Like Tattoos on This Town

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zacky laughed at her, "sleep is hard to come by lately." He informed her, since he did just travel across the country. He knew that he was lucky to have slept last night, since his body was set on a different time zone.

---

Laney got up to throw her trash away and wash her bowl. After rinsing her bowl and putting it in the dishwasher, she grabbed her phone off the counter. 'Maybe I would.' She text back, nibbling on her lip. She knew she wasn't comfortable with face to face, but here she could let her hair down and not fret about doing something wrong or having a guy push things on to her too soon.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
"Ah, well see I usually knock out after four or five glasses," Hayden said, raising her half-empty glass of whiskey into the air. She swirled the amber liquid around before she tipped her head back and swallowed nearly all that was left, barely feeling a burn at all. Her head was starting to swim a little and she knew she was starting to get buzzed. She moved even closer to Zacky, leaning her head over on his shoulder. "Remember how we used to spend all night in that old treehouse in my back yard, trying to stay up as late as we could?" she laughed. "We never lasted that long, if I remember right."

---

Maybe you'll let me take you to dinner sometime, then. Matt replied, carrying his phone into his kitchen. Now that he had some actual food, he could have something besides a sandwich for lunch. He hoped Laney would take him up on his offer. Maybe not for tonight, since they both had work in the morning, but the weekend was definitely a possibility. He'd be a complete gentleman, to show her that he wanted more from her than to get her into his bed.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zacky chuckled before placing his arm over her shoulder, pulling her into an embrace. He didn't care if it was a rational idea or not. He really like the closeness. And it had been a while since he'd had a girl in his arms. "Yeah," he chuckled out. "You remember the night your mom caught us up there?" He questioned, remember how he'd finally got the balls to kiss her. Her mom had decided to bring them a snack. It was a piece of mind for the older woman, but she had scared Zack shit less. She threatened with with everything they good lord gave him. And he didn't want to ruin their friendship so it never happened again or them speaking about it.

---

Laney got Matt's text as her dad walked into the front door. Quickly pocketing the phone she smiled looking over at the man. "Hey." She greeted, he nodded. She could tell even though it was well afternoon that he was still hung over. He exited the living room by climbing the stairs out of her sight. Sighing she pulled the phone back out, rereading the text. She knew he was asking her out, but he'd done it so unofficially that it made her wander if she should chance it. They'd seemed to be getting along, but she didn't want to get hurt. He was almost ten years older than her, and from the way he looked you could tell he wasn't innocent at all. He'd been around the block a time or two. 'Maybe if your lucky XD' She text back, she didn't want to tell him no and ruin any later chances, but she didn't want to say yes to a maybe either.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Hayden laughed, covering her face with her hands. "I remember that it was the most embarrassing moment of my entire life at that point," she said. She topped off her glass of Jack before taking another big drink, cradling the drink against her chest as she leaned into Zacky. "Ma gave me such a lecture you went home, saying that I needed to be careful because boys only wanted one thing because...you kissed me." She said that last part softly, only remembering that it even happened as she said it. She sat her drink back on the table, looking over at Zacky curiously.

---

Matt chuckled when he read Laney's text. The little smiley face reminded him that he was texting a teenage girl. But he couldn't fight the connection he was feeling. I think I'm pretty lucky. Matt texted back. He thought for a few seconds before sending a second one. But if you'd rather not we can forget I asked. Shoving the phone into his back pocket, Matt pulled a box of macaroni out of his cabinet. He was kinda tired, so maybe after he had lunch he'd take a nap.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zacky let out a chuckle, hearing her remember her mother's lecture. Though he did remember that after that kiss they weren't left alone for to long. Sighing he smiled, before looking at her, noticing her looking at him differently. "What?" He questioned her, raising a brow. He knew that there was a chance things would get said that weren't favorite memories, but the look he was getting from her was a bit nerve racking.

