Don't Change the Way You Think of Me

**Dani’s POV**

I smiled as I looked down at Lily, she had passed out on the ride over to the hotel. Brian carried her inside for us once we got checked in. She hugged Zacky’s hat tightly to her, as you would imagine a child would hold a teddy bear.

“She’s getting so big,” Roxie stated as she came out of the bathroom and washed her hands.


I stroked my little girl’s hair and nodded, “I can’t believe I have a four year old.”

Roxie walked over to the side of the king sized bed and sat on the opposite side of Lily. “Those boys are obnoxious a bit aren’t they?”

Her question caught me off guard and I looked up at her, “what do you mean?”

She chuckled, “I’m not judging by any means, but they just showed Lily how to start a food fight.”

I couldn’t help but smile, “They did, which is not good, but they’re also some of the sweetest men on the planet.”

Roxie eyed me carefully, “So…Brian?”

I met her eyes and raised an eyebrow, “What about him?”

“You guys just seemed…” She paused searching for the right word, “comfortable.”

“I mean we were about as comfortable as you can be with someone you just met,” I responded inquisitively.

“If you say so,” she shrugged and leaned back against the headboard. “I think I might go get a drink, wanna come? She’ll be out for awhile.”

I looked at my sister incredulously, “I mean, no…if she wakes up and we’re not here she will freak out. You can go though.”

She shrugged again nonchalantly, “She’s in a hotel room with a bathroom, change of clothes, and everything. She knows how to work a phone.”

“Roxie…I said no, I’m not going, but it’s okay if you want to, honestly,” I reiterated my stance.

She raised her hands in defense, “Alright, alright. If you change your mind, you know where I’ll be.”

As the door clicked shut I sighed, very annoyed. Then eyed my phone which I had not touched since we got here. I’m not used to having anyone want to talk to me that wasn’t part of my job, my sister, or my kid. And yet…I felt a jolt of excitement run through me when I saw there was a message from Brian.

I’m sorry about the cake incident, I hope that you can forgive me.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, god I could feel the puppy eyes drowning me from down the hall.
Honestly, I found it kind of funny. Disappointed, but amused at the same time so you’re forgiven.

Not even a moment later:
Thanks, what are you up to?

Just chilling, Roxie tried to get me to go have a drink, but with a sleeping child…

Kinda hard to leave her in the room and go have fun right?

Exactly, but I wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world.

Well…what if I brought you a drink. Would you drink with me?

I suppose that would be alright. If you wanted to do me a favor…

Name it

Should send Matt down to look after Roxie.

Deal. See you in like 5.

I smiled and sighed looking at Lily again. How the fuck did you get to be 4 years old? I thought to myself. There was a knock at the door that jolted me out of my thoughts. It hadn’t been 5 minutes yet so I assumed it was Roxie who might have forgotten her key.

“Rox did you-“ I opened the door to find a young lady looking at me. She looked to be around 5’10” with blondish/brown hair.

“Sorry, I must have the wrong room,” she stated confusedly. “There’s not a guy in there with you is there?” She eyed my tattoo what she thought was subtly.

“No, sorry. Just me and my daughter,” I replied cautiously.

“Okay, sorry I definitely have the wrong room. Have a good night,” she stated and pulled out her phone walking down the hallway.

That was weird. I thought to myself, I closed the door and went back inside making a quick stop by the mirror checking out my make up finding it was starting to come off. I groaned slightly before I picked up face wipes and cleared it all off. I looked like shit without make up in my opinion, but I was too tired to care. It was currently 1230 AM and I was starting to tucker out.


I checked my phone, it had been 15 minutes since Brian texted me. I shrugged, maybe he fell asleep. Shit happens, nothing to stress over. I went and got settled next to Lily and flipped on the TV when there was another knock at the door.

That was weird, I wasn’t sure if it was the strange lady or not so I went and put the chain on the door before cracking it open. Green eyes met mine and I couldn’t help but smile, “Just a sec.”

I opened the door and smiled at Zacky, “Hey, sorry there was a lady knocking on the door earlier looking for someone. I didn’t know if it was her again or not.”

He chuckled, “You know there’s this thing called a peephole right?”

I chuckled and smacked his arm, “Smart ass.”

He flashed me a wide onery smile before handing me some stuff, “Here…we wanted to give it to Lily, but with everything happening with the cake…” he trailed off rubbing the back of his neck.

I smiled and hugged him, “Wanna come in?”

“Yeah sure,” he returned the hug then followed me in the room.

**Brian’s POV**

I felt really bad after I left the girls in the hotel room I knew that the food fight was bad. Especially in front of Lily. She’s not your kid, you shouldn’t care. I shrugged that thought off and picked up my phone.

