#now i'm rhett going ''don't do this'' but instead of with his truck it's with the show

[cerealbishh]

"You're pretty new at this whole relationship thing, huh?"

"... Yeah."

[creatchie8]

Yellow Soul: Chapter Five

Marmalade

Chapter Summary: With Wabang in your rearview mirror you can finally breathe again.

Pairing: Rhett Abbott/Fem!Reader

Warnings: Minors DNI, ANGST!!, Cheating

Word Count: 3,000ish

A/N: Wow it's like embarrassing updating after not doing so for a while. This chapter is short because I just had to finish that little timeline so I can start on what I am most excited for. This is like the fastest I have ever wrote a chapter. Happy March!

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A sharp bang! echoes through the barn and a string of curses follow it. The ringing noise causes you to jump, the wood bench creaking under your sudden shift of weight. Looking up from your phone you see Rhett clutching his hand tightly, his freckled nose wrinkled up as he looks at his injured fist. 

“What happened?” You ask as you get up, boots shuffling through the dirt to get to him. Rhett was reluctant to give his hand to you as you reached for it, shooting him an annoyed look before he let you. 

“Was tryna loosen that bolt right there on the alternator, someone didn’t want that thing comin’ off-'' He gestured to the jumble of parts that sits under your hood, “The bolt finally broke loose and I hit m’hand on the block.” He winced as you looked his hand over, satisfied to find nothing of severe damage. 

“Sorry.” You offer him a sympathetic smile before letting him retract his hand from your grip, “It'll just bruise probably. You can be done, I’m stuck here for another few days so we really don’t have to fix it now.” You explain, grateful for his help but not wanting to take him for granted or overwork him when you knew he had other things planned today. 

“No it's okay. I'm almost done, promise.” He smiles and brushes his hand over the top of your head, careful not to mess up the two french braids you plaited this morning and pecked you on the forehead. Smiling, you chase his lips and steal a kiss before sitting back down on the bench to the side of him. 

Happily, you snuggled tighter into your jacket, warmed by the heat lamp Rhett had set up by you. Even though you had protested because of how ridiculous and frivolous it had seemed, you were secretly thankful he had turned it on. You felt like a little chicken, huddled close and waiting for Rhett to finish. 

Originally, the plan was to have your dad work on your truck. He was the one that came with you when you were a teenager to buy the vehicle, he had helped you fix it before. But this morning when you got in and tried to start it, nothing. Just that awful high pitched whirring sound it made as it tried its best to start. Perry had already gone to work, or else you would have him help you. But, you were thankful that Rhett was helping you instead. He knew the most about vehicles, especially compared to Perry. 

Rhett helped you push your truck into the barn, insisting that having it under the protective cover of wood would help him work better. Conveniently ensuring the two of you were alone while he worked. You wanted to stay with him anyways, you would have felt guilty if he was stuck in the barn by himself. 

The two of you had been texting more. Nothing spectacular or intense, but probably now the same amount normal people text. Asking each other where you were when you left the house, asking how the other one was. The occasional, ‘You up?’ late at night when everyone else was asleep. 

You were leaving to go back to college in a few days, and that's when you would break up with Perry. Over the phone, where you had the power to hang up if he started yelling at you. The guilt was there. It was not like you were this heartless monster of a woman who loved cheating on her boyfriend. The hate you felt inside was immeasurable, something you don't think you will ever be able to shake. 

So many things happened at once, it was like the universe finally telling you what to do after so many years of waiting for a sign. You had not told Rhett of your plan, not explicitly that is. When you did talk about leaving to go back, he got the hint. But were you guys going to get together after you and Perry broke up? That was a whole other complicated… thing. 

The two of you talk about so many things. Family, horses, rodeo, school. But never what was planned to happen after.

Surprisingly, you had a lot in common. Rhett was funny and sweet, affectionate when he could be, and even when there was nothing to talk about the silence was never awkward. He made you laugh with your whole chest, and sometimes it wasn't even on purpose. He had this habit of making little remarks about his surroundings, muttering to himself like you couldn't hear him. 

And you liked him, a lot. 

You were sure no one noticed. You were far too paranoid to leave any hint that something could be going on between the two of you. It was not easy to pretend, but you had been doing it for what seemed like an eternity, so knowing that there was a light at the end of the tunnel made the rest of the week bearable. 

“I can hear you thinking, what is it?” Rhett’s voice snaps you from your thoughts, drawing your eyes from the ground to meet his. He was wiping his dirty hands with a rag, cocking his head to the side as he looked at you. 

