Engaged To A Country Bad Boy

Chapter Seventeen

Brantley’s Point Of View:

I knew she was home when I could hear her giggle loud and clear. It was something Jeremy said. I felt an instant pang of regret and envy that her giggle was not for me. I was not the one making her happy at that moment when I was supposed to. Her giggling stopped though when she finally noticed me, standing by the door.

Niel, Jeremy, Danny and Jake were all with her and they instantly shuffled around her, as though they had to protect her for me. Fuck! They were all carrying treats and large stuff toys, no doubt the guys had spent an entire doing what they can to cheer her up. Now I felt even worse and more like a douchebag. Bambi's smile faded as our eyes met.

"Hey." I greeted softly. No response.

"Please let me explain things to you Bambi." I pleaded, taking a step forward. She seemed hesitant, reluctant even. But eventually I heard a soft sigh escaped her lips and she nodded.

"We will bring all these up." Jake announced. "Come on." He started walking first, followed by the rest. When they reached me, they all looked equally disappointed at me. Even Niel. Fuck, even my body guard.

"Don't screw things up again." Jeremy warned me sternly.

"Uh, I have a message from Miss Ruth." Niel looked uncomfortable. "She says if she calls  Skye tonight and she is still not happy, she will come down here and kick uh, your ass and pick Skye up to stay with her." Okay, I deserve that.

I nodded grimly. "Thanks Niel." I looked at my best friends. "Thanks guys.. I can explain everything later."

"Oh you better." Jeremy scowled. "Drinks are on you tonight." With that, they all disappeared into the stairs  and out of sight.

Bambi was still standing away from me. She was looking down at her hands instead of me. I let out a low breath and closed the distance between us. Bambi flinched and I felt hurt. Fuck. How mad was she?

Feeling the strong urge to have her in my arms, I pulled her rigid body into a hug. "I am sorry." I apologized immediately. "I should not have brought you there."

Bambi pushed me away and her eyes snapped up to me. She was angry and I could see tears forming her eyes. "You said you wanted me there together! And then you regret it. Why? I thought since we are finally together.. we have each other's backs. But you pushed me away and you carried  for her.." She ended it with a sob. I never liked seeing a woman cry but when it was the one I loved, god it hurt.

"Shit. Bambi I am sorry. I didn't want to push you away." I cupped her face with my hands and forced our eyes to met. "I wanted to protect you. That scene was not something I wanted you to go through. I did it the wrong way because I just wanted you to get away from that mess. I swear." I was desperate for her forgiveness, for her to stop crying. "I never meant to hurt you. And Jana in that state of hers, I didn't know if she would hurt you. I carried her away to calm her down. I didn't do anything with her."

I wiped her tears away with my thumbs. "I love you Bambi and I fucked up. But I will never fuck up again. I am going to marry you and you're my priority. I swear."

Bambi sniffled. "Really?" She looked beyond adorable and I really felt so fucking lucky to have her.

"Really." I lowered my face to hers and press a light kiss to her lips. "I am really sorry, please don't be mad at me anymore. I will do anything to make it up to you."

"I am not mad at you." She said softly. "I was just sad. I thought.. and all those things Simone said.."

I pulled back slightly, frowning in confusion. "What did Simone said?"

Bambi blinked and bit her lip that was quivering. "She said you wanted to marry Jan  and I was just a distraction at the right moment."

Anger hit me instantly. I wanted to wrap my hands around Simone's neck. "You don't listen to her. Yes I wanted to marry Jana  but that was because I thought it was right at that moment but things have changed. I am in love with you now Bambi." I said fiercely, assuring her. "I am done with Jana  for good. I only stayed the night watching her while waiting for her mother to arrive. I wrote her a letter and I am done with the past. I will still help her as a friend and pay for any treatment she needs, but that's it."

"Really?" Bambi asked and I nodded firmly. "Okay. I trust you, you know. I knew you would never do anything with her but.. I was just worried you still had feelings for her." She admitted quietly.

"I can understand why you're worried." I pulled her into a hug. "But no, you have me completely since you laid those large doe eyes on me, Bambi."

I felt her giggle against my chest and I relaxed. It was all better now but she pulled apart from me again but I kept my arms wrapped around her. Bambi looked nervous though. "But I have something to admit. Because I want the both of us to always be honest with each other."

"Go ahead." I raised a brow and stared at her.

"I spent the night with Jake yesterday." My eyes widened as all the muscles in my body froze. What? The image of Bambi with Jake popped in my mind instantly.. Jake's mouth on her.. his hands.. they in his bed..

"Oh god." Bambi said hurriedly. "I shouldn't have phrased it that way! I meant he stayed up with me watching TV and eating ice-cream while waiting for you. And I cried in his arms and we fell asleep on the entertainment room floor but we did-"

She never got to finish because I had lowered my mouth to hers, silencing hers. When I pulled back, her lips were swollen and she was breathless. "Don't you ever scare me like that. I am jealous but you needed a friend so I am fine." I was jealous Jake and her spent some time together but Bambi needed someone around here and Jake had promised me. I trusted them.

"I am sorry. I just wanted you to know so there won't be any misunderstandings." She said meekly, blushing. I chuckled and kissed her again. I felt a swell of affection towards this girl and her blushes. She was so great and she was going to be my wife.

"I love you Bambi." I said honestly, rubbing her nose with mine.

"I love you too." She replied with a small grin.

"Hm…We have yet to celebrate our engagement, so now how about some make-up making out?" I suggested, wiggling my eyebrows.

"Brantley!" Bambi gasped but her protest got cut off by her giggle when my lips found hers.