Wait For Me ~ Rhett Abbott
synopsis: What started as a favor from your brother's best friend turned into a whirlwind of love, feelings, and dancing around those two things until it all finally falls into place
tw: fem!reader, premed!reader to doctor!reader, older brother's best friend!Rhett, reader's family has names for the sake of easier writing, there's only a year between reader and Rhett, reader's shorter than Rhett, it alludes and specifically talks about the two hooking up, the two are so in love it kinda sickening, barely edited.
fic, ficlet, drabble, request
I went insane and wrote 8,194 words for Rhett in three days. Every second of my free time went towards this and I spent way too long listening to cowboy audios on YouTube while writing.
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Your brother, Derek, had one friend, Rhett Abbott, and it seemed Rhett's only friend was your brother. That meant that when Rhett wasn't working on his family's ranch, he was at your house with your brother. You were only a year under them in school, but that was enough for your brother to tell you to leave them alone. Which you did, until they wanted to play a board or card game that needed at least three people.
It was the way life was in your house, even after they graduated from high school. Both Rhett and Derek stayed in Wabang to help out on their respective family ranches. Which meant you were finally cool enough to hang out with them once you turned 18 during your Senior year of high school. Though you really didn't hang out with them often, you didn't care much to feel like you were forcing yourself into their friendship. Even if you had grown closer to both Derek and Rhett.
Though you found yourself locked into an odd conversation you'd rather have never started, especially the summer before you went to college. "Just forget I said anything," you rushed out, turning around to leave the barn.
"Now wait a minute," Rhett called out to you, hanging up the saddle your brother asked him to. "What did you just ask me?"
You huffed and pouted a little, turning back around with your arms crossed. You were in a white sundress with little blue flowers printed on it, your boots standing out from how dirty they were. "I asked if you'd help me lose my virginity," you mumbled.
Rhett reeled back in shock while your pout deepened at his action. "I wasn't quite sure I heard you right the first time, but I guess I did," Rhett mused. "Now, why me and not one the guys I know are dyin' for your attention, Honey?" There Rhett went again, shortening your family nickname, Honeybee, the opposite way everyone else does. Giving your heart hope even though you knew he was still in love with Maria.
"Because the one guy I thought was the best option told me he was going to get me pregnant to keep me trapped here with him instead of letting me go to college," you admitted, sitting down on the stack of hay bales by the barn doors.
"Well I'll be damned," Rhett was genuinely shocked, and maybe a little upset, over that. "Wanna tell me that fucker's name? I'll straighten him out for ya."
You knew if you did, Rhett would fight Tucker for you. But you really didn't need him getting into another fight, especially on your behalf. "No, but thanks for the offer. Can this conversation be over now?"
Rhett's chuckle kept you trapped in your spot as he walked over, his boots thudding against the floor. "Honey, this conversation isn't over until we talk about your crazy question."
"It isn't crazy," you defended. "Just who I decided to ask was the crazy part. Which we can forget ever happened."
"Why do you want to lose your virginity?"
You blinked, having Rhett Abbott being the one asking you that question wasn't something you thought would ever happen. "Because I don't want to go to college a virgin," you confessed.
"Ok," Rhett was watching your face as you two talked. He may not be so good with his emotions, but you wore yours on your face and he's learned to read them over the years. "Why me? And don't you go blamin' that kid again."
"Tucker isn't a kid," you mumbled before you could stop yourself from saying his name.
"Tucker Shelby? That kid deserves to be punched at least once for thinkin' he's worthy of you."
"I heard you're gentle," you quickly spit out before Rhett could focus on Tucker too much.
"Excuse me?" Rhett looked baffled at your words.
You laughed a little, Rhett smiling at the sound. "I work at the only coffee shop in town, I hear things," you giggled.
"And these things are about how people are in bed?" Rhett raised an eyebrow at you.
"Some times, other times it's about how mean people are behind closed doors. It depends on the day and person," you shrugged.
Rhett and you both sat there for a moment, the only sounds being the ones that always happened on your family's ranch. "Alright, but if I'm doin' this I'm doin' it right," Rhett told you, standing up again. "I'll take you to diner beforehand, and that's a none negotiable"
"You're actually going to help me?"
"I'd rather know it's someone who actually sees you as a person and cares for you well being instead of someone who wants to keep ya trapped," Rhett admitted, offering you his hand to help you up. "I'll come pick ya up on Friday night, I'll tell your brother that you conned me into the taking you to dinner and a movie because Sarah couldn't go with ya."
You threw your arms around Rhett's neck, pulling him down into a hug. "Thank you, Rhett!"
