The rest of the day and night with Zack was perfect. We spent most of it in bed, having sex, eating takeout, and just talking. For the first time in years, I felt like I was at home. The next morning, Zack was still sleeping beside me when I woke. The contrast of his dark hair against his white pillowcase was perfect. Everything was so, incredibly perfect.

The following weeks were lonelier than the twenty-four hours I spent with Zack. He was busy, and I was…feeling foolish. Parts of me were insecure and wondered if Zack would return to Gena. Parts of me wondered if that was why Zack was so “busy” and could barely get away to text or call for two weeks. Parts of me wondered if this was karma for how I used Tobias.

At the end of the second week, I wake with an unusual weight behind me. At first, I ignore it, thinking Rachel’s dog had crawled into bed with me until I remember that Rachel doesn’t have a dog. When I turn around, I see the mess of black and purple hair. Zack's mouth is slightly open, his dark lashes are thick against his skin. His shoulders heave with each breath he takes. I brush his hair out of his face, then stroke his arm.

“Mm,” Zack moans into the pillow.

“Hey,” I say quietly. “What are you doing here?”

Zack pulls me slightly closer to him. “Missed…you,” he mumbles without opening his eyes.

“You missed me?” I ask, raising a brow even though he can’t see it.

Zack nods into the pillow. “Rachel let me in. Had a thing in LA last night.”

“A thing?” I ask.

“Radio interview,” he yawns, finally opening his eyes. “Went to the bar but you weren’t there.”

“You could have woken me,” I tell him.

Zack makes a movement that I think is supposed to be a shrug. “I could have but…you looked so damn cute. Plus, you were completely out of it.”

“Oh, so I looked cute with drool running down my face?” I ask, laughing.

“Yes,” he laughs and leans up on his elbows and kisses me.

I kiss him back immediately but before it can get further, I pull away from him. “As much as I would love to continue this, I have to go to work.”

“It’s like ten in the morning,” Zack complains.

“Yeah, it’s inventory day, so I have to go. What do you have planned for the day?”

Zack yawns. “Nothing. I was going to spend the day with you.”

“Well,” I tell him getting out of bed, “I get off work when I'm done with my part of the inventory, around two or so. We can hang out then if you want.”

“Okay,” Zack says, laying back down on the bed. He pulls the blankets up to his chin and then snuggles even deeper into them.

I stand there for a moment, admiring him, tempted to crawl back into bed with him but instead, force myself to leave the room and get ready.

---

The hours tick on slowly because I know Zack is in my bed, waiting for me. Finally, most of the job is done and I'm able to leave. I tug my hair down from its ponytail as I exit the back room, pulling my phone out of my pocket with my free hand to text Zack.

“Sutton,” I hear as I pass the bar.

I look up and come face to face with Tobias. “Oh, Tobias. Hey.”

“I haven’t heard from you since we went out,” he tells me nervously.

I run my hand through my hair. I had been meaning to text or call him with an explanation, but I didn’t know how to let him down. I didn’t know what truth to tell him. Yes, he is an amazing guy, a great kisser, and our date was a great success, but I am in love with Zack. And I would choose a small chance of being happy with Zack than I would a large chance of being happy with anyone else. Zack and I belong together, I know we do.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I’ve just been so busy lately,” I tell him.

He nods. “Well, I was just seeing if you wanted to maybe go out again? I had a great time with you…”

I stare at him for a brief moment, tempted to agree just so I wouldn’t have to decline his offer.
“Tobias,” I start, “you’re a great guy and I had a fantastic time with you…”

“But?” He raises his brow.

“Remember how I told you my past was really complicated? Well, I guess I’m just not looking for anything right now.”

“Oh, oh, yeah. I totally understand. Uh, we can still…be friends, if you want,” he smiles.

I smile too. “I’d love that,” I tell him. “I have to get going, but I’ll, uh, I’ll text you later okay?”
“Yeah, sounds great,” he tells me, and we hug. When we part, we say our goodbyes and I head out of the bar.

Zack is standing at the entrance with a sour look on his face. I smile when we make eye contact but he doesn’t return it. “Hey, what are you doing here?”

“What’s he doing here?” Zack asks as we walk out of the bar.

“Who? Tobias?” I ask him, pulling my jacket from around my waist and onto my arms.

Zack scoffs. “You know who, Sheridan. Yes, Tobias.”

