Alright. We're nothing more. Nothing more than a stupid bet. A bet? How dare he?

Amelie wasn’t quite sure she’d heard correctly. No, that was wrong. She knew she’d heard exactly that, but she refused to believe it. She could not have been just a bet. Not when he was so gentle and caring the day before. He could have had hundreds of girls, so why wait for her if it was only about sleeping with someone. Or not? It felt like someone had punched her in the gut.

Confused and unable to say anything, she left the room. Matt just stared at her expressionlessly. Was that an admission of guilt? Amelie didn’t know what to think anymore. She found herself in the guest room, locked the door and threw herself onto the bed. The tears started falling immediately. She felt so betrayed, so used. She was so ashamed of herself.

She’d fallen for a rock star, nothing else. It was foolish to think he’d changed. Maybe everything he ever told her was a lie. She didn’t know. All she knew was that it was reckless, and downright dumb, to let it come this far.

From the cellar, Amelie heard their screams, but she couldn’t make out the words, not that she wanted to. A bet. Nothing more.
She couldn’t believe how he’d acted around her. How could he be so sweet and caring for days when he could have had her so much earlier? Who was that Brian? Was that bet about her or about anyone?

Suddenly, the screaming ceased. Amelie then heard footsteps coming closer to her room. Knowing how Matt’s walking sounded in the hallway, she knew it could only be that Brian. And then she heard him knock. On one hand, Amelie was curious what Brian could want, but on the other hand, she was hurt and wanted to be left alone.

She checked her look in the mirror. Her eyes were red and puffy, her cheeks red and hot. She didn’t want him to see that she cried.

“What?” she mushed, finally taking off Matt’s flannel. He did not own her, not even a piece of her heart. So why let him mark her that way? Why wear his stuff?
She was happy to have yesterday’s clothes in that room. “Can I come in?” Brian’s voice sounded thin through the door.

There I am, she thought, I locked myself in. I’m in the house of the one I lost my virginity to. The one who made a stupid bet about it and broke my fucking heart. It couldn’t get more fucked up, could it?

“Yeah,” she murmured, throwing herself one last glance in the mirror before unlocking the door. Brian came in and sat on the bed awkwardly, obviously looking for the right words to say. Amelie laid down again, curled up on the bed. She felt dirty and ashamed of herself.

She mustered Brian with interest. So that was the famous Synyster Gates. She could understand why the fangirls were divided up between Matt, the muscular, hazel-eyed frontman with the dimples to die for and the guitarist, who had fine facial features, a sharp jawline and beautiful dark brown eyes. She knew he played the amazing solos and there was just something mysterious about him that she knew attracted many girls.

But not her. She wanted M. No, you don't.

“Listen,” he began. His voice was smooth, but not as smooth as Matt’s. He sounded soothing. Somehow, Amelie was glad he came in to talk to her. He knew what happened, and maybe it would help to just freely talk about it. Who else would she have done it with?

Her parents? They would have taken the very next flight if they knew she started seeing someone as old as Matt. Her school friends? She never had too many, and she was glad about finally not having to talk to them since she was away. Lucile? Forget about it.

“Matt is a total jerk,” Brian finally stated. Amelie snorted, almost letting out a bitter chuckle. “I’m really sorry this happened to you. I should have never agreed to that stupid bet in the first place,” he said.

“It’s okay,” Amelie answered, not because it was but for the lack of a better answer. “It’s not,” Brian reassured her, and for the first time, their eyes really met. Amelie could see the remorse in them. But it wasn’t him who hurt her, after all.

“Then it’s not?” she replied, not really knowing in which direction this conversation was going. “Listen,” Brian said before clearing his throat awkwardly, “you probably don’t wanna stay here anymore and that’s alright. He’s gonna understand. That fucker has to.”

Amelie swallowed. She didn’t know. She didn’t have time to think it all through, seeing as she’d only learned about her heartbreak minutes ago. “To be honest, Brian, I don’t know,” she replied honestly.

“Well, let me tell you something about that guy,” Brian began, “and I’m doing that because I feel very sorry for you. I’m breaking the bros before hoes rule here and that’s not really easy. Matt is my best friend. I hate telling you this but yeah, I feel like you deserve to know.

“This guy is the biggest cheat God ever created. He had so many different women, man, we lost count. He betrayed his wife almost every night for three years straight. And then she died. Hell, do you even know where he was when he got that call? He was fucking with some random groupie. And then he left her in that hotel, still tied up to the bedposts. That’s the kinda guy he is. We were all so scared he’d catch something.”

It was only then that Amelie noticed the two Mississippis emerging from her eyes. Brian handed her a tissue and she blew her nose. “Look, I’m so sorry you had to learn it that way, but I guess it’s better now than later.” She didn’t know what to say, so she stayed silent.

