Gone Country

Chapter 11 (Two Right Feet?)

*Charlotte*

I didn't want to move, I didn't want this to end, but most of all, I didn't want to get up and face this day. Brant and Austin were going to be there for me, I still didn't want to face everything. When Chanel got here, I don't know how, but she was going to make sure I'm miserable upon her arrival. 

That's why I wanted to stay wrapped up in Brant's bare arms and pushed up against his hard naked torso, not because of some strange admiration toward his body or anything. Okay so maybe I found his muscly frame extremely attractive, sue me. Heck, I'd snuggle up to Ryan Gosling any day.  

"Charlotte," he suddenly growled. "Get off of my arm, it's falling asleep." I lifted my head, allowing him pull his arm away. He turned over in bed, facing his back to me. I was guessing he wasn't happy about today either. 

I turned on my side, facing his muscular bare back. My eyes examined every inch of it. His birthmark has always been on the back of his shoulder blade. It was oddly shaped like most birthmarks, but his looked like a bloated fish. I almost giggled at the thought. My hand acted on its on when it lured my arm to reach out and allow my fingertips to brush over the mark. 

"Go back to sleep Charlotte," he sleepily grumbled. My hand dropped to the mattress, only I wasn't going to let him talk to me like that. He wasn't the only one dreading this day. Anger, that's how I slowly built up my strength to where with one shove, he was tumbling out of the bed. 

He fell to the floor with a loud thump, mixed in with a grunt that indicated it didn't feel too great. With my hand clamped over my mouth at what I had done, I looked up to the ceiling knowing that he was going to be extremely furious in about five seconds. I might be visiting my mother real soon.

The bed dipped, causing my eyes to squeeze shut in fear. He wouldn't hurt me, but yelling was definitely something he could fit into his agenda at any time. "Sorry, Char," he whispered, settling down next to me, even pulling me close to his chest again.

I peaked an eye open, then opened my other when I saw him staring at me. It was like when a puppy dog bit you, you scolded it for doing so, and he gives you an apologetic look that said he regrets it happened. "What's wrong?" I curiously asked.

He propped himself up on his elbow, peering down at me with his navy blue eyes. My fingers fiddled nervously with the baby blue bow on my cami top under his deep gaze. I'm never nervous with Brant unless he's got his serious face on, and let me tell you, his face was like stone right now. "Everything about today is wrong, Charlotte," he explained. I nodded in agreement as he lowered his forehead to rest against mine. "No matter what, I won't let you cry or be upset about your dad and Chanel coming." 

I was listening to what he was saying, it was just that his hot breath was making it impossible to concentrate on his words. My eyes flickered down to his lips, wondering how they seemed to be so perfect. Why hadn't I took notice of this perfection before? His hand met my right cheek, his words being absolutely meaningless to me at this moment. I nuzzled my face into his palm, my body delightfully tensing when I felt his lips brush up against my ear. "Austin and I will take care of you," he breathed. "Don't worry beautiful."

My heart thumped, even more so when my hand rested on the back of his neck just when he kissed my cheek. I had no clue as to what was going on with my body as it shivered in need of warmth when he pulled away from me. "Are you cold?" he asked, pulling the comforter up around me. The comforter didn't nearly come close to the warmth he gave me moments ago.

"I'm fine. We should be heading back to the house anyway. Rock, paper, scissors for who makes the bed?"

He smirked at me, running a hand through his messy brown hair that made you want to ruffle or stroke it every chance you got. "Or you can be a good little housewife in training and make it yourself," he playfully suggested. 

I stuck my tongue out at him, giggling when he done the same. "If I make the bed you have to do my chores," I tried bargaining. He thought about it, then gave a nod in agreement. I was shocked that he rather do outside work than make a stupid bed. Even though it seemed ridiculous to me, I didn't complain one bit. When he got up and headed off to changed out of his pajamas, I made up the bed in less than a minute with my awesome wife in training skills. 

"Hey there..." I couldn't stop myself from giggling when he came up behind me and tickled my sides. "Would you like to explain these?" he asked, reaching around and dangling a pair of my underwear in front of my face. "For a girl who has never had sex, you sure are prepared for some man to be impressed."

I snatched the white lacy garment away from him, whipping around and shoving him in the chest. "I..I don't have to explain myself to you!" I shouted in embarrassment.  

