Against The World ; Brantley Gilbert

7.

Brantley's POV

Pulling up outside of my label's building in Nashville, I can't help but to wish that I was still back home in Georgia.

A few weeks have passed since Everleigh and I talked about our feelings, and since that night, the two of us have been inseparable. We found ourselves spending time at the cabin, or at my house daily.

Between the two of us, we decided not to tell anyone about the change in our relationship until we can go out in public without being hounded by the media, not like I gave a fuck what they had to say. If it were up to me, I would have told the world about the two of us the minute we made things official. 

However, I wasn't going to push the subject, or Everleigh. Whatever she was comfortable with, I was comfortable with.

She was mine, and at the end of the day that's all that mattered to me.  

Walking into the building, I make a b-line for the conference room that Scott and the rest of the team are waiting for me in. Seeing as how it was almost time for me to tour again, it was finally time to get things laid out and finalized.

The thought had crossed my mind to ask Everleigh if she wanted to open for me just so she can get herself back into the swing of things. However, I would rather have her enjoying the shows, rather than pushing her back out onto a stage when she isn't ready for that yet.

And if she want's to get on stage again while I'm on tour, than I will make that happen. 

Stepping foot into the conference room, I see everyone talking amongst themselves, one new face sitting next to Scott.

As soon as he looks up at me, anger flows through my body as I recognize the slimy prick that is Everleigh's ex-husband.

"Ah, there's the man of the hour" Scott states, the room quieting as they hear his words.

Sitting down across from Scott, I can't help the daggers that are sent in Braxton's direction as Scott passes a stack of papers in my direction.

"Brantley, meet Braxton Mitchell. He's moving up from helping out on the smaller tours to yours this year" Scott tells me. 

Fuck. This. Shit. 

Everleigh's POV

 "Something is different about you" Chase states, narrowing his eyes at me.

With Brantley gone for a few days, I've had nothing to do but to actually work on a few songs that I've been messing around with and sit around patiently waiting for him to come back.

Normally, I don't find myself getting attached to someone so quickly. However, there is just something about Brantley that had me so attached that I've been counting down until he comes home. 

15 hours in case anyone was wondering.

"I'm just in a better place mentally than I have been in a long time. I feel more like myself again" I respond, hoping he would buy it.

"Baby girl, we need to talk. Where are you?" I hear coming from the front of the cabin.

Well shit. 

I look down at my phone to see Chase looking back at me, shocked expression on his face.

"Want to explain that one Evie?" Chase questions, raising an eyebrow at me.

Before I can respond, a kiss is being placed on the top of my head.

Looking up at Brantley, I see a smile on his face, but worry hidden behind that smile.

"What happened?" I ask him. 

"I thought you weren't supposed to come back into town until tomorrow" I add. 

Brantley sits down next to me with a sigh, before leaning back against the couch.

"Braxton is going to be taking over for Scott on half of the tour with me this year" Brantley admits.

"What the fuck did you just say?" Chase questions.

Brantley looks down at my phone that's propped up on the coffee table before looking up at me. 

"Oh believe me, I have questions. However, this seems to be a more important topic right now" Chase adds.

"I went into the meeting, and he was sitting next to Scott. Apparently, Scott thinks it's time he starts taking over some of the bigger tours, and since mine is the next one, Scott chose me. I couldn't exactly blurt out that he couldn't join me because I'm seeing his ex-wife and that I didn't want the two of you in the same room, so I had to agree with him coming along" Brantley tells us. 

I let out a dry chuckle, placing my hands in my head.

"Of course, something like this happens. Things can't just go easy for me, something just has to come along and ruin it, and this comes in the form of the biggest dick head to walk this earth" I respond. 

"I can tell Scott that I don't want him coming along, but in order for me to do that I would have to explain everything to him, and I know we don't really want to give out your location right now. Especially to someone that is close to him" Brantley says.

"Should've just let me kill him like I wanted to, wouldn't be having to deal with this in the first place" Chase mumbles, adding in his two sense. 

"No one is going to kill anyone, at least not yet" I respond, shooting Chase a glare.

"I will just make sure that I'm here if we know that he's going to be on the road with you at that time. Problem solved" I add. 

Brantley rolls his eyes at me, "I was kind of hoping that my girlfriend would at least stick around for more than a weekend here and there" Brantley responds. 

"Can we get back to the girlfriend, and the seeing his ex-wife part. What did I miss?" Chase asks.

"I don't have an explanation for you it just happened, but don't mention anything to mom please? You know she would have a cow" I plead.

"I'll let it slide for now since there is a lot going on, but we will come back to this at some point" Chase responds, giving me a pointed look.

After the three of us talked for a little while longer, we ended the call, Brantley and I heading out to the back porch.

"What are you thinking about?" Brantley asks, noticing my blank stare. 

"Just about how all of this will end up playing out" I respond, snuggling myself into his side more.

Brantley kisses the top of my head, pulling me closer to him. "I promise you; I will do everything I can to keep you as hidden as possible while out on the road. As far as he goes, nothing he can say or do will keep me from you. That's a promise" he tells me.