rebekah

He hasn't technically introduced her to anyone yet, and she's been buzzing all day, excited to meet his work friends. Which is exactly what he's afraid of.

"Jackie!"

He hears her cooing to him from outside, which he simply can't resist. He's only a man, after all. He crosses the house in a few steps to see her already in the pool, braids wet and matted down onto her skin, bikini clinging to her skin for dear life.

"Jackie, when are your friends getting here?" She paddles up to the side of the pool, looking up at him with her big, wide eyes.

"Soon, honey. I told them to be here at 4:00, it's 3:55." He goes to the side to meet her, crouching down, mindful of his prosthetic.

"Then we have a little time." She jumps up to give him a big, wet kiss, arms wrapping tight around his neck. Her force would've tugged him into the pool, had he not anticipated it and braced himself on the edge.

"Careful, baby. Remember what I said about all that energy?" He murmurs, very reluctantly pulling back from the kiss. He was a strong man. He'd served in the military. But denying her was so difficult to him.

"Yes, Jackie. You said to keep it in so that I don't scare your friends, who are old and boring." She sighs, lifting herself out of the pool and shaking out like a wet dog, letting some water droplets land over his nice button up shirt. He doesn't comment.

"Not all of them are old. I'm hoping you can make friends with some of the residents." He groans as he stands up, making a mental note to swap out for his waterproof leg later on, so he could swim with her when she would inevitably beg him to. She stands up beside him, bouncing from foot to foot.

It's then that he hears it.

"Brother, I've been ringing the fucking doorbell for 5 minutes, are you going dea- woah."

Robby. Robby who probably expected Jack's new girlfriend to be at least 10 years older than she actually is, if not more. Robby, who was now staring at his girlfriend's chest as she ran up to introduce herself.

"This is Robby, baby. Go get yourself a towel." He pats her on the butt as she runs past him into the house for the towel she'd bought especially for this party, with the American flag on it.

Robby, beside him, was staring at him like Jack had just told her to go fetch.

"Is that your long lost daughter?" The snark is accompanied with a raise of eyebrows, and Jack sighs exasperatedly. "Because that was pretty inappropriate."

"Shut up, Robby."

He endures lots more comments like that during the night, mostly from Dana, Ellis, and Shen. Everyone else is too scared to comment. Just as he'd hoped, his girl is across the party playing mermaids with Javadi, Mel, and even a reluctant Santos. This spares Jack from having to play.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing, old man?" Dana stands next to the barbecue with a cigarette in her hand, watching him flip the patties. It's autopilot for him after doing these parties for so many years. Probably as long as his girlfriend has been alive.

"What are you talking about, grandma?" He shoots her a sideways grin, tilting his head to the side.

"You know what I mean. She's very... energetic." She shrugs, watching the game happening in the pool. "Very much not your thing."

"She's very much my thing." He shakes his head, eyebrows furrowing as he looks up at Dana.

"You sure it's not just a midlife crisis?" She raises an eyebrow, turning to look at him curiously.

"I'm not even close to my midlife, Evans, this is my prime." He grins, and she sighs like she's finished with this conversation. There is no helping him. You can't help a man who's exactly where he wants to be.

It's quieter once everyone's eaten, and everyone's gotten used to the idea of Jack having such a young girlfriend. He's watched her go from mermaids, to having a spirited conversation about different kinds of crystals and their meanings with Mohan, to even holding her own in a race with Robby and Shen, although he's pretty sure they lagged behind on purpose to watch her ass jiggle in her bikini bottoms.

Needless to say, there was a conversation had about appropriate behaviour with her. And there had also been an outfit change when she was done swimming.

But perhaps Jack was the biggest hypocrite of them all, because now he had her between his legs, drawing on his thighs with skin marker. She'd begged him to buy them, promising she'd only do it on herself, but there was only so much surface area on her leg, and after a time, she'd moved on to him.

So now she was drawing red, white, and blue fireworks and swirls on his thighs, head resting on his knee. Her mouth was parted, almost drooling on him comfortably. Everyone has migrated elsewhere, so they're pretty secluded where they are.

"Jackie, I think your friends like me." She glances up at him, tone still hushed. He smiles, and his hand comes down to stroke her hair softly as she lays on him.

"I think so too, ladybug. Everyone's getting along really well with you." He nods slowly, thumbing at her cheek. She bristles happily and leans into his hand, encouraging him to continue. "But that's because you're easy to get along with, beautiful."

She stays between his legs for the fireworks, but she's taking pictures and giggling happily when the colours streak the sky, shaking him. She even gets up and runs around the lawn with her arms up in the air, and he's grateful she's swapped her bikini for shorts and a baby tee. She finds her way back home once the show is over, curling up in his lap, and thats that.

