14 Days

6 hours later, every single stringed instrument had been dismantled, cleaned, reassembled and tuned by Evie’s hands. She looked over her work, the 3 road cases were open in front of her and displaying each of the 23 guitars that were taken on this tour. It had been time consuming, but she had managed to rewire each of them and she was now reassured that the failing from last night’s show would not happen again. She was finally starting to rebuild pride in herself and her work, last nights hiccup having taken a huge toll on her.

Satisfied, Evie stood and made her way through the labyrinth of corridors that led to the outside world. She had taken up residence on the stage, the only area big enough for her to spread out and be able to keep things organised as she ripped apart each guitar. Now she was finished, she was rewarding herself with a change of scenery and a cigarette.

The nicotine entered her body as soon as she stepped out of the back door, the smoke filling her needy lungs quickly. She almost moaned, her craving very much getting the better of her over the last 6 hours. She wasn't sure if it was a good reward system as the more she craved, the more she would get pissed off if things went wrong, but none the less, the smoke was her first cigarette in 6 hours, and only the second of the day.

She looked around, taking in her surroundings now she was immediately more relaxed. She noticed people already milling around, unloading trailers, shifting gear and standing around chatting. She took a second to observe, watching the well-oiled machine that was happening around her, every roadie and tech helping loading in the gear. Glancing around, she finally found a familiar face, albeit a slightly cranky familiar face.

Evie walked towards the busses, a smile taking over her features as she got closer. She was eager to talk to someone due to the last 6 hours of solitude, and it was even better that it was someone that would understand what she had just spent so long doing.
“Hey Brian,” she greeted warmly. His eyes rose from the pavement to her face, and she was slightly taken aback by the hostility in his features. “I just finished working on all the guitars and-”

“And what, you want a gold star?” He asked her rhetorically. As Evie struggled to comprehend the severe tone to his words, he inhaled the last of his cigarette quickly before throwing it on the ground and extinguishing the butt. “You did your job, well done. Do you see anyone else hovering about, needing compliments for doing what they are paid to? Take a hint. No one else needs validation for their work because no one else fucked up last night.”

And with that, he turned and headed back into the bus, shouldering Zacky on his way past as the rhythm guitarist was heading out to the fresh air. Evie was speechless, unsure of what had actually just happened, and why it was making her feel so upset and angry. She looked at Zacky, her features clearly displaying shock and confusion to him, and she saw him let out a sigh.

“Don’t let him get to you,” Zacky told her, stopping to light his own cigarette. “He has been pissy all morning.”

“I think that is beyond pissy,” she replied, finally trying to mask the raw emotions on her face. “All I did was say hello and tell him I was working on the guitars, then he exploded like a fucking volcano.”

“Sorry you were the brunt of volcano Gates,” Zacky said to her, lifting a hand and giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “If it makes you feel better, it wasn’t because of you. It could have been the god damned Pope and he still would have cursed him out for wearing a stupid hat, or being too religious.”

“What crawled up his ass and died?” She asked, trying to shake off just how much his attitude had shocked her.

“No idea,” he replied, shrugging.

“Does he get like this that often? How are you guys used to it?” She questioned, needing to know why Zacky wasn't appearing more surprised. To Evie, Brian had been nothing but nice over the last 5 days, so this abrupt attitude change had her confused.

“I wouldn't say it’s often, but I've known him for years. You learn the signs and when to steer clear of him and his moods,” Zacky explained.

“What could possibly make him that angry?” She asked, more rhetorical than actually asking. She looked towards the bus again, this time her brow furrowing with slight worry. “Maybe his ex tried calling again.”

“You know about that?”

“He told me the other day. He said he wanted ‘a woman's opinion’. It seemed to be really fucking him up.”

“It could be that,” Zacky agreed, surprised that Brian would have opened up about anything to do with Abby. It wasn’t a very typical Brian move, and it made Zacky realise that the situation had really gotten that bad.

