You Need the Darkness to See the Stars.

Closer Than We've Ever Been

Brantley's POV

I was currently back home in Georgia. After Kenzie told me she took a couple dates on Carrie's tour, I couldn't stay in Tennessee. I told her not push herself and she literally did the exact opposite. I don't know why she felt the need to bury herself in her music.

We haven't spoken too much since I head back home. I had a right to feel the way I felt. I just got back from tour and we finally had time to spend together before rushing off to play a show or catch a plane. But instead she's the one rushing off to catch planes and play shows. She's suppose to come join me for Thanksgiving. She's been on the road since November 13th, joining the tour in Memphis. She'd be with them for a total of ten days. I'd see her in a week. I loved that girl but she irritates the hell out of me.

"You alright, sweetheart? You're thinking really loud over there." Mama said.

"Kenzie and I hit a rough patch. She's been acting kinda strange since the CMA's." I paused for a moment then sighed. "I heard that she was seen with some guy at the artist lounge while she was there, which blows my mind because she's barely talked to me since I got home." I said in a huff.

"You think she's sneaking around?" Mama asked sipping her tea.

"No, she's not showing any signs of that. She's just burying herself in her work. She took a couple shows without really talking to me about it. I think she brought it up once and I didn't really agree with it, the next time we talked about it she was telling me she was going to be gone for ten days." I said.

"Baby, remember when you first started out. You would play any show you could get. Hell, you almost double booked yourself how many times? She's just excited and taking all the opportunities she can. If she doesn't then what's the point of it all?" Mama spoke. I sighed.

"I know you're right...but I don't gotta like it." I said causing Mama to bust out laughing.

"Y'all will get through this." She assured me once she was able to catch her breath. I spent the rest of the afternoon with her before heading back home. I've had a song idea in my head. I felt bad for even writing it because I wanted to give Kenzie and I, a real chance. But I'd be lying to myself if I said that I wasn't losing faith in us.

I tried to think back to when we could've lost that spark. Things started getting rocky about a week after I got home from the tour. Maybe I was just smothering her. Not giving her enough space or personal time. I thought to myself as I pulled into my driveway. Ever since we've been together we've really only had each other in small doses, until now. Except for our time here in this house before I left for tour. That month was bliss. I smiled thinking about it. So many good memories through out this house. I put the truck in park and I pulled my phone out.

B: I was just thinking about you. I love you and I hope you have a good show tonight.

Mac: ...

She was typing back. I could see it on the screen. But then those three dots disappeared and she left me on seen. I turned the truck off and called Luke.

"Hey B, what's up?"

"Let me talk to Caroline."  I said.

"Uh, sure. Apparently, it's for you." Luke said.

"Hey B, what do you need?" Caroline spoke.

"I need you to be honest with me. Is Kenzie cheating on me?" I asked. "You're her best friend. You'd know if she was or not, right?" God, I sounded like an insecure little boy.

"No. At least from what I know she's not. Why are you asking? Did you find something?" She asked.

"I just feel like ever since I got home from tour we've been in a rut. She hasn't been herself since the CMA's. I heard she was seen talking with a guy there. I don't know." I sighed. "I sound fucking ridiculous. I'm just making shit up because the shit Amber put me through. Maybe I'm the one pushing away from her and I don't even realize it." I said rubbing my face.

"I know she's put a lot of pressure on herself. Losing at the CMA's, not once but twice in one night definitely struck her ego a lot harder than she wants to admit. I think she just feels like she has to prove herself even more now. Maybe she thinks putting a little space between you two, will allow her to stand on her own." Caroline spoke. "I'm sure she'll come talk to you about whatever it is when the time is right."

"Maybe you're right." I sighed rubbing my hand over my beard. "Listen if you hear from her, tell her to call me. I miss my girl." I said.

"Will do B."

I hung up the phone and went inside. I started jotting lyrics down in a notebook while my guitar kept me company on the couch. By the time sleep was calling my name I was about finished with this song. I wrote the title on the top of the paper and gave myself a mental pat on the back. I played it through one time to make sure I was satisfied with my work.

"Yeah I'm fighting temptation to fall out of love and you know, girl you know. Cause you're all out of patience and I'm already gone. Girl you know, girl you know that if our love ain't close to the end. Yeah if our love ain't close to the end we're closer than we've ever been." I finished strumming. It was a great song. But damn did I feel this one deep in my soul.

I went to lay down and I prayed to god that this wasn't the end for us. MacKenzie and I made it through Charlie, bar fights, kidnappings. So why was this any different? My thoughts raced. I closed my eyes hoping the thoughts would quiet themselves long enough for me to sleep.