---

Laney smiled getting his text. 'How lucky do you feel? She texted him back, before getting his second text. Reading over it she bit her lip. Maybe he didn't like her the way she was reading into it. Running her fingers through her hair she sat her phone down. Her mind racing, of course she was dealing with a man. He would get tired of texting her at one point. And he was already trying to turn it into more, maybe she wasn't cut out for a man his age.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
"You kissed me," Hayden said again. "We were fifteen and in my tree house and you kissed me." She remembered how she'd been surprised at first when Zacky had leaned over her and pressed his lips to hers in a closed-mouth kiss, but she'd quickly realized that she liked it and kissed him back, only pushing him away when her Ma showed up. "Why did you do that, Zack?" she asked softly. She was more curious than anything.

---

Matt got Laney's text a few seconds after he'd sent his second one. Dammit, why did he send that one? I'm feeling pretty damn lucky. I mean, I'm texting a pretty girl why wouldn't I feel lucky? Matt texted. He decided to chance it and assume she was still into his flirting. He sat his phone on the counter and turned off the burner, pulling his pot of boiling macaroni off of the stove. He mixed in the powered cheese, salt, pepper, milk, and butter. Matt kept his eye on his phone the entire time, waiting for it to vibrate again.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zacky chuckled at her question. "I thought it was obvious?" He informed her. "I liked you, you were really the only girl I showed interest in." He explained like she was retarded, though her mother made it clear they were to stay just friends. And she didn't seem to want to talk about the kiss either so he felt she didn't feel the same way.

---

Laney nibbled on her lip as she read over his text. He thought she was pretty, that was a given along time ago. But that still didn't answer if he wanted her or in her pants. And she didn't see the latter of the two happening anytime soon. 'Oh you're talking to your mother, how sweet.' She teased, hoping to steer the conversation into a different direction.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
"Oh," Hayden said softly. She reached for her glass of Jack and took another drink. She'd always just assumed that Zacky had only kissed her just to see what it would be like, since he'd never talked about it afterwards. But he had feelings for her back then? She never realized it, but she was always terrible at reading men. But maybe that was for the best, because if Hayden had known Zacky liked her it would've made his leaving that much harder. "Why didn't you say anything?"

---

No, she's mad at me for going so far away. Matt texted back. He carried his phone and bowl of macaroni into the living room, sitting down in his lounge chair. He started to eat as he thought. Laney obviously wasn't much into his flirting anymore, at least it seemed that way from her latest message. So maybe he should just try talking to her, getting to know her.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zack shook his head, "you're mother threatened me." He informed her, "and beside not even a week later that one dude asked you out." He shrugged it off, "I figured it was best not to ruin our friendship, so I just let it go." He may have acted like it was easy but every time he seen them together he had to walk away. He didn't want to hurt him, because that would have hurt her.

---

Laney frowned down at the text in front of her. 'So, that doesn't mean you can't text her and let her know you're okay and that you love her.' She made it sound so easily done. But she knew how mothers could be. But her mother passing was still a touchy subject even if it was years ago, and she knew it was coming. She was just glad that she got to spend the last few years with her making them count.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
"Ma couldn't hurt a fly," Hayden laughed. She reached for her glass but didn't take a drink, just cradling it against her chest. Hayden chewed on her lip, thinking about what Zacky had just said. Yeah, she'd gone out with that boy, but only because she remembered thinking that Zacky didn't like her after all. And she wanted to make Zack jealous. "I wanted you to ask me out," Hayden finally said. "But I figured you weren't interested, so I went out with that other guy."

---

She knows I love her, she just likes to give me a hard time. Matt texted. He sat his phone down and finished off his macaroni, letting out a loud yawn. Maybe he was more tired than he thought. Matt shuffled into the kitchen with his bowl and tossed it into the sink, afterwards pulling out his phone to send another message to Laney. I'm gonna take a nap but I'll text you after. I really like talking to you, Laney. Might as well stop beating around the bush about it. Matt was usually pretty open about his feelings, and now was no exception.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zacky chuckled out, shaking his head. "Go figure." He said to her, before taking a sip of his beer. "Though I was glad that you moved on to him." He told her honestly. "I don't think me leaving would have been very good for any kind of relationship." He said, rambling out loud. Though what he said was true. He'd have hated his mother for dragging him away from her. Though it stung, he was happy she had some other guy to hold her.

