Landmine - Post Malone

34

"Darlin', I would rather you stay. I do not have a good feeling about this," Austin says from the bathroom door while Dillon puts on the final touches to her makeup. "I am going, baby, you just need to calm down. This is a good lesson for you," she says turning around to face him.

"Lesson? What lesson?"

"On how to let go a little, loosen the reins."

"I prefer not to let go and I see no issue with tightening the reins a little more."

"You haven't loosened the reins, there is nothing to tighten."

"Nonsense. You walk to and from Becky and Lou's trailer unaccompanied."

"While you watch me the entire time."

"And?"

Dillon sighs, letting her eyes roll to the back of her head as she gathers the remaining patience she has left with him. True to what Becky had said, Austin had not changed much. He tries, but the man is not capable of leaving her to roam freely without some sort of oversight. He is now always finished his task before she wants to go to the heifers so he goes with her. She has seen the men sneaking in groceries so her cupboards are never empty and had not needed to go into town, and whenever he takes her to the waterfall he gets her hot and heavy in the truck when he kisses her goodbye so the kiss only lands up being a prelude to what happens at the waterfall before she drags him through the bushes and strips herself naked for him. He is sneaky that's for sure. She at least pees in peace, although, strangely, the lock on the bathroom door has broken, and Austin has not gotten around to fixing it yet.

"Besides, I can't spare the men."

"Then Becky and I will go on our own."

"Absolutely not."

"Austin," she groans rubbing the back of her neck and sighing again. "You are being ridiculous," she says, turning to look in the mirror while she puts in her earrings. "I disagree," he snips. She sighs again, then opens the buckle drawer and chooses a buckle that has a horse on it. "You disagree because you are the one being ridiculous," she says, putting his buckle on his belt, then wrapping her arms around his waist and looking up at him. "I am going," she says. "I don't want you to go," he mumbles like a sulking child. "And I understand that. But, I am going," she says firmly. She won't back down from this; if she does, she may as well get used to living in the bathroom - he will lock her in here. He needs this as much as she does.

He grunts his disapproval but takes her hand and leads her outside to his truck. That in itself is a major step for him. They both know he could have fought a little harder and she would have relented, but he is trying to loosen those reins at her request - just in his own way. "I checked the tyres, oil, and water and made sure she is full," he mumbles, opening the driver's door while he remains grumpy. "Did you check the lights and the undercarriage? What about the windshield? If it has a crack, it may explode," Dillon says, climbing in as Becky snorts with laughter before Louis nudges her quiet. "I don't appreciate the snide comment," Austin says. "Kill a man for giving a shit," Louis snips.

Dillon grimaces. That was uncalled for and bitchy of her. Austin is having a tough time with her going off on her own and she should be more considerate of his feelings. He is trying. "Come closer," she beacons him. He steps closer, his lips still in an unhappy pout. "Thank you. I appreciate you making sure everything is good in the truck," she whispers, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Mhmm," he hums.

"I really could have just taken my car."

"I am not letting you drive that thing."

"It's a safe car, Austin."