I woke up to a light snoring next to me, I rolled over squinting.
And I see Marshall, shirtless.
Go figure.
For a man that is apparently insecure about his looks, he sure liked rubbing his bare chest in people's faces.
He was asleep on his side, facing me with his arms above his head, face peaceful.
We must have fallen asleep during the movie we started watching together that was on after our talk.
It seemed we shared the struggle to sleep at night, him being his original kryptonite, telling me it was one of the reasons he had started taking pills.
He was fascinating, he had lived through a lot, I had always found other peoples lived interesting, I think it was because I was raised with a silver spoon.
People forget that sometimes those who eat off silver spoons carry their own hidden problems.
His words still circling in my head and the memories of my mother and his fight last night came back to me.
I didn't surprise me that she was still in denial about my alcoholism, after all, that's how we did it in the south.
It simply just doesn't exist along with mental illness, god forbid.
So the fact that I was a raging alcoholic that had a public nervous breakdown which was broadcasted all over the world, it kinda sent my family into a scandal.
The only people that came to visit me outside my manager when I was locked in that psychiatric clinic was my Aunt Jo and my twin brother, Austin.
I was a mess back then.
I laid there hearing the breathing next to me. It had been almost a year since I had woken up next to a man, even longer since I remembered how they had got there.
I internally cringed at the thoughts of all the foggy memories, waking up in hotels with strange men.
I'm thankful that Audrey always managed to clean up those messes before they hit the tabloids.
Or my mother.
I got up quietly, grabbing some clothes from my walk in the heading into the bathroom, trying to avoid waking Marshall.
I showered and did my makeup, I had planned to meet my brother before my rehearsal today, I was still yet to pick an outfit, Audrey had the stylist send then over for me to pick out.
I walked out of the bathroom and Marshall was now laying on top of the covers on his back starfished in the middle of the bed, snoring even louder.
He was to come with me today so I guess I better wake him.
I walked over to the bed and shook him lightly, he groaned and grabbed me, pulling me over on top of him.
He opened his blue eyes, he looked me in the eye and blinked with a shocked facial expression.
"Oh that's my bad" He sleepily mumbled, almost sounding off "I was dreaming"
"Of what? Wrestlin' me? I looked down at his hand still in my wrists "Y'all gonna let me go or am I stayin' like this?"
He released me and I climbed off him as he laughed nervously, clearing his throat.
"Whats in the agenda today love of my life?" He said while sitting up then stretching and scratching his head.
"Well I'm meant to be meeting up with my brother today so I figured I'll introduce you, then after we can stop at the farmers market before I have rehearsal"
"I feel like a lady of luxury, I get to follow you round looking pretty" Marshall said sarcastically with his lips twitching in the corners as he sat on the end my bed "What color are you wearing? Maybe we should match"
I rolled my eyes at him.
He smirked "Seriously though, can we get something decent for dinner? Got any southern recipes you could show me?"
"I don't see why not" I said staring at the rack of clothes for the Ole opry.
He got to off the bed and came and stood next to me "Is this what I'm to wear while with you? Why darlin' you shouldn't have"
"Your southern twang is the worst" I sighed trying not to smile "I have to choose one for my performance"
"And you don't feel any?"
"I love them all, I'm struggling to choose"
He looked at the rack and pulled a few out, then putting them back bringing out one and handing it to me.
It was a gold and black two-piece fitted racerback style dress, I could pair then with my black platform pumps.
It wasn't what I'd normally wear but hey, a change is as good as a holiday right?
"That should get your ma's blood pressure up" he said with a cackle before leaving me and going into the bathroom.
------
"Well, as I live and breathe, Slim motherfucken' Shady in the flesh" Came a familiar deep voice, bellowing through the walkway of the rodeo stables.
Marshall looked at me confused as a cowboy about 6'4 came towards us.
"Austin" He said holding out his hand "Harleys twin brother"
"Harley Quinn, you didn't tell me that your brother could kick my ass" Marshall said looking at my brother and then to me "Twin?"
Austin laughed his deep husky laugh "He's funny, I was hopin' you were as down to earth as you seem"
"Man, it feels pretty down to earth down here..."
I hugged Austin, I hadn't seen him in almost a month. It was good to see another familiar face.
"I was sure as shit confused when I saw you two was datin'," My brother said with his deep drawl tapping his head "I mean I'm happy for y'all but it's like seeing cats and dogs date, I had thought I'd finally fallen off one too many bulls"
"Yeah she makes my ass look better" Marshall smirked.
"I'd bet that momma is pitching a fit with a tail on"
I rolled my eyes "Shes at mine, madder then a cat getting baptized, but Marshall's got this, seems he's also got a the gift of a venom tongue"
"Is this even English?" Marshall said mouth agape, dumbfounded expression, completely confused by the Southern lingo.
"Well I don't doubt one of the worlds finest MC's can take on Momma, I'm just happy y'all are happy, I ain't seen you this happy since well... I can't remember" Austin said with a half-smile, taking his hat off and scratching his head turning to Marshall "I like you, I like your music, but your break my little sister's heart, I'll throw you to the gators myself"
Marshall swallowed.
I could see why any man would feel intimidated by Austin, he was a big burly man, he rode in the rodeos for a living and frequently won championships.
"Little? Austin Ray Aldridge, I am 3 minutes younger then you" I said poking him in the chest "You can't threaten my boyfriend, you hear, apologize"
Austin chuckled "Sorry man"
"Man, I'm not hearing a word you are saying, you're fucking ginormous," Marshall said squinting up at my brother "But don't worry, I got her, I'll look after her"
Austin nodded "Keep that crazy bitch of a mother of ours away from her too, she makes Harley as nervous as a cat in a room of rocking chairs"
Marshall nodded, as if he actually understood this phrase and took it seriously "Hear you man, loud and clear"