Hoochie for Calum and Jack

You stood up and headed to the bar, staring at the gigantic glass of sangria you'd just ordered. The more sips you took, the more the anger was washed away and replaced with a rich pomegranate taste that transported you to a more peaceful, less homicidal state.

"Aye...Y/N, is that you?"

The voice was warm and familiar, tugging you out of your wine-soaked spiral. You turned, and there he was — Tee, flashing that easy smile that always seemed to make things feel lighter. "That is you. What are you doin' here?"

Gently placing your drink down, you spun around in your chair to fully face him. "Tee!" you exclaim, pulling him in for a hug. "I was supposed to have dinner with Ja'Marr but that bitch stood me up. I should've known he wasn't actually driving down here."

"Yeah...his lazy ass wasn't going nowhere tonight. And um—He told me he had this girl he wanted me to meet but she isn't here yet," he gestures toward the seat next to you, "mind if I sit here while I wait?"

"Of course not, I'm just gonna finish my drink and head home. Try to convince myself not to stab your little friend," you tell him with a dry laugh.

He flashes a warm smile, ordering a drink while shaking his head. "You gon be aight. Got to have that fat glass of wine, I can order us an appetizer. And, I'm better to hang out with than he is anyway. That man prolly on the phone with Dej right now. He is not worried about you."

"You know what, you're right." You take a second, looking around the room before the truth hits you. "He is worried about me though. Which is why he did this."

Tee looks at you, extremely confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Your date. She isn't coming. Just like Ja'Marr 'stood me up?'" You put quotes on the last part, waiting for him to get it and he thinks to himself, rubbing his hand over his face.

"He think he slick," Tee muttered, dragging a hand down his face. "Motherfucker thinks he's setting us up."

"He’s not slick," you shot back. "He's a fucking dummy."

"Yeah, but he's our dummy." Tee grinned. "But... since he clearly wants us to eat together, might as well get a steak or something cause I'm not gonna lie, I'm starving. You hungry?"

You nodded slowly, standing up and walking back to the hostess who immediately got a table for the two of you.

Ja'Marr couldn't have been right. That just wasn't what was happening here. You were just two people who just happened to enjoy each other's company while having dinner, nothing more, nothing less. Sure, Tee was hilarious, it was endearing how much he loved and respected his mom after everything they had been through together. His smile could light up a room and he was kind to the wait staff, tipping generously after paying for your meal no matter how much you tried to tell him he didn't have to do it. But that didn't mean anything, so you pulled out your phone to order an Uber and forget all of this ever even happened.

"I can just drive you home if you want? It's on my way back to the house, kinda late for you to be alone downtown."

You should've told him it was fine. That you'd get home on your own, but something in you really wanted to spend more time with him for some reason so you let him lead you out of the restaurant and into his car.

The ride to your place was pretty quiet, he hummed along to the music every once in a while, bopping his head to the beat as you tried not to stare at his hand wrapped around the steering wheel, examining every tattoo like you'd need the information to pass a test.

He walked you up to your apartment, making sure you got in safe. You turned the key in the door, letting the two of you in, tossing your shoes to the side by the door, hoping that you'd remember to put them away in the morning.

Tee laughs again, holding onto the door. "Ja'Marr is funny bro. Did he think we were just gonna fall in love after one little dinner date?"

"I don't know what he thought. But he was wrong. Tonight was great. You're great. But we just—”

"We aren’t gonna fall in love," Tee says, almost like he’s convincing himself.

"Exactly." Your voice barely comes out, the air between you suddenly thicker than it should be.

He takes a step closer. "Just friends."

"Just friends," you echo — but when his hand rests against your waist, neither of you move away.

He continues walking towards you, wrapping an arm around your waist, pressing your bodies together.

Friends.

"I think imma head out, it's late." Tee muttered. But his hand didn’t move, he was still holding onto you.

"Yeah."

And then he kissed you — and suddenly, murder plots and missing friends didn’t seem so important anymore.

It wasn’t tentative or uncertain—it was all urgency, like he'd been holding back for too long and couldn’t stand it another second. His lips parted against yours, warm and insistent, and you met him just as fiercely. Your fingers curled into his shirt, dragging him closer until his chest was flush against yours. His hand slid up your spine, the other sliding effortlessly on your neck, caressing your cheek, holding you like he was terrified you might slip away.

When you stumbled back against the wall, Tee followed without hesitation, his body pressing you there, caging you in event though you'd never felt more free. He kissed you deeper, and you let yourself drown in it — the taste of him, the heat of his breath against your skin, the low sound he made when you nipped at his bottom lip.

His hands were everywhere — sliding down your sides, tracing the curve of your waist, splaying wide against your hips as if he needed to memorize every inch of you. You gasped when his lips left your mouth, dragging along your jaw before settling at the sensitive spot just beneath your ear. His lips felt like they belonged on your body, and you barely recognized the soft sound that escaped your lips.

"You good?" he murmured, voice husky and low, his forehead resting against yours. His thumb brushed over your cheek like he was trying to steady you — or maybe himself.

"Yeah," you breathed, your fingers still tangled in his shirt. "I just..."

"Me too," he said, like he already knew. His lips found yours again, softer this time—slower, deeper, like he'd decided he didn’t need to rush. His fingers traced lazy patterns against your waist, and you melted into him, letting yourself forget everything except the feel of him, warm and steady and safe, holding you like you were something worth holding on to. The kiss deepened, his tongue tracing yours with a slow, deliberate ease that made your knees weak. He kissed you like he had nowhere else to be, no care in the world, like this was exactly where he wanted to stay.

The walk to your room was quiet, but the air between you felt heavy, charged with something you couldn’t name and didn’t want to examine too closely. Tee’s hand found yours halfway down the hall, his fingers lacing through yours like it was instinct.

You didn’t let go.

The moment the door closed behind you, his lips were on yours again, deeper this time, more desperate. He kissed you like he was chasing something, like this moment might slip through his fingers if he didn’t hold on tight enough. You felt his hands roam — one cradling your face, the other pressed firm against the small of your back, guiding you closer until there was nothing but warm air and body between you.

You let yourself get lost in it, in the softness of his skin, the rough scrape of his goatee against your jaw, the way his fingers flexed when you pushed him toward the bed. When the back of his knees hit the edge, he sat down, pulling you into his lap like you belonged there. His arms wrapped tight around your waist, your fingers sliding down his waves as his mouth moved down your neck. Each kiss, each press of his lips against your skin, felt like a promise you knew he couldn’t keep.

Somewhere between his fingers tracing your spine and your hands sliding beneath his shirt, you knew this wasn’t just a kiss anymore — this was something else. Something deeper. Something you’d both regret in the morning. But you didn’t stop.

Neither of you said a word when you finally curled beneath the sheets, your head resting on his chest, his fingers tracing lazy patterns along your arm. You lay there in the quiet with him, your fingers tracing lazy circles on his chest. Neither of you spoke, but the silence felt heavy — like if you said the wrong thing, the whole moment might slip away. His hand never stopped moving — up and down on your back, like he wasn’t quite ready to let go yet.

“I should probably go,” he mumbled eventually, his voice low and heavy with sleep.

“You’re already here,” you murmured back, not quite ready to break whatever this was. “Just...stay.”

He did.

