Second Heartbeat [Avenged Sevenfold]

Chapter 17

"I want to know what that kiss meant to you, Scarlett. I really do like you."

I looked down at my hands.

"It's just hard for me to explain, y'know?" I looked up at him through my lashes. He continued to look at me, urging me to go on.

"I've just lost my husband-"

"It's been six months Scarlett." Brian somewhat growled.

"Exactly Brian! Six months! Six months that I've been without the person who knew me since I was 13. I'm 23 now Brian. 10 years he has been by my side as my other half. You can't just just expect me to get over that and forget everything in six months. We were married for gods sake." I huffed and flopped back on the chair crossing my arms.

"You're so inconsiderate." I mumbled.

Brian leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees and ran his hands through his hair.

"That's not what I meant, Scarlett. I feel differently about you. I've never felt this way towards any other girl I've met before. I want to be with you, I want to give you sweet little kisses around everyone and let them know that this amazingly strong, beautiful young woman is mine. I'm just worried that you're never going to give me that chance." He whispered the last part and sat back in his chair avoiding my gaze as he looked aimlessly out into the car park.

"Bri-" I sighed and stood up. I made my way over to him and sat on his lap putting an arm around his neck as his arms slid around my waist. His head rested on my chest as I played with the bottom of his hair.

"I don't want you to think that I'm never going to give you a chance. I'm just so afraid of being hurt like that again I guess I'm just trying to protect myself. I feel like I'm betraying Daniel, too. I know he'd want me to move on but it just feels wrong."

"You have nothing to worry about, I'm not going anywhere." He mumbled into my neck, planting a soft kiss there. I squeezed my mouth closed willing the moan I so desperately wanted to let out not to escape my lips. He continued to plant soft kisses willing me to illicit the response he was after.

"Brian stop." I groaned and giggled at the same time. I felt him smile against my neck.

"Why?" His breath tickled my neck.

"Brian, the guys need you in the studio." Val said as she walked out the door. She caught sight of us and a smile spread over her face. I cleared my throat awkwardly as Brian gently pushed me off his lap and stood up. He grabbed my hand in his and led me back into the studio.

"Where are you taking her Brian? You can't hog her all the time." Val rolled her eyes sarcastically.

"I'll bring her back in. Stop worrying so much Brian. We just have some catching up to do." Val interjected when Brian hesitated.

"Fine." He mumbled. He planted a quick kiss on my cheek and made his way back inside. I turned back to Val's smiling face and sat down on the chair opposite her.

"And when were you going to tell me you and Brian were finally a thing?"

"We're not a thing." She rolled her eyes.

"What was that then? Don't tell me it's nothing."

"It isn't anything, Val. He wants it to be something more but I don't know. I've just lost my husband, and they're leaving for tour next week. I just don't think it's the right time." Val shifted in her seat.

"Everyone can see that he's absolutely into you. But I see where you're coming from with the whole tour thing."

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair wincing as a sudden sharp pain shot through my head. Val looked at me concerned.

"You alright, Scar?"

"Yea yea. I'm fine. Just a slight headache." I giggled slightly to mask the pain of another stabbing sensation.

"No you're not. If you were fine your face wouldn't be as white as it would be. Come on. I'm taking you to the hospital." Val helped me up and led me to her car without a single protest from me.

> Matts POV <

"Album sounds fantastic guys. You should all be so proud of the end result." Larry said looking at each one of us smiling. My phone broke the moment and I chucked apologising as Val's face lit up the screen.

"It's Val." I laughed and answered.

"Why are you calling me when you only have to walk-?"

"Matt I'm at the hospital. Scarlett's had a turn." The smirk dropped off my face.

"What do you mean she's had a turn?" My eyes flickered over to Brian and jimmy who both has concerned looks on their faces.

"Is she alright?" I sat up in my chair and put the phone on loudspeaker as Brian's face drained of colour.

"I don't know, Matt. We were talking and all of a sudden she started having these stabbing headaches. Considering the swelling on her brain still I decided to take her straight to the ER but on the way there she started vomiting and shaking like crazy. They've run a few tests but the nurses won't let me see her. She keeps asking for Jimmy or Brian." Brian jumped out of his seat and ran towards the door.

"Brian's on his way." I sighed clicking the phone back so it was off loud speaker.