The Best Of Me

Chapter 14

Harmony

       It felt like time slowed down as Brantley put his arms around me and brought his lips that last inch to mine. He pressed his lips to mine softly at first and then he pulled me into him as his kiss deepened. He pulled back just a little to catch his breath and then his lips were on mine again. Without breaking contact I stepped backwards into my apartment and Brantley followed. I didn't think my neighbors would appreciate it if we stayed outside much longer. Brantley pulled away but I could tell he didn't want to. I could see the longing in his eyes and I wouldn't be surprised if he could see it mine as well. I had never wanted anything the way I wanted him right now. "I should probably go. You need your sleep." "Stay." I didn't have to convince him and he didn't try to argue. His lips were on mine again. Brantley followed me to the bedroom but I don't think either of us counted on just how tired we were. We made out a little bit more before we settled into each others arms and fell asleep.

For a second when I woke up I couldn't figure out why it was so dark in my apartment until I remembered the night before and that morning. I had such an amazing time. I rolled over and found myself face to face with a still sleeping Brantley. I smiled and then I kissed him. I had to get up and start getting ready for work. When I kissed Brantley he opened his eyes and smiled at me. I wanted to be the reason for his smile everyday. It was happening so fast but I had never really felt like this before. I was standing on the edge and I was ready to fall. I kissed Brantley again before getting up. I didn't want to leave his arms, Ever, But I had to. I had to be an adult and go to work whether I liked it or not.

"Hey Harmony. Are you here tonght? You seem really far away." I looked at Ashley "Sorry. My mind just wandered for a second." "Was it wandering somewhere dirty?" "What? No. I was just thinking about Brantley." "Did you finally see him again?" "Yes. He took me out last night. It was so perfect. I really like him a lot." "Just be careful." "I know." "And focus on work. It's getting late we'll be getting busy soon." She threw a dishrag at me and I caught it laughing. "Sorry. I wont do it again." We both started laughing and got back to work.

I took my break a little after midnight when it slowed down a bit. I knew it would get busy again so I would only have a few minutes. I rarely got my whole break on the weekends. It would get so busy that they would need everyone behind the bar and on the floor. I checked my phone and saw a text from Brantley "Hope you're having a great night. Can't wait to see you tomorrow." I smiled and text back "Do we have plans tomorrow?" his response came back almost instantly "I hope so." I replied "We'll see" I tried to play it cool but I really couldn't wait to see him again.

I woke up to a knock on my door. I never realized when I got a job at a bar how tired I'd be all the time. I looked over at my clock. Shit. How in the world did I sleep until almost two in the afternoon. I jumped up and went to answer the door. Brantley stood on the other side smiling and holding a steaming hot cup of coffee. "You're a lifesaver. Thank you so much." "No problem." "I do wish you'd have called before you came over though. I just woke up. My hair is a mess, I'm in my pajamas, I look like hell I'm sure." "Nah, babe you look beautiful" "You're just saying that." "No I mean it. You always look beautiful." "Thanks" "Oh and I tried calling you. You didn't answer. I figured you were tired so I brought you coffee." "You're the best" I leaned over to kiss him lightly but he pulled me into him. I could get used to this. The way his lips fit perfectly with mine, The way his arms felt around me. I never wanted it to end.

"So..., I have a show tonight. At your bar." "Really? should you be playing bars right now?" "It doesn't matter. I have to be able to play bars. But I'm good I promise." "Okay" "Plus you'll be there. You'll keep me from drinking if I even think about it." "Brantley you're an adult and you're bigger than me. If you really wanted to drink I could never stop you." "Just being around you makes me never want to drink again. Trust me Harmony. You could stop me." "I didn't even know we were having a band tonight." "Kind of a last minute unannounced type thing." "Oh. well how will people know to come then?" "They wont. Steve thought it would be best to keep things small for now." "It's Saturday night. Do you know how busy we get on Saturday's?" "Not as busy as you get on Saturday's with a live band." "Okay fair enough." I kissed him again. I really couldn't get enough of him.

I stood behind the bar and watched Brantley play. He was on his third song of the night but the crowd had already doubled in size. They might not have announced he was doing a show but word got around fast. Not to mention you could hear Brantley playing from outside. "Hey Harmony stop drooling. Becca had to go home she had an emergency I need you to help run drinks out." "You want me to cover for a waitress. Like take orders and remember where everything goes?" "Yes Harmony that's exactly hat I need you to do." "But Ashley I have never waitressed before" "That's okay. It's not that hard you'll get the hang of it. Start with table 3. They just sat down." I walked up to the table of 4 and asked them what they wanted to drink. Then I made their drinks and ran them back to the table. It was a lot of extra work since I was doing two jobs but Ashley was right and I caught on pretty fast.

What I didn't count on was that waitressing meant I had to squeeze through the crowds and deal with drunks. Bartending I usually had a bar between me and the drunk customers. I had customers hitting on me left and right and had to stop a few from trying to grab me. I was also doing so much running around I barely even noticed Brantley up on the stage singing. Okay well I noticed him. I noticed every difference in his voice as he changed his tone or took a breath. I couldn't stop to watch him, I could barely even look at him I was so busy but I could hear him and that was enough.

"Hey, what the fuck." I turned toward the obviously drunk guy that had just grabbed my ass. I didn't use language like that often but he had caught me off guard and I didn't like being touched like that. Well unless it was Brantley. "You have a nice ass I just wanted to see if it felt as nice as it looked" "It's not your ass so keep your nasty hands to yourself" "You can't just talk to customers like that." "I'm pretty sure I can. I don't even know you. You have no right to touch me." "We could always get out of here and get to know each other." He had this scary ass look on his face. I got the feeling that if I ran into him in a dark alley or something he wouldn't take no for an answer. He gave me the creeps but at least Brantley was here and could walk me to my car after work. "Sorry not interested." I tried to walk away but he grabbed my arm. I was having an anxiety attack and I couldn't react to him grabbing me. I didn't notice the music stop until Brantley was between us. "Hey man she said she's not interested back off." "Who the fuck are you? Get your hand off me." "Not until you apologize to her." "Man, I was just having fun I didn't even do anything wrong." "You put your hands on someone who didn't want you touching them." "I said I was just messing around" "Well go mess around somewhere else. Maybe keep your hands off another man's woman." "I don't see a ring on her finger and I don't see her with anyone either" "I'm right here, and she's mine." I don't know what the drunk guy said I was too busy thinking about the fact that Brantley had just said I was his. I liked the sound of that. Brantley's girl. I was pulled out of my thoughts when the guy hit the ground. Brantley had just punched him and knocked him out in one hit. Whatever he said must not have been good. Brantley kissed me and went back on stage as if nothing had even happened. 

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