Artistic

Weston shook his head, “I can’t hate the idea that you are happy. And I don’t even hate that it is Arielle, he explained to his brother, “I s’pose it just caught me off guard that it’s one of Hadley’s friends.” He was close with Sabrina but had never imagined that he would end up in a relationship with her and he knew Rhett probably hadn’t gone out seeking a relationship with her., but it was still something so surprising to take in. “You shouldn’t have to chose between the two of them,” Weston shook his head. “And I don’t think Hads will make you choose. She loves you and she loves Arielle.” He didn’t see a reason that his sister would be upset - but at the same time, he did. He could get it but he wasn’t convinced knowing his own sister that Hadley would be that upset. “You know she appreciates when we are honest with her above all else. No beatin’ around the bush.”

rhett nodded his head, his lips pursing. he knew hadley probably should’ve been the first person they told but he wanted to confide in someone and get another person’s opinion before he spilled the news to his younger sister. “i don’t want to chose between the two of them and i honestly don’t think hadley would make me. i think she’ll understand. you can’t really help who you fall in love with, you know?” love was so weird for rhett and there weren’t many people that stuck around in his life so the fact that arielle did, meant a lot to him. “you’re right. no beatin’ around the bush. me and arielle just need to be straight with her and let her know what’s been going on.”

Weston was finding the words and way to be happy for his older brother. Yet, the thought of it being Hadley’s friend was blocking the way to this realization. “I - “ he chuckled softly and shook his head, “I’m not sure either, if I’m bein’ honest.” He didn’t want to lie to Rhett about the situation at hand, but he really wasn’t sure how he was supposed to be feeling. “I know you don’t,” and he wasn’t lying about that. Rhett merely didn’t fall in love. He had seen how the man was with Aubree and he knew that had long ended, but the two of them were friends still. “I don’t think you’re goin’ to have to lose either of them, Rhett.” Weston was perking up some over the idea, but not entirely sold, “I mean you know Hads, she looks out for us as much as we look out for her,” or at least she could try. Having a few older brothers left her outnumbered, “Just talk to her and I know she’s goin’ to be fine, just don’t wait too long, you don’t want her to go thinkin’ you were hidin’ it for that long.”

rhett just wanted someone to be happy for them, someone other than just rhett and arielle. the two of them loved each other and he knew this was a lot to take in, especially since the two of them had been hiding it for around six months. that was a long time not to come clean about a potential relationship. to be fair, rhett never expected it to come this far. he never really thought hooking up with her would happen more than once. he nodded slowly, “you don’t seem like you completely hate the idea...?” he could tell that much, he thought but then again, he really couldn’t tell how his brother felt in this moment. “i hope not because i really care about them both and i really don’t want to have to choose between the girl i’m in love with and my little sister.” to him, family came first though and if hadley wasn’t okay with it, then he knew he’d have to end things. he inhaled his breath, “yeah, you’re right. i’ll just...be honest and hope for the best.”

“Tattoos are art and a part of your history whether they mean something or not. I can see if it’s a ridiculous tattoo but this tattoo had meaning at one point in time. Well, if your current partner doesn’t like it… you could always get a tattoo for her.” he teased. Cash only had a few tattoos for over the years he lived in the states, they weren’t the greatest tattoos but they all meant something to him. “She is,” Cash smiled softly, “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind– I don’t think it’ll be anytime soon. I’m two months away from being clean for over a whole year, I think that’s a good achievement and an excuse to get a tattoo. I also have another child on the way and I would like to dedicate a tattoo two both of my kids and Lottie.”

“hey, you’re right about that much. they are a part of my history and i can’t just get rid of ‘em. i mean, i could cover them up but i’ll still know they were there so it’s kinda like what’s the point, you know?” rhett smiled as the man spoke about his significant other and he was happy for him either way. “hey, that’s awesome. congrats, man. that’s big.” he’d never struggled with addiction but he knew people that had and he saw how it could ruin their lives. “that is definitely a reason to get a tattoo.” he agreed, “but you’re full of good news. are you having a boy or a girl?”

