Maya’s POV

I knew Ave was still miserable, but I also knew the first and only time I had seen her smile was at the party when she had spent the time with James.
And why shouldn’t she continue to have fun apparently Brian wasn’t doing anything less.
But I could understand her, Ave was missing Brian and for her the topic wasn’t done… but I had no idea how Brian was thinking about all this, why would that asshole betray my little gnome?
He had been so head over heels for her, how could he throw that all away?
Maybe he was like me, not able to handle the distance, but then… why not tell her?
Okay, fine I wasn’t completely honest with Matt either…

Matt, he was still on my mind, and yes I was the one who broke up… but I was still in love… I just didn’t want him to be miserable, I didn’t want to drag both of us down, it was enough when I suffered, I wanted to save him from that.
He was the first man I have ever said those words to, and even though I broke up, it still hurt to see him with someone else… it was his right, of course, but that he replaced me so quick?

I sighed, like always when I was alone that was the only topic my mind was able to think about.
And when I closed my eyes in the evening, Matt was the one that appeared before my inner eye.
He was still my every thought and I had no idea how to get rid of him, or if I really wanted to.

All I knew was that I wanted my life back, wanted to have fun and be carefree… was that all Matt’s doing? That couldn’t be, right?
I am not the brooding person that I got way too familiar with.
And that’s why I decided to drag Avery to that get together at Ben’s, not only because Ben was a very nice distractions, but because I knew James was able to make Avery smile.

And my little Gnome needed to smile… I didn’t know why she would be so concerned about Brian hearing that we were out, he couldn’t know what had been going on and even if, it’s none of his business… not anymore, not since he decided to put his lips on another woman and god knows what else.

I knew it would be a tough work to get Avery to go to the Asking party but in the end I succeeded, we were both ready and I drove us towards the now familiar house, we were already a little late, but that was more Ave’s fault then mine… and didn’t the most important guests always come late?

When I just locked the door I heard a voice from behind us “OH I just made it in time to come with the special guests, huh?” Danny announced and I sighed, I really liked the Asking guys but Danny was mostly over the top, even for my taste.

“Come into my arms, beauty’s” He announced and pushed me into his side, while he grabbed Ave before she could escape into his other side, to my delight and Ave’s horror Danny seemed to have his eyes set on her and not me.

Danny took us into the house and I heard him whisper some things in Ave’s ear and I was a little afraid that she would be running right out of the door when I had done so much work in getting her out of bed in the first place.

Thank god, James saved Ave from Danny’s grip and I nodded approvingly at him, while Ben took me to the table gentle kissing my knuckles and I had to admit this gentleman manner suited him, and he looked amazing, a black button down shirt, instead of the band muscle shirt he usually wore, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, revealing his ink and his hair was wildly styled as always.

“And the seat of honor is right here, babe.” He held the chair out for me and I sat down, Ben moved into the chair next to me and Ave was sitting in between Danny and James, while Cam sat at the head of the table and one more seat was free for Sam, who just moved into the room with the steaming food.

We did some small talk, then the guys were doing stupid jokes and I had to admit, the food was amazing. I turned to Sam who just drank from his beer.
“You are my savior today, huh?” I asked teasingly and Sam’s eyes met mine “How come?” He grinned.

“You brought me home and you made dinner so I didn’t have to cook, that calcifies you as a savior” I chuckled and Sam nodded “You are absolutely right!”
“Sam’s taken” Ben spoke suddenly from the other side of me making me and Sam look towards him.
Ben had a frown on his face and when he saw our eyes turning his way he tried to mask it with a chuckle “Just saying, he has another woman he is the savior for…” Ben shrugged and I saw he was uncomfortable.

“Well, lucky woman” I smiled at Sam and he nodded “Yeah, maybe someone should tell her that again, besides me, so she believes me.” I had to laugh at that and then felt a hand on my thigh making my eyes wander back to Ben.

“And how were your classes today? Did you get there in time?” He asked his hand still on my thigh.
“Boring, but yes I got there in time, thank you for that” I stared back at him, our eyes were locked for a moment before we were ripped apart by Cam’s voice “Who needs a stronger drink?”
“Hell yeah!” Voices said together and I finally looked away from Ben, something was about him that dragged me in and I haven’t figured out if I should like it or better stay away from it.

“Come on,Ave, we even have something to make this girly drinks for you guys. James said you would come so he took care that you would feel perfectly at home here” Cam said and pulled Avery up from her chair.

“You too, come we ate now it’s time for drinks” Ben held his hand out to help me and I lifted my eyebrow at him “Again the gentleman tonight?”
He chuckled “Not many women get that from me, you should feel special, babe”
I put my hand in his and let him lead me away from the table and into the next room, a built in bar and Danny was already behind it being our bartender.