Hey…I’m sorry for everything with the food fight. I hope you can forgive me.

I sat back against the headboard waiting for a response when the door opened.

“Hey dude,” Matt nodded at me as he carried in his over night bag.

“What did I do wrong to have you as my roommate for the night?” I laughed.

“Zacky was the lucky bastard who didn’t have to bunk up with anyone,” Matt chuckled.

“How was that decided?” I asked him and raised an eyebrow.

“Well, you know how Jimmy loves games?” Matt smiled innocently.

“Oh god, yeah…” I eyed him curiously.

“Zacky outran us in a race around the building. For someone who smokes a lot he’s still in fucking shape from his baseball days.”

I smirked, “Okay so then how did you and I get bunked together?”

“I lost,” he blushed. “Fucking tripped over my feet and even short shit beat me to the finish line.”

I burst out laughing at my friend’s misfortune. “That really sucks, but welcome home for the night. You can have that bed.” I pointed at the second double bed in the room.

“Sweet,” he grinned and flopped down on his bed after he stole the remote from me. BUZZ.

I found it kind of funny. Kinda disappointed, but amused so you are forgiven.

I could tell she was smirking and I thought about her lips…then flashed back into the hallway where I wanted to kiss her so fucking bad. YOU’RE MARRIED. Fuck, I know I’m married…but there’s something about this girl.

Thanks, so what are you doing?

Just chilling, Roxie wanted me to go get a drink in the bar…but I have a sleeping child

Kinda hard to leave her in the room and go have fun yeah?

Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world.

What if I brought the drinking to you?

That would be alright, but I have a favor to ask.

Name it.

“Jesus dude, who the fuck you texting over there?” Matt asked and I looked at him surprised to find him studying me.

“Dani, why?” I replied, I hoped to God that I was coming off as nonchalant.

“You are hardly ever on your phone that much. Even with Michelle,” he stated matter-of-factly.

“And?” I challenged him slightly.

He held his hands up in defense, “Just an observation.”

Send Matt to look after Roxie?

Deal. See you in 5.

“Well, how about I send you on a mission and you use your observational skills for good instead of evil?” I offered.

“I’m listening,” he replied turning back to the TV.

“Roxie is alone at the bar downstairs. Wanna go look after her so Dani doesn’t worry?” I asked innocently.

“I suppose I could do that, but what’s your end game here Gates?” Matt asked as he sat up on the side of the bed.

“What do you mean?”

“Meaning, you’re married. What are you doing?” Matt looked me in the eye, no judgment passed his face just curiosity.

“At the moment, just being friends with a female who’s not my wife. Not looking to get laid, not looking for any side piece. Just wanna get to know this girl,” I answered honestly matching his posture on the side of my own bed.

“Okay, well then make sure you get her information and we will take them on as a group. No sense in getting yourself in trouble.” Matt patted my knee. “I’m gonna go down to the bar. I don’t know if I’ll be back tonight.” He winked and I couldn’t help but chuckle at him.

Matt walked to the door and as soon as he opened it, there was Michelle. “Oh, hey Michelle.”

“Is Brian here?” I heard my wife ask in the doorway before I saw Matt step aside and my worst nightmare walked into the room. “Hey baby! Surprise!”

She came over to me and hugged me. I hugged back out of habit, but eyed Matt with a ‘WTF’ look and he shrugged. “What are you doing here?” I asked her truly surprised.

“I couldn’t wait to see you, so I decided to drive up,” she smiled and sat on the bed. “I figured we could use some couple time, but when I went to the room the front desk had listed for you a girl answered.”

“There must have been a mix up down at the front desk, it’ll all work out,” I shrugged it off. LIAR. Ugh I wish my conscious would just fuck off sometimes.

“Okay,” she shrugged it off and grabbed my hands. “Well…Matt left…what if we take some time to ourselves?”

“I’m actually really tired,” LIES. “What if we just go to bed? I was getting ready to get some sleep when Matt came in.” I saw hurt flash in her eyes but she nodded.

“Okay baby, let’s get some sleep,” I must have looked tired to her. I was thankful for that, last thing I needed was for her to attempt to get pregnant.

**Matt’s POV**

I walked down to the bar curiously, What the fuck is Gates doing…and why of all nights would he invite Michelle here. As I questioned this I saw Roxie sitting at the bar and my mind went blank.

I walked up to her and sat down next to her, “Hey, this seat taken?”

“Yeah,” she replied back with a smirk. “By you.”

I chuckled, “Sounds like your lucky night then.” I winked at her.

She rolled her eyes playfully and took a swig of her drink, “What are you drinking?” The bar tender asked me.