In the morning, sunlight crept in through the blinds, painting lines across his bare shoulders. You woke before him, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. For a minute, you let yourself believe this could be something real — something that made sense. But it couldn’t be. Because Ja’Marr couldn’t be right.

When Tee finally stirred, his arm tightened around your waist before he blinked his eyes open. He looked at you like he was still half-asleep, a sleepy smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“I should head out,” he said again, voice hoarse from sleep. He didn’t move.

“Yup,” you answered softly, your fingers grazing his arm one last time before you slipped out of bed. “This...can’t happen again.”

He sat up slowly, dragging a hand down his face. “I know,” he muttered. But something about the way he looked at you — like he wasn’t quite ready to leave yet — made you wonder if either of you really believed that.

“It was just one time,” you said firmly, as much for yourself as for him.

“One time,” Tee echoed, pulling his shirt over his head. He paused at the door, hand resting on the knob. “Ja’Marr’s still a dumbass, though.”

You laughed — a breathless, shaky sound — and nodded. “He definitely is.”

And when Tee finally left, the room felt too quiet, too empty — like something important had just walked out the door with him.

Running a hand over your face you sighed hearing the door close. You didn't know a lot, but you knew that Ja'Marr Anthony Chase was going to die.

Turns out, the one time thing turned into two times. And then another time. And then he texted you one night to come check out the new jellyfish he got and you ended up wearing nothing but his t-shirt after doing unspeakable things with him in the living room. He patted you on the back so you could sit up, "I'm grabbing you some water, you need some after all that." He giggles, kissing you on the forehead before heading to the fridge. Tee heads back over to you, handing you a bottle of water with a sigh.

"Thank you," you whisper, catching the blank look on his face. "What's on your mind? What are you thinking about?"

Tee leaned back against the couch, his eyes distant. "I'm thinking... maybe Ja'Marr isn't as dumb as we thought."

You blinked at him, bottle still in hand. "No," you said firmly, like you could will it into truth. "No, absolutely not."

"I mean..." He rubbed a hand over his face, clearly working through something. "I kept telling myself this was just fun, but..." He glanced at you, voice softer. "I think I'm falling for you."

Your breath caught in your throat, a mix of panic and warmth flooding you at the same time.

"I hate it," you whispered, but the words came out shaky. Then you kissed him, like that would erase everything, like it would keep things simple.

When you pulled back, Tee smiled—the kind that softened his whole face. "I don't hate it." His fingers traced lazy circles along your thigh. "But I'm not tryna hear Ja'Marr gloat about it either."

"Agreed." You grinned despite yourself. "We cannot let him know. He'll never let us live it down."

"Exactly."

For a moment, the room was quiet except for the hum of the fish tank. Tee's hand found yours, fingers threading together like they belonged there.

"So..." he started, his voice hesitant. "If I'm gonna be stuck falling for you, you wanna make it official? Like... boyfriend-girlfriend? Dates, flowers, anniversaries, real relationship shit."

"Wait..." You shook your head, still stunned. "You actually want to be with me? For real?"

"Yeah," Tee said simply, his fingers giving yours a reassuring squeeze. "I wanna be with you."

You couldn't fight the smile tugging at your lips. "I wanna be with you too."

Kissing Tee had always felt like an out-of-body experience, but kissing your boyfriend? There weren't enough words in the human dictionary to describe how it felt to find the person you knew was put on this Earth just for you.

"You know what we should do first?" You gave him a devious smile, knowing he'd already be intrigued.

"I'm all ears."

"We should play a little game with Ja'Marr," you said, your fingers tracing lazy circles on his arm. "Let him think he's wrong since he thought he was the smartest man alive setting us up like that. Call it, payback."

"You're so damn evil." Tee grinned, kissing you again. "I'm in."

Ja'Marr just made things so easy for you.

"I'm sorry okay. I thought y'all would get along. You're my people, he's my people. I just thought it would make sense." You heard his annoyed tone over the phone.

You sigh, laughing at him for multiple reasons, hearing Dej laughing at him too. "Now that it's over, what have we learned?"

He grumbles under his breath, "I was wrong."

"What was that?"

"I was wrong, damn!"

You nodded, basking in your victory for a few hours before Ja'Marr's get-together that night.

The air buzzed with laughter and music when you arrived at Ja'Marr's place. A mix of teammates, friends, and familiar faces filled the room, but it didn't take long for your eyes to land on Tee. He was leaning against the kitchen counter, flipping a poker chip between his fingers like he didn't have a care in the world. He hadn’t noticed you yet — or maybe he was pretending not to.

"You good?" Ja'Marr's voice pulled you back. He followed your gaze, and your stomach flipped as you realized what he might be thinking. "Don't worry," Ja'Marr grinned smugly. "He won't bother you. I told him you're off-limits now."

You choked back a laugh, forcing your best poker face. "Appreciate that."

You kept your distance for most of the night, playing cards and talking with Ja'Marr’s girlfriend. But you knew Tee was there — you could feel his eyes on you whenever you crossed the room. It was almost too easy to pretend like you weren’t aching to be near him.

Later, Ja'Marr got a little too caught up in a heated FIFA match, and you walked into one of the guest rooms to charge your phone. Minutes later, Tee followed.

"You're doing a good job ignoring me," he teased, voice low.

"I have to," you said with a smirk. "Ja'Marr’s convinced we're done."

"And you like rubbing it in his face." Tee chuckled, stepping closer. His hand grazed yours, fingers curling lightly around your pinky—a small touch, but enough to make your heart race.

"It's fun," you admitted with a grin. "Watching him think he's right when he's so wrong. Or when he's right and he thinks he's wrong. I don't know which one is funnier."

"What's not funny is how bad I wanna kiss you right now."

For a moment, you forgot where you were, forgot that Ja'Marr’s living room was just a few steps away. Tee’s eyes flicked down to your lips, and you knew if you didn’t pull away now, things were going to spiral.

"Get back out there please," you whispered, barely trusting your voice. "Before we get caught."

He smiled, but didn’t move right away. "Yeah...I'll see you at yours in 30 minutes."

Two days later, while you were spending the night at Tee's, Ja'Marr called. "Look, I don't know what you on tonight but meet me in an hour. Ghost Baby. Got somebody I want you to meet."

"Somebody you want me to meet?" Tee repeated, glancing at you sprawled across his couch in his hoodie, looking way too comfortable to leave.

"Yeah. She's cool as hell. Trust me."

"Man..." Tee dragged a hand down his face, stalling. "Alright. I'll pull up."

"Hot date?" You ask him, laughing as he hits you with a pillow, kissing you on the cheek so he can hop in the shower.

"You play too much, I'll see you in an hour. Two, max."

The man, your boyfriend, walks out the door to go on a date with some random woman and you can't help but laugh because at the end of the day he's coming home to you.

Later that evening, Tee found himself in a place he wasn’t sure he should be, sitting across from a woman he couldn’t even remember the name of.

He knew Ja'Marr introduced her when they walked in—something with an "A" maybe? Ashley? Amber? Alex? He wasn’t sure, but she was sitting way too close, practically glued to his side, her fingers constantly drifting to his knee like she was testing if it could move.

"So," she said, leaning in with a sugary smile. "Ja'Marr says you're really into movies."

"Yeah," Tee answered vaguely, reaching for his drink. "I love movies."

"Me too!" she gushed. "My favorite is Friday After Next."

His head snapped toward her so fast his neck almost cracked. "Friday After Next, huh?"

