Matt's POV
"How many interviews do we have left today?" I groaned, leaning my head back against the seat of the town car. I ran my hands over my face, tired of answering the same questions over and over again. We were on our way to the third interview of the day, and I couldn't wait to be back on the bus with a stiff drink and my girl. That is if Larry wasn't still hanging around. I was pretty sure he was suspicious of Maya and I and was keeping us buys for a reason.

Every since we arrived at the festival in Wisconsin, Larry had been booking us solid. We had been running around doing signings, meet and greets, and interviews for the past two days and I was exhausted. How long was he going to keep this up? If he did this for every stop for the rest of tour, we would all be dead and I wasn't kidding. Jimmy was even looking worse for wear and not his chipper self.

"God I fucking hope so," Johnny sighed before throwing back a swig of his beer. "This marathon of interviews is really getting on my nerves.We've never done this many in a row before. What is up Larry's ass?"

"I think hes suspicious of Maya and I," I admitted, looking out the window. "He almost caught Maya and I in a situation when we first arrived. I think he's trying to see if we'll crack."

"Fuck," Jimmy hissed, shaking his head. "I knew something was bothering knife girl, but I haven't been able to talk to her with Larry sending us everywhere. We need to come up with a plan to divert his attention...something to make him think you aren't together."

I narrowed my eyes and looked at Jimmy. I knew there was something going on between Maya and Jimmy but I didn't exactly know what. They were much closer than I liked. Why was she texting Jimmy instead of me in important situations? Didn't she trust me?

"Why the hell is she texting you instead of me?" I asked, trying to keep my rising anger in check as I crossed my arms in front of me. "I'm her fucking boyfriend!"

"Oh, Matthew," Jimmy just shrugged and looked down at his phone. "She's not texting me right now, so I dont see what the big deal is. She texts me when she needs help because I am the knife master," he said like it was the most simple answer in the world. "What happens if we make it appear like she is with someone else," he continued, jumping topics.

That thought made me clench my fists in anger. There was no way I was going to let her pretend to be dating someone else. That wasn't going to fucking happen. "No." I said curtly, my anger rising with each passing second. "Not unless you want to hide the fucking body." He was really starting to piss me off with his attitude and ideas regarding Maya.

"Why don't you just talk to Larry? He likes us well enough doesn't he?" Johnny asked, cutting the rising tension between Jimmy and I.

Jimmy was my best friend but I hated the idea of him being deeply involved with Maya. She was my girl and she should be sharing those things with me, not my best friend. I wasn't sure what was bothering me more, the fact that she talked to him so openly, or that they were always touching each other. It wasn't write and it made me fucking jealous as hell.

"She wont go for," I ran my hands over my face as the car stopped. "She's convinced that Larry is going to make them leave. Though I'm half tempted to talk to him anyway. I'm tried of fucking hiding everything. I want everyone to know that she is my girl," I said, pointedly looking at Jimmy.

To my surprise he frantically started to shake his head. "No!" he yelled, causing everyone in the car to jump, including the driver.

"No what?" I raged, thinking that he was referring to Maya being my girlfriend.

Jimmy sighed and ran his hands over his face, looking frustrated. It was a look that I had only seen on him once before and that was in high school when he was in between places to live. "You don't get it!" He said exasperatedly.

"Oh and you know Maya and Larry so well that you know exactly what the fuck to do, is that it, Jimmy?" My temper was rising and it was so close to the breaking point now that I didn't know if I could stop myself from saying the thoughts that were flying around my head.

"Yes!" he threw his hands up in the air.

"Jimmy," I warned, my jaw tense and my eyes close. My fists were already balled and I was seconds from throwing a punch at something. I had never been so angry at Jimmy before, hell we had never had a fight before. I hated that I felt this way but I couldn't help it, Maya brought out something in me that I couldn't control or let rest. I loved her and I couldn't lose her, not to Jimmy, not to Larry, not to anyone.

