Avery’s POV

“Did you see David’s face when we took off our coats?” Maya whispered with a laugh as we headed for the door. “I swear he looked like he was going to pass out!” she continued, mocking David’s facial expression. I had to admit, it was funny to see him eating crow, even if it was Maya and Ben’s fault that we didn’t work here anymore.

And the more I thought about it, the more I thought that leaving this job was probably for the best. I mean we were entering finals weeks and by Friday Maya and I would be college graduates. Then it would be time to start following our dream and open that business. We had so many sketches drawn out that basically all we had to do was start making the clothing and get business space. But something was dwelling on my mind—What was going to happen when we went back to California? Did I really want to go back to Huntington Beach?

“Yeah and did you notice the way his jaw hung open as the regulars came to say goodbye?” I asked, heading out the door. “Excuse me,” I muttered, making my way past two hooded men that were on their way into he bar. I only caught a quick glimpse of sunglasses and the hoods, hats, and shadows masked the rest of their faces. For a split second I thought there was something familiar about them but Maya’s next comment took my mind in a totally different direction.

“Fucking Josh squeezed my ass and tried to hand my 30 pounds, saying that we should drink until he looks attractive and then go find him,” Maya said and we both just burst out laughing. That guy had been trying to pick us up from the moment that we started working there and it was amazing that he was still trying. Hell I was pretty positive that Ben and James had even told him to back off. I guess points for trying, right?

“Was he serious?” I laughed, putting my arm around Maya as we walked back toward the apartment in the rain. It was nice to have this quality girl time because I don’t think I had seen her alone in weeks. I didn’t even care that we would be soaked when we got home.

Maya nodded her head as she laughed. “Dead fucking serious…” Her laughter slowly died down as she looked over at me. “What’s up, little gnome?” What did I have a look on my face? Shit, I guess I let my mind wander back to the future and what the hell I was doing with my life. Not to mention that awfully embarrassing situation that happened with James yet again. Why couldn’t I just give in and have sex with him? It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him or didn’t like him. I guess I was just still terrified of getting hurt if I really fell for him. Though I knew eventually my body’s lust would overtake my brain, and I hoped it would soon because I was really sexually frustrated. Especially since it had been over four and half months since I ended things with Brian…

“Nothing, I was just wondering where we were heading next,” I shrugged, not wanting to tell Maya that I still couldn’t close the deal with James. I swear if she asked me if I wanted drugs again I would kill her. But maybe that’s what I needed.

Maya looked at me with raised brow as we walked pas the small park before our apartment. The rain was finally stopping and lowered my hood, looking up at the clouded night sky. It was beautiful with the light fog rolling from the rain.

“What do you mean?”

I sighed and turned towards her, taking her manicured hands into mine. “I just mean what are we doing next. You still want to open the business next right?” I looked into her eyes, begging her to have her head on straight. I hoped she hadn’t changed her mind just because we moved out her. No, I wouldn’t let her do that to our dream.

“Of course…I guess it’s just deciding on a location now,” Maya slowly turned away from me and started to walk back down the street, chewing on her bottom lip. Shit, she only did that when she was nervous about something. So what was it? Was she nervous about going home, Ben, or….No, Avery don’t even go there. Maya would kill me…

“You mean which side of the city we want to look for buildings on?” I questioned, not really following her line of thought.

“Or…” Maya looked down at the wet sidewalk and let out a light sigh. “Or…what about staying here? We could open up our shop in London. It is a big fashion capital after all.” Was she kidding me? All the sketches we had drawn up were for the California trends and fashions, not London. That was a whole other league and she knew it.

“Maya…we’d have to start all over on everything,” I said incredulously, putting my hands on my head.

I couldn’t believe she was thinking like this. It wasn’t part of the plan! Was it because she was afraid to go home or afraid to leave Ben? I hoped it wasn’t the later because I still didn’t really like him, not when I had seen what she had before. Sure she was happy, but it was nothing like what she was that last few weeks with Matt. God I missed those times with those guys...I really had to stop thinking about them. It just made things harder on me, especially when I was still trying to forget.