Rhett watched as you bounded off, probably headed to whatever chore you abandoned to come bother him. "It's my pleasure, darling," Rhett whispered, knowing you couldn't hear him. Not that it mattered to him, he'd make sure you knew it was his pleasure to do this for you. And maybe show you that you don't need those boys who think they could hold you in this town.
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It was Friday night and you were sitting on the porch watching the birds in the sky while waiting on Rhett. "You didn't have to ask Rhett, I would have come to the movie with you," Derek told you, sitting down on the other chair.
You looked over at your brother, knowing he'd have a cow and run to tell your dad if he knew he truth. "I know, but at least Rhett has the decency to wait until the end instead of complaining about how stupid he thinks the movie is while it's playing," you countered.
Derek rolled his eyes at you, gently pushing your shoulder away from him. "Yeah, yeah, whatever," he mumbled. "Ma thinks it's sweet that Rhett's taking you."
The tone of Derek's voice didn't go unnoticed by you. "Yeah, he only agreed because I told him I hated going alone and Sarah was busy. Dinner was just an added bonus because of the time of the movie," you lied.
"I know, he told me. I just wanted to make sure you knew that."
"Why wouldn't I? I'm not some schoolgirl," you gave him a flat look.
"I know, I know," Derek held his hands up. "I just don't want you to get hurt is all," he said as Rhett pulled into your driveway.
You and Derek watched him pull in next to your car before getting out. "Ready to go?" Rhett asked as he reached the porch.
"Yeah, Derek was just keeping me company before you got here," you told Rhett.
Derek stood and shared a nod in greet with Rhett. "Hey, if you got time when you get back, come say hi and I'll show you that thing I bought," Derek tod Rhett.
"Sure, but I might not. The movie's apparently quite long," Rhett offered as you stood there, shifting your balance back and forth between the ball of your toes to your heels.
"Ah, good luck then, she'll stay until the very end."
"We should get going," Rhett announced. "Come on, Honey."
"Bye, Derek! Tell ma and pa that I'll be home kinda late!" you called over your shoulder as you walked to Rhett's truck. Rhett made the detour to open your door for you before giving your brother one last nod and getting into the driver's seat.
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You and Rhett were trying your best to stay quiet, getting you into your house while your legs still shook. You were still riding the last little wave of endorphins even though you it had been almost two hours since you and Rhett had finished. He wasn't lying to you when he said he cared about you and your well being. He may have had no issues with leaving some of the other girls to themselves after a few minutes, but he made sure to hold you to him and praise you until you came all the way down and were left with nothing but the happiness you were feeling now.
Rhett was hoping no one was waiting up for you, he didn't know how he'd explain the reason your skirt was twisted the wrong way on your hips and the fact you were wearing his hat. Or at least not in a way that wouldn't get his ass beat by your father and brother before being banned from your household. "Darlin', you gotta be quiet," Rhett mumbled, hoping they'd think his footsteps were yours. Rhett had scooped you up when you reached the stairs, not trying to have you falling on the way up with your unsteady legs.
"I am being quiet," you whispered, rolling your head against his shoulder to bury your face in his neck.
You were tempted to nip at his neck, the skin soft against your lips. "Don't," he muttered, reaching your room finally.
"I wasn't gonna, I was just thinking about it," you pouted as Rhett sat you down on your bed. You watched as Rhett helped you out of your clothes for the second time that night, but this time he helped you into fresh panties and your pajamas. "Thank you, Rhett. For the whole night," you sighed, laying down on your bed and pulling your covers up and under your chin.
Rhett smiled at you, leaning down to brush a kiss against your forehead. "It was my pleasure, darlin'," he told you, standing up again and turning to leave.
"You've call me that all night, why?" you called after him.
Your eyes were on Rhett when he turned around again to face you. "Just thought I should," he told you.
"I like it," you smiled, rolling over to face your window before you let out a big sigh and closed your eyes. The last thing you heard was Rhett telling you good night and the soft click of your door.
For Rhett? He ran into your dad on his way out of the house, thankful that at least it was after you were already in bed. "Rhett? It's late, what's got you here?" your dad, John, asked, clearly just in the kitchen for water. Rhett had been spotted through the serving hatch by your dad who was standing there in his sweatpants and holding a water cup.
"Just making sure Honey made it to bed, she was pretty tired after the movie," Rhett lied, prepped and ready to text you all the lies he told your father once he got to his truck.
Your dad nodded, not having a reason to not believe Rhett. "You've always been sweet on her, I've ought to thank you for that."
Rhett felt like he was way out of his depth here. "You really don't have to."
