*~*Chloe’s POV*~*

“Chlo! I gotta run home and grab my guitar and some clothes!” Zacky called from the guest bedroom that had now practically become his room.

Jayden who had been jumping on my bed, bounced off and ran down the hall to Zacky’s room screaming, “Wait! Wait! Wait Zacky!”

I heard everyone downstairs in the living room laughing as they watched Jayden run down the hall. I walked down to Zacky’s room to see Jayden sitting nicely on the bed, Zacky crouched down in front of him speaking.

“I’ll be right back Jay and then we can all go to Uncle Matt’s house.”

“You’ll be right back?” Jayden asked and I could hear him starting to get upset.

“Yes, I’ll be right back. I promise.” Zacky replied.

“Can I come?”

“Not this time. You have to get ready still and mommy needs your help. Uncle Brian and Uncle Johnny are going to come with me and we’ll be right back.”

“Promise?” the little tears welling up in his eyes.

“I promise little man. You, mommy, and me will all go over to Uncle Matt’s house together okay?”

“Okay.” Jayden answered before sliding off the bed and slowly trudging past me and downstairs.

“He really hates when you leave.” I said as Zacky stood and grabbed a pile of dirty clothes from the floor.

“I know. I hate leaving.” He replied his green eyes meeting my brown ones.

“I was thinking… maybe you should bring some of your stuff here so you don’t have to keep running home…” I said looking down at my feet, “I mean if you want to…”

“Really Chloe? Are you asking me to move in?” He asked.

“Well I mean if you want to I wouldn’t mind you staying here and I know Jayden would love it. I’m sure your mom and dad would like you off their couch too.” I answered digging my toes into the carpet.

Before I knew what was happening I was picked up and spun around before being set down, “Chloe, I’d love to stay here, especially after we tell him. Are you sure you’re okay with it?”

I felt butterflies in my stomach like I did when he confessed his feelings for me on the top of the ferris wheel, “Yeah I’m sure as long as you behave yourself.”

“When have I not since I’ve been here? I promise, I’ll be the perfect gentleman.” he smirked before kissing my cheek.

“Now I know that’s a lie.” I laughed as I turned making my way back to my room, “So, maybe during the week the guys can help you?”

“I’m sure they can. I’ll ask on the way to my parent’s place.” He said as he came to the doorway watching me as I walked down the hall to my room.

I changed my clothes and grabbed some clothes for Jayden as I headed downstairs just in time to see Jayden clutching onto Zacky, burying his face in his neck as he hugged him. Val looked like she was going to cry as she stood in the living room with her hands over her mouth, probably stifling an “Awww”.

“I’ll be right back just like I promised.” Zacky said with his arms wrapped around our son.
“I’ll miss you Zacky.” He mumbled as he let go of Zacky’s neck.

“I’ll miss you too little man. I’ll be back before you know it. Help mommy and make sure you get ready so we can go when I get back okay?” Zacky said standing and ruffling Jayden’s messy black hair.

“Okay Zacky.” Jayden replied moving from the doorway to let Zacky follow Brian, Michelle, and Johnny out of the house.

“Mr. Baker, come change your clothes and then I want you to go pick out 2 toys to bring.” I said distracting Jayden from getting overly upset that Zacky left.

I made my way over to the couch and sat down next to Matt as Jayden came over to me and took off his little sleep pants and shirt. Val sat down on the other side of me as Jimmy lay still sprawled across the living room floor watching the TV.

“So, anyone care to tell me what’s up with Brian and Mich? He seemed… uh less than supportive of Michelle’s dreams.” I asked as I helped Jayden get dressed.

“I think he’s just upset because it takes away time that she used to spend on him. You know Brian can be kinda selfish…” Val answered.

“Honestly it’s not like she’s the most supportive of him either, Valary.” Matt chimed in.
“I mean she’s your sister and all but she’s not like you Val. She doesn’t do what you do for us. You keep us going.” Jimmy said.

