#outer range rhett

"Now's not a good time." "It's always a good time, Rhetty." "Don't call me that." He finally turned to face you, his arms crossing. You stepped closer to him, reciprocating the same body language - crossing your arms. "Your attempts at intimidating me are as good as your bull-riding skills, so that's not sayin' much." You flicked back his hat as you spoke. He grabbed your arm, "Don't fuckin' test me right now, sweetheart." You faltered a bit, his grip strong."You were starin' at me from across the field, did I make you mess up?" "In what world?" "Do I make you nervous, Rhett?" You'd step closer. "Quite the opposite." "Mhm, I bet." A smirk was plastered onto your face. You'd pull your wrist away from him, "Careful now, cowboy."

You'd step away, moving to walk off - feeling Rhett's eyes on you. When he suddenly wrapped an arm around your waist, practically pulling you back to him. You let out a noise of surprise as he kissed you.

You soon melted into the kiss, Rhett pushing you up against the side of his truck. Rhett forced his tongue into your mouth, tilting your head up to accommodate for the height difference between the two of you. The kiss was all teeth, tongue and spit. Pent up frustration coming through.

Rhett broke the kiss before opening the door to his truck, "Get in." "What?--" "I said get in, sweetheart. Need to fuck this out of my system." You'd settle into the truck without another word, watching as Rhett crawled in after you - closing the door behind him from any prying eyes.

He'd pull you into his lap, hands moving up the sides of you - you giggled a bit, taking off his hat. "Need to blow off some steam huh?" "Yeah and put you in y'r goddamn place, got quite a mouth on ya." "Want me to use that mouth?" "I want you to shut the hell up." Rhett wove a hand into your hair, tugging you into another kiss. Teeth clashing against each other, as he made work on your jeans as you shrugged off your jacket.

His mouth moved down to your neck, as he shoved down your jeans to your thighs. He bit into your neck, running his tongue over the bites as a silent apology. His calloused hand dragged down your body, slipping underneath your panties - thick fingers finding your clit.

He pulled back from your neck, resting his head back against the head rest as he watched your reactions eagerly. "There you go, bunny. Already so wet for me." He'd murmur, pushing two fingers into you with ease. He'd make work of you, moans spilling from your mouth as Rhett found that spot inside you almost immediately, fuck. "Yeah, right there? That feel good, doesn't it?" He tilted his head at you, the teasing evident in his voice. You couldn't voice your pleasure, so you just nodded - moans leaving you. Of course he'd be experienced, you wanted to feel his fingers inside you all the time if you could. Hips bucking against his hand as you rested your head against his shoulder, fucking his fingers into you as you practically rode his hand there in the backseat of his truck.

"I hate you." You let out a soft moan. "Yeah?" His palm was now grinding into your clit, your hand immediately going to his shoulder to stabilise you. Your orgasm found you quickly, he placed a hand around your waist - coaching you through it. Moans spilling from your mouth, Rhett moved to cover your mouth. "Shh, bunny.. you dont want people hearin' now?" As you came down from your high, Rhett pulled you closer, "You still got some more in ya?" "Can't leave you pent up now can I, cowboy?" Your hands made quick work of his belt, hands shaking slightly from your previous orgasm.

Rhett's hands covered yours, "I've got it." He chuckled, unbuckling his belt - tossing it somewhere else in the car. Unbuttoning his jeans, pushing them down his thighs.

You'd notice the very obvious tent in his boxers, he was big. Bigger than you thought. You wondered if he'd let you suck it, atleast once - if this thing you were doing was going to continue. "You still with me?" "Mm-- mhm." You'd nod, fingers dragging down his abdomen to the bulge. You'd toy with the waistband, just for a few seconds - just to confirm that this is actually happening. Then your hand dipped beneath it, pulling down his boxers down to his knees.

His cock bobbed against his stomach, the tip already leaking pre-cum, a bit of it landing on his stomach. The tip swollen, red and angry.

"Condoms in the glovebox." Rhett murmured, a hand resuming it's spot on your waist as you turned around on his lap, your back now facing his front. Leaning over in the car into the front seat - adjusting yourself to open the glovebox, practically on your knees.

"You really need to clean out your glovebox." You mumbled fishing around it before finally finding a condom. You settled back into Rhett's lap, turning around so you were now facing him. He took the condom from you, ripping it before placing it onto his hard cock. "I didn't force you into my truck for you to complain more." A smirk on his face, as he placed his hands back to your hips. "All good?" You'd nod, "Gonna have to give me words, baby. Or did I make you cum that hard?" Another tilt of his head. "Yes-- god yes." "There we go.." He'd muttered.

