*~*Zacky’s POV*~*

“MCKENNA!!!!” Jayden yelled as Suzy opened the door and he darted inside their house.

“Jayden! Get back here!” I called after him, “Hey Suzy… thanks so much for watching Jayden tonight.”

“Oh it’s no problem. McKenna just adores playing with him. Especially since he’s closer in age to her than all of her other siblings…” She said hugging me before letting me and Chloe into the house.

“Really thank you. I would have just had my brother watch him but he wanted to come to the show tonight.” Chloe said as she hugged Suzy.

“It’s really no problem. He’s such a good boy it’s not even any trouble.” Suzy said as she directed us into the living room.

“I promise I’ll be back to get him before midnight. He took a bath this afternoon before we came so don’t worry about any of that. Here’s his bag with his stuff in it…” Chloe said setting it down on the couch.

“Chloe, sweetheart, don’t worry about when you come to get him. He can stay over and you can come get him in the morning if you all don’t get out of there until later. I know how these shows go with these boys.” Suzy said.

“Thank you so much Suzy.” Chloe said again before I nudged her.

“We should get going. The guys want to meet over at Johnny’s Bar first.” I told her looking at the text I had just received from Matt.

“Oh, okay… sorry, I’m just really nervous about leaving him.” Chloe said and I could see it in her eyes.

“What are you so nervous for? You’ve had him with a babysitter before… this is even better. It’s Suzy.” I told her wrapping my arm around her shoulder.

“I guess I’m just used to having only Jake watch him at night like this…” She replied.

“Don’t worry hun, I have your number if anything happens I’ll call. I have everyone’s number so if I can’t reach you on your phone I have about 7 others to call. Go out. Have a nice time.” Suzy said holding her hand as we went to the door.

“Okay…” Chloe nodded before turning, “Jayden! We’re leaving baby! Come say bye to me and Zacky!”

He ran from the hallway with McKenna trailing right behind him, opening his arms and wrapping them around Chloe’s legs.

“I love you mommy! You’ll be back to get me right?” he asked with his bright green eyes shining up at her.

She crouched down in her black skin tight jeans and AFI t-shirt, “Yes my little love. You’ll be sleeping but I’ll be back to come get you. I’ll never leave you behind. You be a good boy for Mama Suzy okay?”

“Yes mommy I will. Buh-bye mommy.” He said before hugging her around her neck and kissing her lips.

“Say bye to Zacky now too.” Chloe said releasing him.

He put his arms up and waited for me to pick him up before wrapping his arms around my neck, “You’ll be back with mommy right Zacky?”

“If not I’ll be at home when you get there, little man.” I told him.

“Promise?” he asked.

“I promise.” I said brushing his hair from his face.

“Love you Zacky.” He said hugging me again.

“I love you too Jay… Do as Mama Suzy and Papa Gates tell you okay?”

“I will. Buh-bye Zacky.” He said as I sat him down and he quickly scurried off with McKenna back down the hall.

“Well that was easy.” I said looking at Chloe and Suzy before opening the door, “Shall we?”

“Give the guys my love and have a great show tonight. You two have fun and don’t worry about Jayden.” Suzy said waving as we made our way to my car.

“I guess I’ll stay sober tonight…” Chloe said as I turned the car on.

“What? Why?” I asked as I drove towards Matt and Val’s apartment.

“Who’s going to drive us home if we’re both drunk off our ass? You will not drive our son around drunk.” She said.

“Wow Chloe! Really?! I may be new to this whole fatherhood thing but I’m not retarded. I’d never drive drunk with Jay or you in the car. We’re leaving the car at Matt and Val’s and the Berrys are picking us up in the van…” I told her looking over to her at the stop sign.

“Oh… sorry.” She quietly said ashamed.

“If it was in Huntington then I wouldn’t be against us taking my car, but it’s at least an hour out…” I said.

“So I get to have the real experience with you guys tonight huh?” She smirked.

“What do you mean?” I asked a little confused.

“I get to be with all of you crammed in that van… which won’t be so bad until we have to come home and you’re all sweaty and gross.” She said laughing lightly.

“Hopefully, if it’s a good night, you’ll be too drunk to care.” I smirked back at her.

“I promised Jayden I’d pick him up tonight.” She replied.

“He’ll be asleep and won’t even notice if we don’t pick him up until morning. You heard Suzy. It’s fine.” I reasoned with her, attempting to get her to let loose a little.

“We’ll see Mr. Baker…” she laughed as I gave her a curious look, “Sorry, it’s kinda weird to call you that again after so many years.”

“It is… but in front of everyone it’s Mr. Vengeance okay?” I chuckled as I pulled into the parking lot of Matt and Val’s apartment.

*~*Chloe’s POV*~*

So here we were, all piled in a van, laughing at a joke Brian was telling, as Jason Berry drove the van over to Johnny’s Bar. Matt Berry rode shotgun with his brother in the front seat, Val was sitting on Matt’s lap next to Brian and I sat on Jimmy’s lap between Zacky and Johnny after his persistent nagging at Zacky that he wanted to be my seatbelt. It was good to hear Brian laugh as he had been in a less than happy mood that Michelle wasn’t going to be attending tonight’s show.

