More Than My Hometown

Don't Ask Me No Questions

PJ's POV

I pulled into the circle driveway at the house on the outer edges of Nashville parking the truck closer to the door. Keeping the grimace off my face because of what I was about to do was not possible given the situation. My eyes narrowed to slits at the black truck parked beside a SUV like it belonged there. In my opinion, it did not and never would. But then again it wasn't like they asked my opinion about anything. Climbing out I mentally reminded myself to have protection on standby for the upcoming awards and meetings. What I should do was lock certain people in the same vehicle again like I had in the past. Though this time I am fairly sure murder would take place with it being a heads up on who would pull the trigger.

With a sigh, I raised my hand to knock hearing a low growl behind me. I turned my head slowly to look down at the snarling four-legged she-demon glaring up at me. Reign sat perfectly still but prepared to pounce. The thundering feet making their way through the house to the front door had put her in guard dog mode from the word go. We used to think she was overprotective of her owner, but now she was a perfect angel one second when a certain someone was playing with her then in guard mode the next. I sighed not in the mood for her shit tonight.

"I will give you a t-bone steak your bitchiness," I grumbled pulling the rawhide bone out of my pants pocket holding it up seeing golden eyes narrow. "If you don't take a chunk out of my ass. Now feel free to do it to other persons on the property though." The door opened cutting me off. A flying force hit me in the knees pulling a deep laugh from me. "Well hello to you too buddy."

"PJ!" Braxton yelled holding his arms up for me to pick him up. I ruffled the top of this backward hat lifting him up. While his eyes echoed his mother's, he was his father made over with double the dose of their spunk and tempers. I missed the kid the days he was gone too. Always killed me to see the loss in two sets of eyes when he was coming and going. I was intently listening to him tell me everything he had done today and couldn't keep my frown in at the mention of seeing the buffalo when movement out of the corner of my eye pulled my attention from the wiggling five-year-old in my arms.

"Hey PJ," Kaydence said giving me a tentative smile. Yes, she and I had butted heads quite a few times over the better part of the last year. Concern tugged at me when I noted the fine lines more pronounced at the corner of her eyes. Blonde hair tossed up into a messy bun that was growing darker with age. She may not admit it, but this was taking a toll on her. Hell, it was on all of us. It was a warring game of who got who some days and I didn't necessarily mean Braxton. She glanced back over her shoulder at a figure that made my eyes narrow then look down when a low growl sounded from Brax. A bag was passed wordlessly over before a big hand landed on Kay's hip leaning into her. She sighed giving her son a pointed look to behave handing him his favorite stuffed animal then looked up at me. "I leave Sunday headed to Texas. Are you going with me or is Alec?"

"My mama," Braxton said pursing his lips glaring at the man beside Kaydence with venom. I also knew that it was a moment in time because there were times Braxton got along very well with him but others he little the drama of the situation get to him even though he was shielded.

"I know little man," Chase said with a sigh not meeting my eyes. Yea, there better be some shame there buddy. He leaned down brushing a kiss across the top of Kay's hair pulling a soft smile from her. "I'll give y'all some space." He snapped his fingers letting out a low whistle sending Reign following him back through the house waggling her tail happy as a clam. Damn traitorous dog. I shook my head then turned back to what I was here for.

"Alec will be going with you and Brax," I answered feeling my phone buzz in my pocket no doubt one person in particular looking for me. Kaydence bit her lip nodding. There was no doubt the shadows under her eyes were from stress, overworking herself, and just trying to forget being the cause. Going out on a limb I broached the long avoided subject. "How are you KayKay?"

"I'm fine PJ," she said quickly. A forced smile spread across her full lips. She did what she could the last few months to avoid the press at all costs which explained her going without the sassy red lipstick that pulled attention. She preferred mom mode rather than star mode most days anyway. She was still that sassy twenty-year-old girl that knocked Boss to his knees once upon a time at heart. "Just been busy. You know what a handful Brax is and tours. Trying to find time for Cha....."

"You ever going to talk to Boss?" I asked interrupting her. A low growl sounded from low in her throat. "Going to have to eventually Kay. It is coming. Brax needs both of you."

"He has both of us," she snapped rolling her eyes. "Look, I know right now you are smack in the middle but I am thankful for everything you do. You didn't have to keep running security for me as well when Brantley needs you more."

"I help protect the two most important people to that man," I said matter of factly. "If something...."

"Were to happen to Brax, heaven forbid, he would be devastated," Kaydence said with a snort. "But for me he probably would toss off a cliff himself right about now." She looked down at her bare feet shuffling them. "I hate to even ask but how is....."

"Miserable," I grumbled knowing I needed to go so I sighed having Kaydence look up at me blinking away tears in her eyes. "Some point the pair of you are going to grow up and patch this marriage up. It's not too late."

"Yea it is," she said quietly. "We sign the papers soon. I can't shake the words and actions PJ. Pretty sure he can't do the same then there is the issue of the bottle." She leaned over kissing Brax with a smack then hugged me shutting the conversation down. "Y'all be careful please."

I turned heading to the truck getting Brax settled into the backseat listening to his stories making me smile and my heart lighter. I looked back at the closed door one more time before pulling out of the driveway.

"Stubborn asses," I grumbled under my breath typing out a text I was on my way then putting the truck in gear heading to yet another house in Nashville that wasn't quite a home anymore. Hopefully, Aaron had the coffee on. 

Don't shoot!!! .......