“Good,” she replied as she let herself be pulled into a hug. She squeezed him back tightly, hoping he knew how much she appreciated him. “You’re a good big brother, Rhett, I promise. I know you worry about me, and I appreciate it. But you also helped raise me, so I’m as tough as I am smart. If he does anything remotely worth getting punched in the face, I’ll be the first one in line to do it.” 

rhett patted her back softly, “i just kinda feel like if i relax then it’ll seem like i dont care enough, you know?” he asked, a small chuckle leaving his lips. “i did help raise you and i know you’re an adult now but i still don’t want you to get hurt.”

Hadley knew Rhett was looking out for her. In fact, if it had been any other brother being so direct with his feelings, she might’ve stuck to her guns and held her ground with the frustration act. However, this being Rhett, it meant she was softer in her response without even really meaning to be. “Bubs,” she said softly, raising her eyebrows at him. She couldn’t stand the thought of Rhett being upset with her, not when he was practically her best friend. “I hear you, I promise. I’m goin’ to be careful, I swear. I won’t get hurt, okay?” Poking out her bottom lip slightly, Hadley used her infamous pout on her big brother. “Are you still upset with me?” 

rhett could never actually be upset with hadley and she had to know that. he was always soft with her and he couldn’t help it. it was just because they were so close. “come on, hadley. you know i could never be upset with you. i’m just trying to be a good big brother, you know that, don’t you?” he shifed toward her and brought his younger sister into his arms for a hug. “have fun. you know i want that for you but i have to be annoying and overbearing sometimes too.”

❀

Was there just a hole all these attractive people were hiding in for the past year? She was beyond thankful she had put on a full face when she decided to run her errands today. “It’s okay,” she said with a smile. “I had nothing in my hand so no harm done. I’ve got no tattoo in mind right now but I will keep that in mind. It’s much harder when I have to make sure they aren’t seen in scrubs. Are you okay?” 

rhett nodded his head, “i’m alright. plus, i’m the only that ran into you anyways and i should’ve been watching where i was going, you know.” which, was true but he was just in a hurry to grab something before his next client came in. “well, i’m always in there if you ever want anything.” he informed her. 

aubree watched him for a moment and nodded her head. “yeah.” she downed another drink and looked him over. “keep the pity for someone else.” it had come to a point where she could barely look at him. “it doesn’t matter how long i’m gone for.” they weren’t apart of each others lives anymore apart from the small talk in the shop. “you have a good night, rhett.”

“i’m not pitying you.” rhett reassured. he knew she wouldn’t like it if he did. regardless of the fact that they were broken up, he still remembered a lot of little things about her. “okay.” he pursed his lips. “i’ll see you when you get back...”

Hadley let out a loud sigh, clearly trying her best to reign in her frustrations. Of all her brothers, Rhett was the one she had always been closest to, and the last thing she wanted was to pick a fight with him. Especially here, in public. “Rhett,” she said softly as she reached a hand up gently and rested it on his arm. “I know you’re lookin’ out for me, and I appreciate it. I promise, I do. I just don’t want you to be so dead-set against him that you don’t even give him a chance.” She squeezed her brother’s arm before dropping it and sliding her hands into the pockets of her jacket, tucking it tighter around her waist. “I know about his reputation. I’m not stupid, Rhett, I’m not goin’ to go gettin’ hurt by anybody. Trust me, okay?” 

rhett wasn’t exactly stoked that his baby sister was set on dating one of the biggest players in tupelo but he knew there wasn’t anything he could do. he could scold her, get upset, scream, but at the end of the day, hadley was going to do what she wanted to do. “yeah,” he sighed, pushing his fingers through his blonde hair. “i’ll give him a chance but he’s definitely going to have to work a little harder for me to like him. i don’t trust him.” he admitted, giving his sister a look. he was only being like this because he cared. “just be careful.”

he was the man she believed she would marry and it had been a hard pill to swallow when the breakup only separated them rather than send the message she wanted. a fault she took on. “it’ll be a few weeks.” maybe more, depending. she looked ahead and nodded. “i think we both know you wouldn’t have been able to stop me regardless, rhett.”

rhett did, once upon a time, believe that aubree was it for him but when she’d ended things due to jealous and what he believed to be lack of trust, he figured maybe she wasn’t as right for him as be thought. “you’re really going to take all that time?”

