by Casey Peeler
“I love you more, but think of it more as an adventure. While I’m at home in Grassy Pond, you’re living the college life for both of us. Not that I regret not going away, but it wasn’t my dream… it was yours.”
Knowing that Cash is right, I hold him tighter. He brings my lips to his and kisses them sweetly and hugs me again before making me head to practice before I’m late.
“I’ll text ya when I’m home. Now, go before you’re late. Love you!”
“Love you, too,” I say as I turn and walk into the gym, strutting just a little to leave him with a view to remember. That thought makes me smile instead of wanting to cry, so that’s what I do. I smile.
Practice is just practice. It’s great to be back with Coach and the team. It feels amazing to be back in the pool, especially considering that I didn’t get to the pool like I wanted to the last few days. When practice is over, Coach asks to see me.
“Whatcha need, Coach?”
“Charley, come in and have a seat.” This cannot be good, I think to myself as I take a seat. “I know you probably don’t want to talk about it, but I need to know exactly what is going on at home. Word travels fast, and the fact that one of the state’s best swimmers has been charged with rape, I just need to know how I can support you.”
“Coach, I just want him to pay. I want to stop him from hurting anyone else, and I want to stop looking over my shoulder all the time.”
Coach fidgets with a few papers on her desk before she speaks. “Charley, I hope he rots in hell, because I don’t care if he is God’s gift to the swimming sport, that is unacceptable. The only thing I’m worried about is Southern States. There will be a lot of coverage there, and you are already in the spotlight with your times. Add this story to it, and who knows what will happen? I just need you to promise me that no matter what they say or do, you will keep you head held high and remember we are here for you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, and Charley, you looked fabulous in the water today. You’re gonna leave them speechless.”
As I’m leaving Coach’s office, I’m met by Georgia and Tori who are dying to know what has gone on. I fill them in fast, and Tori is quick to say that she will take care of anyone that tries to start anything at Southern States. I don’t want any more trouble, so I inform her that we are classy Southern girls and will do what any country girl would do. That means put on a pretty face and kick their ass in the water. She loves that idea, and we walk back to Kluft and get ready for our first day of a new semester.
Chapter 16
Cash made it home all right and informed me that he and Tessa will bring back my car next weekend at Southern States. He also told me that I might want to call Tessa because she seemed a little too happy when he saw her. That can only mean one thing; Dustin finally got in touch with her, and I’m beyond happy for her.
Giving a little time lapse between now and calling Tessa, I take a quick shower, glance at my class schedule, and relax. Afterward, I call her. Of course, she answers right before it goes to voicemail.
“Hey, Sis! Whatcha doin’?” she says very perky.
“Um…well, a little birdy told me you were in a very good mood, and I just wanted to see the reason behind it.”
“Charley Anne Rice! Do I have to have a reason to be in a fabulous make-your-heart-wanna-melt mood?”
“No, but I know you well enough to know that something has happened. Either you got outta doing chores for the rest of the year or Dustin has made your day.”
“Gah, why do you always think that it has something to do with getting’ outta work? But, you are right! He called!” she squeals. In all my years, I’ve never seen Tessa like this, and I hope and pray that Dustin is her forever like Cash is mine. I know it will make for interesting family functions in the future, but with love, anything’s possible.
“What did he say?”
“He said that now that his parents have had time to cool off, they can’t stop him from seeing me. They did ask if we would keep it low key until after the court stuff, but regardless, they aren’t goin’ to stop us from being together.”
My heart leaps out of my chest with excitement for Tessa and Dustin. They deserve to be happy despite what has happened between Dylan and me. The fact that Dustin wasn’t willing to just let her go makes me love him, too.
“I’m so happy for y’all! Have you seen him yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, I have an idea. What about if y’all take the club for the night or two? It’s not like I’m going to be home to use it, and I know Cash won’t care.”
“Yeah, let me see what he thinks. Char, thanks for everything. I don’t tell ya enough.”
“Anytime. Love ya, Tess.”
“Love ya, too.”
We disconnect, and I text Cash the news as well as Joe and Piper. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Joe much, but I guess it’s because he’s giving me some space with Cash. As suppertime approaches, the Kluft girls and I make our way to the cafeteria. A million eyes meet mine, and I’m pretty sure that I’m the current talk of the school.
Without missing a beat, we all walk inside with our heads held high, acting like nothing happened over break. I see Joe sitting with his teammates, and he smiles. I’m glad that everything has worked out between us because he truly is a friend for life, and I know that now. Knowing he was willing to risk losing me in order to save me means the world. The fact that he loves Piper just seals the deal with him.
After grabbing a tray, picking out what mystery food I’m going to eat, and taking a seat, I finally breathe. The eyes are no longer on me, but back to everything going on around us. I feel relieved that the initial shock of everyone knowing what happened is over. Word definitely travels fast at a small school. We finish eating and head back to the dorm. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day with new classes and practice. We watch TV in Tori’s room and then call it a night.