"No, I do," your dad placed his cup into the sink. "I was worried about her and I knew Derek wouldn't watch out for her in high school the way he should. Then you showed up and out for her," John shook his head for a moment. "I can only hope the man she chooses later in life looks out for her even a fraction as the much as you do."
"Me too, sir," Rhett lied before telling the older man good night and leaving. Rhett didn't hope the man looked out for you like he did, he hoped he was shitty and you hated every moment so you'd come running to him when you needed something. It was the closest he could get to having you as his, he knew that and he was fine with that. Maria was the safer option anyway, it's not like she was his best friend's younger sister.
As Rhett got into his truck, he knew this night would be one of the last times he saw you before you left for college. He also knew, unlike those boys who said they'd keep you trapped here with their babies, that you'd return. You had plans, big ones too, but he had listened to you talk about them enough to know they always ended with you coming back to Wabang.
Back in your house, your mom, Theodora, walked out to see your dad still in the kitchen. "Dear, everything ok?" your mom asked.
John looked from the door to his wife, a small smile spread across his face. "Thea, I think that boy likes our little girl," he told her.
Your mom laughed and gently took his hand in hers. "If you're just now thinking that, then you've been blind. That boy has liked our little girl since they met out in the field," she told him.
Your dad leaned back against the counter, looking across the way at his wife. "You think they'll confess?"
"If they do, it'll be after she successes. He loves her too much to give her any reason not to go to med school."
"I don't think she'd say here in Wabang just for him," your dad had his brows furrowed.
Your mom shook her head, standing up straight and getting ready to head back to bed. "Then you don't know our little girl as much as you think you do, John. She loves him too, she'd still go to college but her plans would change dramatically."
Your dad watched her walk away for a moment before following her. The more he thought about it, the more he realized she was right. You'd still go to college, but he really does doubt you'd stay away too long if you knew Rhett loved you too.
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Your house was covered in a layer of snow and the ground crunched under your boots as you walked up to the door. You had lied when you said you wouldn't be able to get home for a few more days, but you really did think you'd have to take a few more finals. The house had only the tree up and it wasn't even decorated. "Wow, the house looks sad," you announced, walking farther into the house to see your family and Rhett all sitting around the diner table.
"You said you weren't going to be home for a few more days!" your mom shouted, jumping up to hug you as the others greeted you from their seats.
You laughed, hugging her back before walking around the table to hug your dad too. "Yeah, I had less finals than I thought," you explained.
Derek gave you a look and you were ready for his dumbass comment. "Two years at that school and you still don't know how many finals you have?" he asked and you flipped him off as you sat down.
"Is that a tattoo?" your dad asked, grabbing your raised hand to look at the little half moon and stars you had on your wrist.
"Oh, yeah, it is," you affirmed.
"Why'd you get it?"
"My roommate was getting one and she was scared to get one alone," you hoped he bought it.
"That's nice of you, I was worried you were just going to get one for no reason," he mumbled going back to his dinner.
Derek and you were making panicked eye contact, both of you knowing you did get it for no real reason. "I should go get my bag," you announced before anyone could question it further, standing up once again.
"I'll help," Rhett told you, standing up to come help you. The walk to the car was quiet as you two just existed next to each other for the first time since you left for college. "This isn't your car."
You shook your head. "It's still in San Diego, I flew to the airport and got a rental," you explained.
Rhett nodded, taking the bag you had in the back for you while you grabbed the small backpack you used as your carry on. "How's school goin'?"
"I'm surprised Derek hasn't talked your ear off about it," you mused. "He had a lot to say when we were on the phone."
"No, he has, just wanted to hear it from ya," Rhett told you, following you into the house and towards the stairs.
You huffed a laugh, climbing the stairs with the sound of Rhett behind you. "It's been good," you finally responded once you got to your room.
"Yeah? And those parties your brother was complainin' about?"
"I've been to about two a quarter. He acts like I spent every weekend at them," you lied, you went about twice a week. "I'm still a straight A student so I don't get why he cares," that you weren't lying about.
"He's worried you'll get in some type of trouble," Rhett watched as you dropped your bag on your bed before turning to face him.
"Yeah, like what?" you questioned, crossing your arms at him. It was very reminiscent of when you pouted at him in the barn two years ago.
Rhett struggled, watching the way you narrowed your eyes at him. "You don't exactly have the best track record with askin' the right people for favors."
"But he doesn't know about that, right?"
"You think I'd still be allowed over if he did?"
You laughed at that one. "You're not wrong," you mused. "Thanks for helping me bring this up, you didn't have to."
