Gone Country

Chapter 23 (His Letter)

I already knew Charlotte wouldn't cheat on me if we did get together, I never thought about the reason why. She was beautiful to me no matter what shape or size. Even if she wasn't as slim as she is now, I'm a hundred percent sure I would be sitting here feeling this same thing.

I remembered how I felt at the hospital when she and I laid in that bed together. I feel so stupid now that I could clearly see why I had craved to kiss her in that moment. There was a possibility that I had fallen in love with Charlotte, and it was possible that I was holding back for selfish reasons that I've been accused of by Clay. I didn't want her to become so hopeless that she left me, then I would be hopeless.

"Do you love her?" he asked. I looked over to her father, feeling my muscles tightening at the direct question. "A yes or no answer only, son."

I buried my face into her hair again, inhaling that scent I felt I couldn't live without. The thought of her leaving me made my chest squeeze in agony. Just thinking about losing her knocked the breath out of me, I couldn't even begin to imagine the excruciating pain I would go through if it really happened.

My mind flickered back to memories and every beautiful smile she ever let me see. I made her happy, she did the same for me. I've cherished the moments we have kissed, even yearned to do it over and over to show her what it felt like to be with a real man who cared for her.

She had no clue as to how many times I've wanted to throw her down on my bed, to make sure I let her know that I thought she was the most beautiful girl in the world. All I see is beauty when I look into her baby blue eyes. She had that heart of gold that made you want her so badly that you felt like you would go insane.

Her blonde hair, those soft pink lips that could command me to do anything and get their wish from me without any hesitation. Could I really survive without gripping onto her golden locks and kissing her as if the world was about to end? What if the world did end and she never got to see how much of an effect she does have on me? What then?

It was selfish of me to keep all of this bottled up inside so I could play it safe. All I wanted was my Charlotte, she's all I've ever wanted. When she moved all those years ago, I wanted nothing more than for her to be with me. Now she's back and I still want nothing more than for her to be with me. Was I really accepting this after I've put it off for so long, after I kept it so well hidden from everyone?

"I do, Phillip," I exhaled. "I love your daughter."

He gave me a proud smile for reaching a conclusion. "I know you do, Brant. You can't show that much care for a woman and not be in love with her."

He was right, I cared for her more than anyone. I'd do anything for this girl snuggled into my side. I wanted to be with her too. No more fear of it, no more hiding it. I had to let her know soon before I exploded, but right now she needed her rest. I need to plan something big for this, she deserved to be told in a big way, she was Charlotte Jackson after all. I can't believe I'm doing this!

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"Charlotte is this you're new beau?"

"Sir, how long have you two been dating?"

"Miss Jackson, are you cheating on Hunter Hayes?"

I was being blinded by over a million flashes of cameras from a mob who seemed to have unrealistic thoughts about Charlotte cheating on Avery's celebrity crush. Why were they asking all of these weird questions? Why was I standing by while they circled around us in a intimidating manor?

She held my hand, lowering her head as she charged past like a angry bull. I had no choice but to follow with how tight she was holding my hand. They let us go and began firing questions at her father, like why did he send her away, where did she go, and had she finally given up her promiscuous ways?