Avery’s POV

I tossed and turned in my bed as I tried to get comfortable. Nothing felt right and I felt both physically and emotionally exhausted. If only I could go to sleep, then maybe I could think about everything clearly in the morning. I just needed my brain to stop whirling with thoughts. Yeah, like that was going to happen. I had been thinking about the same thing for the past five hours and nothing had changed.

I kept recalling Brian’s words and his kiss over and over again. It had honestly been the most gentle, tender, and frankly powerful kiss that I had ever had and it was only a few seconds long. I could still remember the goosebumps that traveled up my arms with a shock of electricity, bringing my body out of its slumber. I felt totally alive in those fleeting moments and that wasn’t something that I could ignore.

I also kept replaying his words over in my head. I want more time to see where this could go with us. Did that mean he wanted to start a relationship with me or at least try? I think that’s what he was trying to say anyway. So maybe I wasn’t crazy, maybe everything that I felt around Brian was two sided after all. Its what I had wanted from day one and the opportunity was finally here. That thought alone made my heart flutter in a way it never had before. Every time I thought about it, I felt giddy and wanted to go see him but one thought kept me from following through.

What if this was all just another ploy? I mean, he had done this once before so what made this time any different? He had gone out of his way to send me flowers and tell me that he liked me. So it had to be true right? He wasn’t just out keep me away from Jason, was he? God I didn’t know. I mean, Brian really seemed sincere, but then again I thought that the last time too. Fuck, I didn’t know what to believe or what to do. I guess I just needed to talk to him and I mean really talk to him—get to know him better. Maybe that would help answer my questions and help discover the truth? I didn’t know, but it was worth a shot.

Though just as I was about to go after Brain, I found myself face-to-face with my other source of confusion—Jason. His kind brown eyes smiled down at me and I suddenly felt guilty. I couldn’t hurt him when I didn’t know if this thing with Brian was real. Hell I didn’t want to hurt anybody, especially since Avery Jacobson was no heartbreak kid. Don’t get me wrong I really liked Jason but I also had this unspoken connect and attraction to Brian. I wasn’t sure what was there but I knew he made me feel alive. But who did I want more? Jason or Brian? I needed to figure this out and I needed more time.

So when Jason appeared at my door when I went to find Brain, I pushed the Brian situation to the back of my mind and spent the remainder of the evening with Jason. I owed him a fair shot and that’s what I was giving him. I mean the guy made me smile, he was hilarious, and he understood me just as well as Maya, which was really something. But did I want something this safe?

Jason and I spent the remainder evening in the hotel restaurant but I was in another place the whole time. I felt awful at how distracted I was and ended up excusing myself around midnight, claiming that I was exhausted. Though that much was true. I didn’t dare mention what else had happened earlier in the evening.

I mean, how should I have reacted after his speech? Yes, of course I liked Brian, that much was blatantly obvious with how I acted around him. But could I risk giving him another chance when I could end up crushed in the long run? I knew that if I gave him a chance that I would fall hard and fast, but would he feel the same way? And what about Jason? Couldn’t I fall the same with him if I fully committed to him? I was just so confused and lost. How could I choose when I didn’t know what I wanted myself?

I sat up in the big empty bed and put my head in my hands. The alarm clock on the nightstand flashed 2:27 and I knew that I wouldn’t be sleeping tonight if I didn’t talk to someone. Maybe Matt and Maya were still downstairs parting at the bar with Jimmy, Johnny, and Zacky? I hoped so because and I had to talk to someone more rational than myself right now.

I quickly climbed out of bed and pulled on a pair of shorts before heading down to the bar. Within minutes I was walking through the lobby looking for that long mop of dark hair. She had to be around here somewhere, right? I knew both she and Matt liked to party so I prayed that they were still throwing them back. They wouldn’t have gone back to their room already, right? Or maybe they would...

“You looking for your boyfriend?” A voice slurred from behind me, breaking me from my thoughts. I looked over my shoulder to see Francis stumbling behind me, his blue eyes focused on my ass. It was obvious that he was drunk.

“No…and he’s not my boyfriend,” I clarified, still scanning the area and staying a few steps ahead of him.