When people start leaving, they have to come to him, because he is no longer going anywhere, very content as he is. She shakes everybody's hand like its a business meeting, which Jack thinks is adorable, exchanges Instagram handles with Javadi and phone numbers with Mel (who wants to come over again to see her hair clip collection). And everything seems to have gone well.

Once the last person, Robby, leaves, Jack finds himself alone, with his girl in his lap.

"You did so good, baby, I'm so proud of you." He smiles, holding her face in his hands. She burrows into the touch, resting herself and relaxing into his palms. The tone changes when he starts thumbing at her lower lip, and she parts her lips to take his thumb into her mouth. He sucks in a breath, and his smile widens. There's his girl.

She pulls off after a minute, pursing her lips. "I bought a new underwear set, Jackie."

"With my money?" He quirks an eyebrow, tilting his head to the side, because he'll be upset if she used her own money for it. She nods, and he does too. "Let me see."

She clambours off his lap, which he mourns momentarily, until she unzips her jean shorts to show him a white fabric, topped with black lace, and red stitching saying 'America's Sweetheart'.

"Fuck, come here, baby." She giggles and climbs onto his lap on his request, pressing her lips to his in her typical excited and feverish kiss.

Yeah. God fucking bless America.

credits to feldiesgraphics for the dividers

“Andrew, you have curly hair, don’t you put anything in it?”

He shakes his head.

“No, I just let it dry after washing it and then it ends up like this.”

He points to his head.

You giggle.

“Next time I come over to yours,” you begin, scrunching more mousse into your hair, “I’m gonna bring some things with me.”

That makes the sides of his mouth tilt up a little as he stares at you.

“Okay.”

Then a week later when you’re staying over at his you keep your promise, bringing all your products and your diffuser even, in a bag.

You make him sit the bathtub, head tilted back as you gently massage his scalp while washing it.

He lets out soft whimpers every time your nails press against his scalp, muttering out a soft “feels good” every now and then.

Then you condition his curls, using the same one you use on your hair.

“Smells like you,” he whispers as he breathes the fruity scent in.

You just let out a soft laugh and continue rubbing it in.

After washing it all off, you softly squeeze the mousse onto his head, the foam piling up. He leans back into you hands as you scrunch it all in gently, cooing at him, telling him how pretty and soft his curls are.

Once that’s done you plug the diffuser and gently hold his head while you run it all over his head, drying it. He closes his eyes when the heat hits him, face scrunching up a little.

“Nearly there honey, is that okay?”

He nods, “S’okay. Feels good.”

Your sweet, sweet boy.

Once it’s all done, you press a kiss on his beautiful fresh curls.

Tilting his face towards you, you cup his cheek.

“Did you like that? Your curls look so pretty, Andrew.”

“Yeah, I- that felt nice,” he says, blushing.

There’s a pause then, as his eyes bore into yours, mouth pursing, searching for the words.

“Can you do that for me again next week?”

Your heart clenches at how softly, how hesitantly he says the words.

“Yes of course, honey.”

You press a kiss to his cheek, then pause.

“Tell you what, you’re not allowed to wash your hair without me anymore.”

He smiles a little at that, eyes fluttering as he leans in to capture your lips with his.

service had ended, and your father was talking to a couple of stragglers. your mother was with you, talking to another women. you’re spacing out, not paying any attention to their conversation when the call of your name sends you back to reality.

“sweetie? did you hear what ms. hutchins said?” your mother says.

you shake your head, putting a fake smile on your face. “no, what is it?”

“that dress is awfully tight, and—“ the woman whispers, a bright smile on her face. “it’s hugging you real tight so it’s a bit distracting. just be more mindful next time okay?”

you had actually liked the dress you picked out today. you had gotten ready that morning with a smile on your face, twirling in the mirror and admiring the way the cotton flowed on your body.

it was barely hugging your body, and if it did? well your mother would usually point something out. she always does.

the spark of confidence you felt this morning, the thought of feeling pretty, completely vanish at her words.

it feels like there's something stuck in your throat, as if with your next breath you're either going to sob uncontrollably or throw up. your head quickly fills a slew of ugly thoughts, all critizing your body and how you look.

then you feel humilation.

how could you let one comment make you spiral this way?

why do you feel this way?

you have to get alone. now. before you start crying and embarrass yourself.