“Uh…just a Budweiser. Thanks.”

“Bottle or Draft?”

“Bottle,” I replied back immediately as Roxie took another sip of her drink.

“Fuck that burns,” she almost moaned. Fuck this girl was sexy as all get out.

“What are you drinking?” I asked her as the barkeep returned with my beer and I handed him my card.

“Jack on the rocks,” she replied as she lightly rested her hands against the cool glass.

“Damn, you drink that shit straight?” I laughed impressed and surprised.

“Why do you sound so surprised Mr. Sanders,” she asked pulling out the last name.

“First off, it’s Matt, second off, not many women can handle Jack straight,” I flashed her my dimples.

“Well…MATT” she emphasized my name. “I can handle a lot of things that normal women can’t.” My dick twitched as I caught her double meaning.

“Really now?” I smirked taking a long drink from my beer.

“Yeah,” she winked at me before taking another drink. “Maybe when you prove to me it’s not your handkerchief I can show you.” Fuck this girl was such a tease.

I bit my tongue refraining from inviting Roxie up to my bed where I could ravish her all night. “How about I buy you dinner sometime and then we’ll see about proving things?” I was nervous as fuck to ask her out, after all Val and I had only been apart for a month.

“Depends, why wait for dinner when we could have dessert tonight?” She smirked at me, her hands gently playing a rhythm on my arm.

Fuck keep it together man. “I don’t want you to think I’m just in it for the sex. So I figured I’d be a gentleman and buy you dinner first,” I shrugged replying honestly.

She flashed me a genuine smile, “Okay, you win Matthew. I’ll let you take me to dinner.”

I could have jumped up and down excitedly like a loser but instead just flashed her my dimples, “Cool. How about tomorrow night?”

“Deal, but tonight I wanna get to know you,” Roxie bargained with me. “No funny business, just don’t want to sleep alone tonight.” I nodded in agreement and allowed her to lead me towards the elevators towards her room fuck this will be interesting.

**Dani’s POV**

Zacky and I sat there laughing and talking, before I knew it 3 hours had passed. It was now almost 4 am and Roxie still hadn’t come to check in before bed. This led me to believe she either A. passed out from exhaustion or B. was having some raunchy hot sex with Matt. Either way as long as she was safe in the morning, that’s what was important.

“Dude, like I gotta admit tonight’s show was one of the best ones we’ve ever had,” Zacky enthused as he leaned back in the arm chair.

I chuckled, laying on the bed stretched out with my head on the pillow facing him. “You guys were really amazing tonight and everything with Lily was just…really great.” I complimented him sincerely.

Zacky smiled over at me, “You’re really easy to talk to, you know that?”

I blushed slightly but met his gaze, “I’ve been told that a few times. You are too.”

He smiled as we sat in comfortable silence for a couple minutes. “Hey,” he rubbed the back of his neck, “Would you be interested in going out to eat with me sometime? Lily could come, we could go someplace fun?”

I smiled at Zacky’s nerves, “Are you asking me out Mr. Baker?”

“Maybe,” he replied searching my eyes.

“Sure, that would be nice,” I met his gaze. “I think Lily would approve too.”

“Well I mean she’s the real one I wanted to hang out with so…” he joked.

I smirked, “May not wanna say that to just anyone Zacky. People might take it the wrong way.”

His eyes went wide in shock, “No, no, no, no, I did not mean it that way.”

I laughed at the look on his face, “Chill Vengeance, I’m just giving you shit. We’d love to go out to dinner or whatever with you.”

He grinned widely, “Good. I should probably get back to my room.”

“Yeah, you probably should,” I said after a moment of telling myself I could not invite him to stay here.

We both got up and walked over to the hotel door. “I’m glad I got to meet you,” Zacky said softly looking in my eyes and gently brushing my hair out of my face.

“Me too,” I smiled up at him. He leaned in and I made myself not shy away. Brian was cute but he had stood me up, I don’t have time for games when I have a 4 year old.

Zacky’s lips captured mine in a passionate, slow, deep kiss. We would have kept kissing for hours, it felt good, he smelled good, and most of all he was a great guy. One Chris would approve of, but he would also approve of Brian. “Mommy?” Fuck. Busted.

Notes

Hey everyone, so sorry for the wait. It's been something resembling craziness these past months. I am back, I'm working a steady job and hopefully there are no more nights that don't include writing.

Be on the look out this weekend for a story that I'm bringing over from my old account called "The One Who Was Taught to Survive" I haven't decided if I'm going to just copy and paste, or if I'm going to leave a link to the old chapters. Have a preference let me know in comments.

Thank-you for your patience and for your loyalty!