The comfortable bubble that once used to safely protected their little world burst with such force. Arielle hadn’t quite gauged amount of blowback that would soon blow through their whirlwind romance. Breathing in the quiet, she toyed with the edge of the pink satin jacket that had sat on her shoulders earlier in the evening. She couldn’t find the words to describe the panic that curled over her fragile shoulders. Sabrina knew the truth. It almost astounded her how long it had taken their perfectly posed sleuth to sniff out the scoop. Her legs dangled off the edge of Rhett’s bed and barely touched the cool hardwood beneath them. How are we going to tell Hadley? Will she hate me forever? The thought sat heavy on her chest as they both sat stoic in the stale twilight. Her eyes shifted from the cuff of her jacket back to his sterling gaze. “You’re one hundred percent right. We need to figure this out..” what’s there to figure out? You love him you idiot. Arielle internally scolded her dim witted retort. She had struggled with this relationship for weeks. Her head and her heart held vastly different arguments. The lines she crossed sleeping with him were enough to be completely written off by Hadley; which deep distressed her. Although, her heart ached at the thought of a life without him. A frown formed on her lips at the rushing heft of his words. Stop things here. “I completely understand that you think we crossed a line and I understand that you don’t want anything seri–” Her crinkled brows unfurled at his confession and the gusto in her own halted. “What did you say?” Arielle felt like she was spinning but her heart rejoiced. 

“If this is some cruel joke, I will twist your nipples right off your body.” She scooted closer to him as she pulled his hand to her heart. “I love you too, Rhett. Which is very scary to admit out loud because I’ve loved you for a long time. So, if this is a halloween ha ha–I’m twist first and cry later.” 

he really couldn’t believe that someone had caught them and that someone was, well, she had a reputation to gossip. now, rhett didn’t believe she’d go run off and tell everyone but he was afraid that she was going to react in a bad way and tell hadley before the two of them had the chance. this was all just so much and he didn’t expect their world to come crashing down so suddenly. it’s not like they didn’t have six months to figure this out, because they did. they had plenty of time before sabrina had found out but clearly, they hadn’t taken it to their advantage. he couldn’t imagine being without arielle and not only as a partner but as a friend too. he’d always been close to her and the last thing he wanted was to lose her during all of this. he knew that if he had to let her go, he would. he took in a deep breath, nervous to confess his feelings once more but he figured that if he was going to be honest, saying it again wouldn’t hurt. “i’m in love with you.” he breathed out. 

he shook his head, ready to reassure her but he got distracted by the words that fell out of her mouth. he smiled, probably wider than he’d ever smiled, and leaned in, connecting their lips in a sweet kiss. “it’s not a joke, which i good for both of us because i really don’t want you to twist my nipples off.”

@ariellexkane​

the brunette couldn’t help but roll her eyes slightly as she looked over at him. “you don’t have to worry about me, rhett.” she took a sip of her drink and cleared her throat. mainly, she just couldn’t be around him until she got over him. it had been impossible with seeing him each day. “no it’s not something i want to do but i think it’s something that i need to do.”

“alright.” he pursed his lips, his eyes staring down at the dark liquid in his cup. he didn’t really want to argue with her, not here, and not at all. it was just that when the broke up, it became hard to get along. “if that’s what you think you have to do, i won’t stop you.” he breathed out.

Despite her constantly shifting perspective of how things were progressing between her and Travis, Rhett’s snippet of protectiveness brought a tender smile to her face. Few people passed the infamous big brother test even if they managed to get past her personal defenses. There was a handful of people whose opinion she regarded higher than her own, if her and Travis lasted past a few dates then Rhett would surely be one of the first people of her chosen family to get an introduction. It was the same treatment any new woman in Rhett’s life would have to endure. Sabrina was admittedly fiercely protective of the boys and overly critical of any potential courter. Especially after what happened with Aubree, she could only continue to manifest the next conquest would cherish the man like he deserved. “Don’t go all he-man on me Rhetty” she teased, crossing the space between them to loop her arm with his. Her head dropped against his shoulder. 