I recognized the Mexican restaurant nearby as Jason whipped the van into the parking lot harshly, causing me to slide off Jimmy’s lap and fumble into Zacky with an “oomph” from him.

“I’m so sorry Zee. Are you alright?” I asked sliding back on Jimmy as Zacky’s eyes squeezed shut.

“Yeah…. Fuck…. You know I need that later…” He said between labored breathing as he held his crotch.

Everyone else laughed at Zacky’s pain as he doubled over in the seat before Matt responded, “No you don’t… you already have one kid, you don’t need to be making another one.”

“Fuck off.” Zacky snipped.

“That’s what she said…” Johnny chimed in earning more laughs as everyone got out of the van.

Jimmy slid over on the seat to get out and I slid off him, onto the seat next to Zacky who still was doubled over, “Are you okay?”

“It was an accident Chloe. It’s ok.” He said before his green eyes looked up and met mine, “Are you okay? You look like you’re going to cry.”

I didn’t know why but what Matt had said had struck a nerve with me. It hurt my feelings I suppose because it seemed like Jayden was a burden to not only Zacky, but to the band as a whole. I didn’t want to ruin the night or the show with my stupid sensitivity to the situation so I shook it off.

“Yeah. I’m okay. Let’s go. I owe you a drink now.” I said nodding to him.

“Free drink from a pretty lady, how can I say no?” he smirked as he followed me out of the van.

“Easy. No.” I giggled as we walked towards the entrance where Val was waiting for me.

“Come on lovely…” she said linking her arm with mine as we walked into the darkened room with Zacky heading in first.

The place hadn’t changed much since I had last been in here as a high school senior with all of the crew taking our table in the back corner, the owner knowing all of us and our parents so well that he always allowed us to drink underage as long as we kept to ourselves. The handful of times he did have to toss us out it was usually because Jimmy, Brian, and Matt started fighting with some guys hitting on Val, Michelle, or I and brought everyone’s attention to us. I smiled looking around at our old drinking spot as we walked towards the old table in the back, especially when I saw Matt, Brian, Jimmy, and Johnny seated around it with a row of shots and numerous beers waiting to be attended to.

“ZACKY!!! You’re here!! I missed you!!” A girl with long blonde hair shrieked as she jumped off the bar stool and leapt up into Zacky’s arms, wrapping her arms around his neck, hugging him.

I stopped in my tracks shocked as I watched him freeze up, obviously not wanting the attention this girl was giving him. All the guys at the table looked down at the alcohol in front of them shaking their heads silently as Val tugged on my arm pulling me away from Zacky and the girl towards the dark area by the bathroom.

“Greaaaat….. SHE’S here.” Val mumbled sarcastically as she stared at her talking to Zacky.

“Who is that?” I asked not being able to pull my eyes away from the sight, studying the girl’s face finding it familiar.

“You don’t recognize her?” Val asked before continuing, “That’s Joanna Clark.”

“Jojo! Like Jojo, Jojo? From history class?” I asked incredulously.

“Yes Jojo… little weird Jojo…” Val trailed off as we both watched Zacky try to pry her arms from around his neck.

“She looks different…” I said.

“After high school as a graduation present from her rich daddy, she got some work done… she’s full of silicone.” Val said as she pulled me to the far end of the bar where we could be unnoticed but still have Zacky and Jojo within our sight.

“She seems excited to see him…” I noted as Val ordered some beers.

“Zacky didn’t tell you?” Val said as she looked at me in disbelief, “Oh, I am going to punch that guy… how do I put this… after you left, well, he kind of dated Jojo.”

“Oh, I see…” I said nodding as Val handed me a beer taking a big swig, “Well that’s nice. I mean she was a little weird but she was a nice person…”

“No Chloe. He like really hooked up with her… he moved in with her and everything for a good year and a half… before she found out.”

“She found out what?” I asked.

“That he was cheating on her while we were traveling the country…” she said taking a sip of her beer as she looked at me, “Not to say she wasn’t asking for it. She was always on his ass about everything. If you can’t tell, she’s a bit clingy. The clinginess plus her nagging him about everything literally drove him crazy. He was so happy when we left on the first long tour to the east coast just because he wanted to get away from her. She found out about the cheating when we hit Colorado after the girl he was fucking that night answered his phone.”

“Well she doesn’t seem too broken up about it…” I said watching Zacky stare at the guys who were all actively avoiding helping him and instead reveling in his misery.

“We came home and they talked it out, I think mostly because he didn’t want to have to go back home to mom and dad. Then we left again, this time a small tour only as far as Texas before we came back.”

“So what happened then?” I blurted out, not being able to stop myself from asking.

“Well while we were still on tour, Zina called and said that Jojo had been cheating on Zacky while we were gone the first time, and now that we were gone again, Jojo was back with the same guy from before. No one is one hundred percent sure what happened but we came home early, the main act of the tour cancelling the last 3 shows. He wanted to surprise her and next thing we knew he was calling Matt asking if he could stay the night. She had his shit on the doorstep the next morning… that was 2 years ago.” Val said taking another drink.