“Well the weird part I noticed is she doesn’t even seem to notice how Brian’s attitude changes. It’s a little strange to me. Wouldn’t you notice if Matt started treating you different Val?” I asked pulling Jayden’s shirt over his head.

“She’d know. I don’t beat around the bush.” Matt replied.

“I didn’t think Brian was one to punk out like that. Has he said anything about it?” I asked.

“Mommy can I bring Ralphie?” Jayden interrupted.

“Sure baby. Go get your backpack and put your toys you want to take in it and come back downstairs so we can put your shoes on.” I instructed as he ran up the stairs.

“Not to me.” Matt said.

“Me either.” Jimmy added.

“I guess it’s not really any of our business… I was just curious.” I said as I went over to the closet by the door and found Jayden’s little black converse.

“So while Jay is upstairs, I just want to say that was the cutest thing I have ever seen. He didn’t want Zacky to go at all.” Val said coming up behind me while I dug thru the closet looking for my own shoes.

“He’s become very attached to him in such a short time. He’s going to lose his mind when we tell him.” I smiled as I found my shoes and went into the kitchen to make more coffee.

“What’s the deal with you and him anyways? You come down in a bathrobe and 15 minutes later he comes down buckling his belt… did you and him… you know?” Val asked quietly.

“No Valary. We did not. Jayden wanted him to sleep with us in the bed and I allowed it for one night. I was too lazy to argue with him.” I replied pouring the remaining coffee into my mug.

“Then what’s with the belt?” Val suggested.

“No one likes to sleep in jeans and he had boxers on. It’s not like I haven’t seen it all anyways… hello, we have a kid.”

“True but that was a long time ago Chloe… we’ve all grown up.” She smirked, “Matt is not ALL the same as in high school hunny…”

“Ugh, Val! Ew! Matt’s like my brother. Gross.” I said scrunching up my face and shaking my head.

“You didn’t even cop a feel? Just to check it out?” Val joked.

“No I didn’t. Geez… you’ve gotten dirtier over the time I’ve been away.” I laughed.

“It’s all the time with the 5 amigos… plus Jason and Matt Berry don’t help.” She shrugged.

“Aww. I miss those two. I didn’t get to see them that night at the show.”

“They were doing their jobs, that’s why. Shocking but I guess they wanted to come home too. They’ll be there on Saturday.” Val replied.

“I wonder if I can get a babysitter… I’d love to go to another show.” I said walking back out to the living room.

“You should ask Papa Gates. I’m sure Mac would love to have a friend over.” Matt suggested.

“Maybe, we’ll see.” I answered as Jayden came down the stairs with his backpack.

“Jayden do you want to go to McKenna’s house on Saturday?” Jimmy asked him.

“Yeah! Mommy can I? Can I? Can I? Please!!” he begged.

“Thanks Jimmy…” I sighed before turning to Jayden, “We’ll see baby. We have to ask Papa Gates and Mama Suzy first.”

“Why mommy?”

“Because baby, I won’t be there. I’m going to go out with your uncles and aunties, but I’ll be back to pick you up. Just like when you stay with Uncle Jake.” I answered.

“Can I stay with Zacky mommy?”

“No baby, Zacky is coming too. Don’t you want to play with McKenna?” I asked.

“Yeah. Can we ask today?” he said excitedly.

“Maybe son. It’s not until Saturday night.” I said grabbing his shoes and starting to put them on him.

“Okay mommy.” He said satisfied.

I left him to watch TV with Jimmy, Matt, and Val as I went upstairs to fix my makeup and hair. Some simple eyeliner and a good run thru with the hairbrush was all I did but I really needed the moment alone to think of what I was doing.

The Haners knew. Now the Sanders would know too. How long could Zacky and I hide our secret that I was back in town and that we had a son together? Sure I had changed my hair and maybe got a little more curvier after having Jayden but really I looked the same. Jake already said that he ran into Zina at the supermarket. What if that had been me with Jayden!? Zina would know in an instant he was Zack’s son.

