Matt’s POV

“I’ll see you soon, big boy,” Maya whispered to me with a mischievous sparkle in her eye. She slowly bent over in front of me to grab her bag and I bit my knuckle to suppress the groan that threatened to escape. This woman drove me insane and it took everything in my power not to grab her and head right to my room. She was a tease and knew exactly how to get to me. I had to relax or else the guys would surely notice the raging boner I was trying to hide and I would never hear the end of it.

I watched as she quickly buzzed across the lobby to Avery and Jason. The pair were standing dangerously close with their hands interlaced, whispering and laughing their time away. Hell, they had been like that all day, with the addition of the occasional kiss or tickle session. Since when were they so close? What was going on with them? Okay, maybe I knew but I still couldn’t believe JB sealed the deal with the little gnome last night and stole her away from Gates, but good for him. He looked happier than I seen him a long time. I just didn’t want to be around when Gates found out that someone else too his prize…

As soon as Maya reached Avery, she pulled her into a rib-cracking hug and then disappeared toward the bar. Maya had a very concerned and confused look on her face that I didn’t understand. Did she have to talk to Ave about us or was it something else? Was she trying to find a way to back out already? No, I refused to let her do that. I needed her by my side and there was no way I was going to let Larry send them off. Speaking of that, we needed a plan and fast. We needed something that Larry wouldn’t catch and someway to stop him from trying to find someone new after this. The girls were staying and that was final and I knew I wasn’t the only guy that was growing attached to them.

“There you are! Where the fuck have you been this entire time, Shadz?”

I tuned around to see Gates standing next to me with his arms folded across his chest. His had his aviators on, but I could tell that he was glaring at Jason across the room just by the direction his was looking. He looked pissed. Did he know about him and Avery?

“I was on the roadie bus with Maya,” I shrugged, with a smile. I couldn’t help but let a grin pull at my lips every time I thought about her. She was mine—really mine—and that was the best feeling in the world. “Why? What’s up?”

Gates scoffed and shook his head before looking at me. “What the hell happened on that bus last night?” Fuck I didn’t want to answer this question. Maybe I could play dumb and he wouldn’t catch on?

“I had amazing angry sex with—“ I started with a huge grin at the thought. God, it had been a good romp and I couldn’t wait to get that hot tamale back into my bed. Was she almost done talking? I was getting restless.

“You know that’s not what I’m talking about,” he growled just as Zack joined us. He let out a frustrated groan and pinched the bridge of his nose with a deep frown.

“What are we gossiping about, ladies?” Zack asked, putting his hands on our shoulders. “The new couples?” He wiggled his eyebrows at us and I just smiled and chuckled.

Brian turned so quickly on Zack that I wouldn’t have believed it unless I was standing there. “Couples as in two?” he snarled, grabbing the front of Zack’s jacket.

“Back the fuck off, man,” he gave Gates a firm shove backwards and smoothed out his coat. “And yes…Shadz and Maya and JB sealed the deal with Ave last night,” Zack explained and Gates suddenly looked like he was going to lose his shit. “But what’s it to you anyway, Gates? You said you were done with her.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Gates started packing back and forth and took the beanie off his head. “I’m going to kill him!” He took a step towards Jason but both Zack and I grabbed him.

“What is your deal, Gates? Why does this matter to you?” I asked, looking at Zack with an amused smirk. We both knew what was going on but would he admit it? Maybe if he did we could help him.

Gates put his head in his hands and pulled at his hair. “I don’t fucking know okay! Where is she? I’ve got to talk to her,” he said, looking like he was near the edge.

“Where’s who? Me? I’m here, I was just checking for the roadies spy equipment again…they are good at hiding it—too good…” Jimmy announced, appearing at my side.

As soon as Brian heard his voice, he picked up his head and glared daggers at Jimmy. “You!” he hissed. “You fucking let all this happen!” He was pointing a finger into Jimmy’s chest as the Jimmy put his hands up like he was under arrest. “Why the fuck would you help JB get Avery? You knew…”

“Knew what?” Jimmy asked, a small smirk falling over his face as he crossed his arms. Both Zack and I looked at each other with the same look; he was going to break any second.

