Against The World // Brantley Gilbert

1.

Everleigh's POV

If you told me two years ago that my world would have been turned upside down by two of the people I trusted most in the world, I probably would have laughed in your face.

However, that quickly became my reality the day that I found my ex-best friend and my now ex-husband in bed together. Marie was my publicist turned best friend, and Braxton works for one of the many artist management companies in Nashville. After immediately kicking them out of the apartment, I quickly called my lawyer, having no doubt that divorce was the only option for the two of us.

Once Braxton caught wind of my filings, he and Marie teamed up to run my name through the mud as fast as they could, claiming that I was the one cheating on him to get ahead in my career.

It only took the media two weeks to have that story front page of every major news outlet in Nashville, some across the country.

Of course, Braxton tried to convince me to take him back, promising me that as soon as I called off the divorce, he would retract everything.

I gave him a big fuck you and left town.

Almost a year later, I find myself sitting in a quiet cabin in the North Georgia mountains, avoiding everyone except for my family and a few of my friends.

"Are you still planning on coming into town later today?" I ask Chase, leaning against the railing.

Chase lets out a sigh, "I wish I could sis. Unfortunately, Kerri called a last-minute meeting about the tour. I told her about me trying to come see you today, but she told me there was no way I could miss this meeting" he responds.

"Damnit, I had plans to try and go to the grocery store after you got here, plus I think I'm going crazy. I need human interaction as soon as possible" I tell him.

Chase lets out a chuckle, "I've got all of that taken care of. I have a buddy that lives nearby, so he's going to come and drop some stuff off for you until I can get there next week. Don't worry, he knows all about privacy, and respecting it, so he won't say a word to anyone. Besides, maybe some interaction with someone other than me or your parents will do you some good" he responds.

"Chase, I really don't think that's the best idea" I say.

"Tough shit, he's pulling through the gate now. Be nice" he says, before hanging up the phone.

Damn you Chase Rice, damn you. 

Brantley's POV

Pulling through the iron gates at the address Chase sent me earlier, I wonder just who is hiding behind these gates, and why he's protecting them so fiercely.

When Chase called and asked me to go run some stuff to a friend nearby and explained that this person didn't want anyone to know where she was, I of course was intrigued.

The only thing he explained was that she was a close friend, and normally he would come down and they would go out together. However, since he was stuck in a meeting today, he asked me to just take her some stuff, and he would come to take her out of the house next week.

Parking my truck behind the 4Runner sitting in the driveway, I make quick work of grabbing the few bags out of the back before making my way towards the house.

Before my foot can hit the porch, the door opens slowly revealing the missing Nashville sweetheart, Everleigh Bennett.

I haven't heard anyone mention Everleigh outside of the tabloids in months, and now I know why. She's been hiding just miles down the road from me for who knows how long.

"Brantley, right?" asks Everleigh.

"That's me, Chase sent me with stuff to get you through till he can get here" I respond, lifting up the bags in my hands.

Everleigh opens the door wider, motioning me to join her inside.

When I step inside, I finally get a good look at her for the first time. Her long blonde hair is thrown up in a messy pony tail, a large Luke Bryan concert shirt hangs off of her shoulders, almost wrapping her in comfort. Vulnerability shines in her eyes as she looks at me.

I follow Everleigh through the house and towards the kitchen, setting the bags down on the island.

"Thank you for doing this. Chase normally just takes me out, but I guess since he was busy, he thought it was easier to send you. Either way, I appreciate it" she tells me.

"It's not a problem, I needed a reason to get out of the house anyways, Chase just gave me that excuse" I respond.

Everleigh gives me a nod, avoiding eye contact with me. I can tell just based off her mannerism that she's nervous about someone else being in her safe space, someone that before 10 minutes ago, she didn't know personally.

"So, why Georgia?" I ask her.

"Chase got this place set up for me hours after everything went to shit. I wanted to go back to my parents house, but they would figure out where that was, and Chase's was definitely off the table, so he found this place. The owner sold it to us pretty cheaply, so eventually it'll just be a writing retreat, but for now I'm here" she explains, unloading the groceries on the counter.

I nod, watching as she moves effortlessly through the kitchen.

"So, what's the actual story?" I ask.

Everleigh stops, turning to look at me, confusion on her face.

"What do you mean?" she questions.

Crossing my arms overmy chest, I lean against the counter. "We both know how the media can twist stuff,I've delt with some of that myself. You don't have to answer if you don't wantto, but I'm just curious about what really happened" I respond.