Rhett's hands moved to the button up shirt you were wearing. You'd swat his hands away. "C'mon, not even a peak?" "Gonna have to pay extra for that." He'd simply pout, "I bring you into my very comfortable truck and I let you cum on my hand and you wont even let me have the pleasure of seeing your tits? Plain criminal." Rhett placed a hand to your cheek, his thumb dragging down your bottom lip. "C'mon, sweetheart... I'll make you feel so good." You let out a breath at his promise, "Fine. I'll hold you to that though." Then, a smirk, "Thank you," Rhett placed a kiss to the corner of your mouth, hands working at the buttons on your shirt - pushing it off your shoulders with your help. His hands expertly unclasping your bra, slowly pulling the straps off you. Placing kisses to your neck and collarbone as a thanks. He looked down at you, "Fuckin' gorgeous.." He'd mutter more to himself, cupping one of your tits - a cold thumb slipping over the perked nipple, earning a soft whimper from you. He took your nipple into his mouth, tongue swirling against the hard skin. You placed a hand into his hair, egging him on - pulling at the soft curls.

You could only imagine how his tongue would work between your thighs, you could only imagine a lot of things with his man who previously hated you sitting in front of you now sucking on your tits.

Rhett pulled back a string of saliva connecting his mouth to your tit, he looked up at you - a lopsided smirk on his face. "If I don't fuck you now, I am going to lose my mind." He placed his hands to your ass, pushing you further onto his lap. The tip of his cock grazing your soaked core, learning a groan from the both of you. "That makes two of us." You leaned forward, capturing him in another heated kiss as his strong hands directed your hips for you to sit down directly on his cock, feeling unbelievable full. The moan you let out soaked up by the kiss as he smirked against your lips. "Th're you go, bunny.. s' good, doing s' good just for me." Rhett muttered against your lips. You pulled back a bit, looking down at where you two were connected, Christ he was big. "You alright, baby?" Rhett placed a hand under your chin, tilting your head up to meet his eyes. He looked concerned, not a look you commonly saw on Rhett Abbott's face. "Y-Yeah.. you're just, it's big." You wanted to smack that egotistical smirk off his face, "Big, yeah?" He tilted his head. "Don't be a dick." "Well you're riding mine." You felt him twitch inside of you, earning a small whimper from you.

You took a moment to collect yourself, get used to the sensation of your enemy's cock buried to the hilt inside of you. "O--Okay, I'm gonna start moving." "Be my guest." Rhett leaned back as you started to move your hips, moving forward and back first - building the pace. "Jesus-- you're so tight.." He looked down to where the two of you were connected. You started to move your hips upward, Rhett's hands moving to wrap around your waist - hoisting him up for the two of you to be chest to chest, his own hips bucking up now meeting your rhythm.

"I hate you." You said between high pitched moans. "Hate you too, baby." You felt that sensation deep in your belly again, overstimulating yet soothing. Rhett knew that too by the way you were clenching around him. "Y' close, sweet girl?" His hand snaked between your two hot bodies to have his thick fingers work in circles against your clit. You could only nod with this new pleasure, head resting against his shoulder. His other hand moved to weave into your hair, tugging gently as he tsked. "Nah, bunny. Look at me when you cum, I wanna see it." Because of course he did, he wanted to see the girl that he argued with for years cum like it was her first time, because of him. Just needed that ego booster. Your mind was completely turned off at this point, your thoughts just filled to the brim with Rhett - in more ways than one. The way his dark blue eyes watched you, his thick fingers working against your swollen nub, and his cock pushing into you and filling you ever so deeper. Your mouth open as moans and whimpers poured out, if people didn't hear you before. They sure as hell did now. "C'mon, cum on my cock." That deep southern growl in his voice was the last thing you needed to tip over the edge, hands gripping as his chest as you came around him, earning a groan from him as you tightened. As you came down from your high, Rhetts hands caught you from falling into him, then you realised Rhett still hadn't cum yet. That fire still in his eyes, your cunt was overstimulated but a front row seat to Rhett Abbott being ruined by your pussy was too good to give up. He tightened his hands around your waist, switching your position for you to be laying down on the carseat. Rhett overtop of you as he fucked his cock into you, his face planted in his neck - peppering kisses there. You whined from overstimulation. "I know-- god, I know baby.. just.. give me a minute, okay?" His words muffled by your neck, you then weaved your fingers into his hair - deciding to give him a taste of his own medicine. Pulling his head back as you looked into his eyes, you saw the smallest amount of drool in the corner of his mouth, his eyes wide as his hips didn't let up, in fact fucking into you faster - but his hips soon faltered, with one last thrust he came into the condom.

