#outer range fanfic

You were never meant to come back to Wabang, or at least that was the plan you made at eighteen years old - to leave and never come back. For a while, you stuck to that plan, and went out of state for college, stayed away from Wyoming for five years. Everything was fine until after you graduated. Continuing school was already too expensive, and the job market was absolute trash. Then came the health issues, which, after years of not knowing what was wrong with you, came to a head. All of it sent you spiraling into an existential crisis. What you thought your life would be like came crumbling down, and to stay afloat and figure yourself out, you had no choice but to move back in with your parents. 

What a joke. 

The upside in all of this was that you wouldn’t actually have to live with them. They were already planning to move to Montana, so instead of selling the old house in Wabang, they agreed to rent it to you in the meantime. Unlike most landlords, they made it very clear that you could do whatever you wanted with the place and stay as long as you liked. So, now you were stuck on your own in the same childhood home you wanted to abandon, but at least rent was cheap, and you had a remote job you didn’t hate.

In an attempt to take control of your life, you chose to take your parents’ suggestion and completely redecorate. At the moment, the house had a mixture of ancient furniture your parents left behind, items from your childhood bedroom, and the stuff you could haul from your old apartment. All of it clashed, and none of it truly felt like home. Not anymore. 

So you started by taking down everything you didn’t like, whether it was dusty art, weird statues, or those ugly curtains you always hated. You had half a mind to tear down the wallpaper, but chose to hold off on that until you knew it was possible to replace it. You placed items into the categories keep, storage, and sell, and slowly started replacing them with things that felt more… you. You were a one-woman show, which meant you needed to haul and install these things yourself. You weren’t exactly the handiest person, but you liked to think that you could handle yourself just fine. Luckily, your dad left some of his tools behind, so you had something to use when hanging up those frames and bookshelves you wanted. 

With a little elbow grease, trial and error, and a makeshift ladder (a side table), you hung the floating shelf all on your own. You lined all of your books in a row and stepped back to admire your work. Then, there was a crack, and the shelf shifted until it buckled beneath the weight of your heavy literature. You jumped back with a gasp as your handiwork fell, taking a chunk of the wall along with it. In the end, you were left with a mess of plaster, a broken shelf, and a hole the size of a softball in the wall of your living room.

“Fuck.”

How you managed to fuck up a singular bookshelf was beyond you.

You had half a mind to straight-up duct tape it, but you were better than that. Still, you doubted spackle would help, so in an attempt to fix the hole in your wall, you drove down to the hardware store.  Did you know what you were looking for? Not really, but that’s what the internet was for. 

You went inside with an empty cart and greeted the owner at the front. He was an old man who had known your family for a long time and always treated you with kindness. He asked a few questions about your parents and offered you some help, but you graciously denied. Instead, you went down to the wood section, because, well…walls were made of wood, right? You stopped at a shelf of large flat panels and stared at them for a good thirty seconds before taking out your phone to look something up. 

“You need help?”

You jumped at the voice, spinning around with a start.

“Holy shit, you scared me. You…Rhett?”

When you turned around and saw your old schoolmate, you nearly did a double-take. It’s been five years since you’ve seen Rhett Abbott, and to be honest, you didn’t expect to ever see him in this town, let alone the store. He, just like you, had plans of leaving Wabang, and you assumed he was doing better than you, considering that ambition of his. 

 Rhett looked more like a man now. He was dressed in jeans and an unbuttoned red flannel over a white shirt. He was taller, his features were more defined, and stubble peppered his jaw. His hair was longer now, too, but those blue eyes were unmistakable. Looking into them made your heart flutter even now, because not only was he your classmate, but you were also incredibly obsessed with him.

Rhett pointed at you with a lop-sided grin. “Y/N. I thought that was you.”

He approached you with some planks of wood hooked under his arm.

“How are you? What are you doing here?” you asked.

“I’m doing alright. Buying some stuff to fix the porch,” he replied.

“I mean here, in Wabang.”

Rhett furrowed his brow. “I live here. I’ve always lived here, Y/N. Or did you forget?”

You rolled your eyes. “No, obviously not. I guess I just thought you’d be out of here by now. You wanted to get the fuck off that ranch, remember?”

He sighed so low that it turned into a groan. “Yeah, well, that didn’t happen. Still here. Still at the Abbott ranch and riding bulls.”

That part made you smile. “You’re still riding? Good. You were always good at that.”

Bull riding was a big part of the culture at Wabang, whether watching or riding the bulls themselves. You went to plenty of rodeos with your family, and you had the pleasure of seeing Rhett ride his first few bulls before you left for college. It was just another thing on that list that made you crazy for him. He was handsome, charming, and talented.

Rhett looked down at his feet with a smile that lit up his eyes. You swore he blushed a little bit, which you didn’t expect at all.

“Thanks. I try my best.” He shifted the wooden planks to his other arm, meeting your gaze once again. “What about you? I haven’t seen you around in forever. Why’d you come back?”

Now it was your time to sigh heavily. “Health issues, college is expensive, existential crisis,” you listed off.

Rhett nodded in understanding. “Yeah, the existential crisis will get you. Hope those health issues aren’t too bad though.”

“No, I’m fine, for now,” you said, “but my parents left for Montana, and now I have the old house to myself. I still pay rent, but it’s livable enough for me to get back on my feet.”

“And what are you doing at the hardware store?” he asked curiously.

You opened your mouth, but then closed it hesitantly, still too embarrassed to fully admit what you did to your living room.

“I’m…redecorating,” you replied slowly.

Rhett narrowed his eyes, clearly not convinced by your tone. 

“Do you need help?”

You dramatically put your hand on your hip. “Why? You think because I’m a woman, I don’t know how to find my way through a hardware store?”

Rhett raised his hand defensively with a chuckle. “Hey, I didn’t say that. I just wanted to double check, because unless you’re planning on renovating, I don’t know how helpful the sheathing’s gonna be.”

You scowled in bewilderment. “The what?”

Rhett laughed before pointing over your shoulder. “That’s the kind of wood construction workers use, like, for building the actual house.”

With your lip between your teeth, you looked at the stack of sheathing, feeling a little more mortified than before. He just had to be here, didn’t he? When you looked back at Rhett, he was fighting back a shit-eating grin, which both irked you and endeared you in a way that only he was ever capable of doing. Insane, how no time seemed to pass between you.

“I knew that,” you stated innocently.

Rhett nodded. “Of course you did.”

Since you had him here anyway and didn’t actually know what you were doing, you chose to cave a bit. Otherwise, you were never going to get that hole fixed, not without paying a lot of money. 

You played with the cart and spoke in an overly casual tone.

“But…if a girl were looking for something to…say….fix a hole in the wall….what would she need to buy?”

Rhett blinked at you in amusement. “You just moved back, and you already need to fix a hole in the wall?

You scoffed. “It was an accident!”

He dropped his head with a laugh, his shoulders shaking with the action. You glared at him.

“Alright. Wait here. Let me get this to the truck, and I’ll give you a hand,” he said.

“Thank you,” you replied with a sigh.

Rhett disappeared, and you waited in that same aisle, wondering how the universe managed to bring him back into your life again. He was the biggest crush of your life, and it took you years to get over him. You convinced yourself that he moved far away and got married to someone vastly different from you, but as it turns out, you were in the same place all over again. In the same fucking store on the same fucking day. 

When he returned, he helped you find exactly what you needed, which wasn’t wood at all, but drywall and other materials to attach it to the surrounding wall. As soon as you purchased everything you needed, Rhett accompanied you to your car and helped load everything into the trunk, which was very gentlemanly of him. You almost forgot how well-mannered men could be.

“Thanks, Rhett,” you said earnestly. “I think you just saved me a lot of money and stress.”

His smile made you weak at the knees.

“Any time,” he replied. 

“It was really great seeing you,” you said.

There was a twinge of disappointment in your heart now that this short interaction was over.

“Yeah, it was,” Rhett replied with a nod. “You know, actually, if you want…I can fix the hole for you.”

Your eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, I’m serious. I’ve done it before. It’s not that hard.”

You eyed him peculiarly, stunned by his eagerness to help you after all these years. It wasn’t out of character; in fact, it was one of the things you liked about him. Perhaps you were simply realizing just how much you missed having someone like Rhett around.  

“Okay. Yeah, that’d be great, actually,” you replied.

The two of you exchanged numbers because after five years, something was bound to change, and he promised to stop by the next day.

Rhett came by the next afternoon with tools and a proper ladder, and as soon as he saw the hole you made, he laughed.

“Stop it,” you scolded, smacking him in the arm. “It was an accident.”

“Yeah, I can see why. You tried hanging a heavy bookshelf on a piece of drywall all by itself.”

“I didn’t know there was a difference! It all looks the same to me. Just fix it, please.”

While Rhett got started on repairing the damage in your living room, you busied yourself with painting the bathroom. The whole time, you were very painfully aware of his presence in your house. It wasn’t like he’s never been in it before. 

In elementary school, before you were ever in love with him, he came to your birthday parties pretty frequently. But once you entered middle school, things changed as they always do at that age. Then high school came around, you were all a little older, and somehow, that boy who came to your birthday parties became something a little more to you. Of course, you never did anything about it, but now that boy was back in your house, fixing a hole in your wall. 