She nodded eagerly, her fingers sliding a little higher on his leg. Tee shifted away, pretending to reach for a napkin.

"That's funny," he muttered under his breath, barely hiding his suspicion. "Because that's my favorite movie."

"I know!" she giggled, giving Ja'Marr a look like she’d just hit the jackpot. "Ja'Marr told me."

Of course he did.

Tee tried to smile, but all he could think about was you sitting on his couch two weeks ago, stubborn as hell with your arms crossed over your chest.

"Bad Boys is way better," you had argued. "Funnier too."

"You're crazy!" Tee had shot back, nearly spilling his drink from laughing so hard. "Friday After Next is a classic. You can't compare the two."

"Yeah, well, just because it's your favorite doesn't make it the funniest," you teased. "I'm sorry, but Will and Martin have better chemistry."

"You really tryna get kicked out, huh?" he joked, pretending to reach for your keys on the table before you snatched them away, both of you giggling like idiots.

Tee blinked back to reality, snapping to attention as what’s-her-name burst into laughter beside him, hand still creeping up his thigh. He hadn't even said anything funny.

"Anyway," she said, voice syrupy sweet, "I was thinking maybe after this we could go somewhere quieter."

"Yeah... about that," Tee muttered, clearing his throat and setting his glass down. "I actually forgot I promised my neighbor I'd help him move some stuff tonight. Can’t leave him hangin'."

"Your neighbor?" Ja'Marr cut in, eyes narrowed in disbelief. "Man, ain't nobody moving furniture at 9 p.m."

"Nah, he's weird like that," Tee lied with a grin, sliding back his chair and tossing a few bills on the table. "Nice meeting you, though."

He practically bolted for the door, fingers dialing before he even made it to his car.

"Oh?" you answered, sounding smug. "That was faster than I thought."

"Well baby," Tee grinned, "you know your man is talented. I wanted to ask if you’re down to go for a little night drive?”

"I'll be ready in five," you said, and Tee could hear your smile through the phone.

Damn. He couldn’t wait to get home.

Twenty minutes later, you were parked in a quiet lot near your favorite sushi spot, your legs tucked up under you in the passenger seat, chopsticks in hand. The glow of the streetlight above flickered every so often, but Tee's car felt warm, safe.

“Bae…she laughed at everything I said. Every fuckin’ thing. I was getting a little scared for her laughbox, it must be broken or sum.”

You almost choked on your spicy salmon roll, “Tamaurice…”

“Nah baby, I was really concerned for ol girl. Couldn’t even tell you what her name was.”

“You don’t remember her name? Oh my god you like me! You REALLY like me.”

He groans, leaning his head back and covering his face as you place your hand on his, trying to peel his hand away so you can look him in the eyes. “I like you a lot,” he peaks through his fingers, “I’m really fucking happy with you.”

Tee puts his hands down, grabbing onto yours and kissing the palm of your hand before grabbing his food like his words didn’t just rearrange your brain chemistry.

"I don't get it," he said, pausing between bites. "How do you always know exactly what I need? Like...tonight, I couldn't stand bein' there. I just wanted to see you."

You smiled softly, but there was something else behind it — something warmer, deeper. "I don't know...I guess I just get you."

"Yeah...you do." Tee set his food down, shifting so he was facing you fully. His gaze softened. "I don't really...do this. Like, the whole opening up thing. Never really felt like I could."

"Me either," you admitted quietly. "It’s always been easier to keep people at arm’s length. But with you...it’s different."

"Yeah?" His voice was low, rougher than usual.

"Yeah," you whispered. "You make it easy."

Tee reached over, fingers sliding between yours. "I never thought I could...just be me, and that’d be enough for somebody. But you?" He let out a breathy laugh, like the weight of it all had been sitting heavy on his chest. "You make me feel like I can breathe."

"You can," you promised, squeezing his hand tightly. "You always can."

For a long moment, the world outside the car didn’t exist — no bullshit, no lies, no games. Just you and Tee, wrapped up in something real. Something safe. Something undeniable that you felt in your gut was going to last.

That feeling of peace didn’t last long. The hum of the city outside the car’s windows pulled him back to reality, and soon enough, Tee was back at the gym. The air inside was thick with the scent of sweat and stale air, a sign they’d been working out too long. Ja’Marr leaned against the wall, scrolling through his phone, while Tee and a couple of the other guys stretched on the mats, still catching their breath.

"Man," one of the guys groaned, pulling his knee to his chest, "I don't know how you talked me into that last set. My arms still shaking."

"That's why you gotta build that stamina," Tee said, tossing a towel over his shoulder. "You think we get open without putting in extra reps?"

"Exactly," Ja'Marr added, not even looking up from his phone. "I know y’all tryna get like me. Hard work pays off."

"You just like showing off," Tee shot back, grinning.

"Yeah? And you just like disappearing after workouts," Ja'Marr said, finally looking up. "Where you always rushing off to anyway? Running away like somebody chasin’ you."

"Man, nowhere important," Tee said, tying his shoe. "I just gotta... my girl be waiting on me sometimes."

The words hung in the air a second too long.

"Your what?" Ja'Marr's head snapped up, brow raised.

"My...uh... my neighbor's girl," Tee fumbled, scrambling for a save. "She works nights, so I keep an eye out when she gets home. She kinda nervous walking in alone."

"Mmmhmm," Ja'Marr said slowly, clearly not buying it. "Your neighbor's girl, huh? Funny how she got you canceling every date I set up for you."

"I ain't cancel every date," Tee argued.

"Bro," Ja'Marr laughed dryly. "You fake-moved furniture at nine o'clock last week."

"That man has a bad back," Tee said, fighting a grin. "I'm just being neighborly."

"Nah," Ja'Marr pointed at him, shaking his head. "I'm onto you."

"Ain't nothing to be onto," Tee shot back, but his voice cracked just enough to give him away.

Ja'Marr narrowed his eyes, but before he could press further, one of the guys spoke up, changing the subject. Tee exhaled a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

"You better hope Ja'Marr never finds out," one of the other guys muttered with a grin. "Man’s like a bloodhound."

Tee laughed under his breath, but his mind was already drifting — back to his place of yours, a movie marathon and hopefully having you for dessert.

Feeling like he was exactly where he needed to be a few days later, Tee was at his place with you, the two of you tangled up on his couch. Your head rested on his chest as his fingers lazily traced circles on your arm. It was peaceful, quiet — just the way you liked it.

"You know you don't have to keep lookin' at me like that," you murmured, peeking up at him.

"Like what?" He grinned, but you knew exactly what he was doing — watching you when he thought you weren’t paying attention. Like you were something he couldn't believe he had.

Before you could say anything else, a loud knock rattled Tee's front door.

"Yo, Tee! Open up!"

Both of you froze. "That's Ja'Marr," Tee muttered, sitting up. "I knew he was up to something."

"What do we do?" you whispered, already halfway off the couch. "Should I hide?"

"Nah," Tee shook his head. "We're not doin' this anymore."

He walked to the door, unlocking it with a calmness that surprised you. Ja'Marr stood there, arms crossed, eyebrows raised like he knew exactly what was happening. His gaze flicked past Tee, landing on you still sitting on the couch, wrapped in Tee’s hoodie.

"I knew it!" Ja'Marr shouted, pointing at you both. "I knew y'all were sneaking around! Man, I fuckin’ knew it!"

