Matt’s POV

“So you really think we’ll be able to stay?” Avery asked, her blue eyes almost pleading. She looked so desperate and I knew exactly how she felt. The thought of losing Maya was constantly plaguing my thoughts and I knew I couldn’t let her go. I knew Maya wanted to stay for me and I that alone gave me hope in this situation.

So did Avery have someone she wanted to stay for? Had she made a decision between Gates and JB? I didn’t know but both Gates and Avery looked pretty damn happy together when they came into the party. I had never seen him look so smitten with a woman before, and that was saying something. Something told me he was more invested in her than he was even willing to admit to himself yet.

I looked over top of Avery’s head to see Maya dancing with Gates and laughing about something he said. I didn’t like seeing her with him, but I knew that he wasn’t interested. He was too hooked on the little brunette I was dancing with, and don’t think I didn’t see him eyeing me the whole time. Chill out dude, I’m not going make a move on her—she’s all yours.

Sure Ave was beautiful, but in my eyes, she was nothing compared to Maya. God that girl looked stunning tonight. Even more so than usual, if that was even possible. She was driving me crazy in that see-threw black lace dress and even though I had her only a half an hour ago, I craved more. I couldn’t wait to get her out of that dress and into my bed because she was slowly driving me insane with desire. But I knew I would have to wait and enjoy the night a little bit, especially if this was our last evening together… No, she wasn’t leaving—I refused.

“I sure as hell hope so. If Jimmy actually locked that bastard in the truck and can make it look like he’s incompetent, then we’re golden. You dad will fire him in an instant,” I said, though I was a little nervous about Jimmy’s plan.

You see, Jimmy was always good at coming up with a plan but never actually followed through all the way. The guys and I were usually left picking up the pieces of his master schemes or helping him make it happen. Would this time be any different? I just hoped that he didn’t do anything insanely stupid or else we would be even more screwed. Not the mention that the girls would be hauled out of here so fast that we wouldn’t be able to say goodbye.

“I hope you’re right because honestly…I-I’m not ready to leave yet and either is Maya,” Ave practically whispered, looking over at her shoulder at Brian. She blushed lightly and looked down at the floor when I gave her a knowing smile.

“He’s a good guy,” I assured as I spun her around and then pulled her back towards me. “He just is a little slow in realizing what he wants sometimes. Give him a chance and I know he’ll make you happy. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

I knew Gates would kill me for telling her this, but she looked like she needed a push in the right direction. Honestly, I hadn’t seen her smile this much since she joined the tour. Anyone could see that they were good together, and I was pretty much oblivious to this kind of thing most of the time. Reading people was Zack’s department.

Avery chuckled lightly and bit down her bottom lip, those blue eyes looking back up at me. “That’s what Zacky said last night…I-I know I like him and he makes me feel...” Avery let her thought run off with a sigh as she looked across the room. A small smile adorned her red lips and I knew exactly what she meant. I felt the same way around Maya. “I guess I should just follow my gut, huh?” She really was cute in a little sister kind of way.

“I think he’d like that.” I nodded and let my eyes glance over toward Haner and my girlfriend. “And if he fucks it up, I’ll beat the shit out of him and that’s a promise, Ave.”

We both laughed but I was serious. I didn’t know if it was because of my relationship with Maya or the friendship that we had developed, but I wanted to protect her. No one would hurt Avery or Maya on my watch, and I knew the other guys felt the same way. They really had become part of our little dysfunctional family.

“Alright enough, the dance is over,” Brian urged just as the song changed on the iPod. He lightly grabbed Avery around the waist and pulled her back into him in one swift motion. She looked up with a surprised smile before they started to move towards Maya and a row of shots. “Let’s go play a new game, love. I think you’ll like it.”

I raised a brow at Brian but he was too busy whispering something in Avery’s ear to notice. Figured as much. She giggled and hid behind her hair as he smiled down at her with a look I’ve never seen before. Now that was interesting. Was Gates already deeply invested in the girl? For his sake, I hoped Ave would take my advice. You see, Gates was a bitch when he didn’t get his way and I really didn’t want to have to put up with his sulking for the next couple of weeks.

