Kolby's POV
I leaned forward with my elbows on my knees and head in my hands. Biting the inside of my cheek, I did my best to keep my emotions in check. I couldn't lose it. Brantley was sure to when he got here, and I had to stay strong for him and the boys. Mama had gone to get some coffee. Ashley was making a few phone calls while Eli had headed to the airport. I had wanted to go, but I knew I couldn't leave Stephanie.
She had been over at Mama's earlier in the day when I had swung by to sweet talk her into going to Athens with me. I had been following behind her to their house when I noticed a truck up the road weaving in and out. I'd watched in complete horror next as it veered over crashing into Steph before causing her car to flip. I'd called it in then pulled over taking off running to get to Stephanie. She was unconscious with blood everywhere so all I had been able to do was hold her hand until the ambulance arrived.
I had called Mama as they were getting her out of the car then Mike to get Brantley off the stage and in the air. I was able to ride with her the whole way here and the only time I had let go of her hand was right before we arrived. She had quite breathing for a minute and my heart stopped as well.
I felt a soft hand on my shoulder making me jerk my head up as I looked over Tinsley out of the corner of my eye. She gave me a sad smile before pushing her blonde hair out of her face.
"Uncle B and the boys are here Uncle Ko," she said softly as I heard the thundering of Brantley's boots before I even saw him. I jumped up as he appeared in the doorway with Carson and Hunter right behind him. I swallowed deeply as he walked over. I felt my eyes tear up at the anguish in his.
"B," I stuttered out. "I'm sorry. I should have...."
Brantley cut me off with an iron grip on my shoulder along with a firm shake of his head.
"Kolb," he said gruffly tugging me in for a hug. "You weren't the one driving bro. Didn't leave her side until they made you either. Heard anything else?"
"Nothing yet," Ashley said as she walked over stepping into Eli's arms with a sigh.
I step away from my brother and grab both of my nephews hugging them tight. I watched helplessly as Brantley started pacing around the room with his arms braced on the top of his head. I knew he was worried, pissed off and scared to death. I sat back down in my chair with the boys on either side of me. Watching my brother, I couldn't help but decide to aggravate him a little bit just to get his mind on something else.
"Hey B," I said leaning back crossing my arms over my chest giving him a sly smirk. "Want a cigarette?"
Brantley's POV
I stopped my restless pacing and whirled around glaring at Kolby. I pointed a long finger at him and let out a growl shaking my head as the boys started laughing.
"Hell no," I grumbled even though I would kill for one right about now. I narrowed my eyes at my smirking brother shaking my head. "Wait a minute, you just want to see Steph whip my ass from flat on her back."
"Maybe," Kolby snickers at me. "Always guaranteed to be a good show. I'll tell Caroline to bring the popcorn."
"She could do it too," I hear from the doorway making me turn my head. "With one hard tired behind her back Boss."
A small smile turned up on my lips as PJ came walking in to give me a big hug. I pulled back looking at him.
'I know she could, better than any of y'all," I said with a quiet chuckle. "Woman has made me sleep with one eye open on more than a few occasions. Thanks for coming man."
