Brian

I couldn’t get her off of my mind, even as Michelle yapped away about random shit that I knew I should be listening to since she’d yell at me for not paying attention. But the way her hips felt against mine was much better to think about.

Olivia Sanders had crossed my mind more than once, sure, but I never let myself indulge in dirty thoughts too often. She was my friend’s sister, after all, and I just didn’t want to go there. Part of me was turned on by the forbidden aspect of it all, but the more realistic side of me put that aside, knowing that nothing would ever come of it. She was gorgeous and I wouldn’t deny myself the pleasure of noticing that, but that was all it ever was. She’d flirt with me on occasion, albeit badly, and though I liked to flirt back, I never did it when Matt was around. He could have a temper at times and I didn’t want to see how he would react to that.

But, damn she was sexy tonight. She never wore much makeup and her hair was was wild and wavy, but I loved that about her. She didn’t need to doll herself up, she was just beautiful on her own. And tonight, in her simple shorts and tank top, she looked amazing. I couldn’t help but stare at her as she swung her hips around, her tight ass moving back and forth. It was a side of her that I wasn’t sure to seeing and it had be awestruck. Who knew shy little Livy could be so damn sexy?

I didn’t even realize it when I was walking over to her, it was like I was being pulled by some unknown force. And flirting with her, dancing with her, taking her in... wow. I couldn’t get it off of my mind. I’d never been so consumed with a memory like this before.

Michelle was still yammering about something, and she was finally starting to notice that I didn’t really care. “What is up with you tonight? You’re being weird.”

Maybe I was, though I didn’t really feel like I was being different than usual. Distracted, maybe, but not weird. “I’m fine, Michelle.”

“I don’t know…” she started, “First you’re dancing with Olivia, who you usually never give the time of day, and now you’re ignoring me.”

“Sorry,” I said, not really caring to defend myself. I lit up another cigarette and offered her one to shut her up.

We were almost back now from our beer run, and though it was a little awkward carrying the beer and my cigarette at the same time, I was glad for the smoke to calm my nerves. Maybe I was being a little weird; I didn’t know why I felt shaken up suddenly. What was this girl doing to me?

When we got back to the party, we dropped off the beers in the coolers, and I instantly walked away from Michelle, refusing to deal with her for the rest of the night. I knew this pissed her off, but I didn’t care. Her intentions were probably for us to hook up tonight, but I wasn’t in the mood for her at the moment.

I found Jimmy and Johnny talking with some random strangers, and they looked very confused by their antics, making me smile. My interruption allowed them to escape from the conversation.

“Synyster fucking Gates,” Jimmy said, slurring his words. He was hammered. “Olivia fucking Sanders.”

I laughed. So he had noticed, too. “What about it?” I said, trying to remain cool.

“You were having fun, eh?” he said, nudging my arm. I laughed, shrugging. “But alas, it seems twas to no avail!”

I gave him a confused look and he pointed out towards the balcony. There I saw her and Zacky together, his arms around her. And then they were kissing, and she wasn’t pushing back at all. What the fuck?

“Uh…” I didn’t really know what to say. Wasn’t she into me? Or was she just drunk?

“Zacky’s been trying to tap that for years now,” Johnny said with a laugh, probably too loud.

“Really? I had no idea.” I really didn’t. I wasn’t sure if that was true or if it was just Johnny being, well, Johnny.

“Oh, to be star-crossed lovers!” Jimmy exclaimed, raising his drink in the air and spilling half of it on Johnny.

“Jesus, Rev,” Johnny said, walking away to clean up his leather jacket.

I was trying to play it cool as I looked at Zack and Liv on the balcony kissing, but it really pissed me off. She was just with me, and she was obviously into me. She’d been flirting with me for years, and the way she pulled me into her to dance. What was that all about if she was just going to go make out with one of my best friends?

As the rage started to boil, she pulled away from him, somewhat suddenly. I was intrigued. She put up her hands and walked away from him, leaving him stranded like a fool. I felt bad for my friend, then, as he stood there alone. If it was true what Johnny said, then he was probably crushed. But Olivia, when she came back into the party, looking flushed, had a look of pure confusion on her face and looked totally overwhelmed. She walked through the crowd and around the dance floor towards her brother. She didn’t talk to him long before she started towards the door, looking upset.