I shake my head. “Wait, are you mad? Zack, Tobias just stopped by because…well, because I hadn’t talked to him since our date.”

“Looked like more from that hug,” Zack tells me.

“Hey, stop,” I tell him. “What is your deal? I went out with him once, Zack. He asked me out again, but we agreed to be just friends. I don’t understand why you’re acting this way.”

“Alright,” Zack groans. “I’m sorry, okay? I’m still getting the hang of this, of us.”

I raise my brow. “Oh, so are we an ‘us’ now?”

Zack stretches his arm around my shoulders. “Of course,” he tells me, pulling me into him and kissing my forehead. “So, what do you want to do? Are you hungry, we can grab lunch somewhere or we can go back to your place and satisfy our cravings there?” He winks at me.

I laugh, and he kisses my cheek. “How about we grab a bite to eat and then we go to Huntington Beach? I have the next two days off so, I’m all yours,” I tell him as we approach his car.

“Hmm,” Zack presses me against it. “I don’t know if I can wait that long.”

I laugh, and Zack kisses my throat and neck. “Come on, I’m starving.”

“Ugh, fine, fine,” he mumbles. “How about that place on Vermont Avenue?”

“Alright, I’ll meet you there, my car is around the corner.”

“Okay,” Zack agrees, and I kiss him. I feel like I will never get used to kissing him again.

---

Zack already has a table when I meet him at the restaurant. He sits there, fiddling with his phone, unaware that I'm there until I'm sitting across from him. He glances up from his phone and smiles, before putting it in his jacket pocket.

“I have a meeting with the label tomorrow morning, but before and after that, I'm all yours,” Zack winks.

An older petite woman walks up to our table. “Hi, my name is Sarah, I’ll be taking care of you two today. What can I start you off with to drink?”

“Just a water, please,” I answer he.

Zack nods. “Same here.” The server nods and promises she’ll be right out with our drinks before walking off.

“So, what’s the meeting about?”

Zack shrugs. “Well, with Bat Country and Beast and the Harlot blowing up like it is, I think they just want us to check in with them and see what we’re going to do next.”

“And what is next for Avenged Sevenfold?” I ask him.

“Another tour, I think,” Zack replies. “With Christmas next week and The New Year right after that, it’s time to get back on the road. Our tour manager and his team have been working on the list of dates and whatnot the last several months. As long as the label approves, we’re announcing it at the end of the week, and it’ll start the first week of January.”

“Wow, everything is moving kind of fast,” I tell him.

Zack nods. “Yeah, but it's our own fault. We should have announced the dates months ago but…well, we were a little busy partying but it’s time for us to start getting back out there. The success we’ve had so far has just been so…incredible, I can’t wait to see what’s next.”

“Here you go,” Sarah says as she sets down our waters. “Are you ready to order?”

We both order burgers with fries. Sarah takes our menus and disappears again. Zack and I continue to chitchat while we wait for our food. Once our food comes, the chitchat slows down, Zack is the first one to break the silence when he’s halfway done with his plate.

“So, do you want to ride to Huntington Beach together or take separate cars?” He asks.

I shrug. “We can ride together as long as you promise to bring me back before my next shift.”

Zack nods, mouth full of food. As he finishes chewing, his phone rings. He digs it out of his pocket and answers it. “Hey, dude.” I return to my burger as Zack listens to whoever called him. After a moment, he agrees to whatever the guy on the other end suggested, and then hangs up. “Matt and Val just invited us to dinner tonight. I said we’d go, is that alright?”

I nod. “Yeah, sounds great. Are the others going to be there?”

“No idea,” he answers. “But probably. Or at least Michelle and Brian.”

“Alright,” I say. “Our first get together with everyone since we’ve gotten back together…you sure you’re ready for that?”

Zack grins. “Of course.”

Notes

Alright guys, sorry for the delay. This story has been sitting in word for nine days completely written, except i couldn't figure out a way to end it without sounding rushed...so, then i just decided to rush it. it's a pretty lame chapter anyway but the next chapter will be better, i promise.

Also, have i mentioned this story will have another sequel? It'll be my first ever 3-part story!

Thanks to overneaththepathofmisery and countzackula6661 for commenting! Hope this answers your questions and satisfies your cravings until next time! <3

Title credit: Just Surrender “What We’ve Become”