Alex

"Fuck!" I yelled out in frustration, slamming my phone down on the couch next to me as I dropped down into the seat.

Jack looked up from the TV from the couch across from me with a raised eyebrow.

"Everything okay?"

"No," I hissed. "Brook just hung up on me."

"What'd you do?" he asked, sitting up.

"Why does it automatically have to be something I did?” I asked with a frown, “Maybe she started it."

Jack raised his eyebrow at me again and poorly hid a laugh.

"I'm pretty sure Brook doesn't have it in her to start a fight. So, I will ask you again; what did you do?"

"She's pissed off because she hasn't met my mom and dad yet,” I explained, caving way too quickly, “and she got even more pissed when I didn't seem to see a problem with that."

"Well..." Jack started.

"No way," I huffed, throwing my arms up in the air in frustration. "You are not allowed to side with her. You're my best friend. You're committed to a life of Team Alex whether you like it or not!"

"Team Alex? What?" Jack shook his head. "Look, of course I will always have your back. But," he held up his wrist where he wore his half of the Friendship bracelet Brook had the other half to. "I'm sort of obligated to see her side of things too."

"She has no side, other than she wants to meet my parents and I haven't brought her there yet."

"Well, why is that?"

"There hasn't been time. We've been busy and I haven't been home a lot between tours and going back and forth to LA."

"But in the time that you have been home, instead of having dinner at her apartment, you couldn't have dinner with your parents?"

"Jack," I sighed, slumping back against the couch. "It's not that easy."

"And why not?" he pressed.

"I have never actually brought a girl home to meet my parents."

"But Lina..."

"Was different," I cut him off. "She knew them before we started dating. There really was never any of that awkward first time meeting them thing."

"Alex, it won't be awkward for your parents to meet Brook. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but she's kind of a parents' dream."

"I know that they're going to love her. I just-"

"Love her too?" Jack interrupted.

"What?" My eyes snapped up to him.

"Isn't that where all this is headed anyway? You love her?"

"Jack, I don't- We haven't- We're not-"

I couldn't form a complete sentence and it was pretty ridiculous.

"You guys haven't said that yet, huh?" Jack smirked.

"No. Now, shut up."

"Tell her you love her and bring her to meet your parents,” Jack decided. “Stop being a pussy."

"Wow," I shook my head. "Have you considered being a professional?" I asked, my eyes rolling.

"I would but I'm already too busy fixing your messes. Anything else you need help with?"

"Well, actually there is."

"Really?" he laughed. "I was just kidding."

"It appears some fans have been talking some pretty bad shit about Brook on the Internet. Some pictures of all of us made their way onto some fan-blogs and now everyone wants to know who Brook is and since there's nothing out there to go by, they're coming to their own conclusions."

"Like what?" Jack asked, seriousness taking over his entire demeanor.

"She's using me for money and fame, she's sleeping with both of us, she's spoiled. Someone figured out she's a guidance counselor from the prom pictures and there was talks about calling up the school pretending to be students complaining about her."

"No one would really do that, right?"

"I don't know," I shrugged. "There was some nasty stuff done to Lina when we were together so I wouldn't put it passed them."

"Lina was more accessible on the Internet though. Brook isn't."

"What would you think if I addressed the issue?" I asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. I was thinking of writing a quick blog or posting a video or something calling them out on their shit and asking them nicely to cut it out."

"Do you think that's a good idea?"

"I have to do something. Brook hates me as it is."

"Do you think it's possible that she's really mad about the people saying means things about her online and using your parents as a way to release her anger?"

"It's possible, I guess. She just doesn't seem the type, y'know? She kept telling me she was fine and that she wasn't really too worried."

"Do what you have to do," Jack shrugged. "I don't see the harm in addressing the issue."

"Thanks."

"I'm going finish packing. Rian and Cass will be here soon. She's driving us to the airport."

After Jack disappeared, I fell back into the couch and sighed loudly. I picked up my phone and tried calling Brook back and after I was met with her voicemail four times in a row, I realized she was still pissed and needed time to cool off.

The truth be told, I was incredibly freaked out at the idea of Brook meeting my parents. I had never done it before and it seemed to be the one thing in our relationship I had control over and I didn't think I was ready just yet to go through with it.

Before I knew it, the guys and I were sitting in the Delta Sky Lounge awaiting our flight back to Baltimore. I tried calling Brook again before we left the apartment and again when we got to the airport but it was no use. It just rang until I got her voicemail.

"Fuck," I hissed, shoving my phone in my pocket and shifting uncomfortably in my seat.

"What's up?" Rian asked from his seat next to me.

"Brook hates me."

"I’m sure she hardly hates you, Alex.” Rian laughed. “Is she pissed about what the girls were saying about her online?"

"You know about that?" I asked, turning to him quickly.

"I've seen a few tweets here and there," he shrugged.

"Well her cousin sent her a list of things people said about her. Some of it was pretty bad but she swears she's not mad about it."