“You probably wanna go home, right?” Brian said.

Home. Amelie’s heart ached as she thought about her home. Her parents. The old hammer mill they lived at with the animals her dad, the vet, had bought to keep them from being killed. They had two donkeys, one of which was deaf and the other was almost blind, two cows that didn’t give any milk anymore, seven sheep that, together, had only twenty-four limbs and some ducks and chickens. And then of course, her dog and her horse. The two cats that frequently visited. Was that where she wanted to go?

“I don’t know,” she said.
“Look, I can drive you to the airport now. Or in an hour. I’ll pay for the flight and then get Matt to give it back to me or something. That sound good?” Amelie thought about the tempting proposition. In less than twenty-four hours she would be able to hug her parents, cuddle her dog and take a walk with her horse. She’d get grandmas old-fashioned home-cooked beef soup and her mom’s famous Schnitzel.

Suddenly very homesick, she nodded and started packing. Soon, she had everything she brought, seeing as she didn’t even unpack yet since she arrived at Matt’s. Maybe, she thought, I knew what would happen all along. She took a deep breath. One last look-around in her room.

She could have lived here happily just for a while, or maybe even for a longer while. She did not dare think about what could have happened between Matt and her. If, of course, he’d been who she thought he was. She let out a bitter snort, finally working up the courage to take her suitcase and leave her room.

Brian was sitting on the sofa, looking more like a rock star than Matt ever did. Maybe, Amelie thought, I got to know Matt too well before knowing who he is. To me, he’ll always look like Matt. And that Shadows thing? Just another lie. Suddenly, she was very determined to leave. She achieved enough during that year. She didn’t have to stay for some more months.

That was until she heard an angry scream from behind her. She froze, knowing it was the last person she was prepared to see right now. Matt Sanders, or M Shadows. Whichever one he is.

“Brian you fucking idiot, what the fuck did you tell her?” Matt’s jaw was pressed together so hard Amelie could see the artery in his neck. His fists were clenched. Amelie swallowed, but Brian remained as calm as an ocean. “The truth. And she decided to leave, so let her. It’s best for both of you.”

“Amelie…,” he spoke softly now. His eyes were full of sorrow, and it was obvious he'd cried, too. “Matt,” was all she could reply. All the anger she held was suddenly gone, only to be replaced with sorrow. If he'd stayed that way, he could have made her happy for a while. For a long while. But he is not like this, she thought bitterly.

“A word,” he demanded, “just five minutes with you. Come on, you owe me that. After all…” Amelie swallowed, trembling. After all?
“After all?” she heard herself say, “after making a stupid bet about sleeping with me? Yeah thank you very much, but I’d rather not.” She was furious now.

“That was a fucking lie,” he screamed, smashing his fist on the kitchen table. Suddenly, she was confused.
“It was?” she asked in disbelief, her eyes going between Matt and Brian. She noticed that the latter was shifting uncomfortably in his chair.

“Brian?”
“Yeah,” she heard Matt say, “go tell her Brian. Lie straight to her face one more time, I fucking dare you.” Brian swallowed.
“Alright, I was trying to make you leave,” Brian said with a calm voice.

“There you have it!” Matt hissed, waving his arms in the air.
“But that doesn’t change anything. It’s best for you guys to separate. And now!” Brian defended himself.
“HOW CAN YOU KNOW?” Matt screamed. Brian was still so calm.

“Look, how long did you say you were staying?” he asked her. And then it hit her like a train. Everything she’d been desperately trying to avoid thinking about was suddenly ever so prominent. Her mind felt like a big, empty gym hall someone had thrown ten thousand ping pong balls in. She felt her eyes widen and her heart sink to the bottom.

“There, she understood,” Brian said, standing up and grabbing his car keys from his pocket.

“And Matt, I’m sorry I told you I was gonna make it right because I didn’t plan to. You’re family, and you know she’s not right for you. Someone has to tell you. And Amelie, I’m sorry I lied to you. But you don’t deserve that heartbreak. Believe me, you don’t want to be a mother to those kids when you’re just twenty.” He emphasized that last word. She didn’t know what to say, so she remained silent.

“Anyway,” he said, “If any one of you is smart enough, this will be the last time I see you. So I’m sorry again. I wish you all the best. And it’s nothing personal, I hope you understand.” And with that, he left, leaving Matt and Amelie behind speechless.

“Yeah, I guess…” Matt mumbled as he slumped onto the couch, “If you still wanna leave I can… take you.” He gave her the saddest look.
“I don’t know,” she whispered.

Their eyes locked and for the longest time, none of them dared say anything. Amelie got lost in his beautiful hazel orbs, trying to absorb and memorize every feature of his face. His mole underneath the eye. The three, four freckles he had. The three-day stubble on his face. And then of course, his dimples. They were the first feature she noticed when she saw him, and definitely the most remarkable.