Is this fate, or am I delusional?

Half an hour later, Rhett popped into the hallway.

“Well, the good news is that the hole is fixed. The bad news is that the wallpaper is fucked.”

You followed him into the living room, and both stared at his handywork. The wall was very obviously patched and smoothed over, but, as he said, the wallpaper was fucked, with a very obvious piece missing that he had to cut out to do his work. 

You shrugged. “I guess that gives me an excuse to replace the wallpaper.”

“I’m afraid that’s beyond my expertise,” Rhett stated.

You giggled. “I’m sure I can figure that out. Thank you.”

You shot him a gracious smile, and as soon as your eyes connected, you were suddenly breathless. He beheld you with those shining blue eyes with a glint of admiration. Odd, because that’s how you were looking at him. Feelings that had been tucked away long ago rose to the surface, overwhelming you.

Feeling hot all over, you tore your attention away and said, “I was going to order takeout for dinner. You can stay if you want, as payment but also as old friends.”

Rhett nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, I’d be down for that.”

You tried not to seem too excited about it lest you embarrass yourself again.

You and Rhett ate on the couch because you were still waiting for your new table to come in. He didn’t seem to mind, and it only broke the ice even further that may have formed between you in the years you’ve been apart. You spent the next few hours catching each other up on life with an ease that was somehow more natural than before. You were all grown up now, and that teenage anxiety wasn’t as world-ending as it used to be. The two of you were joking and laughing, and for the first time since you arrived back in Wabang, you felt less alone and more at home.

“So you plan on staying for a long time?” Rhett asked, taking a sip of beer.

You shook your head with a scowl. “I’d like not to, actually. This is supposed to be temporary.”

“If it’s temporary then why are you tearing this place apart?”

“Honestly? After everything, I needed a bit of a distraction. I wasn’t really happy about coming back here, so I figured redecorating this place would help. Like, if I was walking back to something new instead of the same childhood home, I’d feel less like I was living the same day over and over. My parents were gonna sell it anyway, so I’m probably doing them a favor.”

Rhett nodded and pointed the bottle at you. “That actually really smart. Makes sense to me.”

“Thank you,” you replied with a grin.

The silent look you shared seemed to fill more and more with a plethora of unspoken things. You knew what was in your mind and heart, but there was something in the way Rhett stared at you that made this silence loud. Your heart was beating like a drum and you swore he could hear it. Still, neither of you addressed it.

He helped you wash the dishes, which you didn’t expect at all. At the sink, you started to overthink and wonder how you ended up in this strangely domestic moment with Rhett Abbott. When you were done, he faced you with his arms crossed, resting his hip against the counter. He looked at you curiously with a lop-sided smile that drove you crazy in a good way. 

 Suddenly, the air was condensing and pressing in on you.

“What?” you asked, trying now to squirm.

Rhett shook his head. “I don’t know, I guess…I just never thought I’d see you again.”

You huffed. “Yeah, well, we both made promises to leave this all behind, didn’t we?”

“Yeah, yeah, but it’s crazy that we’re both here now, isn’t it?”

“I guess it is, yeah,” you replied.

In fact, you thought about it a lot since you saw him at that hardware store. 

Rhett rested his hands on the edge of the counter, looking out the window with a deep, pondering look that told you there was something else on his mind. He was lingering and hesitating for a reason unbeknownst to you and it made you nervous.

“Are you okay?” you asked gently.

You expected him to either brush it off or respond with something personal, but he did neither of those things. Instead, he looked at you sideways.

“You know I used to have a huge crush on you, right?”

You blinked at him in astonishment, unsure if you heard him right.

“What?”

Rhett chuckled, facing you fully again. “Yeah, I had a thing for you back then. It was kind of a big deal.”

All of a sudden, your heart was beating so fast, you could hardly breathe, and your skin was tingling, every nerve ending suddenly hyperaware. You could have sworn you were dreaming. It took you a moment to find your words again in your shock.

“Wha-How-Since when?” you stammered.

“Since I was like sixteen, I think.”

You scoffed. “Rhett! Wh…Why didn’t you tell me?”

“‘Cause I was fuckin’ terrifed, that’s why,” he admitted with a chuckle.

“You were terrified of me?” you exclaimed.

“Yeah, well, you had your shit together more than me. You got into a good school, and you were leaving Wyoming. We were friends, and I didn’t wanna ruin that. I was a dumb kid.”

You gaped at him. It was such a bold thing to say outright, but the fact that it was Rhett saying it made it more real. He was always like that, unafraid of going after what he wanted, which is exactly why this secret boggled your mind. Did you make him so nervous that he had to refrain from making a move? 

Were it not for his own admission, you would have never uttered the next words out loud. 

“Are you kidding? Rhett, I was, like, in love with you.”

Rhett’s blue eyes slowly widened, his expression lighting up in wonder and bewilderment.

“What?”

“Yeah,” you said, giggling in shock. “I was torn up about it when I had to leave, but I was also kind of terrified because you were the young bull rider with a really cool future or whatever.”

“No way, Y/N.”

“It’s true.”

Rhett took you in fully, as if with fresh eyes, and then stepped a little closer to you. Your heart immediately stuttered. It was so unconscious even now, but no part of you wanted to back away. There was a yearning in his expression you swore was never there before, or were you too young and dumb back then to even notice?

“Is that…past tense, or…?” he asked.

You swallowed thickly and had to briefly avert your gaze because eye contact with Rhett Abbott was still too much for you. You’d be a liar if you said you never thought about him these last few years. He wasn’t the kind to post on social media, so keeping up with him was nearly impossible. The two of you texted here and there after graduation, but eventually lost touch, and you gave up on the idea that anything would happen at all. But now you were both here in your childhood home, confessing feelings that you locked away in a box years ago. Maybe some things do happen for a reason. 

“Past…and present,” you whispered. “You?”

The corner of his lips twitched. “Very much present. I think running into you in that hardware store is the best thing that’s happened in a long time.”

You inhaled a shuddering breath, the feeling of his body heat very heard to ignore.

“Me too. Thank God for that hole in the wall.”

Rhett nodded with a grin, his dimples prominent. “Mhmmm.”

He inched a little closer, never tearing his attention off of you, and as if some invisible thread were attached to your heart, you felt yourself pulled in his direction. You watched as his eyes flitted between yours and then your lips, the desire clear in his eyes. You reached out to touch him, fingers clutching the material of his shirt, and you tugged him towards you. Rhett took your face in his warm hands and crashed his lips into yours. You sighed and pushed yourself into him further, deepening the kiss. 

You often fantasized about what it would be like to kiss Rhett Abbott. Most of it was based on scenes you saw and read about in romances, and then you just hoped it would be better than how all the other boys kissed you. And it was. It was the best kiss of your life, rooted in years of repressed feelings, and it amounted to a wonderful revelation. Even better was that you weren’t kids anymore, and Rhett could kiss you the way only a man like him could. You wanted to know each other’s lips and mouth by heart. 

As the temperature in the room climbed higher, Rhett pressed you back against the counter and lifted you onto the surface. He pulled back slightly, and when he met your eyes, there was a question in them. He was waiting for consent or permission to move forward, and without any words, you responded with a resounding nod. You yearned for more than just a kiss with him and even more beyond that.

He pulled off his shirt, revealing a tattoo and toned muscles beneath. He unbuckled his pants, and you undid your shorts, shimmying them down your legs, onto the floor. With a darkened gaze, Rhett looked between your bare thighs and face and kissed you hard. He braced himself on the cabinet behind you and ran the fingers of his other hand through your folds. You were already wet and aching from how much you wanted him. 

You cupped his face, your eyes half-lidded, and moaned, “Rhett.” 

He groaned. “You’re gorgeous.”

Rhett molded his lips to yours, swallowing your moans as he curled two fingers into you. You pressed yourself against the cabinets, bracing yourself against them from the pleasure he brought you with just one hand. He circled your clit with his thumb, but before you could reach your orgasm, he pulled his fingers out.

You made a questioning sound, borderline angry. 

“Hold on, Sweetheart,” he said.

Rhett pulled his pants down and started stroking himself. With your heart thrumming against your ribs, you scooted as close to the edge of the counter as you could. Again, Rhett braced himself against the cabinet, and you both watched as he aligned himself and pushed inside you. You whined low in your throat, your eyes fluttering as you savored every inch. Rhett looked drunk on the pure feeling of you as he filled you completely.

“You feel perfect, Y/N,” he rumbled. “Holy shit.”

You took his face in your hands as he started drilling in and out of you. You were connected in a way you only ever imagined, and it added a layer of pleasure to the one already making your cells come alive. Rhett moved in a manner that wasn’t too slow, or too hasty, but determined, and he looked at you as if he never wanted to lose you ever again. With every swing of his hips, his cock dragged against the most sensitive parts of you, and you were lost in it. You wouldn’t be surprised if your neighbors could hear everything you were doing.

His name was all you could manage to say.

“Rhett…Rhett, please.”

You kissed Rhett voraciously clinging to his shoulders, when your orgasm shook through you. You arched into him, groaning out his name along with a slew of curses. Suddenly, Rhett pulled out and thrusted into his own hand before cumming into his palm with a guttural moan. 

