Legends

Don't Want To Talk About It

Allie's POV

I was curled up on the window seat in the studio part of my loft looking out at the Nashville skyline. My chin was propped on my knees as I stared off into space. I had been editing some shots off a jump drive Dustin had dropped off for me yesterday. The guys looked like they'd had a blast in Canada. I hated I'd missed it but I knew I had made the right decision for me by coming home. I finally had to stop because I had teared up looking at the shots. If I couldn't look at them objectively then it was time to step away from them.

After knowing him for years, I could tell that Brantley's smile didn't quite meet his eyes in most of them photos. I didn't want to believe that was because he was upset over me. Hell, I knew he was upset at me. Had been for years. I was mortified to admit to anyone but myself that I had been sleeping in the t-shirt I had grabbed before I left. I had to catch a flight out in the morning to Orlando to meet up with the tour. I knew I had to dig deep down to bury how I was feeling so I could be professional and do my job.

I jumped when my phone rang beside me. I glanced down to see the FaceTime request and sighed. Oh boy this was gonna be fun. I lifted the phone up then brushed strands of hair out of my face. I bit my lip before fixing a bright smile on my face as I answered.

"Hey Mama," I said with false cheeriness. Her eyes narrowed at me looking me over. Shit, I thought with a wince. I am so busted. Mama Becky pursed her lips at me raising an eyebrow.

"Well sweetie," she drawled. "I don't even have to ask how you are doing. I can see the shadows under your eyes Allie Cat."

"I'm fine Mama," I said rolling my eyes then shrugged my shoulders. "Just been busy. Had several photoshoots lined up while I am in Nashville. It's why I came back."

"Allison Grace!" she snapped making my shoulders slump. If she was right in front of me I would be getting the ear tug. Damn Kolby and his big mouth. "I know exactly why you tucked tail and ran back to Nashville. If it makes you feel any better, he has been as ornery as psycho grizzly bear while he's been home. Barely gotten him out of the woods or away from the farm. His misses you Allie. He's a stark raving lunatic, but he misses you. I swear I still could take a switch to him."

"Mama simmer down," I said cracking a real smile as her face got flushed from her temper tantrum. "When are you going to accept that Brantley and I are done and have been done."

"Oh no," she said paling. "He finally found out about Jake, didn't he?"

"Yes," I grumbled. "Turned into a territorial asshole too. I'm not his anymore. Have signed papers proving that. Guess I should get them framed."

"Could have done like him," Mama Becky said with a loud laugh. "Pretty sure he blew his up. And Allie honey, you may have papers ending you being his wife, but there's still the matter of that tattoo marking you as his old lady."

"I have got to get that damn thing covered up," I whined putting a hand over my eyes as she laughed.

"Whatever you need to keep telling yourself honey," she said with a knowing smile. "You are still so in love with my son it's not even funny."

"Am not," I pouted then closed my eyes with a sigh. "Loving him was never the problem Mama. Being married to him and juggling our lives and careers was. I got tired of being put last."

"Then tell him baby," she said giving me an encouraging smile. I shook my head vehemently.

"No mam," I said. "Too many years and too much water under the bridge. You saw how fast he moved on."

"Damn idiots," Mama Becky growled. "I swear. I...."

A knock at my door followed by a key hitting the lock cut her off. I stilled because only two people had a key to my loft. I looked back at the phone screen.