"I know I didn't, I wanted to," he assured you.
You didn't want to acknowledge how that made you feel, so you changed the subject. "You think Maria's coming back after she graduates?"
"Not sure, why?" Rhett leaned back against your desk.
You shrugged. "Just wondering," you told him as your brother appeared.
"I'm taking Rhett now," Derek straight up told you, gesturing with his head for Rhett to follow.
"See ya," you waved him away and watched them both leave before flopping back against your bed.
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You always knew about the favoritism in the Abbott family, you just didn't know how bad it had gotten until you realized Rhett had been staying in the old barn not far from your house. Your dad had gotten a construction crew to turn it into a proper house. Or at least a small one that was just enough for him to live in.
You and Rhett were sitting in his living room, your brother had gone to his girlfriend's house after dinner to join them for their presents since he got them all presents. "Do you ever regret choosin' me to be your first?" Rhett asked, he had been drinking the same bottle of beer for an hour while watching random Holiday movies that the TV was playing.
Rhett watched as you paused reading your book, blinked, and then looked up at hin. "No, why?"
"Just figured you'd regret it by now," he shrugged.
You laughed softly and shook your head. "The only part I regret is choosing an eater as my first, you set the bar way too high for other men to reach," you teased, both of you knowing you were telling the truth anyway.
"I don't think you could even call them men," Rhett chuckled, sipping his beer again.
"Why not?" you put your book down to fully look at him.
Rhett sat his bottle down after drinking the last bit of it. "Come on, what'd I tell ya?" That was the thing, you tried not to think about that night with Rhett. You weren't lying when you said he set a bar no one else has been able to reach, and you were scared of what would happen if you thought about that too much. "Don't tell me you forgot."
You swallowed thickly before clearing your throat. "I didn't," you had to look away from him.
For a moment, Rhett almost pressed you, but he saw the distant look in your eyes and, rightly, guessed you were mentally back to that night. "Good," was all Rhett said, but he saw the way your tightened your thigh muscles to push them together.
The silence stretched for a little before a knock was heard on the door and your mom popped her head into the barn. "Ah, she is in here. Bee, could you come help me with cleaning the kitchen?"
"Yeah, of course," you answered, standing up. You left your book in Rhett's living room, but he didn't mind. He quite liked the sight of your things in his space, a dangerous thing to feel and he knew that but he couldn't find it in himself to care.
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None of your family was at your graduation, you weren't surprised given how busy they got last year with keeping Rhett out of jail. You had decided to stay in San Diego for the summer and you were cursing yourself over the decision once you learned everything that was going on in Wabang. It still stung that no one showed up, you hoped that maybe they'd make it even with how unlikely it was.
You were walking out with your friends, all of you talking about your plans. Your plans were, admittedly, kinda sad compared to the others, but they didn't make you feel bad about it. That was until you paused once you left the church that your school's graduation took place in. "What's wrong?" Wanda, your friend and roommate for the past four years, asked when she noticed you stopped.
Rhett was standing a few feet away, leaning against the pillar of the portico. "That's Rhett," you mumbled, your eyes not leaving him.
"I thought you said no one was coming for you," Mark said from the other side of you.
"I didn't think anyone was," you admitted.
"We'll see you later, ok? Go," Wanda pushed you away, knowing you'd probably need the push.
Rhett looked up at the sound of heels getting closer to him and saw you walking straight towards him. "Congrats, Honey," Rhett greeted you as you reached him.
You threw your arms around him, pulling him down a little so you could hug him. "You came," you sighed, practically melting into Rhett.
"Your folks couldn't and neither could your brother, but I wasn't going to let you walk that stage without someone cheering for ya," he told you.
You were still hugging Rhett, not letting him go. "Thank you."
Rhett tightened his arms around you. "Of course."
"When do you head back?"
"In a few days, I thought I'd stay with you and help you bring home some things. Figured you weren't leavin' anything here if you're goin' to Colorado for med school," Rhett told you. You smiled and finally let him go, falling back flat on your feet. Rhett adjusted his hat that had been knock askew when you threw yourself into his arms, you had noticed he pulled out his cowboy hat instead of one of his ball caps. "Have you eaten?"
"No, not since this morning," you told him, noting that it was almost 5:30.
"Come on, I'll take ya," he gestured for you to follow and you did, looking over your shoulder to wave goodbye to your lingering friends. Wanda had driven you to graduation and you made sure to tell Rhett as much when he asked if you two would have to come back to get your car later.
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You were sitting on the couch with Rhett, the two of you watching a movie together. "You can stay here," you told him, having seen him looking for cheap hotels by you. "Wanda already moved out and it's not like I have anyone coming over but you."
