*ZACKY*

I watched Kyle jog down the street. I couldn’t help but stare at her tight ass as she ran. I shook my head slightly and headed back towards the studio. Jimmy was skipping towards the door and Johnny was laughing and shaking his head. I smiled and walked in.

“Zackky!!! Where the hell have you been!” Brian shouted from his chair.

He was holding his guitar in his lap and was pulling his beanie over his eyes. I laughed and sat down beside him.

“I got some coffee, chill out.” I said. He groaned and played a riff on the guitar.

“We gotta lay this shit down man!” He shouted. I sighed and picked my guitar up and plugged it in.

“Let’s do it then.” I said and we started tracking.

Hours later, we were done for the night. We pulled our lawn chairs outside and sat around smoking and drinking.

“So Zacky, how’d it feel to get laid by a pro last night?” Brian asked me with a smile.

Matt and Johnny chuckled and Jimmy made kissing noises to me. I rolled my eyes and looked away. I could feel a blush creeping across my face. I cleared my throat and rubbed the back of my neck.

“It was great.” I said. Brian gave me a glance and a smirk pulled at his lip.

“Just great? The girl I was with was wild man. Anything I wanted her to do, she did. No questions asked. I bet that chick you were with was a freak.” He said.

I cleared my throat again and drank a big gulp of my beer.

“Yeah, a total freak. She liked to be held down and told what to do.” I lied.

Oh shit, I wonder if they bought it. Brian seemed to. He smirked and slapped me on the back.

“Nice man. You gonna see her again?” He asked. I shrugged.

“I don’t know. That wasn’t really my scene.” I said. Brian rolled him eyes.

“Come on man. If it was that much fun, I say we go back tonight.” He said.

Johnny nodded and they slapped hands. I sighed and shrugged.

“Why not.” I said. They cheered and drank some more beer.

Matt and Jimmy opted to sit this trip out so Brian and Johnny and I went to get ready. I pulled my keys out and opened my door and went inside. Icky was sleeping on the couch. I smiled and went to jump in the shower.

Tonight I pulled on a Harley shirt and jeans and sprayed some Axe on and waited for Johnny, he was driving tonight. On my nightstand, was a picture of Amber and I. I groaned and slammed it down.

“She’s a psycho Zacky. Let her go.” I told myself.

I pulled out my phone and went into the kitchen to wait. My mail was on the table so I started to go through it. Bills, bills, bills, and a letter from the department of corrections?

“Great.” I said as I rolled my eyes and tore open the letter.

“Zacky, I know I’m the last person you want to hear from but I have to try. I realize now that I’m locked up how much I love you. I want you to believe me. I’ve changed so much since I’ve been here. I’m sober for the first time in years and-“

“I don’t care.” I said as crumpled up the letter and tossed it on the floor.

I groaned loudly and slammed my fists on the table. Just when I think I’m rid of Amber, she always finds a way back into my head. Before I could get myself drunk enough to forget her, my phone vibrated with a text from Johnny. They were ready to go. With a deep breath, I left my apartment and went down to meet the guys.

*Kyle*

Since I ran into Zacky, I had to haul ass to Shawna’s to pick Troy up. I was nearly out of breath as I ran up the stairs. I knocked on the door and leaned against the railing and waited for Troy. To my enjoyment, Charlie opened the door.

He took one look at my sweaty body and turned his head in disgust.

“Good morning Charlie.” I said to him with a smile.

He crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes at me.

“Long night?” He asked me. His gaze was like a million knives stabbing me.

I tilted my head and then remembered what I was wearing. I had on short shorts and jogging bra with a tight zip up hoodie over it. I looked like I just got home from work. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“No, I was just out jogging Charlie. Is Troy ready?” I asked him.

He looked me over one last time before disappearing into the house, leaving me on the porch. I shook my head slightly and waited for Troy. When he came out, he was smiling and holding his pajama’s in his hands.

“Morning Kyle.” He said. I smiled and ruffled his hair.

“Morning Bud.” I said. I waved goodbye to Charlie, who just slammed the door in my face, and we walked home.

We had a little over an hour before Troy had to be in school and Shawna only lived about 5 minutes away.

“How was your night?” I asked Troy as we walked. He shrugged.

“Alright, Charlie and Shawna had another fight.” He said.

I pulled my eyebrows together and tilted my head.

“What about?” I asked. Troy sighed and looked down at his feet while we walked.

“You, and your job.” He said quietly.

I closed my eyes and sighed.

“What about me and my job?” I asked through my teeth.

“Charlie said you’re a deviant who needs to repent your sins and pray for forgiveness. Shawna got mad and told him not to talk about you that why, that it’s not your fault and you’re just doing what you have to.” Troy said in a small voice. It was almost like he was embarrassed to tell me this.

This wasn’t the first time I’ve been looked down upon for my ‘job’. A lot of people aren’t comfortable with the fact that I’m a stripper. They think I’m this nasty drug addicted slut who enjoys it. That couldn’t be any farther from the truth.

I stopped walking and bent down to talk to Troy.

“Do you think I’m a bad person Troy?” I asked him. He shook his head.

“No.” He said firmly. I smiled and hugged him.

“Listen, no matter what anyone says, I’m not a bad person okay? I may not have made the best decisions in my life, but that doesn’t make me evil or anything, got it?” I told him.

Troy nodded and I kissed his cheek.

“Come on, let’s get you ready for school.” I said.

To my dismay, my mother was home when I got there. I rolled my eyes and walked with Troy to the porch.

“Okay kiddo, hurry and get ready so we can get out of here.” I whispered to him. Troy nodded and opened the door and ran straight upstairs.

My mom was mixing a drink in the kitchen when I walked in.

“Where the hell have you been?!” She shouted when she caught me sneaking up the stairs.

I sighed and trudged back down.

“I went for a jog and to pick up Troy.” I told her.

She mimicked what I said and took a gulp of her drink. I rolled my eyes and went back upstairs to change. I pulled on some jeans and a t-shirt and sprayed some perfume on and went back down to wait for Troy. Mom was already working on her second drink when I came down. Thankfully, Troy came down quickly so we hurried out to the car.

“Bring me some vodka on your way back!” My mom shouted after me.

I nodded and closed the door. I’ve found that if I supply her with alcohol, she’s a lot easier to deal with. Our drive was filled with heavy rock music. Troy’s favorite band was none other than Avenged Sevenfold. I smiled to myself and turned up the radio. If only he knew I spent a whole hour with Zacky Vengeance last night.

When we pulled up to the school, I could already feel the stares from other parents dropping their kids off. It was a small town and everyone knew what I was one way or another. I sighed and gave Troy a hug.

“See you later kid.” I said to him. He smiled and kissed my cheek.

“See you Kyle. Have a good day.” He told me.

I smiled and watched him run off towards his group of friends. A tear came to my eye as I drove away. For an 8 year old, Troy was a pretty awesome kid.