had to chuckle, Brian got balls, inviting himself to a date.

Was he making progress? Was he really working to spend time with Avery? But what would happen to them if we did leave in three days…
Avery not only had to decide what would happen to them, but also had to say goodbye to both of them…
Poor Avery, she would have a hard time… I knew it… and if I wanted to or not… I wouldn’t be better…

“So are you? Coming to dinner with us? Normal food for once, I wouldn’t let that chance slip. We can get dressed fancy if you want… I will find something special to wear” Jimmy wiggled his eyebrows at me and made me laugh.
“Sounds nice… I think I’m coming along.. and then after party?” I asked and Jimmy nodded “We will have fun don’t worry, I will make sure of that.” And I knew I could believe him.

Jimmy lay down on the ground, his head resting in my lap and I stroked his hair “You’re not really planning to leave us, are you?” Jimmy grabbed my hand in his and stroked the palm with his fingertips.
I kept my mouth shut, whatever I would say would be wrong anyway.
I didn’t want to leave, even though the situation with me and Matt was more than complicated, too complicated for my taste.
And thinking about that, having dinner with all of us together, would mean Matt and I would sit together, would he be an ass?
Would he still talk to me?
Would he act like nothing happened?

Should I pretend like everything is fine? Ignore him? Could I even ignore him? Fuck, this was just too much!

“Maya, look at me…” Jimmy’s voice roused me from my thoughts “Do you want to leave?” He asked again and I shook my head.
“We will leave at some point anyway, Jimmy… but right now, no I don’t want to leave. I want to spend more time with you guys.” I smiled down on him and he nodded.

“We want to keep you, too you know. Both of you… we all want that. We had a band meeting, we weren’t joking, we want to get rid of that guy. But we might need your help in that… so you have to be sure, do you really want to stay?” Jimmy asked and his blue eyes bore into mine.

I smiled, only for this moment alone I would say yes, I wanted to stay, but there were so many other moments that I wanted to enjoy… so… “Yes, I really want to stay… tell me about your plan…”
Jimmy smiled at me and told me what they had planned so far, I didn’t really know if this would work out and if Larry would really fall for it, but it was very flattering knowing all the guys wanted us to stay.

“So, we thought the number one rule Larry told us was, his princesses are off limits. We know the new merch guy will be a guy… so… we were thinking what if he gets caught flirting or making a move on any of you.” Jimmy winked at me and I rolled my eyes “Avery would never do that.”
“We know…” Jimmy looked at me pointedly and I acted shocked “What me?”

“If you want to stay… I mean… I could also act that way but I think he will more fall for a dark haired beauty then for a dark haired… me” Jimmy said and I had to laugh loudly, having the image of Jimmy wearing a dress in my mind.

“You mean flirting with that guy?” I asked and again Matt popped into my mind, but he was done now so why should I consider how he would feel with this.
But why did I feel so bad, when the thought crossed my mind that Matt was now really done with me?
He said he would get it now, so… I guess he was… shit… I didn’t want it to end that way.

“Yes, nothing drastic I know you are the Shadow babe, and we are on a thin line there with Matt, but I think that’s the best way we can send that new fucker home!” Jimmy said and what did he mean with a thin line?

“How about we see when that guy arrives and maybe he is not interested in me… I mean then all this planning is for nothing.” I shrugged and Jimmy stared at me “Yeah right, as if…” He shook his head as if that was just a really dumb thing to say.

“Don’t you have a show early today?” I asked Jimmy who quickly stood up “Yeah, but I had to talk to you… oh and maybe you want to talk to Matt later on, too. I think… you got open business.” Jimmy turned away to leave and I stopped him with my hand to his arm.

“I don’t think so… but can I ask you something?” I thought about the next sentence a little more.
“Everything, you should know that.” Jimmy turned back to me and pulled me into a hug.

“No-one ever stayed, you know… no one… why should I think it would be now any different? Why would I risk so much, knowing… in the end, I would just be broken again, Jim?” I felt tears burn in my eyes and for the second time today but I blinked them away.

Shit, I hated tears… hated that someone could make me cry… that I felt vulnerable and weak. I wasn’t weak.. I didn’t want to feel this way.

“Oh beauty, don’t think like that” Jimmy stroked my hair from my face and I shook my head “How could I not Jimmy? Beside Avery everybody left… Everybody thought I wasn’t worth staying… so I decided that I am the one who will leave first, that way I prevent myself from being left.. again and again.” I didn’t even know why I was telling him that, but I knew somehow he would understand.

“I will stay… I promise… so would Matt… if you would just give him a shot, I saw him walk away earlier, that topic isn’t done… Believe me, Shadz isn’t someone who will just give up.” Jimmy smiled and looked at something over my head.