“oh. uh thanks for letting me know miss hutchins! i’m gonna go uh— grab my sweater in dads office mom. i’ll be back.” you meekly imitate pep in your voice.

you step out of the chapel, eyes watering as you open the door to the pastor’s office. as soon as you shut the door close you drop to your knees sobbing, failing to recognize the man sitting in the room.

rhett abbott and his trusty stetson perched on a chair across from your daddy's desk.

it's sunday, and rhett tells himself that he’s running errands for cecilia because he wants to be a good son. but the truth is that the errands included him coming to the church, and he was looking forward to seeing you again.

it had been two months since he stayed over at your house. two months of thinking about the damn promise he made to jackson and the way you took care of him so tenderly. and two months worth of your friendship (you proclaimed rhett as your friend the day after he stayed at your house.)

it brought him a sense of normalcy, made him feel human and that he wasn’t just a major screw up, but that he mattered to someone.

so in that time rhett made a point to come to the miller house more.

he helped your mom with the cooking, tended to the chickens, fixing whatever your family might need. he was around so much your father started paying him, and after much convincing rhett started taking the pay.

the newfound job meant rhett often joined you guys for dinner, and it always ended up being your favorite kinds of nights.

ones where the two of you elbow each other over the first scoop of your mothers famous mac and cheese or your breathless giggles as you kick dirt on rhett’s new jeans.

rhett had missed this feeling in a family, missed having someone to laugh with that just wasn’t perry or amy.

that’s what brings him today to your church and why rhett chose to spend the last hour of his life running around wabang.

he has to drop off the cash for amy’s birthday cake, as your mother is the best baker in town, and cecilia wants every detail perfect for amy.

your mother originally denied any pay, insisting that “anything is free for you cecilia!”, but cecilia abbott does not take handouts.

so rhett is here, giving the cash to your father in hopes he’ll take it for cecilia’s sake.

rhett didn’t feel like interrupting service, or even joining in. so he opts to sit in your dads office, fidgeting as he waits.

the door swings open and instead of being met at the sight of your father he’s met with you.

the sight of you sobbing and heaving as you collapse on the floor.

last week

the suns setting, and the smell of your moms pot roast permeates the house. you’re antsy for dinner, and your heart races as you think about rhett being in your vicinity once again.

two months of rhett being your friend, and you haven’t slept much.

and it’s not because rhett is a bad friend, he’s nothing short of an amazing friend. it’s just that you can’t stop thinking about him. his arms, hands, fuck his thighs (that you’d love to ride on)—and just all of him.

you often spend your nights thinking about him, moaning his name into your pillow and wondering how’d he make you feel good.

but tonight you shake off the thoughts, trying to focus on the task of setting the table.

the dishes clink as you set them down, and even though the goal was to try to focus, you’re still caught off guard when rhett taps you on the shoulder.

“need help?”

“oh! yeah uh—sure!” you stammer, awkward from being caught in your own world. you pass rhett the rest of the forks and spoons, as you set the plates down.

it’s just the four of you tonight, so the workload isn’t hard. but rhett still, always offers to help.

rhett follows behind you, waiting for a plate before setting the spoons and forks on top. he clears his throat before asking, “penny for your thoughts?”

you catch his eyes and immediately try to think of something to tell rhett that isn’t “was thinking about you fucking me with your fingers and moaning in my ear.”

“i was uh—“ your brain thinks about any emotions you’ve felt in the past week, other then lust that is. “i was thinking about how boring this house—no this town is. there’s really nothing interesting here.”

technically a truth. because yesterday you found yourself laying flat on your bed, trying to count each bump of the popcorn celling.

“well i know something interesting you can come to.”

“oh really?!” your voice peaks with excitement.

“yeah really.” rhett chuckles slightly at your eagerness. “i start next week—well bull riding that is. first rodeo of the season is next week, you and your folks can come if you’ll like.”

“i’d love to! but momma and papa would never want to they say—“

“never want to what sugar?” your father says, walking into the dining room with a quirked eyebrow. he brushes his hands off before taking a seat.

you’re like a deer caught in headlights, frozen in place at the sound of your dads voice. but you see rhett’s eyes, encouraging you to tell him, so you do.

“a rodeo! rhett’s riding and he’s inviting us. cecilia will be there and it’ll be fun—“

“a rodeo? we’re okay rhett, but thank you for the invite.” then he looks to you saying, “are you gonna go sugar?”

“oh! yeah, i wanted to.”

your father hums a “okay then.” in acknowledgment. scooting his chair in closer to the table.

dinner was quickly scarfed up, and your mother let you and rhett go down to the chicken coop, finishing up the tasks of the day.

if it was morning your mother would make you go alone, but you never liked walking around the ranch at night. so rhett comes with you, always before he heads out for the night.

luckily for you two, the chickens had wandered back into the coop for the night and all that was left to do was locking them in.

but as you locked the latch, rhett suddenly ran away from you, making you squeal.