“So why is she all over him now if she obviously threw him out and ended it?”

“I’m guessing because of the new CD getting them more attention. She’s been showing up at the past few shows that were closer to home, trying to get backstage every time. She’s a gold-digger. Come on…” Val said pulling me with her over to Zacky and Jojo.

“Oh Zacky, I love your shirt… you look so good in it.” Jojo said as she ran her fingers up his arms.

“What are you talking about? I’ve had this shirt forever.” Zacky replied unimpressed by her compliments, looking down at one of his Misfits shirts.

“Oh, hey Valary! How are you girl?” Jojo said sweetly kissing Val’s cheek before looking at me, “Do I know your friend?”

“Actually you do Jojo. You remember Chloe Edwards don’t you?” Val said with a wide smirk plastered on her face.

“Chl- Chl-Chloe…” she stuttered and I saw a hint of anger flash behind her blue eyes before she tried to recover with one of the most fake smiles I had seen, with or without all of the silicone in her face, “Of course I remember you Chloe! How are you? Long time, no see…” she said hugging me lightly.

I glanced at Zacky to see his face turning a deep red as he put his head down and tried to slip away, Val holding him in place. I looked at him curious as to why he was acting strangely but chocked it up to him having to be in the presence of his two ex- girlfriends. That would make me feel weird too.

“I’m good. I’ve been in New York for the past few years going to school amongst other things…” I trailed off meeting Zacky’s surprisingly guilt ridden green eyes, “You look great. What have you been up to since high school?”

“Oh I was doing photography for some of the local bands around the area. Now I’m living the California girl dream. I’m a model now.” She said flashing a pose, “Ever since Zacky and I stopped seriously dating I haven’t been as active on the music circuit but it’s great to come out to support the boys.” She smiled.

She knew exactly what she was doing and I was sad to admit it was working. She was making me jealous of what I left behind. She scooted closer to Zacky trying to link arms with him but he shifted away from her.

“Zacky, you didn’t tell me you and Jojo dated. That’s very nice of you to support them still. Well I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around more often then.” I said putting on the best smile I could muster.

“Oh, you aren’t just visiting?” she asked shocked.

“No, Chloe moved back to start her own magazine here at home, with her family.” Zacky replied stressing the ‘family’ part as he moved closer to me.

“That’s amazing Chloe. Congratulations. I’m sure your parents are happy to have you back closer to home.” Jojo commented.

“CHLOE BEAR!!!” Jake yelled my childhood nickname from the doorway of the bar causing everyone to turn and look.

When he had said he wanted to come to the show in Anaheim I begged him to not bring Corey along. He surprisingly didn’t object to it, saying that Corey had work to catch up on at the magazine anyways. I didn’t care what the excuse was because honestly my mind was all over the place between Zacky and Corey that having the two of them in the same room at once seemed like a living nightmare.

“Chloe! Come on let’s drink baby sister! I haven’t been able to get drunk with you since…” he started to say before Zacky coughed and looked at him wide-eyed, “Since before you left for college!”

“Alright Jake…” I said as he slung his arm around my shoulders, “It was nice to catch up Jojo. Have a great night!” I called over my shoulder as Jake directed us towards the table.

Val started laughing as she sat on the bar stool across from me, “Oh God her face was just so… classic. There’s no amount of silicone that can fix that… She really fucking hates you Chloe.”

“Why is that funny?” Matt asked her.

“Yeah, it’s not funny that someone hates our Chloe Bear… why would she hate her anyways?” Jimmy said handing me a shot.

“Eh I don’t even really care…” I said holding the shot up.

“That’s the spirit Chlo!” Brian cheered as everyone lifted their shots.

“To a kick ass show tonight and having Chloe back!” Matt toasted.

I looked at Zacky as we all took the shots and set them down, his green eyes locking with mine for a second before he quickly looked away. Jake wrapped his arm around my shoulders again and handed me another beer as he chatted with everyone catching up. After another round of shots Zacky got up and headed outside for a smoke with Brian and I took my opportunity to follow them out.

“Zacky,” I called out to him as he and Brian leaned against the van, “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Uh, sure…” He said kicking the gravel at his feet, still avoiding looking at me.

Brian stood there smoking his cigarette oblivious to my desire to speak to Zacky alone for another minute until I mentioned it, “Brian, give us a minute please?”

“Why? I know about Jayden. You can talk in front of me…” he reasoned taking another long drag off his smoke.

“Brian. Just give us a minute.” Zacky muttered.

“Ugh, fine.” Brian responded shoving his hand in his pocket and walking out further into the busier parking lot.

“What’s up Chloe?” Zacky said still staring at his black converse shoes as he smoked.

“What’s up with you Zacky?” I asked tilting my head to get him to look at me, “Why are you acting all weird now? Is it because of Jojo? It’s fine Zacky, I didn’t expect you to stay single…”

“No, it’s just…” He said interrupting me before taking another puff of his cigarette.

Notes