He laughed, following me when I hurried out the room toward the bathroom. "Yes you do have to explain yourself," he said sternly, catching the door before I slammed it in his face. "You took a shower last night, now why would you need those?"

He stepped behind me from where I was standing in front of the bathroom sink, his strong hands immediately resting on my hips. "Charlotte, are you crushing on me?" he asked, teasingly pulling down the left strap on my cami. "Let me guess," the idiot softly began in my ear. "You talked me into coming here to seduce me in bed, didn't you?"

I elbowed him in the stomach so he would shut up. He hunched over, gripping his stomach but laughing at how easily he influenced me into reacting to his false accusations. I forced him out of the bathroom so I could change, ignoring his endless laughter on what had just happened. He could be such a jerk sometimes.

Like always, it was like water off a duck's back for me. Things like Brant's teasing didn't bother me for long. I proudly got dressed for the day and even got to put some makeup on my face. If I wasn't wearing makeup later, Chanel would make sure I knew how hideous I looked. Somehow I snuck the makeup bag by Brant without him noticing it and hid it under the bathroom sink for today. As I carefully applied some eyeliner to my waterline, I smirked at how sly I was. 

That lasted for two seconds. 

I opened the door and there he was waiting with a damp wash cloth. "Wipe it off," he ordered. I huffed in response, crossing my arms in refusal. He grabbed me,  bringing the rag up and wiping it away himself. 

I fought, you better believe I fought. This was something he didn't understand! If Chanel saw me like this she would laugh in my face. "Brant!" I whined. "She's going to maul me to death if I don't wear any makeup, do you want that?"

He cupped my face in his hands, smiling in a way that made my heart uncontrollably flutter. The look in his eyes was the look my mother use to have when she would look at me. "Would you shut up and feel beautiful for once?" he told me. "Girls would kill to have your looks, Charlotte."

I let out a breath, deflating in defeat. He always wins with those kind of lines. I gathered my night clothes, stuffing them in the bag we had brought along last night with a change of clothes in them and our pajamas. We headed back to the Young family's house around seven thirty where we hesitantly parted ways. I don't know why every time I turned to go in the house I found myself whipping back around and saying something to him that was completely ridiculous. It just happened.

"No, Charlotte," he laughed. "Pigs don't get along with bears like off of Winnie the Pooh. I'm quite certain the bear would eat the pig in a instant." Slowly I nodded, taking in the information that I hadn't really needed. "Is there a reason why you don't want to leave my side?" he asked, scooping out horse feed from the barrel. 

I stuttered on my response, only I couldn't give one because I in fact was glued to his side. Instead of giving an explanation, I headed to the barn door. He caught me by my wrist, tugging me back to him. "Are you nervous?" 

His careful hold loosened when I faced him. It was like he was a mind reader or something. I was more than nervous, I was terrified. It has been over a week since I've seen my father and I definitely missed him. Jives has also been out of my life for a while and I couldn't help but miss him as well. "I'm not scared if that's what your suggesting," I lied. My eyes fell down to my boots, my fingers shakily going to my hair to twirl a strand.

"It's going to be fine."

He gave my back a gentle pat, pushing me into his arms so I could feel his comfort. I wish I could believe his words without the continuation of worrying. Things would be so much simpler if that would happen. My father was coming with his sneaky fiancée who probably had a plan better than Austin's. 

Thinking of Austin made me remember that I was suppose to wake him this morning. "I've got to wake Austin" I voiced. 

Brant shooed me along, sending me off on my quest that I agreed to do last night when Austin asked. I hurried along into the house with the overnight bag, making sure to get upstairs fast and quick before I was seen. Quietly, I slipped into Brant's room, enjoying the view of a half naked Austin on my way in. 

He was stripped down to his boxer briefs, sprawled across Brant's bed in deep sleep. I tiptoed over, discarding the bag in my hand onto the space of floor next to the bed. Somehow Austin looked like a model even when he was asleep. His rugged good looks were probably going to get me into trouble today. 

I leaned over the bed, brushing my fingertips across his cheek. His lips twitched upward, alerting me that he was awake. "I'm cold," he huskily murmured. "Come hold me."

