Chase’s POV:
I was losing my fucking mind. Anytime that I talked to Hadley since the day she threw my words back at me, she acted as if nothing between us had changed. Even at Mama’s on Christmas Eve, she had acted as if neither of us had had our words rocked by the other, acting like the best friend that she had been for so long. Mama and the rest of my family had picked up on it but thankfully no one mentioned the tension that seemed to be between Hadley and I. 

In fact, Hadley’s nonchalant-ness of the situation had me leaving for Tennessee before I had planned -a move that had earned me a glare and a smack to the back of the head from my mama for being too stubborn for my own good. But, as much as I wanted to be home, I needed to put some space between Hadley and I. I knew Mama had been right about me leaving with things between Hadley and I in the air but her callousness about it had done nothing but pissed me off. I’d been forced to leave simply because if I had to look at her acting as if nothing happened one more time, I was either going to drag her to bed and tie her to it until she admitted that she felt something or I was going to end up saying things that could never be taken back. 

But even being back in Tennessee had not helped the unsettledness I had been feeling. If anything, it had made it worse. I wanted to shake the woman and make her see what was in front of her but I didn't want to look pussy-whipped either. A man had a reputation to protect after all. If only there was someone that I could talk to, that would understand just what I was feeling because they had been through it too. 

As I had the thought, one person popped into my head. Even though he would know what to do because he had been where I am -in love with his best friend and too scared to make the commitment- it was pretty safe to say that I was the last person that he would want to see. I mean, I had hooked up with his now wife before they had gotten married. I hadn't seen him or her in couple years but I was desperate. I needed to know what he had done to finally make his wife his. 

Since I knew there was a big party in Nashville tonight and that his wife wouldn't turn down a night out with that crazy bunch of women she called friends, I knew he would be in town too, most likely taking advantage of some studio time. With a heavy sigh, I pulled myself up from the chair I had been sitting in on the front porch and got dressed. Tonight, I was going to find out what a man had to do to convince a stubborn ass southern woman to admit her feelings and stop being a chicken shit. I just hoped I didn't end up sporting a black eye when he laid eyes on me.

Brantley’s POV:
Closing my eyes, I leaned back against the side door of the studio inhaling a long drag of my cigarette wishing it was one from my stash of Wacky Tobacky but my damn wife, the blonde headed blue eyed pain in my ass that I loved with all my heart had hid them from me before the bus rolled out. Lord knows I should turn her ass red for that one. She knew recording a new album was not a cakewalk. Add in the fact that it was Christmas and that we had two kids under the age of five, our home both looked and sounded like a damn warzone ninety-nine percent of the time. It didn't matter that my home studio was soundproofed. My boys seemed to be capable of breaking the sound barrier which had made recording at home a nonstarter. Which was I was taking advantage of my time in Nashville to do some work before partying the night away with some of the best friends life could give you. 

Taking another drag from my cigarette, I smile thinking about my boys. Mama had always said that when I had kids, I would pay for my actions and all the hell I had raised to which I had just laughed. But now, I wasn't laughing. Hell, some days, I wanted to cry. But there was nothing in this life that I would give to have my life be any different.

Speaking of mama, that woman had to have been a saint in a past life. Even though she had known that both boys had colds, she had insisted on keeping them so that Steph and I could come to Nashville to ring in the New Year with our crazy crew. I shuddered debating just how much bail money was going to cost me for my wife hanging out with her band of crazies. Usually, I’d bribe PJ into tagging along but there was no bribe that PJ would accept to babysit her and that rowdy bunch. To be honest, I think the girls scared the shit out of him. Then again, a few in that group even scared me so I really couldn't blame him for wanting to hang back and help mama with the boys.

I was just about to toss my now finished cigarette to the ground and go back inside when footsteps sounded making a low growl slip out at the man approaching me with slumped shoulders. Hearing my growl, his head popped up and had gray eyes shuttering whatever emotions he was feeling. To say that he and I avoided each other was an understatement. But did you Blame me? I mean he had slept with my wife before we were married and then his stupid drunk ass had hit on her after I’d put a ring on her finger. So yeah, Chase Rice and I were definitely not going to be becoming best friends anytime soon. 

“Hang on a minute, BG,” Chase said, holding his hands up I guess in protection as he neared me. I debated how fast I could pop him with a right hook but something about the misery in his eyes made me stop. I knew that look. Had been on my face for the better part of two decades dealing with Stephanie. “Don’t kick my ass this time. I figured you were in the studio after I heard that Caroline and Luke were having a huge New Year’s Eve bash tonight. Plus, I kind of need some advice.”

“You,” I snickered, letting out a menacing laugh. Who did this guy think he was? “Of all people want advice from me. You fucked my wife remember?”

