Fallen

I found myself nervous, playing with the hem of my shirt while I sat in the car staring at the house. No matter what, I had to go in there to get Carson, so I might as well just get it over with and stay for a while. I actually took the time today to make myself look presentable, showering once again after work. I had on a pair of skinny, ankle jeans and a pink, lacey top. A pair of nude sandals were on my feet, and my hair was actually brushed and down. I even took the time to put on a little bit of foundation, blush lipgloss and mascara. I pulled my sunglasses up and into my hair and took a deep breath, climbing out of my car and heading toward the front door.

I had texted Matt when I was on my way and he told me to just come inside. They were all in the backyard, but he left the door unlocked for me. I walked into the house and could see everyone outside through the sliding glass, back door. I pushed my nerves past me and walked outside, saying hello as I closed the door behind me.

“Hey,” Matt focused on me and walked over to greet me. He was in jeans and a cut-off Megadeath shirt; a backwards hat on his head seemed to be his signature thing. A beer was in his hand as he smiled, “Carson is engulfed in conversation with Zacky. Come meet everyone.”

Matt grabbed my arm and led me over to the table where two other men were sitting, along with Carson, Cash and two other little boys. “Zacky, Johnny, this is Liv,” Matt motioned to me. “She’s Carson’s mom.”

“Hey,” I gave a small wave at the men then looked at Carson. “What? You’re too cool for me now hanging out with rockstars?”

Carson blushed and stayed seated, “Yes.”

I rolled my eyes, at my son and then looked over at the two little boys I didn’t know. “Who are these two cuties?”

“Frankie and Tennesse,” Matt said from beside me. “Frankie is Johnny’s son; Ten is Zacky’s.”

“Liv, are you staying for a while?” Cash asked me, politely with a smile. I couldn’t say no to that face, his dimples creasing into his chubby cheeks.

“Just for a little,” I replied and crouched down to get eye-to-eye with him. “I got a cute video of my bear cub today for you to watch.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket and brought up the video. I handed him my phone and he became engulfed in watching the video of Melody playing on her tire swing. Carson reached for the phone and I grabbed his hand, “Not for you, cool boy.”

“But Momma,” he whined and got up from where he was sitting. He stood up and crossed his arms over his chest, a pout on his face. “I wants to see.”

I shrugged as his bottom lip jutted out even further, “Who’s problem is that? Should’ve said hi to your mother and you’d get to see the video.”

“Harsh words, Momma,” Zacky laughed. “I wouldn’t have taken you as an enforcer.”

I laughed and scooped Carson up in my arms, holding him to my chest, “Someone’s got to keep him in line or else his ego gets out of control.” I heard him huff in my arms, resting his head on my shoulder, “We’re a little dramatic.”

I sat down with Carson on my lap after Cash handed me my phone. I was across from Zacky and Johnny; their boys ran off with Cash to play. Matt was busy cooking chicken and shrimp on the grill. I felt the guys eyes on me and brought my attention away from Carson who was sucking up and looked toward them as three other men walked through the back door. Matt said hello to them as they all grabbed a beer out of the cooler by the grill, then came over to the table.

“You’re not in trouble anymore. Go play with Cash,” I said to Carson with a kiss on his forehead. He immediately jumped off my lap and ran to the other little boys, getting right into the game.

“You must be the notorious Liv,” one of the guys spoke. He had short, spiky black hair and chocolate brown eyes that matched my own, “We didn’t think you’d show. You boys owe me ten bucks each. I’m Brian.”

He extended his hand out and I shook it, but gave him a questionable look, “Notorious?”

The guys all looked to one another then back to me, Johnny gave me a smile, “Our wives are all friends with Val so we’ve heard about you and Carson. She has nothing but nice things to say about both of you, plus Matt had been talking about wanting you to come by.”

“So you made a bet on me?” I asked with an eyebrow raised as they all nodded their heads. “My son is here, obviously I was coming.”

“Oh it wasn’t about if you were coming or not, sweetie. It was about if you really were as attractive as he claimed you to be,” Brian smirked. “But that’s neither here nor there. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, as I’m sure you already are.”

“Oh you know, just slightly,” I retorted, but tried to keep it pleasant. I got up from my spot and walked over to Matt. I leaned against the house and pulled my sunglasses back down over my eyes as he looked at me, “Master chef?”

He smirked, “Something like that. I hope they weren’t being too much of pigs over there.” He cocked his head back toward the table of men, “And by they I mean Brian.”

I laughed, “He was fine. I didn’t get to talk to the other two, though.”

“Matt and Jason,” Matt responded. “Jason is Val’s fiance and one of my good friends. You’ve never met him?”

“Nope,” I responded, popping the P. “It must be nice being close with both of them. I can’t imagine how much easier that is.”

Matt laughed, “It was weird at first when they started dating, but now I’m actually glad they did. He already knew my kids and loved them, so I’m able to still do my music stuff alongside being a dad. Otherwise, I’d be a full-time father and quit the band.”