Rhett thought about it, a bed would be more comfortable than the couch but he liked being closer to you. "Thanks, Honey," he nodded.
"Yeah, plus, it's not like I take up a whole king sized bed by myself. We'll fit," you added, like he had known you were offering the other side of your bed. Rhett didn't answer, he just looked back at the screen and tried to pay attention to the movie. You seemed so casual about it all to Rhett, you were on your phone.
The seemed causal was the important part, but you were really frantically texting your friends about sharing a bed with Rhett. Mark laughed at your predicament and Wanda was the one to offer comfort.
The movie was over by the time you were done freaking out to the group chat. You yawned and Rhett noticed. "Do you wanna head to bed? It's probably been a long day for you."
"And driving from Wabang to here isn't a long few days?" you asked, but you were already getting up with Rhett following suit.
"I ain't the one that graduated college," he pointed out.
"Could have, you're smart enough for it," you offered.
"Don't think they want someone who's had a few brain cells knocked outta his head ridin' bulls." You mumbled something that kinda sounded like I do, but Rhett didn't quite catch it. "What was that?"
"Nothing," you lied, walking into your room. Rhett had his bag with him and set it down on the empty vanity desk you had, the box holding all the stuff that would normally be on it already taped shut. You didn't even hesitate to strip and change in front of Rhett, very aware that it's something he's already seen.
"You've got a new tattoo," he pointed out.
You paused, you didn't really forget you had a tattoo of a bull right above the curve of your ass, but you forgot Rhett didn't know. "Yeah, I do," you nodded, looking over your shoulder to catch a glimpse of it before sliding your tank top on. "I guess I forgot to mention that one." Rhett had the passing thought that you and him basically had matching tattoos, but didn't mention it in fear that you'd kick him out over his comment.
"Guess you did," Rhett was sliding his shirt off, already stripped down to his boxers. There was not a single ounce of you surprised that he slept in only boxers.
The two of you got comfortable in bed before you moved to lay your head on Rhett's chest. He was closer to the door and you were facing it on your side. There was a stretch of silence between you two, both of you trying to fall asleep. Rhett had his hand on your hip, rubbing his thumb back and forth over the band of your panties since you were not wearing any shorts or pants. You had both arms curled up and next to your head and resting on his chest. "Thank you for everything you've ever done for me," you muttered.
Rhett's thumb paused for a moment before it continued it's movements. "It's always been my pleasure," he told you. You looked up at him and leaned up to press your lips to his, Rhett responding immediately. Rhett moved the two of you so he was hovering over you, the hand that wasn't holding his weight up running down your side.
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You were standing outside your childhood home again, packing things into your car once again. "That's the last box," your dad announced, giving you a hug.
"Is it weird I'm more scared to leave now than I was for undergrad?" you asked, laughter twinged with your tears.
Your dad looked back to see Rhett and Derek walking up. "No, it's not. Because as much as you two are denying it, you've got something to lose by leaving now," your dad told you, leaving you as the other two walked up.
"See ya, Bee," your brother gave you a shove before a side hug. "Rhett wants to talk to you for a moment, just holler when you're done and we'll come wave you away."
You and Rhett stared at each other for a moment before you hugged him. "You're still planin' to come back, right?" Rhett asked.
"Mhm, the plan is to come back and open a medical office prepped to deal with emergencies instead of sending people out," you assured him. "Why?"
Rhett shook his head for a moment. "Ask me again when you're home for good," he told you, taking his baseball cap off and setting it on your head.
You reached up and adjusted it a bit. "Are you giving this to me?"
"Figured you'd need a dose of home," he shrugged, though you both knew it was a show of his affection for you.
"Thank you," you threw Rhett off kilter a little with the force of you throwing yourself against him. Rhett caught himself before you both could go toppling to the ground and hugged you back. You pulled away and wiped the tears that were falling down your face before clearing your throat. "I'll come back," you promised. You were about to shout for your family when you paused. "Wait for me?" you asked, your eyes steady despite the fear of you possibly losing him.
Rhett nodded, not fully trusting his voice. But he wanted to say something anyway, so he cleared his throat. "I will," he promised.
You nodded before shouting for your family that you were about to leave. They came running and all of them watched as you got in your car and drove away, waving until you disappeared down the road for who knows how long.
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Life in Wabang move on without you, not that there wasn't evidence you were there. Rhett felt it the most, he hadn't even missed Maria this much when she was gone. But you were different, Rhett thought he could love Maria but he was lying to himself. He loved you and had since he met you in middle school.
