"Anastasia, are you ready yet?" called Mom. She was obviously looking forward to seeing the guys again, though I was practically vibrating with giddiness on my bed. I glanced at the clock, and it was just barely three in the afternoon. We still had four-plus hours left of waiting time, and the nightclub they would be performing at was only a few miles away, if that. But leaving this early ensured time to see the guys before stage time. And that meant that they wouldn't be quite so tired beforehand. I knew from what Eric said that they would undoubtedly be stopping by the house for the night, which made me all the happier. And it also meant that if I couldn't work up the courage to ask about the tour now, I could wait until later or tomorrow. I found myself doing something I didn't do often enough: I was praying... praying that they would say "yes."

"I'm coming, Mom!" I called down the stairs. I grabbed my purse, checked for the essentials just once more, and with confirmation I ran out of my room and down the elegant staircase, though not without taking a peak down the hall to Eric's old room.

My blue jeans clung to my legs. My black riding boots came to a halt at my mid-calf. Eric's jacket was unzipped around my snow-white blouse. My long hair was held tightly in a high ponytail, my angled bangs hanging just perfectly over my eye to add some mystery. Though I hated the vanity of my own thoughts, I believed that I looked kind of sexy, and that was what I was going for. I wanted to be noticed tonight, though not in a scandalous or slutty way.

My mom emerged from the spacious living room and took in my appearance.

"Whoa, Ana," she gasped.

"I know, right?" I replied in a sarcastic whisper.

"You look beautiful, sweety," said my father, coming behind her.

"Thanks, Daddy," I laughed.

"You're wearing Eric's jacket again?" asked my mom. "Somehow, I knew it would be yours one day..."

"I miss him, Mom. And tonight is a night to prove that I am not just Eric Bass's kid sister." I held a tone of mock confidence, lifting my chin in haste and posing in a ridiculously war general-like way.

"Oh, Lord, Anastasia; you are so much like him ,it scares me," commented my mother. My dad chuckled before kissing Mom. In a comfortable silence, Mom and I left the house and crawled into the SUV. We were fully prepared to bring the guys home with us if they needed to leave the buses somewhere for the night. I knew that it was going to be a long, sleepless one for me, but I couldn't wait.

Traffic was light, only a few business having a shift change at the time. And, pulling up to the club, we noted the lack of cars, though the buses were definitely there, surrounded by large semi-trailers and gated in. Security guards walked around like they owned the place, strutting like lions around their pride. I was always kind to them, knowing full well that their job was hell and a simple move could be the factor between life and death. The thought made my skin crawl. I had heard about some of the psychotic fans Shinedown had, though I prayed never to meet one face-to-face.

We pulled into the lot and parked over by the gates. The boys were nowhere to be seen, of course, but our large, black vehicle had obviously drawn attention. Mom and I stepped onto the concrete and I pulled out my phone, going straight to Eric's messages (I rarely deleted them.)

Will someone please call off the dogs? I asked.

I didn't get a reply. I was confused for a moment. I thought for sure he would say at least something, but there was no response. That was, until I heard what sounded like a herd of animals running from well behind the gates. I froze in fear. What was going on? Even security paused in their stead, staring in utter loss toward the sound.

"Uh, Mom..?" I barely managed to say before I saw Eric leap like a track star over the gate and crash into me. I gasped, clinging to his hoodie and trying to catch my breath. Their workouts had done wonders, judging by the brick wall that was now my brother. I coughed and sputtered, but I didn't loosen my grip. In fact, I clung more tightly when the shock disappeared.

"Ana, my Lord, it's good to see you," Eric spoke, his tone high with gratitude. It took me a second to realize that we weren't alone anymore. Upon glancing around, I saw confused security guards (some not, having already figured it out) and the other three. All of them were casually dressed, hoodies and sweats. Just like the regular people most didn't view them as. Brent was looming the closest, looking over the scene with a look of happiness and contentment in his beautiful eyes. He had been enveloped in an awkward hug by my short mother. Barry and Zach were next, the occasional "my boys are home" coming from that direction. They looked happy as well, loving the attention Mom was giving them. She no longer was "Mrs. Bass" or "Sharon." Now, she was Mom to all of them, and all of them were her boys. One big family.

"Eric, it's so good to see you," I admitted into his hoodie. His chin rested on top of my head.

"I missed you so damned much." He was holding me tightly, and I returned the favor full force for another minute or so before we pulled away.

I ran my fingers though his mohawk, like I had done when he had been sad or upset about something. It was soft and smooth, as it always was. He closed his eyes and leaned into my hand, practically purring. I gave him a kiss on the cheek, recoiling slightly from the prickly stubble.

"You need to shave," I commented playfully, feigning laughter and looking horror-struck.

"I haven't had time to shower yet. That one-" he shot a thumb to Brent, "-was hogging the bathroom for the last hour." I looked at Brent, turning after hearing Eric's accusation and didn't see an ounce of shame. He looked handsome... his glasses intact and his hair not yet gelled to the side.

I walked the few feet to Brent and stood before him. He looked down at me with a look of admiration, and I smiled at him, a deep blush undoubtedly spreading down my body. He opened his arms, which I took without question. His hugs were always the best. He picked me up and spun me around, and I giggled like a little girl. His masculine scent wafted to me and I took a guilty inhale, trying to commit it to memory. I had a hopeless crush on him, and had for years.

I gripped his hoodie tightly, not wanting to let go until the sands of time ran out. He was warm, though he always had been. He was a perfect little space-heater in the winter, which the guys and me had found out one winter night. We had practically been on top of the poor guy, freezing our tails off while he stayed a toasty warm that was so unnatural it wasn't fair. He had gained a new respect for the guys that night.

"How's my girl?" he whispered into my hair. Those three words could make any girl's day in less than a second.

"Awesome now," I whispered back into his ear. "You?"

"Fantastic, Ana" he replied, holding me. I rested my forehead against the side of his neck, closing my eyes and relishing in the heat and comfort it brought. It had been a while since we had seen each other, and whenever I though that my school-girl crush had waned, something like this brought it back like a forest fire.