Did she want to leave this behind? The idea of leaving was now so far back in her mind. She knew she couldn’t bear the pain of losing him. After such a short time together, she didn’t know if it was love, but there definitely was something between them, not only this lingering silence.

“Please don’t leave,” he finally rasped, a pleading look on his face. “I won’t,” she heard herself say. And suddenly, she knew she wouldn’t. He crashed his lips on her as if his life was depending on it. It took her some seconds to process what was happening.

She responded immediately, letting out a gasp. He took the chance and slipped his tongue inside her mouth, making her shiver already. As his tongue brushed against hers, she felt a reaction inside her chest she never had before. It was as if a thousand volts of electricity were flowing through her whole body, making her high. They ferociously made out.

Matt lifted her onto his lap, squeezing her ass. She let out a moan as he touched her, softly scratching his back through his t-shirt. The kiss was broken for a brief second so Amelie could pull off his shirt. Suddenly experiencing an irresistible urge to feel as much skin as possible, she took off hers, too. His hands were roaming her body. They were everywhere, and everywhere they touched, her body responded with aching desire.

“Let me take you to bed,” he whispered. His hot breath against the sensitive skin on her neck made her dizzy. She let out a moan as he effortlessly carried her into her room, which now looked cold and inhabited since Amelie packed her things.

He softly placed her onto the bed and immediately climbed onto her. He let her know exactly what she was doing to him as he rubbed his hard-on against her core. A grunt escaped her lips before he kissed her again, even more passionate this time.

His hands found their way to the hem of her pants, pushing them off quickly and taking her panties along. Her lips vibrated as he moaned against them. Roughly, he squeezed her butt. Then his lips moved to her neck, sucking right on her sweet spot. She curled her toes in pleasure. That man was doing things to her she never thought possible, and he didn’t even start yet.

“Alright,” he whispered. His face was suddenly before hers again. He took her wrists and pinned down her hands right next to her face.
“I’m only gonna say this one time,” his voice was raspy and sexy, “so you better listen. I’m gonna give you the best damn orgasm you ever had. But if you move just one bit, I’ll stop. Understood?” A devilish smile formed on his face.

Amelie nodded. Without a warning, he pushed two fingers inside her, making her flinch. Her hands jerked automatically.
“I saw that,” he warned her with a disapproving look, “next time I’ll stop.” He curved his fingers inside of her and roughly moved them in and out, earning loud moans. Amelie could already feel the tingling in the pit of her stomach.

He bit the insides of her thighs, gradually picking up the pace with his fingers. Then, all of a sudden, his mouth was on her clit, sucking hard. His fingers were so fast. “Oh Matt,” she let out, feeling her orgasm approach. His talented tongue then circled her clit and he groaned against her.

Just as she thought she was finally coming, he stopped. His face reappeared in front of her, another one of those evil smiles on it. She inhaled sharply. “How’d you like that?”
“You know you didn’t let me finish,” she retorted, feeling frisky.
“And why do you think that is?” he grinned. “I don’t know. I didn’t move.” Slowly, his mouth moved to her ear. He sent shivers down her spine when he spoke. “Beg for it.”

His fingers rubbed her swollen nub teasingly, just lightly, but enough to make her groan from the pleasure. “Please,” she whimpered.
“Please what?”
“Please make me come.” He quickly disposed of his jeans and rubbed his head against her entrance.

She let out a groan as he pushed his tip just inches inside. “You want me to fuck you?” he asked. “Yeah,” she replied breathless, astonished at the fact that she was completely at his mercy. “Please fuck me,” she added.

Matt rolled them around so Amelie was on top. She felt somewhat nervous not knowing what to do. His hands were roughly holding her hips. At once, he pushed in. It felt even better than she remembered. He didn’t even give her time to adjust to his size. Relentlessly, he moved inside her.

She screamed from the pleasure, biting hard into his shoulder. It was almost too much for her to handle. “You’re so tight,” he hissed. Their moans filled the air. He went even faster and hit her spot with every thrust. Amelie felt her orgasm approach quickly. This time, he didn’t stop.

Groaning his name, she came hard all over his member, tingles forming in the pit of her stomach and quickly spreading into all of her limbs. She felt him release inside her. He pulled out and as they lied next to each other they tried to regain their breaths.

“I needed this,” he whispered, “after…” He didn't need to speak it out.

With that, it was there again. This feeling of uncertainty. This knowledge that they didn’t have a future together. And it sucked.

Notes

Extra long chapter for y'all today, hope you liked it :) What do you think happens after that? Are they meant to be or will they eventually have to face reality?

Comments please :)