For a moment, both of you stared at each other, both panting as you rested against the cabinets. Rhett then stepped over to the sink to wash his hands and then swiftly pulled up his jeans, tucking himself back in. He picked up your shorts and set them beside you, and with a little more mischief in his eyes, he kissed you languidly. You pulled him in by the waist, somehow not quite satiated.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” you whispered, pushing back his hair.

Rhett smirked, his eyes sparkling, and nodded vigorously. “Okay.”

You were never letting him out of your sight ever again.

Rhett doesn’t take his mouth away from you, even as you stumble into your bedroom and practically fall back on the bed. You knew he would be like this when he got home and it was exactly why you hadn’t put on any underwear that day. He rubs his hands up and down your thighs, pushing up your dress and then he pauses, lifting his head to look at you. He doesn’t say anything, but you can see the way that his eyes light up and the way that his lips twitch into a wicked smirk before he pushes his head between your thighs.

Like always, Rhett doesn’t start off slow, he wraps his arms around the top of your legs, just below where they connect to your hips and he pulls you in, rough and quick.

You wrap your legs around his neck without him even having to say anything, you know that he’s not gonna be moving anytime soon and that you might as well get comfortable. Not to mention that you know, he wants to be as close as possible, and if he has any trouble breathing, he’ll let you know.

He wasted no time in shoving his tongue into you, moaning, loudly, at the taste of you. Rhett had never been quiet in bed, not unless the situation absolutely needed it and even then sometimes you need to cover his mouth just to remind him. Now was not one of those times.

You can't help but push your hips up into his face, whining as he removes his tongue and latches his mouth to your clit, sucking roughly with his own grateful moan. He brings his right hand down from where his fingertips were no doubt bruising your thighs and shoves two thick fingers into your tight cunt with no warning.

While you're busy crying out in pleasure, your back arching up off the bed, Rhett is removing his mouth from you and kissing the inside of your thighs. Of course, you had noticed the prickly hair that had been growing out of Rhett's jaw and chin; you knew he hadn't shaved while he was away, but you hadn't thought about how that prickly hair would feel against the sensitive skin of your inner thighs.

The slight burn of it makes you moan, squeezing your thighs tighter against his head just to get a little more. As he got more into it, the burn got hotter, brighter, and the prickling of your skin only added to the pleasure as you writhed against Rhett's mouth, whining out "Gonna cum"

The ramifications of Rhett not shaving and then spending what felt like hours between your thighs didn't hit you until the next day. You woke up, the inside of your thighs still burning as you wobbled to the bathroom and flicked on the light.

Looking down, you could see two bright red patches on the upper insides of your thighs, tiny little cuts left by Rhett's sharp stubble. You place your hand over one of the patches and hiss at the sensitivity, your skin warm to the touch.

Rhett steps up beside you, sucking in a breath through his teeth almost sympathetically. "Shit, I guess I should break out the razor, huh?"

Despite the fire on your skin, you spin around to look at him, placing your hand on his jaw, rubbing it back and forth against the short beard. "Hell no," You smirk. "I recommend you throw it out."

——

he isn't here tonight however, something about a last minute competition he pressed into your forehead with a fluttering kiss before he left you to escape out of his barn a few days ago and you haven't seen your cowboy since. with dance rehearsals, gruelling training and surrounding yourself with your brothers enough to throw them off the scent of you and rhett's secret has been taking up almost all of your time. and when you're not with him, you're thinking of him and it hurts to be on the opposite side of his family's rivalry.

it wasn't unfamiliar news to wyoming that the abbotts and tillersons did not get along. generations worth of fueds had been sowed into the ranches and it was never specifically said to your face but you knew it in the disapproving glances royal abbott sent your way whenever your rode to the border where your ranches met, hoping to steal a look at your favourite cowboy. it was in the stoic stance of cecilia abbott who could only send you the smallest of smiles as she reluctantly babysat her granddaughter who was too young and naive to understand what it felt like to have enemies; she just liked to watch the ballet. she didn't know the whispers that would circle town of the hatred your families held for each other, she just thought the ballet hall was the prettiest thing she's ever seen- and that you were the prettiest girl she has ever seen.

but tonight, you knew they would be out supporting their own, just as you ached in your bones to be in his vicinity. the show had ended as a success, scouts had been planted, impressed and had approached your brothers at almost every interval, begging for you to relocate this talent outside of the small town you live in- but you know as long as your father is alive, you're stuck here to this foresaken ranch with no end in sight.

"amazing show, tilly," your brother luke affectionately kisses your cheek and you smile softly, nodding your head in appreciation. he takes the massive bouqets of flowers piled into your arms, promising to take them back to the ranch for you and keep them alive. "you need a lift back?"

"nope, might catch a drink with the girls and then head back," he ruffles your hair "night" and you wave at the other two brothers already waiting at their cars. no doubt they are also going to let the buzz of alcohol numb out the loneliness they also feel from being trapped in this place. though your brothers were always better at hiding it- they had a purpose, they had the ranch. you? you were the youngest, the only daughter- there to stand in name and look pretty.

"catch you later," you breathe into a side hug and watch their cars slowly back out of the hall parking lot. you're still standing in your costume attire, your hair tightly pulled at the scalp that it drums a coming migraine into your temples. you sigh slowly, the end of the night slowly creeping up on you and settling on your heart so you turn to make a headstart to the door and gather your things.

the chill of the air bites at your skin until you're lifted airborne, spinning around and around as the familiar feeling of home plants his hands at your waist and twirls you like you're suddenly invincible. "oh my god," your hands are shakily holding yourself up on his shoulders before he lowers you into his embrace with a rough chuckle, "you scared me," you breathe into his neck, into his pulse point as you feel the soft beats of his heart alongside your mouth.

"missed you, doll," he brings his lips to yours, biting on your bottom lip and dragging it between his teeth. it's messy the way you attack him back, swallowing his love and filling it with the days of yearning and longing for your lover. he has you up against the wall, shielding your body from the public eye, though it is almost midnight and there's hardly anyone who'd lurk at the backstage door. but still, the wall is cool compared to the burning intensity rhett presses into you and his hands climb lower and lower.

"rhetty," you murmur, breaking apart from his swollen pink lip momentarily, directing your focus to littering softer kisses down the length of his neck and into the centre of his throat.

"yeah, baby?" comes his heavy drawl as he flicks his neck upwards, relishing in your touch and how the scrape of your freshly manicuref fingernails feels trailing over the spot you've just marked in his neck proudly.

"we should move this to your place," you look up to him after a beat, softness swirling in your eyes as rhett returns the tenderness immediately. he pretends to think on it, causing you to burst out a giggle so light it blinds him and he grins.

"too far," he hums, trapping your body beneath his and moulding your body in the wall. you shoot him a look, taking in your surroundings to make sure there's no one but you guys out in the open. it's risky being out this long, someone's bound to catch up your lie and the consequences settles a spark of the same dreaded fear in your bones- a constant reminder of who the two of you are and what you belonged to first.

family history and then to each other.

"someone might see us," you whisper and he rolls his eyes- the same sentiment that gets rinsed between the two of you almost every single encounter alone you have. but he knows its true- and in the midst of a family fued so stupid and heartless, the last thing he wants to do is loose you in the mess of it too.

"good thing i brought my truck, huh?" he grins, a flash of pearly white teeth peeking through the edge and you bite back a smile of your own. he's lifting you in his big arms again as you fight the tulle, wrapping your legs around his waist in a tight knot and interlocking your arms around his neck. at this level, rhett can hear your heartbeat tattering in your chest inches away from his ears and if he could, he'd use that as the soundtrack to his life. sometimes, when the world feels too heavy for him to carry and too quick for him to keep up with, its the same tattering that slows him down to his own pace and he'd imprint it onto his own if he could.

he grips the back of your thighs with one arm and unlocks the door to the backseat with his other, lying you down gently before climbing in on top of you. the door slams with a thud and you're so damn thankful that rhett has tinted the windows to his truck or you would've been long exposed. your arms still interlock around rhett's neck as he draws closer to you and you pause-

"wait," and he lifts his head from the dip of your neck. he's still in his riding uniform as your hands work their way over the shiny buckles and denim that hugs his form a little too well. you love rhett in his uniform, it stirrs a new kind of excitement and trouble for you and he lets you run your fingers all over him before tracing the corner of his lip where a faint scar rests. "how was the ride?" your eyebrows lift in a gentle question and a smirk rests on those rosy lips.

"i don't know sweetheart, you haven't started yet- can't really grade it so far but i appreciate the enthusiasm," and you scoff, bringing your knee up to nudge him lightly in feign annoyance.

"very funny, abbott," you fight his teasing grin, "how was it?" he presses a kiss to your thumb holding jaw and at the corner of his lip gently before getting a little bashful under your stare, he clears his throat lightly and presses his forehead to yours.

you get a glimpse of your favourite colour as they stare back at you intimately, "your boy won, of course," he adds, letting the shy grin run wild and your eyes widen in excitement.

