Chapter 20 was posted today too please make sure you read that one first!!

*~*Chloe’s POV*~*

“So did you have a good time?” Zacky asked as he popped open another beer and sat on the chair nearby.

“Yeah, you guys were great but you always were.” I smiled as I took another drink from my own beer.

“So…. I just wanted to say thank you…” he said nervously looking down and playing with the tab on the beer can.

“Thank you? For what Zee?” I asked confused.

“Thank you for coming tonight. It means a lot to me to have you come watch me play.” He said turning his green eyes up at me.

“Well, you’re welcome Zacky. It’s my pleasure to be here. I always knew you guys were good, it’s nice to see everyone else see what I saw a long time ago. I’ll try to come to every show I can while you guys play close to home.” I said leaning over and bumping his shoulder with my own.

“I’d really like that. I can’t wait till we tell Jay and he comes too.” Zacky smiled at me.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Yo!” Matt called out to the person on the other side of the door.

The stage manager from earlier poked his head in, “There’s someone out here looking for a Chloe, said she would be here with you guys.”

I stood from the small couch, curious who it could be, “That’s me.”

“Chloe, I’ll go with you. It could be some fucking psycho.” Zacky said standing.

We followed the stage manager out and down the hall to the door we had originally come thru. When the door opened, Jojo was there with the security guard, still trying to get backstage. I shook my head as I thought about her threats from earlier.

Zacky pulled my arm to go back inside before I heard Jake, “Chloe! Zack! Hey, I told the guy I had a press pass but he wasn’t going for it.”

“Oh, hey bro. Come on.” Zacky said waving Jake in past the guard, “Nah, he’s cool. But keep that chick out of here.”

I turned away to keep from laughing in Jojo’s face as I watched the shock of being denied fluster her. Jake congratulated Zacky on the show as we walked back to the green room. I just giggled as we came thru the door, still imagining Jojo’s face as I sat down next to Val on the small couch.

“What?” she asked.

“Jojo… she was out there still trying to get the guard to let her in. Zacky told him not to let her in specifically. Her face was so funny.” I laughed again, this time Val joining in.

“Well I hate to burst your bubble sister but we have to go pack up the booth.” Val said standing and setting her now empty beer down on the nearby table.

“Whoa, whoa… where you taking my baby sister?” Jake asked Val as I got up and was following her out.

“We have work to do… not all of us get to just play.” Val responded with a smirk.

“Oh, come on. You’re going to make her work?”

“She’s not making me do anything. I’m helping her since her dumb sister isn’t here…” I said thinking back to what Val told me earlier.

“Yeah Jake… so just stay here with the boys and enjoy. We’ll be back before you know it.” Val said waving him off as we left.

“So what do we do after we pack up the booth? I kinda left early last time…” I asked as we exited the backstage area and headed towards the booth.

“The guys are probably going to want to go drinking… that’s the usual after party plan.” She said as she began folding some of the shirts and placing them in boxes.

“Oh… okay…” I said as I helped her load things into the boxes.

“Why? What’s wrong? You don’t want to go out?” she asked.

“No, I do… just Jayden is at Papa Gates and Mama Suzy’s and I don’t wan-”

“Oh come on Chloe, he’s fine with them. You need to have a night out and not worry for once. Jay will be fine with them. They know you aren’t coming to get him tonight no matter what you told them. Trust me, they know the deal with the guys.” She reasoned with me, stacking a box of CD’s on a box of shirts.

“I guess you’re right. It’s just hard to be away from him…” I sighed.

Val wrapped an arm around my shoulders, “He’s fine Chloe. They’ll call if anything happens. Let’s just have a fun time.”

“Alright.” I smiled back as I closed up the final box and stacked it on a previous pile.

One of the large bouncers of the venue staff wheeled the hand truck over and started taking boxes out the back. Val linked her arm with mine and we walked out behind him to where the van had been pulled up, Jason and Matt Berry loading the guys’ equipment.

“There’s my beautiful ladies…” Jimmy said walking around from the side of the building, with a red solo cup in hand.

