Against The World ; Brantley Gilbert

10

Brantley's POV

Before I met Everleigh, being out on the road was something I looked forward to. However, knowing that I left her at my house with my mom so that I could start this tour, I'd rather be there right now than sitting on this bus.

Originally, Everleigh planned on just staying in the cabin while I was gone, maybe popping up to Nashville every once in a while. Somehow, I was able to convince my stubborn ass girlfriend that I wouldn't be as stressed out if she was behind the gates at my house where I would know that she was safe.

Thankfully, it worked.

Not to mention my mama was itching to get some alone time with Everleigh, so it worked out for the two of them. They're set to have a few weeks of girl time before they both flight out to see me on the road.

Not long after the bus comes to a stop in south Alabama, a knock sounds through the bus.

Leaving my phone with Everleigh on facetime on the table, I open up the door only to see the one person I'd love to sucker punch right now standing on the other side.

"Hey Brantley, how was the drive down?" Braxton asks, pocketing his phone.

"It was fine. What can I help you with? Normally Scott doesn't bug me unless it's important" I say.

"I just wanted to check in. Mind if I come in and we have a quick chat?" he asks.

I take a look back at my phone, softly hearing Everleigh laugh at something Kolby was saying. I give him a nod before heading towards the table.

I quickly grab my phone, texting Kolby to have Everleigh mute herself, before setting it upside down on the table so Braxton can't catch a glimpse of Ev.

"So what did you want to talk about?" I ask Braxton. 

Everleigh's POV

Hearing Braxton's voice through the phone sends a numbing sensation over my body. 

I knew eventually I would hear it, that we would probably come face to face at some point over the next few weeks. I just wasn't expecting it to hit me as hard as it did.

It's almost as if someone dumped a bucket of cold water on me. 

"You good?" Kolby asks, looking up from his phone. 

I give him a nod, "I'm good. Just wasn't expecting it" I respond. 

Hearing voices on the other end of the phone, the two of us stare at it, silent.

"I just think you need to be seen out in public with a female. I know you have this whole bad boy, single for life image about you, but maybe its time for a change up" Braxton suggests.

"No chance in hell dude. For one, I have a girlfriend back home, and two I don't need to be seen out in public with someone for my image. I could care less about what people think about me, and how they see me. If they have a problem with me not having a girl on my arm at all times, they can get over it." Brantley responds. 

"Scott knows my relationship, and he doesn't give a shit about me being seen out in public with her, so why do you care so bad?" Brantley adds.

Curiosity peaks in me, wondering just where Braxton is trying to go with this. 

Braxton is sneaky, he is used to getting what he wants, when he wants it. There's no doubt in my mind that he has a hidden agenda here.

"I know the perfect girl for you to be seen with too. Her name is Marie, and she's known around Nashville. It's not like you have to date her or anything, just go out with her a few times, stuff like that. It'll be good for you to be seen with someone known like that, maybe get you some more fans. You know they eat up a good relationship story" Braxton responds.

I let out a dark chuckle hearing what he just suggested. Kolby looks at me, wide eyed.

"Are you good sis?" Kolby asks. 

"I'm going to kill him. I might actually go to jail over this man" I tell him.

I hear Brantley chuckle on the other end of the phone, drawing my attention back to him.

"Like I said before, I have a girlfriend, and I don't need to be seen in public with anyone. If Scott is the one asking this, than he can come to me and talk to me about it. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to relax some before the show tomorrow" Brantley responds to Bradley.

A minute later, Brantley is picking up the phone, an annoyed expression on his face. 

"I'm going to kill him" Brantley growls.

As soon as I unmute myself, Kolby and I both fall into a fit of laughter.

"Dude, you're rubbing off on her too much. Sweet Ev just said the exact same thing over here. Let out a laugh that honestly scared the shit out of me" Kolby tells him.

Brantley laughs a bit, before a smirk grows on his face. 

"What can I say, my girl and I are just alike" Brantley responds. 

Later that night, I find myself laying in Brantley's bed, my writing notebook next to me as I jot down all of my thoughts, Brantley sleeping on facetime on the pillow next to me helping me feel a little less alone in this house. 

A smile grows on my face at how perfect things are right now, and I'll live in this moment for as long as possible.