He tugged me into the bed, pulling my arm over his side. His smile widen when he slowly opened his eyes which looked straight into mine. "You wouldn't be cold if you actually covered up in the comforter," I quietly scolded. 

He softly chuckled, lowering his head down to me. "If I did that, then I wouldn't have been able to do this." In pure surprise, his lips latched onto my neck. I squeaked when I felt him suck and bite on my neck. He didn't fight me when I pushed him away, only caught me when I nearly fell off the bed. 

"What are you doing!?" I shrieked, sitting up in bed with my hand flying to the throbbing place on my neck.

"Initiating the plan," he told me with a smirk. 

His plan was evil! What was Stella and Jack going to think? Brant was going to kill him when he laid eyes on it, I'll never live this down from Avery, and my dad, oh my dad was going to kill him right after Brant did! "Austin!" I groaned in frustration. "Everyone is going to have a heart attack!"

Austin pulled me back down to him, his arms circling around me in comfort. "Everyone already knows about this except Brant, your father, and anyone coming with your father."

He poked the tender spot on my neck, frowning at the sight. "It's too small." I growled incoherent things when he latched himself like a leech to my neck again. I was not liking this plan at all, but it was better than no plan at all. "There," he softly whispered. "Now you have to do me."

My brows shot up. I was going to refuse, but I kind of wanted revenge. He willingly extended his neck, and I pretty much chomped down on his skin. "Ow! I know you're angry with me Charlotte, but take it easy!" He hissed. 

I scoffed, having absolutely no clue as to what I was doing but did something to form an ugly discoloration on to his skin. His hand pretty much guided me through it. He had latched it into the hair on the back of my head and gently pushed me deeper against his skin to tell me I wasn't doing it hard enough. I'm just glad no one walk in during this time.

"Alright," he sighed. "If we're going to be a happy couple you can't be mad at me. I'm sorry, Charlotte, but trust me this is the only way."

I still didn't understand what we were trying to accomplish here. My problem wasn't with my father, it was with Chanel. Now my father was really going to be pissed at me. Austin stroked my cheek, his eyes telling me that I needed to go along with it. Foolishly, I inclined to his wishes. 

"You head on downstairs for breakfast," he insisted when we climbed out of bed. He walked me to the bedroom door, but stopped me from leaving when he remembered something. "There's one more thing we need to cover, Charlotte." I turned around to face him, wondering what he was going to do to me this time. "You have to kiss me." My eyes widened. "If we're going to make this believable, I can't be the one that kisses you all the time. Go ahead, lay one on me."

I wasn't use to giving the kisses. I've only kissed Clay once, he has kissed me, but I've only kissed him once. Austin lowered his head so I would have easier access to him. Slowly, I wrapped my arms around his neck, hesitantly leaning in to him. All I had to do was kiss him, it was no big deal. When my lips grazed his, I faltered until I forced them forward. It was strange kissing Austin. At least with Clay I felt something, with Austin it was emotionless. My lips moved with his, but nothing ignited a fire that made me want to kiss him all day. It was a pretty good kiss despite the lack of feelings. I bet it looked more heated than it felt. 

When I pulled away, Austin let out a breath. "Perfect, Charlotte, now go eat."

I gave a nod, waiting until I was outside in the hall before I wiped my lips on the back of the arm. It was times like these that I really hate the fact that Clay was an idiot. It could've been him that I was kissing instead of a childhood friend I had no romantic interest in. Stupid Clay.

I casually walked into the kitchen, greeting Stella who flashed over to my side and checked my neck. She lowly whistled at the sight of the mark Austin left behind. "I don't know what this plan he has is about," she said with a grimace. "But right now it looks pretty ugly."

I didn't even want to know what it looked like. Stella gave me a plate of breakfast foods, along with a sympathetic smile. This was definitely going to be a terrible day. I had a feeling that the only thing right that was going to occur was me finally getting a hug from Jives after a whole week of not having him there for me. 

I took a seat at the table, greeting Avery when she walked into the kitchen. She to ran over to see the mark on my neck. Just like her mother, she seemed appalled by the sight of it. "I'm going to kill him" I growled. 

