Brian's POV

"Haner? Haner!?"

I rolled over in my bunk and opened my eyes to find Matt shaking me awake. My head was extremely fuzzy and I was positive I was still drunk off my ass. That bottle of scotch and I have been such good friends...I was really sad to see him go...but don't worry, that's when the black goodness of my eyelids took over. Fuck, I don't remember why I started drinking in the first place!

"What the fuck, Shads?" I slurred as he forced me into a sitting position.

"Get your ass out of bed! You have that interview Metal Nation Radio in an hour with Zee."

Fuck, I forgot about that...but was it after my sixth or seventh glass of scotch? I smiled up at Shads as I pulled my pillow back under my head. "Can't we just reschedule? I have a hot date with my eyelids," I murmured before feeling a sharp blow to the back of the head. "What the fuck?"

"We’re not canceling this interview! Metal Nation is one of the only stations that plays our music so you will grace them with your presence today!" Matt roared, pulling me out of my bunk and onto the floor. "I don't know what's caused you to go down this sudden path of self destruction, but pull the stick out of your ass and get your act together!" He continued to talk but my eyelids drifted shut...thank you again Mr. Scotch!

The next thing I knew, I was shoved into a freezing cold shower with yesterday's clothes plastered to my body. "Ahh you're a fucking asshole, Sanders!" I yelled, turning off the water and wiping my hair out of my eyes. What was his deal? Couldn’t we just send someone else and leave me to my own misery? So what if it was self inflicted?

"You've got five minutes to sober up, Gates, and your coffee is on the table!"

I sighed and stripped off my soggy clothes before climbing back into a warm cascade of water. The warmth felt so good but the nauseating throbbing of my head was something I was desperately trying to avoid. I closed my eyes as I willed myself not to vomit just as a set of piercing blue eyes forged my thoughts.

"Fuck," I hissed. I didn't want to deal with anything Kady Parker related today...or any day for that matter!

"Haner, let's go!" Zacky's voice called from the door as I stumbled out of the shower. I quickly pulled on a pair of ripped jeans, black V-neck t-shirt, and my beanie. God knows I don't have time or patience for my fucking hair today, let alone this interview.

Before I knew it, we pulled up outside of the radio station. Shit I hadn’t had nearly enough coffee and the last thing I wanted to do was get off the bus. All I wanted to do was hide in my bunk and go back to sleep. At least there I could drink enough to stop those blue eyes from haunting my dreams and thoughts.

"Are you ready?" Our manager Larry asked as he came up the stairs of the bus.

"Yeah," I groaned, getting up and pulling on my leather jacket. "Let's make it quick."

"He had a rough night," Zacky said behind me while I lead the way into the studio.

"Well I hope he can keep it together. This is one of the biggest interviews of the tour."

"I'm fine, Larry," I growled, turning around to face him just in time to see red locks heading in our direction. "Fuck!" Could I fake a heart attack so I didn’t have to go in there with her? Jesus Christ I would do anything to not have to face her… now or ever…

"What now, Haner?" Zack asked as I sank down on the couch in the waiting room. I felt like I couldn't breath and the will to vomit was coming on strong. I placed my head in my hands as a surge of panic racked my body. What the hell was going on with me? Since when does Synyster Gates get nervous around a girl he's turned away?

"Why the hell is she here?" I hissed just as the door opened.

"Nice to see you too, Gates." Shit, she heard me? Fucking great! This day was going swimmingly already!

My head snapped up to meet the dark gaze of those crystal blue eyes and I suddenly feel like I was falling through a black hole. I knew I regretted my words that night, but I had no idea how much until this moment. That look in her eyes hurt and I hated myself for it. Kady Parker hated me and I deserved ever ounce of that hatred. However, no woman was going to get the better of me and make me feel like dirt. I could do that all myself!

"I thought this was a guitarist interview," I said, moving my eyes away from Kady's glare. "Nothing personal, Violet..." I sneered, using her stage name. Her jaw instantly stiffened and I got a small sense of pleasure knowing that I was causing her grief too.

"News flash, dick wad," Kady suddenly laughed. "I play rhythm guitar AND sing!"

"Umm sorry to interrupt your.... discussion," A small mousy voiced woman suddenly cut in. "But DJ Prez is ready for you now..."

Without another word, the four of us piled into a small studio and took a seat at a round table. I quickly put on my Synyster Gates persona, knowing that it was easier to deal with all this shit when you act like you don't give a damn about anything, even thought that was far from the truth.