Well, at least I didn’t think he was, not yet. Or was he? I had no idea. I was just really confused and needed to find Maya. Come on Maya…or someone one? Please, Jimmy, Zacky, or Johnny? Any of them would be find to talk to, specially if they were drunk. They would tell me the truth and not remember the conversation.

I quickly turned to head around the corner but found myself face-to-face with Francis. He leaned one arm out on the wall, blocking my path as his glazy blue eyes scanned up and down my body. I carefully took a step backwards and crossed my arms in front of my chest, trying to block the view of my cleavage in my tank top.

“Oh, so you’re just into fun then, huh?” Francis slurred and winced at the smell of the alcohol on his breath. Into fun? What did he mean by that? “Or are you just living up to the one big happy Avenged family thing?” He wagged his eyebrows at me and took a step forward.

“I’m not living up to anything,” I gapped at him, not exactly sure what he was insinuating. I just new that he was creeping me out and I wanted to get away from him. “I just need to find my friend…” I desperately looked over his shoulder looking for help. Someone had to come around the corner right?

“Is it another one of your special friends like I saw you with earlier? ‘Cause if that’s the case, I could totally help you.” Francis took another step towards me as I took one backwards, caging me against the wall. He was inches from me and I almost gaged from the intense smell. “And your dad knows about this? That’s pretty impressive…”

“Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about but I really need to find my friend. Plus you’re drunk. Please just—“ I stammered, pushing at his chest but he just laughed.

“If you ask nicely I’ll do anything you want me to, sweetheart—“ He leaned really close and I recoiled. I pinched my eyes shut and held my breath, not wanting to smell that foul odor any more.

“Where did you go fuck head?”

I felt Francis take a step away from me and I opened my eyes. Just then Zacky came around the corner and I had never been so happy to see someone in all my life.

“Ave? What are you doing down here? I though you went to bed,” Zacky slurred as he made his was towards me, glaring daggers at Francis. “And what the fuck are you doing here, Franny Panties? I thought I told you to get your ass back to work? We are not paying you to stand around or talk with Larry’s daughter. Move your fucking ass and stay away from her,” he growled.

“Fuck you it’s almost three in the morning,” Francis shot back and I saw a look from Zacky that terrified me. “I’m going to bed.”

“What did you just say to me, dickwad?” Zacky took a step forward and got right up in the guy’s face, staring him down with his dangerous green eyes.

“Nothin’,” Francis said, not backing down. “But I guess you’re having fun with her too, I see?” Francis chuckled.

“Say that again, I dare you.” Zacky looked like he was seconds away from getting in a gnarly fight with the new guy and I didn’t want to witness it. They were both drunk. Thank goodness Frances just chuckled and took a step backwards. “That’s what I fucking thought. Now get out of here or I will personally beat your ass for even thinking that. You heard the rules.”

“Hasn’t stopped you guys from breaking them,” Francis muttered and rolled his eyes before heading in the other direction. Once he was out of Zacky’s sight, he threw me a wink and I shuddered. There wasn’t something quite right about that guy.

“Ave are you okay? He didn’t try anything did he?” Zacky asked, his voice slurring slightly. He was obviously drunk as well.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I said, my voice shaking slightly. “He’s drunk.”

“You could say that again. He’s luck I haven’t beat his ass to a pulp for even being near you,” Zacky growled, his green eyes dark and dangerous. “But what are you doing down here? The bar closed an hour ago.”

“I really needed to find Maya and I hoped she would be down here,” I sighed with a deep frown. I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulder right now. This whole Brain and Jason situation on top of having to leave was really stressing me out and I needed to get it off my chest.

“Hell, Maya and Shadz headed up to their room shortly after you and Jason,” he said and I sighed and looked at the floor. Zacky carefully lifted my chin and when his piercing green eyes met mine and he frowned. “Are you okay? You look upset, come talk to me,” he said as he put his arm around my shoulders and lead me towards the small sitting area. “Is everything okay, Ave? What’s going on?”

“Not really…” I admitted, tracing the arms of the chair with my fingers. I chewed my bottom lip as I tried to process everything that had happened, but it was just too much.

“Is it Jason? Did he do something to upset you?” Zack’s green eyes were full of concern as he watched me. “You guys looked happy earlier.”