Avery got her plate of breakfast and sat next to me. To take my mind off of the huge mark on my neck, I asked her how last night went for her and Jax. The guys and I stayed outside on the porch for half the night so I didn't really get to see what was going on. I did know that Jax had been nervous about sitting down with Avery's parents, he told me so in the kitchen. I never got to find out why.

"Well, where do you want me to start? I could tell you how he told my father straight up that he loved me, or we could skip to the part where he asked my dad if he could court me.."

I dropped my fork into my pancakes. "No way..." I lowly murmured. She nodded and we simultaneously squealed in excitement. Over our pancakes we idly chatted about her future wedding arrangements. Stella laughed at how futuristic we were being. We just couldn't help not thinking about it. I mean when you're courting, that means that if things work out as they got older, he would eventually marry her. I was breathless over the fact that he said he loved her, I mean that was a big step. Unlike Clay and I, I could see how these two felt love. They known each other for years, have liked each other for years and secretly dated when they got the chance. It was almost like Romeo and Juliet, without the tragic dying scene. 

I sighed at how beautiful this fourteen year old's love story was. It just wasn't fair at how pitiful I was. I'll probably be alone for forever after the whole Clay thing.  It would take centuries for me to ever date again. It was nice being with Clay and having him care for me, things were just off from the start. We never should've happened. 

"Mom, what's for breakfast? I'm starving" Brant said when he entered the back door. He glance my way, only to do a double take. His eyes narrowed as if he was focusing in on something. I reacted by slapping my hand over the mark on my neck. "Charlotte..." he lowly growled. "Drop your hand."

Hesitantly I let my hand fall. I couldn't hide it from him for forever. One glance at it and he was running upstairs yelling Austin's name. Austin's girlie screams were horrifying at first, then Avery and I couldn't stop laughing. We almost choked on our pancakes it was that funny.

"Char!!" 

Austin ran into the room, forcing me out of my chair to use me as a human shield when Brant ran in behind him waving a baseball bat. "It's part of the plan Brant!" Austin tried reasoning.  "We have to look intimate."

Brant slowly crept to us. "Then you hold her, you kiss her, but you don't mark her as yours you moron!" His eyes beamed a flare of fire I have never seen in his eyes before. This sudden anger was even deeper than what sparked whenever he was angry with Clay. "She is not yours..."

"She's not yours either Brant" Avery suddenly intervened.

Brant directed his rage on his sister, glaring at her for taking Austin's side. "My Damsel I believe is what you stated yesterday afternoon" his mother imputed.

Brant cracked a smirk, looking to me with playful eyes instead of raging ones. "So I'm a little possessive" he said with light hearted shrug. "All the more reason to kill Austin for being so careless."

Nothing they said was going to change his mind on hurting Austin for staking claim, even if he wasn't staking claim. Brant was right, he was possessive when it came to these things. A memory of someone calling me theirs when I was young made me realize that Brant always considered me his. Now that was weird. It was time that I said something.

"Calm down Brant" I ordered. "It's part of the plan. If I'm putting up with it, you can too. Can everyone please stop teasing Brant about his old obsession with me..." Brant laughed at that. "He can't help that I'm irresistible."

"Charlotte Anne Jackson!!" he playfully shouted. I squealed when he lunged, dropping the bat but lifting me in his arms instead. "I swear I hate you sometimes." He kept me swung over his shoulder, ignoring me when I demanded to be let down. Brant went on with the morning like there wasn't a one hundred and twenty pound girl resting on his shoulder. He grabbed a plate of breakfast, poured himself a glass of orange juice, and started eating away. 

Stella walked by, patting my head in pity. I just let myself dangle there while he did his thing. "Brant? Can I have some orange juice?" I sweetly asked. Earlier I had eaten without a sip of something to drink. My throat was extremely dry from it. 

He turned me around so I was facing his spread. I picked up his glass, not caring if his germs were on the glass or not. I took a couple of sips and alerted him I was good now. Brant turned around and proceeded with eating.

A eager knock on the front door made everything in the kitchen halt. There was no mistaking who it was, the tense atmosphere clearly explained that. Unfortunately Brant decided to put me down, leaving me free to go answer the door. He nudged me in that direction and Austin finished forcing me to the door by coming up and taking my hand in his. 

"I'm going to make an entrance" Austin told me when we crossed the living room. He left my side, heading down the hall that led to the stairs. I didn't even want to know how his entrance was going to look, which meant he was going to surprise me in a way I wasn't going to like. 