"oh rhetty, baby, that's," he doesn't let you get the words out before he kisses you senseless. you detach yourself from him before he latched onto your neck and travelling down your chest exposed from the strapless costume you had danced in tonight. "excuse me," and he pauses at the sternness laced in your voice, "can i not praise my hardworking boy? my bullriding champion?" you emphasise and at the claiming, rhett feels his heartbeat downright pound and beg to be released from his chest, feeling the heat of his blood race to the tips of his ears in a maddening blush. "you're incredible," you speak directly into his gaze, "that's raw fuckin' talent, baby," and he flushes under your praise. there's only you in the entire world who's ever made rhett abbott feel like he's somebody, that he does have something to offer this shitty place and that hopefully washes out some of the dirty footprints that have been left in his soul. he's in love with you, the person you make him want to be for himself and you and he's sure he could never find you in any other person ever.

"is that right?" he murmurs intensely, and a laugh escapes you,

"uh yeah, that is right," you raise your brows and watches as a small frown overtakes his face.

"what?" you question, but his hands do the talking, they travel up to your hair and tug it free from the hold its in- a few pins clatter to the floor of his truck, no doubt some are still stuck between the strands but he comes his fingers through it to break the stiffness of the wax used to slick it down. "it's going to need a wash," you admit and he nods softly almost to himself.

"it's going to give you a headache," he mutters seriously and he lets the hair fall down the car seat like a river, running his fingers through the length of it. you lean into his touch instantly, a small sigh of pleasure leaving your lips and he wants to savour how every decible sounds from your lips. it isn't long before the two of you are tangled in each others embrace again, lost in sweet kisses and praise that rhett almost doesn't hear the knock on his truck roof.

"rhett, what the fuck you doing round here?" comes the voice of your brother luke and rhett feels you ice out, freezing completely as your body turns limp under him. he pressed a kiss to your cheek softly, closing his eyes before lifting his head and raising his voice, careful not to be loud so close to you.

"luke is that you i hear?" he feigns indifference.

"you gonna get out the fuckin' truck?" luke shouts and you're sure you can already detect the thick of alcohol slowing his speech down. "or you fuckin' some random in the truck?" he spits out, "at my damn sisters performance!"

your heart thudders in your chest and all the warnings you and rhett have shared in the last months make you feel so damn stupid for not just giving in to sensibility. the voice draws nearer till you can feel luke's voice at rhett's driver side window thats peeked open halfway. at luke's nearing movements, rhett lifts your body from the seat at a lightning pace, holding you just inches from the floor, burying you further into hidden sight behind the seats. his fingers grip your back as you dangle halfway, hoping you're not breathing as loud and hard as it feels. the touch is warm and rhett tries to stroke his thumb gently across your exposed back in comfort but you've closed your eyes tightly in fear.

"luke," rhett's tone lowers itself dangerously and you've never heard it dip so bad in warning, "get the fuck away from my truck, i am busy," each word is gritted out as his fingers tighten around you.

"you're a dick!" he spits, "and when you get rid of the girl come morning, i'm gonna bust your ass, this is our fucking territory" and it isnt long before he's trailing away from whatever slither of darkness he errupted from.

its silent; the thick of the air settling on your skin and from where you're half buried, the darkness feels like its closing in on you- it gets harder to see rhett's face the tighter you wind in the spiral.

"c'mere darlin," and he hauls you back up against him, you shift your bodies so you're now sitting up right next to him, making a move to reposition your dress in all the ways rhett has undone you and sit. he lets out a sigh- one of relief or plain exhaustion, you are unsure but he waits for you to find your words- to tell him what you want to do as he sits there worldlessly playing with your fingers as you play with his heart.

"i think it's time for me to go home," you swallow quietly- and rhett hates this version of you that your brothers bring out. the one that shrinks into herself, so unsure and small- that always finds a way to walk away from him.

"hey now, don't do that to me honey, don't start pulling away," he immediately wraps his arms around you, holding you close, "let's not let that dick ruin our night, baby." and you close your eyes, wanting to believe its just you and him, against the world but as long as youre a tillerson and he's an abbott- things will never work out the way you want them to.

"you know what i think?" he hums into your ear.

you don't ask what, just look upwards into his soft eyes and raise your brows slowly, he uses his fingers to smooth the wrinkle between them and places a kiss to your hair, "i think that after both our performances today, we should at least celebrate with dinner?"

"rhett its one am," you place a hand on his heart.

"and i'm starving," he moans, "c'mon, dollface. i'll drive out of state if you're worried about anyone spotting us." and he would absolutely blow his fuel tank and travel the unneccessary miles if it gets you to relax his shoulders and sink back into him.

"i wish we wouldn't have to," you mumble as he hums in agreement.

"babygirl, i'd take you in whatever pieces you'll let me than not have you at all," and he lifts your chin with his finger to melt his lips into yours again. the hesitations there but he feels you back on earth on the same wavelength again in moments. its his turn to pull away and he stares at you with a look of such adoration that you let the grin put up permanent residency onto your face.

"what?" you stick your tongue in your cheek, trying to read into this expression.

"you just look like rest of my life, doll," its so natural how the words fall from his lips and he knows that they mean a greater weight to you than an 'i love you'.

"you can't just say that rhett," you breathe, the air getting warmer around you and before you have a chance to let your mind travel lightyears away from him, he's cupping your cheeks holding you still.

"and why not?"

"because you make me think that we can pull this off- that we can make it out of here," you stress- it's downright wishful thinking and dangerous how you would follow rhett to the other side of the world- abandon all you've ever known to have him whole.

"we can," he swears a promise so true as he presses his forehead to yours, "and we will." you know he means it with his whole being; the fierce determination laced in his voice and the firmness holding his features in place. you rest your head on his chest, choosing the easier option to make believe in the pretend dreams of freedom and love than having to face reality with another arguement- spoiling both his and your nights. after all, he did just win a bullriding competition and instead of being with his family or friends, he's here in the shadows with you.

"c'mon baby," he pats your hip affectionately before making a move to open the backseat door. you gingerly follow him out and take your place upfront where he laces your fingers together over the console, kissing your knuckles tenderly. the truck starts up with a gentle pur before he takes his eyes off of you to back up out of the ballet hall parking lot, but never moves his hands from yours throughout the journey he takes out of state.

and when he arrives at some random diner miles away from what you call home, he unlocks the passenger side and helps you out the car. you two must look ridiculous- you still in stage costume and makeup, and rhett in his boots and denim uniform clinging to him like second skin. he must know this too because he laughs like this is just a little secret only the two of you will carry and cherish your entire lives.

he lifts the cowboy hat off his head and places it on top of yours, kissing your cheek swiftly before leading you into the diner. one hand remains on your waist and the other in your own hand as you walk in synchronised step.

"tonight, there's no tillersons and there's no abbotts," he murmurs into your ear, "its just me and you- and i'm just a boy taking this mighty fine girl out for a date and hoping i'll get a goodnight kiss." you stop walking and hes a step ahead, looking back your arms outstretched from the interlocked hands.

"if you're a good boy, you'll get more than just a goodnight kiss," you smirk to break the tension, knowing how hard he's working to make this night right again and he pulls you right up against him.

"yes ma'am," and he promises to the stars- with his whole soul that the two of you will make it to wyoming, even if he has to lose everything to make it happen, he's willing to put up the biggest fight of his life.

Rhett scoffed at the idea at first. There was no way Wabang had enough people to warrant a flower shop. Plus, folks had plenty of land, they could make their damn bouquets if they wanted. 

Apparently people were lazy. It also helped that you sold wine and little knick knacks in addition to floral arrangements. Jars of speciality honey from a local farm, the wine from a nearby vineyard. Dish towels with funny sayings and food related puns. 

It wasn’t a store Rhett would go into, nevertheless pay attention to. But Amy wanted to go and it wasn’t like Perry was going to take her. 

There was a decent sized crowd outside the store, listening to the mayor drone on about how great this was going to be for the town, not just for Wabang but also for the surrounding area. Out of all the places to be on the ‘precipice of an economic boom’, Wabang did not come to Rhett’s mind. 

Before he could roll his eyes anymore, the mayor introduced the owner of the shop, you. 

God, you were beautiful with your bright eyes and dazzling smile as you spoke about how welcoming Wabang had been to you and how helpful when it came to making your dream a reality. Rhett was instantly smittened. 

But he couldn’t just go up and talk to you. For one, you were busy cutting a red ribbon with stupidly giant scissors. 

Second, you were luminous, vivid. Everything he wasn't. 

Rhett knew he didn't offer much, if anything. His life was directionless; all he did was work on the ranch and ride bulls when he could (when his right shoulder wasn't acting up). He would just drag you down. So instead, he settled for the chances he could walk past your shop and peek into the window for a glimpse of you. 

It was fucking pathetic. His family would give him so much shit if they found out. And yet, it was the highlight of his day, seeing you arrange a case, talk to customers. Rhett especially loved it when he caught you giving the floral arrangements to clients. The corners of your eyes would crease and the bridge of your nose scrunched up when you revealed your creation. It also allowed him to linger by the store window, to bask in your warmth for a little bit longer. 

“Do you think they're pretty?” Amy asked one day while they were walking down the street. 

Rhett let out a confused hum, turning his attention from your store window to his niece. 

“The owner. You always look in their window when we pass by,” Amy explained with a giggle. 

“It's just an interesting store,” Rhett grumbled, shoving his hands into his pockets as he began walking again. 

“Then you should go inside!” Amy called out as she ran after him. 

If only it was that easy. 