“If,” he started dramatically with his hands flying up in the air as he spoke. “You are implying that I Jimmy “the Rev” Sullivan help JB Diz get a date with a girl that he really likes, then yes, I did. BUT if you are implying that I knew that you liked Little One, then no I didn’t. You haven’t said anything….unless” The smirk on Jimmy’s face grew bigger as he leaned down into Gates face, his features full excitement as he whisper-screamed. “Do you like her, Brian? Do you?” He was now practically bouncing up and down as Gates gapped at him.

“Just admit it, Haner, we all fucking know,” I chuckled, watching him run his hands over his face.

“Do you? Do you? Do you? Do you?” Jimmy sang, screamed, and whispered a different way each time he said it. He kept repeating the question over and over until Gates finally cracked.

“Fine I fucking like her, okay? Is that what you assholes want to hear?” Gates finally burst, rubbing his hands over his face. He looked partly relieved and shocked all at the same time. Well, look at that Synyster Gates did have a human side and wasn’t just the guitar god douche he came across as to women.

“Who’s the lucky gal?” We all turned around to see Larry standing with Johnny and some guy with muscles and a green beanie on. “What? You guys look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he laughed and that was probably true. How much did he hear because Gates was just fucking caught red handed breaking daddy’s number one rule. I could barely contain my amusement with the look on his face. Haner recovered quickly but still looked slightly pale.

“Just some blonde groupie I met at the party last night,” he lied and thank god he was wearing his aviators. Haner was a terrible liar. His left eye always twitched slightly when he wasn’t being truthful.

Larry patted him on the back and put his arm around him. “Well, did you get her number? Maybe give her a call and offer to meet her after the show?” he suggested and both Zack and I had to bite our knuckles and turn away so we didn’t burst out laughing. Larry was giving Gates fucking advice on how to bang his daughter—this was priceless!

“I thought she was the short brunette with the nice tits,” Johnny said and that’s when I burst out laughing. The look on Haner’s face was fucking hilarious.

Gates narrowed his eyes on Johnny as Larry and the new arrival looked around the group. “No, that was Shadz girl,” Gates shot back—that son of a bitch. “You really need to not drink so much short shit, specially if your confusing Shadz and I.”

“Wait, so you both have girls now? When did this happen?” Larry asked, looking surprised but also thankfully clueless. “Thought you guys were going single this tour?” Well obviously he had no idea the effects his daughter and adopted daughter had on us. We were all fucking losing our minds, but in the best way possible.

“We are,” Gates shrugged, good save. “We just thought they were exceptionally good if you know what I mean,” he explained and Zacky burst out laughing. I swear if he broke our cover I would kill him. This wasn’t fucking funny right now, Vengeance.

“I’m not even going to go there,” Larry chuckled, glancing over at Jimmy who was staring down the new guy with narrow eyes. He looked like he was deep in thought and planning, or trying to read his the new guy’s mind. Either option was viable for Jimmy. “You okay, Jimmy?”

“Who’s this?” he asked, nodding his head at the new guy who was smiling at the group. As soon as Larry turned his back, Jimmy’s eyes went back to the death stare, shaking his head and almost snarling. Good luck with that, Jimbo, but I don’t think growling at him will make him run the other way.

“Oh, guys, I want to introduce to Francis. He is our new merch guy that will be replacing my beautiful daughters. Speaking of which, where are they?” Larry asked, looking around the lobby.

“They went up to their room already,” Zack lied. “We were just about to do the same thing. It’s ten now so the party start at the bar soon,” he chuckled, and Larry rolled his eyes.

“Never a dull movement with these guys, you’ll learn that, Francis,” Larry clapped him gently on the shoulder. “You should know they are kind of freaks and love to mess around, but don’t let them scare you. They are five of the nicest guys you could ever work for.” Yeah we were nice to anyone except this guy. He would be running and screaming before we even got to the venue tomorrow if I had anything to say about it.

“Oh, I’m not scared. I’ve worked with some pretty crazy and egotistical bands before, so it will be a nice change to work for artists who are down to earth,” the guy said and I rolled my eyes. Fuck, he was used to being treated like shit? Maybe our plan wouldn’t work?

“So why don’t you tell us about yourself, Franny?” Jimmy started and I snorted with laughter. He did have a chick name.

“Why don’t you tell me your names first?” He interrupted, looking a little cocky. Oh, I kind of wanted to punch this bastard already.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Francis,” Larry said, throwing Jimmy a pointed look. “This is Jimmy or The Rev, the drummer, Zacky Vengeance, rhythm guitar, Synyster Gates or Brian, lead guitar, Johnny Christ, bass, and Matt or M. Shadows who is the vocalist. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask any of them. They know how everything goes and they run a pretty tight ship,” Larry explained and Francis only nodded.

