Every Good Girl Needs A Bad Boy

2

Brantley:

It had been two weeks since I'd seen little Bella Moore, but I couldn't get her out of my head. When she showed up at my party, and tapped me on the shoulder, I had to work hard to keep my composure. She was all bright eyes and curious smiles. Pink cheeks and a squeaky little voice that sounded hella sexy when she said my name. But that damn manager of hers.. Baxter, Brandon, Bart, whatever the hell his name was, he was a real piece of work. He was holding her back. Not just from me, but from living her life. Bella had an incredible voice, but hadn't released anything with any real worth. I'm betting her manager was the reason behind it. Sure, she hit the charts, and sounded incredible, but it just wasn't her. Give that girl some freedom, and I bet she'd be a real hellcat. When her manager drug her out of the party, her eyes never left mine. She was interested, and damned if I was gonna let that little shit keep me away from Bella. PJ shook me out of my musings, "Show time, Boss." He said. I nodded and grabbed my mic. I was performing at the iHeart Radio Awards this evening.

After my performance I headed out to my bus, hoping to grab a shower. Just as I pulled my shades on, I heard someone call my name. "Brantley?!" A squeaky little voice got closer. I turned around. Bella. "Hello beautiful, good to see you again Bella." I grinned. "H-hey Brantley. It's great to see y-you too." She said quickly. I paused and really looked at her. She was breathing a little too fast and she kept looking behind her. "What's wrong?" I asked. "N-nothing." She said quickly, ducking her eyes and fiddling with a silver ring on her left ring finger. Shit, looks like Bella was off limits. "Bella, you keep looking over your shoulder like you're waiting on the boogeyman. Darlin, what's wrong?" I asked again. She blinked rapidly, those big jade colored eyes tearing up, as she shook her head no. "Bella, you've got me worried. Are you alright?" I put my hands on her shoulders to steady her, keeping my touch completely appropriate. When I did, one of her hands wrapped around my wrist, the other shot out and grabbed a fistful of my tshirt. She sniffled. "Bella, talk to me baby, what happened?" I pleaded. She had me worried. I moved the hand she wasn't holding to her cheek, and cupped it in my palm. When I did, she broke down sobbing. Body-wracking sobs that had her gasping for air. "Shit sweetheart come here." I tugged her into my arms and wrapped her up tight. Ol man be damned, this woman was scared and needed comfort. "Where's your husband Bella?" I asked her. "Husband?" She asked with tearful hiccups. I tapped the ring on her finger. She shook her head no. "It's a purity ring, not a wedding ring. No husband, I'm single." She explained. I nodded and rubbed her back as she huddled further into my chest. "Wanna tell me what's going on now?" I asked. She cast a cautious glance behind her. "How about we go on my bus? I'll get you some water, maybe something to eat. Then we can sit and talk. That better?" I asked her. She nodded and sighed, hugging me tight once more before letting me go. I guided her onto my bus and she sat, shivering slightly. I pulled off my leather jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders, before I grabbed her a bottle of water and sat next to her on the couch. "Start at the beginning." I told her softly.