One hell of a guy didn’t begin to the describe the cowboy who was steadily creating accommodation in her heart at a pace she was helpless to conflict. “Messed up is an understatement” she muttered, a slight whine to her voice. Though all it took to alter her expression was the opportunity to verbalize exactly how she viewed the dairy farmer. Just the thought of him dusted her caramel cheeks pink and set a flutter in her stomach. “He’s a real gentleman, the genuine sort. He showed up to my door with flowers and everything” her lips curled ever so slightly. “He’s easy to talk to and he listens, really listens to me, like he cares what I’m saying. Not just like he’s waiting for me to finish. He makes me feel…unbalanced. But in a good way”. She was broken from her trance when the line moved forward. “Its scaring the hell out of me” 

rhett was a protective big brother to not only hadley but her girls too. he didn’t want any of them getting hurt and he had to look out for each and every one of them. sabrina wasn’t one to date and he knew that. she had very strong opinions and a very set way of thinking and so to see her so....distracted by a man was different. he wasn’t exactly sure if it were a good thing or a bad thing but in the end, he really did just want her to be happy and he hoped to god she was. a laugh left his lips, “come on, you know i’m just looking out for you. this is big. i mean, i can’t even remember the last time a guy caught your attention. i’m just happy for you, especially if you like him as much as i think you do. you deserve this.” and she did. she deserved to find someone who made her happy. it was about time the girls all settled down anyways. he laid his head on hers for just a moment to show her some support, “it’ll be alright.”

he wondered who exactly this guy was that had her so distracted. “oh yeah? i mean, i don’t think i’ve seen you like this. i think it’s kind of entertaining.” he teased her, his elbow nudging the smaller girl gently. he watched her for a moment and noticed the blush that came across her cheeks. he decided against mentioning it though, it just wasn’t worth pointing out. he was more interested in who the guy was and what his intentions were with one of his ‘sisters’. “sounds old fashioned. i like that.” he didn’t know many guys that even bought flowers for their girls anymore. “that’s the kind of guy you need.” he was teasing a little, mostly because he knew how much she talked but he was being serious too. “sometimes, the things that scare you end up being the best kind. what’s this guys name anyways?”

Polly was nervous, though not in the typical sense. The sound of the entrance to the parlor shutting behind her signaled a sense of finality that both quelled and invoked her anxiety. All the reasons not to do what she had planned came flooding in, as if her body chemistry just sent them a blanket invitation. But instead of inspiring flight it made her all the more eager to follow through. The subtle strand of apprehension weaving through her was just the motivation she needed. If it didn’t scare her a little then was it even worth doing? She scanned the artwork lining the wall, fighting to contain her physical expression of excitement. She was practically bouncing in place. 

As soon as Rhett finished greeting her she was closing the distance, taking a seat in an empty chair with all the familiarity of an old friend even though they’d only just met. “Rhett! Lovely name Rhett, first boy I ever liked was named Rhett” Polly paused briefly as her bag slid from her shoulder. “Actually her name was Rebecca. She shared her sour skittles with me during a school trip and I was convinced we’d get married. Then she moved to Canada” continuing her strange tangent she rummaged through her bag to retrieve a folded sheet of paper. “I’m Polly Foxx, but you can call me Foxxy. Or don’t, whatever tunes your fender my dude” she unfolded the sheet and placed it on the counter between them. “Here’s the thing Rhett; I have a fear of needles, and hospitals but that’s not important. I read somewhere that we grow fearless walking into our fears so” she pointed at the drawing on the sheet. “I need you to tattoo this on me, please” 

rhett had experienced plenty of nervous clients. in fact, it was pretty normal for someone to come in nervous about their first tattoo and some came in just nervous about any tattoo they were there to get. he knew not everyone liked needles. hell, he wasn’t a big fan of them but they didn’t necessarily scared him and he was usually able to sit long enough to get a tattoo inked into his skin. he raised his eyebrows in surprise, “yeah? i don’t think i’ve met a lot of rhetts. you from around here?” he asked, trying to make conversation. sometimes, it helped newbies feel better. with the way she was rambling, he assumed it would help her. “well, i’m sure you’ve found someone else by now. someone that’s helped you forget about rebecca and her sour skittles.” or maybe she hadn’t but she seemed nice enough. someone was bound to come along and catch someone’s attention. “i think i’ll go with polly. do people still use the term foxxy?” he asked, trailing off in thought for a moment. he looked down at the sheet she unfolded and nodded slowly. “i can do that. we’ll start off slow. i’ll get the stencil on your arm and do a line. if ya can’t handle it, we’ll stop.” he reassured.