“Come on, the night is young. Let’s get this party started,” Maya cheered, doing a sexy little dance to the beat of the music. I had to bite my knuckle to suppress a groan. What was this woman doing to me? “Hey there, big guy,” she purred, practically jumping into my arms and pulling me kiss. God she tasted good, like Jack and something else. My hands tangled in her hair as I pulled her closer, forgetting where we were again. I couldn’t get enough of her and neither could the growing erection in my pants. This woman had some serious control over me.

“Hey!” Gates yelled, bringing me back. I slowly pulled away and smiled down at the most beautiful creature in the room. Her brown eyes sparkled up at me as she nuzzled her cheek into my hand. I would die a happy man if I could stay like this forever.

“I was serious about the getting a room thing,” Gates teased as he sat down on the couch and pulled Avery onto his lap. I did the same with Maya, though I couldn’t promise that I would keep my hands to myself. “Specially if you’re going to keep that shit up.”

“Please, like you wont need one later,” I shot back, causing Avery to blush and hide her face in the crook of Gates’ neck. He just chuckled and kissed the top of her head, shooting me a wink. He couldn’t hide the smile on his face. He looked genuinely happy for the first time in weeks.

“Matt!” Maya laughed, hitting me in the chest. Was I wrong in my assumption? They looked like they were ready to eat each other alive too.

“What?” I couldn’t help but laugh at the array of expressions in our small group. “Come on, we all know—“ Maya gave me a pointed look so I sighed and changed the subject. “So what are we playing?”

Brian sat up and wrapped his arms around Avery’s waists, looking between Maya and I. “A good old fashioned game of Russian Roulette, my friend.” A wicked smirk fell over his face as he shot me a wink. I knew that this was Gates’ favorite game and he always ended up making the rest of us look like jackasses. Fuck, I hated these games of chance, but maybe I could win something from Maya.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, did I just hear that you’re playing fucking Russian Roulette without me?” Zack said, jumping over the couch and sitting between Gates and I. “Short shit, get over here!” Johnny just flipped us off and continued to talk to the girl next to him. So, dipshit was going to get laid tonight, huh? Well, I guess every dog has his day.

“Hey, did we invite you to play?” Gates shot back, pulling Avery to the other side of his lap. Was he really afraid that she was going to jump ship to Baker? I see that possessiveness over the little one was back in full force.

Zack rolled his eyes and leaned back. “No, but you’re usually a dick, so I’ll forgive you this one time.”

“I say the more the merrier!” Maya said, her fingers running up and down on my back under my t-shirt. The tips of her red nails left a trail of goosebumps in their wake. The blood was starting to rush from my head down south and I had to work really hard to focus on the conversation. I could feel my raging boner throbbing painfully in my pants and Maya undoubtedly felt it too.

She smirked at me before leaning and whispering in my ear. “Down boy, you have to win your next prize.” Fuck, she was killing me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to concentrate on something else.

“How do you play Russian Roulette?” I moved my eyes down the couch to Avery who was frowning slightly. I almost forgot how naïve she was sometimes.

“Well, we put out a line of shots on the table and pour water in all the glasses except for one, which will be vodka. The taskmaster for the round shuffles the glass and we each pick up a random shot and chug it. The person who drank the vodka has to perform a dare, task, or answer a truth from the taskmaster. As we go, we increase the number of glasses with vodka in them,” Zacky explained while I moved to pour the shots. “Got it?”

Avery bit down on her bottom lip and looked a little apprehensive, but nodded nonetheless. “So who is going to be the first taskmaster?”

“I’ll do it,” Maya eyed me with a wicked smirk and a twinkle in her eye. She quickly got off my lap and mixed up the glasses, shaking her ass in my face as she did so. Damn, she was teasing me tonight. I hoped that I got the shot so that could receive my task. I wanted her so bad it wasn’t even funny.

“Okay, here we go. Grab the shot in front of you and down it on the count of three. One…two….three!” she instructed. We all threw our shots back and I watched as Brian put his arms up in the air in victory. That fucker…

“What’s it going to be, Maya? Truth, dare, or task?” Gates asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

I turned to look at Maya as she tapped her lips with her long delicate fingers. Seconds later a wicked smirk came over her face. “I want you to take a body shot off of a person of your choice,” she said, even though we all knew who he was going to choose. All eyes turned to the little brunette on his lap as she gapped.