Still, I didn't keep my father or Jives waiting. I really wanted to see them, Chanel on the other hand could wait outside in the pig pen for all I cared. Excitedly with a hint of dread, I walked up to the door and slowly opened it.

My eyes met his blue pair, the anxiousness hidden in them vanishing when he saw I was okay. Of course I was okay, I was no Chanel. "Daddy" I breathed. 

He stepped into the house, crushing me to his chest in a big bear hug that I wouldn't mind dying from. "I've missed you Charlotte, I can't even explain how much I've missed you."

He kissed the top of my head, stroking my hair to comfort me so I wouldn't cry. I nuzzled my face into his strong chest, letting his familiar scent and warmth soothe away all the pain he has caused me. Chanel suddenly hugged his arm, letting her nasal voice whine,  "Can we please hurry this up and get to the hotel? My feet are killing me."

For the first time since he's been with her, I saw my father brush her off and focus entirely on me. "I'm sorry I've been out of touch kiddo, Japan was brutal and my agent didn't even give me enough time to breathe during the shoot." He squeezed me tight again, earning a stray giggle that escaped me. We pulled away slightly, inspecting each other for changes. "Did you get prettier?" he asked, playfully tapping my nose.

"Maybe" I replied, tossing my hair over my shoulder in emphasis. Chanel scoffed at that, but was pushed aside when Jives came stumbling into the house with two suitcases in his hands. "Jives!" I squeaked.

Without a care, he tossed the suitcase to the side, enveloping me in a hug when my father freed me. He chuckled when I kissed his cheek in greeting, making sure to tell him that he looked extra handsome today.

"Phillip" Chanel suddenly squalled. "I thought we were staying in a hotel! There's no way I'm staying here, it looks like it's about to cave in."

My dad sighed through his nose, not amused by her brattiness. "Behave Chanel, you promised you would."

She huffed, pouting like a five year old child that didn't get her way. I shot her a glare when my father wasn't looking, but as I turned, he saw the mark that Austin forced upon me. "Charlotte Anne Jackson is that a hickey on your neck?!" he boomed.

Right when he questioned me, Austin decided to prance in and make himself known to everyone. "Babe? I can't find my shirt." I clamped my mouth shut to keep my jaw from dropping when he strutted in shirtless. He unashamedly wrapped his arms around me from behind, giving my cheek a kiss while he murmured, "Do you know where it is?"

My eyes flickered to my father who was glaring and examining Austin all at once. It was clear he wasn't happy about my sudden relationship, but the fact that Austin was half naked asking me where his shirt was while we bore dark love bites on our necks, it all made his eyes darken in anger. 

"Austin? Austin Price?" My father asked, recognition clear on his face. "You're dating my daughter?"

Austin looked to my father, extending his hand so they could shake. "Sorry you had to catch me like this sir, and yes, I'm dating your beautiful daughter who I love more than life itself" Austin said in one of his smooth and enchanting tones. My father shook his hand with bewilderment clear on his face. I was just as confused as he was. "Um babe, my shirt?" Austin asked. 

I looked over my shoulder and just said the first thing that came to mine. "I don't know where it is honey, just take one of Brant's."

He gave a nod. To them it looked like he was agreeing with me, to me it was him saying good job with compromising. "Will do" he whispered, leaning in and stealing a quick peck. He headed off to go dress and I noticed Chanel gawking at him as he walked away. Never mind that she was engaged to my father.

My father cleared his throat, peering wrathfully down at me. "Are you having sex Charlotte?" he bluntly blurted out in the open. 

"No!" I shrieked. "I'm intimate with Austin but not that intimate." My cheeks were warming over this conversation. I've never had talks with him like this before, Jives and I have, but not my dad and I. 

"No, not my daughter" he refused.  

"It's not your choice whether I date or not" I growled. He  gave me a worried look as he reached out let his fingers fall in my hair. "I'll be fine dad. You yourself told me that it's important to have someone special in your life."

Conflicted, he managed to give a nod. "Jives, take Our bags upstairs and Chanel go change into something less expensive. Chanel was wearing a tight fitted white dress that I'm surprised lasted this long here. Her heels made her looked like they were made for killing instead of wearing with the long thin heel. "Chanel, you're going to love it" my father told her, tugging the extremely thin girl into his side and kissing her forehead. 

