Ones That Need Me Got Me

Life Changes: Part II

Presley's POV

I bit my lip glancing down at the black evening gown Kim, Brantley's stylist, had suggested. I could not wear this was all that was echoing in my head. I was over thirty and a damn mom for crying out loud. Nope, I thought reaching back for the zipper shaking my head. I needed to get out of this thing right now. Be way too many eyes on me if I wore it. Things were still so new again and.... my daughter's voice calling out to me pulled me from my warring thoughts. Bitchy as she was, I was not Jana Freaking Kramer. I was just an ordinary mom who happened to have a famous ex-husband.

"Let us see Mama," Bailey yelled wanting me to step out of the dressing room. Bowen had begged to be left at Luke and Caroline's to hang out with the boys before we even pulled into Nashville. But my junior fashionista out there had been all for this. "Maaaaammmmmaaaaa."

I puffed out a deep breath pulling the curtain back. Bailey let out a squeal clapping her hands while Brantley stood there with his mouth hanging open. One arm half in and out of the suit jacket Kim had him trying on. I smoothed a hand over the dress with a wince. He totally hated it. I knew it.

"I knew it," I said frowning looking down. "It's too much for my age. I..uh...."

I hadn't even realized he had walked over to me until he grabbed my hands to make me stop fidgeting with the material. Tucking a finger under my chin, Brantley lifted my head to meet his gaze.

"It's perfect," he told me with a soft smile. "You look amazing in this. No it's not too much. I'm looking forward to having you on my arm wearing that." Brantley leaned in kissing my cheek with a quiet chuckle. "And getting you out of it later that night."

"Stop," I laughed pushing his arm. He walked back over to Bailey vetoing a pair of shoes she was holding up with a growl. Kim walked over checking the fit of the dress telling me she had the perfect pair of shoes for it.

"I need to take it in a little,'' she told me standing back up turning me around to the back. Brantley turned his attention towards me narrowing his eyes in thought. "Guess he got your measurements wrong."

"Nope," he snickered walking over to us as I stuck my tongue out at him. "Those are something I know quite well." Then I saw the concern flash across his face as he trailed a hand over my side. "You have lost a little weight Pres."

"I chase after our two hellions and deal with you," I sassed back putting a hand on my hip making Kim giggle. I grinned at Bailey trying to walk in a pair of sky high heels. Laying a reassuring hand on Brantley's arm, I smiled up at him. "It's been a little stressful lately with all that is going on. All that it is babe."

"If you say so," he grumbled darting over to grab Bailey before she face planted the tile floor. He let out a laugh when she looked back realizing he had caught her. "Yea, don't think those are for you Princess. If ever."

Later that night I took the glass of wine Caroline passed me rolling her eyes at the smirk on her lips before she curled up on the outdoor couch beside me. A fire lit in the pit before us.

"What?" I asked taking a sip tucking my legs underneath me. Brantley, Luke, and the boys were downstairs in the game room have a Madden showdown. Bailey was right in the middle of them making her daddy growl about her flirting with Bo.

"Can't I be glad to have you around again," Caroline said with a chuckle. I scoffed reaching over to hit her arm. I had known Caroline a lot longer than Luke had been famous. We run into each other backstage at shows and festivals around Georgia when the guys were first getting started out. "Don't give me that look Pres. You know you have pulled back from all of us the last year or so."

"I did it to be polite," I grumbled with a wince when she growled at me. "It's true. He was with Jana. I know she wasn't a favorite, but she did partake in the same circles as y'all. Didn't need the shadow of the ex-wife around."

"Bitch please," Caroline said with a snort. "She ran for the hills anytime Britt or I got close knowing we knew you. It was like you could just tell that once you started dating Doctor Douche, BG resigned himself to settling with someone that came along."

"Even y'all called him that huh?" I asked with a wince knowing my recent ex was not a fan favorite. Caroline had mostly ignored him if she had been around him. Luke and Jason had cracked jokes about him at the twins last birthday party. I had thrown Bowen's football at both of them with a snarl.

"You fooled yourself that you were happy with him babe," she said with a sigh shrugging her shoulders. "I know why you and Brantley split. No one faults you for that. But in the time since you know he's a different man. Has shown you that. You both just clung to the fear of it happening again. When I saw the post Bailey made from his account I jumped for joy. It was past time for y'all to figure things out. Yes, before you open your mouth, I know y'all don't have it all together now. But enjoy it. Let the man date you."

"Oh really," I snickered with a quiet laugh.

"Yep," Caroline said laying her head on my shoulder watching the fire. "Can start with the ACM's. BG already told me your dress is gonna make you look hot as hell."

"Well," I smiled taking a sip thinking about the look of unbridled desire in his eyes earlier. "I think you are right on that."