“Jesus Christ BG!”  Chase snapped, making me gain slightly in respect because he was accurately defending himself because even I could admit I was being an asshole right now. Deciding he wasn’t in the mood to be fucked with, I tossed my ciggerette butt to the grown, crossed my arms over my chest, and inclined my head for him to continue. I watched as Chase ran a hand over his face nervously shuffling his feet. “How did you finally convince Stephanie you were it?” I raised an eyebrow in question wondering where he was going with this. “Everyone who knows y’all watched the pair of you skirt around each other for years. Hell, we both know the reason she wound up with me that night all those years ago is because she was pissed over the Jana bullshit.” I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut knowing he had a point. Lord knows my wife hated my ex-fiancée with a burning passion. So much so that Steph was the reason for Jana’s last round of plastic surgery. “I ask because I guess, well shit, I hate to admit this to you but I am kind of in the same boat. You remember Hadley don’t you?”

“I do,” I said, studying him for a minute, recalling the sassy little blonde that everyone had seen on his social media or around Nashville since he came on the scene. Hmm, guess he and I were more alike than I gave him credit for. 

“What the hell did you do to convince her that what you two shared was worth risking your friendship?” asked Chase. I couldn't help that smartass comment that came out of my mouth.

“I knocked her up.” I said as I watched Chase’s tan face pale under his beard at my words. “What man? We aren’t getting any younger.” Then I took pity on him. “I’m just fucking with you Chase. While yes, Stephanie getting pregnant with our oldest, Carson, is what gave both of us a wake up call we needed. That is not all of it. Not many people know this and if it gets out, I promise, I will kill you, but I passed out as soon as the doctor said she was pregnant. But it was more than just me knowing that I needed to do the right thing by her. Iiwas also God’s little “I’ll show y’all” moment. It had taken all but flat out demanding we get married for me to earn a hard right hook to the jaw. Stubborn woman simply dug her heels in.”

“I don't think that route is going to be best for Hads and I”  said Chase, his grey eyes meeting my green. I could see the hurt in them then and knew that I needed to say something to make him feel at least a little bit better about what he was going through. 

“Hey man, as you know, we eventually worked things out. You know, something we finally figured out afterwards was that probably for the last year before we openingly committed to one another, we had pretty much been dating each other. We just didn’t call it that or really even have a label on it. At the time, we were both content to rely on our ‘friends with benefits’ relationship instead of dating. Heaven knows I ran plenty of guys away from her over the years.”

“Yeah you did,” Chase said with a wry laugh. He was about to say something else when a voice cut him off.

“You going to hide out here all damn night or sing this freaking song rockstar so I can go get my drink on with the crazies,” my wife yelled from the doorway, stepping out with her blonde ponytail swaying with each step. She froze when she saw Chase standing there with his hands shoved in his pockets. Stephanie arched an eyebrow at me before stepping closer. I bit my lip because lord-have-mercy. Her in those tight jeans and a ripped black shirt with her leather jacket over it was a major turn on. I smiled to myself when I noticed that my wife had given Chase nothing but a quick head nod. Then again, he barely glanced at her either. Damn, that was my clue there he really was in love with his best friend and no longer carried a torch for my wife.  Steph stepped closer ducking under my arm laying her head on my chest looking back and forth between us. “Ummm, do I need to referee?”

“Nah sweetheart,” I chuckled, kissing the top of her head, before turning to Chase and giving him a smile. “My best advice, man, is don’t give up. If she is anything like this one, she is going to run, buck, and probably hide, but make her see that you are serious and all in for her. Take a chance. Because that is ultimately what held me back so long with Stephanie. I was afraid of taking a chance, losing her then losing the other half of me. I’d rather have had her as my best friend than not in my life at all. ” Tucking Stephanie into my side tightly, I placed another kiss on the crown of her head.

“Grab hold and don’t let go,” Stephanie said, glancing up at me with a soft smile, so much love in her eyes that it made my heart hurt sometimes. God knows I loved that woman with every fiber of my being. “I remember you mentioning Hadley. If she is for you Chase, then take that chance. It is scary as hell, but so worth it in the long run.”

“Thanks,” Chase said with a sheepish look and slight determination in his eyes. “I appreciate it both of you. Fucked up as it is, Brantley was the only person I could think of who had an idea of what I am going through. Well, I will let y’all get back to it. I need to figure out what my next step is. See y’all around.”

I watched him head towards his truck feeling Stephanie’s inquisitive stare looking up at me. I pulled her to me and headed back into the studio.

“Proud of you for not killing him,” Stephanie said with a snicker letting out a yelp when I smacked her ass. “Fuck B, that hurt.”

“Sweetheart,” I growled, leaning in grazing my teeth over her ear feeling her tremble against me. “Keep talking shit and we won’t make it to Luke and Caroline’s.”

“Nope,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “I need my girls after dealing with all the stubborn men in my life. Even worse, they are all Gilbert men. I need margaritas, tequila shots, and girl talk… and fast. After i’ve gotten that, you can caveman away until your heart's content.”

“More like until you can’t walk,” I laughed leaning down to brush my lips along hers seeing her eyes light up. Hey, we had two small kids and busy schedules had to make the time for each other. Guess things come full circle. I realized I was aggravated with Chase still years later because he was still single and I wanted him away from Steph, but the man I saw tonight was definitely in love and with a stubborn woman. God bless him for sure.

HUGE shout out to MissyDoe2017 for Brantley's POV on this! If you have not checked out her story 'Smokin Gun', what are you doing with your life? It's damd good yall! You wont be sorry for checking it out!