Hotter Than Fire

4 - Betrayal

After a few more tracks CC left bought drinks out and the guys joined us to sit and take a break. Ashley was standing a few feet in front of me and giving me a look like he wants to sit on the couch next to me. I smiled at him invitingly. Just then someone dropped next to me and draped an arm around my shoulder. "Kaaaaterina," he dragged on my name. It was Andy. "we've been hearing a lot about you. Something about stuff being hotter than fire?" he looked up and winked at Ashley. Ashley threw his head back and laughed. I smiled a bit like an embarrassed little girl.

"looks like someone wants your seat Andy," Juan said his voice dripping with venom. Andy looked at Ashley teasingly.

"actually I was thinking about how this room is over crowded," Ashley said coolly. "need air," he said holding out a hand to me. I took his hand and got of the couch. And he led me out of the garage and into Andy's house. I could have sworn that if I looked back Juan would be looking at us with murderous eyes.

We entered the house and Ash led me up a staircase. "Andy let us stay over until we finish the shows around here," he said, stopping in front of a dark wood door with a black feathered dream catcher hanging on it. "this is my room."

He opened the door and we entered a dark grey painted room with a huge poster of a rock band named 'Stolen Hearts.' the group members included Ash. "I was in that band before I met Andy," he said, seeing me checking out his poster. "cool people."

"then why did u join Andy and people?" I asked.

Ash smiled. "cause baby, some music are hotter than fire." he took a few steps dangerous too close to me. I took a step back.

"you say that a lot." I noticed.

Ash took another step close to me. "what?" he asked.

"hotter than-" I took another step back. The back of my knees knocked on the edge of the bed and I fell back loosing my balance. Ash fell on top of me, strategically placing his hand on either side of my head and his knees bent and kneeling on my sides, imprisoning me in his arms. His lips were just above mine.

"fire..." he completed the phrase for me and and placed his open lips on mine, which were slightly open gaping in shock. His kiss was like fire. While kissing me he slowly shifted our positions and place me on him, holding me tightly. His long guitarist's fingers lazily stroked the length of my arms and slowly all over my back. I used my own fingers to slowly twist his stick straight and silky hair around my fingers.

His fingers came down my back from the back of my neck. In the same fluid movement his hand landed on the waistband of my jeans and begun tugging on it. I froze. I was not ready for this. Not now, after just knowing him for 2 days or less. I untangled my fingers from his hair and wriggled out of his arms. I jumped off the bed and ran out with looking back at Ash. I could send him and apologetic message later explaining that am not ready for that.

When I reached the garage the door I noticed that CC, Jinx and Jake were out in Andy's tiny little garden, bullying a rose plant. I winced as CC hit a rose with his drumsticks making the petals scream and fall down. I wished Andy wouldn't see that. Jinx saw me and screamed out asking me to join them. I waved at them and walked towards the door of the garage.

I stopped at the door as I heard Juan's voice.

"I'm in love with her, Andy" he said.

I leaned on the wall besides the door and stifled a loud gasp. Juan's in love?! And I was his faithful best friend for more than half his lifetime and he chooses Andy Biersack to confess his love to? Knowing that eavesdropping is one of the worst crimes ever and heart to breaking point with jealousy of loosing my best friend position to Andy I leaned into the door to hear the rest.

"-you'll have to win her love, Juan" Andy was just finishing his piece of advice and I missed who the girl was. Mentally cursing myself for not paying better attention I leaned into hear the rest.

"I know Andy" Juan said. "its so hard..." he sighed. He sighs so much these days. "but Kat..."

My heart skipped a beat. What had I to do with this? Is his crush one of those possessive girls who doesn't want boys to speak to female begins?

"Kat has her own life, Juan" Andy said.

"but-"

"she'll be fine."

Suddenly Juan's voice was cruel and hard. "I can't take it."

I chose that moment to walk in. my face was a mask, hiding all my emotions. First running away from Ashley and now Juan's betrayal. Juan on the couch and Andy perched on the coffee table turned to look at me. "Andy I have some work to do, a writing project to complete," I said with a smile. "I guess I'll go home now, thanks for letting me watch you guys practice."

Andy smiled. "yeah, Juan mentioned that you write a lot. You are always welcome here."

"thanks," I said.

Juan got up as well. "I'll give you a lift home. Am out Andy"

"right," Andy replied. Waving his hand. "good luck," he said softly.

I was silent the whole way back and still silent when I got off Juan's bike.

"what's wrong Kat?" he asked.

"nothing," I lied.

Juan snorted. "nothing huh?" he said.

The perks of being best friends. He knows all my moods, emotions and lies as if they were his own.

"its just too much," I said softly.

Juan smiled in his patronizing way. "you have me," he said.

"yeah," I replied. "Ashley..."

"I wont let him hurt you."

I smiled. "He wont. He's just giving me so much to think of." I begun weaving my sorrow of Juan's betrayal around my uncomfortable happening with Ash with so much dexterity that eventually I myself might begin to believe it. Juan nodded as I turned to walk inside the house.

Behind me I hear Juan's bike engine roar to life.

"Kat! One more thing," he called out. I turned to face him. "what's hotter than fire?"

I smiled. "I'm still wondering myself." I called back in reply.