Rhett focused on his work on your family's farm and getting better at riding bulls. He was proud of his ability finally, getting into bigger rides that have cash prizes for the first three places. He didn't realize how close he was to the teaching hospital you were at until he saw you at the store late one night. "Honey," Rhett called out and you spun around so fast.
You looked tired, that much as noticeable but you were also looking so happy. "Rhett, what are you doing here?" you were hugging him as soon as he was in your reach.
"I got into the competition this weekend," he admitted.
"What? Why didn't you tell me?" you pulled away and walked back to your cart. Rhett followed behind you and saw the groceries you were buying.
"I didn't want you to worry about seeing me in the ER," he admitted.
You looked at Rhett with a straight face. "I would freak out more to see you wheeled into my ER, plus I'm off for the weekend," you told him.
Rhett cleared his throat before speaking. "Do you wanna come to watch me then?"
"Of course I do," you told him a smile on your face when you looked over and up at him. Rhett threw his arm around your shoulders as you walked and you welcomed it as you leaned into him a bit more. To any onlookers, you two would look like a couple that was shopping together, but you knew the truth. No matter how much you hated that it wasn't like it seemed.
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You were wrapped in Rhett's jacket as you waited to see him, he had gotten second place which meant he was going on to the next ride. But he was thrown pretty hard and the on sight doctors were looking him over while you waited by where they were releasing the riders.
You supposed that since he wasn't already rushed out on a stretcher he was ok, but your heart was still racing. You were ignoring every other rider, you didn't care that they were trying to get your attention. Then you saw Rhett and let out a sigh of relief before you scrunched your brows at the hard set on his face. You opened your mouth to ask if he was ok but he pulled you to his chest in a hug, one you returned a little confused. "You good?" you asked, pulling away from Rhett to see him scanning the people around you. Rhett pulled his hat off and set it on your head, you pursed your lips at him to keep from smiling too wide. "Jealous?" You noticed the other things he was holding, likely what he got for getting second place.
Rhett looked down at you and flared his nose at you for a moment before taking your hand in his to walk away. "They're lookin' at ya like you're a piece of meat, darlin'," he muttered.
You laughed gently, at least he was ok. "Yeah, well, you made it pretty clear I'm going home with you. I don't think they'll bother us too much now," you assured him, adjusting the hat on your head. Rhett was silent for a moment before chuckling, getting to his truck and throwing the things in his hand onto the dashboard. You sat in his passenger seat and caught sight of your reflection in the side view mirror. "Are we going to keep playing this game where we refuse to acknowledge anything between us while hooking up every time we run into each other?" you asked him, leaving out how you both say you love the other but never actually mention it after the fact.
Rhett sighed, looking at you once he got caught at a red light. "It's all we can do right now," he offered.
"What about when I come back home?"
There was a stretch of silence, both of you saying nothing. "Ask me when you come home," he told you instead of a real answer.
You were quiet, not sure what to say to that. Until you saw your reflection again, and something sparked in your head that let you change the topic to one that wouldn't break your heart. "Does this mean you'll let me ride you? Or are you going to tell me that it's all about me and my pleasure so I shouldn't have to exert myself too much again?" you asked as you brushed your fingers over the brim of his hat.
Rhett laughed and gently shook his head at you. "It's always about your pleasure, darlin'. But sure, I'll let ya ride me this time," he promised. You smiled at him again and relaxed, knowing you had at least an hour before you reached your apartment again and that you'd need all the energy you could get.
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The building was empty and a little dusty, but your co-owner was rich enough it didn't matter. "Ok, so I've got a whole host of people coming in to make this place the perfect little ED for this small town," Cameron, an attending you became friends with in med school, told you. He had heard about your desire to bring a true hospital with an ER to Wabang instead of hoping that they make it the two hours to the closest hospital and thought it was noble enough to fund it and be your attending so you could finish your residency. "How bad is the motel?"
You looked at Cameron for a moment, the only time you stayed at the hotel was the time Rhett took your virginity. "Uh, no clue, never been," you lied to him.
"I don't know why I thought you would have stayed there," he muttered. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow, go surprise your family."
"Thanks, Cam!" you called over your shoulder as you rushed out to your car. If you got on the road now, you'd make it right on time for dinner which is what you wanted to do. The roads were familiar, even if you were in a new car. You knew the way home no matter how long it's been or where in town you are.