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.

Perry stopped at the post office after church to pick up the box. They could feel the sad stares of community members. The news of what had happened had spread across the town like wildfire. The Abbotts did their best to stand strong, and pay attention to the sermon that was given, but the second the priest said something about the two young lovers, Cecilia lost it, and left the church in tears. Royal gave a quiet nod to the church before excusing himself and going after his wife. 

“Here ya go,” The office worker said, handing the box to him, “Heavy box.” 

“It’s his saddle,” Perry said in a monotone voice as he finished signing for it. 

“Sorry about your loss, can’t be easy losing-” 

“Thanks,” Perry didn’t want the conversation to go on any longer, as he picked up the box with a grunt and walked out to his truck where Amy was waiting for him. 

When he got home, he placed the box on the floor of the living room in front of his parents. He stood off to the side as they opened it, pulling out Rhett’s saddle and his buckles. The tears hadn’t stopped running down Cecilia’s face since she came home, and holding Rhett’s buckle to her chest, she sobbed. Royal held her close and kissed the top of her head. Perry pushed off the wall and walked over to Amy, and finished taking the rest of the items from the box. 

None of the Abbotts had flown out to the coast to see how the house was and to clean it out, but from what they had been told by one of their friends, the house was nearly destroyed. Royal had called in a local worksman to fix up the walls and the door. The walls were littered with holes from her fists and the glass was shattered all over the floor. Apparently, Y/N had just gone crazy when she got the call about Rhett. 

— — — 

When Rhett first laid eyes on Y/N, he knew she was the one for him. He had missed his chance with Maria, holding back on his feelings and letting her walk out of his life. But when he saw her standing on the fence line as he lowered himself onto his bull, he knew that she was going to be his wife. He held on for his life, lasting the whole eight seconds, and impressing her. The boost of confidence from the ride was what he needed to go over and talk to her. Her cheeks turned red as he invited her for a dance, telling him that she can’t dance to save her life, but he assured her that it was okay. He had kissed her that night. 

After that night, Y/N basically disappeared. She was nowhere to be found and it seemed like no one really knew who she was. Rhett had asked around town, asking pretty much everyone where the y/h/c girl went and who she was. It had dawned on Rhett, he never got her name. When Rhett was ready to give up, throwing in the towel that she was just a one-night stand sort of girl (even though they didn’t hook up) he had received a call from an unknown number. 

“Hello?” He asked, creasing his eyebrows. 

“Rhett Abbott,” Her voice was like honey, and Rhett chuckled to himself. 

“How did you get my number but I never even got your name?” 

“I asked a friend,” She smiled. 

“I asked a friend about you, but it seems like you are just some figure of my imagination.” 

“I can assure you that I am not.” 

They had talked for hours on the phone after Y/N had explained who she was. She was originally from Amelia County, but as soon as she graduated high school, she packed her bags and went to the coast. She would occasionally fly back to Wyoming, the last time she flew back was to watch her little brother ride against Rhett. Neither one had noticed the sunset, and the moon rising in the sky, or the first strands of orange morning sun. Rhett woke up to his alarm clock and looked down at his phone to notice that he was still on the line with her. He smiled to himself and whispered a ‘sweet dreams darlin’’ before hanging up. 

And that’s how it went for weeks. He would call Y/N after dinner and they would talk for hours about everything under the sun. He learned that she was studying to be a nurse, in her third year at USC. Y/N learned that Rhett had made it to the finals, and she was already looking at flights to come watch him. Rhett rode one of his best rides when he noticed her smile in the stands during the finals. He focused on her the whole time, and the second he heard that buzzer go off, his mind was locked on finding her. The next morning they found themselves wrapped up in each other's arms. 

They continued their relationship long distance for about two years until she graduated college. Rhett had saved up his rodeo money and packed up his truck and headed out west. He stuck out like a sore thumb as he walked around campus in his levis and blue flannel. He was going over in his head what he was going to say to her. The last time he had seen her was over six months ago when she had flown home for thanksgiving. Rhett was going to propose to her, he had already asked her dad for her hand in marriage. He easily found her dorm room, and waited on the bench until she came out. 

