Outlaw Women

She's My Kind of Crazy

Brantley’s POV:
Since Ashlyn and I’d left Nashville early this morning to beat the traffic after not sleeping much the night before, her head was resting in my lap as she slept peacefully. With the music low, I sped down the interstate headed for home feeling lighter than a feather. That feeling only grew more the closer I got to home. The calmness that I felt by just crossing the state line into Georgia was something that I didn't even know how to begin to describe. But when the ‘Welcome to Jefferson’ sign from my childhood came into view, I couldn't help the smile that tore at my face. The feeling of rolling into my hometown, seeing all the familiar places and faces was like chicken soup for the soul. It was something that I lived for when I was out on the road. Coming home has always been a way for me to recharge and process the things that are going on in my life. More times than not, coming home has meant I was licking wounds that I’d suffered either at the hands of a woman or by my own doin because of my temper. But not this time. This time, I had an amazing woman by my side that made me feel things that I'd never thought possible. I had a woman that had the ability to drive me insane with her stubbornness but at the same time able to bring me to my knees with only a simple glance. It was a toxic combination but one that I was loving every once of.  

Things between Ashlyn and I have moved fast but I wouldn't trade the amount of trust that she and I have developed with one another in such a short amount of time for anything in this world. Some would say that we were rushing into things, asking for our relationship to crash and burn. And to them I would say that they all could kiss my lily white ass. When you have a connection with someone, there is no time limit on how the relationship develops. Things happen at their own pace, no matter if you want to be in control or not. 

When I reached Mama’s driveway, I slowed down and turned in before parking in my usual spot. No sooner than I had parked, I saw the front door swing open, my mama bounding out of it. With a gentle shake, I stirred Ashlyn from her sleep, causing her to moan in displeasure. I’d learned early on in this that she hated to be woken up. This is unless I was doing the waking with my tongue. My girl never complained when it came to that. Then again, neither did I.

“We're here.” I said softly, pushing the hair away from her face and causing her to snuggle tighter into my lap. “Mama is waiting on the porch for us.” 

“What!” said Ashlyn, sitting up with a jolt. “Why didn't you wake me before now. I look like shit Brantley.” I watched as she frantically flipped the visor down to check her hair and makeup that she had done earlier this morning. Since she had tossed her hair into a messy bun, sleep had only made it a little messier than usually but still looked great. Her makeup was still spot on as usual but that didn't stop her from checking it anyway.

“Baby, you look fine.” I said, placing my hand on her thigh, digging the tips of my fingers into her denim clad leg. 

“This is the first time I’m meeting your folks Brantley. I don't want them to think I’m some sort of bum.” Said Ashlyn, fussing with her hair. 

“Baby, look at me.” I said, my voice commanding. That was something else I had learned that Ashlyn liked in me. She loved when my dominant side came out to play. 

“What?” she said softly as her blue eyes met my green. I swear, I could get lost looking into those eyes.

“Stop fussing. Mama won't care if you come dressed in leggings and one of my tees or if you were dressed in your Sunday best. In fact, Mama would probably prefer you in leggings and a tee because it would show her that you aren't about labels or the money” 

“That's not the point, Brantley. I need to make a good impression on her if I want her to like me.”

“Listen to me baby. Mama will love you simply because I love you.” I said, giving those three words that seemed to take her breath away everytime I said them. Not going to lie, when she said them to me, it had the same effect.