He Rescued Me

3

Maci's POV
I've been on Brantley's bus for almost two weeks. We are fixing to be in Nebraska, which is where my parents live. I haven't told Brantley yet, but I'm heading to my parents in Omaha when the bus stops in Lincoln. I'm nervous as to how he will react. A couple nights after he rescued me, we ended up having sex after one of his shows. He has been kind of distant to me, which works out because I'm falling too fast for him. I'm definitely not ready for a relationship, or anything involving a man right now. Am I? "We will be pulling into Lincoln in about 2 hours." Brantley says looking up from his phone. "I guess I better go start packing then." I say out loud before I can stop myself. Brantley's head shoots up and he's standing in front of me before I can even take a breath. "What the hell do you need to pack for? Where you going?" I mentally face palm myself. Well, I guess now I have to tell him. "I'm leaving. I'm going to my parents in Omaha. Ever since the other night, you've been really distant and I don't feel like you want me here anymore. I think that it's best that I leave." I tell him before walking around him to go pack.

I'm in the bunk area packing, when Brantley comes and leans against the doorway. "Maci, I don't want you to leave. I've been distant because I don't want to rush you into anything. I don't regret that night one bit, but I also don't think that you were 100% ready for it. I would love for you to stay on the road with me, let me get to know you, and see where things go." He says almost sounding hopeful. "Brantley, it scares me because I'm already getting attached to you. I feel bad because I'm not working and I feel like you are supporting me." I say getting upset. "Darlin', a man is supposed to support his woman. And I love that you are getting attached to me, because honestly, I feel the same way. "I'll stay." I say barely above a whisper. "Only if you want me to." I add. "Please. I want you to."

Brantley's POV
I had convinced Maci to stay and now she's on the phone with her parents to let them know that she's not coming. From the moment I laid eyes on her, I know I was going to have to fight to make her mine. After everything that happened with Jake, I'm going to have to fight hard. I never want her to feel like she is a burden with me. Maci deserves to be treated like a queen. "What are you thinking so hard about over there?" Maci asks from the couch. I didn't even know she was there. "Just trying to figure out how I'm going to give you the world." I tell her truthfully. "All I need in life is you. That alone makes me happier than you'll ever know." She says walking over and sitting in my lap. "Kiss me." Maci tells me. Without hesitation, I kiss her gently.

I didn't have a show tonight, so Maci and I are taking it easy and having a lazy night. "You hungry?" Maci asks when she walks to the front of the bus after changing clothes. "Yeah, you wanna go out for dinner or grab some takeout?" I ask standing up to grab my truck keys. "Actually, I was thinking that maybe I could cook tonight. It's kind of a thank you for being so amazing these last couple weeks." "Well darlin', you don't have to do that. I'm also not one to complain about a home cooked meal." I say with a laugh. Maci starts pulling things out to make chicken fried steak, collard greens, and mashed potatoes. I give her some serious credit, because the kitchen on the bus isn't very big, but she is making it work. An hour later we are sitting at the table eating, when she reaches across and grabs my hand. "I'm glad that you talked me into staying. Thank you for everything that you've already done for me." "I wouldn't have it any other way."