"Alright, alright," Tee laughed, stepping aside to let Ja'Marr in. "Yeah, we’ve been seeing each other. For a few weeks now."

"Damn, I knew it," Ja'Marr repeated, way too pleased with himself. "Y'all thought you were slick. I'm just mad I didn't catch you sooner."

"You're not... mad?" you asked, glancing between the two men.

"Mad?" Ja'Marr scoffed. "Girl, please. I'm just happy I was right. Told y'all you were perfect for each other." He clapped Tee on the back. "Proud of you brother man."

"Thank you, it’s been uh—really good,” Tee grinned at you.

Ja’Marr looks between you and Tee and smirks, letting out a dramatic sigh, “alright, I’m gone. I’ll let you lovebirds be, before I see something I really don’t wanna see,” he looks at his teammate before heading out the door, “you will tell me exactly how this happened from start to finish when I see you next.”

Tee laughs, putting his hand around your shoulders, “whatever bruh, just go home.”

With another small laugh, the door closes and your man pulls you in, laughing softly as he brushes a thumb over your cheek. "Guess he was right."

"We’re gonna be hearing about this until the day we die," you whispered, smiling as you leaned in.

"I know," Tee muttered against your lips before kissing you.

Your brother, Derek, had one friend, Rhett Abbott, and it seemed Rhett's only friend was your brother. That meant that when Rhett wasn't working on his family's ranch, he was at your house with your brother. You were only a year under them in school, but that was enough for your brother to tell you to leave them alone. Which you did, until they wanted to play a board or card game that needed at least three people.

It was the way life was in your house, even after they graduated from high school. Both Rhett and Derek stayed in Wabang to help out on their respective family ranches. Which meant you were finally cool enough to hang out with them once you turned 18 during your Senior year of high school. Though you really didn't hang out with them often, you didn't care much to feel like you were forcing yourself into their friendship. Even if you had grown closer to both Derek and Rhett.

Though you found yourself locked into an odd conversation you'd rather have never started, especially the summer before you went to college. "Just forget I said anything," you rushed out, turning around to leave the barn.

"Now wait a minute," Rhett called out to you, hanging up the saddle your brother asked him to. "What did you just ask me?"

You huffed and pouted a little, turning back around with your arms crossed. You were in a white sundress with little blue flowers printed on it, your boots standing out from how dirty they were. "I asked if you'd help me lose my virginity," you mumbled.

Rhett reeled back in shock while your pout deepened at his action. "I wasn't quite sure I heard you right the first time, but I guess I did," Rhett mused. "Now, why me and not one the guys I know are dyin' for your attention, Honey?" There Rhett went again, shortening your family nickname, Honeybee, the opposite way everyone else does. Giving your heart hope even though you knew he was still in love with Maria.

"Because the one guy I thought was the best option told me he was going to get me pregnant to keep me trapped here with him instead of letting me go to college," you admitted, sitting down on the stack of hay bales by the barn doors.

"Well I'll be damned," Rhett was genuinely shocked, and maybe a little upset, over that. "Wanna tell me that fucker's name? I'll straighten him out for ya."

You knew if you did, Rhett would fight Tucker for you. But you really didn't need him getting into another fight, especially on your behalf. "No, but thanks for the offer. Can this conversation be over now?"

Rhett's chuckle kept you trapped in your spot as he walked over, his boots thudding against the floor. "Honey, this conversation isn't over until we talk about your crazy question."

"It isn't crazy," you defended. "Just who I decided to ask was the crazy part. Which we can forget ever happened."

"Why do you want to lose your virginity?"

You blinked, having Rhett Abbott being the one asking you that question wasn't something you thought would ever happen. "Because I don't want to go to college a virgin," you confessed.

"Ok," Rhett was watching your face as you two talked. He may not be so good with his emotions, but you wore yours on your face and he's learned to read them over the years. "Why me? And don't you go blamin' that kid again."

"Tucker isn't a kid," you mumbled before you could stop yourself from saying his name.

"Tucker Shelby? That kid deserves to be punched at least once for thinkin' he's worthy of you."

"I heard you're gentle," you quickly spit out before Rhett could focus on Tucker too much.

"Excuse me?" Rhett looked baffled at your words.

You laughed a little, Rhett smiling at the sound. "I work at the only coffee shop in town, I hear things," you giggled.

"And these things are about how people are in bed?" Rhett raised an eyebrow at you.

"Some times, other times it's about how mean people are behind closed doors. It depends on the day and person," you shrugged.

Rhett and you both sat there for a moment, the only sounds being the ones that always happened on your family's ranch. "Alright, but if I'm doin' this I'm doin' it right," Rhett told you, standing up again. "I'll take you to diner beforehand, and that's a none negotiable"

"You're actually going to help me?"

"I'd rather know it's someone who actually sees you as a person and cares for you well being instead of someone who wants to keep ya trapped," Rhett admitted, offering you his hand to help you up. "I'll come pick ya up on Friday night, I'll tell your brother that you conned me into the taking you to dinner and a movie because Sarah couldn't go with ya."

You threw your arms around Rhett's neck, pulling him down into a hug. "Thank you, Rhett!"

Rhett watched as you bounded off, probably headed to whatever chore you abandoned to come bother him. "It's my pleasure, darling," Rhett whispered, knowing you couldn't hear him. Not that it mattered to him, he'd make sure you knew it was his pleasure to do this for you. And maybe show you that you don't need those boys who think they could hold you in this town.

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It was Friday night and you were sitting on the porch watching the birds in the sky while waiting on Rhett. "You didn't have to ask Rhett, I would have come to the movie with you," Derek told you, sitting down on the other chair.

You looked over at your brother, knowing he'd have a cow and run to tell your dad if he knew he truth. "I know, but at least Rhett has the decency to wait until the end instead of complaining about how stupid he thinks the movie is while it's playing," you countered.

Derek rolled his eyes at you, gently pushing your shoulder away from him. "Yeah, yeah, whatever," he mumbled. "Ma thinks it's sweet that Rhett's taking you."

The tone of Derek's voice didn't go unnoticed by you. "Yeah, he only agreed because I told him I hated going alone and Sarah was busy. Dinner was just an added bonus because of the time of the movie," you lied.

"I know, he told me. I just wanted to make sure you knew that."

"Why wouldn't I? I'm not some schoolgirl," you gave him a flat look.

"I know, I know," Derek held his hands up. "I just don't want you to get hurt is all," he said as Rhett pulled into your driveway.

You and Derek watched him pull in next to your car before getting out. "Ready to go?" Rhett asked as he reached the porch.

"Yeah, Derek was just keeping me company before you got here," you told Rhett.

Derek stood and shared a nod in greet with Rhett. "Hey, if you got time when you get back, come say hi and I'll show you that thing I bought," Derek tod Rhett.

"Sure, but I might not. The movie's apparently quite long," Rhett offered as you stood there, shifting your balance back and forth between the ball of your toes to your heels.

"Ah, good luck then, she'll stay until the very end."

"We should get going," Rhett announced. "Come on, Honey."

"Bye, Derek! Tell ma and pa that I'll be home kinda late!" you called over your shoulder as you walked to Rhett's truck. Rhett made the detour to open your door for you before giving your brother one last nod and getting into the driver's seat.

