I'm Still Here

Put A.....Paris??: Part One

Brantley's POV

"You want to stop pacing Boss," PJ snickered walking on my bus making me whirl around glaring at him. "It's time for soundcheck."

"I know," I muttered slipping my sunglasses on following him out to the golf cart parked by my bus. We rode in silence for a minute before PJ decided to voice his opinion on my nerves.

"You got a plan in place BG," he laughed as I growled rubbing my hand over my jean pocket feeling the shape of the ring box resting there. I'd been hiding it at the house praying Susanna didn't exactly discover it. "You know Cupcake will say yes so stop freaking out man."

"Yea well," I grumbled bouncing my leg nervously. "She may say no."

"Yea....okay," PJ said with a snort climbing off the golf cart trailing after me to the stage. I tried to calm my racing heart reminding myself that I had nothing to worry about. No doubt in my mind that she loved me. A smile twitched at my lips as I walked off stage after finishing soundcheck. Leaned against one of the equipment cases was Susanna grinning as Brittany showed her something on her phone. No doubt wedding photos since she and Jason were still in that newlywed bubble. Made the itch to pull the ring box out of my pocket even worse. I wanted that with her so badly. But there was timing to everything I knew. Like she sensed me coming, her head lifted up as I got closer.

A beautiful smile that I wanted to see everyday for the rest of my life. Brittany gave me a wink turning to go find Jason as I wrapped my arms around Susanna claiming her lips with mine. I'd only left yesterday but damn did I miss this no matter how long I was gone. Losing myself I deepened the kiss stepping forward to press her back against the case eliminating all space between us. Slim hands pushed against my chest with a laugh as Susanna blinked up at me fanning her face. I smirked at her sliding my fingers along the waistband of her jeans hooking them in her belt loops.

"Barely been twenty-four hours B," she said shaking her head. "Missed me that bad?"

"Desperately," I teased her kissing her again. Stepping back, I laced my fingers with hers pulling her down the corridor to find the door leading to the buses. She silently fell in step with me. Something was off with her, but I wasn't sure what. She pulled away from me as we walked on the bus puffing out a breath. A frown marred my face as she put her back to me wringing her hands together. "Susanna, what is wrong baby girl?" She spun around with wide eyes biting her bottom lip. "Don't try and tell me something isn't bothering you either."

"B," she murmured walking over to her bag on the couch opening it. "We need to talk."

"Nothing good ever comes from those words," I grumbled crossing my arms seeing her face pale at my words instantly making me feel like hell. I shook off the feeling of impending doom schooling the worry on my face. "Go ahead baby. What do you need to say?"

"Here," Susanna said handing me the letter she had pulled out of her bag. I took it from her trembling hand trying to keep it together for her. As I read my eyes grew wide. I pointed at the name on the letter head.

"Isn't this the French dude that has the cake pan line you swear by baby?" I asked her looking up seeing amber eyes roll at me before she nodded. "The one I remember shelling out a pretty penny on for your birthday last month. Need to tell him it's just a cake pan baby, not gold bricks." Susanna reached out smacking the back of my head as I cracked up laughing. "So Paris huh?"

"I think I'm going to pass on it," Susanna whispered so softly I almost didn't hear her. Like hell she was. I stepped forward pulling her into my arms settling down on the couch with her in my arms. Nervous fingers toyed with my necklace as I tipped her face up to look at me. "It's a year B. In France. I mean..."

"It's a dream of yours baby," I said forcing a reassuring smile on my face. "You can't pass that up. If I'm the reason you haven't jumped on this then baby, don't let me hold you back. Go for it."

"It means me being there," she argued gripping the end of my chin staring at me hard. "You being here. I've seen your schedule...."

"And I will shift some things if I have to," I reminded her. We would figure something out. "I'll be in Europe at the end of the year anyhow. By then you should know all the places to visit. Be my own personal tour guide." I wiggled my eyebrows at her making a giggle slip out. "Maybe developed a sexy French accent."

"You're ridiculous," Susanna laughed shaking her head. But the worry in her eyes eased so mission accomplished. "You are really okay with me doing this?"

"Baby," I said cupping her face kissing her slowly. "I love you. You are my forever. That means I also am not standing in the way of your dreams. We've got this."

"Love you too," she sighed burying her face in my neck hugging me tight. "I'm gonna miss you."

Later that night, I looked down at Susanna's sleeping face feeling the reality of our situation. Smoothing a hand over her soft skin, she snuggled closer making my heart twist. Well, that ring burning a hole in my pocket earlier would have to wait a while longer. No way I could ask her. At least not right now. Susanna would pass on the opportunity if I did. I meant what I said on supporting her. If the shoe was on the other foot she would do the same for me with no hesitation. Looked like I would be racking up the frequent flyer miles for the next year when my schedule would let me. But damn, she was worth it.

I shall be joining learod16 in the teepee......hope there is some wine left