Outlaw Women

Rage is a Dangerous Thing

Ashlyn’s POV:
I was sitting outside at one of the picnic tables the crew had set up making calls for Chase when I heard a voice from behind me that I had hoped that I would never have to hear again. Just hearing the twang of his accent made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and not in the good way like they did when Brantley spoke. No, this voice was one that haunted my dreams. 

Cautiously, I turned to face the man standing behind me and almost puked seeing that cocky smirk he had written all over his face. God, I wished I would have broken his jaw when I;d had the chance. But surprisingly enough, it had been Miranda that had kept me from doing what I should have done. 

“Well, well, well. Look at what the cat dragged in. Look good baby.” said Blake, his thick Oklahoma accent grating every last nerve in my body.

“I’m not your fucking baby, Blake.” I said, barely containing the anger I was feeling by just being near him. 

“Aww, come on now sugah. Don't be like that.” Said Blake, taking a step closer causing me to stand and take a step back. There was no way in hell I was going to let him get close to me. 

“I’ll be any damn way I want to be Blake. After all, you deserve it.” I said. 

“Still mad over Gwen and I? Sugah, you knew she was the one I was meant to be with when we got together. Not my fault that you took our relationship to mean more than what it did.” Said Blake cockily. God, I wanted to knock that smug look off his face. 

“Excuse the fuck out of me for believe you when you said that you loved me and that I wa the only woman for you. Excuse the fuck out of me letting you dictate what I worre and who I hung out with. But most of all, excuse the fuck out of me for thinkign that you were the southern gentleman that you make all of american believe you are.” I said, my anger bubbling over. I felt my heart pounding against my chest from the sheer intensity of my anger at him. 

“I was only doing what was best for you. You didn't need to be hanging out with Rand to begin with. She's nothing but trouble. She wouldn't be where she is today if it wasn't for me. For that matter, neither would you.” said Blake, once again taking a step towards me. This time though, I didn't step back, I stood taller, daring him to come closer because when he did, I was going to break that jaw and maybe make it where his sorry ass wouldn't be able to have kids.

“How fucking dare you Blake. Miranda is so much more talented than you ever thought about being. So what if she marches to the beat of her own damn drum and doesn't let people put her into a nice little box. That's more that I can say for you. You struck around Nashville like you’re God’s gift to women all while being the biggest assole I have ever met in private.” I shouted. I didn't care if I caused a scene or not. At least if I did, people would see Blake for the real asshole that he is instead of the persona that he puts on for his colleagues in the business.  “And a far as my fucking career, not to toot my own horn or anything, but I am damn good at what I do. Even your sorry ass could admit that if you had half a fucking brain.”

“You forget who you're talking to?” said Blake, his voice lowering as he tried to be menacing.

“I know damn well who I’m talking to. I’m talking to Blake-Fucking-Shelton, the biggest douche canoe in all of country music. No scratch that, in all music periods.” I yelled. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Luke and PJ walking my way. Better say what I have to say because I know they are about to drag me away. “You run around her like you are Mr. King Sling, but let me tell you something you pencil dick son of a bitch, I’ve got a new man in my life. One who could wear that title if he wanted. One who would never think of telling what to wear, who to hang out with. My man that would never raise a hand at me because I didn't cut his sandwich in rectangles instead of triangles. Why dont you just got back to your senior citizen you call a wife and play daddy to her fucking kids and leave me the hell alone.”

“Why I ought to-” started Blake as he took a step towards me raising his hand. But before he could finish his sentence, PJ had him pinned to the ground and was giving him the beating that he so rightfully deserved. Only thing that would have made it better is if I could get a kick in. I was thinking about doing that when I felt myself being lifted off the ground and carried away. I kicked and screamed, waiting to get my pound of flesh out of Blake but the arms holding me off the ground only tightened their hold and kept walking. When I landed a kick to the knee of the man carrying me, he stumbled but tightened his grip. 

“Dammit Ash. Would you quit.” said Luke, pulling me out of my rage-filled trance. “I’ll put you down but you have to promise not to go back in his direction.”

“I was making phone calls when he came up to me!” I yelled at Luke. Probably not the smartest move in the book to be yelling at your client but at the time, I didn't care. Rage was pumping through my system in full force. I’d deal with the fallout later. 

It was only when I felt my feet hit the ground that I began to calm down. But as the rage I had been feeling waned, the pain I felt in my side was like a branding iron. Because of the way I had been fighting Luke to let me go, I’d rubbed my already tender skin to the point of pain. Not wanting to go into detail or to show my fresh ink just yet, I pushed the pain down and focused on my anger at Blake. What the fuck did I ever see in him?

“I get it, Ash. I do. But I don't want to have to answer to BG when he finds out that I could have kept you from getting hurt but instead let you take a swing at the asshole. PJ has it. Let him handle it.” said Luke, pulling me back to reality. 

“Fineee” I said with a heavy sigh. “But just remember, yall wont always be there to keep me from breaking his fucking jaw.” 

“Pretty sure PJ has already done that.” said Luke with a laugh. Looking over to where PJ was, I saw Blake rolling on the ground howling in pain. Call me demonic or whatever you will, but I couldn't have stopped the laugh that slipped out of me if I had wanted to. That son of a bitch deserved every once of what he got and then some. 

But as I stood there looking at him. Something Luke said registered in my mind. Spinning on my heel, I turned and looked up at Luke.

“You said you didn't want to answer to BG. What makes you think I need him to fight my battles. What makes you think he would care if I got in a fight?” I asked.

“Well for one, you two looked mighty chumming last night when he was done with his show. There is also the fact that Nicole said she saw you climbing off BG’s bus still dressed in yesterday's clothes a few hours ago.”  said Luke, matter-a-factly.

“And?” I said. 

“And nothing. BG is a good guy. Since you've been out of the road with us, I’ve seen a change in him and you. I see the way you look at each other, the way yall try to fight whatever this thing is between y'all. Y'all thought y'all were hiding it up until last night but sweetheart, we all knew that y'all would end up together.” said Luke. “Now try telling me that you two aren’t an item.” 

“Fine. Yes, BG and I are together. But that doesn't mean he has to fight my battles.” I said. 

“Ash, that man would let you fight your own, no questions asked. All I’m getting at is that I don't want to be on the receiving end of that right hook because I didn't do what I could to protect you.” said Luke. 

“Can we just get out of here? B is in the middle of a tattoo session and I need to make some calls for Chase.”  I asked.

“Yeah, come on. You can call whoever you need from my bus. Plus, I'm sure Nicole could use the company. I’ve looked at so many cribs and changing tables that they are all starting to look alike. I need a break from it all” said Luke laughing as he led me over to his bus. I knew B was going to find out about the almost fight but at the moment, I needed some girl time with Nicole to cool my temper.