Who Are You?
Danger Line
.:.:.
Three days had passed since her date with Matt and she couldn’t get him out of her head. It didn’t help that she was currently watching him and the rest of the band practice inside the garage of Brian Sr.’s home. The boys had been working on some new music and Elise was excited to hear their evolving talents. The adoration on both Lacey and Leana’s faces showed they shared in Elise’s excitement.
“Sucks Gena couldn’t be here.” Elise piped up in between the guys’ set.
Lacey jerked her shoulder, “If she’d rather sleep in than witness this sexiness, it’s her loss.”
“Yup,” Leana nodded, “Though I think something is going on between her and Zacky.” Elise and Lacey perked up their ears at Leana’s hushed voice.
“I haven’t heard anything from Johnny. What’s up?” Lacey asked as she flashed a smile over to her sweating boyfriend.
“From what Jimmy has mentioned, Zee thinks she’s been hiding something.” Leana answered.
Elise felt a bit odd having been part of this circle and wondered if the two women cared if she was hearing this. Instead, she pulled up her phone and began a message to her sister. She quickly hit Send but the Chatty Cathies were still going at it.
“It could be stress, Lee. You know her parents are planning on moving so she’s been helping them around the house a lot.” Lacey got up from her seat and made her way over to Johnny with a water bottle.
“Yeah, maybe…” Leana whispered while looking to the ground.
As much as she had grown to care for each individual, Elise felt she had no place trying to figure out the problems amongst them all. Though she hoped everything between Zacky and Gena were alright, she couldn’t help but notice something had been off with the couple.
“We’re trying to practice here! Somebody get the vertically challenged imp away from that siren.” Brian was scratching his forehead in irritation with his guitar pick. Johnny only flipped off the guitarist as he adjusted Lacey in his lap to continue their make-out session. Elise couldn’t help but chuckle at Brian’s growing impatience as Leana jumped into Jimmy’s lap, kicking a cymbal in the process.
“I’d say it’s break time then.” Matt took an empty seat next to Elise.
“You guys are incredible, I can’t wait to hear all this on a new album.” The redhead smiled as she looked around the garage. “Nice pipes, by the way.”
“I can say the same for you.” Matt leaned in closer to Elise and winked. Elise only rolled her eyes and playfully slapped Matt on the leg. Her smile faltered a smidgen when her eyes fell on a stone-faced Zacky. He was mindlessly plucking away and tuning his guitar not caring about the world around him.
It hurts my heart seeing him so sad. Elise thought. She had to at least talk to him, right? Surely that had to be permitted. “Is Zacky ok today?” The concerned woman asked Matt.
“No clue, pretty lady. He probably just needs to get laid,” Matt stood up, “Bathroom break. Be right back.”
Elise watched Matt enter the house but noticed Zacky get up and head out the garage door into the side yard. Without thinking, she got up and followed him. He had just lit a cigarette then pulled his phone from his back pocket. He scratched a raised brow with his thumb. Elise was nervous he would set his hair on fire but relaxed when he placed the cig back between his lips.
“You guys are amazing. You aren’t even playing a show and you sound better than most people would live.” Elise smiled sweetly as Zack returned the action.
“Thanks, Elli. That means a ton.” Zacky spoke as Elise watched the smoke bounce from his mouth. He was a bit distant. Elise wasn’t sure if she should let him be or pry.
[i]"Be the crowbar.”[/i] Elise sighed at her mind’s betrayal.
“I don’t mean to pry and I know we don’t know each other that well, but, is everything ok with you?” Elise instantly felt insanely small at her question.
Zacky chuckled, “It’s alright, just a little stressed lately. I appreciate your concern, no one else except for Jimmy has really asked me.”
“Anytime, Zack. I know how important it is to have someone to talk to sooo,” Elise trailed off for a second, “So, if you need an ear, I’m here.”
“Thanks, kid,” Zacky brought her into a loose head lock and gently squeezed her head against his shoulder. “Guess break time is over.” Zacky released Elise from his hold and headed inside where he could overhear a platinum blonde woman talking with the others.
.:.:.
“Just go home, Gena!” Zack yelled at the end of the driveway. An upset blonde was glaring daggers at Zacky. That much everyone could see. What they couldn’t see were her bloodshot eyes.