—----------

Several months later Rhett was now standing in front of your door, rather than your window. 

He should go in. He had zero reason to not go in. Rhett actually required your services. So it wasn't as if he was just going to stroll in there with no plan. Or worse, use Amy as a guise (God, he hated when Perry did that). 

It was just….the thought of being in your presence, speaking to you. Having a conversation. Rhett wasn't much of a talker, never had been. Why would he, when hardly anyone was interested in what he had to say? 

And the truth was, he didn't have to go in. He could figure this out on his own. 

But when would his next chance come along? 

It was the unclear answer that gave him the courage to turn the handle and open the door. 

Your shop felt warm and inviting. One wall was filled with shelves, dedicated to displaying various colorful vases. In the middle, a designated ‘flower bar’ where folks could create their own bouquets. Amongst the store were various house plants and knick knacks. 

“Hi! Can I help you?” A sweet voice caused Rhett to turn around, the air exiting his lungs upon seeing you. 

He could only nod, at a complete loss for words. 

You waited for him, to see if he would expand. When he didn’t, you simply smiled and asked, “What can I do for ya?”

With fumbling hands, Rhett got out the photo from his jacket, “Um…I need help identifying these flowers. They’re the wedding flowers she had and I wanna draw the bouquet as like a….like a gift. Figured it would last longer than getting a bouquet but I uh…I need help identifying them. I wanna look them up so I can get the details right.”

This was going horribly. He should have just bought a magnifying glass off of Amazon or find someone who could digitally restore photos. 

“Do you know where they got married?” You asked, extending your hand out for the photo. 

“Yeah, uh, here in Wabang,” Rhett answered, running a hand up and down the back of his neck, hoping his body was just warm and not turning a bright red. 

“Oh, well that makes it much easier!” Rhett gave you the photo and you motioned for him to follow you to the counter. You got out a book that had a beautiful embossed floral design on the cover.

“I’m glad you know where they got married. It makes it much easier to identify. Also, considering WaBang has hadn’t a floral shop until this year and the nearest one was over an hour away, I’m assuming these are flowers native to Wyoming,” you explained, flipping through the pages. 

You looked up through your lashes, “I can tell you what flowers they are and you can look them up. But am I safe to assume that as an artist, you’d rather have your references in person?”

“Oh uh, I’m not…I’m not an artist,” He mumbled, shaking his head as he shoved his hands into his pockets. A nervous habit he couldn’t seem to break. 

“You’re creating art. Last time I checked, that makes you an artist…..” your voice trailed off, waiting to hear a name. 

“Oh! I’m Rhett. Sorry.” How could he forget to introduce himself? “Yeah, having something I could look at and observe up close would be great.” 

“Well Rhett, I’m more than happy to recreate that bouquet for ya. But I don’t have some of these flowers in stock, so it’ll take some time to order them,” you explained, “Probably like a week or so? If I have your number, I can let you know when they arrive.”

Rhett looked up, eyes wide in disbelief, “You want my number?”

Your nose scrunched up as you nodded, “Yes. I would love to have your number Rhett. Would hate for you to come in and I don’t have what you need.”

Rhett would do it. In fact, he even tried to assure you so. 

“Well, I might need another photo just to ensure I’m accurate. How will I let you know?” You countered. Fuck, you had a great point. 

So Rhett fumbled with getting out his phone, hands shaking as he passed it off to you. 

“I’ll give you my number too if that’s alright. Just so you aren’t wondering who’s texting you.” Your giggle was so endearing, Rhett couldn’t help but smile, couldn’t help but feel his shoulders drop and relax. 

He nodded, a small, slightly lopsided and totally sweet smile, “Yeah, that’s fine.”

You handed Rhett back his phone, “I’ll let you know if I need more info! And when I get them in.”

Rhett nodded, secretly (and seriously) hoping he didn’t look like an idiot with how hard he was smiling. 

“I'll uh, see ya around?” He practically asked. You nodded eagerly, saying your goodbyes as he quickly got out of the store. 

Rhett felt like he could finally breathe again once he was out of your store. That went well, right? He had your number, though it was intended to give updates regarding a gift for his mom. But he also had another chance to see you. Granted, once he was done with this project, he wouldn't have a reason to go into your shop. Maybe for Amy’s birthday, he could get her flowers. 

The vibration of his phone broke Rhett out of his thoughts. It couldn't be….could it? 

His eyes widened when he saw your name attached to the text. He nearly dropped his phone when he read your message. 

Aside from the slight talking to from your father when he had come home about an hour later, with a soft reminder to just let him know next time, the night trailed off to be particularly uneventful after the video call with Amanda had ended.

The next morning, you’d hopped into the shower first thing, suddenly feeling all the more grateful for the list of shower supplies you had no doubt Amanda had gone to the trouble of ordering and sending out to you, as they’d been waiting for you ready to go in the shower caddy on the first day.

Soaps that smelled like honey and facial exfloiator had seemed to be exactly what was needed to make you feel recharged and invigorated, washing away the sour emotions of last night.

Reminding yourself of the meditation tracks your therapist had sent to your phone as you stepped back out of the shower, you took the extra time to blow dry your wet hair, putting it up into a claw clip before changing into a comfortable set of grey lounge wear.

Today was a day that was whole heartedly for you, you knew your father was out today, so the entire house was solely your own for a few sweet hours.

Having initially began the day with a coffee and a quick fifteen minute guided meditation out on the porch, just as was recommended, a womans soft breathy voice guiding you through breathing exercises and wellness techniques that you were only half paying attention to.

Your reflex was to grab your phone and post your regularly scheduled promotions for whatever sponsor you were set up with for the day, but here you were, no pressure to post anything, no schedule to follow.

In short, you felt like you had too much free time to do anything with.

Standing on the porch looking out into the driveway in the distance, you could only huff and walk back inside, looking for something that you could fill your day with.

There was only so much old coffee to wash off of the mugs on the sink, polishing them to perfection was enough to waste away a whopping seventeen minutes, you’re only other option to sit on the plush couch and flick on the tv on the wall.

Sitting cross legged, you flicked through a few channels, nothing but older sitcoms played out on the tv stations out this way, maybe a local ad here and there.

As you flicked once more to another channel, the sound of the halfway point of a song began, realising you’d flicked onto the MTV of all things, surprised they even aired it out this far.

Within seconds, you recognised the song to be one of your own, the music video playing along with it, the skintight outfit you were wearing glistening while you danced, two other backup dancers imitating the movements behind you.

You could remember filming this one so clearly, the green screen you’d been made to dance in front of a clear memory, now superimposing you against a backdrop of what you guessed was meant to be the top of a building.

Inbetween the shots of you dancing and singing, they were followed by snippets of you splayed out onto a silk sheet on a bed, the little black nightie they’d put you in leaving little to the imagination as you made bedroom eyes into the camera, just as you were directed to.

It was hard not to cringe, you didn’t even hate the song entirely, the lyrics were just empty against what could have been a half decent hook.

Words of desire towards nobody in particular, singing about how much you loved some imaginary person and how badly you needed them.

The next shot seemed to be you in some sort of leather leotard with gold details, walking through a crowd of people in just as odd outfits dancing along to the song you were lip syncing against.

Unable to watch anymore, you flicked over to the next channel not even caring much for what was on there anymore, even if it was just so that you could have some background noise.

The feeling of your phone vibrating next to you was a welcome distraction, even if it was just a notification from the weather app.

Oh. This was much better than the weather.

A text message, from an unknown number, that didn’t remain unknown for long as you actually opened the message, reading keenly as you found yourself sitting up straighter.

‘hey, its niki. i hope you dont mind, your dad gave me your number before he left last night.’

Even thought you ached to check whether or not he’d actually asked for your number, or if your dad had simply offered it, which did actually sound like something he’d do to be polite to one of your old highschool friends, you resisted, some part of you trying her hardest to remain composed and play it cool.

Is it weird if you respond back too quickly? Would he know you’ve done nothing all day except stare at your phone and cringe at old music videos.

Tapping the back of your phone against your hand impatiently, you allowed at least a minute or two before you even looked at the message again, feeling the slightest bit giddy.

Finally allowing yourself the privilege of typing back a message, you’re teeth sunk into your bottom lip just a little bit as your nails tapped lightly against the screen.

‘oh hey! that’s ok, we probably should have exchanged numbers anyway, considering, haha.’

Unable to help yourself, you screenshotted the message, along with your response, sending it straight to Amanda, already knowing that she would want to be the first of all people to know.

Watching the text you had sent her turn green, as well as the small ‘read’ icon coming up from the bottom almost immediately, it shouldn’t have been a surprise that the facetime request all ready popped up onto your screen, the photo you took of Amanda when you were out to dinner spanning across the screen.

Opening the call with a soft hum sound, Amanda’s face came into view, a grin on her face rivalling that of the cheshire cat.

From what you could see, she was in her gym clothes, her hair in a low bun and a fresh sheen of sweat on her face as she walked to the locker room.

“What did i tell you.” she spoke as soon as she was alone in the locker room, shaking her head at you in the way she always did when she was proven right.

“Ok but like, this doesn’t mean anything solid yet.”

Your response only made her smirk more, her head turning as she opened up the locker containing her bag.

“Clearly he wants to give you something solid.”