“Come on, sweetheart. This will be fun,” Brian laughed, helping her to her feet.

“But I’m wearing a dress,” she hissed, her face turning bright red. “I-I’m not going to flash the entire party!”

Maya laughed and poured a shot of patron. “Relax, little gnome. He can take it right from here,” she said and pushed the shot into her cleavage. Avery turned and even darker shade of red. “Don’t worry, I know you’ll love it. You’re glowing already,” Maya whispered as placed a lime wedge between her lips. “She’s all yours.”

I watched as he moved over and swirled his tongue around the glass, barely grazing her skin. Avery’s chest was rising and falling quickly and I had to look away, feeling like I was invading some private moment. When I glanced up again, Gates was kissing her and the lime wedge was nowhere to bet seen. Zack had to clear his throat to bring them back to reality.

“And who was teasing who about needing a room?” I laughed, running my hands over Maya’s sides.

“Don’t be jealous, specially since now I’m the taskmaster.” And this is where the game went to hell every damned time.

“Fuck, now we’re all doomed,” Zack sighed and put his head in his hands. “And I’m not drunk enough for this.” He quickly grabbed the bottle of patron and took a few deep swigs before setting it back on the table.

“Don’t be a baby,” Gates laughed, now back on the couch with Avery on his lap.

“What do you mean, doomed? He’s only taskmaster for one turn, right?” Maya asked and I sadly shook my head.

“No because the taskmaster also gets a shot, so if he gets the vodka shot he gets to decide who does the task. It could be one person or all of us,” I explained, narrowing my eyes at a laughing Gates. “And that bastard is a fucking wizard at picking the right glass so he always wins.”

“Just grab your shot and stop bitching,” Gates laughed, handing a glass to Avery. “On three. One…two…three!”

I looked around the circle and saw Avery wince as she swallowed. That son of a bitch gave her the vodka shot. I didn’t know how he did it, but he always fucking picked the right glass. Maybe he was just good at following the glasses being mixed up or he had some secret about seeing the difference in the vodka. Either was he was playing us all which was why I tried to avoid this game like the plague. That is unless we were playing with rum—then it was anyone’s game.

Zacky and I both shook our head, knowing exactly what he was up to. “I’ll let you choose, love,” Gates said looking into her eyes. “Truth, dare, or task?”

Avery bit down on her bottom lip; her eyes narrow as if she was trying to decide what he was thinking. “Hmm…I guess I’ll go with a task.”

“How bold of you, Ave,” Maya giggled, her fingers now running up and down my thigh. I swallowed and quickly placed a kiss on her lips.

“You better stop that or I will bend you over this couch in front of all our friends,” I growled in her ear, my teeth grazing her earlobe. She squirmed on my lap and anchored her down with my hands. All that movement with her ass need to stop before I exploded.

“Your task is to spend the rest of the evening with me,” the cocky bastard said with a smirk.

Avery just smiled and shook her head. “That’s not really a task is it? I mean I’m spending the evening with you now,” she teased. Gates leaned forward to whisper something in her ear but I didn’t hear it because the door suddenly burst open.

“RUN FOR YOU LIVES!” We all turned to look to see Jimmy flying through the room, his arms flailing about his head. Seconds later a very pissed off looking Francis appeared in the room behind him. “FRAN ON THE RUN!”

“Fuck,” I hissed, slowly standing up with Gates and Zack. What kind of mess had Jimmy gotten us into now? I knew I should have went with him to check on the situation but I just couldn’t leave Maya. Now I was really kicking myself.


“You son of a bitch!” Francis yelled and pointed across the room at Jimmy. Rev came over behind me, almost looking to hide behind me. I swear if this bastard wanted to play, I would surely beat his ass again. I mean, that shiner he was supporting looked pretty good on him and I could easily give him a matching one on the other side.

“You fucking locked me in that god damned truck for five hours!” Francis continued. By this time everything in the room had stopped and all eyes were on the quickly escalating situation in front of us

Zack snorted with laugher as I turned took at Jimmy, who looked pretty pleased with himself. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was playing a show. It’s not my fault you locked yourself in damn truck,” he chuckled.