“Why look at what we have here? You lost Cowboy?” Y/N asked as she walked out the door. Rhett stood up, holding the bouquet of carnations in his hands.

“Slightly,” Rhett said with his usual half smile, “For you,” 

“Thank you, love,” Y/N took the flowers, and then placed her hand on his face and brought him in for a kiss. 

Their date went off without a hitch, Rhett taking her to a look out spot that he had heard about. He laid some blankets down in the back of his truck and shared the sandwiches and stuff he had prepared. She talked about her final days at university and how she got a good job at the children’s hospital nearby. Rhett told her about how he had finally gotten away from his family, and Y/N was shocked. She never thought she’d see the day where Rhett Abbott left his family’s ranch, but here he was. He took her to the one bedroom apartment he got which was covered in boxes. He tucked his shaking hands in his pockets as Y/N walked around the small place and explored. 

“Rhett this place is- what are you doing?” 

“I’m proposing,” Rhett said, as he was down on one knee with the ring box in his hand. 

“I know, why?” 

“Because I love you enough that I want to be with you forever.” 

“Really?” 

“Yeah, really,” 

“Yeah, yes! Yes!” 

Rhett placed the ring on her finger, and held her tightly in his arms. He made love to her for hours that night, trying to make their bodies as close as possible. They felt as if they had truly become one, their hearts, minds and souls. 

Their wedding was small, held back home in Wabang. Perry and Royal had worked hard to clean up one of the barns so they could have a reception out there. It was no secret to Royal that he wasn’t thrilled about the wedding and his youngest son fleaing out west. He had hoped that Rhett would take over the ranch when Royal couldn’t do it anymore. Perry was happy to see his brother finally settle down and had hoped that this would stick. Cecilia was also happy to have another daughter in the family. The two of them seemed very fairy tale-like as Rhett held his new wife close to his chest as they swayed on the dance floor. But the honeymoon feeling came crashing down quickly. 

Their first fight had been an ugly one, over Rhett’s drinking. Years of riding bulls and popping pain killers had become a second nature to him, something he quite couldn’t let go of. Rhett had found a farm to work as an extra hand, but it was quite enough for him. He thought when he left Wabang and chased after the woman he loved that it would be enough. Having her be his, his own Mrs. Abbott, would be everything he had ever dreamed, and it was. But he fell back into his old ways. Y/N would get pissed as he’d stumble in at odd hours of night as she was trying to sleep before her early morning shifts. She had finally had enough of it. 

“Jesus Christ Rhett,” Y/N cursed under her breath as she looked at the drunk man who had just knocked over something, “Why do you constantly do this shit.” 

“Do what? I’m too fucking drunk to do this shit with you right now.” Rhett slurred. 

“Well Rhett! The hell do you expect!? This is the fourth night in a row you have come home completely trashed. You keep doing this shit, enough is enough,” Y/N yelled. 

“What do you mean?” Rhett sobered up as she climbed out of bed, and grabbed a bag from her closet, “What are you doing?” 

“I’m leaving.” 

“No, baby please, I’m sorry,” Rhett grabbed her hands to try and stop her, “Please, you can’t leave me,” Rhett’s voice cracked, “You’re all I have. I left everything behind to be with you. I have nothing.”  

“I never asked you to do that,” She bit back tears. 

“I know, baby, please don’t leave me.” 

And she didn’t. She stayed by his side, even when he told her that he was going back to riding. She was actually proud of him for getting back on the bull. He had done his best to stay away from the temptation of the old life; the booze, the pills, the pussy. But old habits die hard. His body was older now, taking rougher beatings when he would get bucked off. He would have a simple celebratory drink with the guys after the rodeos. Rhett found himself out later at night, coming home to a quiet house with his wife at work. Their schedules hardly ever matched up. He got bored of using his hand in the shower, and he could hardly remember the last time he and his wife made love. 

He didn’t fuck them at first. He’d only let them suck him off before a ride, releasing the tension. But that only did so much. The rodeo hands seemed to look the other way when it came to his infidelity. He’d fuck the no name buckle bunny before the ride, not bothering to learn their names or even show them the ounce of respect. He saw them as playthings to fill the void he was missing from his wife. He thought he was good at hiding it, but Y/N had always been smart. 

She knew that he was hiding something from him. She could tell in the way he wouldn’t touch her, his kisses were just pecks, he avoided looking in her eyes. Y/N had even seen it with her own eyes at one of his rides. She had gotten the night off of work last minute and decided to surprise him. The whole crew seemed to act weird and barely pay her mind as she walked through the trailers to find him. The smile ran away from her face the second she saw him walk out of his trailer, fixing his belt and a bombshell walking out behind him. Y/N felt her heart break as she leaned against the side of the trailer away from his eyes. 