Jimmy tilted his head to the side like he was scolding a child. "Just hear me out," he finally groaned in an obnoxious manner. "Maya is a delicate flower that needs to be approached in a very...lets say in a sensitive way," he said and I clenched my jaw even tighter. I knew how to handle situations with my girlfriend and Jimmy didn't need to lecture me about it. "If you push her too hard to fast, you're going to lose her. If she thinks that you should keep your relationship from Larry than you should listen. She grew up in their house and knows exactly what he would do in that situation. Let her take the lead and just sit back and enjoy her because she may not be ready for the next step you are pushing for. Not every girl wants their face plastered on every newspaper."

With that, Jimmy turned and got out of the car, leaving me gaping at him. What the hell was that? Had Maya told him all that? Is that why she wouldn't let me talk to Larry? She didn't want to be in the limelight? If I had known that, I wouldn't have kept pushing the topic, but I thought she was just afraid of Larry. I groaned and ran my hands over my head, feeling extremely frustrated. I was supposed to know those things about Maya and it should have been her telling me them and not Jimmy. I hated the idea that was freaked out by being with me in an open setting or that she would leave me if I talked to Larry.

Throughout our last two interviews, I was out of it. My head was on Jimmy's words and Maya and I really wasn't engaged in answering the questions. Thank fucking god Johnny and Jimmy took the lead. The only thing I knew was that I needed to talk to Maya and soon.

As soon as we arrived back to the venue, I raced out of the car, ignoring the story Johnny was telling or Jimmy's screaming. I had to see her, had to find her and get her to open up to me. We had to come up with a plan on how to deal with all this shit together--not me finding things out second hand from Jimmy.

When I climbed out of the car, I looked around and noticed that Larry and his rental car were nowhere in sight. Perfect, maybe I could sneak over to the Asking Alexandria booth before he returned with Gates and Baker. I had to see her and make sure I wasn't pushing her too far because I couldn't lose her.

"Maya," I said, sneaking through the back of their booth my aviators and baseball cap on. She turned around and looked at me with a surprised look on her face. She looked nervous and happy to see me at the same time.

"What are you doing here?" She said, stepping away from the table and wrapping her arms around my neck. Those dark eyes were staring into my soul, making me forget why I even came out here other than to see her. She calmed me in no way anyone ever had and I knew right then that I could never actually be mad at her.

"I had to see you," I whispered, taking her hand and pulling her towards the trailer. As soon as we we alone, I crashed my lips against hers. She moaned against my lips, kissing me back in a hungry and passionate way. I moved my hands up to tangle in her hair, making her feel everything that I was with just my lips.

"Can I ask you something?" I breathed, pulling away and pressing my forehead to hers. I was having a hard time catching my breath from the kiss, not to mention my racing heart. I could tell by the look in her eyes that she was feeling the same way. Could she feel my love that I infused into the kiss.

"Of course," she looked slightly hesitant but continued anyway.

"Does the idea of going public scare you?" Maya pulled away from me and furred her brow. She turned away before she turned back and looked at me, her eyes full of confusion.

"Does what scare me?" She asked again, her hands moving to her hips as if she was trying to avoid the question by asking again.

"Is that why you don't want me to talk to Larry? You're afraid to go public and have everyone know..." I sighed, looking directly into her eye. "Are you afraid to be seen with me by the fans?"

"Don't be stupid, Matt. I'm not afraid to be seen with you. I like being your girlfriend." Maya smiled lightly but kept her distance from me.

"Then why wont you let me talk to Larry about us and why is Jimmy telling me things about you that I didn't know?" I raged, my hands moving up behind my head. I had to know. "Is there something going on between you and Jimmy?"

Maya nervously ran her fingers through her hair. "I don't want to tell Larry because I don't want to leave you!" she shot back, looking frustrated. "And Jimmy is my best friend besides Ave!"

"Looks like more than a friendship to me!" I shot back.

"Matt, please dont do this...."

"Do what? Ask why Jimmy knows more about you than I do. Who are you dating Maya? Jimmy or me?" I glared her down and she sighed.