---

Laney was about to rant on to him about his lack of want, when she received the second text from him. Frowning she typed a quick, 'ok.' Then placed her phone down on the table in front of her. Stretching out over the couch, she let her mind wander. He had not only irritated her by cutting their conversation about his mother short, but he made he head spin. He like talking to her. He called her pretty, it was slowly starting to sink in that maybe he did like her. And that even if she was still a minor it wasn't going to hinder his advances.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Hayden laughed again. "Zack, we were fifteen, that relationship barely lasted a month," she said. She leaned back against the couch, following the ceiling fan with her eyes as she thought. Zacky was right, him leaving wasn't good for any type of relationship, which was why Hayden was trying to fight the feelings that had suddenly sprung up on her. Zacky would probably be leaving again soon, which meant the most they should do is patch up their frazzled friendship.

---

Matt's body practically sunk into his mattress when he fell down onto his bed. He hadn't realized how tired he was until he laid down. Maybe it was getting up so early for work, something he wasn't used to. But it paid the bills and he would get to see Laney, so Matt would be willing to suck it up. He slept until about four thirty, a bit longer than he'd planned, but oh well. The first thing Matt did was check his phone, noticing Laney had texted him while he was asleep. I'm baaaaack, miss me? he replied.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zacky rolled his eyes. "The point wasn't it was meant for forever, I meant I was glad you had a shoulder to cry on." He said unsure if that was the right thing to say. "Or to take your mind off of things, whatever." He chuckled. "He was here when I wasn't," he sighed out. He hated that things between them had never developed but at the same time he was glad he didn't shatter her heart.

---

Laney watched the figures dance across the screen for what seemed like forever. Her eyes drooping before she finally succumbed to sleep. Her peaceful sleep didn't last too long though. An annoying buzzing sound pulled her from her unconscious state. Realizing it was her phone she grabbed it, quickly scanning the text. 'No. Not really, fell asleep too.' She text him back still half asleep and a bit annoyed.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
"Well for that I had Ma and Leigh," Hayden said. "I learned a long time ago not to depend on men for anything." Hayden finished off her drink and got to her feet, stretching her hands above her head. "I think I'm gonna go change clothes, I'll be right back." Hayden walked down the short hallway to her bedroom and went to the dresser to pull out some clothes. She was honestly getting a little tired, but she would sit up with Zack until he wanted to leave or go to bed.

---

Matt frowned. She seemed annoyed and he wasn't about to push things, so he just texted back Sorry I woke you. He didn't feel like getting out of bed, so Matt set his phone on the bedside table and reached for his remote, deciding to watch a little TV in his room. He'd have to get up in a little while and make dinner, but for now he could relax. He had no idea why Laney seemed so irritated with him, since she hadn't been before he'd taken his nap

@ Bongs Before Bibles
"Well for that I had Ma and Leigh," Hayden said. "I learned a long time ago not to depend on men for anything." Hayden finished off her drink and got to her feet, stretching her hands above her head. "I think I'm gonna go change clothes, I'll be right back." Hayden walked down the short hallway to her bedroom and went to the dresser to pull out some clothes. She was honestly getting a little tired, but she would sit up with Zack until he wanted to leave or go to bed.

---

Matt frowned. She seemed annoyed and he wasn't about to push things, so he just texted back Sorry I woke you. He didn't feel like getting out of bed, so Matt set his phone on the bedside table and reached for his remote, deciding to watch a little TV in his room. He'd have to get up in a little while and make dinner, but for now he could relax. He had no idea why Laney seemed so irritated with him, since she hadn't been before he'd taken his nap.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zacky nodded watching her go, it kind of hurt to hear her say that. But he had left and deserve the pain he got from coming back. He knew coming back wasn't going to be easy. So now he was faced with a decision of staying or going. Really neither place held anything for him, sure here he had the farm and Hayden. But she hated him and he still had a long way to go if he ever wanted to be her friend. But back in Cali he had one night stands and a job. So really the decision wasn't hard to make. But he didn't want to live on a farm and take care of animals that was his grandfather's passion not his.