I asked Jives is he was staying, in which he nodded in response to. "You might have to sleep on the couch Jives" I informed, turning my eyes away from the horror show my father and Chanel were displaying before us.

"That's fine, It's only for a night" he hinted to. Good, they were only staying over night. I wanted my dad and Jives to stay longer, I just knew that Chanel would destroy this town if she stayed longer than a day. The last thing I needed was her ruining my hometown.

"Don't worry about the bags Jives, I'll get them. Stella is in the kitchen Dad, along with Brant and Avery."

He insisted that Jives and Chanel go meet them, giving me the opportunity to escape and find Austin. I dragged the bags along with me, hurrying upstairs where I called for him. "I'm in Brant's room!" he let me know.

I hurried down the hall into Brant's room to see Austin pulling on a shirt. He took the bags from me, setting them down on the floor so they could see them when they came searching for their room. "Next part of the plan, the loving boyfriend approach."

This part of the plan wasn't as bad as the first two parts. For the moment, all we did was hold hands on the way down and into the room where everyone was conversing. My dad was talking to Brant who was nodding his head in agreement to something. I'd have to ask Brant later as to what they were talking about. 

Chanel was sitting at the kitchen table completely lost at what to do. Stella, Avery, and of course Jives were giving her the stink eye, waiting for her to say something. There was nothing she could say to the three without insulting them. "I've missed you Jives." I headed over to where he was sitting, wrapping my arms around his neck to give him another hug.

He scoffed. "You didn't even bother calling me. You know I'm always home." 

"Wait a minute Saint Jives, you didn't call me either until yesterday, and I didn't even get to talk to you."

He shooed me off, trying to uphold his innocent image. I ruffled his hair pitch black hair, letting this slid just this once. Austin pulled me close into his chest, hooking a finger under my chin and telling me something that I knew was just part of the plan but still made my cheeks warm.  

"You are the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on" is what he told me without wavering. How was I suppose to respond to something like that and with that much sincerity?

He raised a brow, questioning why I was just standing there motionless. His eyes flickered down to my lips, giving me my cue. I smiled up at him, my arms instinctively going around his neck when he slipped his past my waist to encircle around me.

Without a second thought, I let my lips meet his. It felt just like this morning's kiss, only I put more in to it to make it seem better. His fingers weaved into my hair, pushing me closer to him when one of his hands dropped to a place I've never been touched by a man before. I instantly pulled away from him, stopping everything.

I couldn't do it, I couldn't have him touching back there like we were really dating and in love. He got the hint and returned his hands to my lower back. "Hey Charlotte? Austin? Did we forget to do that thing?" Brant asked in a deeper than usual voice.

"Yes," I squeaked. I grabbed ahold of Austin's hand, dragging him out the front door that Brant followed us out of. We waited until the door was closed and we were a safe distance away from the back porch and anywhere near the house before we started talking.

Brant went first.

"You can't touch her like that!!!" he hissed at Austin. 

Austin gave me an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Charlotte, I kind of got caught up in your kiss. You're doing a heck of a job sweetheart."

I rolled my eyes and then spoke up.  "Austin, what's the motive behind this plan. I get it if you think making my dad angry would help things...."

"It's not just about making him angry, Charlotte" Austin sighed in exasperation. "It's to prove how a relationship brought into a family can effect someone drastically. You're miserable, and now you're father is miserable because he's worrying whether or not if his little girl is having sex. How long have you been worried about whether or not if Chanel was going to break your father's heart?"

I have to admit that his plan was genius. He had somehow reversed the roles between my father and I. Austin deserved to be in college if this is what goes on in his crazy mind. "Now can we please go back inside and get this day over with?"

He didn't wait for Brant and I to answer, he dragged me back inside and continued with the plan. He was so cunning that it was astonishing. This boy came up with this plan in a matter of minutes, you can't tell me that he didn't have a creative mind. Once we were back inside, my father announced that he wanted to take everyone out to Peggy-Ann's tonight to reconnect and be together. 

Austin got a devious smirk on his face for a split second before changing it to a sweet smile that he looked to me with. Oh great, another plan.