You hesitated outside of your house for a moment when you got there, you hadn't been back since you were 22 and an undergrad graduate. Now you were a 27 year old doctor who has the opportunity of a lifetime to start an ED in your hometown where you'll do the rest of your residency. You steeled your nerves and walked up to the door, only for it to swing open to show your brother leaving the house. "Holy shit, it's Bee!" he shouted behind him, giving you a quick hug before you were passed off to your mother.
"What are you doing here?" she asked and you saw Rhett standing with your dad.
"I'm home," you told everyone, but you were still looking at Rhett. "For good."
"What? How?" your dad asked, hugging you once your mother let you go.
"I made a friend in an attending and he agreed to help me open up an actual hospital here. So I'm home for good," you told them, finally making it to Rhett to hug him.
"Your brother was about to go out with his girlfriend and your dad and I are also going out. Will you be ok with just Rhett?" your mom asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure Rhett and I can figure something out," you told her, giving her one last hug before the three left. You turned towards Rhett once they left. "I'm home now, so what are we Rhett?"
Rhett stepped closer to you and took your hands in his. "My mom's leavin' Wabang, she's takin' Amy north to live closer to her family and my dad and brother are in jail. I don't have anything to offer except myself, a tarnished family name, and an old ranch," Rhett told you.
"You alone are enough, we've waited for a long time. Are you going to make us wait more?"
"I promise, there's no more waitin'," Rhett assured you, dipping his head down to kiss you. This time, the kiss was laced with a promise. Not the rushed feelings of not knowing if you'd ever get to again or the frantic exchange of hushed 'I love you' between two people. This kiss, it was every promise Rhett had quietly made and every wish you had quietly craved.
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The next morning you woke up to a warm body still in your bed. You had been surprised when your family accepted you and Rhett without hesitation. You had guessed they picked up something between you two, but it's not like you had actually expected it. The two of you were just glad that you weren't being actively torn apart from each other.
Rhett was already awake when you sat up a little to look at him, joy absolutely shining in your eyes. "I don't think 18 year old me would believe me if I told her she'd finally get to date you," you told Rhett.
Rhett chuckled and shook his head before remembering something. "You know I ran into your dad that night," Rhett told you. You nodded in response, he had sent you a message about the lies he told your dad. "We talked about how he was glad I was lookin' out for you and I lied to him. He told me that he hoped whoever you ended up with looked out for you just as much if not more than me. I told him I did too, knowin' I hoped they didn't. I hoped they didn't treat you the way I did so you'd come runnin' to me whenever he failed."
You laughed, shaking your head before leaning forward to place a small kiss against his shoulder. Rhett pulled you to lay on top of him, holding you there as you giggled. "Did it kill you when Derek told you about the dates I went on?" you teased, it was just enough for you to feel the tension in Rhett's shoulders appear.
"It did," he admitted. "Every time I hoped Derek would come back fumin' about how the guy made you upset because I knew you'd call me. And that was enough for me for a while."
"A while?" you asked as you relaxed against him, both of you basking in the easy morning and each other's presence. Though, you propped your head up on his chest so you could see his face.
"It stopped bein' enough after you came home for Christmas your second year of undergrad," Rhett held you a bit closer and the tension you caused slipped from his shoulders when you burrowed as much into him as you could. "I kept tellin' myself it had to be, that Maria was the safer choice because I didn't risk losin' the only family that actually cared for me."
You pulled a sad face, one that made Rhett want to press kisses all over your face just so you'd smile again. "You're not going to lose us, you never were," you told him.
"Your dad and brother would have kicked my ass if they had known half the shit we've done without their knowledge," he pointed out.
"Yeah, and then we just wouldn't have been able to be alone together. You wouldn't have lost them."
Rhett pressed a light kiss to your nose and your smile came back. "It wasn't them I was terrified of losin'," he whispered.
You pursed your lips for a moment and Rhett watched the battle in your eyes. "None of them lasted because I wanted you," you whispered. "I tried to date other men, but I just couldn't last more than a few months."
Rhett's chuckle rumbled through his chest and into yours. "Yeah? That the real reason why they could never reach the bar I set?"
You were going to retaliate by pushing off Rhett, but he was a step ahead of you and held you closer. "You're the one who could spend hours between my thighs and still claim it wasn't long enough," you muttered, scrunching your nose at him.
There was a response on the tip of Rhett's tongue when a knock on your door broke the serene morning. "Sorry to bother you," you dad was slowly poking his head through the door and relaxed once he realized the most he was going to see was his little girl laying on top of someone in her pajamas. "Rhett, think you could help out today? One of my ranch hands fell ill."
"Yeah, I'll help," he nodded and your dad thanked him before leaving. Rhett looked back at you and saw your little pout. "Aw, don't go poutin' on me now," Rhett told you, leaning in to kiss you softly.