“Then you’d get a taste of what my life is like,” I smiled at him. “Where’s River?”

“Friends house for the night. Why hang out with dad’s boring friends when you can hang out with your own friends then go to school tired tomorrow?” Matt pulled the food off the grill and set it onto a plate with a smile. “But before you change the conversation, I think it’s inspiring that you took Carson on full-time and still manage to do what you love at work. I don’t know what your background with your ex is, but I think you’re an amazing mother and have raised a good kid.”

“Thank you,” I said quietly while blushing. “I appreciate that.”

“Anytime,” Matt smiled back, his matching dimples to Cash’s sinking into his cheeks.

We ate dinner together and I got to know the members of his band, along with his friends Matt and Jason. They were all actually really nice guys, even if what Brian had said to me earlier made me slightly uncomfortable. I learned all about each of them - Johnny’s son, Frankie, was two and he was married to his childhood best friend, Lacey. Zacky had been re-married before he had Tennessee, who was also three, and is now madly in love with his wife Meaghan. Brian is engaged to Val’s twin-sister, Michelle, and they’ve been engaged for two years and had yet to get married. I was surprised how open all of the guys were about their personal lives with me, seeing as they were pretty much b-list celebrities, but they were like normal human beings.

After dinner everyone grabbed their kids to go home, and said they’re goodbyes. I offered to help Matt clean up, seeing as Carson and Cash were both zonked out on the couch in Matt’s living room. After helping, I sat at the island in the kitchen with him, drinking a beer with a smile on my face.

“I’m really glad you came tonight,” Matt smiled across from me. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier, but you look gorgeous today.” I felt my cheeks become crimson at his compliment and I let out a nervous laugh. He caught on and blushed slightly, “I’m sorry. I hope that wasn’t crossing the line.”

“No,” I said quickly, not wanting him to regret it. “I just wasn’t expecting it, but thank you, and thank you for inviting me. Your friends are nice, and Carson seemed to like them a lot too. He’s real into the music thing, so he thinks it’s cool that you’re in a band.”

“What kind of music?” Matt asked, curiously, while taking a seat next to me.

“Goes crazy when I turn on Pantera. I have a pretty hysterical video of him head banging to Lamb of God in the car, but I don’t know if we’re on that level yet for you to have the privilege of seeing it,” I smirked at him.

“I wouldn’t have taken you for a metal-head,” he smirked. “I’m thoroughly impressed. You’re just full of surprises, Liv.”

It was refreshing talking to him, to say the least. The majority of the time that I was in the presence of an attractive male, I felt like I had to be on my A-Game. With Matt it was different; and maybe it was because he was also a father, or because we weren’t seeing each other like that, but regardless, it was nice.

I finished my beer and set the empty bottle down on the counter, “I have an honest question for you, but you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“Ask away,” he responded with a smile.

I pushed my nerves back again and spoke, “You’re a nice guy who’s successful and has a lot going for him. Your ex-wife is getting re-married, and all of your friends are settled down. You’re not interested in restarting your life with someone?”

He laughed and shrugged, “The million dollar question, huh? I’m content being on my own, to be honest. Val and I had been together since we were kids, so I never really knew what life was like being single until we fell out of love. I have the band and the boys that occupy the majority of my time, and I like it that way. It’s easier. I could ask you the same thing.”

“I haven’t been out of it as long as you,” I gave him a sad smile and licked over my lips. “But I agree, things are much easier on my own. It gets tough sometimes balancing Carson, a time-consuming job and trying to have somewhat of a social life so I don’t go insane, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

“Val told me that we’d get along great when she said I was going to have the boys for two weeks,” Matt said, sheepishly with a quiet laugh. “She knows me well enough for me to see that it was true. It’s nice spending time with someone in the same boat as me. I don’t know the last time I had a conversation with a woman who was single because they all have one thing in mind.”

I rolled my eyes, “Full of ourselves, huh? Mr. Rockstar feels used by the ladies?”

He snickered and pushed me, playfully, “Life isn’t easy being so talented and beautiful, Liv. I’m grateful that the guys are all past that phase of their lives, too. It makes it so much easier to tell groupies to get away from me.”

“So full of yourself,” I laughed and pushed him back. I glanced over at the clock and noticed it was close to 9 PM. I groaned, “I hadn’t realized it was so late. I better get him home and into bed.”

Matt nodded and stood up from the island with me, grabbing my wrist as I took a step away from him, “What if I take the boys out of daycare earlier on Wednesday and we come to the zoo? We can get dinner afterwards.”

I smiled, “Let me see if I can pull some strings with my boss tomorrow and try to get out a little early. Say two-ish?”

“I like that idea,” he smiled and let go of me. I grabbed Carson and headed out the door toward the car while Matt stood on the front porch, “Text me when you get home so I know you made it safely.”

Notes

I know, things are slow between the two of them.
But keep in mind they are both parents & aren't just gonna jump right in fucking like bunnies.
More to come! And some Matt/Liv only time is coming up soon, too.