Protection, Zack Merrick, All Time Low

27

Kimberly

"Alright Rian, you're up. Ready to record?" A tech calls, and he jumps up, going into the drum booth, I grin as he looks so excited.

"Yall should go get coffee while me and Kimberly talk for a little bit." Alex gives Zack and Jack a stern look, making them go.

I felt a knot in my chest, he's mad, and I don't like it when he's mad. They walk out, and Alex looks at me, rage filling his eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me Lisa almost went into labor?" He demands.

"She asked me not to tell you, so I didn't, and how did you find out?" I ask, my voice shaking.

"I check the bills, yanno? And she didn't tell me until I asked. She said you went with her. That you drove her."

"Alex, it wasn't my place to tell you."

"I still don't see why you wouldn't! My wife could have had her baby and I wouldn't have even known about it until it was too late!"

"Alex most babies take a long time till theyre in labor."

"I should have been there!" He yells. "I want to witness her water breaking!"

"Alex can you chill?!" I scream back. Scream to be heard. "She was fine! She asked the doctor if she needed to call you and the doctor said it wasn't a big deal, why are you yelling at me over her wishes?!"

"Because you could have called me before you drove her!"

"To what? And wait for you to get there? It was Braxton Hicks! She was fine, don't you get that! Okay? I'm sorry I didn't call you!"

"No wonder Zack didn't tell you things, he probably saw this coming. He'd side with me because I'm right! You kept things from him and from all of us!" He snaps. "I wouldn't doubt for a second that Denny didn't actually hit you and you lied about that, too. And even if he did, no wonder he would." I hear a loud hit, and Alex groaning, but I don't move, I don't look up.

That's all it took to know I couldn't trust him anymore, that I couldn't tell him things anymore unless it pertained to Lisa.

I didn't even notice that the boys had come back in. I walked out, my head down and tears streaming down my face, angry at Alex for saying that, angry that he blamed me. Angry that he thought I'd lie about being abused.

Did he think I wasn't really tied up in that basement? That I did all of those bruises myself?

I got into my car, and I cried sitting at the steering wheel.

I hear two car doors open, and I see Zack and Jack. Jack had a bruised hand, and Zack pulled me into his arms.

"Baby, he didn't mean that." Zack attempts.

"But he did." I don't further explain, I just nuzzle myself into Zacks shoulder.

Jack leans up and puts his arm around me too. "He's just in a bad mood. I don't know."

"I don't want to be around him." I sob. "I want my dad." My shoulders are racking, "Don't tell Alex where I'm going, even if he doesn't ask, please? I'll be back tomight." It was only noon.

"Alright." Jack kisses the top of my head, "Text me when you get there so I'll know you're safe."

"Okay." I mumble.

Zack brings his lips to mine, and then pulls back, "Listen, what he said about me, ignore that. I wouldn't side with him for saying shit like that. You don't deserve that. Baby." He higs me and I pull back to kiss him again, needing his touch.

"Go now, they need you at the studio." I push him away. "I'll let you guys know when I get there."

Zack

I watch her drive off, and I'm so angry at Alex for this.

"Alex why the fuck would you say something like that?" Jack demands. "You know she wasn't lying about Denny, and why would Zack be able to predict the future? For God sakes nothing would change the fact that he loves her. I don't know why you two were fighting, but that was pushing it too far."

I don't even look at Alex, I just pick up my gutair and start strumming, practicing the song we made.

About an hour later, I get a text.

Kimberly// I'm here babe, don't worry. Moms out shopping for baby things for Lisa and Alex. I'll see you later. <3

Zack// Okay, dear. I love you.

Kimberly// I love you too.

I sigh and continue playing, working away my stress and worry for my girlfriend.