“I really don’t wanna drink something… I mean… yesterday was enough for me… for weeks” Ave shook her head and I let go of Ben’s hand I haven’t realized I was still holding until then.
“Oh little gnome, please… you need to relax a little, we are having fun, right? That’s all… you don’t have to get as wasted as before… I didn’t plan on either” I smiled at her but Ave still wasn’t convinced.

“I told you I would take care that you would have fun but not get too drunk, remember? You can count on my word… Here, let me get Danny away from the alcohol and I’ll make you something” James gave Ave a little push to the bar, while he went around it and dragged a slurring Danny into the couch area.About 2 hours later we were already on the way of getting wasted, not as bad as before but a slight buzz was already forming and I liked that feeling, it was making me happy and it was not letting any bad memories or emotions surface.

“So what are you planning the next days? You wanna see more of the UK?” Sam asked his voice a little slower now with the alcohol he consumed and I opened my mouth but Ave was faster. She was probably afraid that I would tell something we didn’t actually plan, I chuckled making Ben groan a little, and I looked to my side, I was nearly sitting on his lap, he took care I had nowhere else to sit.

“No, actually we need to find a job, something part time, we really need to earn some money” Ave said and Danny snored soundly beside her, he had fallen asleep around 30 minutes ago, giving us and especially Ave a little break from him.

When I felt a breath near my ear, letting shivers run down my spine “M, how about we make this party a little more private?” Ben’s lips met my ear and I had so suppress the small moan that wanted to escape, it was really tempting.

“I don’t know” I whispered back, he had been doing a good job these past hours in making me want it, a small whisper here, his hand brushing my lower back there, his lips brushing my cheek when he meant to whisper and me sitting on his lap… and don’t forget about yesterday… I was getting too weak to resist him.

“I can make you feel really good, you know we both want it, Maya… The pleasure finally hitting the peak… don’t tell me you haven’t been thinking about it” He whispered and I had to press my thighs together, he was right I had been thinking about it, especially at the party yesterday.

“Cause I have been thinking about you all day long” Ben murmured and maybe it was the alcohol but most probably it was Ben doing a really good job at seducing, but I slowly got up and Ben followed me, he took my hand and led me away from the rest of the guests, who were still in a deep conversation not even realizing that we left them to themselves.

Before we could enter any room, I was suddenly pushed against the nearest door and Ben’s lips were crashing down on mine, he surprised me and when I gasped for air his tongue was already in my mouth and damn he tasted good, and made me forget about anything, right now it was just him and me and nothing else, the feeling I craved, being shut down from anything else then the moment.

“Damn Maya…” He pulled away from the kiss and leaned his forehead against mine, his body pressed to mine “You made me nearly lose control…” He pulled away and pecked my lips again before leading me up to his bed room.
Just when I began to think if this really was a good idea he opened the door and his hands were already on the zipper of my dress when we just walked in and he kicked the door shut with his foot.

“Wait.. Ben..” I stopped him, his hands were on my back, wanting to pull the zipper down, while his lips were on my throat making my knees weak.

“What is it, babe?” He whispered, his lips and piercing only ghosting over my throat and collarbone and for a moment I forgot what I actually wanted to say.

“Tell me, Maya…” Ben asked again and took a small step back and I appreciated that, giving me room to think and I hadn’t noticed that my fingers had already opened his shirt, showing me his tattoo covered chest.

“This…” I motioned between us “This is just about fun, right? You and I agree on that? Nothing else, just us having fun together” I said and Ben nodded immediately.
“Nothing else…” Ben nodded and his eyes moved up to meet mine “Just about you and me… and fun”

James’ POV

Danny was really getting on my nervous; he had to butt into every conversation that I started with Avery.
When it was dinner, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut about his home and his dogs and if Ave didn’t wanna visit him there, Avery looked so uncomfortable throughout the whole dinner that I really wanted to just grab her and get her out of here.

She had excused herself for the bathroom a moment later and I had a small moment with Danny “Can’t you fucking leave her alone for a moment? Don’t you see she is not interested?” I hissed at him and he just laughed loudly clapping me on the back.
“Oh James.. James James, you have no idea what women really want do you?” He asked and I frowned, what would come now?

“She just acts shy… and then when you get her to the point you need to have her, there is no way of her saying no. Look at Ben, he is working on Maya all evening and I bet he will get what he wants…” Danny motioned over to them, but Maya was in a conversation with Sam and Ben looked rather pissed that he was out of the loop right now.

“Maya and Ave are totally different… Ave got a bad break up behind her… she doesn’t wanna fuck around like you suggest… and Maya…” Ben hadn’t mentioned what happened between Maya and Matt and why she was alone now, did he know why? She must be single or he wouldn’t make a move on her, even though we all knew, that fucker had his eyes on Maya since the first time we met those girls.