“Would that be such a bad thing?” she shot back, sounding hurt or frustrated by my tone. Well excuse me, I wasn’t about to change our whole dream and for whatever stupid reason she had come up with. I always changed my plans for her, well maybe this was one I wasn’t going to budge on. “I mean, Ben said they he could get us a job with the band until we could get on our feet with the business. Ben just thought that we could—“

“Ben? Is this about Ben?” I asked, crossing my arms in front of my chest and stopping. “What does he have to do with any of this? Is that why you want to stay here?”

Maya threw her head back with a groan. It wasn’t the first time I had expressed my indifferent feeling about him and probably wouldn’t be the last. I guess I didn’t understand what she saw in him. He didn’t really bring out the best in her, not like Matt had… “I don’t know, and what if it does? Come on don’t act like you want to leave James. I’m just saying that staying would buy us some more time to figure things out.”

“What’s left to figure out, M? We planned it all out!” I was getting frustrated now. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to say in the UK, it was just that I didn’t want to start the plan all over again.

“I’m not saying anything about staying here long term, Ave. Relax. I just think we should stay here, make some more money, and keep planning and figuring out where the best place for the business will be.” She said and now it was my turn to groan.

“I think California is the best place for the business, M. It’s what we planned and what we’ve designed everything for but we can stay for a few more months. But when our student visas expire in three months, we have to go back,” I looked her right in the eye and she gave me small nod. Though something told me this conversation was far from over.

What was she so afraid of back in California? Huntington Beach? That was home for both of us and I knew we couldn’t avoid it forever. So maybe she was just as nervous as me about seeing the guys? But what were the chances of us actually running into them? Okay, so maybe the chances were pretty high, especially since my dad was their manager. But would that change anything? I mean, at this point I didn’t think anything could fix what happened between Brian and I. I was moving on and so had Maya, so there shouldn’t be any big deal. Besides we didn’t have to open a shop in Huntington Beach. There were plenty of other cities!

The rest of the walk back to our apartment was quiet. An awkward silence fell between us after our disagreement. Every time I looked at Maya out of the corner of my eye, her brow was furred in thought and I just hoped I hadn’t pissed her off too badly. I just didn’t want to throw away this dream when I knew our work right now wasn’t high fashion enough for this market. I guess I could be but that wasn’t our style and we both knew it.

As we reached our front porch, I was surprised to see a tall figure standing under the awning. “Who is that?” I muttered to Maya, feeling a little nervous because we couldn’t see anything but a hood and a jacket.

“I have no idea, little gnome…” Maya stepped in front of me and marched right up to the porch. I swear sometimes that girl had no fear. “Excuse me? Can I help you?”

However, as soon as the figure turned around, I instantly recognized that pair of blue eyes and friendly smile. “Daddy!” I yelled and ran straight for him. His arms instantly encircled us both and hugged us close. “What are you doing here?” I gushed. It had been months since I had seen him and I didn’t realize until now how much I missed him.

“Settle down and let’s go inside before the rain starts coming down again,” he said and I quickly unlocked the door and lead us inside. A few minutes later, we were all sitting in the living room with tea and hot chocolate.

“So what brings you across the pond, Mr. Jacobson,” Maya asked, pulling her knees to her chest and cuddling closer to me in the big blanket we were sharing.

“A couple of things actually,” My dad slowly took a sip of his tea as Maya and I looked at each other. Did that mean that the guys had a show around here? I had been doing everything in my power to avoid all mention and postings about them so I had no idea. It was easier for me not to know where they were and Maya agreed. “But most importantly, I couldn’t let you girls graduate without watching!”

“Dad that’s still a good week away,” but I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. “We still a few finals to take and we walk on Friday afternoon,” I explained but he just nodded his head like he already knew that.

“Like I said, I’m in town for a few different reasons and I will be there with you on Friday,” Dad said with a proud smile. “And I should expect you home in few weeks, right? Your apartment lease ends at the end of the month, right?” Shit, I guess we hadn’t really thought about that either.

“Yeah, we were—“ Maya started but the sad look on her face was killing me. She was mad at me for not wanting to stay in the UK, wasn’t she? Fuck, I didn’t like that!

“Actually we were going to stay until our visa’s expire and travel,” I interrupted, earning a smile from Maya. I may not like the idea of opening a business and living out here forever, but I wouldn’t mind staying a little longer.

