Clint Eastwood

Chapter 3

After the awards show was over, Brantley asked if he could take me out for a bite to eat. Considering my stomach was growling, and I wasn't ready to say goodbye yet, I agreed. We headed down a few blocks to this little mom and pop style diner. When the waitress came and took our order, I shocked Brantley when I ordered a bacon cheeseburger with fries, a milkshake, and a slice of pie. "I'm impressed.." He grinned after ordering the same thing. "I'm a woman. I eat. I'm not the type to order a salad and pick at it jut to make someone I'm with happy. I'm hungry, so I eat." I said a little too defensively. I winced. "Sorry..." I apologized and ducked my head. Brantley chuckled. "Who you been dating, girl?" He grinned. "Some real winners huh?" I asked bashfully. Brantley snorted. He shook his head and tugged me closer to him in the corner booth. "So tell me all about Jessie James." He said, nuzzling my hair. I relaxed into his side, and started telling him random tidbits about myself. I felt comfortable around him. Safe. Protected. It was a nice feeling. As he started answering my questions, my phone chirped, indicating a text. I read it and slapped my phone into the table, growling while resting my head in my hands. "Somethin wrong darlin?" Brantley asked. I nodded. "I don't wanna go.." I mumbled. "Go where?" He asked confused." That was my manager reminding my to show up. I agreed to do a photo shoot for Maxim a while back, the shoot is tomorrow, and the guy who's going to be behind the camera gives me the willies. He's just... Slimy. He makes my skin crawl, and I'm so not looking forward to dealing with him all day." I sighed. "He try anything with you when you met him?" Brantley asked a little Feiffer than usual. "Not directly. He just... It's hard to explain. I just don't feel comfortable being alone with him." I said quietly. "Where's the shoot at?" He asked. "It's here in Nashville. Tomorrow at 9am." I said, taking a sip of my shake. "I'm coming with you." He said matter of factly. I paused mid-sip and turned to him. "Really?" I asked hopefully. He nodded, brows pulled down in a frown. "Thank you!" I sighed in relief and hugged him tightly. He hugged me back, then looked at me funny. "You're not going to argue with me? Women's rights and feminist principles and all that junk?" He looked at me shocked. I smiled big. "Honey, I'm from the south. When a man says he's gonna handle it, you step aside and let him handle it. Especially if he's big and bad and is built like a linebacker." I patted his chest and went back to my meal. Brantley chuckled and kissed the top of my head and went back to eating.

The next morning Brantley picked me up at my hotel and drove us out to the location we'd be shooting at. I went through hair and make up, then wardrobe. They had me in a plaid button down and some cut offs. The shirt was unbuttoned, but covered everything important. We started shooting and everything was going well. I thought we were done at first. But the photographer spoke. "That was great Jessie, now how about we lose the shirt? You can cross your arms over your chest, or we could improvise." He said in a seriousness. "Excuse me?" I asked him to repeat himself. "The shirt. Lose it." He motioned to me. I frowned. "No." I said. He groaned. "Oh stop being a diva. Just ditch the shirt already, I don't have all day." He huffed and took a step towards me. I jumped backwards and buttoned the shirt all the way up to my neck. When he moved again, he froze when Brantley stepped in front of him. "What part of 'no' don't you understand boy? The lady said no, so it ain't happening." He growled. I relaxed knowing he was right there. "Oh come on, it's just tits! Sex sells." He goaded. Brantley growled dangerously, and I knew things were about to get ugly. I grabbed my things quickly, and put my hand on Brantley's arm. "Maybe so, but these are MY tits, and I'm NOT selling sex. Let's go B..." I said. Brantley shoved the guy a good 4 foot back and tucked me under his arm protectively. "You ok Jessie?" He asked. I didn't answer. I kept my eyes straight ahead, trying to hurry along, but he wouldn't have it. "Jessie... Are you alright?" He asked again. I quickly shook my head no and tried to pull him towards the truck. He was too big and didn't budge. I finally looked at him, and his look of concern did me in. My bottom lip started quivering and I knew the water works were coming. I couldn't stop them. "Ah hell... Come here princess." He tugged me towards him and scooped me up in his arms. I buried my head in his neck and sniffled pitifully. "I've got you baby, you're alright." His deep voice soothed me as he walked us towards the truck. We were almost there when an intern came running towards us. "Miss James! The editor just heard what happened! He wants to speak with you personally to apologize! The photographer has been fired. Please come back!" She said quickly. Brantley looked at me to see what I wanted to do. "I don't wanna go back there." I whispered. He tucked me back into his arms. "Tell him to call her and do it over the phone. We're leaving." Brantley growled. We got into the truck and sped off.