I sighed and put my head in my hands. “No…yes….well, he’s been nothing but wonderful and that’s part of the problem. Fuck, I don’t even know where to start,” I groaned, pulling the roots of my hair.

“Well, tell me about Jason,” Zack said with a shrug—like it was that simple.

“Well…I like Jason,” I confessed. “He treats me well, is super funny, he gets me, and would logically be someone I would go for but—“

“But someone else is distracting you?” Zacky asked with a raised brow and I nodded.

“Yeah…” I sighed.

Zacky chuckled lightly and leaned back in his chair. “Let me guess, Gates finally told you that he’s the worlds biggest idiot?”

I laughed with a small smile. “I guess you could put it that way. How did you know?”

Zack chuckled and shook his head. “I saw him buy flowers at the front desk and put two and two together. Not to mention that he also admitted it to us early today,” he shrugged. He looked amused with the whole situation and I wished I felt the same way. I myself was mortified that everyone else on tour knew what was going on with Brian before I did. How was that fair? But that did tell me an answer to one of the questions I had been asking. If Brian told his friends he liked me, then he was serious—it wasn’t a joke.

“So he’s not just trying to get me into bed with him again?” I looked up through my lashes to see Zacky smiling at me in his drunken stupor. There was no way he was going to remember this conversation in the morning and I was okay with that. Then he couldn’t tell Brian.

He looked thoughtful for a moment before he finally answered. “Well, I’m sure he’s trying to get you into his bed but I also think that there is more to it,” he explained, his words causing my heart race. “I never seen him act this way, so he has to be serious about you. But are you serious about him?”

I bit my lip as a deep blush fell over my face. “I mean, I like him but…what about Jason? What if Maya and I have to leave tomorrow?”

“Well, if tomorrow was your last night here, who would you want to spend it with?” His green eyes met mine and I blushed again, both of us already knowing the answer. Sure a night with Jason would be fun and safe but a night with Brian would something completely different. Brian would surely be unpredictable but he had an affect on me that I couldn’t explain. He made me feel alive, fully satiated, and free. While with Jason I felt comforted, safe, and loved. But which one did I want?

“You don’t have to come up with an answer today, love,” he chuckled, reading the confusion on my face.

“But what if I—“ Zacky held a finger to my lips, stopping me from speaking.

“Don’t think so much about the ‘what ifs’. You’ll drive yourself crazy. Trust me I know. Just spend some time with both of them during the day and decide from there. If it’s your last night, make it count.”

I let out a frustrated groan and held my hands up in the air. “How am I going to decide, Zacky? That’s the problem. I’ve never had to do anything like this before and I have no idea what I want.” My heart was racing a mile a minute with the anxiety of it all and I felt like I was going to lose it. I could feel the tears building in my eyes. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt…I’m-I’m not that kind of girl. I’d never forgive myself…”
“Ave,” Zacky breathed, kneeling over in front of me. His calloused fingers gently cupped my cheeks, forcing me to look at him. “Just breathe. All you need to do to decide is listen to yourself. Your body will tell you what you want. And as corny as it sounds, listen to your fucking heart.” I could help but laugh at his words. “Can you do that?”

“Yeah…what other choice to I have,” I said with a small smile, leaning forward and pulling Zacky into a hug. He really was a great friend and I had no idea what I would do without him.

“That’s my girl,” Zack chuckled, pulling both of us to our feet. “Now, let’s get you to bed so. We’ve got a busy day tomorrow and you need to be able to think clearly. Just give both of them some time. Maybe talk to JB while you’re working and Brian after the concert.” He continued to offer me suggestions as we made our way back to my room.

Before I knew it, we were standing in front of my room. “Here we are. Have a good night, Ave and try to get some sleep.”

“I will.” I stood up on my tiptoes and placed a kiss on Zacky’s cheek. “Thank you.” I whispered before he disappeared down the hall. As I watched him go, my mind started to race again, processing our conversation.

Zack was right; I needed to give both guys a chance. I knew that I would definitely see Jason for the majority of the day tomorrow but I wasn’t sure when I would actually see Brian. I had to come up with a plan to make sure we got to talk and spend a little bit of time together. And that’s when a brilliant idea struck.