Gena threw her arms up, “Go to hell!” Before she took off for home, Gena glanced towards the gang as her hardened eyes fell on Elise. Her body language indicated she scoffed before quickly walking down the side walk. Elise turned around in Matt’s arms and looked up at him confused. Matt’s face simply told her he was just as baffled. Zack turned on his heels and stalked back up the driveway. The gang quickly looked away and began fiddling with anything to make it seem as if they weren’t watching.
“Sorry you had to see that.” Zacky grumbled before throwing his guitar in its case.
“Pff…Whaaat?,” Jimmy nervously chuckled, “We were just going through a sound check.”
“With a pillow?” Zacky raised his eyebrows at the drummer who currently had a couch cushion pressed to his ear.
“Idiot.” Leana mumbled.
“I’ll see you guys tomorrow. Same time?” Zacky questioned and took off to his car once Brian nodded.
Everyone watched as Zack drove away and waited until he turned off the block before exploding. A confused father cautiously stepped out into his own garage and looked around at the bunch of young adults.
“The hell are you kids doing out here? Nobody got anybody pregnant, right?” Brian’s dad asked to no one in particular.
“Gena went crazy on Zack so he told her to go home.” Brian had his arms crossed still irritated from earlier.
Senior nodded his head, “I expect condom wrappers all over if this turns into an orgy.” He pointed to his eyes with his index and middle finger before pointing individually at each person, his gaze lingering on a hot and heavy Johnny and Lacey.
“God, dad.” Brian groaned into a facepalm.
“Let me tell you kids a story. When I was your age…” Papa Gates spun a chair around and sat before beginning his story time.
Matt nudged Elise before whispering, “Want to sneak out and grab something to eat?”
Elise gave a subtle thumbs up before grabbing her purse and quietly making her way to his car. By the end of Brian Sr.’s story, Brian was left in a state of embarrassment while Jimmy was on the edge of his seat excited to hear more.
“Hey, where’d Matt and Elise go?” Leana questioned.
“I hope they wear a condom.”
“DAD!”
.:.:.
The two had just escaped feeling like Bonnie and Clyde. They were headed back to her place in hopes of a quiet night with crappy Chinese food and a crappier movie. The other night had been interrupted by a sleep walking Jimmy who insisted on walking into the living room, shutting the tv off, then going back to Leana’s room all while in a zombie-like state. He repeated this three times before Matt tackled Jimmy to the ground on his fourth attempt. Elise was a bit relieved by the lanky man’s antics. Matt had been getting handsy while they both lounged on the couch but that wasn’t what bothered Elise. No. It was her flirting back.
“I love Chow Mein but why do they have to add cabbage to it?” Elise began plucking the slimy pieces of cabbage from the noodles and dropping them onto the Styrofoam lid of her box.
“Aren’t you Irish? I thought you leprechauns loved cabbage?” Matt somehow formed a sentence around the orange chicken in his mouth.
Elise raised a single brow and looked over, “Really? That is just so…wrong. One; Yes, I’m Irish. Two; I’m not even that short! And three; not all Irish eat corned beef and cabbage for every meal. I don’t like it because it makes me bloated and farty.”
Matt made a farting noise only to have a piece of cabbage hit and stick to his cheek. Elise sat stunned, her mouth forming into a tiny “o” shape as she waited for Matt’s reaction.
“I’ll get you back, McConnell. Just you wait.” Matt narrowed his eyes while peeling the slimy vegetable from his skin.
They sat without talking, the only sounds were from their chewing and sipping along with the movie playing. Without even realizing it, Elise had dozed off while the credits rolled by. Matt noted the time being close to ten at night. As much as he wanted to stay, he had work at his father’s mechanic shop bright and early. Matt glanced down at the woman currently using his lap as a pillow and couldn’t help but smile tenderly.
He took in every inch of her face; Matt adored the profile of her button nose and the light freckles that spotted over it and her cheeks. Her red hair was pushed from her brow exposing her thick black lashes. She looked beyond peaceful. Matt didn’t have the heart to wake her so decided to scoop her up from the couch and make his way to her room. He gently laid Elise on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Matt smiled one last time before stroking the hair on her temple and placing a soft kiss where his hand had just been. Everything was locked up as Matt made his way outside where he brought up Brian’s name on his phone.
[b]I think I got it bad.[/b]
[b]Send[/b]
[i]If there’s a danger line, I’m crossing it.[/i] Thought Matt.