“What you got there Jim-Jam?” Val asked as she took the cup from him and took a sip, instantly scrunching her face in disgust.

“Vodka. And Vodka.” He said taking the cup back from her and laughing at her face.

“Where’s the rest of the guys?” I asked him as he threw an arm around me and Val’s shoulders walking us back towards the front of the bar.

“Right here.” He smiled before looking down at me, seeing my expression change.

I sighed as I saw Zacky and Johnny talking to two pretty girls off to the side of the rest of the group, probably trying to get a date with them. Johnny was flirting profusely with the girl who was just shorter than he was, with long black and red hair and an eyebrow piercing. Zacky had his back to us so I couldn’t see if he was flirting or not, but I had to admit the girl was pretty with her long blonde hair tied up in a ponytail, a small silver ring in her lip, like Matt.

“Oh, Chloe Bear, I’m sure it’s-” Jimmy started trying to cheer me up before I put a hand up.

“It’s fine Jimmy. He can do what he wants. We aren’t dating. It doesn’t bother me.” I lied as I followed Val over towards Brian, Jake, and Matt.

Jake pulled my arm, pulling me away from the group as soon as I walked up, “Hey, are you okay?”

“I’m fine Jake. What is with everyone?” I said jerking my arm from his grasp.

“Hey now, I’m your brother and I care. I know the hold that guy has had on you for the last 4 damn years and if you want to get out of here then I’ll take you.” He replied.

“Sorry Jake. It’s okay. He can do whatever he wants to. He’s not my boyfriend or anything.” I apologized.

“No, but he’s the father of your kid and I know how you feel about him. I don’t want you to sit here and suffer watching this.” He motioned towards Zacky and Johnny still talking with the girls.

“I’m not suffering…” I said looking up at my brother’s unconvinced look, “I swear, it’s fine.”

“Well, if you change your mind, just let me know and we’ll get out of here.” He smiled lightly hugging me.

“Okay, I will.” I replied as we went back over to Matt, Brian, Jimmy and Val who all suddenly fell rather silent, “What?”

“Nothing.” Matt said staring into his own cup and kicking at the gravel.

“Oh come on guys. I don’t care. He can do whatever.” I snapped at them all as they all looked at their shoes awkwardly.

“It doesn’t make it right though Chloe.” Brian mumbled as he turned around and stared at Johnny and Zacky. “You came to see him play and now he’s over there with some other girl.”

“It’s fine guys really.” I said none of them replying, “Ugh, I’m going to settle this now then.”I huffed, stomping off towards Zacky and Johnny.

Johnny’s eyes grew wide as he saw me coming towards them, silently and desperately trying to tell Zacky with just his eyes as he continued talking.

“Hey guys, who are these lovely ladies?” I smiled as I walked up.

Zacky was in shock as he looked at me before finding his voice, cracking in what was a mixture between confusion and fear, “Oh this is Amanda and Jenny… girls this is Chloe. She’s uh…”

“I guess you could say I’m an old friend.” I said extending my hand to both girls and smirking at Zacky’s obvious discomfort.

“It’s nice to meet you Chloe.” Amanda said as she played with her lip ring, “Have you known the band for a long time?”

“I knew these guys before they were a band. Do you mind if I borrow Zacky for a minute?” I asked her as she nodded and I pulled him behind a car nearby.

“Chloe I’m sorry, I was just-” He started to ramble and apologize.

“Shut up idiot.” I snapped, shutting him up, “I came over here to tell you, mostly because everyone else is SOOOO fucking concerned, but its fine. Do whatever you want. We aren’t dating. We aren’t in a relationship of any kind. We have a kid and that’s pretty much it.”

“But Chloe, it’s not like that. I’m just being Johnny’s wingman. I-” he started.

“Look, Zack. I don’t care. You don’t have to explain anything to me. Do whatever you want. Have a good time tonight because I plan on having a good time too. I talked to Val earlier and she helped me relax and realize I need to just have a night out. I’ll go get Jay in the morning.” I said.