"So then why does she hate you?"

"Because I haven’t brought her to meet my parents yet."

"And why is that?"

"I'm not ready for that yet, I guess,” I shrugged.

"And why is that?" he asked again.

"I don't know, Rian but she's being a bit dramatic about it, don't you think? To hang up on me before and not answer any of my calls. Is that necessary?"

"Brook doesn't get mad often, right?"

"Right. I'm not sure I've ever seen her mad."

"So, maybe this is how she handles being mad."

"By avoiding me?"

"Makes sense," Rian shrugged. "If she doesn't talk to you, you can't talk her into not being mad at you anymore."

"What do I do?" I asked pathetically, looking at my phone again and willing it to ring and flash Brook's name across the screen.

"You can take her to meet your parents," Rian said like it was so simple.

"I don't know if I can do that yet." I sighed.

"Why not?"

I opened my mouth to answer him but at that moment there was an announcement that our flight was ready to board. I kept my mouth shut and gathered my things. Once I was sitting in my seat on the plane, I tried calling Brook one last time and once again got her voicemail.

I sent her a quick text before I turned off my phone and put it away.

I'm sorry. I miss you. I will see you soon. <3

After reaching cruising altitude, I took out my laptop, shoved my earbuds into my ears and turned my music up to drown out anyone who may have wanted to talk to me.

I started thinking about the things people were saying about Brook on the Internet. It wasn't fair that she had to deal with that. Lina had dealt with it a lot worse in the time we dated and I had never said something. Thinking back, that was probably wrong. I had to do the right thing by Brook and I had to let these kids know it was no longer going to be tolerated to talk shit about someone I cared about.

I opened up an empty word document and I started to type.

Hello All Time Low Family,

I know it's been a while since I have done one of these and I apologize for that. Things have been pretty crazy these past few months. The new album is pretty much done. I'm so excited for you guys to hear it! If it was up to me, it would be in your pretty little hands already. I guess that's why they leave the adults in charge instead of me.

The next couple of months are only going to get better. We have some time off at home for a bit and before we head to Hawaii and then it's back to Warped Tour for the summer and I'm beyond excited for that. It's been too long and I can't wait to reunite with old friends and hopefully make some new ones.

With the good stuff out of the way, there's something pretty important that I need to discuss with you guys. It's been brought to my attention that someone I care about very much has been having some pretty nasty things said about her on the Internet and that's not something I'm okay with.

I feel as though as a band All Time Low is pretty open and honest with our fans. We have no reason to be anything but. Maybe this is partially my fault because I didn't come straight out and say it but either way, it gives no one an excuse to bad mouth another person.

To set the record straight, right before this past Christmas, I met this pretty incredible girl. I'll spare you the boring details, but after a new months of getting to know each other just as friends, she and I became a couple and I am very, very happy. Brook is an amazing person, unlike anyone I've ever dated.

I know that there not much to find out about her on the Internet. That's because she barely knows how to use a computer but that doesn't mean it's okay to make up lies.

To those who have stuck up for me and said nice things about Brook, thank you.

For the record, she's not an LA model using me to get jobs, she is not spoiled. Most of the time we argue because I pay for her and she doesn't like it. I can't help it... I'm a gentleman. J

Brook and Jack are nothing but friends. Best friends even. I'm pretty sure he replaced me with her as his new best friend.

I don't want to continue to harp on this and I hope I don't have to bring this up again. There's enough hate and anger in the world as it is. Let's take that negativity and turn it into something positive. I have faith in you guys that you can.

I love you guys. You mean the world to me. Spread the love!

~Alexander William Gaskarth

Once we landed in Maryland and I was able to turn my phone back on, I hated to admit how much it actually hurt that I still didn't have any kind of message from Brook. It took all the will power I had not to cave and call her again but I didn’t. I needed to keep some dignity.

We reunited with Jack's sister at baggage claim and I went back and forth the entire drive back into town with whether or not to just show up at Brook's. When we stopped at my house to drop off Rian, I decided to join him. I was exhausted and the last thing I wanted to do was show up at Brook's unwanted and have her kick me out, leaving me stranded with no car.

I said goodnight to Rian once we got inside and dragged my suitcases into my room. I pushed them to the side and fell into my bed. I stared at the ceiling for a while, willing myself to just fall asleep.

Sleep wasn't coming and I wasn't sure if it was because of jet lag, the fact that my brain was going to hard or the simple fact that I wasn't able to say goodnight to Brook.

It was a little after one in the morning when I caved and grabbed my phone from the night stand and called Brook.

It rang six times before I was met with the cheery sound of Brook's voicemail. I took a few deep breaths after the beep before I started to speak.

"Hey. It's me. I know at this point you definitely don't want to talk to me and that's fine. I guess I deserve it. I just wanted to say goodnight and I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. Please call me in the morning. I miss you and I-" I stopped myself mid-sentence and took another breath before I spoke again. "Goodnight Brook."