Three days had passed since her date with Matt and she couldn’t get him out of her head. It didn’t help that she was currently watching him and the rest of the band practice inside the garage of Brian Sr.’s home. The boys had been working on some new music and Elise was excited to hear their evolving talents. The adoration on both Lacey and Leana’s faces showed they shared in Elise’s excitement.
“Sucks Gena couldn’t be here.” Elise piped up in between the guys’ set.
Lacey jerked her shoulder, “If she’d rather sleep in than witness this sexiness, it’s her loss.”
“Yup,” Leana nodded, “Though I think something is going on between her and Zacky.” Elise and Lacey perked up their ears at Leana’s hushed voice.
“I haven’t heard anything from Johnny. What’s up?” Lacey asked as she flashed a smile over to her sweating boyfriend.
“From what Jimmy has mentioned, Zee thinks she’s been hiding something.” Leana answered.
Elise felt a bit odd having been part of this circle and wondered if the two women cared if she was hearing this. Instead, she pulled up her phone and began a message to her sister. She quickly hit Send but the Chatty Cathies were still going at it.
“It could be stress, Lee. You know her parents are planning on moving so she’s been helping them around the house a lot.” Lacey got up from her seat and made her way over to Johnny with a water bottle.
“Yeah, maybe…” Leana whispered while looking to the ground.
As much as she had grown to care for each individual, Elise felt she had no place trying to figure out the problems amongst them all. Though she hoped everything between Zacky and Gena were alright, she couldn’t help but notice something had been off with the couple.
“We’re trying to practice here! Somebody get the vertically challenged imp away from that siren.” Brian was scratching his forehead in irritation with his guitar pick. Johnny only flipped off the guitarist as he adjusted Lacey in his lap to continue their make-out session. Elise couldn’t help but chuckle at Brian’s growing impatience as Leana jumped into Jimmy’s lap, kicking a cymbal in the process.
“I’d say it’s break time then.” Matt took an empty seat next to Elise.
“You guys are incredible, I can’t wait to hear all this on a new album.” The redhead smiled as she looked around the garage. “Nice pipes, by the way.”
“I can say the same for you.” Matt leaned in closer to Elise and winked. Elise only rolled her eyes and playfully slapped Matt on the leg. Her smile faltered a smidgen when her eyes fell on a stone-faced Zacky. He was mindlessly plucking away and tuning his guitar not caring about the world around him.
It hurts my heart seeing him so sad. Elise thought. She had to at least talk to him, right? Surely that had to be permitted. “Is Zacky ok today?” The concerned woman asked Matt.
“No clue, pretty lady. He probably just needs to get laid,” Matt stood up, “Bathroom break. Be right back.”
Elise watched Matt enter the house but noticed Zacky get up and head out the garage door into the side yard. Without thinking, she got up and followed him. He had just lit a cigarette then pulled his phone from his back pocket. He scratched a raised brow with his thumb. Elise was nervous he would set his hair on fire but relaxed when he placed the cig back between his lips.
“You guys are amazing. You aren’t even playing a show and you sound better than most people would live.” Elise smiled sweetly as Zack returned the action.
“Thanks, Elli. That means a ton.” Zacky spoke as Elise watched the smoke bounce from his mouth. He was a bit distant. Elise wasn’t sure if she should let him be or pry.
[i]"Be the crowbar.”[/i] Elise sighed at her mind’s betrayal.
“I don’t mean to pry and I know we don’t know each other that well, but, is everything ok with you?” Elise instantly felt insanely small at her question.
Zacky chuckled, “It’s alright, just a little stressed lately. I appreciate your concern, no one else except for Jimmy has really asked me.”
“Anytime, Zack. I know how important it is to have someone to talk to sooo,” Elise trailed off for a second, “So, if you need an ear, I’m here.”
“Thanks, kid,” Zacky brought her into a loose head lock and gently squeezed her head against his shoulder. “Guess break time is over.” Zacky released Elise from his hold and headed inside where he could overhear a platinum blonde woman talking with the others.
.:.:.
“Just go home, Gena!” Zack yelled at the end of the driveway. An upset blonde was glaring daggers at Zacky. That much everyone could see. What they couldn’t see were her bloodshot eyes.
Gena threw her arms up, “Go to hell!” Before she took off for home, Gena glanced towards the gang as her hardened eyes fell on Elise. Her body language indicated she scoffed before quickly walking down the side walk. Elise turned around in Matt’s arms and looked up at him confused. Matt’s face simply told her he was just as baffled. Zack turned on his heels and stalked back up the driveway. The gang quickly looked away and began fiddling with anything to make it seem as if they weren’t watching.