“rhett! where are you going!?” your voice borders on scared as you run after him.

“racing ya! last one to my truck is a rotten egg!”

“that’s so immature of you—“ your sentence is interrupted when your ankle twists, making you stumble and cry out. “shit! damn it this is why i don’t run…”

you look up to find rhett already by your side, concern in his eyes

“you okay?” his voice is gravelly, quiet like how you would talk to an injured animal or a hurt child.

“m’ fine rhett, just twisted my ankle a little bit.” you rub your ankle soothingly, trying to calm the ache as you hiss at the pain.

“get on.” rhett turns his back to you.

“what are you talking about rhett?”

“get on my back, i’ll check it out at the car.”

“rhett you can’t be serious. it’s fine! really and it’s—“

“it’s not a suggestion, im telling ya to.”

you sigh in frustration, standing up slightly to wrap your arms around his neck, your legs coming to wrap around his back.

rhett’s arms hold your legs securely, the contact making your heart thump.

“hold on tight.”

“maybe don’t drop me then.”

rhett scoffs, jumping to push your body up his back. he sniggers when you yelp at the slight change in gravity.

“yknow, that’s the first time i’ve heard ya swear.”

“i guess i picked up some habits of jackson’s when he left than.”

rhett chuckles again, “i’m surprised your mother didn’t burn him alive from how much he swore.”

“oh she almost did alright. but jackson can sure hold his own.” the two of you laugh heartily again.

rhett stops when he approaches his trunk bed, hunching over to free his hand and open the bed.

“okay down you go princess.” he turns around, bending down slightly to let you sit.

you kick your legs softly as you sit, taking in the sight of the moon. “yknow you really need to stop calling me that.”

“why? you still are one after all.”

you roll your eyes at rhett, “okay then cowboy.”

rhett chuckles at the nickname. he goes to stand in front of you, taking off your shoe to look at your ankle.

rhett rubs at the skin soothingly, and the touch has your breath hitching. you wince when rhett pushes down slightly on your ankle.

“hm. ice it when you get back okay?” without thinking rhett bends down, pressing his lips down and delivering a faint kiss to the bone of your ankle.

you blush instantly, heart hammering faster than it already was by just being in rhett’s vicinity.

rhett’s eyes go wide and he’s immediately apologizing. “oh shit—i’m so sorry. amy likes it when we kiss it better and—“ he stops when he realizes you hadn’t said anything, and he can almost point out your slightly flushed appearance.

“no it’s fine, don’t worry! it’s actually cute—amy really makes you guys do that?”

“hah—yeah. she says it makes it heal faster. ” rhett says, adoration in his eyes. he smiles to himself, then sits right beside you. close enough that your knees knock together.

usually the contact would mean nothing, with anyone it would mean nothing. because anyone would move their knee to give you space, hell you would too. but rhett isn’t just anyone.

the lack of wanting to move from your personal space, and the fact that the both of you don’t make any effort to move, sparks something inside you that you can’t quite name.

but you push it aside, moving on to continue the conversation.

“aww! didn’t know you were such a softie cowboy.” you say, nudging your elbow into his.

rhett laughs, shaking his head.

“so hey, why do your folks not like rodeos? or not that, just uh—why did they not want to go? i mean wabang loves a good ride.”

you’re dazed slightly, caught off guard that rhett remembered what you said.

“oh! its nothing bad really, they just kinda maybe think it’s a tad bit…” you search for the right word. “violent, aggressive? i mean i don’t think that—i think its cool! but you know, just the way they are i guess.”

rhett’s jaw drops slightly, shaking his head as if he had just been mildly insulted—and rightfully so.

“i’m sorry rhett! they’re always really strict about the bible or i don’t know—“

“hey no it’s fine. i think it’s funny—really i do.”

“funny? why?”

“because their daughter is way cooler then them.”

you laugh out loud at that.

now

you’re still sobbing before you even realize rhett’s there. you only realize when rhett taps your shoulder, saying your name so softly you think you just might cry all over again.

you haven’t him seen in a week, not since he kissed your ankle and made you ache with want all over again. rhett had been too busy training for the season, but he told your parents he’d be back as soon as he could.

“hey what’s going on?” his hand goes to your face when you look up, brushing a stray tear away.

your eyes are glassy, shimmering with a sadness that makes rhett’s heart ache.

you wipe your hand with the back of your hand. “oh it’s okay. it’s nothing really—just ms. hutchins.”

rhett sits with you on the ground and you sit down with him, moving off your feet. you bring your knees up to rest your face on them, and rhett’s hand moves to brush another tear away.