“I’ll go with you in the morning.” He said.

“Don’t worry about it. Let’s just have a good night.” I said forcing a smile looking back over to Amanda, “She’s cute.”

“Chlo- it’s not like that. I’m really just trying to help Johnny ou-” he started again before I grabbed his arm and pulled him back to Johnny and the girls.

“Here you go. He’s back. Thank you.” I said mustering the best smile I could, “So are you girls going to be joining us for the next part of this party?” I asked.

The girls looked at each other giggling before Johnny wrapped an arm around Jenny, “What do you say girls? Follow us on over to the next bar?”

I saw the lustful, seductive look in Amanda’s eyes as she stared at Zacky and felt my heart sink a little but pushed it aside for the sake of a good evening. I wouldn’t let my jealousy ruin a good night when honestly I couldn’t make up my mind about him and Corey. It was only fair to him.

“Sure.” Jenny replied smiling at her friend who nodded.

“Great, well I better get back to the others. I’ll see you girls there.” I excused myself and walked back to the group with my head held high.

Val let go of Matt’s arm and hugged me as soon as I returned to the group, whispering in my ear, “You alright?”

I nodded as she pulled away, “Let’s go. I’m ready to get this party started!”

*~*Zacky’s POV*~*

“Your turn Zacky.” Amanda said cheerfully handing me the pool stick as she bounced over to her drink on the tall top table in the corner.

“I’m totally going to take Jenny home tonight.” Johnny said leaning over to me as I stood at the side of the pool table, deciding on my shot.

“Great.” I replied before leaning over the table and missing hitting the royal blue ‘2’ ball in the corner pocket.

I straightened out and glanced over at the table that Jenny and Amanda were giggling at, not particularly interested in either of them, only thinking of what Chloe said outside of House of Blues and how much it stung.

“…We aren’t in a relationship of any kind. We have a kid together and that’s pretty much it…”

I handed the pool stick to Johnny and wandered back over to the table grabbing my beer as Amanda batted her long lashes at me. About a month ago, I’d have taken her in the bathroom and fucked her without a moment’s hesitation, but now, I had no desire to even really talk with the blonde bombshell.

“We’re going to go to the bathroom. We’ll be right back.” Jenny said, pulling Amanda with her off the barstool.

My beer empty, I went over to the bar, ordering something stronger when Chloe’s laughter caught my attention across the room at a booth. I sipped my drink as I looked over to see The Berry’s, Matt, Val, Jimmy, Brian, Jake and her all sat around the large corner booth drinking and laughing together. She got up from the booth and made her way over to the opposite end of the bar, glancing up momentarily to catch me staring at her. I felt Amanda’s hand on my shoulder, and watched Chloe’s genuine smile fade into a fake, forced one as she quickly looked away, ordering the groups refills from the bartender.

“Zacky, is it my turn?” Amanda asked sweetly.

“Probably. Ask Johnny.” I said still watching Chloe interact with the bartender as Amanda went over to Johnny at the table.

“What’s with you?” Johnny asked as he came up next to me, seeing where I was looking, “Oh… Chloe.”

“I’m not into pool right now Johnny…” I said looking down into my drink before tossing it back and finishing it.

“Come on man, I need you to be my wingman. How am I supposed to get Jenny home with me if Amanda is trailing along?” Johnny pleaded quietly.

“I don’t know man… I’d rather go hang out with everyone.” I said ordering another Jack and Coke.

“You mean, you’d rather hang out with Chloe.” Johnny replied.

As the words left his mouth, a guy came up to Chloe on the other side of the bar as she waited for the drinks for everyone. She smiled politely and chatted with him casually, before pointing and directing him towards the table where the rest of the group was.

“Come on, just finish the game with us.” Johnny said pulling my arm after paying for my drink.

Notes

So like I said before, this site has been giving me lots of trouble when I try to post so I don't do so as often as I do on Wattpad. I hope you can bare with me on this. I really hope you all like this chapter and the last chapter. Let me know what you think! Much love and aloha! <3 <3 <3