Zack

I wasn't sure why I was doing what I was doing. I didn't fully comprehend why I stayed in New York while the rest of my band mates went back home to Huntington Beach. I definitely can't say why I did what I did or why I'm standing in front of Evelyn trying to convince her to have dinner with me tonight.

She tried to offer me a handful of cash but I know deep down she didn't want me to take it and so I didn't. I wouldn't have anyways, she had been bugging me to forgive her for over a decade now, there's no way she doesn't want to spend the next seven hours with me.

My emotions have been completely psychotic since I found out about Gena's infidelity. I've picked up the phone to call her dozens of times in the last two weeks. I was still just so completely dumbfounded that she cheated on me. I never once claimed to be perfect, hell I know I was far from it but I never treated Gena without the upmost respect. Come to think of it I never treated Evelyn with anything less either and she still broke my heart too. Apparently I have a type.

So here I was - and we're going to blame it on my out of control emotions - waiting for Evelyn to agree to spend the rest of the day with me.

She sighed and I knew she was about to cave. "Alright, fine. Let's go."

I smiled at her before turning on my heel and walking out of the room and into the waiting ate. The cute apprentice was still there so I flashed her a smile before walking out of the building with Evelyn on my heels.

It's nowhere near dinner time so I ask Evelyn what she wants to do. "We could sit down and you can give me some answers," she suggested.

I crack a smile. "What do you want to know?" I hailed a taxi and one stopped before she could reply. I opened the door for her and she crawled in. I couldn't help but glance at her ass before following her. What was going on with me?

"Where can I take you?" The driver asked.

I looked Evelyn. "Where do you live?"

She looked at me like I was crazy and maybe I was. Then, without removing her eyes from mine, she rattled her address off. The driver took off and Evelyn kept her gaze on me.

"What?" I chuckled.

She finally looked away. "I'm just confused, I guess."

I nodded. To be completely honest, I was probably just as confused by my actions as she was. "Why?" I asked her. I only asked because I was unsure of what else to say.

She laughed and I realized it was the first genuine laugh I've seen come from her in years. "Two weeks ago I tried to hit you with a bottle of Jack Daniels and you basically told me you couldn't wait for me to go back to New York."

Had that really only happened two weeks ago? It seemed like so much longer. "Yeah, that was a really bad night for me."

"Yeah," she mumbled.

Evelyn and I didn't speak again until the driver stopped in front of a house. Evelyn climbed out as I paid the fee. The taxi drove off and I followed Evelyn to the front steps of her house.

"Is Whitney home?" I asked as she unlocked her door.

She shook her head and walked in. "She's been in the U.K. with her parents all week."

I looked around the house as she spoke. It was a really nice two story house, but to be honest I didn't expect anything less from Evelyn. She was always a little high maintenance.

"I'm going to take a shower," she announced. "I got a late start this morning so..."

I nod as she trails off. "Yeah, go ahead. We have a few hours to spare anyways."

"Okay...so, just make yourself a home then." She gave me an awkward smile before disappearing up the stairs.

I knew this had to be just as weird do her as it was for me. Jesus Christ, what was I doing here? I didn't know if I wanted to allow her back into my life or not. My emotions were so out of whack. I didn't know what to think. I guess if I had to narrow it down, I was feeling angry, hurt and confused. Finding out Gena cheated on me broke me. I didn't understand why I kept falling for women who just wanted to hurt me. First Evelyn and now Gena? I mean, she and I were supposed to get married next week so how long was she going to pull this shit?

Brian told me Gena was just using me for my money and she would have kept cheating until she got caught. He was probably right and if that's the case I'm glad I found out now rather than later.

The only thing I'm sure of right now is after the first few drunken days I found out, Evelyn was all I could think about. I couldn't get her off my mind. I don't know if it's because maybe after getting my heart broke again I was searching for someone familiar to match onto or what. So, a week after I was able to pull myself from the whiskey bottles the guys and I flew to New York for a gig and I made the decision to contact Evelyn while I was here. I thought once I seen it spoke with her I would know what I wanted but her we were two hours later and I was more confused than ever.