Maya took a step towards me, putting her hands on my chest. "I'm dating you Matt. I care about you. I'm here for you. I don't know how many times I have to tell you that. What do I have to do to prove that to you? Jimmy is a great friend...and you-you drive me crazy in ways that no man ever had," she said before pressing her lips to mine.

She deepened the intensity as she pressed me back against a small cupboard door. I moaned as her body pressed into mine, rubbing against my need. This was so fucking hot and I wanted to take her right her and right now. I moved my hand up to cup her breast, making her sigh into my mouth. Oh there was no waiting if she was going to make sounds like that.

"Maya?"

We instantly split apart, recognizing Larry's voice. Shit, I totally forgot about him. He couldn't catch us like this, not now. I had to work up to talking to him, and I needed Maya on my side about it. Jimmy had been right about that. I wasn't convinced that there wasn't something between them, but I couldn't worry about that now.

"Maya, sweetheart, are you back here?"

"Quick, in here!" Maya insisted in a hushed and frantic tone. She opened the small cupboard door behind me and pushed me inside just in time.

"There you are!" I heard Larry say as I held my breath. The fit was so tight that I felt if I breathed wrong the door would burst open. My heart was racing in my chest and I knew one wrong move would destroy everything. Larry couldn't find out about us like this. "What are you doing back here? Are you okay?"

"Hey, Mr. Jacobson," I heard her reply breathlessly. "I was just grabbing a water and some more key chains. What are you doing here? I thought you had interviews and meetings all day?"

Larry chuckled and I was thankful that Maya was such a good liar. If it had been Ave, I would have been screwed. "I actually wanted to talk to about Avery's birthday and your weekend off. Have you made any plans yet?" Ave's birthday was coming up? No wonder why Gates was trying to make plans for the weekend. Maybe Maya and I could help him with something.

"Honestly, not we haven't even talked about it yet." I could just picture the look on her face and it made me smile. "Why what did you have in mind?"

"Well unfortunately I have meetings all day on her birthday so I was hoping that you could help me out. I want to make it up to her on the day after but I need you to make her day on the day, if you know what I mean," Larry said and my mind was already working on ways to help out Brian.

"Sure, I can do that. We could throw her a nice little party or we could go to Johnny's like we usually do. Oh, and maybe dinner and shopping. She would love that," Maya replied.

"Anything you want to do, just let me know. I'll give you my card, just make sure she has the best night of her life, okay?"

"Sure thing, I wouldn't do it any other way."

"You are the best, Maya. Dont think I wont do the same thing for you on your birthday. As far as I'm concerned, you're my daughter too. But I've got to go catch my flight. I'll see you girls at home in two days. Be safe and keep your distance from the guys. I've got a sneaky feeling they are scheming something," Larry said and I furred my brow. So he wasn't on to us but thought we were trying to take advantage of them?

"Dont worry, we can take care of ourselves. The guys aren't scheming anything, they just like to pull pranks. I promise that it's harmless," she said and I smiled. That was my girl. "There is nothing to worry about."

"I hope you're right, Maya," he sighed. "Now take care of Ave, here is my card, and I'll see you soon. Goodbye."

A few minutes later, Maya opened the door and pulled me into her arms. "That was so close," she breathed. "Did you hear what he said?" I nodded my head. "That's why we cant tell him what's going on." I hated it, but she was right.

Avery's POV
"And what exactly do you think you're doing?"

I looked up from the mirror to see Brian leaning against the door frame. I couldn't miss the smirk and the way he licked his lips as he looked at me. He looked like he was undressing me with his eyes and the thought alone was making me squirm.

"Just getting ready to go to the party with my boyfriend," I said with a small giggle. Brian licked his lips before a smile spread over his face. "Do you think he'll like this dress?"

"Hmm...I think he'd like it better on the floor," he chuckled before moving towards me. His hands landed on my hips, tracing over the black lace in the most seductive way possible. "Do you have any other surprises for him?"