I quickly flew into my room and grabbed a notepad and paper and scribbled down a short note.

Dear Brian,

I thought about what you said and I think everyone deserves a second chance. I would like to get to know you a little better and maybe figure out what this thing is between us. Meet me after your show at the back loading dock with a pack of smokes so we can talk.

Ave

With a racing heart, I slipped the note under Brian’s door. This may have been one of the boldest things I had ever done, but I didn’t have time to do it the old fashioned way. I needed to make a decision and soon.

Matt’s POV

“I cant’ believe that guy is fucking standing right now,” Matt Berry growled in my ear as we stood outside of the tour bus the next morning. We watched as Francis loaded all the boxes back into the equipment truck. He looked chipper and had a huge smile on his face. What the fuck was this guys deal? “He was drunk off his ass when I left him at three this morning. How is he here and moving?”

“That fucker must be made of steal, or he’s a fucking good liar,” Zacky groaned, supporting a cup of coffee, his aviators, and a black baseball cap. “He out drank me and I feel like I’m dying.”

“Well you better suck it up, Baker, ‘cause we’ve got a show tonight,” I playfully nudged him in the side just as Maya and Avery came out of the hotel. They were wearing dark denim short-shorts, high top black converse, and matching cut out Vengeance University t-shirt that showed off all their assets. To anyone who didn’t know better, you’d swear they were related. They both looked fucking hot, but my eyes were drawn to the dark-eyed beauty.

Maya’s eyes met mine the moment she stepped outside and I couldn’t stop smiling. I just kept recalling our amazing night together, and I would do everything in my power to make sure we had more. I couldn’t let her go—I refused. I was too invested in this girl to let her slip away from me do to a technicality.

“Whoa, look who came out to play on their last day,” Johnny muttered next to me and elbowed him hard in the ribs. I didn’t even like the thought of Christ looking at her and he was one of my best friends. “What?” he sputtered. “I was just making an observation!”

“Keep your eyes to yourself, short shit,” I hissed, watching as the girls moved over to help load the truck. As my bent over to pick up a box, I saw her perfectly round ass sticking out of the hem of the shorts. My dick twitched painfully in my pants and I knew what the others must think so too, and I didn’t like it.

“What are you all standing around gawking at like a bunch of old ladies?” A voice called behind me and I turned around to see Gates approaching the group. He looked pleased with himself and I raised a questioning brow at him. Had he finally talked to Avery?

I watched as he looked at the view in front of us and swallowed thickly. “Shit, we can’t let them work like that. Dickwad is eyeing them like a piece of meat,” Gates said, his eyes narrow as he watched Avery. “I swear if he thinks he can touch them I’ll fucking kill him.”

“Get in line.” I turned back just in time to see Francis moving over towards Maya and Avery, undressing them with his eyes. I felt the rage swelling in my chest, thinking about all the moves that slimy bastard would undoubtedly try on them. “That son of a bitch better keep his hands to himself,” I growled and took a step forward but a hand stopped me.

“No, this could work to get ride of that bastard,” Jimmy said, his eyes wide like kid in the candy story.

“No, absolutely fucking not,” I raged. “There is no way the girls are going to subject themselves to that fucktard.” I felt my blood start to boil as he slowly inched closer to Maya while she and Avery folded t-shirt. I didn’t like the way he looked at her, not one bit.

“I agree,” Brain chimed in and I gave him a thankful nod. He understood where I was coming from.

Jimmy groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. “If we don’t do this then we’ll have to destroy the body…and I don’t feel like committing murder, playing my ass off in a show, and then having to burry the body. Please…all we need is for Larry to see him being a little too close…it’s three hours until he’s back! PLEASE!” Jimmy begged, falling to his knees in front of me. “Don’t let him take my Knife Girl and Little One!!”

“Unfortunately Jimmy’s right,” Zacky sighed, running his hands over his face. His head must have been throbbing from the commotion Jimmy was making. “From what the Berry’s and I saw last night, he’s not going to back down without a fight. Larry catching Franny breaking his number one rule may be our only chance to get rid of this douche.”