---

Evelyn looked nice when she finally emerged from the stairs sometime later. She wore one of those dresses that looked like a long t-shirt, Gena used to wear them all the time. I noticed she had a large tattoo peaking from her dress on her left thigh, and in the midst of wondering how I missed that when I was bandaging her hand back at her mom’s house, I reminded myself to ask her about it later.

I wondered if I should complement her but I decided against it, knowing I only thought it was a thing to do out of habit. It would probably just make things weird, and they were weird enough already.

"We can just talk here if you want," she told me.

I shook my head. "Nah, I’d rather go out. We can get some drinks afterwards."

She nodded and slipped on some heels. I thought about telling her she could wear something a little more comfortable but Evelyn always liked wearing heels, even when we were in school.
Evelyn and I talked about lighthearted subjects until it was time for dinner. I don't think either of us was ready to bring the past up. We decided to take a taxi to the restaurant. Taxis were so much easier than driving in the city with your own vehicle, and parking was always difficult.
We decided on a restaurant that wasn't over the top but was still nice. She ordered the chicken tacos with rice and a side salad. I decided on a steak with a baked potato, I ordered a side salad as well to get something healthy on my plate but didn't touch it much.

The small talk continued though dinner. Eventually, Evelyn decided to kick the conversation up a notch. "What did you mean when you said you spent thousands of dollars to have a conversation with me?" She asked. "I know the day session costs a grand but you used the plural version of the word."

I took a sip of my wine before answering. "Well," I started, "your boss drives a hard bargain."
"Tell me something I don't know," she smiled

I returned her grin. "Okay, he told me unless I wanted to wait until you had no appointments - which is in like six fucking months by the way, you should really stop working so much. Anyways, he told me I could wait or I could find a way to get all of your appointments on a day to reschedule. I wanted to do it as soon as possible so he got your planner and we began making phone calls. They were stoked when I offered to buy their tattoo for them if they'd reschedule. It was easy for the most part but one girl gave me a hard time but after I told her who I was and offered her an autograph she was cool."

Evelyn raised her eyebrows at me and I couldn't tell is she was surprised or creeped out. She didn't speak for a moment and then, "but why?"

I shrugged as our server delivered our check. I handed him my credit card before Evelyn could protest. "I told you," I replied. "I didn't think you'd see me unless I forced you to."

She shook her head. "No, I mean why even want to have a conversation with me, Zack? You've hated me for twelve years, what changed?"

I didn't have an answer for her so thankfully out server returned with my card. I signed the check quickly before standing up. "Shall we continue this over drinks?" I ask her. She frowned at me and I assumed it was because I avoided her question again. "Evelyn, please?" I smiled at her hoping to pour on the familiar Zacky Vengeance charm.

She nods before standing. "There's a bar and lounge around the corner."

Once at the bar and lounge, Evelyn and I found ourselves sitting in a semi private corner. Evelyn hasn't spoken much since I avoided her question and so I know I've upset her. She sips from her Long Island iced tea while avoiding my gaze.

I take a swig from my jack and coke. "I can't explain it," I announce to her. She looked at me. "I just kind of woke up one day and was like, let's do this." I purposefully left out the part about being drunk for a week straight and missing Gena, she didn't need to know all that. She didn't need to know how broken I was and still am. She nods but still doesn't say anything.

We sit in silence for ever. "I think I'll just go." I tell her quietly.

She shakes her head as I stand up and pulls me back down. "No, please stay. I'm not trying to be a bitch this is just so out of the blue."

I nod. I know it is. A week ago if you would have told me this would be happening I would have called you a liar.

The awkwardness begins to fade away between us as we order more drinks and shots. Soon both of us are feeling great and laid back.

"I think this is the first time we've gotten drunk together," she smiled.

Neither of us are drunk yet but I know what she meant. "I know. You always refused to drink with me and my friends in school."

"I was too scared my secret would come out," she looked away as she spoke.

I didn't want to think or talk about the past so instead I stopped the bartender walking by and ordered another round of shots.

Evelyn shook her head as the bartender walked away. "I have work tomorrow."