Letting out a cackle, your head flying back slightly as you stood yourself, walking to the kitchen and placing the phone on the window sill so that you could make another coffee as you talked.

Before you could continue, you heard your phone vibrate, looking straight at the screen and squinting as you read the message that popped up.

Hearing the vibration through the face time call, Amanda’s wide eyed looked only made you grin more, putting a hand over your mouth to laugh as she placed her airpod in her ear to get ready to exit the gym.

“What’d he say!” she begged, waiting impatiently as you opened the message and read it silently. “I want you, baby, come round to my house so I can bend you over my kitchen table.” Amanda’s poor impression of some kind of latin accent and her comically deepened voice only made you roll your eyes.

“Shut up, thats not what it says.”

Finally reading the message, you couldn’t help but hop in place a tiny bit and let out a small little giggle.

“He’s asking if i’m gonna be at the rodeo on Wednesday, his dad and him are gonna be running his food truck there.”

As Amanda let out a sound of glee, she held a finger to signal to you to wait a second as she opened her car door and got inside, positioning the phone up on her dashboard as she gripped the steering wheel of the parked car.

“So, first of all, you’re going” she began, already taking charge as if she was planning every little detail out in her head to the upmost significance. “And second of all, you will be calling me the night of to pick a pair of jeans that makes your ass look irresistable.”

Rolling your eyes, you pulled up a mocking salute, unable to say no to any of Amanda’s orders; To be completely fair, she knew better thank you about most of these things, having always been the one you came to for advice.

She felt untouchable to you sometimes, like she just had everything figured out, even if you knew in your heart of hearts it wasn’t true.

There had been more than enough times where she’d been vulnerable to you in the same way you had to her, the time’s she’d taken care of her niece when her sister had to go through some treatment at the hospital, the flowers you’d helped her pick out.

It was so often that she was looking after you, so coming around to her place to help her with some dinner and a helping hand with the fussy little seven year old girl had been something she’d barely even had to ask.

“Ok girl, i love you, but i have to get ready to head back home, i’m having Kaycey over again.”

Nodding understandably, you gave her a smile as picked up the phone, using your free hand to run your fingers across your scalp, a small yawn coming out of your mouth.

“Tell her i said hi.”

Kaycey was adorable, but full of stubbornness, the pair of you slowly worked out what made her tick, how she preferred to watch old Bratz movies you’d watched when you were younger, as opposed to Bluey. As the facetime finally ended, the small chirp from your phone signalling the disconnect, you finally spared a look out the window, noticing the beginnings of rain falling from a now darkened sky, the first time it’s rained since the first time you arrived back in Wyoming.

Leaning against the wall as you held your phone back up, you continued typing out your response to Niki, assuring him you wouldn’t miss it, that you’d come up and say hi, even requesting the promise of some free food as a lighthearted joke.

Putting your phone down on the counter, you allowed yourself a moment to step outside, the pittering of rain already starting to sound out against the tin patio roof;

Just as you’d used to do all the time as a child, you took a deep inhale into your lungs, the unplaceable smell of the rain making your mind come flooding with nostalgia.

You’d had no idea just how good the smell of Wyoming rain smelled until it had been so long since you’d even been around it, finding yourself at a weird sense of peace that you hadn’t experienced for a long while.

-

When the night before the rodeo finally came, there’d been a steady stream of messaging occurring with Niki, messages exchanged reminiscing over highschool memories, asking about how his mother was doing and him gushing about how happy she was about the photo.

Graduating from texting to snapchat should have definitely been the first sign, or at least Amanda thought it was.

Soon enough you were receiving stupid little selfies of him grinning while stood behind the bar, captioned with things such as ‘it’s so dead here, don’t how know many more glasses i can polish’.

It was hard to pretend like you weren’t kicking your legs like a little girl whenever you received one of his absolutely adorable selfies, sometimes at home, sometimes at work.

It was on the off chance that when he’d asked how you were doing, you had a photo of a towel on the door, mentioning needing to take a shower in a bit.

The following snap you’d received from him only about a minute or two later had you with your jaw slack.

A cheeky grin on his face, obviously aware of the nature of the photo, there he stood in all his glory, his arm reached above his head to rest his hand on the doorway above him, his shirt riding up just enough so that you could see the beginning of a line going along his pelvis, a sneaky little hint of olive skin poking out.

For a moment you felt like you’d died and gone to heaven, the way you had to put a hand over your mouth to hide the small laugh of disbelief at his sudden boldness.

The caption didn’t help by any means, only agreeing that he himself also had to shower, the mirror in the bathroom providing just enough of a shadow so that he was slightly less in view.

At first, it was hard not to feel at least a little bit of panic, debating what exactly you could send back, whether or not you wanted to match his energy, return the bone he had thrown your way.

Brief consultation with Amanda has proved more than helpful, advising that an innocent enough little selfie in your pajamas laying on the bed was more than enough of a response, while still hinting at something more.

By no means were you about to jump into sending a nude to your old science partner, but there was certainly some little kick out of being subtly flirty, you definitely missed the feeling of being desired, to be chased, it was invigorating.

It was in all honesty refreshing.

As you placed your phone back face down on the side table, there was a level on anticipation to be found, even if it was late; knowing you were gonna see him tomorrow and that you’d had a pair of jeans hanging on your door along with the stetson your father had just let you keep.

Everything coming together made it hard to sleep at all.

-

With your father’s agreeance to drop you off at the rodeo, even if he wasn’t attending himself this time, he’d seemed please you were taking the initiative to go somewhere by yourself, musing about how he’d been invited to a poker night with some friends anyway.

Assuring that he’d have his phone on the entire time if you needed anything, he’d waved goodbye to you from the window of his truck, a pleased smile on his face.

The task of actually weaving through the crowds was daunting at first, but slowly you became used to the feeling of turning your body from side to side as you progressed forward, allowing yourself to move in the same rhythm as everyone around you.

There was definitely so much to see that had changed since when you used to go to the rodeo as a kid, more games for the kids set up, so many more different food options available, it was a weird, but not unwelcome change in the slightest.

Watching a group of kids throwing darts at the balloons set up on the wall in front of them, it was hard not to smile, your arms crossing over your chest and watching one of the smallest ones lining up their shot, concentration clearly ethched on his chubby little face, before he threw, a pop sounding out as he cheered with his friends.

Well that was just a little bit adorable huh.

Pulling your purse tighter to your shoulder, you’d hoped your choice of outfit was plain enough so as to not stand out hugely, the denim flare’s on your legs paired with a slightly cropped tee, simple enough, you’d hoped.

The smell of all the fried food only became more tempting the closer you got, being reminded of one of the reasons you’d even come out to the rodeo by yourself in the first place.

You kept your eyes peeled, trying to remember Niki’s description of the food truck that he’d shared over text, as well as a rough idea of where it’d be parked.

It was the bright yellow that initially caught your eye, followed by the small line following to the window lit up by fluorescent white light, only to finally land on Niki, there, in all his glory, a short sleeved grey shirt and apron around his neck.

He seemed so swept up by orders, handing food out of the window and yelling out orders with each docket printing out seemingly at an unforgiving pace.

You recognised his father, along with one other stranger, likely just another cook that worked at the restaurant, grilling away, working at a pace that made you nervous on their behalf.

Smiling to yourself, you approached patiently, waiting for the line to go down until you eventually got to the front, the anticipation killing you each time you’d step forward.

Just as professional as always, you heard Niki yell out a quick “Just one second!” as he hadn’t turned his head to look at you yet, punching an order into an ipad with the concentration of a nuerosurgeon.

When he’d finally looked down at you, you’re smile greeting him, it was quickly reciprocated, his eyes widening as he leaned forward slightly out of the window.

“Hey you! You made it!” he started, turning to look at the dockets printed and hanging above the grill, seemingly checking to see how it was all travelling before he turned back to you.

“If you give me like, five minutes, ill come out and hang, just gotta wait for the rush to finish.”

He was so sweet about it, seeming apologetic as if you weren’t the one he was preparing to halt his work for. Nodding, you gave him a thumbs up, going to turn before you heard his voice once more.

“Pendeja!” he yelled with a laugh, shaking his head when you turned back around “what do you want?” he enquired, gesturing to the chalk board on the side of the truck “on the house.”

“Niki, no, i can’t-”

Your protest was interrupted by a wave of his hand.

“Shut up and tell me what you want.”

God his smile was so gorgeous, even when he was telling you to shut up.

Letting out a sigh as you tilted your head, it was hard to concentrate on anything written on the chalkboard next to his head.

“Just surprise me.”

Finding a spot to the side was easy enough, settling yourself down on one of the many tables that had been set up as a place to eat, you could only wait in silence, finding yourself unable to do much else aside from checking your phone occasionally, pretending to be interested in the time.

Just as promised, after about five or so minutes, you could Niki arriving from the distance, two plastic plates in his hands, apron now discarded you didn’t know where.

Your arm extended out to wave at him, smiling brightly as he came to sit across from you, sliding the plate of food in front of you.

Only now that he was across from you did you realise that he was also holding two glass bottles under his arm, grabbing them and setting them on the table between the two of you, a satisfied sigh leaving his throat as he gestured to what you now realised was a corona.

“For you.” he spoke, nodding to himself, seemingly not noticing the way your face fell only slightly, still trying your hardest to maintain a smile.