“I fucking saw you and you guys are going to pay for this!” Francis pointed between the five of us and the girls. “I know exactly what is going on here. You’re fucking with the boss’s daughters and trying to get rid of me to cover it up. Well, guess what assholes, I’m not going anywhere! I’m staying here and going to make your lives a living hell.”

I felt my stomach plummet to my feet and the anger start to rise within me. This guys wasn’t fucking serious was he? I would beat the shit out of that guy every day until he fucking left. There was no way some asshole was going to come in here and destroy everything that my friends and I had worked so hard to build. Let alone, take away the girl. Fuck no. “You fucking son of a bitch,” I growled taking another step forward and I was surprised when no one stopped me.

“What are you going to do? Hit me again?” Francis laughed, shaking his head. “Please do? Because I can certainly press charges and tell your manager what exactly you guys are up to here. Don’t think I couldn’t tell him that you’re all fucking around with his daughters. I’ve got fucking proof.” Proof? What kind of proof? This was bluffing!

“You’re full of shit,” Brian hissed, stepping up next to me and crossing his arms.

“So you’re screwing her too? I thought so after I found this little note on the ground,” Francis said pulling a little piece of hotel stationary out of his pocket. I narrowed my eyes and looked at the paper, seeing both Brian and Avery’s names on the note. Avery looked mortified as she stood hold onto Maya, both of them looking close to tears.

“I’ll fucking kill you!” Brian growled as he lunged forward but Francis held up his hands to stop him.

“Wait, wait, wait, dickwad,” Francis said, harboring a laugh the entire time. “I’ve also got evidence of this one with the little one,” he said pointing to Zacky, who shook his head and looked bewildered.

“I haven’t fucking been with Ave?” He argued until his face fell slightly. “You fucker. Are you talking about last night? We were just talking!”

“That’s not what the picture looks like with your hands on her face,” Francis continued. I notice Brian glaring over at Zack with clenched fists, though we all knew it was really Francis we wanted to destroy. “And this bruise surely is enough evidence to convince Mr. Jacobson about Maya and muscles here. And the jolly giant over there locking me in the truck could be used too. So looks like I’ve got the upper hand and you fucks are screwed. Either way it looks like you lose the girl and get me, or you could lose the girls and your manager. It’s your choice.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, you son of a bitch!” Zacky growled but Francis just looked smug.

“Alright, you’re done, just come cool off!” Matt Berry said, suddenly appearing with Jason and Dan and pulling him away. “You’re overreacting. If you want to stay you better get a better attitude and learn some respect.”

“Fuck off,” Francis laughed, pulling out of their grasp. “Oh, and I’m definitely staying…and I’ll have a list of demands that go with it, that is unless you want your manager to find out everything that’s been going on here. I’ll have those for you in the morning. Enjoy your last night, assholes,” Francis said before turning and walking out of the room.

“Fuck!” I raged, kicking over the small table before collapsing down into the couch with my head in my hands. How could we have let that asshole get the upper hand? There was no fucking way? The girls couldn’t leave…but now it didn’t look like we really had a choice. I couldn’t let her go…it hurt too much just to think about, let alone actually do.

“Maya…” I whispered, looking up to see her and Avery hugging each other closely with tears in their eyes. I hated seeing like that and I had to change that. We couldn’t spend our last night together crying.

I quickly got up form the couch and joined Jimmy in hugging them, which inevitably turned into a large group hug. “We can’t spend our last night like this,” Maya finally said, angrily whipping away some tears. “Let’s get fucked up and have the best night our lives. At least that is something that we can remember.”

She was right, I would remember this night for the rest of my life and she would be the reason why.

Avery’s POV

Thirty minutes after my world crashed down around me, I was lying on the couch across Brian and Zack’s laps feeling absolutely nothing. Well, except for the room spinning in combination with a loud ringing in my ears. But that nothingness was pure bliss right now. The only things that I could actually register were Brian’s fingers absently twisting through my hair as I stared at the concrete ceiling and Zacky giggled at my feet. We were so fucking high that it wasn’t even funny, not to mention the ten shots I had taken only a few minutes ago.