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You and Rhett were trying your best to stay quiet, getting you into your house while your legs still shook. You were still riding the last little wave of endorphins even though you it had been almost two hours since you and Rhett had finished. He wasn't lying to you when he said he cared about you and your well being. He may have had no issues with leaving some of the other girls to themselves after a few minutes, but he made sure to hold you to him and praise you until you came all the way down and were left with nothing but the happiness you were feeling now.

Rhett was hoping no one was waiting up for you, he didn't know how he'd explain the reason your skirt was twisted the wrong way on your hips and the fact you were wearing his hat. Or at least not in a way that wouldn't get his ass beat by your father and brother before being banned from your household. "Darlin', you gotta be quiet," Rhett mumbled, hoping they'd think his footsteps were yours. Rhett had scooped you up when you reached the stairs, not trying to have you falling on the way up with your unsteady legs.

"I am being quiet," you whispered, rolling your head against his shoulder to bury your face in his neck.

You were tempted to nip at his neck, the skin soft against your lips. "Don't," he muttered, reaching your room finally.

"I wasn't gonna, I was just thinking about it," you pouted as Rhett sat you down on your bed. You watched as Rhett helped you out of your clothes for the second time that night, but this time he helped you into fresh panties and your pajamas. "Thank you, Rhett. For the whole night," you sighed, laying down on your bed and pulling your covers up and under your chin.

Rhett smiled at you, leaning down to brush a kiss against your forehead. "It was my pleasure, darlin'," he told you, standing up again and turning to leave.

"You've call me that all night, why?" you called after him.

Your eyes were on Rhett when he turned around again to face you. "Just thought I should," he told you.

"I like it," you smiled, rolling over to face your window before you let out a big sigh and closed your eyes. The last thing you heard was Rhett telling you good night and the soft click of your door.

For Rhett? He ran into your dad on his way out of the house, thankful that at least it was after you were already in bed. "Rhett? It's late, what's got you here?" your dad, John, asked, clearly just in the kitchen for water. Rhett had been spotted through the serving hatch by your dad who was standing there in his sweatpants and holding a water cup.

"Just making sure Honey made it to bed, she was pretty tired after the movie," Rhett lied, prepped and ready to text you all the lies he told your father once he got to his truck.

Your dad nodded, not having a reason to not believe Rhett. "You've always been sweet on her, I've ought to thank you for that."

Rhett felt like he was way out of his depth here. "You really don't have to."

"No, I do," your dad placed his cup into the sink. "I was worried about her and I knew Derek wouldn't watch out for her in high school the way he should. Then you showed up and out for her," John shook his head for a moment. "I can only hope the man she chooses later in life looks out for her even a fraction as the much as you do."

"Me too, sir," Rhett lied before telling the older man good night and leaving. Rhett didn't hope the man looked out for you like he did, he hoped he was shitty and you hated every moment so you'd come running to him when you needed something. It was the closest he could get to having you as his, he knew that and he was fine with that. Maria was the safer option anyway, it's not like she was his best friend's younger sister.

As Rhett got into his truck, he knew this night would be one of the last times he saw you before you left for college. He also knew, unlike those boys who said they'd keep you trapped here with their babies, that you'd return. You had plans, big ones too, but he had listened to you talk about them enough to know they always ended with you coming back to Wabang.

Back in your house, your mom, Theodora, walked out to see your dad still in the kitchen. "Dear, everything ok?" your mom asked.

John looked from the door to his wife, a small smile spread across his face. "Thea, I think that boy likes our little girl," he told her.

Your mom laughed and gently took his hand in hers. "If you're just now thinking that, then you've been blind. That boy has liked our little girl since they met out in the field," she told him.

Your dad leaned back against the counter, looking across the way at his wife. "You think they'll confess?"

"If they do, it'll be after she successes. He loves her too much to give her any reason not to go to med school."

"I don't think she'd say here in Wabang just for him," your dad had his brows furrowed.

Your mom shook her head, standing up straight and getting ready to head back to bed. "Then you don't know our little girl as much as you think you do, John. She loves him too, she'd still go to college but her plans would change dramatically."

Your dad watched her walk away for a moment before following her. The more he thought about it, the more he realized she was right. You'd still go to college, but he really does doubt you'd stay away too long if you knew Rhett loved you too.

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Your house was covered in a layer of snow and the ground crunched under your boots as you walked up to the door. You had lied when you said you wouldn't be able to get home for a few more days, but you really did think you'd have to take a few more finals. The house had only the tree up and it wasn't even decorated. "Wow, the house looks sad," you announced, walking farther into the house to see your family and Rhett all sitting around the diner table.

"You said you weren't going to be home for a few more days!" your mom shouted, jumping up to hug you as the others greeted you from their seats.

You laughed, hugging her back before walking around the table to hug your dad too. "Yeah, I had less finals than I thought," you explained.

Derek gave you a look and you were ready for his dumbass comment. "Two years at that school and you still don't know how many finals you have?" he asked and you flipped him off as you sat down.

"Is that a tattoo?" your dad asked, grabbing your raised hand to look at the little half moon and stars you had on your wrist.

"Oh, yeah, it is," you affirmed.

"Why'd you get it?"

"My roommate was getting one and she was scared to get one alone," you hoped he bought it.

"That's nice of you, I was worried you were just going to get one for no reason," he mumbled going back to his dinner.

Derek and you were making panicked eye contact, both of you knowing you did get it for no real reason. "I should go get my bag," you announced before anyone could question it further, standing up once again.

"I'll help," Rhett told you, standing up to come help you. The walk to the car was quiet as you two just existed next to each other for the first time since you left for college. "This isn't your car."

You shook your head. "It's still in San Diego, I flew to the airport and got a rental," you explained.

Rhett nodded, taking the bag you had in the back for you while you grabbed the small backpack you used as your carry on. "How's school goin'?"

"I'm surprised Derek hasn't talked your ear off about it," you mused. "He had a lot to say when we were on the phone."

"No, he has, just wanted to hear it from ya," Rhett told you, following you into the house and towards the stairs.

You huffed a laugh, climbing the stairs with the sound of Rhett behind you. "It's been good," you finally responded once you got to your room.

"Yeah? And those parties your brother was complainin' about?"

"I've been to about two a quarter. He acts like I spent every weekend at them," you lied, you went about twice a week. "I'm still a straight A student so I don't get why he cares," that you weren't lying about.

"He's worried you'll get in some type of trouble," Rhett watched as you dropped your bag on your bed before turning to face him.

"Yeah, like what?" you questioned, crossing your arms at him. It was very reminiscent of when you pouted at him in the barn two years ago.

Rhett struggled, watching the way you narrowed your eyes at him. "You don't exactly have the best track record with askin' the right people for favors."

"But he doesn't know about that, right?"

"You think I'd still be allowed over if he did?"

You laughed at that one. "You're not wrong," you mused. "Thanks for helping me bring this up, you didn't have to."

"I know I didn't, I wanted to," he assured you.

You didn't want to acknowledge how that made you feel, so you changed the subject. "You think Maria's coming back after she graduates?"

"Not sure, why?" Rhett leaned back against your desk.

You shrugged. "Just wondering," you told him as your brother appeared.

"I'm taking Rhett now," Derek straight up told you, gesturing with his head for Rhett to follow.

"See ya," you waved him away and watched them both leave before flopping back against your bed.