“Nothing. Just…” You inhaled and sighed, slowly standing up and stretching your arms above your head, “Just nervous. Lots of stress going back to school.” You muttered, slowly making your way over to Rhett. He had his arms outstretched when you got close enough, pulling you into a tight hug while he kissed the top of your head. 

“It’s gonna be okay.” You pull back and look up at him doubtfully, your lips pulling down in a slight frown, “I don't know how I know, I just do. So trust me.” Rhett insisted, his eyes flicking down to your lips before meeting your eyes again. 

“What? Are you like some fortune teller, hmm?” You tease, planting your hands on his chest, playing with the frayed fibers there.

“Somethin’ like that.” Rhett chuckled, one hand trailing up your back to tug on one of your braids jokingly. With your head tipped back, he took a chance to steal a kiss from you, smiling as you let out a small noise of protest against his lips. 

Letting go of your braid, his hand trailed back down to your waist, slipping his fingers into your back pocket. You deepened the kiss, chasing his warm mouth against the cold air of the barn. His jacket was gripped tightly in your fists, afraid to let him go. A snort escaped his nose, drawing back so just your foreheads were brushing.

“I aint goin’ anywhere.” Rhett whispers against your lips, his eyes half-lidded. 

It was a promise you knew he couldn't keep. Maybe he thought he could keep it, that everything would work itself out. You kept kissing him, spreading your fingers wide over the large expanse of his broad chest as you ignored his words.   

He turned your bodies, now pressing your back into the front of your truck. You felt warmth in your chest, drunk on his scent that surrounded you, the kisses getting messy. You could taste his breath, minty from his gum he spit out earlier. Forcefully, he nudged a leg in between yours, pinning you right where you were. He slipped his tongue inside your mouth as you gasped from where his thigh was.    

Cold hands framed your face, palms on your cheeks and you could smell the metallic-dirty scent of your truck. His thumbs brushed your cheekbones, your heart beating out of your chest. 

Suddenly, you were pushed away. Stumbling away from the truck and from Rhett. You blinked rapidly, dizzy as you tried to figure out what was going on. Your vision cleared up, and your blood ran ice cold. A loud clanging could be heard through your daze. 

Royal was standing in the doorway of the barn, the scenery behind him like a blank wasteland. It was a sharp contrast to his looming, dark figure. He stared at the two of you for what seemed like ages, in slow motion his eyes went between the two of you, expression vacant of any emotion. 

You hadn't even heard the door open, and it seemed like Rhett barely did before shoving you away. Tears welled up in your eyes, stinging while you felt your bottom lip quiver. It was like every emotion crashed into you at once, not letting you process what was going on. 

“A cow died in the west pasture. I’m thinkin’ last night.” Royal started, pulling off a glove to scratch at his brow. Rhett clenched his fists, his back completely turned to you, unable to see his expression. 

Pain blossomed on your ear, your senses coming back to you. Slowly, you lifted your hand to touch where it hurt, finding one of your earrings gone. When pushing you back his hand must've caught on it and pulled it out. You looked at your hand and found no blood, determining that it had just fallen out. Standing still, you looked at the ground, trying to find the glint of metal. 

“Her tongue and legs were all swollen. I’m thinkin’ it could be Blackleg… and in that case we need to move the rest of ‘em.” Royal says as you look for your earring, clenching your jaw at the description he just gave. You were paralyzed in fear. 

“Yeah, lemme just finish up here.” The sound of your hood closing startled you out of trying to be busy, looking at Rhett who paid you no mind. Your brow furrowed, looking back to Royal.

He tipped his head back towards the house, “Let’s get you inside.” Royal states and you nod, turning back to unplug the heat lamp. 

Following Royal out and towards the house, you keep your eyes down. You wait for him to turn around and scold you but he doesn't, just quietly walking to the house. It was like you were in a daze. Just blindly stumbling over the frozen dirt and almost tripping on the wooden stairs up to the house. 

Inside was like a tropical heatwave, prompting you to pull off your jacket. Royal leaves you at the foyer, and you can hear him explaining what he just found to Cecilia. You wait for him to tell her what he saw you doing in the barn, but it never comes. Just about that poor cow, how he suspects a few of them may have it too. Cecilia suggests going to the tractor supply, and that's when you stop listening. 