Y/N felt bile rising in her throat as she emptied the contents of her stomach. Rhett heard the sounds of someone retching and walked around the side to see his wife. His eyes widened as he ran over to her, and moved her hair back. 

“No!” Y/N cried and pushed his hands off of her. 

“Baby, you’re sick, let me-” 

“Get the fuck away from me!” She yelled and Rhett stepped back in shock, “Fuck you, Rhett! I saw you! How could you?” 

“Babe I’m-” 

“Your shit will be in the driveway.” 

Rhett had come home that night to exactly what she said, his stuff in the driveway, but he wasn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. So he sat outside the front door and waited for her. Y/N felt bad when she saw him in the morning and let him in. She ignored him the best she possibly could, but it was hard to do. Rhett could hear her break down while she was in the bathroom and it made him shed a tear himself. He sat on their bed and waited for her to come out of the shower, he could see the dried tear stains on her cheeks. 

“I promise you, I’ll never ride again. I never wanted to hurt you.” 

And he had stayed true to his word. He had told his dad over the phone that he had officially given up riding. That he and Y/N had decided to start trying for a family. Rhett didn’t want to spend his time away from his family or worse, like some of the legends in Bull riding, dead or gravely injured. Rhett had stayed away from the rodeo life for about six months. And in those six months, Y/N and his marriage was completely worked on. They went to therapy, talking out their transgression and disagreements. They got back to the basics, bringing back romance into their lives; going on dates and trips. They had some of the best sex they had in years. They had both seemed to forget what had happened six months ago, until he got that call from Royal. 

“I told her I wasn’t going to ride,” Rhett whispered as he stood in the kitchen. He was making breakfast for Y/N, after a busy night of love making. 

“We’re in danger of going bankrupt, we need this,” Royal said, “We can’t lose the farm.” 

“There’s nothing you can do?” Rhett ran a hand down his face. 

“You know I wouldn’t have asked you to do this if there was,” 

“Fine,” Rhett said, “When is the ride?” 

“Three days.” 

“Three fucking days?! That’s our anniversary.” 

“I’m sorry Rhett.” 

“I gotta go, she’ll be up soon.” 

Rhett had gone to the rodeo by himself, it didn’t bother him, he was used to going by himself. It did make him a little upset that she didn’t even bother to come with him. He stood in the waiting area as he waited for the name of the bull he would be riding. The second he was given the bull, he knew it was a lost cause. The bull was impossible, no one had been successful in completing a ride. His team gave him a pat on the back and Rhett gave them a shy smile. The first person he had called was her. 

“Is there anything you can do?” Y/N asked. She was sitting on the back porch of their house, looking out at the waves as they crashed on the sand. 

“You know how these things go,” Rhett said as he leaned up against the side of his trailer. 

“I don’t like this Rhett,” She said honestly. Silent tears were running down her face. 

Rhett could hear the sadness in her voice, and could only picture the tears running down her face as she looked out at the setting sun, “I know you don’t. But I promise, I’ll come home to you.” 

“You fucking better Mr. Abbott,” She sniffed and wiped her tears away. 

“I will, Mrs. Abbott,” He smiled back, “I gotta go okay, I promise I’ll call you right after.” 

“I love you Rhett.” 

“I love you Y/N.” 

She had watched the clock, as she settled down in a chair in front of the fireplace. The class of whisky was cold in her hands as she counted down the seconds until Rhett’s ride. Rhett said a small prayer as he walked up the metal steps towards the bullpen. The crowd was going wild as he waved his hand and greeted his team. They helped him down on the bull, and it already was bucking the second Rhett put his weight on the animal. Once it settled, Rhett tied the rope around his hand, making sure he had a tight grip on it. He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath, seeing glimpses of his future life with Y/N, a few kids and a beautiful house back home on the Abbott Ranch. Rhett opened his eyes the second they opened the gate. It didn’t last long until a consuming darkness filled his eyes once again. 

Time seemed to tick on slowly, and her eyes never left the clock as she waited for the call from Rhett. Assuming from the time it had taken from the ride until now, that it hadn’t gone well. Everyone in the community knew that the bull Rhett had was a troublesome one. It was known for bucking off its riders in the first couple seconds. The second her phone rang, she picked it up. His name hadn’t even slipped past her lips when his team manager told her what had happened. Her heart was shattered in her chest as she dropped the phone on the carpet. Her knees shook as she collapsed to the ground screaming out his name. 