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You always knew about the favoritism in the Abbott family, you just didn't know how bad it had gotten until you realized Rhett had been staying in the old barn not far from your house. Your dad had gotten a construction crew to turn it into a proper house. Or at least a small one that was just enough for him to live in.

You and Rhett were sitting in his living room, your brother had gone to his girlfriend's house after dinner to join them for their presents since he got them all presents. "Do you ever regret choosin' me to be your first?" Rhett asked, he had been drinking the same bottle of beer for an hour while watching random Holiday movies that the TV was playing.

Rhett watched as you paused reading your book, blinked, and then looked up at hin. "No, why?"

"Just figured you'd regret it by now," he shrugged.

You laughed softly and shook your head. "The only part I regret is choosing an eater as my first, you set the bar way too high for other men to reach," you teased, both of you knowing you were telling the truth anyway.

"I don't think you could even call them men," Rhett chuckled, sipping his beer again.

"Why not?" you put your book down to fully look at him.

Rhett sat his bottle down after drinking the last bit of it. "Come on, what'd I tell ya?" That was the thing, you tried not to think about that night with Rhett. You weren't lying when you said he set a bar no one else has been able to reach, and you were scared of what would happen if you thought about that too much. "Don't tell me you forgot."

You swallowed thickly before clearing your throat. "I didn't," you had to look away from him.

For a moment, Rhett almost pressed you, but he saw the distant look in your eyes and, rightly, guessed you were mentally back to that night. "Good," was all Rhett said, but he saw the way your tightened your thigh muscles to push them together.

The silence stretched for a little before a knock was heard on the door and your mom popped her head into the barn. "Ah, she is in here. Bee, could you come help me with cleaning the kitchen?"

"Yeah, of course," you answered, standing up. You left your book in Rhett's living room, but he didn't mind. He quite liked the sight of your things in his space, a dangerous thing to feel and he knew that but he couldn't find it in himself to care.

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None of your family was at your graduation, you weren't surprised given how busy they got last year with keeping Rhett out of jail. You had decided to stay in San Diego for the summer and you were cursing yourself over the decision once you learned everything that was going on in Wabang. It still stung that no one showed up, you hoped that maybe they'd make it even with how unlikely it was.

You were walking out with your friends, all of you talking about your plans. Your plans were, admittedly, kinda sad compared to the others, but they didn't make you feel bad about it. That was until you paused once you left the church that your school's graduation took place in. "What's wrong?" Wanda, your friend and roommate for the past four years, asked when she noticed you stopped.

Rhett was standing a few feet away, leaning against the pillar of the portico. "That's Rhett," you mumbled, your eyes not leaving him.

"I thought you said no one was coming for you," Mark said from the other side of you.

"I didn't think anyone was," you admitted.

"We'll see you later, ok? Go," Wanda pushed you away, knowing you'd probably need the push.

Rhett looked up at the sound of heels getting closer to him and saw you walking straight towards him. "Congrats, Honey," Rhett greeted you as you reached him.

You threw your arms around him, pulling him down a little so you could hug him. "You came," you sighed, practically melting into Rhett.

"Your folks couldn't and neither could your brother, but I wasn't going to let you walk that stage without someone cheering for ya," he told you.

You were still hugging Rhett, not letting him go. "Thank you."

Rhett tightened his arms around you. "Of course."

"When do you head back?"

"In a few days, I thought I'd stay with you and help you bring home some things. Figured you weren't leavin' anything here if you're goin' to Colorado for med school," Rhett told you. You smiled and finally let him go, falling back flat on your feet. Rhett adjusted his hat that had been knock askew when you threw yourself into his arms, you had noticed he pulled out his cowboy hat instead of one of his ball caps. "Have you eaten?"

"No, not since this morning," you told him, noting that it was almost 5:30.

"Come on, I'll take ya," he gestured for you to follow and you did, looking over your shoulder to wave goodbye to your lingering friends. Wanda had driven you to graduation and you made sure to tell Rhett as much when he asked if you two would have to come back to get your car later.

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You were sitting on the couch with Rhett, the two of you watching a movie together. "You can stay here," you told him, having seen him looking for cheap hotels by you. "Wanda already moved out and it's not like I have anyone coming over but you."

Rhett thought about it, a bed would be more comfortable than the couch but he liked being closer to you. "Thanks, Honey," he nodded.

"Yeah, plus, it's not like I take up a whole king sized bed by myself. We'll fit," you added, like he had known you were offering the other side of your bed. Rhett didn't answer, he just looked back at the screen and tried to pay attention to the movie. You seemed so casual about it all to Rhett, you were on your phone.

The seemed causal was the important part, but you were really frantically texting your friends about sharing a bed with Rhett. Mark laughed at your predicament and Wanda was the one to offer comfort.

The movie was over by the time you were done freaking out to the group chat. You yawned and Rhett noticed. "Do you wanna head to bed? It's probably been a long day for you."

"And driving from Wabang to here isn't a long few days?" you asked, but you were already getting up with Rhett following suit.

"I ain't the one that graduated college," he pointed out.

"Could have, you're smart enough for it," you offered.

"Don't think they want someone who's had a few brain cells knocked outta his head ridin' bulls." You mumbled something that kinda sounded like I do, but Rhett didn't quite catch it. "What was that?"

"Nothing," you lied, walking into your room. Rhett had his bag with him and set it down on the empty vanity desk you had, the box holding all the stuff that would normally be on it already taped shut. You didn't even hesitate to strip and change in front of Rhett, very aware that it's something he's already seen.

"You've got a new tattoo," he pointed out.

You paused, you didn't really forget you had a tattoo of a bull right above the curve of your ass, but you forgot Rhett didn't know. "Yeah, I do," you nodded, looking over your shoulder to catch a glimpse of it before sliding your tank top on. "I guess I forgot to mention that one." Rhett had the passing thought that you and him basically had matching tattoos, but didn't mention it in fear that you'd kick him out over his comment.

"Guess you did," Rhett was sliding his shirt off, already stripped down to his boxers. There was not a single ounce of you surprised that he slept in only boxers.

The two of you got comfortable in bed before you moved to lay your head on Rhett's chest. He was closer to the door and you were facing it on your side. There was a stretch of silence between you two, both of you trying to fall asleep. Rhett had his hand on your hip, rubbing his thumb back and forth over the band of your panties since you were not wearing any shorts or pants. You had both arms curled up and next to your head and resting on his chest. "Thank you for everything you've ever done for me," you muttered.

Rhett's thumb paused for a moment before it continued it's movements. "It's always been my pleasure," he told you. You looked up at him and leaned up to press your lips to his, Rhett responding immediately. Rhett moved the two of you so he was hovering over you, the hand that wasn't holding his weight up running down your side.

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You were standing outside your childhood home again, packing things into your car once again. "That's the last box," your dad announced, giving you a hug.

"Is it weird I'm more scared to leave now than I was for undergrad?" you asked, laughter twinged with your tears.

Your dad looked back to see Rhett and Derek walking up. "No, it's not. Because as much as you two are denying it, you've got something to lose by leaving now," your dad told you, leaving you as the other two walked up.

"See ya, Bee," your brother gave you a shove before a side hug. "Rhett wants to talk to you for a moment, just holler when you're done and we'll come wave you away."

You and Rhett stared at each other for a moment before you hugged him. "You're still planin' to come back, right?" Rhett asked.

"Mhm, the plan is to come back and open a medical office prepped to deal with emergencies instead of sending people out," you assured him. "Why?"