---

Laney groaned looking down at her phone, she hadn't meant to make him feel bad. She just hadn't wanted to pass out. 'It's fine not your fault.' She texted him before looking at the time, deciding she needed to start on dinner if they were going to eat at a decent time. But what would she make.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
"Do you wanna watch a funny movie now?" Hayden asked, walking back into the living room. As she walked, she pulled her hair up into a bun, which wasn't easy considering she was tipsy. Night of the Living Dead was over, so Hayden went ahead and plopped down in front of the entertainment center, exchanging the horror movie for a comedy. Afterwards, she went back over to the couch, pouring herself another glass of Jack and relaxing against Zacky. "I miss this," Hayden said, smiling slightly. "You know, just us...hanging out."

---

Ahh alright good, I was afraid you were mad at me. Matt texted back. He sat his phone down next to him on the bed, turning back his attention back to the TV. He really didn't want to get up and make dinner, but his stomach was urging him to. He knew whatever he cooked wouldn't be as good as the steak he'd had at Laney's the other night. He wondered if she'd let him come over for dinner again soon, because damn was she a good cook.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zacky smiled before wrapping his arm loosely around her. "Yea," he agreed with her. "It's boring not having somebody to hang with." He chuckled. He had never real made friends, a few guys, but never really tried to have friends. Dealing with his mom, a job and school it was too much. He doesn't have time for the friends he has now, he was glad he got to see her, and spend time with her. Even if it is just for a little while.

---

Laney moved around the kitchen, busy at work with cooking. She heard her phone go off but had just handled some raw meat putting it into the pan. Washing her hands she heard feet on the stairs. "Laney, hey don't worry about cooking for me." He dad's ruff voice broke through the downstairs. Turning from the sink, she met face to face with a guilty look man. "Sorry babe, I should have said something earlier." He shook his head. "But got a date." He added, watching as the teenager pissed off expression leaves her face. "I'll be late, taking her to town." He said, she knew he meant the town over. It was a drive but if offered a hell of a lot more options. "Okay." She answered him, "be careful, love you." She said as he started to leave. Not waiting for an answer she grabbed her phone, tossing the thought around. 'Want to come over for dinner? ' She quickly text Matt and sent it, knowing if she gave it another thought she'd chicken out. Biting on her lip she turned back to cooking, trying to keep her mind about herself, as she waited anxiously for his reply.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
"You're telling me," Hayden agreed. She smiled as Zacky put his arm around her, leaning into his side. He was quite a comfy little pillow. She knew she was probably going to end up falling asleep like this if she wasn't careful. But she used to sleep cuddled up to Zacky all the time back before he left. And before Ma caught them kissing in the tree house. Hayden briefly wondered if doing this now was a little weird, but she shook the thought away, taking another sip of her drink as she watched the movie.

---

When Matt read Laney's text, he was very pleasantly surprised. You must be a mind reader, because I was just thinking about your cooking. he texted back. With a groan, Matt threw his legs over the side of the bed and sat up, running a hand through his short hair. He went to his dresser and pulled out a pair of jeans and a shirt to wear, changing quickly before snatching his car keys and heading outside. I'll be there in about fifteen minutes. he texted Laney, starting up his car.

@ ZackyEffingVengeance
Zack smiled and just relaxed a bit more into the couch. Her leaning into him reminded him of the old days. Where they'd lay on her parent couch and any time her dad showed up she'd quickly move away. Though now he didn't have to worry about pissing anybody off. So he just relaxed and enjoyed the movie.

---

Laney read Matt's message before quickly typing a responce. 'Just let yourself in.' Since most of the food was already down, and she was just waiting on the water to boil for the gravy, she decided she'd make herself decent. Moving up stairs she quickly went into the bathroom. Looking in the mirror she decided to put some make up on. Dusting a bit of eyes shadow and liner on. She then moved to her room to find something to wear other than her sweats. Satified with her looks she moved back down stairs to finish dinner.