My dad’s eyebrows shot up in surprise as he looked between us. “Really? Well, if you want I can keep an eye out for a space for you shop back home in the mean time,” he offered and I could just kiss him. He knew about our plan and had even offered to help us start up and for that alone I was extremely grateful.

“That would be awesome, Dad!” I sprung off the couch and jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

“Yeah thanks, Mr. Jacobson,” Maya said but her eyes looked distant again. What was going on with her? I had never seen her like this before so I didn’t really know what to make of it. It was almost like she was lost of confused about what to do, but about what? Ben? The shop? What?

“Alright girls, I hate to cut our visit tonight short, but I’ve got an early morning and few shows I have to attend in the next few days. I will see you in a few days for your big graduation. I should have time for a lunch before I have an Avenged press conference. Sound good? Just the three of us celebrating your big day?”

“Of course,” I said, kissing him goodbye and trying not to think about what he just said. But of course my brain never listened. So if the guys had a press conference, did that mean they were here in the UK? Oh, god… “Dad…are-are they here in the UK?”

“Nothing for you to worry about, baby girl. Just study hard and I’ll see you on Friday,” and with that he disappeared out the door.

***

“I can’t believe my little girls are all grown up and have graduated college!” Dad gushed as he pulled Maya and I into a rib-crushing hug. He kissed both of us on the forehead, smiling like I had never seen him before. “Where did the time go? It was like yesterday that you were playing dress up and now your college graduates.”

“Dad we’re not little girls anymore,” I laughed, hugging him back. We were headed toward the car after the ceremony and we were still wearing our black cap and gowns.

“Well, at least one of us isn’t,” Maya teased, sticking her tongue out a me as Dad laughed. Alright, so now she was going to pull out the short jokes again? Damn it I thought I had gotten over those from not seeing Jimmy and Zacky for so long. The Avenged guys in combination with Maya always had a slew of short jokes for Johnny and I. Fuck, here I was thinking about them again but I had to admit—I missed them. “Are you getting emotional, Mr. J?”

“Leave the old man alone,” I joined in. “Let him live in his glory before we torture him at lunch with girl talk and business ideas.”

“So you’re still planning on opening your clothing shop?” When had we ever not wanted to open it? I guess the real question now was where because Maya still seemed dead set on opening it in London, even though I didn’t think that was the best idea. California was our target market, not high fashion London. That would be career suicide!

“Of course,” Maya and I said in unison, climbing into the car.

“But like we said, we want to travel around Europe a little bit before our visas run out and then start,” Maya explained.

As she told some story to dad about back packing the countryside, I looked down at my Dad’s vibrating phone in the cup holder. It was then that I saw a face and a name that I hadn’t seen in six months now: Matt Sanders. He looked happy in the picture with Jimmy and let out a small sigh, remembering all our fun times together. And just as those familiar brown eyes started to appear in my head again, my phone sounded and James’ face flashed across the screen. He was always saving the day and for that I was thankful.

“Hello?” I answered, earning a look as we pulled into the restaurant parking lot.

“Hey beautiful, congratulations on your big day,” I could picture the smile on his face as he spoke.

I smiled and looked down at my tanned legs, playing with the hem of my dress. “Thanks. So what are you up to? Causing trouble with the guys?” I asked just as I heard Danny screaming something in the background. Was he drunk already?

“I guess you could say that,” James chuckled before saying something unintelligible to someone on his side of the line. “But hey, I just wanted to call and say congrats and to tell you that I’m picking you and Maya up at nine for a surprise.”

“A surprise?” I bit down on my bottom lip. I hated surprises. They always made me overly anxious and usually were a big let down. “What kind of surprise?”

“One that you’ll find out later, love.” And now he was laughing at me. Great.

“Well what should we wear for this surprise?” Maya looked at me with a raised brow as we headed toward the restaurant. I mouthed to her that it was James and caught her up while James talked to someone else again. Was he busy? What exactly were the guys doing now anyway? It sounded like they were at some kind of party.

“You should wear something…hot,” he mused and again I could just picture his smirk. “I have no doubt in my mind that you will look as stunning as ever and drive me crazy the entire night. You know, the kind of dress that shows lots of leg and—“

“James!” I squeaked, blushing madly.

