Outlaw Women

BG: The Voice of Reason

Ashlyn’s POV:
After Brantley and Chase had moved all of my things into the house and helped me unpack the major things, the three of us decided to grill come steaks and hang out around the firepit in the backyard. We were all sitting around talking about all the things we had coming up in the coming year and reflecting on this one when I heard Chase’s phone start blaring Wheeler Walker’s ‘Fuck You Bitch’. I knew that ringtone, I had been the one to set it as that after her hollywood starlet ass had broken my best friend's heart. 

“Oh please let me answer it Chasey. I promise to be nice.” I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm. Just thinking about talking to that bitch was pissing me off. 

“Like hell you will. You forget. I know you Ash. And I know how much you hate Lauren so there is no fuckin’ way I am letting you talk to her.” said Chase, one long finger wagging in my face. As usual, I snapped at it, causing him to draw it back quickly. As I did, a low chuckle vibrated against my back. 

“Why’s she even calling? Thought she had moved on with her co-star from that ridiculous movie she was doing. Thought they were getting their happily ever after.” I said, sitting up and reaching for his phone. Unfortunately, Chase moved faster than me and snatched it off the table. 

“They broke up.” said Chase, not making eye contact. 

“How fucking long have you been talking to her again Chasey?” I asked. 

“It's not like that. We're just friends.” Said Chase defensively.

“It might not be like that for her but I can promise you that I know what it is for you. She was the one that got away for you. The one that broke your fucking heart. You know how I know? Because I was the one that was there to pick up the fucking pieces when she left you that bullshit dear john letter. I was the one that pulled your ass back from the brink after a ten day drunk off nothing but Jack Daniels and cold pizza. I was the one that had to look at the hurt in your face anytime someone asked you what happened or where she was. I was the one that was there for you and you don't even have the common decency to tell me, youre best fucking friend, that she is back in your life?” I said sitting up and standing. I was so mad that I couldn't sit still. I needed to move- or hit something. At this point, hitting Chase was looking pretty promising. 

“Baby-” started Brantley, his tone telling me that I needed to calm down but like the hard head that I am, I ignored it.  

“Chase Daniel, I don't even know what to say. I thought we told each other everything.” I said, looking at him in disbelief. 

“What? Like you told me about you and BG hooking up in the broom closet in Vegas? Or like you told me that Blake was abusive?” said Chase, his own anger making him stand up from his chair and making me stare at him in disbelief. I couldn't believe he was throwing this in my face right now. Towering over me, he got in my face. “What I do in my personal like is my fucking business Ash. MINE! I don't tell you who to sleep with and I damn sure don't tell you who to talk to and when to talk to them.” 

“Alright you two. That's enough.” said Brantly, stepping between Chase and I. When he did, I slapped his hand off my arm and glared at him.

“This is between me and that big lugnut behind you.” I said, stiffening my spine and trying to make myself look bigger than I was. 

“Ashlyn Paige-”

“Brantley Keith-” I replied, my tone matching his don’t-play-with-me tone.

Next thing I knew, I was being lifted, tossed over one of Brantley’s shoulders and looking at the ground upside down. Instinct had me kicking and punching him in the back so that he would put me down. But my hit and kicks stopped immediately when a big hand landed on my ass with a loud smack, sending a stinging pain across my legging covered ass.