This Means War

Making the Call

Zacky paced back and forth outside the bus, cell phone in hand and Marley’s number visible. All he had to do was press the call button. He wasn’t very comfortable with the stupid bet that he’d made with Brian. Arin was completely right. Girls weren’t prizes but god damnit, he didn’t want to lose to Brian.

No, this was a bad idea. He couldn’t do it. It wasn’t good karma. A bet isn’t a good way to start off a relationship. He’d seen more than his fair share of bad relationships. Gena had been gorgeous but a nightmare of epic proportions. One he was still trying to shake.

Maybe..maybe that meant he was destined for something good. And maybe Marley could be that. She was smart..hell the fact that she was a doctor proved that. She was undeniably beautiful. Brian wouldn’t be after her if she wasn’t. So maybe..just maybe….

Nah how can I compete with him? If I was a girl, I’d want to date the lead guitarist, not the damn rhythm guy.

“FUCK,” he said loudly.

Fuck it, he was going to call her.  He hit the call button quickly and it began to ring. She didn’t pick up immediately. What if she was one of those people who didn’t pick up the phone if she didn’t recognize the number? Then he'd have to leave a message and hope like hell she'd call him back before she saw Brian in person.

After about the 5th ring, a sleepy voice answered “Hello?”

Zacky closed his eyes remembering it was almost 3 in the morning.

“Hello?” she said again “Is anyone there? I think your phone is breaking up. I can’t hear anything.”

Finally he found his voice “Hey Marley, it’s Zacky. I’m sorry to wake you up. I didn’t check the time before I called.”

“Oh wow Zacky,” her voice sounded more alert “It’s okay. I’m an ER doctor, I’m used to no sleep. What are you doing?”

He laughed “Actually we just finished our show in Anaheim.”

“Was it a good one?” she asked

“I like to think so,” he replied and she chuckled.

“I'm sure it was awesome," she said “how is Brian doing? Is he miserable and cursing my name?”

Zacky frowned at the mention of Brian’s name.  Brian's wasn't cursing her name. He was making plans to get into her pants. If she only knew. “He’s doing good. He’s basking in the sympathy the splint gives him with the ladies.”

She laughed again “I knew he would. He should be in for his cast tomorrow afternoon, right?”

Was it Zacky’s imagination or did she sound hopeful. “Uh yeah, I think so. We’re on our way back home for a few days before we close out the tour in Long Beach.”

“Sounds exhausting,” she yawned.

“It’s a rough job,” he joked and then his words dried up.

“Well I guess I better get back to sleep,” she said after a full minute of silence,  “I have an early shift tomorrow.”

“Oh yeah, that’s cool. I’m sorry again for calling so late,” he said stupidly.

“Don’t apologize, it was awesome that you called at all,” she gushed a bit. “Will you be with Brian tomorrow?”

Damn him for agreeing to let Jason Berry travel with Brian to LA as part of the bet. “Um no, actually I have some things to do so I won’t make it.”

“Oh that’s too bad. I was hoping..,” she said yawning again.

“That’s actually why I’m calling,” Zacky interrupted “I was hoping maybe you might be able to have dinner sometime this week.”

“Really?” she asked

“Uh yeah, I mean if you’re free.”

“I’d like that," she sounded sincere and Zacky was relieved " My next evening off is Thursday. Does that work for you?” 

“Definitely,” Zacky smiled to himself. “I’ll drive into LA and pick you up about 7.”

“That sounds great,” she said “I’ll text you my address.”

“Sounds good,” he said happily. “I can’t wait.”

“Me too, Zacky, me too,” she said.