"And we're back for power hour with the guitarist of two of the sickest metal sounds in the biz right now. You may have seen them headlining the Mayhem Tour but today they are here to answer your questions! From Fatal Facade, we have leading lady Violet Rogue and front man Gunnar Tebo. We also have the blazing guitar duo from Avenged Sevenfold, Zacky Vengeance and Synyster Gates. Welcome guys! Avenged tell us what you've been up to."

"Thanks it's great to be here," Zacky said into the mic. "We've just about completed the first leg of the tour but we've still got a good five months on the road before we hop over to Europe for their circuit. Thanks for having us."

"We are also promoting our new album, Nightmare which is a new sound for us. Thank you to all the fans for your support. You make all the travel and being away from our families worthwhile," I said with a small smile on my lips. In all honesty, I didn't have anything waiting for me in Huntington Beach after my break up with Michelle. My dad wasn't even home right now. He was on tour with Jeff Dunham and my step mom and McKenna. I had Pinkly and my band and that's all I needed.

"I know we've gotten lots of requests from the new album, so you are doing something right," DJ Prez said, pulling me from my thoughts. "Okay the next question is for Fatal Facade from Jenny in Nebraska. How has it been co-headline with Avenged? Any fun stories from behind the scenes?"

"It's been totally fucking awesome playing with Avenged. We've got a sick and twisted fan base that follows both of our bands and we always aim to please. And for the funny stories...I honestly don't remember much. We party a lot and those guys on the Sevenfold bus know how to have a good time!" Gunnar laughed. I hadn't heard him speak before in an interview and I was honestly impressed with how poised her was. Gunnar was fucking right though, we did know how to party, and as long as Caleb stayed away from Matt and Zacky, we had good times together.

"Well I'm fucking jealous now! Maybe after this interview we can go party before you hit the road again," Prez laughed. "Okay, Violet CJ from Cali wants to know what it's like to be the only female on the Mayhem Tour this year."

"In all honesty," Kady started, her eyes locked on me with a small smile playing on her lips. Fuck what was she up to? "It's been a fucking sausage fest! Being the only girl on tour has really opened my eyes and nose to all the subtle ticks each of the guys has," she laughs. "For example, Gates here is extremely particular about the order of his guns and has to show at least two hours before the show... he’s got to make is hair perfect for the fans!"

I narrowed my eyes at her from across the table and she just laughed before continuing. Kady Parker, your are playing with fire. You better watch it or else you'll get burned.

"But pretty much it’s just rather stinky backstage," she finished as everyone else laughed but me.

"So there’s not a lot of action behind the scenes if it's stinky?" Prez asked with a surprised look on his face.

"Fuck no, we get action every night," Gunnar countered, elbowing Kady in the ribs. "And I know from sharing a bus for a few weeks that both Vengeance and Gates get propositions all the time."

"What about you Violet?"

All eyes were suddenly on Kady and she blushed lightly. "No matter what these dick wads say, I am a lady and I don't play and tell!"

"So you won't tell us if you've had fun with any of the guys on tour with you?"

"Oh she's had run of romantic rendezvous," I said before Kady could answer. Her jaw dropped and she looked at me with daggers. "She's got a couple of flings going on..."

"I take it one of those was with you?" Prez asked as the tension built up in the room.

"She wishes," I laugh just as her face falls. "But the real romance is happening within her own band. But really, we all get some ass here and there but nothing that really means anything. It's why we are all eligible bachelors...with the exception of Shadows...hit us up ladies!"

"Alright, ladies you heard Synyster Gates! The boys of metal are up for grabs! Well be right back after Monster by Fatal Facade!"

"You fucking asshole!" Kady roared from across the table as soon as Prez took us off the air. "How DARE you talk about my personal life! You know nothing about me!" She stood up, threw her headphones down on the counter, and stormed out of the room.

"That was a dick move, dude," Gunnar said, leaning back in his chair and shaking his head at me. I looked over to see Zacky pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You better go get her back in here," he hissed as I threw down my own headphones.

"She fucking started it!" I raged before storming out the door with a cigarette between my lips. I was so sick of all the bullshit and drama and I wanted a way out.

As I walked out the back door of the studio, I found myself face-to-face with the person I wanted to avoid. Kady had tears in her eyes and I suddenly felt like the worlds biggest asshole.... I sighed and took a seat next to her on the pavement, knowing I had crossed the line.

"Listen, Kady...I'm sorry..."

Kady's POV

I stormed out the door of the studio, lighting up my cigarette as I walked. I was beyond pissed and I wanted nothing more than to punch Brian Haner's lights out. How dare he belittle me and make me seem like a slut on the radio?! He was the one lying to himself, not me, and when he realized it and came crawling back for my "friendship" I would spit in his fucking face!