“what’d she say?” he isn’t demanding an answer out of you. he’s gentle, and you can tell he just wants to comfort you.

“do you really wanna know? it’s kinda stupid.”

“it could never be.”

“she said—please don’t laugh rhett.” you meet his gaze again to see him shaking his head no, his eyes saying never.

“she said that my dress was too tight, and then she said that i was being distracting? and that i should be more mindful, but i was! i liked how i looked this morning and everything too.” your head falls on your knees, and you can feel the tears springing from the corner of your eyes.

“i think she’s just jealous.”

you really laugh at that. “jealous?” you say incredulously.

“yeah. i mean she is old—and old people hate young, pretty, women who’s got it going good.”

“how do you even know that rhett? you’re not a woman.”

“rebecca.” he says matter of factly. you want to smile but he looks so serious you hold it back.

“perry’s…” you try to find the right word to describe their relationship, you heard she ran off a while ago. you just decide to go with the easy term. “…wife?” you ask, still unconvinced.

“mhm. rebecca used to tell perry about it all the time, apparently a lot of women in town didn’t like her. and perry—uh told me.” rhett stops for a beat, meeting your eyes once again.

“look, it’s a pretty dress, and you look pretty today okay?” he moves a stray hair out of your face, and your gaze goes straight to his lips. “don’t let some old woman get in the way of that.”

you look up, meeting rhett’s gaze. “you think i’m pretty?”

his face is so close to yours that you can feel the air escaping his nose. you don’t miss the way his eyes travel to your lips for a split second.

“of course you are. jackson always had me chasing boys away from you on the playground.”

you laugh again, but not full heartedly. you’re too focused on the thought of rhett’s lips against yours.

and maybe it’s the combination of sheer sadness and the want that’s been coursing through your body for months that gives you so much courage, or maybe it’s the fact he’s here and that he actually cares about you.

but either way, when you close the distance between you and rhett, it’s an impulse.

there’s no hope for anything with him, just a reflection of every dirty, twisted, and wrong thought you’ve had about rhett. and maybe the growing idea in your head that rhett would take care of you well, like being a good husband maybe.

so you peck him on the lips before immediately pulling away, both you and rhett’s eyes going wide at the brief contact.

your hand goes to your lips, and you’re immediately getting up, trying to run as far as possible from the consequences of your actions.

you mutter a sorry unaware if he responds because, you’re too busy running to the women’s bathroom to hide.

"you ready? the abbotts are here!" your mother calls from the bottom of the stairs.

"almost!" you twirl in the mirror once more before deciding to add the finishing touch, a white ribbon in your hair. you smooth down the fabric of your skirt once more before heading down the stairs.

even if something awkward did happen with rhett and even if you’re dreading seeing him, you still want to support him tonight.

and you couldn’t really say no as the abbotts had already arranged to pick you up. even if you insisted on driving there yourself, cecilia had her ways of being persistent.

either way it’s only been five hours since the incident and since then you’ve only felt extreme flashes of embarrassment or moments where your heart beats so fast, its like you can still feel the sensation of rhett’s lips on yours.

but you haven’t been out of the house in weeks, and you were excited to be going out. even if you weren’t all too invested in bull riding.

you smooth out the fabric of your skirt once more before heading down the stairs. you see the abbott’s truck on your driveway, and you realIe this is the first time you’ve seen any of them in a while. probalay since jackson's eighteeth birthday party you think.

perry’s in the drivers seat, and tips his hat to you in greeting. royal simply turns around and gruffs out a hello. cecilia is warmly waving at you, sitting in the back with a little girl you haven’t see before, but you assume is amy.

you wave to her introducing yourself with your name.

she meekly waves, “i’m amy. nice to meet you.”

“ahh so you’re amy! rhett’s told me about you!” you take a sit next to her.

“uncle rhett knows you?”

“yep! he helps my family out.”

the two of break into conversation, and amy shares secrets about rhett with you, making you giggle.

the drive to the rodeo is short and when you get there your skin already feels sticky. the humidity is already starting to get to you.

a friend of cecilia's waves her over in the stands, and the rest of the group follows her to take their seats. you sit on the end, right next to amy who holds perry's hand.

the buzzer indicates that the event is officially starting, and a man walks out to the middle of the ring to give a small speech.

you whisper softly, “soo amy… how does this work?”

“you’ve never been to a rodeo before?”

“nope.”

amy is shocked by this, tapping her dad to tell him. “daddy she’s never been to a rodeo before!”

perry looks down at his daughter laughing, “well go on, explain it to her then.”

amy’s eyes go back to you, a determined look in her eyes.

