Not Everything Is What It Seems (Book I)

It's been a while since everything has felt this right..

“Oh come on, dad! What did I tell you about the jokes? It’s not funny..” Brian said, frustrated as his dad started laughing. My shoulders fell in relief. Now I knew from where Brian’s funny side came from - his dad.

“I’m sorry but I loved your face even more than hers.” His dad managed to say trough laughs.

“Well, I didn’t like it.. you wanna scare Annie and take her away from me, making her think that our family is full of crazy people?”

Brian was really upset but he was just overreacting. I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave it a small squeeze. “Calm down.. it was just a joke. I thought it was funny, despite the fact that I got scared at the beginning.” I chuckled and his dad smiled at me.

“See? Relax son. She’s not going anywhere.” Brian sighed and looked at me.

“Dare to go in?” He asked and I shook my head, laughing.

“You’re so dramatic.. let’s go..” His dad smiled and moved away a little so we could step inside. As we entered we started hearing familiar voices, and when we got to the living room we understood why. There they were, the rest of the members of Avenged Sevenfold, smiling their goofy smiles at us.

“What’s up, Gates?” Johnny greeted, raising the beer he was holding in the air. A chuckle left my lips as I took in the situation, but Brian seemed to be pretty pissed about it.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” He shouted, making everyone frown at the harsh tone of his voice.

“Watch your mouth, Brian.” One brown-haired woman in her late forties said, as she stopped next to us. He looked at her, regret immediately reaching his face.

“Sorry, Suzy. But really.. why are they here?”

“I thought it would be nice to invite the guys..” His dad answered.

“But this was supposed to be a small thing, just you two, McKenna and us.” Brian countered. “I wanted you to meet her and with this bunch of idiots here it’s gonna be impossible.” He went on, not taking his eyes off of the guys, who were happily talking and laughing by the couches.

“It’s okay Bri..” I said, putting a hand on his forearm. He was way too tense, unnecessarily.

“This was not what I expected but that’s fine.. I don’t care anymore.” He pouted, folding his tattooed arms to his chest, almost stealing another chuckle from me. He was adorable when he stuck his bottom lip out like that.

“Oh calm down. You father thought it would be easier for you and for her this way.” The woman talked again. At this time his dad was already on the couch, laughing with the guys. He looked such a kid, just like Brian sometimes.

“I know.. I was just not counting with… them.” He said, nodding in the guy’s direction.

“It’ll still be great.” I assured, reaching for his hand and intertwining our fingers. He smiled a little and kissed my temple softly.

“Well.. so let me introduce you, Suzy, my dad’s wife.”

“Hey,” I said. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Annie.” She approached me and gave me a quick hug. I let go of Brian’s hand just for a moment to hug Suzy back.

“Dad!” Brian called and his dad looked at us. “Come here.” He stood up from the couch and walked towards us.

“You still didn’t introduce yourself.”

“Oh right. I’m sorry, I’m Brian.” He leaned to me so he could give me a hug.