I put my face in my hands and gently shook my head as I sat in front of the bathroom mirror,
“What the hell am I going to do?”

Meanwhile…

*~*Zacky’s POV*~*

“Oh my God! You guys have to tell him soon…” Michelle said as we got in Brian’s car, “That has to be the hardest thing to do every time you leave.”

“It is… which reminds me, are you guys all busy the rest of the week?” I asked.

“Not really… why what’s up?” Brian said as we headed down the street towards Johnny’s place first.

“Well, Chloe said it would be okay if I moved some of my stuff in and I need some help getting it from my parent’s place without them asking me where I’m going.”

“What?! Really Zack?! That’s great! You’ve been living on that couch for what, like…” Michelle trailed off thinking from the passenger seat.

“2 years. Don’t remind me.” I finished.

“Sorry.” She answered looking out the window.

“Why don’t you just tell them you’re moving in with Chloe? I mean they know her.” Johnny asked.

“It’s not that simple short-shit.” Brian replied, “If Zacky mentioned Chloe his parents would either one, not believe him and have him institutionalized because he’s delusional, or two, want him to prove it and bring her around or worse and want to come over. We all know Chloe isn’t going to go for that. At least not until Jay knows.”

“So what do you want us to tell them?” Johnny questioned.

“Say I’m moving with you Gnome.” I turned to him.

“What? Everyone knows I live in a shitty ass motel dude.”

“Say we got enough money to get a small apartment together. Come on Johnny, if not for me then do it for my kid.” I pleaded.

“Do it for the children! Think of the children!” Brian yelled from the driver’s seat as he parked at Johnny’s motel.

“Fine, for you and for Jay, I’ll do it.” Johnny sighed heavily, “But I don’t like lying to your parents Zee. They’re nice people.” He said getting out of the car.

“I didn’t say they weren’t. It’s just until Jayden knows.” I yelled from the window as he made his way to his door.

“So she’s letting you move in? How nice of her…” Brian said.

“Yeah, she’s the greatest.” I answered leaning my head back against the seat thinking of her.

“So did you and her bang?” Brian blurted out earning a slap on his chest from Michelle.

“Brian?! What the fuck?!” Michelle yelled at him.

“What?! I’m asking because Chloe comes down this morning covered up in a bathrobe and then Zacky shows up buckling his belt. Don’t be so prude, Michelle. We all know what that means…” Brian explained.

“No we didn’t bang Bri… I just slept with her and Jayden in her bed. I didn’t want to sleep in jeans and my son wasn’t letting me leave so I just rocked my boxers…” I told him.

“The bathrobe?” Brian turned around to look at me with a cocked eyebrow.

“I’m sure she was cold. She was only in my shirt and her shorts.” I said not thinking about how that exactly sounded.

“In YOUR shirt?! Wooo!” Brian cheered as Johnny got back in the car with his bass.

“Ugh not like that man… she has my old Social Distortion shirt from high school…” I answered as Michelle turned to look at me this time.

“I told you some things don’t really change Zacky…” Michelle smirked as she turned back towards the road ahead.

My parents’ house was next and I rushed out of the car as soon as we pulled into the driveway, wanting to make it seem like we were in a hurry. The less time it seemed like I had, the less questions they could ask. My mom and dad were sitting on the couch as I rushed in the house saying a quick hello to them as I went straight towards the garage for my stuff.

“Zack? Don’t tell me you’re leaving again? You’ve only been home one night the past week… what’s going on?” my father asked from the doorway to the garage.

“I have band practice dad. I gotta go. The guys are waiting in the car for me.” I said as I found a duffel bag and stuffed some clothes in it.

“Then why are you packing a bag and where is your car?” He said from behind me, startling me.