Wandering into the living room, you let your body go limp on one of the chairs. Tears returned in your eyes. It was too hot here, your sweater was choking you with its high neck. You felt like you were dying, quietly gasping for breath as you lay completely still on the chair. 

Rhett walks in from outside, knocking off his boots at the door. You could see him from where you were sitting, not making a move when he glanced over at you. Your stomach flipped before he walked away towards the voices of his parents and out of your sight. 

Closing your eyes, you swear you black out for a second. The next thing you know Cecilia is gently shaking your shoulder and your eyes fly open, inhaling sharply through your nose.

“I’m sorry you heard that honey. Royal said you looked pretty pale after he took you in, are you okay?” She asks and it's like your response is just words swirling around in your head like soup. She raises her eyebrows, awaiting your response. 

Clearing your throat, you sit up from your slouched position, “Yeah, um.” You rub your eyes, “Just sad, ya know.” You say weakly and Cecilia offers you a sympathetic smile, nodding. 

“He's worried it’s Blackleg. We have had it a few times, so I’m trustin’ his instinct.” She explains, “Could you come with me into town? I called the Tractor Supply while you were sleepin’ and it looks like they have some penicillin available still.” Running your tongue over your teeth you nod. Sleeping? You couldn't have been sleeping. You heard Rhett and Royal leave, you just shut your eyes for a second. 

“Yeah, I just need to go upstairs then I'll be right down.” You start to get up, steadying yourself on the back of the chair. Cecilia followed you close behind but split off when you got to the stairs, continuing to the kitchen. Walking up took all of your strength, still confused and absolutely oblivious to what was going on. It was like you were in some fucked up dream. 

The pain on your ear subsided, now just hot to the touch from the incident. You felt silly with just one earring in, deciding while looking in the floor-length mirror beside Perry’s bed to just take the other out. Hands shaking, you pulled on the back and front simultaneously, grimacing as it wouldn't budge. Dropping your hands, you shook them out before trying again, turning your face away from the mirror to try another angle. 

It finally gave way, the soft scraping of metal and it flew out. The front slipped from between your thumb and pointer, falling to the ground and out of your sight. 

Cursing, you set the metal back on Perry’s dresser, crouching down to look for the stupid earring. On your hands and knees, you searched for the stud. You found nothing but dust bunnies behind his mirror and under the dresser. Turning on your phone light, you looked under the bed. You sighed in relief as you saw the tiniest metal glint on the floor near the middle of the bed. 

Dropping your phone, you laid on your stomach and shimmied a little under the bed, outstretching your arm as far as it could go. The floor creaked under your weight. While you shifted closer, the top of your head bonked something sturdy shoved at the very head of the bed. 

Looking up, you sneezed suddenly, the dust getting to you. Swiftly, you grabbed the stud and slid out from under the bed, grabbing what you hit your head on as well. It was a blue sports bag, something you hadn't seen before. Sitting up, you brushed the dust off and set your earring on the edge of the bed. 

Curiosity took over and you unzipped the duffle bag. There were a few miscellaneous books, random pieces of clothing, and a pair of sneakers. All very common, normal things to be in a bag. You felt silly for even going through it. Cecilia was probably already dressed and waiting for you. 

As you were putting the things back into place you noticed one shoe was heavier than the other. Reaching inside, you felt an object shoved to the very top of the sneaker. You grabbed the sole of the shoe and hit the heel on the ground a few times before the object tumbled out and hit the floor. 

Your hands trembled as you reached for it. All you could hear was blood rushing in your ears as you turned the little black box over in your hands. You knew what it was. It was easy to tell even without opening it. 

Without thinking, you exposed what was inside. 

Against the black fabric lining the inside of the box shone a ring. Its metal glinting just how your earring did when you were looking for it under the bed. You sat there, head empty, staring at it while it glimmered up at you. 

Cecelia called your name, spooking you so you dropped the box. Quickly, you grabbed it from the floor and snapped it shut. Shoving everything back into the bag, you pushed it under the bed. Like a whirlwind, you were out of the room and bounding down the stairs to her. 

-

The living room was dark and quiet, save for the sound of your breath. You had just sent Rhett a text, telling him you were in the living room. Your thumb still hovered over the send arrow, waiting for him to reply back. 

The day went by in a second. While driving to town you replayed everything in your head over and over again. Did Royal see you? He must've, especially Rhett shoving you away from him. Everything changed in a second, just a singular second of stupidity. And you are afraid of what could happen. So afraid of who could know. 

