What If

Perk

Matt paced the studio floor, glancing at himself in the mirror. "How am I supposed to pull this off? I'm fat as fuck....who the hell is going to listen to a lead singer who is fat as fuck?"

Zacky rolled his eyes. "I told you that you needed to start with the chicken, oatmeal and egg whites months ago."

"You look fine," Jimmy said tapping on his drumset. "It's going to be fine...right Bri?"

"Oh yeah...definitely...."Brian tried to be reassuring but wasn't quite pulling it off. He was excited when Larry did give him a call later in the week after seeing him New Years day.  They had a shot to play a few tunes and prove they could still be a rock force to be reckoned with. But could they really do it.

"What are we gonna play first?"Johnny asked as he ran his fingers across his strings quickly.

"Gunslinger," Matt said firmly.

Everyone looked at Brian who smiled and agreed "Gunslinger it is."

After twenty minutes, Brian Sr and Larry walked through the studio door causing nerves to be high.

Larry shook everyone's hand and spoke to them as a group. "It's really great to see you guys. I'm glad you guys have gotten together to do some new stuff. I was sitting in my office thinking about my meeting with Brian the other day...I admit...I almost didn't call...but then I remembered...you guys were the best and you have potential to do it again. So here I am...I'm ready to give you a shot. So give it to me....a couple of your best new tunes and we'll go from there."

They all nodded excitedly but Brian could see the nerves on Matt's face. 

Brian moved to him quickly. "You got this?"

Matt shook his head slightly "Man..it's been years," he said lowly as everyone shuffled to their places. "Why would we ever think...."

Brian looked at him intently "No, Shadows...you've got this..." He nodded for emphasis. "I'm telling you...you have got this. We have got this. Okay."

Matt seemed to catch on to Brian's drift. "Yeah Syn," he said using his old stage name in return "I've got this. We've got this."

Brian nodded again and resumed his spot stage right. He looked at Matt one more time before his fingers started the intro rift.

Matt's voice was shaky to start.

Yeah, you've been alone
I've been gone for far too long
But with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you  

Never let it show
The pain I've grown to know
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you  

By the third verse, the wavering stopped as Brian played behind him.

I reach towards the sky I've said my goodbyes
My heart's always with you now
I won't question why so many have died
My prayers have made it through yeah
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you  

The drums exploded to the next verse and the music became more powerful as the entire band joined in.

Letters keep me warm
Helped me through the storm
But with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you

I reach towards the sky I've said my goodbyes

My heart's always with you now
I won't question why so many have died
My prayers have made it through yeah
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you