"You're leaving me all alone in bed," you countered.
Rhett laughed, shaking his head softly. "You could always come out and help," he offered.
"We both know nothing would get done if I did," you told him, rolling off his chest to lay back down on your side of the bed. "Plus, I gotta go see Cameron later today." Rhett bent to grab his jeans, throwing his shirt on the bed as he did so.
You watched Rhett shove on an old pair of jeans, ones that he had since high school. You were surprised they still fit as well as they did, even if he had to jump a little to get them over the swell of his ass. Rhett turned back around to see your eyes still looking down and chuckled, walking back to the bed for a moment. "Come say bye to me before ya leave," he muttered against your lips.
"Yeah? You care that much?" you teased, watching him grab his shirt and pull it on.
"That and maybe I wanna show ya off to the ranch hands, just so there's no confusion," he winked at you and you rolled your eyes but smiled anyway as he left the room. "And wear the hat I gave ya, darlin'!" Rhett called back to you from down the hall, the sound of your laughter reaching him all the way at the stairs.
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You had been to the Abbott ranch twice your whole life, once when they hosted your family after a storm broke down your front door. And now, as you and Rhett walked into the house together after he got the full ownership over it. The hospital was a few days away from opening and you were teeming with excitement over both Rhett getting the ranch and you getting the hospital.
The two of you were moving into the ranch house, knowing you'd have to refurnish it since Rhett's mom took everything with her. Almost everything, Rhett's room was exactly how he left it. You two knew your bed was bigger than Rhett's, but you guessed maybe he had a full instead of a queen. But you were staring at a twin sized bed and knew that Rhett purposefully didn't tell you. "This was a scheme," you playfully accused while you pointed at the bed. "You did this so I'd have to sleep on your chest," you narrowed your eyes at him while he sheepishly smiled at you.
"Come on, darlin'. I would never," he lied but you just reluctantly smiled and shook your head softly. You pulled a face but didn't fight him anymore, just sitting down on his bed. You were just watching Rhett until he sat down with you, wondering why he was digging in his bag but thought nothing of it when he stood up with empty hands.
You watched Rhett's face closely, having gotten used to reading his face. "What's wrong?" you asked softly, leaning closer to him.
Rhett looked at you, wrapping his arms around you. You followed his gentle guidance easily until you were sat straddling his lap with his forehead against your shoulder. "When you say it's us, do you mean forever?" Rhett's voice was quiet in the way that showed he was forcing himself to speak over the fear of showing emotion.
There was something heartbreaking about Rhett needing to hide while talking about his emotions, that coupled with needing the physical reassurance you were there just made your stomach twist over what he must have been through. "I mean us for as long as you want me," you told him.
You felt the way Rhett's shoulders relaxed and how he held you a little closer. "I'm scared you'll leave me for a different life."
You felt bad for laughing, but you couldn't stop it over his dumb thought. "Then you clearly need to stop listening to your head and listen to me. Because I'm not going anywhere, not as long as you want me here." Rhett did something that surprised you, he stood while still holding you to him. "How did you do that?" you giggled, wrapping your legs around his hips tighter in fear of falling.
Rhett would never let you fall though, but he didn't complain when you held onto him tighter. "You've watched me do my chores, darlin'. Are you really tellin' me you think you weight more than those calves I pick up?"
"I don't know, they only weight like a 100 pounds," you told him, squeezing him tighter when you realized he was about to go down the stairs with you in his arms.
"I can pick up 'em until they reach 250, you're nothin', trust me," he promised.
"Where are we going?" you finally asked, looking around to see he was taking you out back.
"Hold on, you'll find out," he chuckled before setting you down. You took his hand as he offered it and walked with him until you reached the field. This was the place you first met Rhett, you had been chasing a chicken for his mother the first day you were here. You finally caught up to it all the way out here and picked it up, only to see Rhett standing two feet away hiding from his chores.
"What are we doing out here?" you questioned as you looked around, the sun setting over the horizon. By the time you looked back at Rhett, he was already knelt down in front of you. "Rhett?"
"I know it ain't much," he was holding a box with an engagement ring in it, but you weren't looking at the size of the ring. You were looking at the man in front of you, already knowing your answer. "But would you marry me?"
You nodded at him before speaking. "Yes," you were going to kneel down to be level with him, but he caught you before you could. You heard him mumble something about you not needing to get your jeans dirty, but you cut him off by pressing your lips to his.
You may have waited for years, but you'd wait all over again if it meant you got to say Rhett Abbot wanted to spend his life with you.
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