“Fuck,” I hissed, pinching the bridge of my nose. I knew they were right but I didn’t like it—no I fucking hated it. “Fine but if he oversteps his bounds before then, I’m fucking stepping in. He will not lay a hand on her or he’s fucking dead!” I warned pointing a finger around the group. I was fuming and I had to walk away before I beat the shit out that guy.

By the time we got to the venue, my anger had only escalated. I had been watching that douche like a hawk and he was getting more and more bold with each passing minute. I didn’t know how much longer I could keep myself together, knowing exactly what Francis was up to. I quickly moved over the equipment truck, pretending to find something so that I could keep a close eye on the situation.

“So beautiful, how long have you been working here?” Francis said, walking up behind Maya and putting his hand on her back. I gripped the microphone so tightly I swear it was going to crumble under my grasp. Not another move, buddy.

“Just two weeks,” Maya said politely, flipping her long hair over her shoulder. She smiled at him before turning back to laying out merchandise on the table. “It’s been fun. The guys are great,” she shrugged and Francis took another step closer to her.

“Well, you really seem to know your way around, if you know what I mean,” I heard him whisper as his hand moved down her back. “If you wanted to, I could make this set up even more fun.”

“We’ve got a schedule to keep, we don’t really have time to mess around,” Maya said and she shifted uncomfortably but Francis didn’t move. He took another step forward and basically pressed himself in her back, moving her hair off of her neck.

“We could be quick and no one would have to know about our little secret,” he whispered, moving his hands down her side and over her stomach. That’s when I lost my shit.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I growled stepping out from my hiding place.

“Matt, we were—“ Maya said a Francis pulled away from me with a smirk. Oh I was going to fucking kill him.

“Hey, I’m fucking talking to you,” I said, giving Francis a firm shove backward. He stumbled backwards into the side of the truck. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I growled, getting right up in his face.

“I was just becoming a member of the great big Avenged family like the rest of you,” he smirk and I slammed my fist right next to his head. He laughed again. “Please, like I don’t know you haven’t played with the bosses daughter.”

“I don’t give a fuck what you think,” I raged, my voice low and dangerous. It was taking everything in my power not to smash his face in. “She’s mine so stay the fuck away and keep your hands off!”

“Matt, please!” Maya cried behind me, trying to pull me back.

“Or else what?” Francis sneered. “Doesn’t seem like she wants me to stay away.” That was it I couldn’t take it anymore. I hauled off and hit that guy square in the face and he dropped to the ground holding his face. Serves him right the dick.

“Matt!” Maya screamed.

“Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to,” I roared, feeling a set of arms pulling me away. “I told you to stay the fuck away and you better or next time you’ll be dead!” I raged as I struggled against the guys. “If you fucking touch her again I swear it will be the last thing you fucking do!”

“Shadz, calm down you’re making a fucking scene,” Zacky hissed in my ear as he, Brian, Matt Berry, and Jimmy pulled me away. “He got the message loud and clear.”

“The girls are fucking done working while that ass is here, get them out of there!” I roared as they continued to pull me away.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Brian said, his eyes following Avery and Jason as they walked behind us talking quietly.

Once we were back on the bus the guys let me go and I paced angrily back and forth. “What the hell were you thinking, Maya?” I growled at her and she just gapped at me.

“I was just trying to follow along with the plan so that we could stay, but apparently that’s not part of the plan!” she shot back and I clenched my fists.

“You were letting him man handle you right in front of me! How is that okay? You’re my fucking girlfriend!” I yelled, not caring that my friends heard now that we were on the bus. “Ugh, I could fucking kill that guy!”

“Well, that’s the only option left now…” Jimmy sighed, looking defeated as he suck to the floor. “We don’t have anything now…” He looked so sad and when his words hit me I felt like I had been kicked in the nuts.

My eyes turned to Maya and she was gapping at me before she disappeared into the backroom. Fuck, I ruined the plan but I couldn’t stand to see him do that to her.

“Maya,” I sighed, following after her. “Come on, Maya…”

Notes

So Matt punched Francis...but they no longer have a plan. So will they find away for the girls to stay or will they have to go?

How will Ave handle choosing between Brian and Jason? Will she have time before they leave?

Comments! ;)