Her eyes were blurred with tears and her head was spinning as she pushed herself up from the carpet. Her phone was still on the line and they could hear her screaming for him. She walked out into the sand, her chest felt on fire as she let out loud sobs. She didn’t stop as her feet hit the wet sand from the waves. The further she walked into the water, her clothing felt heavier and heavier. The waves would crash and pull her underwater. She fought to keep herself above the surface, keeping her lungs inflated with air. The saltiness of water strung her eyes as the waves hit her. She looked up at the sky, looking at the stars and feeling the heaviness in her heart. She felt her feet leave the ground and she took a deep breath, as she felt a wave pull her completely under. 

In the black abyss she had fallen into, she could see the man she had always wanted. Rhett stood there waiting for her, his hand outstretched. She smiled at him as she placed her hand in his. He placed a hand on her cheek, brushing the tear from her cheek. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips. 

“I told you I would come home,” Rhett said. 

“I know you did,” She spoke to him. 

— — — 

They had sent someone over to see if she was doing okay, but there was not a single sign of her. The back porch door was wide open. They looked over the house, trying to call for her but they got nothing in response. The only thing they found was her diary which was open by the bed. They didn’t even bother reading it, just closed it and put it in the box with Rhett’s buckles and hats. Perry had seen the green notebook with her handwriting across it and picked it up. He opened the page that was dogeared and read it to himself. 

The pages were detailed on what had happened the night Rhett left for Wyoming. She explained that they had a fight about Rhett going to ride again. She was angry that he had been talked into riding for the sake of his family’s ranch. Royal had gotten them into financial trouble again, and Rhett knew that he could help them out with this ride. Y/N had given Rhett an ultimatum about it. She was worried about him riding after what had happened the last time he had ridden. The images of the night had filled her head over and over. She tried to push them away but she couldn’t. No matter how many times she had said it, Y/N had never really forgiven Rhett Abbott. Y/N had gone in on him, yelling that he had broken his promise to never ride again, the fear of past mistakes seeping through the harsh words she spat at him. Y/N saw her whole life with him, she wanted their future to be long lasting and full of love. 

Rhett told her that he was going to ride with or without her approval. Y/N looked him in the eye and told him that she didn’t give a damn if he ever came back from Cheyenne. 

The next couple lines were scribbled and had tear stains on them. It was full of regret from what she had said and didn’t know that their last conversation was going to be an argument about him riding. She had told him that she loved him, but she didn’t know if he forgave her. She wrote about how she was going to fly in the next day and surprise him back in Wabang, as he was going to stop there after Cheyenne. The writing ended abruptly with her saying: ‘I can't live in a world where Rhett Abbott doesn’t exist.’ 

It was late, the night was illuminated by the bright moon up in the sky. Perry was standing in the kitchen looking out the window, sipping on a glass of whisky. He turned over his shoulder to see his dad walking into the room. Royal gave him a nod and walked over to the cabinet, getting a glass and pouring himself a drink as well. They stood in silence for a moment before Royal spoke up. 

“They never found her body. No body can explain it,” Royal said, looking down at his sock covered feet, “Some say she just disappeared, and others say she’s still alive. I just don’t-” 

“She said she couldn’t live without him,” Perry said, running a hand over his face, “No body, no note, just footprints in the sand. Some people say they’ve seen her since that night.” 

“She’s just gone, like a ghost, like she never ever existed. Like neither one existed.” Royal turned to look out at his land. Perry placed a hand on his father’s shoulder and then walked out of the kitchen back up to his room with Amy. Royal finished his drink and placed the empty glass in the sink before going back to his wife. 

The beach was always the same, the setting sun warmed the sand and the breeze rolled in off the ocean. She would come to the beach night after night, and would sit and wait for him to show up. Her footprints would lead from the house like a trail as she walked towards the water. She would stand in the water up to her ankles as she wrapped his blue flannel around herself. It was like clockwork when he would show up, standing next to her with his hat on. She looked up at him with a smile and he looked down at her with the same expression. He’d take the hat off his head and place it on hers, and would kiss her. His lips were soft and he smelled the same of tobacco and Armani cologne. His hands were still rough as he would caress her cheeks, and look into her eyes. 

“I love you Mrs. Abbott,” 

“I love you Mr. Abbott.” 

 Every night it was the same, the two of them would walk the beaches of Cheyenne.

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