Lessons Learned

Chapter 4

I wrap a towel around my body as I get out of the shower. I go to the sink and wipe the condensation off the mirror. I gasp when I see Jason standing behind me. I scream and quickly turn around. He throws me face first against the wall and rips my towel off of my body. I'm struggling against him and screaming my lungs out. "I'm gonna finish what I started," he growls in my ear. I hear his pants hit the floor and I keep throwing my body around, trying to break free from his hold. He forcefully spreads my legs wide apart and thrusts into my body.

I gasp as I quickly sit up in bed. I reach over and turn my bedside lamp on. I'm holding my hand to my chest as I try to catch my breath. I feel my heart practically beating out of my chest. "It was just a dream, Bri," I whisper to myself. It felt so real though. My eyes tear up and I put my head in my hands and sob in relief.

I hate how quiet and empty my house feels. I immediately think of BG and I lean over to pick up my cell phone. He did say to call him if I couldn't sleep. I hit 'Brantley <3' under my contacts and listen while it rings. "Baby girl? What's wrong?" he asks me huskily through the phone. "I'm sorry that I woke you," I whisper. "Darlin', I told ya dat if ya had a nightmare to call. Are ya alright?" he asks me sleepily. "I am now. I dreamt that Jason came back and he told me that he was gonna finish what he started. Then, he threw me against the wall and as he was going to-"
I pause. "Well, that's when I woke up," I whisper as I sniffle and wipe away my tears. "Baby girl, don't let dat bastard get ya upset. He's never gonna touch ya again. I made sure of dat, sweetheart. Ya don't ever gotta worry again. I'm gonna take care of ya, baby girl," he whispers huskily.

"Thank you for letting me call you. My house is so quiet and empty," I whisper. "Well when I get outta here, ya can come stay wit me, Sy and Alley. Den yer gonna wish ya had some peace and quiet," he teases me. "Never. I love spending time with you and the babies," I reply with a grin. "Listen sweetheart, ya gotta get some sleep. I don't wanna see any dark circles under yer eyes tomorrow," he tells me seriously. "Can you sing for me, Brantley?" I whisper nervously. "Of course I will, baby girl. Whacha want me to sing for ya?" he asks. "Let It Ride, please?" I answer him as I get comfortable in my bed. "Dat's appropriate, baby girl," he whispers. "I thought so," I whisper softly. I drift off to the beautiful sound of BG's husky, sexy voice.

 ~ 9am ~

I sign in at the hospital's front desk and they give me a visitor sticker. I ride the elevator up to Brantley's floor. I open his door and notice he's in the middle of changing out of the hospital gown. "Oh sorry," I say with a giggle before closing the door. He opens the door back up and pulls me inside. He holds me against his bare chest. "What're ya sorry for, baby girl?" he whispers in my ear. "I wasn't really sorry. What woman would feel sorry about seeing Brantley Gilbert without a shirt on?" I tease him with a grin. "Yer cute," he teases me before leaning down and planting his soft lips on mine. I sigh before kissing him back as I wrap my arms around his neck, being careful of his injured shoulder.

"Brant- oh I'm sorry," I hear before pulling away from BG's lips. I see a tall brunette with brown eyes looking me up and down. "Brooke? What're ya doin' here?" BG asks her annoyed, as he pulls me back into his chest. He wraps his arms around my stomach and holds me against him. "I heard you got shot, Brantley. I was worried about you," she tells him softly. I'm extremely curious to find out who this woman is that's coming in here to visit my man. "Not yer job to worry bout me. In fact, I didn't think ya'd give a damn what happens to me considerin' whacha did to me," he tells her angrily. "It meant nothing. Your cousin was the one that hit on me, Brantley," she tries to deflect off of her. "So because he flirted whicha, ya had to sleep wit him?" he asks her as he tightens his arms around me.