“okay so there are two rounds today. uncle rhett is in the second round.”

“okay.”

“when uncle rhett gets on the bull he has to stay for at least..." she stops to think hard. "....eight seconds! and then the little bald guys over there—" she points to the three men sitting right by the ring. "—they're gonna give uncle rhett points!"

you nod, immersed in amy's explanation. "anything else amy? or should i say rodeo expert?" you say smiling brightly at her.

she giggles at you, and shakes her head no.

perry looks over at you then, "we want rhett to be in the top ten tonight so he can make it to finals."

"oh okay! thanks perry!"

he gruffs out a yep, and turns his head back to the man in the middle of the ring. you sit on the edge of your sit for the rest of the night, adrenaline running high as you watch people being bucked off bulls.

then it’s finally rhett’s turn.

rhett’s name is called and the abbott family cheers as loud as they can, as well as you.

you can see him beside the ring in a tall pen of sorts, you see him nod and the gates open. three other men are in the ring with him, supervising.

rhett makes his way into the ring, with one hand up as he balances himself on the bull. you can hear the encouragements of the entire family, telling him to stay on and counting the seconds down.

the bill jumps wildly, spinning and turning while rhett stays on with all his might.

rhett predicts the bull’s movements, using his body to counter them. it’s all mesmerizing to you, the way rhett is so in tune with bull, and how he uses his body to stay on.

the buzzer rings, noting that the eight seconds are up. rhett kicks off quickly, landing on his feet as the other men in the ring distract the bull.

you can hear the abbotts yelling, “good job rhett!” and that’s when you see rhett look up, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

you’re unsure of what to feel when rhett makes eye contact with you.

the round concludes itself, and the scores are being announced over the intercom.

you could slightly hear some people behind you, discussing the odds of the riders to make it to finals.

“now that rhett, he’s pretty good ain’t he?”

“yeah he is, i think he’s gonna make it to at least third place.”

you look over to see amy squeezing her dad’s hands, closing her eyes in anticipation. cecilia has her fingers crossed, and royal looks ahead at the scoreboard, watching intently.

you distantly hear other names like, john and lewis. but you tune it all out, only keeping an ear out for rhett. his name comes out last.

“….and rhett abbott with a score of 76!”

the stands erupt in cheers as rhett’s name climbs to fourth place. and you stand and cheer with the abbotts, slightly caught off guard when amy comes to hug you tight.

cecilia makes her way over to come hug you too, letting out a “he did it!” in your ear.

when she lets you go, she grips you by the shoulders. “you have to go to dinner with us now!”

dinner was a late night meal in a dingy diner downtown. you really didn’t want to go, but you didn’t have a ride back home and your car currently sat in the driveway of your house.

now you have to see rhett. no more running away.

“now why don’t you go meet rhett at his truck? you guys can catch up. he’s about to be done wrapping up.” cecilia says

“oh cecilia i don’t really know, plus i don’t know where the riders park and it’s dark out—“

“perry will go with ya then! the three of you should catch up.”

perry’s eyes open wide, eyebrows furrowing before just deciding to go along with it.

“oh okay then…..um see you guys there!”

the walk to rhett’s truck is silent, besides for some occasional grunts by perry. the walk is not too far, but it’s the silence that really gets you.

perry is the one to break it.

“so uhhh…how’s jackson doing? haven’t seen him in a while.”

“rhett didn’t tell you?” perry shakes his head no in response, making you laugh.

“well jackson moved a couple of months after i graduated highschool. it’s been around four years i think? he has a wife now though!”

“oh. when was the wedding?”

“in texas last year. im pretty sure rhett was invited but then he had a big competition that week.”

“ohh yeah i remember now.” perry chuckles, realization clicking. “i hope your brother is doing well though.”

“me too.”

it’s then the two of you make it to rhett’s truck. he’s hauling something in the back when perry goes up to him bringing him in for a hug.

“good job today. we’re proud of ya, dad is too.”

“now don’t lie with me perry.” rhett scoffs, closing the trunk bed.

“i ain’t! he’s just glad you made it to finals. he’s gonna work your ass off so you win it though.”

that’s when rhett sees you.

the thing that shocks him the most is that you really do look like the quiet church girl he thought you were before the two of you rekindled your friendship.

but tonight? you just look nothing short of gorgeous. there’s a slight breeze that blows the ribbon in your hair, and rhett remembers you kissed him all of seven hours ago.

and he knows the two of you need to talk, but you look like a scared mouse, and he can’t have you running away.

so rhett steps towards you, pulling you into a hug. when he pulls away he asks, “you like the rodeo?”