“He should know the rules too,” Brian added with a smirk and I narrowed my eyes at him. The plan to have Maya get him kicked out was off the table and he knew that. We would find a way and talk about it right after this.

“Of course,” Larry agreed with a nod. “So basically, don’t touch any of the guys equipment unless asked to by the technicians. That guy over there with the long dark hair and the baseball cap could help you out. His brother too, they are the Jason and Matt Berry and know anything and everything about the job. They are in charge and will be your boss after you prove yourself worthy to the band and I after your trial day. Next, stay at the booth at all times. You don’t take breaks after you’re set up, you work the whole time. And my daughters are off limits,” he said and we all nodded with smirks. He pulled out his phone and showed the guy a picture as we all silently agreed to talk about our plan upstairs.

“Sounds easy enough,” Francis said with a smile. “So about me—“

“Actually we have a band meeting upstairs about our set list tomorrow, so excuse us,” I interrupted, causing the guy to frown slightly. If that offended him then this would be easy.

“Couldn’t you just wait a few more minutes?” Larry asked and we all shook our heads.

“No can do Lar-bear,” Jimmy said. “We’re changing up our set and plus the bar here is only open until one so our time is limited. We will get acquainted with Franny in the morning. Have a good night, sweetheart,” he said before we headed toward the elevator.

“Fine but just be ready to go with the schedules in your folder, please,” Larry called after us. Fuck, I hated schedules. I opened the folder to see that we had to be in the lobby to go to sound check at eleven. Okay, so maybe that wasn’t too back. That would give Maya and I time to sleep in, have a shower, and a morning romp before it was time to go. I smirked at the thought. There was no way she was leaving.

“I don’t like that guy,” Jimmy announced once the big metal doors shut us all in the elevator. He crossed his arms over his chest and a deep frown fell over his face. “Something is not right about him.”

Gates and I both nodded in agreement. “He was a little bit of a cocky prick from what I gathered,” Zack scoffed, shaking his head. “I want to break his ass so he can get off that high horse he rode in on. ‘I worked for some big name egotistical bands’, yeah right, like who? Fucking Madonna?”

“Well, if he worked for Madonna then Gates could get ride of him that’s for sure,” Johnny laughed, earning him a punch.

“But really, how do we get rid of this douche?” Gates asked, shaking his head.

“We are going to go with the plan of being a big asses to him, not helping him out, and make him fall on his face. Jimmy is going to make sure our sales go drastically down,” I said, running my hand over the back of my head as the door dinged.

“But what if that’s not enough?” Gates’ eyes met mine and I sighed. “Then we will come over with another plan. Everyone keep thinking and let us know if you come up with a new idea. Zack will you arrange a roadie meeting and make sure the Berry’s are on board?”

“Of course,” he nodded.

“Okay, now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some plans,” I said with a huge grin. I looked down the hallway to see Maya leaning against my door looking breathtakingly beautiful.

“Just watch out for daddy,” Jimmy warned before I made my way down the hall towards her.

Avery’s POV

“Hey beautiful, are you okay?”

I looked up from the table I was sitting at with my head in my hands to see Jason standing in front of me with a smile on his face. After Maya headed upstairs, I decided to take a couple minutes to see if I could wrap my head around everything that had happened. The whole Brian/Jason situation was driving me crazy and I honestly had no idea who or what I wanted more. Sure the idea of Brian sounded good, but I didn’t really know the first thing about him. The only thing that I really knew was that he was really great in bed, an amazing kisser, super hot, a musical god, and that I was drawn toward him in way I’d never been drawn to anyone before.

And then there was Jason—the kindest, sweetest, funniest guy I knew. He took good care of me and really seemed to understand me, almost to the point that Maya did. But could Brian be that way too if I gave him the chance? This was my dilemma, I was living in the land of ‘what ifs’ instead of giving either of them a real chance. And I definitely owed Jason at real chance after all that he’s done for me.

To add to my madness, Brian’s actions this morning left me even more confused. What he hell did he want to talk to me so badly about and why was he so angry that I kissed Jason? Hadn’t he made our relationship clear? So why was I still hoping that we had a chance? Because I was trying to play a game of emotional suicide with myself, and I just really liked to suffer. I’m sure that was it because no rational person would still be pinning over someone who screwed them over—but here I was.