“Are you okay?” Brian asked me, a soft and low driving beat playing somewhere in the background. He ran his calloused fingers over my face but I could barely feel them.

“I’m great,” I giggled, still staring directly up. “But I’m pretty sure the-the ceiling is starting to crush us…” I could have sworn it was getting closer and closer to my face with each passing second. The thought of getting crushed between the ceiling and the floor was somehow easier than the though of leaving tomorrow. “It’s getting closer…and closer…and closer…”

Brian laughed, his eyes only slightly red while Zack’s were the reddest I had ever seen them. “Are you sure I’m not getting closer?” He asked, his brown eyes now blocking my gaze.

I carefully reached up my hand, which in my state wasn’t careful at all, and touched Brian’s face. It probably ended more like a slap but to me it felt like a gentle caress under my fingertips. Brian didn’t seem to mind, in fact he smiled down at me and didn’t even flinch. “Your eyes are like…brown pools of wonder and I can’t stop looking at them…” I breathed, feeling hypnotized by them. I swore they were spinning pools of dark liquid gold that were taking my breath away. I could feel my heart rate increase the longer I stared into them.

“You must be seeing things.” Brian laughed and ran his thumb over my bottom lip and giggled as I licked the tip of his finger. “You’re a little tease you know that?” he sighed, smiling down with me.

“Not me…” I started to zone out again as my head felt like it was spinning around in circles. “I’m a good girl…always do the right thing…always follow the rules…a daddy’s girl…until I met Synyster Gates.”

“And what did he do to you?” Those brown orbs of wonder were staring down into my eyes again and I just smiled, running my fingers over his features. This all felt like a dream and I had no control over the things that were coming out of my mouth, no matter how true they were.

“He turned my life around…” I said in awe, feeling my body being pulled into a seated position. I wasn’t sure if I sat up or if Brain had moved but he was suddenly so close that I felt my breath catch in my chest.

“And?” I could feel Brian’s warm breath on my lips, his breath an intoxicating smell of Patron, cigarette smoke, and spearmint. Oh, how I wanted a taste but he every I tried to move forward he kept me away with a teasing smile.

I gave up with a giggle and collapsed my head onto his shoulder, smelling his sweet cologne and hugging him close. “And he made me feel alive for the first time in my life…” I admitted, my eyes closed as I took in his aroma.

I felt his fingers moving over the bare skin on my thighs before he moved my hair to whisper in my ear. “Tell me what it feels like…” I shivered under that warm breath on my ear, just practically melting.

“It feels like this…” I said, moving my hands up to his face and crashing my lips against his. I closed my eyes, feeling a surge of excitement as his tongue slid into my mouth. His mouth was hot and he tasted like spearmint and Jack, which was an oddly seductive mix. I slid my hand up to the back of his neck and hungrily kissed him back, wanting more. I felt a sure of energy flow through me, making melt into his embrace. I needed more. The man was as bad as a drug and the addicting kind.

“Ave…” Brain rasped, pulling away a moment later, his forehead pressed to mine. “That kiss…”

“I know,” I sighed, feeling my sobriety slowly coming back. No, I didn’t want to feel and I didn’t want to deal with the sadness of leave my new friends—of leaving Brain. I couldn’t deny it any longer. I craved his touch, his company, and most of all his kiss. Our night together had made it so clear to me. I wanted Brain and I wanted to really give us a chance.

“I wish tonight wasn’t my last night…” I whispered, my voice shaking slight. I closed my eyes, willing the tears to stay away as I tucked my head back into the crook of Brian’s neck. I wrapped my arms tightly around him and held him close, afraid that he might actually disappear.

“Me too, love…me too,” Brian’s voice sounded so sad and I was surprised when the gently lifted my chin to meet his eyes again. My head felt dizzy from the sudden movement but I tried to focus to stop the spinning. “What will you miss the most?”

I took in a shaky breath and frowned. “I’ll miss seeing you everyday…tonight made me realize that I really would have liked to give this a shot…I like you, Brian…but now it seems like it’s too late. ”

Notes

Ave finally admitted that she wanted to give Brain a chance but its too late :( What will they do now? Is there still hope to get ride of Francis or will the guys never see the girls again?

Commnets lovely readers! :)