“Oh, shit.” I said as I stood up and turned to him, “My car is at Matt’s. Me and Johnny are actually trying to get an apartment this week, but I really gotta go. We have a gig on Saturday so yeah….practice…”

“Zachary are you gonna be home for dinner?” my mother called from the living room.
“Probably not mom!” I shouted back.

“So where are you staying?” my father asked me.

“At Johnny’s. He’s been at his girlfriend’s house.” I lied stuffing a cord in my bag.

“Well, check in with us will ya? You know your mother worries about you. Especially after you guys come home from going on tour.” My father said handing me my guitar by the door.

“Thanks dad. I will. Love you guys. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.” I said hugging him and slinging my bag over my shoulder as I made my way past him.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me closer, whispering out of my mother’s earshot, “I don’t know what’s up with you lately, but you know you can always tell us right Zack?”

“Yeah dad. Don’t worry. Everything’s good.” I smiled at him as he let go of my arm and patted my shoulder.

“Have a good practice son. Maybe we’ll come to your show on Saturday. Where is it?” He asked as I walked into the living room and kissed my mother’s cheek.

“In Anaheim I think… I’ll double check with Matt though…” I said as I headed out the door. “Love you guys.”

“Love you too Zack.” They both called after me.

I got in the car and Johnny turned to me, “So, how’d it go?”

“I planted the seed that you and I are getting an apartment. Dad will tell mom and it will work.” I said as Brian pulled out of the driveway and headed towards his apartment with Michelle.

“Okay cool… if you say it will work then I’m down.” Johnny replied as Pantera’s ‘Cowboys from Hell’ came on the radio.

By the time the song was over we were at Michelle and Brian’s apartment. Brian and Michelle headed upstairs while Johnny and I leaned against the car smoking our cigarettes, chatting about my days at Chloe’s house.

“They’ve kinda been awhile…” Johnny said looking at his phone after about 10 minutes.

“They’re probably fucking.” I answered.

“Probably.” Johnny agreed before we heard a loud crash followed by screaming.

We started to head up the stairs when Brian came out of the house, guitar in hand, frustrated look on his face. He waved us back to get in the car as Michelle opened the door and threw his car keys at him.

“Get the fuck out Brian! I can’t believe you would even say that to me!” she yelled before slamming the door.

Brian came down the stairs and got in the car, setting his guitar on the passenger side, “Don’t ask. Fuck her.”

“Ok…” Johnny said meekly as we headed back to Chloe’s.

*~*Chloe’s POV*~*

I put my face in my hands and gently shook my head as I sat in front of the bathroom mirror, “What the hell am I going to do?”

“Chloe? You in here?” Zacky’s soft voice carried thru my bedroom startling me.

“Yeah. I’m just finishing my hair…” I replied, “You can come in.”

He came around the corner and leaned on the door frame to the bathroom smiling until he saw the look on my face, “Hey, are you okay?” he asked as he crouched down in front of me, “What’s wrong Chloe?”

“I just don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“About what?”

“Jake told me he saw Zina at the supermarket. What if that had been me and Jayden? Zina’s no fool, she would know he’s yours as soon as she saw him. I don’t know how long we are going to be able to keep this a secret…” I said feeling overwhelmed.

Zacky rubbed my back soothingly, “It’s alright Chlo. If they find out then they do. I don’t want you to worry about it. Zina’s so busy with her wedding stuff that I doubt she would even recognize me at the supermarket and I’m her brother. Don’t think of the ‘what ifs’ and let’s just think of the ‘right now’s. I will handle my family when it comes to that point. Okay?”

I looked up at him trying my best to hold in any tears that wanted to escape, “Okay. I’m sorry Zacky. This is such a mess.”

“It is, but it’s okay. We’re in this mess together okay?” he said holding my hand.

“Okay.” I nodded, his small gesture making me feel a little better.

“Come on, your son is excited to go.” He said.

“He’s your son too.” I smiled as he pulled me behind him out of the room.

Notes

Here's a new one for you... Let me know how you like it! Much love and aloha <3 <3 <3 XoXo