Your family would be disappointed in you, and you couldn't handle that. Gossip spreads like wildfire in a small town, and you were sure to get burned at the stake for your crime of sleeping with your boyfriend’s brother. God, your boyfriend’s brother. What a horrible mistake you've made. 

Before you see the three bubbles pop up you hear the floor creak above your head, signaling that he is coming down. You lock your phone and sit it on the couch cushion beside you. It doesn't take long for you to hear him walking down the steps to where you are. 

Looking up from your hands, you see him rounding the corner to you. Offering him a small smile, you extend a hand in his direction. Rhett grasps it and kneels beside you on the floor, a hand coming up to rest on your naked calf. He stroked the skin there, cocking his head in question as you sat in silence. 

“I found a ring.” You murmured almost silently. 

Rhett rested his chin on your knee, looking up at you through his thick eyelashes, “What do ya mean?”

“I mean-” Your voice cracked, “I found a bag under Perry’s bed and inside was an engagement ring.” His eyes widened and his hand on your shin stilled. “I’m afraid he’ll know I messed with it. After I found it I just threw everything back and didn't fix it.” You all but whined, your voice getting squeaky. 

“Well I don't think he will be anything right now. He would have told me.” Rhett tried to reassure you, his hand wrapping around your ankle. He was chewing on the inside of his cheek now, worrying the skin. 

“I have to go. I can't stay.” You start to run your fingers through his hair, but he jerks back, the hand on your ankle tightening. 

“Go? Go where?” He whispers, bewildered, “It’s the middle of the night.” 

“What did your dad say after he found us in the barn?” You ask, ignoring his question.

“It’s the middle of the night.” Rhett repeats, his tone serious. 

You sigh, exasperated, “I don't want to be here anymore. I don't care that it's the middle of the night, I am scared and I just can’t stay.” Your brow furrowed as you explained, swallowing the lump in your throat. “What did your dad say?’ You repeated.

“Nothing. He said nothing to me.” 

“Oh.”

“Yeah.” 

You exchanged stares, the back of his head illuminated like a halo. 

“Please wait till mornin’ for me. I know you're scared-” But you are already shaking your head ‘no’ before he can finish. Rhett stops himself and gives you a look, his jaw tensing. 

You let go of his hand and rub it down the top of your thigh, “I already have everything packed. I just need to change and get my things.” Rhett opens his mouth to protest but you are already standing up, stepping back from him. His hand falls from your ankle and he is left kneeling on the ground looking up at you. 

Rhett nods and gets up, ignoring the hand you offer to help him up. 

After grabbing your things, you take one last look at Perry before shutting his door for the last time. You felt nothing for him. Maybe because you felt so numb already. But you thought you would tear up a bit, but it was easy to be silent, grab your things, and leave. 

Rhett was waiting for you at the door, taking your bag out to your truck while you changed. It was like you were running on autopilot. No emotions, just wanting to get out. 

Your soul ached as you stepped out of the house and found that Rhett had started your truck for you, letting it warm up before you drove off. It was quiet outside. For once no wind was assaulting your face, no white flakes embedding themselves into your hair. The snow crunched under your boots as you walked over to Rhett. 

It was reminiscent of meeting in the church parking lot. 

He was waiting outside your driver’s door, arms crossed over his extensive chest covered by his Carhart hoodie. The second you got within arm’s reach, Rhett pulled you into a hug, burying his nose into your hair. Your cheek was pressed against the logo, closing your eyes sharply as you hugged him as tight as you could. 

“Be safe for me, hm?” He muttered into your head, the vibrations from his chest tickling your ear. You nodded, planting a kiss to the center. 

Pulling back, you kiss his cold lips. It lacked the fiery passion every other time had. But what it lacked in that was replaced with… sadness? It was weak, soft, and lacked depth. 

Like you were kissing someone lifeless. 

Rhett stepped back and opened the truck door for you, gesturing inside. You stepped forward and the heat hit you in the face. Your bag was already in the passenger seat and you looked back at Rhett. He tipped his head towards the open door as he held it  for you. 

You slid inside and Rhett shut the door for you, walking backwards a few steps as you buckled and put your car into drive. 

Then you drove away. Leaving Rhett behind to stand alone in the cold. 

You watched him in the rearview mirror, arms crossed like they always are. 

It took everything in you to not turn around and beg him to come with. 

See me on AO3 as Creatchie8 too for a full list of tags & more!

