Written by the wonderful SPaige0615
Brantley's POV:
Jessa climbed on the back of my bike and we took off, the change in her was nearly instant. As soon as we hit the road, she relaxed into me. Her hands idly stroked over my abs, her cheek rested against my back. About 20 minutes into our trip, I felt her sigh. We pulled off down an old dirt road and killed the engine. I climbed off, and she swung a leg over the bike to face me, still seated. "Talk to me. What's going on in your head honey?" I asked her. She looked out at the field without saying anything. "What's up with you and Jake? There's something deeper than a sibling rivalry going on." I asked again. She shook her head again. Clenching her jaw tightly. I tugged her up and into my chest, turning so we both leaned back against the bike. "No judgements here. But you've gotta let that shit out. That hard ass front might fool everyone else, but it's just me and you here Jessa." I rumbled. She sagged against me. "Jake...." She sighed and started again. "Jake feels like he has to protect me from everything, and everyone. Our dad got killed on a job site when I was really young, and Jake took it upon himself to play the father role to me. Which was ok at first. But when I was in college.." She paused, pressing her fists to her eyes. I heard her sniffle but I didn't say anything. I just squeezed her tighter. "When I was in college, this guy... He tried..." She paused and shuddered. "I had never dated before. So one night we went out to eat, I think he slipped something into my drink. He brought me home. Then he tried to rape me." She growled. I froze and tensed. I wasn't sure k wanted to hear the rest of this story, but I forced myself to relax anyways. "He didn't! And I beat the shit out of him. I didn't have a scratch on me, but he was hospitalized for a couple of weeks. After that, Jake got really over protective. Like, obsessively so. I can't even tie my shoes without him re-checking him. Dating?" She snorted. "That was out of the question. The only reason he hasn't flipped his shit yet is because he's a little terrified of you. It's gotten so bad that the harder he pushes, the harder I push back. I can't take it anymore Brantley! I resent him for all the shit I've dealt with! He's had me under lock and key for as long as I can remember." Jessa broke down. She went slack against me and turned, sobbing into my chest. I tugged her closer. Words wouldn't make her feel better right now, she just needed to know I was here. "I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere, alright?" I promised her. She nodded and clung to me tighter. "Please don't let me go." She whispered. "Never Jessie-baby.. Never." I swore, kissing her forehead. She sniffled until she wore herself out, slumping against me as she dozed off. I scooped her up and climbed back on the bike, keeping her snug against my chest.
When we got home, she was still relying, I carried her inside, intent on lying her down and letting her sleep. "What the fuck man?! Where've y'all been?!" Jake bellowed. "You... Sit your ass back down boy. Me and you gonna have a little chat... Don't raise your voice in my house." I warned him. He sat immediately, staying quiet while I went to tuck Jessa in. When I came back downstairs, I looked at Jake. "Let's step outside Jake." I told him gruffly, trying to keep my temper in check. Ben sat quietly, smart enough not to say anything.
