The Beast and The Harlot = ?

"If he loved you, he'd straighten out and wouldn't put you through all of this." Johnny said softly, grabbing my hand.

"You guys, please. Drop it." I pleaded.

The room grew quiet and I smiled in appreciation.

"Who knew that all we had to do was close our traps and the smile we've been waiting to see would appear." Katara said with a smile.

I laughed loudly and wiped my tear stained cheeks.

"Damn, I've missed you guys a lot." I said.

"We miss you too. Just because we cut Brian out doesn't mean you have to stay away too." Zacky said.

"You can come and see us whenever you want. Don't let his mood swings have control over what you do." Alaina said.

"You are your own person. You need to start living." Jimmy hollered.

I laughed as one by one they all gave me compliments and tips.

I opened my mouth to speak but the front door opened.

My eyes widened and I turned to see Brian's shocked and angry face.

"What the fuck are they doing here?" He asked in a deadly voice.

"We came to see Cynthia." Matt said in a hard voice.

"Yeah, we wanted to make sure she was ok. You never when things involve you." Monique bit back.

I saw Zacky smile and lovingly wrap his arm around her waist.

I stood up quickly and went to Brian.

"Don't be upset." I pleaded, going in to hug him.

An overly sweet smell filled my nose and it had me pulling away from him again.

Her perfume.

Why am I not surprised?

Why doesn't the stab at my heart feel any less painful?

I turned towards everyone and the look on my face told them everything.

The guys stood up quickly and the girls surrounded me.

"Please, stop. Let's just do this another day." I said.

They stared Brian down for a minute and then stiffly nodded when they looked at my expression.

Jimmy put his arm around me as they created a loose circle surrounding me.

"Where are you going?" Brian asked.

"None of your business asshole!" Alaina yelled.

"I'm just saying bye." I mumbled.

Brian's POV

Seeing him with his arm around her pissed me off beyond measure.

That's my girl.

Even if she deserves better, she's still mine.

They all walked out in a cluster around Cynthia.

I looked up and Zacky was the only left.

He stood there staring at me with an angry expression.

"Do you have anything to say or are you just going to stare at me?" I asked cockily.

"You're a piece of shit. You know that, right?" He asked me.

"How so?" I asked.

"You have a great woman that loves you no matter what you do to her. You still treat her like the dirt beneath your shoes. What makes you think you're so much better then her?! The least you can do is spray some fucking cologne on yourself so that when she tries to hug you, she doesn't smell that tramps perfume all over you!" Zacky yelled angrily.

"I have no idea what you're talking about?" I said, trying to keep the guilt off of my face.

"Of course you don't." Zacky spat.

"You know, one day she's gonna wise up and leave your sorry ass. Then what are you going to do?" He asked.

I didn't answer.

I couldn't.

The thought was too painful.

We stood, staring each other down when my phone rang.

I took it out of my pocket and glanced at the number.

I shoved my phone back into my jeans, letting it ring.

I looked up and Zacky had a sad smirk on his face.

"Yeah. You don't know what I'm talking about. If you really love Cynthia, you'll let her go and find someone who will really love her the way she deserves to be loved." Zacky said, walking out the door.

He's right.

As selfish as it might be, I can't let her go.