I turned around in his arms and saw exactly who I was just thinking about:
Matt, he stood opposite of us, staring, but his face was unreadable to me.
“JIMMY! STAGE! NOW!” Matt yelled and his voice was more half growl half yell, full of anger.

This would be a great evening… I knew it, now he was not only pissed at me but also at Jimmy, but he was just a good friend… someone who listened to me and talked to me, understood me, like Ave does…

“You should go, we will see us later for dinner, right? Looking fancy?” Jimmy kissed my forehead a final time and nodded “Fancy, dinner… all of us, check.”

Brian’s POV

I saw everybody scatter away and didn’t really know what I was supposed to do now… What I wanted to do was going after Avery and asking her what she and Jason were talking about when I made the reservation for our dinner.

But I couldn’t do that… I mean not like right now… or could I?
Ah fuck… why not.

I quickly made my way after Avery, just to see Zack stopping her at the stairs, I knew ear dropping wasn’t okay but what the hell, I did way worse things in my life.

“You got a second Ave? To talk?” Zack asked and I walked closer, trying to be out of sight and hoped they wouldn’t go inside the bus, cause then I wasn’t able to hear what they said.

“Sure, what is it?” Avery turned around and Zack sat down next to her on one of the steps, he laid his arm around her waist and I took a step forward, when I realized what I just did I quickly moved back again.

“I haven’t talked to you in a while, was just wondering if you are okay?” Zack asked and Avery smiled at him, and damn she was so beautiful and looked so happy, this moment right there made sure that I couldn’t let her go, not yet.

I still had to figure out what there was between us, but she made me crave for more and that would only work if she was staying… maybe I should talk to Maya about the plan Johnny had… but would Maya listen to me?

I was pretty sure Matt wouldn’t talk to her about it, he was way too deep into her to want to see her with another guy, even though it wasn’t real and just a show… I wouldn’t want Avery to act that way either, and I was far from where Shadz was right now.

“You okay with how this goes? I mean… I can see you are uncomfortable around Brian and something is going on with Jason, you wanna talk about that?” Zack asked and I really had to concentrate to understand what they were saying.

“Honestly? I don’t know…” Avery looked a little helpless shaking her head.
“Can I help you? Maybe? You want me to talk to any of them?” Zack offered and I narrowed my eyes, since when was he so close to Ave, when the fuck did that happen?

“Yo Gates” Shit, I jumped at the voice, turning quickly around “We need to leave for the stages, Matt is already searching for everyone. You coming?!” Johnny stood behind me and he nearly scared me to death and I might felt a little caught, but I didn’t let it show.

“Fuck! I’m coming… let me just get Zack, we will be on our way in a second.” I told Johnny who nodded and walked away, damn he had such a bad timing, now I didn’t hear what Avery had answered to Zack, but I would interrupt their little talk now anyway.

I pulled a cigarette from my pack and lit up, then started walking and moved to the side where they could see me. Avery spotted me first and she blushed a little, had she been talking about me?

“Hey Zack, we need to head to the stage, Matt is searching for us.” I said and moved in front of them. I took another long drag from my cigarette and then held it out for Avery in offer.

She took it from me and I blew the smoke out “We see us later, Ave. I will be here after we are done, alright?” I asked and she nodded.

“Okay… And thanks Zack… Until later” With that I grabbed Zack shoulder, laying my arm around him and he looked up to me from the side.
“What’s up Gates?” Zack asked with a smirk and I rolled my eyes.
“You havin a nice talk with the little brunette? Something important said back there?” I asked and he chuckled.

“Nothing for your ears, man. It was a private talk… If you wanna know something you should ask and if you wanna have the privilege of a private talk you should act like a friend, my friend.” With that Zack shoved my arm off and walked ahead of me, that dick.

A few hours later our show was done and I was the first off stage, took a shower as quick as I could, pulled on a fresh shirt and planned to be at the roadie bus before any of the other guys. Hell, I planned to be there before Jason was even done with helping pack our shit away.

He wouldn’t get the chance in talking to Avery alone, before I did, no fucking way! Maybe I should tell Jimmy to have a better eye on his drum technician, or he should find out for me what Jason’s intentions were towards Avery.

“Wait up, Haner!” Jimmy sounded behind me and I stopped, hell… I didn’t mean talking to him right now, I meant in the near future.
“What? I’m in a hurry… kind of.” I took a step forwards but Jimmy shook his head, grabbing my arm and dragging me back.
“Back into the bus.” He commanded and I frowned “What the hell? Why?”
“Maya and I decided that we would dress fancy, it’s a restaurant. Maya will tell Avery to be fancy, and so we all gotta look that way. And you, my friend… look not dressed up enough.” He motioned to my normal white v-shirt and my black pants.

Would Avery dress up? Would she look as amazing as in that little lace dress she wore the other night?
Fuck, I had to change, but real quick.
I pushed my way past Jimmy and grabbed a bunch of my clothes that I pulled out earlier.