I laughed. "I have a 9AM plane to catch and a six hour flight." Something passed over her face when I mention leaving tomorrow but the whiskey had my judgment fucked up so I'm not sure what it was. The bartender brings us our shots and a refill on our drinks. "Cheers," I wink at her before tossing the liquor to the back of my throat.

---

I can't keep my hands off her as she unlocks the front door. Finally, the door opens and Evelyn turns, bringing me back into her mouth. She tastes like whiskey and mint gum as we pushed passed the door and towards the stairs. She pulls my jacket from me as she kicks off he heels. Evelyn steps up, backwards, onto the first step. I take this chance to pick her up and she willingly wraps her legs around my waist as I began to climb the stairs.

As I approach the first door in the hallways she motions that it's hers and I walk in. I kick the door closed and immediately press Evelyn against the wall. My now free hands travel hungrily under her raised dress against her thighs.

She pulls my shirt from me and we break apart long enough for the shirt to pass between us. Our lips connect as it it's the floor. My hands return to her thighs and towards her butt. Excitement hits me when my fingers touch the material of her panties - lace, my favourite.
I pull her from the wall and toss her playfully onto the bed. I kick off my shoes before crawling on top of her. He hands run across my back as I take her neck into my mouth. Evelyn is tugging at my jeans before I even have the chance to unbutton them. Her hips thrust into mine as she pushed my pants from me and I bring my hand to the lace again. The lace is soaked through now and I'm tempted to ask her if this is how she expected the night to end but I don't.
I pull myself off her long enough to pull her dress off and she unhooks her bra before it hits the ground.

Fuck, I forgot how perfect her tits were.

I bring one into my mouth and a sigh escapes her lips. I slowly begin to leave a trail of kisses down her body and I can barely contain myself as I come to her black lace panties. I'm tempted to just pull them to the side to fuck her but I'd hate to accidentally rip them. With an internal groan, I slide them from her hips and then remove my boxers from mine.

Evelyn's eyes are watching me, following every move I make and I wonder if we're going to remember this in the morning but then I decide not to care.

I kiss her again before I position myself in between her legs and then slowly slide into her.

Fuck, she feels just as good, if not better than she did in high school.

A moan escapes her lips and she pulled me deeper into her by wrapping her legs around my waist.

Like I said, a week ago if you would have told me this would be happening I would have called you a liar.

Evelyn curled up next to me afterwards. I have a cigarette in my mouth and it's hard to keep my eyes open but I know I should get back to the hotel.

"Please, stay." Evelyn whispered as I crawled out of bed and pulled my boxers back on.

After everything she had done to me in the last, I was terrified to let her back in. But while she started at me with her deep brown eyes as her dark brown hair cascaded over her shoulders and chest I couldn't help but think everything just felt so right.

I crawled back into bed with her and she smiled as she curled back up against me.

"Nice thigh tat," I commented.

"Thanks," she said pulling the sheet away from her exposed thigh. It was done in black and grey ink. There was a lion’s head in the middle with the words “Lions don't lose sleep over the opinions of sheep" around it. "I got it one year after we broke up. It's to remind me not to let the opinions of others control my life like I let them in high school."

I nodded. It didn't say anything. Did we breaking up really affect us that bad? I knew Aaron and Toni’s opinions about me bothered Evelyn but I didn't know it bothered her that much. I slowly began to drift off to sleep until I heard Evelyn quietly call my name.

"Hm?" I vocalized, too tired to do anything else.

"Promise you'll be here in the morning. Even if you have to wake me before you leave."

"Okay," I mumbled.

"Promise me."

"I promise."

I awoke sometime later with my mouth dry. My judgment was no longer foggy and so I knew I was now pretty sober. Regret and shame began to fill me as I glanced at the clock. It was just before 4AM. I nibbled on my lip for a moment before deciding on what to do.

After a few minutes and a scribbled note, I was on the New York streets headed back to my hotel room.

Notes

Oh shit.

Thank you guys for reading! What do you think is going to happen next? Hope you all liked this chapter!

Title credit: Halsey "Hurricane"