You had absolutely no clue how to actually explain everything, the reason you couldn’t touch anything even slightly alcoholing, on top of how you might explain it to him without making him feel petrified at having offered you a beer of all things.

Opening your mouth to speak, you could only let out a small sound, seemingly having no clue as to how you would phrase it.

Noticing the look on your face, his eyebrows rose, concern seeming to cross over his features as he looked down at the spread he’d brought for you.

It felt rude to decline the drink he’d brought for you, no doubt from the fridge of the food truck himself, even worse if he’d actually bought it for you.

“Everything ok? Is it the food? I didn’t make it if thats what you’re wondering.”

His attempt at brushing it off with humour made you feel better in all honestly, a soft exhale of laughter leaving your lips as you leaned forward and hung your head slightly.

Looking back up, you gave him an apologetic look.

“No, the food looks amazing, it’s just..” part of you felt petrified to even touch the bottle, images of you drunk in the street in heels and a sparkly outfit while paparazzi hounded you coming to mind.

Keeping your voice low, you kept it to a simple “I don’t drink.”

Niki’s eye’s widened, his arm immediately coming out to grip the bottle, pulling it to his end.

“Shit, im so sorry.”

The fact he felt bad for something he didn’t even realise killed you a little, yet he seemed to shift the mood back over pretty quickly, sending you that same grin he’d sported in the bathroom photo.

“More for me.”

As you sat and ate, your discussion seemed to range from an array of different topics, old school memories that you were able to laugh about all the way to him explaining all the different times he’d had to kick people out of the bar.

All good things must come to an end evidently, your stomach sinking a little bit as the topic of yourself was brought back into discussion.

“So how long do you think you’re gonna be back in town for?”

The question was obviously innocent, but it only made that ever present anxiety in the back of your mind grow ten fold. The long answer was that you had no idea, would you just hide out here till you had no career to come back to?

Live off of the royalties of your songs for the rest of your life? Not likely.

As much as you wanted to pretend the rest of the world didn’t exist past this small town, you knew there was still record studio executives waiting on you, of course the timeline of your recovery was in your hands, the scandal could still keep your name in headlines for at least a little while longer.

But eventually you knew in your soul they were going to start pulling out when you started dropping off the charts, fading into obscurity.

In the god’s honest truth you hadn’t even thought about it that deeply yourself.

“Absolutely no clue.” you laughed out, holding your hands up and shrugging your shoulders; you didn’t want to go into the details with Niki, you didn’t really wanna burden anyone with the details really.

“I guess this could be a good place for some inspiration, maybe write some new music while im here.”

You didn’t even know yourself if that was true, the inspiration in you had been long sucked dry, when your team started bringing on ghost writers and producers, assuring you that the money was worth the creative integrity.

Deciding that this conversation was doing probably more harm than good to your inner dialogue, you rose from your seat, gathering up the plastic plates and swinging your purse over your shoulder.

“I think i’m gonna go watch the bull riding.”

It definitely was a little bit rude, but the food had been long finished and you knew that there was only so long Niki’s father was going to tolerate him being away from the truck for so long.

“And you.” pointing a finger at him as he stood, placing his hands in his pockets

“Need to get back and keep helping your father out.”

Holding his hands up in a surrendering manner, he only nodded in agreeance with you, the smirk on his face carrying just as much mischief as it always seemed to.

“Okay, okay. I’ll do what i’m told, but only this time.”

Niki returned the gesture of a finger pointed at you as he began to walk backwards, shaking his head as he looked at you.

“I’ll see you round, Pendeja.”

Watching him turn to jog back around the corner to where the food truck was, you could only let out a small huff.

There was definitely an inner turmoil at play within you, that was for certain.

Niki was such a sweetheart, and clearly there was a mutual attraction shared between the two of you, but the petrifying fear of intimacy within you, much less whatever it was exactly that eas starting to bubble between the two of you, seemed to be taking precedence each time a little bit of progress was made.

Even now as you continued your walk towards the bull riding stands, finding a place to sit inbetween all of the other people that lined up to see some cowboys get flung, you were unable to stop the slight frown from cementing itself on your face.

The idea that you could get in the way of yourself that badly was infuriating, but then the idea of jumping straight into another man’s arms so soon after such a messy breakup was just the same.

Hell, the wound was only about four months healed, you still occasionally saw your ex’s face coming up on old mutual friend’s social media, it was nowhere near enough time to just brush something like that aside, right?

When do you know when it’s because you actually want something like that, and not just yourself desperately seeking out the comfort of trading one man out for another?

As the event began, that same familiar rock music blaring out of the speakers just the same as last time, you occupied yourself with watching men getting flung off of thrashing bull’s backs.

Even then, it’s hard to be distracted by self pity when you’ve got something so absolutely entertaining in front of you.

The stupid rodeo clown was even enough to have a laugh leaving your throat.

As fun as it all was to watch, the universe decided that it was particularly enjoying fucking with you tonight, considering that you’d forgotten one big fundamental detail at the bull riding that was currently on.

That detail, that important little smidgen you’d conveniently forgotten?

Rhett Abbott was coming on next.

It was the first time you’d even heard his name since the restaurant, much less seen him in person, having been so distracted by the prospect of meeting up with Niki, you’d completely forgotten about his existence all together. You tried to force yourself not be invested, truly, wanted to continue the air of not caring if he lived or died, considering that was obviously how he felt about you.

Yet when the horn rang out and you immediately heard the sharp clanging of hooves on metal as the gate was swung open, for some reason you just could not look away.

The bull was relentless, seeming to thrash itself in a change of direction as much as possible, determined to get what i considered to be nothing but an annoying flea off of its rump.

As much as you cursed the ground he walked on, hated the way he looked at you with an air of superiority. God, as much as you hated him for starting the nickname tweety bird in highschool.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t doing a damn good job. You didn’t have to like him or even particularly enjoy his company to see that.

You could literally hear the cheers of the crowd growing wilder the longer he stayed on the bull for, that anticipation of waiting to see whether or not he’d get flung off before his eight seconds were up.

In some weird way, time seemed to be moving in slow motion, yet ultra fast all at the same time, with every millisecond that you didn’t hear the buzzer making your heart rate increase.

As soon as it rang out, like a choir of angels sent from heaven itself, you let out a breath you didn’t even realise you were holding, letting go of your purse handle which was now sporting little moon shaped indents from how hard you were gripping it.

The roar of the crowd around you was palpable, your silence pertaining more to your absolute shock, your mouth hanging open slightly.

As he finally allowed the bull to shake him off, being helped to his feet hastily by a handler as the rest worked at getting the bull back through the gate, you could see his chest rising and falling even from the distance you were at.

Adrenaline was a powerful thing, you knew that better than anybody, as you watched Rhett Abbott begin to bang on his chest like some sort of primal warrior, it was palpable.

His eye’s scanning the crowd hadn’t initially had you off guard, obviously he was enjoying the resounding response to his victory, continuing to bash his fist against his chest.

Even when his eyes landed on you.

As if set off, seeing you in the crowd, knowing you’d witnessed what just occurred, you weren’t sure if it was ego or something else entirely.

But you could have sworn he was smirking.

With a final bang to his chest, your vision might have been tricking you, but had he just nodded at you, a single, sturt nod before he’d turned to jog back to the gate, jumping it as if it was nothing.

You’re head tilted, eyes widening and brows furrowing.

Exactly what the fuck did he mean by that one?

Whether you were meant to be insulted by that, you had absolutely zero clue, the only thing you were certain of is that whatever it was, it was most certainly meant for you.

-

Left thoroughly confused by whatever it was that had just been shared between the two of you, you dispersed with the rest of the crowd when the rodeo was swiftly coming to an end.

Now noting the lights from games that were no longer on, as well as the now dwindling number of people around, the show grounds were suddenly seeming a lot quieter.

You were definitely tired, no doubt about that, hell, it was nearing almost midnight.

As much fun as it had been to go out by yourself for the first time in ages, the task you were now faced with of getting home was already proving itself to be a daunting one.

Exiting into the now nearly empty parking lot, you stood by the entrance and pulled out your phone, tapping the name ‘dad’ in your contact list and putting the phone to your ear.

Soft ringing was all that you could hear, feeling your heart drop a little bit as it continued, all the way up until his voice mail began to play.

Sucking in a sharp and nervous breath, you hung up and dialed his number again, waiting with a nervous breath, reassuring yourself that he’d probably just put his phone down somewhere and that any minute now he’d pick up.

Yet as his voicemail continued once more, you already felt a lump in your throat as panic began to set in.

Trying two more times evidently wasn’t a big help, doing absolutely nothing to remedy yourself.

Pacing back and fourth by the entrance was doing little for you, running your free hand along the seamline of your jeans not helping in the slightest as your heart beat hammered in your own head. As your own thoughts began to get to you more and more, you subsided in your attempts to call your father, nothing the fifteen percent battery life left on your phone, if he tried to call you back, a flat phone would do absolutely no good.

Yet as about ten more minutes passed, no buzzing from your phone, you were now cursing softly to yourself, feeling tears prick in the corner of your eyes as you rummaged around in your purse for some sort of miracle, anything to feel like you were doing something other than just standing there about to cry.

“What the hell are you still doin’ here?”