[rhettjmc]

More Trucker! Rhett & Truck!Stop!Link

Surprisingly, Rhett doesn't hit Link up for some kind of hook up.

Link truly expected it and - if he's completely honest with himself - he considered it. He's not really the casual sex type of guy, but there was something about the long haul trucker...

And, okay, Link's seen a lot of long haul truckers, but this one? So smooth and sweet and good looking? The wild hair, the jade eyes, the beard - the smile? The way he scrunched his nose when he laughed and yeah, Link probably did more than consider it.

But, amazingly, Rhett proved to be a true gentleman. When Link sat down at his table he really did offer him some of his mashed potatoes and he started asking questions.

He seemed genuinely interested in Link, in getting to know him and soon enough Link forgot all about the open flirtations and the implications of a potential random sexual encounter, instead losing himself to the possibility of friendship.

They had so much in common - both growing up in North Carolina, both liking Merle Haggard and both just... clicking. Clicking on such a level that when Link finally got a good look at the time he was amazed by how much of it had passed.

"I really should get back to it," Rhett admitted with some regret, "Gotta finish getting my load up to Arlington before switching my rig over to a shipment headed to Memphis."

"Oh." And Link's tone couldn't be more colored in disappointment if he tried. It must have been even more tragic than he thought, because Rhett chuckled, "C'mon, darling. It ain't that bad. Promise you, I ain't the most stimulating man you'll ever meet."

Link was pretty sure the pout he offered in response was what motivated Rhett's next words, "How about this - we exchange numbers and I send you a text now and then? It's always nice to have some to talk to when I'm on the road."

Rhett's next chuckle was no doubt clearly directed at the immediate smile that took Link's face at the offer.

And that was that.

From there the two started talking via text and it was far more than Link anticipated. A good fuck was nice now and then, but this? The friendship they formed? It was something else.

Days passed into weeks and weeks into months. Link and Rhett texted back and forth - Rhett from such exotic locations as Alaska and the Grand Tetons and Link from...well, from the truck stop.

But it was nice to have someone to communicate with - someone to make the long tedious days seem less so.

And when Rhett's route finally took him back Link's way, Link was more than ready. Their relationship as friends was solid, but there had been enough innuendos and double talk between them to hint at something more.

That something more came in the back of Rhett's truck on a hot, humid August night. Rhett had Link's bare body wrapped around his own, his back smacking noisily against the cool metal walls of the big semi as he held him up, as he thrust up hard and deep into him.

They rocked against one another, practically fighting as they fucked one another with reckless abandon.

Link's open moans echoed around them as Rhett surged upwards, his arms bulging with the effort of holding the other man up. Their lips were locked in filthy combat until Rhett tore away, groaning against Link's prominent Adam's apple, "Christ, darlin'...I'm 'bout to lose it..."

"Good," Link purrs, his hips driving downwards as he locks his lips, "Go ahead, baby. Fill me up."

With a sharp cry, Rhett does, spilling wet and hot inside Link's body. Link's own dick spurts between them at that and - for a long time - there's nothing but damp, heavy panting and deep inhales.

"Shit..." Rhett rumbles as he slowly lowers Link and Link stumbles some, legs weak and ass sore. Rhett sighs, " I wanted to wait, y'know. You deserved something better than a hot wild screw in the back of my rig..."

Link just shrugs, too deliriously happy to care, "Well, there's always next time."

"Next time, huh?" Rhett asks and Link just grins, confident. Rhett sighs and eases forward, offering him a soft kiss that very much contrasts their earlier actions, "Just what am I supposed to do with you?"

"More of what we just did, please."

"Ha! Yeah..."

They start redressing, but at the slight squeeze in his heart, Link whispers softly, "I'm serious, Rhett."

Rhett turns and looks at him. Link doesn't look away, "You'll come around again. And I'd...I'd like another next time. In fact..."

And now he can't help but look away as he confesses, "I'd like a lot of next times...you catch my drift."

"You asking me to go steady?"

The look Link shoots him makes Rhett laugh, but he sobers when he says, with sheer sincerity, "Nah, I know. I'd...I'd like that too, sweetheart. Like it a whole lot."

And, in that moment, Link knows he's one hundred percent a goner. He no longer shares just a friendship with this trucker - he shares his heart.

(might write more, I don't know - but hey! Sex! Amiright?!? 👍)

STOP. IM DEAD 🥵 YES, WRITE MORE @cellard0ors . 🥵