I didn’t want her to leave. I wanted to touch her again, to dance with her again. I followed her, calling after her, but she didn’t hear me and walked out the door.

-0-

Olivia

What. Just. Happened.

I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was glad that I escaped the party and the chaos of the evening, but as I walked home, I kind of regretted leaving alone. I was still a little tipsy, but most of my buzz had left me, especially after that kiss.

That kiss.

Never in a million years would I have expected Zacky to kiss me. I never thought he saw me in that way. Honestly, I thought he saw me more as a sister than anything else. Maybe I just assumed that because we hung out with my brother most of the time, but apparently I was blind. Was it something he had wanted for awhile, or just something fueled by jealous when seeing Brian and I dancing?

Brian. The thought of him was still plaguing my mind. Thinking of him dancing with me, feeling him getting excited as I swayed my hips against him, still turned me on like crazy. I wanted to just go back to the moment and revel it in a little longer, but of course I couldn’t. Nothing could be simple.

It’s not that I was mad at Zack for kissing him. I mean, it was a good kiss, honestly. It was sweet and gentle. I could tell he didn’t want to hurt me or force me into anything I wasn’t ready for, which made me feel like this was more than just something done in jealousy. I touched my fingers to my lips as I thought about it, almost smiling. I was just so confused by it all. Part of my didn’t want to like the kiss. As long as I could remember, all I ever wanted was to be with Brian. But this kiss with Zack, that really nice kiss….

“Olivia!” someone shouted from behind me. I was almost a block away from the apartment now, and as I turned, I saw him running towards me.

“Brian?”

-0-

Zacky

I didn’t really know what to do now. I felt like an idiot standing there, and I’m sure people saw us kissing and her walking away. I guess I needed to face the music now; standing there looking at where she was made me look even dumber.

I walked back into the chaos of the party and was happy to see that no one was paying attention to me. I felt like I should try and find her and explain myself, but at the same time, I wanted to crawl in a hole and never look at her again. So, instead, I found Matt, and Val, figuring I could just avoid the issue all together.

“Zacky, what just happened?” Val said when I walked up to them.

“What do you mean?” I asked, not knowing if she saw happened outside.

“Liv just took off from the party. She wouldn’t let me walk her home. I just saw you guys together on the porch but I didn’t know why she just left.” Matt said. So I’m assuming that meant he didn’t see us kissing. If he had he probably would’ve punched me by now anyways. I should’ve avoided him too.

“Uh, she might be mad at me, but I don’t want to talk about it,” I said. I couldn’t even face them. She left the party all together because of me? Jesus, I was an idiot for thinking this would work. Was she really that hung up on Gates that she couldn’t even give me the time of day, or was she just drunk and overwhelmed? She probably shouldn’t wander off alone, and I’m surprised Matt let her, honestly. I probably should go after her…

Michelle walked up to us then, a mad look on her face. “Brian just took off,” she said, “Chasing after Olivia like some puppy. What’s going on with them?”

Now I was screwed. There was no way in hell I could go after now. I didn’t want to think about what I would even try and say. “Hey, Gates, fuck the back off so I can make Olivia extremely uncomfortable again!” Uh, no.

“I have no idea,” Val said, giving me a look. I think she was catching on to what was happening. I’m not sure what all she saw when she noticed us on the balcony.

“Well, that’s good,” Matt said. “Now I don’t have to worry about her walking alone. I was thinking about going after her myself.”

“Aw, such a great big bro. Maybe you should still and tell Bri to come back,” Michelle said.

“Nah. He’ll walk her home.” Matt was oblivious.

“Zack, are you sure you’re OK?” Val asked me.

“I’ll live.” I guess it was true. I had no idea what would happen but there was nothing I could do, was there? But my God if Syn hurt her I would kick his ass.

This sucked. What if he did hurt her, pissing me off, and then what? What would happen between Syn and I, and our band? Could I really mess with all of that, or should I just be the better man and let it go for the sake of the band and my career? It was hard to think of all of that when all I wanted to do was chase after Olivia again, but what would that even solve? It’s not like I could force her into loving me; that was sick. All I could do was wait, I guess, and freak the fuck out over what the hell is going on with her and Gates.

Notes

A little shorter of a chapter, but I couldn't wait to update :)

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