“It was probably because of last night's show,” she suggested, worry filling her once again. Could he still be upset about that? He seemed fine after the show. Hell, he had even comforted her! Why was he so angry about it almost 24 hours later?

“I doubt it. That was really nothing to flip out about,” Zacky told her, comfortingly. They had all been told about what caused the slight malfunction, and everyone agreed it was not Evie’s fault it had happened. The worry on her face made him arch an eyebrow at her. “You are awfully curious about all this.”

“Well yeah,” Evie started, tilting her head slightly at his tone, “he did just yell at me.”

“Uh huh,” he smirked, his eyebrow still raised as he looked at the woman before him. “I'm sure that's all it was.”

“It is! I don't want him to be mad at me! I hate it when people are mad at me!” She exclaimed.

It was then she realised that she actually was anxious about how the fuck up last night had affected how he saw her. And not only in a professional manner. She had to take a step back before her thoughts could turn any more alarming.

“Are you trying to insinuate something?” She asked him, not appreciating how his eyes seemed so damned expressive, asking her the questions his voice was not.

“Not at all,” Zacky told her, his smirk turning into a full blown smile now Evie was scowling at him.

“You better not be, or no more head scratches for you when we are high,” she told him, taking a second before trying to brush past whatever it was Zacky had concocted in his head.

She was just asking someone about Brian because she was startled at the reaction she had received, there was no other reason. As Zacky had said, he has known Brian for years, so is used to this, and Evie was not. It made sense why she would ask about it, right?

“I heard the word high!” a familiar voice bellowed before Jimmy emerged from the bus, energetic as ever. “Who's holding? Don't leave Uncle Jimmy out!”

With his exuberant entrance, the small amount of tension between Zacky and Evie had disintegrated. While Zacky rolled his eyes at his hyperactive friend, Evie grinned widely, forever amused by Jimmy's unique antics.

“No one is holding, you maniac,” Zacky told him. Jimmy's face fell slightly before he perked himself back up.

“Someone is always holding,” Jimmy said, shaking his head at Zacky. “You just gotta figure out who!”

As abruptly as Jimmy had entered their conversation, he then left. Evie watched the giant retreat towards the roadies bus, no doubt aiming to find out exactly had any form of illicit substance.

“You know, he is probably right,” Evie said casually, her attention still on Jimmy as he attacked Matty from the side. “One of them always has something.”

“It’s probably JB,” Zacky guessed, as he put out his cigarette.

“Undoubtedly,” she agreed with a laugh.

Zacky took the opportunity to study her while her attention was on the antics of his friends. When she had joined the tour, he had obviously noticed her physical appearance, and was not surprised when all the guys exclaimed how attractive she was as soon as she was out of earshot. It had only taken them mere hours to see that she was actually good at her job as well, and that she was more than just something to look at. He had heard the Berry’s talk about her as well, about her sense of humour and her quick wit, and he had seen how quickly she and Matt B had formed a friendship. He thought about the worried look she had while asking him about Brian's intense mood change, and how her questioning was starting to reveal more about her thoughts on his fellow guitarist.

Zacky’s attention was drawn to the door of the bus as Brian stomped his was back out. His eyes immediately locked on to the sight of Evie laughing, and he saw a flurry of emotions pass over Brian's stern features. When he had settled on a look bordering on regret, Zacky grinned, realising that perhaps Evie was not the only one a little more interested than they appeared. He watched as Brian made a conscious effort to put back his pissed off exterior before turning on his heel and walking towards the venue in a huff. Zacky soon followed, determined to have a chat with the lead guitarist before they were due for soundcheck.

Notes

Look, an update!! It is only short, but it is here!

I am sorry it has taken so long. No excuse, just completely ran out of steam for a while. Hoping to write a few more chapters while the creative juices are flowing. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I appreciate you all, and your patience!!
Xoxo
Sas