“What? You know you’re bloody gorgeous! But hey, I’ve got to go. Remember be ready by nine!”


Ben’s POV

“Will you assholes just shut up for a minute?” I yelled over top of Danny and Cam messing around with the party decorations. I wasn’t in the mood for these motherfuckers to be dicking around. We had a job to do and a limited amount of time to pull it off in. It was six now and the girls would be here in three hours. “I swear to if you motherfuckers don’t stop with the balloons I’m going to stick my foot so far up your ass you’ll—“

“Okay, just talked to Ave. I’m picking them up at nine,” James interrupted as he came back into the room and plopped down on the couch. He had a shit-eating grin on his face just like he did every time he talked to Blondie. There was no doubt that he was obsessed with the girl but I really couldn’t judge him anymore—I had found my own obsession. “She sounded so confused, it was fucking adorable.”

“All right, lover boy, enough with the bullshit, what are we doing here?” Cam asked, looking between us. “What else needs to be done because that bottle of Patron has my fucking name on it tonight.”

I nodded my head in agreement as I looked around at our motely crew. The really were the best fucking group of friends and they were always there to help out when I needed it. “Okay, I need someone to put up the decorations, without playing with the helium. We need to set up the bar area. The food will be delivered in the next hour so we need to make a station in the kitchen…and music…” I finished, looking around as everyone started to do a job except for Danny.

That bastard flopped himself down on the couch and now was playing on his phone. “Worsnop, are you going to help or are you going to be a complete dick today?” James asked, kicking his foot. “Come on you can help us set up the bar because that is your area of expertise.” I just rolled my eyes and started to help hang up the decorations, not wanting to deal with his shit right now. Larry had told us all of the girls’ favorite things so I made sure to incorporate them into the party. I hoped Maya liked it, especially since it was costing me a fortune with the DJ and catered food. But only the best for my girl, that was for damn sure.

“Bloody fucking hell did you see this?!” Danny yelled from the bar area about a half an hour later. And just when I thought he was actually working.

I rolled my eyes as I left the DJ stand so he could set up. “See what? That you’re ass is hanging out? Yes, we’ve all seen your crack, man,” I replied as the other burst out laughing.

Danny just flipped me off and continued. “Fucking Avenged Sevenfold is giving a free concert in a few days down town. What the fuck is that about?”

That had to be some kind of joke right? They weren’t due to be in town until…fuck I had lost track of the time. Damn it! “What?” I snapped. “This is no time for jokes, Worsnop.” I knew Maya was with me but the thought of her ex being so close by put me on edge.

“Fuck, he’s right,” James ran his hands over his face after looking at Danny’s phone. That look right there told me all that I needed to know. James wasn’t too keen on the idea of Gates being around either. Would Blondie and Maya run back to them? No fucking way, I wouldn’t let it happen. I had to keep this from Maya. “Shit…”

“What’s the big deal? The girls broke up with them, its not like they are going to run back,” Cam said, looking between us. “And they are good group of guys. We should invite them to the party. They are a fucking blast!”

“Absolutely fucking not,” I hissed, pointing my finger across the room at him. “Besides with a show like that in three days they are going to be busy. No need to bother them.”

“I agree, let’s just keep the party on the private side. We’ve got quiet a few people invited anyway,” James shrugged. He was trying to act like he wasn’t affected by this news but I could see it in his eyes. He didn’t like this any more than I did. “Besides, Ave said she didn’t want to see Gates.”

“Did she or is that what you think she wants?” Where the hell did that come from? Who’s side was Danny on anyway?

“What the fuck does that mean, Worsnop?” Oh and Jamesy-boy looked pissed. I glanced between the two of them as Danny typed something out on his phone with a smirk. When he was done he looked up with his I’ve-been-up-to-no-good smirk. Shit, that was never a good sign. Though I didn’t have time to think about it because there was work to do. The last thing I heard before I turned to go into the kitchen was,

“Nothing, I was just joshing ya, calm the fuck down Cass,” but the smirk on his face said something completely different.