“i did. um—good job rhett.”

you’re awkward like that for the rest of the night.

barely squeaking out an answer when cecilia asks you basic questions like how your week was or how your mother is. the only one who makes you feel less awkward is amy, who lets you play tic tac toe with her on a napkin.

the diner food is greasy, but you’re starving so it doesn’t really matter anyways. and even though you feel awkward, and even if you’re dreading even looking rhett’s way, the abbotts are good company.

perry and rhett have a playful banter that makes you laugh, and royal always says the funniest things without even meaning it. cecilia is warm and welcoming making sure you don’t feel left out, and amy never fails to make you laugh with her clever quips and comment.

you’re sighing in relief when the night has ended, stretching your neck as you head out the diner. you’ve sweated all day, and it’s time for a good nights rest.

you nearly get into the truck with the rest of the abbotts when rhett calls you over.

rhett was gonna have that talk with you, one way or another.

“you’re riding home with me! rest of the family gotta be up early tomorrow.”

“oh.” you look at amy and cecilia in the backseat and swallow nervously. “well uhm—goodnight everyone! thank you for the meal!”

the rest of the abbotts say their farewells and you’re met with the sight of rhett holding the car door open.

you tip your head in acknowledgment. humming quietly to quiet the way your heart beats anxiously.

rhett closes the door behind you, walking over to the drivers seat. the car starts heading towards the miller house.

you’re glad that rhett had filled the silence of the drive with hearty country music, and you’re almost amused as he drums on the steering wheel and hums along.

when you softly laugh at his actions that’s when rhett goes for it.

“we gotta talk.”

you bring your knees up to your chest then, not caring if you’re flashing rhett because you need the comfort of hiding right now. “i know rhett.”

“look you gotta tell me why you did it.” rhett looks over at you from the open road.

“i don’t want to. please don’t make me.” you groan into your knees.

“you’re grown now. you gotta—“ rhett stumbled his words for a minute before finally saying, “you have to deal with the consequences of your actions. it’s not right just to kiss someone and not tell them what it means.”

rhett’s turning into your house, and your heart is beating faster as he gets closer.

you look at rhett then, his eyes in the light a sparkling ocean you wanted nothing more to get lost in. you almost lose your train of thought.

“i wasn’t thinking rhett.” which was true.

“is that it?”

“i’m sorry rhett i really am.” you say with a sigh, trying to ignore the way you dodge rhett’s question.

“apology accepted. but stop avoiding my questions. are you sure there isn’t anything else you wanna share with me?”

“no.” you lie, looking away from his gaze.

“you’re lying princess. cmon spit it out.” rhett scoffs, stopping in front of your house and turning off the car.

“okay fine! i think about you rhett.”

“you like me?” where the hell did he even get that assumption from?!

“no! well i do—but not like that you ass!”

“stop cussing! your momma’s gonna hear you!”

you roll your eyes at rhett. “i think about you in other ways sometimes rhett, just not romantically. im not elaborating okay? you were close to my face, and i—i thought you looked at my lips! so i just went for it because ive been thinking about it…..”

“well i did.”

“what?”

“i did look at your lips. you were sad, and i was thinking of ways to cheer you up.”

“so you thought about kissing me?!”

“no!” rhett thinks critically for a second before rubbing his forehead. “fuck! okay yes! but obviously i didn’t! jackson would kill me!”

“jackson’s not here! look you wanna know something else?”

“what is it?” rhett asks, all quiet now.

“i feel really guilty about not wanting the same things in life as my parents. you know that rhett. and when im with you—i don’t feel that way. i just feel normal.” you swallow nervously. “and sometimes i want to feel desired, to feel wanted! and i projected that onto you. because you don’t make me feel guilty for being different than my family.”

“oh.”

“yeah oh alright.” you laugh. “look i’m sorry rhett okay? it didn’t mean anything and it’s okay if you don’t wanna be friends anymore, i get it.”

“who said anything about not being friends? we still can. and maybe i can help you out.”

“what?”

“i can help you feel…what’s the word you used? uh—desired.”

your eyes go wide. “what do you even mean—“

rhett interrupts you when he pecks your lips.

“sorry—“ he says immediately.

it’s rhett’s turn for his eyes to go wide as you kiss him back.

“help me rhett. please.”

rhett groans quietly when he hears those words, hands going to cup your face. he rubs softly at your cheeks, thumb ghosting over the plush of your bottom lip.

the action makes you shiver, and you whisper rhett’s name quietly into the silent car.