After calling Cash, I fall asleep and dream of our happily ever after only to be awakened by that awful buzz from my alarm clock. Time for practice already? Rolling out of bed, I hear a light knock at the door. Cracking the door open, I see Georgia ready to go. I tell her to give me a second, and we are on our way. Practice is refreshing, and I take my time getting ready for class. Coach was smart enough to give me nine o’clock classes instead of eight. I’ll have to thank her later. The day goes quickly, and one or two Kluft girls are in each of my classes. We sit together and make a plan for passing this semester, not that it’s going to be a big deal. Once our day is over, we make our way back to Kluft, but I stop to talk to Joe. I feel like I just need to talk to him.
“Hey, Jackalope Joe, you got a minute?”
“Yeah, what’s up, Squirrel?”
“Not much. I just wanted to make sure that everything’s good. I haven’t had much time to talk to you with everything going on. You’re important to me… and Piper.” The mention of Piper’s name makes him smile.
“We’re good. Oh, as in you and I or you and Piper?”
“Both. Thank you.”
“For what?” I ask.
“For coming into my life. I thought that it would be you and me together, but little did I know that you would lead me to the girl of my dreams,” he says with a nudge.
“She is pretty awesome. After me, I mean. You know I’m at the top of the awesomesauce list.”
He shakes his head. “So, not to bring up the subject, but when will everything be over?”
“As long as they don’t continue it, we should be done within a month or two at the latest. I’m just worried about the verdict.”
Joe stares at his feet as we walk. “Yeah, me too.”
I stop walking. “Why are you scared? You’re in the clear. I’ve made sure of it.”
“I know, but you know they might put me on the stand.”
“That is highly unlikely because this has to do with an event that occurred before you were in the picture.”
After remaini
ng quiet for a moment, Joe responds, “I guess I know that, but honestly, until it’s over I won’t be sure.”
“Well, as Cash told me, God’s got a plan, and we’re in it. He will make sure it all works out.”
We continue to walk until we are back at Kluft. We make a little small talk before I go upstairs to my room. This has been a pretty good day to a new semester. I’m praying that it’s foreshadowing what is to come… only good things.
Chapter 17
The only monumental events that occur between the start of the semester and Southern States are the moments I get to talk to Cash and enjoy my friends. Everything else is routine and like a robot. In fact, I’m excited to see the season end, so that I have a new routine to my day.
We spend the week up to the meet carb loading, practicing, and cramming for any test that we need to take before we leave. I’ve mentally tried to prepare myself for what could possibly happen when we walk into that aquatic center, but until I’m inside, I won’t relax.
We pack our bags and plan to meet Coach at the gym at nine on Friday morning. The drive to Davidson isn’t far, but we will need to get there and get our minds right for the meet. Once we are at the gym and loaded up in the Southern van, we make our way toward Davidson. Our ride is full of laughter. Everyone begins to giggle uncontrollably as Coach busts a move when a hip-hop song comes on. We also discuss how we should behave, what happens if someone mentions something about my issues, and how we are going to kick some ass and take names.
As we arrive on the Davidson campus, I’m in awe of how beautiful it is. Even in the end of the winter months, it has the warm look of spring. The buildings are well maintained, and there’s a Ben and Jerry’s right off campus. I’m glad that isn’t the case at Southern because I’d be as big as a house from eating too much Phish Food. Southern is beautiful, but the buildings are worn and need a little TLC. As we pull into the aquatic center parking lot, Coach tells us all to wait before we get out. Unsure of what she might say, we sit there quietly.
“Girls, I’m proud of you no matter what happens. There are some tough competitors here today, but I know that we are just as good. Charley, you’re gonna kick ass.” We all snicker. “Because you were born for this. You are at home in the water. With the recent events, I know people are watching you. We’re on his turf right now. So, everyone needs to be prepared and ready for what might be said. Now, that’s out of the way. Let’s show them what Southern girls are made of!”
Tori places her hand on my shoulder as reassurance. As we walk toward the double doors, I hold my head high because I am the victim, but I will no longer act as if it controls me. I’m on edge of what might happen, but as soon as we enter, a calmness finds my soul. We bypass the locker room and go straight to the pool. As we approach, the smell of chlorine increases, and moisture and warmth fill the air.
When we enter the pool area, we see several teams already suited up and beginning warm-ups. As we make our way to the stands, eyes begin to focus on us. I turn to my teammates, and we do what we do best. When given the moment to sink or swim, we choose to swim. With a glance in Tori’s direction, we know exactly what we need to do… make our presence known.
Silently counting to three, we begin to shout out our Southern cheer, and all eyes focus on the only female only team to enter the arena. Knowing we are getting positive reactions, we let loose. Once we are at our seats, we place our bags on the bleachers and Tori yells, “One, two, three!” And we follow with “Southern!”
Focusing back on the task at hand, we get ready to sit for Coach to let us know when our warm-ups start, but as we wait on her, the team from Howard University is behind us. One of the team members yells, “Hey, Southern girls! Now, that’s the way to make an entrance.” He winks as he grabs his cap and goggles.
“What can we say? We’re the girls from Southern. We always leave our mark with our Southern charm,” Georgia states with assurance.
Coach tells us we have twenty minutes until we can hit the water. She also informs us that with the lineup of events we will be here until eight tonight with preliminaries, return to Southern, and arrive back in the morning by eight. Ohmygosh! Why can’t we just get a hotel? We must all have the same look on our faces.