Three hours later the house was packed with guests and I was anxiously pacing the front hallway. James left more than a half an hour ago to pick up the girls and should have been back by now. What the hell was taking so long? I swear if that fucker was having a threesome with the girls I was going to kill him and then congratulate him on being the luckiest son of a bitch. “Come on…” I moaned, running my hands over my face.

It had been way too long since I had last seen Maya and I was craving her. If I had to wait much longer I was going to lose my fucking mind, or at least that’s what it felt like. We had been an official couple for two months now and I could honestly say that the girl had me under her spell. Hell, I think I was even starting to fall for her and I’d be damned if anyone was going to come in here and try and take her away from me. She was mine and if anyone, I mean anyone, looked at her the wrong way, they were going to have to deal with me.

“Ben, everyone is ready to go,” Sam said, putting his hand on my shoulder just as I saw James pull up the drive.

“Brilliant, go get everyone quiet and ready. They are finally fucking here!” I said, watching out the window as they got out of the car and headed up the walk. All I could see were those gorgeous long legs and that beautiful smile. Damn she was stunning and just watching her come to the house had my heart racing.

As soon as the door opened, my jaw dropped at the sight in front of my. Maya was wearing a sexy red dress that hugged and showed off every curve. It was the best I had ever seen her and that was really saying something. Damn, I was shocked.

“Hey, babe are you ready—“ I quickly grabbed her and pulled her into a kiss just as everyone yelled ‘congratulations’.


Matt’s POV

“Is that all you’ve got, Gates?” I laughed, sprinting back toward the hotel with Brian hot on my heels. As part of our ‘get back in the game’ plan, Gates and I decided to start working out again every day and we were finally starting to see the effects. I felt good about myself again, not to mention that my muscle mass was growing.

“Fuck you, Shads,” he huffed shoving me forward once we stopped out front of our hotel, catching our breath. “I’ve matched you step for step the whole damn time.” And that was true, I just liked to give him a hard time. It kept up both occupied that way.

I laughed and ran my hands over my face, leaning against the brick wall. It was a cool night her in the UK and I was itching to do something. We all had been locked in the hotel for the past few days, not counting our concert two days ago, and I was starting to lose my mind. This was the longest stop on our tour and we still had another week and two shows left here before we moved on. Then we had two and half more weeks of shows and then back to Huntington Beach. I honestly couldn’t wait to be home again. I missed the warm sun and the beach.

“There you guys are!” Jimmy yelled, appearing in front of us with Jess. He was bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet with large eyes. He was tired of being cooped up too, even though he and Jess had been venturing out to see the area.

“What’s up, Jimbo?” Gates asked, putting his sweaty arm around him. Jimmy didn’t seem at all bothered by it. “You finally catch the Berry’s in the act?”

“No…but I’m close,” he replied with narrow eyes as Jess giggled. Was he still thinking they were spies? How many times did we have to tell him Jason and Matt were not against us. Whatever I guess. As long as it made him happy. “This is so much fucking better then that! We got invited to a party! Can we go? Please!”

I raised my brow at him and then looked over at Gates. “What party?” I asked, not sure if I should believe this. It wasn’t the first time that Jimmy would have pulled our legs about something like this just so he could get out of something.

“Something that Asking Alexandria is throwing,” Jess explained while Jimmy and Gates started a side conversation. “They just sent out a text. I guess it starts at ten? Seems like it could be fun.”

“Asking Alexandria?” I groaned. I liked the guys well enough but the last time I heard they were trying to get our girls on tour with them and I wasn’t too keen on that idea. Maybe we should go to tell them the girls are off limits. They wouldn’t need to know that the girls weren’t with us right now because that was all going to change as soon as we got home. I was going to fix this and make everything right between us.

“Yeah!” Jess said with a smile as Jimmy and Gates looked back over at me.

“What do you say, Shads? Can we please go? We haven’t seen those guys in forever and we could all use a good time. Besides if we don’t go you know I’m going to lose my mind!” Jimmy yelled again, being overly dramatic and talking with his hands. “I’ll turn fucking crazy and kill everyone because I need fucking Lasik!”

I let out a sigh and then looked back at Gates. “What do you think? Should we go?”

Notes

So will the Avenged guys end up at Maya and Ave's graduation party? Who sent the the invitation? Oh...I smell drama in the air. ;)