So that left me with Jason. The guy that made me happy, laugh, and feel oh-so safe in his arms. He deserved this chance and I was going to give it to him. I just had to forget about Brian and as soon as my eyes met Jason’s I surprisingly did.

“I’m good now,” I said with a small smile. “Are we all checked in?”

“Yep, I got the key for my room and for yours and Maya’s. I’m supposed to share a room with Matt but I talked him into bunking up with Dan and Pete,” Jason chuckled, taking my hands and pulling me down off the stool. He leaned in and gave me a soft and gentle kiss before pulling away. “But we have to be carefully because your dad is here. I saw him talking with the guys and I think he has the new merch guy with him too.”

I frowned, knowing exactly what that meant. We only had one full day left unless the guys could come up with some way for us to stay, and boy did I want to stay. I don’t think I wanted anything more in my life, and that was really something. I wanted to figure this whole thing out and I wanted to enjoy whatever happened. I had been wrong to think that these guys were a bunch of drunken assholes before and I only whished I had gone with my dad to more of their events when I was younger.

“What’s the matter?” Jason turned me to face him with a frown, obviously reading the expression on my face.

“I’m just not ready to leave yet,” I sighed and he put his arm around my shoulder. “I want to stay as long as I can…I’m having a lot of fun,” I blushed, hiding my face in my hair. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a young guy standing in the doorway watching us, but I just ignored it. No one knew me here beside the band and Maya.

“Me too, beautiful,” Jason said softly. He carefully reached down and cupped my face before capturing my lips in a soft and gentle kiss. I melted into him, loving his taste and how it felt in his embrace. Maybe this was what I wanted because it felt right. “I want you to stay with me. We will make sure you do, don’t worry.”

“Avery! There’s my baby girl!”

Jason took a step away from me with a smile as I turned to greet my dad. He pulled me into a tight hug and then held me at arms length to look me over. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in weeks!” I he said with a smile. “You ready to go on vacation in two days?”

“Oh, yeah…” I lied, putting on a fake smile. I mean, vacation sounded fun but I would rather go with these guys and have a blast. “Can’t wait.”

“That’s my girl,” he said, still beaming. “Oh, and this Francis, the new merch guy. He will be taking over you and Maya. And Francis, this is my lovely daughter Avery and our drum technician Jason Berry. His brother is the head of stage set up and basically everything else. They are you go to guys.”

“Nice to meet you both,” Francis said, his eyes lingering on me longer than I felt comfortable with.

“JB do you think you could take Francis on a walk through the set up and the equipment trucks tonight?” My dad asked, and Jason let out a light sigh that only I could hear.

“Sure thing, Larry,” Jason said, looking at me out of the corner of his eye. “But I’ll have to go get my keys from my room. I’ll grab Matt too so he gets the whole low down. How about you meet us out front in the lobby in fifteen minutes?”

“That sounds like and even better plan, Jason, thank you,” Larry said and the new guy nodded in agreement. His eyes were still on me and I shifted uncomfortably. What was his deal and why was he looking at me like that? Did he see Jason kiss me? Wait, was that the guy standing in the door? It couldn’t be, could it?

I shook my head looked back up at my dad. “Are you staying with us?” I asked him and Jason looked at me with an amused expression.

My dad smiled light and put his arm around my shoulders. “Unfortunately I have to fly back out to California for a meeting with a new band in the morning for World Audience. But, tell you what, baby girl, I’ll be back to take you and Maya to the airport on Friday, how’s that?” he asked and I nodded with another fake smile. There was really no getting out of this trip was there? I wonder what he would do if I asked him if I could stay instead? Would he get suspicious?

“Dad, would you mind if Maya and I—“

“Shit, I’ve got to head out,” he interrupted as he pulled out his phone. “My flight just got bumped up.” My dad leaned down and kissed the top of my head. “Okay, so I’ll be back tomorrow night for the show, so please keep me updated on the trial run, JB.”

“Will do, Larry. Have a safe flight,” he waved goodbye to my dad as he disappeared out the front door.

“So you guys are pretty close here?” Francis said with a growing smirk on his face.

Jason and I turned and looked at each other with a raise brow and then looked back at the smug new employee. “Yeah, we are like one big family,” Jason said with a smile, taking a step forward. “But we don’t really like new guys with attitudes.”