Heart to heart talks with Rhett felt few and far between over the years, but they were brothers and that family was the most important thing to him, even when they didn’t always see eye to eye. Weston raised a brow at Rhett’s words. His lips parted to interject about who he was seeing. It was obvious to Weston that Rhett had been a little more distracted and that usually meant someone was distracting him. As Arielle’s name fell from Rhett’s lips, Weston blinked a few times to make sure that the man wasn’t dreaming. He was seeing one of Hadley’s friends? The girls they grew up having around the house giggling up a storm? Sure, he was close with Sabrina, having talked her down from a dozen fits a week at times, but dating one of them? Weston couldn’t believe what he just heard. He listened as Rhett went on, thinking that he was in love with Arielle. His tongue slid across his lips as he searched for the words to comfort Rhett in this moment. “Holy shit,” he muttered, knowing those were not the words that he was looking for but they were the only ones that would fall from his lips first and foremost. “I don’t think I could have ever seen this one comin’,” he shook his head at the idea of Rhett dating Arielle. He couldn’t wrap his head around it, “I mean, I don’t know, Hads loves you and wants to see you happy,” Weston offered, “Either she is goin’ to be real pissed that you’re dating one of her friends,” he paused, “or she is goin’ to be over the moon one of her best friends has the potential to be her sister-in-law.” 

rhett didn’t know who else to come to with this. he didn’t even know what to say but he knew he had to get this off of his chest. he wasn’t even sure how his brother was going to react but he hoped that he’d understand. really, it’s not like he meant to catch feelings for hadley’s friend or even put himself in a situation that might upset his little sister but there wasn’t any going back. what’s done was done and honestly, he wouldn’t go back even if he had the chance. he pursed his lips for a moment as his brother finally responded to the news and nodded slowly, “yeah.” he breathed out, trailing off for a moment. he nodded in agreement. he didn’t really see it coming either, especially in the beginning but clearly, toward the end, he knew what was happening between the two of them. “i can’t tell if you’re giving me a good reaction or not.” he admitted, chuckling in an awkward manner. “you know me, though. you know i don’t just...fall in love. this is a lot for me but if hadley’s going to hate me for it, i won’t continue. what do you think i should do? i really need some advice.” he was worried things wouldn’t go as he hoped they would. “i hope it’s the second option. i...don’t want to lose arielle.”

“yeah,” she said as she bit her lower lip and listened to him. her shoulder rose and fell. “you did,” she finally said as she looked him over. somehow, she had taken it as confirmation. “it doesn’t matter anymore.” the brunette said as she dragged her fingers through her hair. “I think that…” she sighed, feeling a pang in her stomach because she loved working at the parlour. “I’m going to take some time away from the shop. I’ll keep diesel with me.” she needed time away from him.

rhett had moved on, with the very person she had been so afraid he was with but it wasn’t like he did it to prove her right. it was just that he had clicked with arielle. he couldn’t admit to her that she was right anyways or tell anyone about what was going on without telling his sister first. “it does matter. regardless of whether we’re over or not, i care about you and i still want you in my life as a friend.” he wasn’t sure it was that easy anyways. “is that really something you want to do.”

R H E T T M C D A N I E L [002/???]

“art takes time. monet grew his gardens before he painted them.”

RHETT’S PLAYLIST

01. lovin, touchin, squeezin by journey

“you make me weak, i wanna die..”

02. more than a feeling by boston

“so many people have come and gone. their faces fade as the years go by.”

03. dreams by fleetwood mac 

“now here i go again. i see crystal visions. i keep my visions to myself.”

04. dream on by aerosmith

“you got to lose to know how to win.”

05. can’t fight this feeling by reo speedwagon

“what started out as friendship has grown stronger. i only wish i had the strength to let it show.”

06. my life by billy joel