I held a few things out to him and Jimmy finally gave an approvingly look, I pulled the shirt over my head and changed into the other one, buttoned it up and restyled my hair and I was out of the door in a second, not caring if Jimmy would find another reason to postpone my meeting.

A meeting where the other party didn’t know it would take place, but I would see to that, she would make some time for me.

I arrived at the roadie bus and the door opened just when I arrived, Avery stepped outside wearing a nice short blue dress, her hair made up and a light make-up on her face, god she looked so good… I wished I could bring her to skip dinner and just leave with me to do something for us, just us none of the others..

“Just choose one, Maya… They will be here soon.” Avery chuckled and pulled cigarette from her pack, I quickly moved over to her and when she heard me approach she looked up.
“Shit, we need to leave already? Maya, isn’t done yet… I took a little too long in the shower and then-”
She was blabbering and I grinned, putting a finger to her lips, feeling that small electric spark move between us.

“The others are also not ready yet.” I said and she nodded and I slowly pulled my hand away.
“Then why are you here, already?” She asked a little suspicious while she put the cigarette back to her lips.
“Well, I wanted to see if you are done and if you could spare me some minutes..” I asked carefully.
“As you can see… I am.” She said and motioned down her body, then she blushed and I chuckled.

I was an idiot, normally I was the smoothed motherfucker walking on earth but now I forgot everything that came so naturally to me normally, I should have told her how good she was looking and not start with something else.

“Yes, I noticed. You look breathtaking, Ave.” I took her hand in mine and kissed her hand in gentleman manner, see not everything forgotten.
She smiled at me and pulled reluctantly her hand back, then she threw the cigarette away, stomping on it, to make sure it was really out.

“Thanks, you don’t looks so bad yourself” She said finally and her cheeks were flushed again and I felt her eyes move up and down on my body. I felt her eyes like a caress on me, making goosebumbs rise on my skin.

I haven’t even noticed that I took a step forward and was standing so close to Avery that our bodies nearly touched.
“Brian.. what are you-” She whispered but I put my hand on her chin and closed her mouth with mine, I couldn’t wait a second longer and needed another of her sweet tastes, maybe it wasn’t the right time and possibly the worst place, but I couldn’t stand it without touching her.

She sighed into my mouth and I reacted quickly, pushing my tongue in and letting it dance with hers, that taste… intoxicating.
I needed more of her, my hand found her hips and pulled her to me, my cock began to stir in my pants and Avery must feel that, she moaned quietly and I intensified the kiss, walking her back against the bus pressing her up and lifting her into my arms.

“Avery?! Are you gone?” Maya’s voice interrupted us and I sighed, pulling away from the kiss and letting Avery down on my body.
She ducked away from me and put her hand to her lips, fucking hell… worst possible time again.
“I’m here.” I heard Avery say, but I needed a moment longer, to calm down my nerves… and my dick.

“Haner, what are you doing here?” Jason’s voice sounded from behind me and I turned around, he looked a little suspicious and I couldn’t hide the smirk from my face, “Well, I was just checking if the girls are ready… we will leave soon. So you better hurry, or you wanna stay here?” I asked and Jason shook his head.

“I’ll be ready, don’t worry.” With that Jason moved into the bus where Avery and Maya had vanished as well.
I grinned, that kiss… damn that kiss meant there was more from it waiting for me and I couldn’t wait for the next time we would be alone.
I knew I still had to talk to her, but I just couldn’t keep my hands and lips from her when we were finally alone, what could I do? I was only a man.

About half an hour later we were all walking towards the nice Italian restaurant where I reserved the table for all of us.
Jimmy had succeed and we were all dressed fancy and looked pretty damn awesome if I say so myself.
We were brought to the table and I held the chair out for Avery before Jason could do that, I quickly took the seat next to her and watched the other sit down as well.

I was a little surprised that Maya and Matt were not sitting next to each other. Maya sat next to Jimmy and on her other side was Johnny, so they haven’t cleared the air… after whatever happened?
I bet I wasn’t the only one feeling the tension radiating from them and I knew it wouldn’t take much to let Matt snap, so this was only a matter of time…

But I looked back at Avery and smiled when her eyes met mine “You like this restaurant?” I whispered in her ear, I didn’t have to whisper, but I wanted to and she blushed again, so I made the right choice.

“It’s really nice… I just need to figure out what I want, can you recommend something?” She asked back and Jason leaned over to her, “Here, I had this before. Do you like pasta or you want something else?” He asked and she shifted her attention away from me, this would be a long dinner, but at the latest on the after party, she was mine.

Notes

Soooo... what will happen now?!

How will Matt and Maya react towards each other?
Will they talk?
Keep their distance?
And will Avery get her after party date with Jason?
Or will Brian succeed?

So many open Questions ;)