“Whatever Cassells, I called dibs don’t forget that” Danny clapped my back again and I sighed, “You did call dibs, but not on who, so my dibs are on Ave and as it looked Ben already called dibs months ago on Maya… sorry to break it down to you but, those girls are taken care of” I said, I wouldn’t really make a move on Ave, I have seen she was near a breakdown all the time, but I did want to spend more time with her, and if I could bring a smile to her face every now and then, why not move forward from time to time.

“Fuck off!” Danny replied and didn’t give him more of my attention, I looked towards the bathroom waiting for Avery to come back, and she did, but she looked uncomfortable into Danny’s directions, thank god Cam saw it too and decided to end the dinner time and move over to the drinking part.

At first even there Danny was making his annoying appearance very noticeable but after a while and the right drinks, which I chose of course, he was sound asleep, sure his snoring was a little annoying too, but not as much as his stupid comments and advances he made towards Avery.

I saw Ben working on Maya and after a while she got up and he followed her glued to her ass, lucky bastard.
I bet they thought we didn’t see them leave, but I did, while Sam and Cam were convincing Ave to try one of their self made drinks.

“Come on, you are the judge, tell us which one you like better?” Sam asked and I don’t know why but this fucker was really getting the attention from the girls, maybe because he looked so cute because he was not as tall as the rest of us? Or because he was not as loud and obnoxious as the rest of us? Hell, I would probably never find out… or I could ask Ave later on…

“I really don’t-” Ave started but Cam interrupted her “Sshhh.. you don’t need to down them, just sip and decide which one is best. We have a bet going and let’s say the loser got to pay.”
“Fine, alright… what is this bet about?” Ave asked taking the drink from Cam.
“We will tell you after you decided.” Sam smiled and Ave sipped on Cam’s drink, she didn’t give anything away while drinking it.
She held her hand out for Sam’s drink and did the same, took another two sips before deciding with a nod to both man.

“I made a decision.” She announced and I slowly moved my arm around the headrest of the couch so she would be sitting closer to me and my arm could drop slowly down to her.
She rested back against the couch and was now sitting closer, leaning into my side and I smiled, she didn’t pull away, good sign.

“So, which one is better?” Sam asked and looked excitedly, I didn’t know what this bet was about so I really wanted to know, too.
“Cam’s better… I mean hell Sam, have you tasted yours? It tastes like… I don’t know old socks or something.” Avery wrinkled her nose in disgust and I had to chuckle at her expression, god she was so cute… how in hell could Gates do something like that to her? Had he lost his mind?

“What?!” Sam looked shocked and Cam did a victory dance “Fuck yeah! You know what that means, Sammy, do you?” Cam yelled and Danny snored loudly but didn’t wake up.
“Fuck, all or nothing.. another one.. come on Cam!” Sam begged but he just shook his head.
“Now tell us, what does he have to do?” Ave asked and looked at me, as if she thought that I knew what this was about, so I shook my head and mouthed “I have no idea”
Ave nodded and looked back at my two arguing band members.

“Tell us!” Ave asked and her eyes were twinkling a smile on her face, damn… she was so beautiful like this, and looked totally different then the sad, small person I had been out to have breakfast with this morning.
“Sam is now playing the next show we will be having only in his boxers” Cam announced finally and Ave burst out laughing, grabbing Cam’s drink and downing it nearly, did she even realize she drank it nearly completely?
“Fucking hell… I was sure I would win” Sam muttered and got up “I need another drink”
“Should I make you one?” Cam asked laughing following behind to the bar.
“Shut up” Sam countered.

“Hey Ave, you said something about a job earlier… what are you and Maya searching for exactly?” I asked her and didn’t want to ruin the good mood, I wanted to distract her further.
“Yeah, actually we should have been looking a while ago, but couldn’t really find the motivation, but now it’s really about time.”Ave sighed and then smiled “You don’t know someone around here who needs two helps, do you?”

“Actually, if you don’t mind working in a bar… I could ask around, calling in some favors…” I shrugged and Ave’s eyes widened.
“Really? You would do that? I mean Maya and I will just knock on some doors and ask for some part time jobs, but if you hear something… we would really appreciate it” Ave said and I couldn’t hide the smile from forming on my lips “I will let you know, but I bet we can get you work pretty quick.”

“Ave! Come on, dancing!” Sam yelled “You owe me at least a dance, since you already make me play a full fucking show in my boxers the next time”
“I?” Ave pointed at herself looking shocked “I didn’t bring you to do some stupid bet! That had been all your doing!” She laughed when Sam pulled her up and I followed her movements with my eyes, damn, she really was something special, I just hope I could keep this friendship thing going.

Notes

Comments, pretty please!! :D