"I don't know, that's for him to find out later," I teased, spinning around in his arms before he could start kissing my neck. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to meet him."

Brian narrowed his eyes and smirked at me as I pulled away but he stepped in front of me. "You think he'd be mad if you were late?" His hand ran slowly up my arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in it's wake. He had some magical effects on me.

"Hmm...he might. He gets jealous and I'd hate to see him upset," I giggled, amused by the little game we were playing.

"Well, I think he can wait because you still owe me three questions"

I took in a shaky breath as his lips gazed mine but only just. That was one of the most teasing gestures he could do because I wanted nothing more than to kiss those perfect lips. "Fine, but if he gets mad, you owe me."

"Deal," he smirked. "So Miss Jacobson, what has been on your mind all day?"

"Oh, you know work, my dad, my sexy boyfriend...." I smiled wickedly at him and he just chuckled.

"So I dont know if your dad and your boyfriend in the same sentence should be a turn on or not," he chuckled, his thumb finding my nipple in my lace bra and playing with it. I bit my lip to suppress a moan that threatened to escape. "Lucky for you that I was thinking about work, my dad, and my girlfriend too."

"I guess so," I breathed shakily, feeling my arousal sky rocketing.

"Next, so when is your birthday?" Shit, did he know that it was coming up? I guess I probably should have told him before now right.

"It's July 1st," I said watching the smile on his face grow. "Luck you my birthday is July 7th...looks like we could celebrate together." I loved the sound of that and I couldn't hide the smile from forming.

Brian pulled me down onto his lap on the bed, wrapping his arm around my waist. I could feel his desire growing in his pants and that only made me wet. I could just imagine riding him as that wave of pleasure hit and I shuddered in delight.

"That sounds amazing. What are we going to do?"

"I'm asking the questions," Brian said quickly throwing me off of him and onto the bed. I let out a light shriek and seconds later he was on top of me. I loved when he showed me he was in charge."

"Last question...what would your perfect birthday look like?" His brown eyes boar down into mine and I melted. My feeling grew for him everyday and I knew it wouldn't be long before I was head over heels for him. I just hoped he felt the same way.

"Anything that involved you would be perfect...maybe a nice dinner where we dont have to worry about someone finding us and ice cream...it has to have Rocky Road ice cream," I giggled pecking his lips. "But I would be perfect if I got to spend with you...and maybe Maya and guys. I dont know, I guess you weirdo's have grown on me."

"Hey!" I heard from the door just as Brian started to tickle me. "We are not weirdo's we are evil geniuses!" Jimmy screamed before jumping on the bed next to me.

"Fuck Jimbo what are you doing here? Cant you see we're a little busy?" Brian sounded frustrated but just then Zacky joined us too. I guess we weren't getting any alone time right now.

"You were the one to leave the door open," Zack answered and I couldn't help but giggle. "Besides we are waiting for you to go to the party. You can screw later, I've got to have my dance with Ave first."

"Why cant you guys just piss off for once?" Brian groaned, pulling me onto his lap and I immediately felt why.

"No can do, Haner," Jimmy said. "We've got follow threw on major plan. Operation Asking for a Plunger!" he yelled, pulling me and Brian to our feet. "Let's go, Shadz and short shirt are already waiting."

The rest of the night from that point on was a blur and the only things I remembered the next morning was Jimmy letting off a stink bomb at the party and Brian dragging me back to the bus. It obviously had been an amazing night and Brian and I didn't go to bed until the sun started to come up.

"LAST DAY BEFORE WE GO HOME!" Jimmy's voice screamed, waking me up some time later, but it was too soon. "Rise and shine love birds, we go home today!"

I rolled over and cuddled into Brian's chest with a smile despite my hangover. "Good morning," I whispered tracing over his tattoos.

"Good morning, beautiful," Brian said, his voice deep and husky. "Are you ready to go home with me tonight?" I nodded with a smile as his fingers moved up my sides. I loved the idea of going home with him and waking up with him every morning. I was his and he was mine.

Notes