Initially, you jumped at the sound of a voice behind you, turning to see who it was however, only made you want to sink further and further into your little pity party.

“Fuck off, Rhett. I really don’t need this right now.”

Any attempt to hide the way your voice wobbled was futile, turning your head up to the sky to try and blink your tears out of existence as you let out a shaky exhale.

“Hey, fuck you. I was just checkin’ to see if you were okay. Christ, don’t worry about it.”

His response only made your lip wobble more, your head hanging as you heard him walk past you, the gravel crunching under his boots, growing softer as he walked towards his truck.

Desperation was a powerful thing, top it off with you on the verge of a panic attack wondering how the hell you’re going to get home that doesn’t involve walking and becoming coyote food.

“Rhett, i’m sorry.” you wobbled out, the sound seeming to stop the cowboy in his tracks, duffel bag hanging off his shoulder as he turned to watch you walk towards him.

“Please, I know you fuckin’ hate me and god knows I don’t know why. But I can’t get home, my dad was supposed to pick me up and he’s not answering me.”

Almost as if you could quite literally see him deliberating, he looked across at you, your puffy eyes and wobbling lip seeming to be enough to appeal to his better nature, whatever the beef seemingly shared between the two of you.

“Fuck sake..” he whispered to himself, letting out a huff as he unlocked his truck and opened the driver side door. “Get in.”

Letting out a sigh of relief, you scurried around to the passenger side of his truck, opening the door and moving a few things off of the passenger seat before sitting down and closing the door.

Trying to compose yourself as he got in next to you and shut his own door, you could hardly even focus on how you were now sitting in the truck of a man you apparently hated.

“I can’t take you to your pa’s place.” he started, his tone already laced with annoyance at the predicament he had found himself in and somehow agreed to.

As he spoke, you waited him to finish, already not loving the idea of not being in your own bed tonight, but anything was better than being stranded out here at night.

“It’s the exact opposite of where I live and I’m fucking exhausted.”

You couldn’t blame him in that regard, you were just as tired if not more, feeling as if you could even fall asleep on these seats, as uncomfortable as they were.

“But, I have a pullout couch you can crash on, just don’t make too much fuckin’ noise and i’ll take you home in the morning, gotta head out that way anyway.”

Nodding, you were in no position to say otherwise, and you knew you were already on thin ice anyway, arguing against him could result in him rescinding his offer of transport all together.

“Ok.” you spoke, trying to calm yourself down and relax knowing you were gonna be safe for the night “I’ll be quiet as a mouse, you won’t even know i’m there i promise-”

As you spoke, he sent you what could only be described as a warning look, tired and exhausted eye’s telling you all that you needed to know.

“Starting now.” you finished, buckling you seat belt and keeping your gaze out the window as his truck pulled out of the parking lot.

It was your favorite game, lowering your head, rising your eyebrows along with the corners of your lips and nodding once just to let him know you see him. That he’s doing a good job at not letting you see how his hand grips on his waist, how his breathing weights on his chest when you’re locked on his eyes.

You wore a tight long-sleeved shirt which color could be stained with wine and it wouldn’t show a difference. Dark red, maroon, Rhett knew about colors. It’s the type of detail it would make you compare it to a certain wine brand or his bruised hands after riding. Type of detail that doesn’t escape your ability to continue chatting. He shouldn’t be thinking about this. Semi-finals had caught him on a cold night. Bull was rougher. His mind could’ve lingered a little longer on the top if it weren’t for the red lipstick painted on your face. The lights started to dim, and people began to fade.

Rhett’s questioned where would you go after this on the tip of his tongue but he was betrayed by his own body the moment he had you only meters away from him. People walking around your bodies like a river softening stones. His shoulders falling once your steps got you closer to him. He froze, keeping in mind the way your father whispered in your ear before the rodeo. He caught your mother’s disapproving eyes staring up and down and calculating just how much of a man he was that couldn’t measure to be even remotely deserving of capturing your eyes. He waited on you to make a move. Not as tough as people made him out to be.

Some say you reap what you sow. And your little eye game riled up his mind beyond forming any coherent word as you got closer. Maybe it was the moon dancing over the side you brushed your hair behind your ear. Maybe his breathing finally stopped and he had you confused with an angel all those years ago.

His clothes stuck to his body from the sweat, bringing out his broad shoulders and tightening around his chest. You swallowed, keeping posture before trying to meet his eyes but he was nowhere to be found. His gaze wandered the floor below and his fingers trailed his brown leather jacket. Boots tapping the dry sand he stood above, there wasn’t any escape and doe eyes stared at you caught on the brightness of your presence.

Then your greetings came as a whisper. Pride on his mouth was spit to the ground before he did something he’d be scared not to regret.

“Not bad,” you insisted as a wry smile adorned his face. As his features could be detailed closer and the skin below your nose tarnished hot from his breath. It was only a matter of time before he got so close he could see behind your façade. Shivers went down your spine steading you to the ground. Focusing on his eyes and the dim light reflecting distracted you from noticing them tracing your mouth. Pink painted his nose and cheeks as the wind blushed his face.

“Expected more” he recited with a low voice, while the grip on his jacket tightened. The results were enough for next round and the thought circles his mind as birds preying, he had been just enough, not good nor great. He swallows the thought before taking a pause to let the mix of hay, sweat and vanilla fill his lungs. The last scent makes him travel to the first and only time he had enough audacity to dare his nose trail the skin below your jaw. A grin lights his face remembering, like yours when it happened.

The kind of games that you played with him worked too well. The small balancing of your torso in place, waltzing to yourself before him, impatient. Something was between you two for years since you’ve started as a nurse in town. You faking you didn’t know what you were doing when you licked your lips staring him with a frown, confusing and intoxicating. It started to poison him the moment he saw you standing on the bleachers tonight. Losing temped him.

There hadn’t been a day now where the thought of tasting you wasn’t the only thought in mind. His family played dumb. Misplacing a plate on the fridge when he caught a bird outside the window that you told him about its legs automatically clamping on branches when they sleep so they don’t fall, his smile only raised concerns to his mother that he was slowly losing it. When you wore a dress tight on your torso and loose on your hips, cut a little above your knees, spotting him staring and smiled, making him miss the door on the store to end up on a wall, Perry only laughed. Now, jeans hugging your legs, arms behind your back, acting all innocent for him, his stupid causing a grin on you.

“Stop that” only making you frown from his stern shaking voice. “What are we doing?”

“What do you mean,” you tilted your head. Amusing yourself with the idea of riling him up without even a touch. The saintly woman you ought to be couldn’t let herself enjoy knowing the effect you had on him. He never stood a change under your voice, your gaze. Delighted by the desperate sight of a man finding little interest in praying to God, pleading to you.

“You know what I mean, sweetheart,” he held his fingers close to your waist, never quite reaching. “Once we do this, I don’t want nothing else”

He was tortured by your ever addicting laugh. Rhett should grab you but his hands stood still, he never waited on permission but any word from you could bring him to ruin. Anger filled his cheeks red trying to find the joke of of having him wrapped around your fingers.

“I want you,” consumed by the loss of his mind, surrendering himself to you. His hands began to shake in place, once you lowered your head to see them. Frowning further.

“What about Maria?” it came as a whisper again, tainted with mistrust. The first time he didn’t hear a gambler tone, or followed up by a topic changing the leading of the conversation as he caught you doing when he tried to flirt with you out front. He did once, thought he could get you easily. Then he got to know you and learned you loved proving people wrong about their expectations of you. It only made you stronger than smoking. He was the one frowning now, searching for the confident foe he made you out to be.

“What about her?”

“You’ve been in love with her since forever,” you reached for his fingers with yours, not reaching his palm. “When she looks at you, you’ll be done with me”

“Was a high-school crush,” he holds your fingers to lead them to his chest, not trying to hide the trembling of his hands. His heart raced on your palm and his eyes traveled from your golden rings adorning your hands to your eyes focusing on him. “I can’t anymore, I know I ain’t much. God’s honest truth that is. But I want all of you”

Rough voice against your tender lips. The tip of your noses lightly finding each other. Your eyebrows relaxed once under his eyes and the pressing of your lips goes unnoticed by the shadow casted from his hat. He takes it off with his free hand, when the right still steadies above your own. Daring to brush his thumb to bring you back. You begin to move your head softly. His head rested on the right side of his neck now, almost bowing.

“I should kiss that grin out of your face,” you manage to say and what kind of man was he to stop you.

“Should’ve done it sooner” before resting his hat on your head and reaching for your ear between his index and middle finger and allowing his thumb to play around your smiling cheek. He sighs when he realizes your free hand reaching for the back of his neck and bringing him closer.

“I hate you” was the last thing he heard before your lips greet his. Slowly finding your way against his mouth. He could taste the lipstick before you opened your mouth to taste his tongue.

The sweetest con often comes in the idea of an indefinite place of faith by someone else’s hands. His, bruised in purple and green with scratches he often downplayed their severity to calm you down, rough and slightly dirty fingers traced a path on the edge of your cheeks. The Rhett Abbott from everyone’s eyes could be careless, couldn’t be more different than the one whose hands slightly tremble when holding your face. You pretend not to notice how he crumbles from touching you, how his eyes tempest blue underneath your gaze.

-