“ever been kissed?”

you laugh. “once. by billy tillerson.”

you can see fury on rhett’ face at the mention of a tillerson. “relax rhett it was in elementary school. didn’t mean anything.”

rhett rolls his eyes, and goes back to directing his attention on you. “just follow my lead okay?”

you meekly nod, trying to keep your composure when rhett’s lips meet yours.

his lips move softly against yours, humming in approval when you do the same as him. his hands move to your hair, gently tucking a loose strand behind your ear.

the two of you stay like that for a couple of more seconds. rhett’s easing you into the kiss, trying to get you used to the motions.

rhett leaves the kiss for a second, out of breath when he says, “open for me baby.”

baby. huh.

you open your mouth when rhett comes back down, whining when his tongue enters your mouth.

he’s kissing you so passionately, but still so softly you feel like you wanna cry. it’s everything you’ve ever imagined about.

you let him take the lead, but maybe next time you’ll kiss him like this all by yourself, with no need to ease into it.

when you tap his chest lightly with your hand, rhett stops, smiling at your kiss bitten appearance.

“was that okay?” he tucks a hair behind your ear again, this time rubbing at your jaw.

“mhm. way more then okay.” this time you lean in, opening your mouth to let rhett in. you whine when rhett’s tongue darts the side of your lip, the feeling of him already making you weak at the knees.

you inch in closer to him, throwing your arms around his neck when you straddle his lap.

this time you brush your tongue against his, sighing softly as your hands move grab his face.

when you rock your hips down that’s when rhett stops you.

“woah there. let’s not go too fast okay? there’s so many ways you can feel desired princess. we don’t have to do whatever you’re thinking in your little head okay? we can just kiss like this.”

panic sets in, afraid that rhett suddenly finds you repulsive for your desires. but rhett knows you, and he immediately comforts you.

“heyhey no don’t panic on me. i want this just as much as you do.”

just as much as you do.

the words repeat in your mind and you feel your heart beating impossibly faster. rhett wants you. maybe he’s jerked himself off to the thought of you, just like you have to the thought of him.

the thought makes you grind down again.

rhett stops you this time with a hand on your hip. he’s hard as a rock under you.

“but i don’t wanna just kiss rhett. i want you. i really really do, please can we?” you pout unknowingly, and rhett’s thumb slides up to your lips, rubbing your pout away.

“it’s a lot—this is a lot. you sure you want me to see you like this?”

“yes, only you rhett. only you.” you say, kissing his lips again.

rhett pulls away, “what do you wanna do then?”

“do ya think you can cum like this rhett? i like rubbing against you.”

“fuck. of course i can.” he says your name so earnestly you feel even more heat flood to your core.

so you rock down on rhett’s jeans, the sensation other worldly against the fabric of your soaked underwear. the two of you groan instantly, lips connecting to going each other.

thank god for skirts. because you can feel everything.

little ahhs of please escape you, louder moans leaving from your mouth that you muffle with open mouthed kisses to rhett.

he’s enjoying every second of your grinding. groaning with his hands gentle on your hips.

rhett doesn’t push anything, doesn’t urge you to go faster or harder. he lets you use him for your pleasure, and he’s fucking enjoying it.

rhett huffs, disconnecting your lips. he asks breathlessly, “can i kiss your neck?”

you nod violently, and you moan—actually moan into the night when his lips meet the curve of your neck.

the sensation is incredible, the slight suction of his mouth as you grind into him. occasionally he bites softly, making the noises coming out of you increase ten fold.

“gonna cum rhett—please do that again.”

“cum for me, i’ll take care of you.” rhett bites, holding the action as you orgasm on top of him.

your hands grip his hair harshly, hips going impossibly faster to chase your orgasm. rhett moans your name, cumming into his pants with a groan.

you grind softly when the two of you come down from your highs, only stopping when the sensation gets too much.

you finally stop yourself, your hands around rhett’s neck, and rhett’s around your waist holding you close to his body.

you suddenly feel all awkward over again, feeling disgusted with yourself but also incredibly drunk on the feeling of your post high.

you give rhett a kiss on the cheek before pulling off. “thanks for the ride rhett. i gotta get in bed before my parents wonder where i am.” you chuckle lightly. “see ya!”

you jump out of the truck, waving to rhett from the door when you get there.

rhett’s smiling the whole time, groaning silently when he notices the wet spot on his jeans. both from him, and you.

that’s when he notices your white ribbon that was in your hair. it lays on his truck seat, a reminder of what happened between you two and how it was very real. even if it was like a dream come true for the both of you.

he tucks the ribbon in his pocket, turning the car back on and heading back home.

tags: @starwarskawaii