In Your Corner - Chapter 1
Juliette arrives home after the Highway 65 party feeling alone and depressed. This isn't the first time she's screwed up. But despite all of her flaws and mistakes, there is always someone in her corner.
Juliette walked back into her modernist home after a rough evening. It sparkled and gleamed in the Nashville night light, but that was when she hated this house the most. Coming home to such a clean and blank palate with no one there was a feeling she was all too familiar with.
But not recently. Recently she started a relationship with Avery Barkley, and she couldn't have been happier. He was seemingly the typical bad-boy guitarist, which definitely hadn't been her type, but the sincere friendship they formed opened the door to the romance. Ever since he "accidently" bumped into her backstage two years ago, he was always on her side and always wanted the best for her, which Juliette really appreciated. In her old life, the people that were around her had their own agendas and eventually all of them abandoned her.
That's why she was so upset when she got home from the Highway 65 party. She had let the jealous, narcissistic, old-Juliette get in the way of the new hand she was dealt. And before that she had fought with Avery which made her feel alone and upset. It just wasn't her night.
Which is why she wanted to put it behind her and go to sleep ASAP. When she walked into her bedroom she jumped back a bit at first when she saw a figure in the bed. But instantaneously she realized it was Avery. Her heart softened and it was unreal how much more comfortable and happy she felt seeing that slick black hair on the pillow.
Juliette climbed into bed and just stared at his features. He certainly wasn't the bright smile Prince Charming-build that she had involved herself with in the past, but it didn't matter. She was "pissed" at him for agreeing to produce his ex girlfriends album but the more she stared at him the more it became apparent...for once in her life he wasn't going anywhere.
Avery turned a bit and opened his eyes to see her staring right at him in bed.
"Hey." He smiled softly.
"Hey." She replied, touching his face gently.
"So about that party-"
"I don't wanna talk about it."
Avery sighed, "I'm sorry I wasn't there with ya."
"I may not be able to reverse what I did over there." She said, staring forward, realizing that she wasn't able to make eye-contact just yet.
"Listen, I know-"
"But I want, more than anything, to reverse what I did before that." Juliette finally said, swallowing her pride and finally communicating to the person she cared about most.
"Well I want to reverse it too, that's why I'm here." Avery explained, "Truth is, I can't be mad at you for more than five minutes before I want to be right by your side again."
"I know, and you're perfect." Juliette told him, "You're perfect and I'm an idiot who got mad and angry and…."
"Pissed." He smiled.
"Yes, pissed." She rolled her eyes playfully, "I got pissed and I'm sorry for acting that way and not talking to you about it."
"I forgive you. And just to be clear you've got nothing to worry about. I'm in your corner, although you did tell me once that I didn't count..." he trailed off.
Juliette graciously smiled. She believed him, "I know, and I wish I could be more like you. Instead of storming off you stayed right here and wanted to make things right."
Avery shrugged, "It's pretty simple actually. No matter how mad I can be, it doesn't change how much I love ya."
Juliette blinked and Avery knew why.
The "L" word.
The old Juliette would have ripped herself out of bed and ran far far far away. This was too much emotional investment, too fast...it was her normal recipe for relationships and ones she'd had so far ended in annulments, credit-card theft, murder/suicides, adultery, and losing her entire career.
But this time, there was something in her entire body that kept her right there, in her bed, with the man that had saved her in so many ways. She swallowed a bit and tried to hide the watery-ness that was forming in her eyes, "I love you too, Avery."
She tried to read his reaction. It was as if he was shocked, but at the same time not at all. He shook his head with that same grin, "Damn it Jule, you're gonna make me cry." he whispered.
"Well join the club." Juliette laughed through the tears that were now covering her eyes.
"Come here." Avery offered, and Juliette wandered into his arms. He kissed her lips to which she happily obliged, "Mmmhmm."
"You know what I love most about you?" Juliette asked.
Avery's eyes got wide, "Dear lord."
"I love that you treat me like Juliette, and not pop….well, ex-pop country star Juliette Barnes. I mean if you didn't then you'd get run out of town but-"
"Nah, I don't care what others think, I think you're special. What the rest of the world doesn't see is a sweet, caring, perfect, determined, smart woman who for whatever reason chose to be with some poor guitarist."
Juliette frowned, "You are not some poor guitarist, you're a talented, honest, brilliant, protective man...and my best friend."
"You're my best friend too, you know."
Juliette laughed a bit and reciprocated his high five. It was unreal how comfortable and happy she felt right then and there in his arms. She knew could get through the Highway-65 dilemma, and anything for that matter, with him by her side.
"Do I smell a power couple?." Avery lamented.
"Ha." Juliette wore a look, rolling her eyes, "Let's just hope I didn't ruin my new label…"
"You'll be fine," Avery drawled, "Trust me."
"Boy, you better be right."
"Speaking of which, I heard that song you sang with Rayna."
Juliette was intrigued, "Ah, what'd you think?"
"It was damn good. I just was wondering about the chorus, 'I love that boy, but he ain't gonna change.?"
Juliette laughed, "Yeah, you see, it was about my boyfriend…"
Avery played along, "Really…"
"If he doesn't change his hair-"
"My hair?!" Avery whisper-yelled, protectively holding onto his head.
Juliette laughed hysterically and Avery laughed too, "I hate you."
"I love you too, and your dumb hair." she laughed, running her hands through his hair and giving his mane a peck.
Avery playfully rolled his eyes, "Goodnight babe."
"Night." Juliette said, relishing the taste of his lips on hers one last time before she closed her eyes, wearing the most content grin on her face.
A/N: Hey guys! This is my first shot in the wonderful world of Nashville and I just had to write something for Avery and Juliette because they are just pure gold as a couple. This fic has multi-chapter potential so hit up the reviews and let me know what you thought! Thank you so much!
Best,
Bettakappa