“Sorry you had to see that.” Zacky grumbled before throwing his guitar in its case.
“Pff…Whaaat?,” Jimmy nervously chuckled, “We were just going through a sound check.”
“With a pillow?” Zacky raised his eyebrows at the drummer who currently had a couch cushion pressed to his ear.
“Idiot.” Leana mumbled.
“I’ll see you guys tomorrow. Same time?” Zacky questioned and took off to his car once Brian nodded.
Everyone watched as Zack drove away and waited until he turned off the block before exploding. A confused father cautiously stepped out into his own garage and looked around at the bunch of young adults.
“The hell are you kids doing out here? Nobody got anybody pregnant, right?” Brian’s dad asked to no one in particular.
“Gena went crazy on Zack so he told her to go home.” Brian had his arms crossed still irritated from earlier.
Senior nodded his head, “I expect condom wrappers all over if this turns into an orgy.” He pointed to his eyes with his index and middle finger before pointing individually at each person, his gaze lingering on a hot and heavy Johnny and Lacey.
“God, dad.” Brian groaned into a facepalm.
“Let me tell you kids a story. When I was your age…” Papa Gates spun a chair around and sat before beginning his story time.
Matt nudged Elise before whispering, “Want to sneak out and grab something to eat?”
Elise gave a subtle thumbs up before grabbing her purse and quietly making her way to his car. By the end of Brian Sr.’s story, Brian was left in a state of embarrassment while Jimmy was on the edge of his seat excited to hear more.
“Hey, where’d Matt and Elise go?” Leana questioned.
“I hope they wear a condom.”
“DAD!”
.:.:.
The two had just escaped feeling like Bonnie and Clyde. They were headed back to her place in hopes of a quiet night with crappy Chinese food and a crappier movie. The other night had been interrupted by a sleep walking Jimmy who insisted on walking into the living room, shutting the tv off, then going back to Leana’s room all while in a zombie-like state. He repeated this three times before Matt tackled Jimmy to the ground on his fourth attempt. Elise was a bit relieved by the lanky man’s antics. Matt had been getting handsy while they both lounged on the couch but that wasn’t what bothered Elise. No. It was her flirting back.
“I love Chow Mein but why do they have to add cabbage to it?” Elise began plucking the slimy pieces of cabbage from the noodles and dropping them onto the Styrofoam lid of her box.
“Aren’t you Irish? I thought you leprechauns loved cabbage?” Matt somehow formed a sentence around the orange chicken in his mouth.
Elise raised a single brow and looked over, “Really? That is just so…wrong. One; Yes, I’m Irish. Two; I’m not even that short! And three; not all Irish eat corned beef and cabbage for every meal. I don’t like it because it makes me bloated and farty.”
Matt made a farting noise only to have a piece of cabbage hit and stick to his cheek. Elise sat stunned, her mouth forming into a tiny “o” shape as she waited for Matt’s reaction.
“I’ll get you back, McConnell. Just you wait.” Matt narrowed his eyes while peeling the slimy vegetable from his skin.
They sat without talking, the only sounds were from their chewing and sipping along with the movie playing. Without even realizing it, Elise had dozed off while the credits rolled by. Matt noted the time being close to ten at night. As much as he wanted to stay, he had work at his father’s mechanic shop bright and early. Matt glanced down at the woman currently using his lap as a pillow and couldn’t help but smile tenderly.
He took in every inch of her face; Matt adored the profile of her button nose and the light freckles that spotted over it and her cheeks. Her red hair was pushed from her brow exposing her thick black lashes. She looked beyond peaceful. Matt didn’t have the heart to wake her so decided to scoop her up from the couch and make his way to her room. He gently laid Elise on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Matt smiled one last time before stroking the hair on her temple and placing a soft kiss where his hand had just been. Everything was locked up as Matt made his way outside where he brought up Brian’s name on his phone.
[b]I think I got it bad.[/b]
[b]Send[/b]
[i]If there’s a danger line, I’m crossing it.[/i] Thought Matt.
Notes
Thank you to all you lovelies that have stuck with me so far. This one is a bit of a filler and I'm debating on making this story longer by adding more fillers or just getting to the point of things. All comments and critiques are appreciated!
Well damn! ;) glad you’re back!
6/2/19