Rhett shook his head for a moment. "Ask me again when you're home for good," he told you, taking his baseball cap off and setting it on your head.

You reached up and adjusted it a bit. "Are you giving this to me?"

"Figured you'd need a dose of home," he shrugged, though you both knew it was a show of his affection for you.

"Thank you," you threw Rhett off kilter a little with the force of you throwing yourself against him. Rhett caught himself before you both could go toppling to the ground and hugged you back. You pulled away and wiped the tears that were falling down your face before clearing your throat. "I'll come back," you promised. You were about to shout for your family when you paused. "Wait for me?" you asked, your eyes steady despite the fear of you possibly losing him.

Rhett nodded, not fully trusting his voice. But he wanted to say something anyway, so he cleared his throat. "I will," he promised.

You nodded before shouting for your family that you were about to leave. They came running and all of them watched as you got in your car and drove away, waving until you disappeared down the road for who knows how long.

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Life in Wabang move on without you, not that there wasn't evidence you were there. Rhett felt it the most, he hadn't even missed Maria this much when she was gone. But you were different, Rhett thought he could love Maria but he was lying to himself. He loved you and had since he met you in middle school.

Rhett focused on his work on your family's farm and getting better at riding bulls. He was proud of his ability finally, getting into bigger rides that have cash prizes for the first three places. He didn't realize how close he was to the teaching hospital you were at until he saw you at the store late one night. "Honey," Rhett called out and you spun around so fast.

You looked tired, that much as noticeable but you were also looking so happy. "Rhett, what are you doing here?" you were hugging him as soon as he was in your reach.

"I got into the competition this weekend," he admitted.

"What? Why didn't you tell me?" you pulled away and walked back to your cart. Rhett followed behind you and saw the groceries you were buying.

"I didn't want you to worry about seeing me in the ER," he admitted.

You looked at Rhett with a straight face. "I would freak out more to see you wheeled into my ER, plus I'm off for the weekend," you told him.

Rhett cleared his throat before speaking. "Do you wanna come to watch me then?"

"Of course I do," you told him a smile on your face when you looked over and up at him. Rhett threw his arm around your shoulders as you walked and you welcomed it as you leaned into him a bit more. To any onlookers, you two would look like a couple that was shopping together, but you knew the truth. No matter how much you hated that it wasn't like it seemed.

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You were wrapped in Rhett's jacket as you waited to see him, he had gotten second place which meant he was going on to the next ride. But he was thrown pretty hard and the on sight doctors were looking him over while you waited by where they were releasing the riders.

You supposed that since he wasn't already rushed out on a stretcher he was ok, but your heart was still racing. You were ignoring every other rider, you didn't care that they were trying to get your attention. Then you saw Rhett and let out a sigh of relief before you scrunched your brows at the hard set on his face. You opened your mouth to ask if he was ok but he pulled you to his chest in a hug, one you returned a little confused. "You good?" you asked, pulling away from Rhett to see him scanning the people around you. Rhett pulled his hat off and set it on your head, you pursed your lips at him to keep from smiling too wide. "Jealous?" You noticed the other things he was holding, likely what he got for getting second place.

Rhett looked down at you and flared his nose at you for a moment before taking your hand in his to walk away. "They're lookin' at ya like you're a piece of meat, darlin'," he muttered.

You laughed gently, at least he was ok. "Yeah, well, you made it pretty clear I'm going home with you. I don't think they'll bother us too much now," you assured him, adjusting the hat on your head. Rhett was silent for a moment before chuckling, getting to his truck and throwing the things in his hand onto the dashboard. You sat in his passenger seat and caught sight of your reflection in the side view mirror. "Are we going to keep playing this game where we refuse to acknowledge anything between us while hooking up every time we run into each other?" you asked him, leaving out how you both say you love the other but never actually mention it after the fact.

Rhett sighed, looking at you once he got caught at a red light. "It's all we can do right now," he offered.

"What about when I come back home?"

There was a stretch of silence, both of you saying nothing. "Ask me when you come home," he told you instead of a real answer.

You were quiet, not sure what to say to that. Until you saw your reflection again, and something sparked in your head that let you change the topic to one that wouldn't break your heart. "Does this mean you'll let me ride you? Or are you going to tell me that it's all about me and my pleasure so I shouldn't have to exert myself too much again?" you asked as you brushed your fingers over the brim of his hat.

Rhett laughed and gently shook his head at you. "It's always about your pleasure, darlin'. But sure, I'll let ya ride me this time," he promised. You smiled at him again and relaxed, knowing you had at least an hour before you reached your apartment again and that you'd need all the energy you could get.

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The building was empty and a little dusty, but your co-owner was rich enough it didn't matter. "Ok, so I've got a whole host of people coming in to make this place the perfect little ED for this small town," Cameron, an attending you became friends with in med school, told you. He had heard about your desire to bring a true hospital with an ER to Wabang instead of hoping that they make it the two hours to the closest hospital and thought it was noble enough to fund it and be your attending so you could finish your residency. "How bad is the motel?"

You looked at Cameron for a moment, the only time you stayed at the hotel was the time Rhett took your virginity. "Uh, no clue, never been," you lied to him.

"I don't know why I thought you would have stayed there," he muttered. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow, go surprise your family."

"Thanks, Cam!" you called over your shoulder as you rushed out to your car. If you got on the road now, you'd make it right on time for dinner which is what you wanted to do. The roads were familiar, even if you were in a new car. You knew the way home no matter how long it's been or where in town you are.

You hesitated outside of your house for a moment when you got there, you hadn't been back since you were 22 and an undergrad graduate. Now you were a 27 year old doctor who has the opportunity of a lifetime to start an ED in your hometown where you'll do the rest of your residency. You steeled your nerves and walked up to the door, only for it to swing open to show your brother leaving the house. "Holy shit, it's Bee!" he shouted behind him, giving you a quick hug before you were passed off to your mother.

"What are you doing here?" she asked and you saw Rhett standing with your dad.

"I'm home," you told everyone, but you were still looking at Rhett. "For good."

"What? How?" your dad asked, hugging you once your mother let you go.

"I made a friend in an attending and he agreed to help me open up an actual hospital here. So I'm home for good," you told them, finally making it to Rhett to hug him.

"Your brother was about to go out with his girlfriend and your dad and I are also going out. Will you be ok with just Rhett?" your mom asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure Rhett and I can figure something out," you told her, giving her one last hug before the three left. You turned towards Rhett once they left. "I'm home now, so what are we Rhett?"

Rhett stepped closer to you and took your hands in his. "My mom's leavin' Wabang, she's takin' Amy north to live closer to her family and my dad and brother are in jail. I don't have anything to offer except myself, a tarnished family name, and an old ranch," Rhett told you.

"You alone are enough, we've waited for a long time. Are you going to make us wait more?"

"I promise, there's no more waitin'," Rhett assured you, dipping his head down to kiss you. This time, the kiss was laced with a promise. Not the rushed feelings of not knowing if you'd ever get to again or the frantic exchange of hushed 'I love you' between two people. This kiss, it was every promise Rhett had quietly made and every wish you had quietly craved.

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The next morning you woke up to a warm body still in your bed. You had been surprised when your family accepted you and Rhett without hesitation. You had guessed they picked up something between you two, but it's not like you had actually expected it. The two of you were just glad that you weren't being actively torn apart from each other.