Francis snorted and shook his head, laughing lightly. “I see. So does Mr. Jacobson know you’re kissing his daughter?” My jaw dropped slightly as I looked at him. So that bastard did see us. He wouldn’t tell my dad would he? Would my dad believe someone he just met over me? Well this was a problem wasn’t it?

Jason narrowed his eyes and took another step forward. “Look here, Francis,” he sneered. “You work for me, my brother, and the Avenged guys, not Mr. Jacobson. Sure he handles your paperwork, but if you’re going to start out putting your nose where it doesn’t belong, then you’re going to get burned. Got it, Fran?” Jason said in the most deadly tone I’ve ever heard.

Francis laughed and again and then looked over at me. “Well, I’d sure hate for someone to tell your father what you’re up to here. I’m sure someone else besides me would lose their job if I did that, right boss?” he shot back and I shook my head.

Jason clenched his fists and took a step forward but I stopped him. There was no need to cause a scene in the bar. “What do you want?” I finally snapped.

“Just a few things,” Francis crossed his arms and looked between us just as Zack and Matt Berry came around the corner. Zacky’s green eyes scanned the room and instantly narrowed, picking up on the tension. “First, I want the back bedroom of the bus for the remainder of the tour. Next I want unlimited access to—“

“You’ve got some balls, Franny,” Zack interrupted, crossing his arms as the dick turned around. He looked like he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Serves him right, the ass. “We…” he pointed to himself, Matt, and Jason. “Make the rules and you are just a little whipping boy until we decide otherwise.”

“Then I guess I’ll just give Mr. Jacobson a call about one of your current employees touching his daughter. Wasn’t that a rule?” Francis said again and Zack and Matt both took a step forward. “And it looked pretty serious too…”

“I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but you need to mind your own goddamn business,” Jason hissed, getting up in the guy’s face.

Francis smiled and looked between all of us and then laughed. “I get what’s going on…you all want to get rid of me to keep the girls here, right?” How the hell did he know that so quickly? Was this guy a freaking mind reader? “Well, I think I’ll stay. The only person who can officially fire me is Mr. Jacobson…and it looks like I’ve got the leverage to stay.”

“And I think you need to get your ass to work instead of thinking you have something on the bosses daughter,” Matt said, shaking his head. “Larry knows about my brother and Avery, so like JB said, mind your own business. Let’s get to work.”

Both Francis and I gapped at Matt before he took the new guy and pulled him out the door. What the fuck just happened. “What the hell are we going to do?” I almost cried when Matt and the new guy were out of sight. “What if he goes to my dad and how are we going to get rid of him now?” I looked between Zacky and Jason, begging for answers.

“Don’t worry about it, Ave. Just leave it up to us. I promise you’ll be staying,” Jason said quietly and then kissed my head. Somehow I didn’t really believe him. There was just this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach that I would have to leave soon.—I didn’t like that. “Go upstairs and relax, babe. I’ll be up to join you in a little bit.”

“Yeah, let’s teach this bastard a lesson…work his ass so hard on nothing in particular. Make him oversleep,” Zack said. “Don’t worry, love, we’ve got this. I know how to handle picks like this. Don’t you worry about a thing.” Yeah, that was easier said then done.

I watched as my two closest guy friends and possibly boyfriend, I wasn’t sure exactly what Jason and I were right now, walk out the door before I headed up to my room. My head was spinning with a million thoughts and I just needed to relax.

I put the key in the door and entered the beautiful room, finding a small spa and Jacuzzi tub in the corner. My dad really did spoil Maya and I and I loved him so much for it. A hot bubble bath was exactly what I needed right now. I quickly made my way into the bathroom and started the water, put in the bubble bath, and changed into the plush white bathrobe. I then took my hair out of its elegant bun and let my long elbow length wavy hair fall down my back.

I couldn’t wait to feel the calming warmth around me. Hell, maybe it would help me make some decisions and forget about what just happened downstairs. However, just as I turned off the water and was about to take off my robe, there was a knock at the door. Was that Jason already?

I wrapped the robe tightly around my body and headed for the door. However, when I opened it, I wasn’t excepting to see who was standing there with a small bouquet of flowers.

“What-what are you doing here?”

Notes

So who is at the door with flowers? Brian? Jason? Someone else with the wrong room?

How will Mattaya's night go?

What is going to happen with Zack, Jason, Matt Berry, and Fracis? Will they work him so hard he is late in the morning?

Comments! :)