Suddenly I felt tears threatening to fall from my eyes and I angrily blew out a cloud of smoke. I would not give Synyster Gates the fucking satisfaction of knowing that he got to me. As I angrily whipping away my tears, I looked up just in time to see the bastard himself come out the door. Fucking great... Why the hell wouldn’t he just leave me alone?

Brian slid down the wall and took a seat next to me while I took another long drag. I didn't want to hear anything that dick wad had to say. He made his bed and now he was going to lay in it.

"Listen, Kady...I'm sorry," he said softly, his eyes looking down at the ground.

Well fuck, I wasn't expecting that. "Save it, Gates," I snapped, letting out a light scoff. "I'm done listening to your excuses and reasons for why you do what you do. You can take that and whatever delusions you have about me and a fictional relationship with Marley and shove them up your ass!"

I chanced a look over at Brian to see a frown lining his lips as he shook his head. "I deserve that," he said softly while putting his Marlboro up to his lips. "And you're right.."

"Listen Mr....wait did you just say that I was right?" He had to be high...Brian never admitted when he was wrong. "What do you mean I'm right?" I was totally confused now. What the hell was he playing at?

"I make excuses for my actions instead of dealing with my decisions," Brian said softly, his sad chocolate eyes turning to look at me. "It's why Michelle left me...why I made moves towards you and pushed you away...I'm a dick. Plain and simple."

"Okay, who are you and what have you done with the real Brian Haner?" I asked, gaping at the words coming from his mouth. Was he serious? This all had to be some kind of joke.

He chuckled lightly as he flicked his ash. "I've finally hit a new low...I broke my number one rule and you were the one that it affected."

"And what's that?"

"Never talk about your personal life to the press...I'm sorry I opened up that can of worms for you. It was a dick move and all because-because..." He pinched the bridge of his nose and pressed his eyes closed. God damn it! Spit it out Haner!

"I was pissed that you blamed me for Marley being pissed at you! I hated myself for giving up a chance with you and didn't want you to get mixed up in the drama. Yes I do like you but I didn't want to hurt you like I have every other woman that has ever come into my life. I fucking suck as a boyfriend...or any friend for that matter."

"So, what drug brought this on?" I teased after picking my jaw off the pavement. His eyes turned on me again but this time he was serious.

"Don't make me fucking say it again..." Brian's eyes pleaded with me so I decided to let him keep what little pride he had left.

A smiled pulled at my lips as I placed a hand on his cheek. "Fine, I forgive you but you've got some major groveling to do to get back in my good graces. No one fucks Kady Parker over twice!" I teased and warned, wondering exactly I was getting myself into.

A small smile fell over Brian's face as he looked back into my eyes. "I think I can do that," he said softly before throwing his cigarette across the pavement and pulling me onto his lap. “Let me start now…” He chuckled while running his calloused fingertips down my arms. I swear he was going to make me melt right here and now, his motions causing shockwaves in my internal organs

The next thing I knew, his soft lips were pressed to mine and calloused hand were cupping my face. That’s when I turned into pure putty. Gates pressed my body into his as he back me up into the wall, his tongue gently tracing my bottom lips, begging for entrance. I moaned into the kiss and he took advantage of my moment of weakness. Suddenly our tongues were dancing in pure bliss. God, he tasted and felt as good as he looked! But just as quickly as the kiss started, it was over and Gates looked down at me with a small smirk.

"So are we still ‘friends,’" I asked as he kissed my neck.

Brian's lips lingered on my neck for a moment before his eyes met mine again. "I-I..." He stammered, closing his eyes and pressing his forehead to mine. "Can you have a "friend" without starting Fatal Facade world war three," he finally asked. I sighed, knowing that he wanted more but he was using my words...not his.

Now it was my turn to bite my lip and think. In all honesty, the answer was no. There was no way Caleb or Marley would ever let me date Brian. They would rather murder him in his sleep than know about our relationship. We would have to be a secret, and somehow that was sexy and irritating at the same time.

"I want you..." I finally said, looking in those chocolate eyes and running my hand down his cheek. "But we need to be a secret...no one can know. It will ruin both of us if this gets out..."

Brian sighed and looked away from me but then nodded his head. "It's our secret," he said before I tackled his lips with a kiss again.

"He-hem..." I looked up with wide eyes at the person standing in the open studio door.

Oh shit...

Notes

So Brian and Kady are officially together now, but its a secret? How do you think that will work out? And who found them mid-kiss?