Rhett was already awake when you sat up a little to look at him, joy absolutely shining in your eyes. "I don't think 18 year old me would believe me if I told her she'd finally get to date you," you told Rhett.

Rhett chuckled and shook his head before remembering something. "You know I ran into your dad that night," Rhett told you. You nodded in response, he had sent you a message about the lies he told your dad. "We talked about how he was glad I was lookin' out for you and I lied to him. He told me that he hoped whoever you ended up with looked out for you just as much if not more than me. I told him I did too, knowin' I hoped they didn't. I hoped they didn't treat you the way I did so you'd come runnin' to me whenever he failed."

You laughed, shaking your head before leaning forward to place a small kiss against his shoulder. Rhett pulled you to lay on top of him, holding you there as you giggled. "Did it kill you when Derek told you about the dates I went on?" you teased, it was just enough for you to feel the tension in Rhett's shoulders appear.

"It did," he admitted. "Every time I hoped Derek would come back fumin' about how the guy made you upset because I knew you'd call me. And that was enough for me for a while."

"A while?" you asked as you relaxed against him, both of you basking in the easy morning and each other's presence. Though, you propped your head up on his chest so you could see his face.

"It stopped bein' enough after you came home for Christmas your second year of undergrad," Rhett held you a bit closer and the tension you caused slipped from his shoulders when you burrowed as much into him as you could. "I kept tellin' myself it had to be, that Maria was the safer choice because I didn't risk losin' the only family that actually cared for me."

You pulled a sad face, one that made Rhett want to press kisses all over your face just so you'd smile again. "You're not going to lose us, you never were," you told him.

"Your dad and brother would have kicked my ass if they had known half the shit we've done without their knowledge," he pointed out.

"Yeah, and then we just wouldn't have been able to be alone together. You wouldn't have lost them."

Rhett pressed a light kiss to your nose and your smile came back. "It wasn't them I was terrified of losin'," he whispered.

You pursed your lips for a moment and Rhett watched the battle in your eyes. "None of them lasted because I wanted you," you whispered. "I tried to date other men, but I just couldn't last more than a few months."

Rhett's chuckle rumbled through his chest and into yours. "Yeah? That the real reason why they could never reach the bar I set?"

You were going to retaliate by pushing off Rhett, but he was a step ahead of you and held you closer. "You're the one who could spend hours between my thighs and still claim it wasn't long enough," you muttered, scrunching your nose at him.

There was a response on the tip of Rhett's tongue when a knock on your door broke the serene morning. "Sorry to bother you," you dad was slowly poking his head through the door and relaxed once he realized the most he was going to see was his little girl laying on top of someone in her pajamas. "Rhett, think you could help out today? One of my ranch hands fell ill."

"Yeah, I'll help," he nodded and your dad thanked him before leaving. Rhett looked back at you and saw your little pout. "Aw, don't go poutin' on me now," Rhett told you, leaning in to kiss you softly.

"You're leaving me all alone in bed," you countered.

Rhett laughed, shaking his head softly. "You could always come out and help," he offered.

"We both know nothing would get done if I did," you told him, rolling off his chest to lay back down on your side of the bed. "Plus, I gotta go see Cameron later today." Rhett bent to grab his jeans, throwing his shirt on the bed as he did so.

You watched Rhett shove on an old pair of jeans, ones that he had since high school. You were surprised they still fit as well as they did, even if he had to jump a little to get them over the swell of his ass. Rhett turned back around to see your eyes still looking down and chuckled, walking back to the bed for a moment. "Come say bye to me before ya leave," he muttered against your lips.

"Yeah? You care that much?" you teased, watching him grab his shirt and pull it on.

"That and maybe I wanna show ya off to the ranch hands, just so there's no confusion," he winked at you and you rolled your eyes but smiled anyway as he left the room. "And wear the hat I gave ya, darlin'!" Rhett called back to you from down the hall, the sound of your laughter reaching him all the way at the stairs.

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You had been to the Abbott ranch twice your whole life, once when they hosted your family after a storm broke down your front door. And now, as you and Rhett walked into the house together after he got the full ownership over it. The hospital was a few days away from opening and you were teeming with excitement over both Rhett getting the ranch and you getting the hospital.

The two of you were moving into the ranch house, knowing you'd have to refurnish it since Rhett's mom took everything with her. Almost everything, Rhett's room was exactly how he left it. You two knew your bed was bigger than Rhett's, but you guessed maybe he had a full instead of a queen. But you were staring at a twin sized bed and knew that Rhett purposefully didn't tell you. "This was a scheme," you playfully accused while you pointed at the bed. "You did this so I'd have to sleep on your chest," you narrowed your eyes at him while he sheepishly smiled at you.

"Come on, darlin'. I would never," he lied but you just reluctantly smiled and shook your head softly. You pulled a face but didn't fight him anymore, just sitting down on his bed. You were just watching Rhett until he sat down with you, wondering why he was digging in his bag but thought nothing of it when he stood up with empty hands.

You watched Rhett's face closely, having gotten used to reading his face. "What's wrong?" you asked softly, leaning closer to him.

Rhett looked at you, wrapping his arms around you. You followed his gentle guidance easily until you were sat straddling his lap with his forehead against your shoulder. "When you say it's us, do you mean forever?" Rhett's voice was quiet in the way that showed he was forcing himself to speak over the fear of showing emotion.

There was something heartbreaking about Rhett needing to hide while talking about his emotions, that coupled with needing the physical reassurance you were there just made your stomach twist over what he must have been through. "I mean us for as long as you want me," you told him.

You felt the way Rhett's shoulders relaxed and how he held you a little closer. "I'm scared you'll leave me for a different life."

You felt bad for laughing, but you couldn't stop it over his dumb thought. "Then you clearly need to stop listening to your head and listen to me. Because I'm not going anywhere, not as long as you want me here." Rhett did something that surprised you, he stood while still holding you to him. "How did you do that?" you giggled, wrapping your legs around his hips tighter in fear of falling.

Rhett would never let you fall though, but he didn't complain when you held onto him tighter. "You've watched me do my chores, darlin'. Are you really tellin' me you think you weight more than those calves I pick up?"

"I don't know, they only weight like a 100 pounds," you told him, squeezing him tighter when you realized he was about to go down the stairs with you in his arms.

"I can pick up 'em until they reach 250, you're nothin', trust me," he promised.

"Where are we going?" you finally asked, looking around to see he was taking you out back.

"Hold on, you'll find out," he chuckled before setting you down. You took his hand as he offered it and walked with him until you reached the field. This was the place you first met Rhett, you had been chasing a chicken for his mother the first day you were here. You finally caught up to it all the way out here and picked it up, only to see Rhett standing two feet away hiding from his chores.

"What are we doing out here?" you questioned as you looked around, the sun setting over the horizon. By the time you looked back at Rhett, he was already knelt down in front of you. "Rhett?"

"I know it ain't much," he was holding a box with an engagement ring in it, but you weren't looking at the size of the ring. You were looking at the man in front of you, already knowing your answer. "But would you marry me?"

You nodded at him before speaking. "Yes," you were going to kneel down to be level with him, but he caught you before you could. You heard him mumble something about you not needing to get your jeans dirty, but you cut him off by pressing your lips to his.

You may have waited for years, but you'd wait all over again if it meant you got to say Rhett Abbot wanted to spend his life with you.

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