I disconnected the call and stared up at the ceiling a little while longer. I hated this. It only took another twenty minutes before I completely caved and jumped from my bed, grabbing by phone, keys and wallet before running out to my car and driving towards Brook's apartment.

I got as far as standing outside the door before I realized she was probably fast asleep and banging on the door would probably be a really shitty thing to do. I was about to give up and go home when the door opened and Jenn appeared.

"Hey," I said lamely.

"Did you plan on coming in? Or were you just going dance around outside until the sun comes up?"

"I'm not sure I'm wanted... How did you know I was down here?"

She opened the screen door and stuck her head out.

"I saw you pull up from the living room window. I kind of expected you an hour ago."

I nodded slowly.

"Is she really mad?"

Jenn nodded. "I don't know if she's actually as mad as she is pretending to be."

"Can I fix it?"

Jenn laughed, ushering me inside the house.

"Of course you can fix it. The girl is head over ass in love with you. She will come around."

I stared at her for a second when we got to the top of the stairs. That was the second time someone had mentioned the L word in regards to Brook and me and it was making me feel like I swallowed a rock. It was equally scary and exciting.

Jenn noticed my uneasiness and laughed again

"Relax. That was my terminology. Not hers."

"No. That's okay..."

"Forget I said anything,” she rolled her eyes.

"Should I even be here?" I sighed.

"Of course. She's sleeping but I don't think she'll mind you waking her up."

"Thanks Jenn..." I said softly as I made my way to Brook's room.

She was fast asleep and I again began to question if I should be there. It was the middle of the night and she would have to be up early for work.

As I stepped further in the room and got a better look at Brook's face, the glow of the TV she had fallen asleep watching was the only source of light in the room, I remembered how much I missed her. I had only been gone a week this time but for some reason it felt like so much longer.

Despite my better judgement, I kicked off my sneakers and put my phone, wallet and keys on Brook's dresser before I pulled back the blankets and slid myself into bed beside her.

For a brief moment I thought I had successfully pulled this off without waking her up but once I was in a comfortable position Brook shot up and quickly turned to me.

It looked like she was about to scream at realizing another body was in bed with her when her eyes seemed to adjust to the mostly dark room and she realized it was me.

"Brook. Baby, it's me," I said quickly, hoping the sound of my voice would reassure her.

She was quiet for a second before she spoke.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, catching her breath.

"I missed you."

Even in the dark, I could see her roll her eyes.

"Alex, I missed you too but..."

"I know," I cut her off. "You hate me and if you listened to the fifteen voicemails I left you or read the thirty-seven text messages I sent you, you'd probably know that I get why you're mad at me."

It wasn't until I finished my sentence that I realized how snippy I had come off and that was not my intention. I bit my lip and waited for her to respond.

"Maybe I shouldn't have ignored your calls and your messages. I'm mad, Alex but I really don't want to do this right now. It's late."

"You're right. I'm sorry," I said softly, pushing the blankets off of me and standing from the bed.

I made it about a foot before I felt Brook's hand close around my wrist and pull me back to her.

"I didn't say you had to go," she said. "I just said I didn't want to fight with you now."

I nodded slowly, sitting at the edge of the bed as she kept tugging on my hand until I did so.

"What did you want to do now?"

She let out a soft giggle and the sound was like music to my ears. As soon as the sound stopped, I felt Brook's lips on mine as she kissed me softly.

"Hi."

I smiled and touched her cheek softly, pushing some of her hair behind her ear.

"Hi," I said softly before she snaked her arms around my shoulders and hugged me tightly.

"I really did miss you," I said before she pressed her lips to mine again.

"I know," she said against my mouth.

Reluctantly I pulled away from her lips.

"It's late," I said.

She looked passed me at the clock above her TV that read 2:34 and she groaned.

"Yes it is."

"Go to sleep. We'll talk about all this tomorrow, okay?"

She nodded, the sleepy looking taking over her eyes again.

"Okay. But Alex?"

"Yeah?" I asked, standing up to leave.

"Even though I am still really mad at you, I don't want you to leave," she said, some of the words muffled by yawns as she laid back against her pillows.

I felt a smile crack across my face as I walked back around to the other side of the bed.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded and I slipped back into bed with her.

"Definitely sure," she whispered, curling into my side.

I wrapped my arms around her tightly and kissed the top of her head.

"Goodnight Brook."

"Good night, Alex and just for the record," she said sleepily, resting her head on my chest, "I don't hate you. I don't like you very much right now but I don't hate you."
***

Notes

Story Title: Taylor Swift - Sparks Fly
Chapter Title: Jonas Brothers - Tonight

<3

Question: Do any of you readers like The Summer Set? I've been sort of brainstorming a new story that would be something of a ATL/TSS crossover but before I really make it a thing, I want to see if anyone would be interested. Would you read it? Let me know. :)