Valentine's Day

Chapter 16

Maddie kept her mind on her paperwork as she entered expense statement numbers into the computer. It wasn't what she wanted to be doing but at least it kept her mind occupied on one thing.  That is until she heard the voices she had been listening for all morning. 

She took a deep breath as she stood and exited her office, casually making her way to reception. It didn't take her long to find who she was looking for. He was standing there with his band mates making small talk with starry eyed Tess. Maddie didn't blame the girl. Just the sight of all those handsome men made her want to check her posture and reach for her lip gloss. 

Almost as if he sensed her thoughts, Brian turned to see her. He wore a deep chocolate colored t-shirt which matched the color of his eyes and some faded black jeans with combat boots. Only he could pull off such a disheveled look and still be stylish. Maddie smoothed her skirt quickly.

"Hey there Maddie," Zacky said before Brian could open his mouth.

She put on her best smile and moved toward them as the rest turned. "Hey Zacky, guys...it's good to see you all again. What brings you guys into the office today?" She already knew but she didn't know what other conversation to make.

Matt gave her a dimpled smile as he looked from her to Brian. "We're here to talk about the summer festival dates that we have in mind."

"Oh sweet," she said pausing to look at Brian for a second. He had turned his complete attention to something Johnny was telling him. Once again, he didn't know she was alive. "Larry is in with the guys from Disturbed but I'll let him know you guys are here."

"I already buzzed Mr. Jacobson," Tess said happily and eager to please as she stared at Brian with heart eyes. "He said he was on his way out."

"Great, then you guys don't have to wait long," Maddie said realizing her usefulness in the situation had run out. Luckily Larry showed up to greet the guys with Dave Draiman in tow.

"Sorry to keep you guys waiting," Larry said shaking their hands firmly. "I hope Tess and Maddie have been keeping you company."

"Tess and Maddie have been doing all right," Brian announced, his voice rough from his first words of the conversation. Tess' eyes brightened at the mention of her name and Maddie had to keep from rolling her eyes.

"Dave," Larry said gesturing toward her "I don't know if you've met my daughter Madison."

"No I haven't, but geez, Madison, I've heard a lot about you and I must say, you are even better in person." Dave lifted his eyebrow and smiled as he moved toward her. He offered his hand and when she took it, he lifted it and brought it to his lips.

Maddie couldn't help but blush. "It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Draiman. I'm a big fan of your work."

"Oh no," he said still holding her hand. "Dave, please."

"Dave," she repeated smiling back at him as he caressed her hand one more time before letting it go.

"Okay, Draiman," Matt's deep voice cut in "Now that you've creeped the fuck out of her...."

"Maddie isn't creeped out," Dave replied confidently. "She's intrigued by a real man of mystery among the group of pretty boys that surround her." He looked at her for confirmation and she couldn't help but be amused.

"Very true," she said as sincerely as she could and then she looked over the Avenged guys and shrugged.

"Okay, okay," Larry said quickly. "Enough hitting on my daughter. Let's get this meeting started."

"Until later," Dave said in a dramatically low tone that only she could hear and Maddie nodded with a chuckle.

Brian stopped in front of her with a confused look on his face. "What did he say to you?"

"Uh...that he'd talk to me later," she replied as she looked up into his dark eyes.

"And what did you say?" he asked in determined voice.

"Nothing. I was too busy drooling. He's gorgeous," she teased. While Draiman was okay, he was nothing compared to Synyster Gates.

He frowned. "You think he's gorgeous?"

"Well he's doesn't have the runway looks you and the guys have but he's got a certain ruggedness about him."

His eyebrows crashed together and he looked almost angry. "You watch yourself with him. Even though he's married, he goes through women like potato chips."

"And what does it matter to you?" she asked brusquely 

"You're my friend," he replied almost unsure. "I'd hate to see you get hurt."

"Friends?" she blurted incredulous. "You basically just stood there and pretended I didn't exist when I walked in."

He opened his mouth to protest but she was right. "I didn't know what to say. I mean, from what you said Larry didn't know we were hanging out. I was just trying to keep it on the down low."

That made sense but it still irritated her. "Well you had no problem batting those eyelashes at Tess?"

"She's a kid," he retorted "but I guess she is cute." 

"She's a bimbo," Maddie said plainly.

"Tell me how you really feel about her," he replied and looked in the general direction his friends had gone. "Look...just on the off chance that Draiman hits on you again..."

"Off chance?" she said hotly. "What makes you think it's just an off chance?" 

"Calm down, Maddie, I just mean Davey boy prefers party girls."

She knew what he really meant, and a streak of masochism made her push him to say it aloud. "Spit it out. You don't think I'm hot enough for him."   

He frowned. "Stop putting words in my mouth. All I'm saying is that the two of you aren't going to make a love connection." 

"True. But we might make a sex connection." 

 She'd flung the last remnants of caution to the winds, and a long, lean finger came right at her. "You're not having sex with him. I know guys like him and you don't. I'm trusting you about Tess. You need to trust me about Draiman."   

  She wouldn't let him off that easily. "Maybe I'm just looking for a little fun."

"If you need fun," he shot back, "I'll give you fun." 

She was stunned into silence...her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water unsure of what to say.

"Brian!" Matt's voice called from down the hall "Get your ass in here!"

He didn't move as they just stared at each other for a second. He looked surprised, too. Or maybe not. Slowly, deliberately, the corner of his mouth curled, and she realized he was toying with her again,  kissing her on the cheek before walking away.