“Girls, the budget’s tight. We need to watch what we spend.”
“But, Coach! It’s Southern States!”
Tapping her foot, she replies, “Well, let me see what I can do. I think there’s a pretty decent, but cheap hotel within a few miles from here.”
“Coach, you’re the best!” Tori exclaims.
“Well, I try. It’s not often that we have a team that can knock a Division One school outta the water. I might need to spoil y’all just a little bit. Oh, do y’all have stuff to stay overnight?”
“Yes!” we reply in unison.
She laughs. “I better call the hubby to contact the hotel and bring me some clothes. Y’all are going to be the death of me! Now, get ready, and I’ll see you in fifteen in lanes one and two.”
Grabbing our stuff, we make our way to the locker room. We hurry to get ready, and I text my parents and Cash to let them know we are staying overnight. Knowing that Davidson isn’t too far from home, I figure they will drive back and return in the morning. I’m shocked when I realize they already have a room booked.
I hear the first whisper as I pick up my bag to exit the locker room. “You know that’s the girl that got Dylan in trouble.” Closing my eyes, I try to force back the tears and control my emotions. They will not get the best of me.
When I walk past them, they stop talking. I stop and look at them and give them a dose of their own medicine. “Yeah, I am that girl. Got anything else you wanna know?” I say with my bag tossed over my shoulder and my arms crossed.
“We didn’t say anything,” one girl states with an eye roll.
“That’s what I thought.” I make my way back to the stands, placing my bag down and walking toward the pool. Tori and Georgia must see the heat rising in my face because they ask me what the hell just happened as soon as I meet them.
“Some Davidson bitches we’re running their traps already. So, I just asked if they had any more questions.”
Georgia laughs. “They are so in for it! Charley’s gonna kick their ass today in the water.”
“Damn right, I am,” I say as I dip my cap into the pool, place it on my head and add my goggles. It’s time to give them another reason to talk about Charley Anne Rice.
Coach starts us with a five hundred warm-up, and then we complete a few short sets. Once we are loose, we have a team meeting to discuss our events, times, what we hope to accomplish, and the reason we are here. Afterward, we make our way back to the stands and wait.
Grabbing my iPod from my bag, I place my ear buds into my ears and turn up a little Florida Georgia Line and push everything away from my mind. Taking a seat on the bleacher, I lean back, prop myself up, and close my eyes. By song number three, I’ve forgotten what happened in the locker room…well, maybe not, but I’ve channeled my feelings. Just as I relax, there’s a dip in the bleacher. My eyes shoot open, and that’s when I see my four favorite people: Tessa, Cash, Piper, and Joe, along with my parents. A smile spreads from ear to ear, and I remove my ear buds.
“Hey, y’all!” I say as I stand to give them all hugs. I save Cash for last because I want it to last the longest. He kisses my forehead before they leave to find a seat in the fan section.
At exactly noon, we pay respect to our country and God, and the meet is underway. Several individual events occur for our team members, and we are like one driving force pulling them toward victory. When the 200-meter backstroke is five events out, I head to the pool deck to stretch and mentally prepare myself for the event. I look at my family and teammates and am proud of who I am.
When the announcer calls my event, I focus on the water, the number of laps, and what it’s going to take to win. That’s when I notice that smart-ass girl from the locker room in the lane beside me
. This is going to be good. I put on my goggles and wait to be told to enter the water. All I can do is smile at her because I’m about to leave her in my wake.
I enter the water feet first and get ready for the sound of the buzzer. When it fires, I explode off the wall and kick. I continue to make my way toward the end of the pool at a constant speed. The girl beside me is hanging in there with me, but what she doesn’t realize is that I’m holding back.
Once we make the turn, I push off the wall and focus on all the bottled-up emotions and take them out in the pool. In my mind, I replay the events in the locker room, what’s to come in court, and use that to assault the remaining 150 meters. In doing so, I leave her at least two body lengths behind me.
As my fingers tap the touchpad to stop my time, I feel my adrenaline begin to decrease; yet the excitement within my body begins to rise. Placing the goggles on my forehead, I turn to see everyone approaching. Hurrying to see my time, I look to the display board. Holy shit! Not only have I shaved three seconds off my time, but I’ve also set a new record for Southern.
Pulling myself from the pool, I’m greeted by my teammates. We all embrace, squeal, and jump up and down.
When our celebration is over, I look at the smart ass from the locker room, walk over to her, and tell her good job because I know that will hurt her more than being a bitch like her. Then, I walk with my team back to the stand and am greeted by my own personal fan club.
My parents are extremely proud. Tessa is acting like the Tessa I love dearly, but what I wasn’t expecting was for Dustin to be by her side. As I turn to Cash and my parents, fear enters my eyes.
“Charley, you might want to listen to Dustin,” Dad says tenderly.
“Listen? More like who brought you? Not that I mind, but I know y’all well enough that there’s not going to be a parade of cars going to Southern or Grassy Pond.”
“Listen, think, and then speak. Do you understand?” Dad says sternly.
