Loving Charley

by Casey Peeler

  Cash, Piper, and Joe enter. They each have a drink, and I know this is going to be an epic night. The question is, who is going to be the DD? Cash typically doesn’t drink when I do, but for some reason tonight, we are both letting loose. I can only hope that this is in more ways than one.

  “Celebratin,’ are we?” I question.

  “Well, I figured I could have a couple before we leave then I can drive back,” Cash says.

  “I have a better idea. Why don’t we let Sarah drive the Love Machine, and we all let loose?”

  I can see the struggle in Cash’s eyes. We both need to let go, but there is the underlying factor that this isn’t over with Dylan yet. Piper and Joe look at each other and take a step in the hallway and excuse themselves to Caroline’s room.

  I set my cup on the dresser and move closer to Cash. Placing my hands on his chest, I look into those eyes that tell me what he’s thinking in his soul.

  “Cash, one night. We have everyone we need by our sides. He can’t touch us tonight. Please, let’s forget about everything and live in the moment.”

  “Char-coal, this is something I promised myself that I’d always do for you. I’ll never let anyone hurt you again. Never,” he says as he brushes his hand in my hair.

  Looking into his eyes, I beg him, “Please, Cash Money. Just tonight. Let’s forget everything and focus on us because we don’t know what’s going to happen in the future.”

  “I know what’s going to happen in the future, and I’m staring into her eyes right now. I have no doubts about court, our future, or us. You are it. End of story.”

  I bat my eyelashes and smile a little more seductively, while Cash shakes his head before giving into me, because he knows as well as I do a Southern girl always gets her way. Then, he seals his statement with a kiss. Taking me by the hand, we go to see what everyone is doing in Caroline’s room.

  As we enter, all eyes turn to us. “What?” I question.

  Hayden proceeds to say what everyone else is thinking. “So, are y’all finally gonna live a little? Seriously, this mushy lovey-dovey mess is getting old. I mean, it’s time to, ya know,” she says as she stands and starts to move her hips in a way I never want to see again, but can’t help but crack a smile. The entire room erupts in laughter, and I go to fill my cup again. It doesn’t take long for the effects of the alcohol to fill my veins. I decide to stop after this cup. I want to have fun, but I still need a little control.

  Once we finish our cups, we all excuse ourselves to get ready for Hank’s. Cash goes with Joe to his room while Piper and I get ready. This way I can finally talk to her about what is going on. We tell the guys not to be gone long, and as soon as the door is shut, I’m on Piper like white on rice!

  “Start talkin’,” I say as she begins to grab her clothes from her bag.

  “What ever are you talkin’ about?” she asks with just a hint of sarcasm.

  “You know damn well what I’m talkin’ ‘bout. Now, spill it.”

  She plops onto my bed. “Ohmygosh! Char. It. Was. Ah-mah-zing!”

  “Uh hum… so, are y’all exclusive?”

  “I sure hope so! But anyways, Char, never in my life have I met a guy who can make me feel that way. I mean, I know this is kinda fast, but I totally get what you mean about just knowing when you’ve found the one.”

  “It’s hard to believe that Little Miss Pull ‘Em on a String has found her match!”

  “Charley! I can’t believe you just called me that, but I guess it’s true. I just don’t want to leave and go back to school.”

  “Girl, we’re in the same boat except mine is leaving me. It’s gonna be fine; at least you have me here. Joe and I might help keep each other sane. I think we need to make this a night to remember, whatcha think?”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” she says as she pulls out a way too short skirt and halter-top.

  “You do know it’s winter, right?”

  “Yup, but I have my man and alcohol to keep me warm.” She winks and then begins to get dressed.

  I, on the other hand, have to search my closet. What to wear? What to wear? As I peruse the closet, nothing catches my eye. Then, I think maybe I should be a little more like Piper. I know it’s Hank’s, but I’m also with Cash, and I want to make a lasting impression since he’s leaving tomorrow.

  As I glance over the skirts and tops in my closet, my eyes land on my denim skirt, and I pair it with my camo racer back that I wore my first day on campus. I add my boots to complete the wardrobe. Cash isn’t going to know what to do with me.

  When I take the outfit from the closet and toss it onto the bed, Piper reads my mind. “I know what you’re tryin’ to do, but do you think it’s gonna work?”

  “Hell no, but I have a feeling I might get a tiny piece of action.”

  “Somethin’s better than nothin’,” she says.

  “Exactly!”

  We turn up the iPod and sing a little Pistol Annies when Hayden bursts through the door. “What the hell is this shit?”

  “Pistol Annies, ya know Miranda Lambert!” Piper says.

  “Um no, but I swear I teleported to like fifty years ago.”

  “Hayden, you don’t know what you’re missin’! The Pistol Annies kick ass and take names,” I state.

  We proceed to sing “Hell on Heels.” Hayden just stands there speechless. When the song ends, I wasn’t prepared for her revelation.

  “Now that’s some serious shit! You mean, that’s how y’all country girls really roll?” she asks in her attempt at a Southern accent.

  “Yup, that’s how we roll,” we say together.

  Once we finish getting ready, I send Cash a text, and he informs me that they are on the third floor of Irvin, and it’s getting pretty wild around there. Wild? We might need to check that out. I tell him we will just come over there. Piper and I gather everyone from Caroline’s room and decide one more glass of PJ will set the night off. With the Kluft girls in tow, we make our way to Irvin, and sure enough, when we hit the third floor, wild is an understatement.

  Music is blaring through the hall, and the bass is vibrating the windows and echoing down the stairwell. The lights are out, but there are lamps from the dorm rooms to help guide us down the hall. People are everywhere, but as soon as we make our way down the hall, all eyes focus on Piper and me. We all look fabulous for a night at Hank’s, but I will admit that Piper and I are a little over the top. That’s when I see him. Cash is standing there with a PBR in hand wearing a fitted T-shirt and jeans with his boots and the cutest damn baseball cap ever. Every muscle in his arms is bulging from the shirt, and honestly, I want to bypass Hank’s and have an exclusive show in my room. Wishful thinking… I know.

  As soon as our eyes meet, I grin from ear to ear, and even though I can feel more than his eyes on me, I know that his are the only ones that matter. I walk with confidence, hope, desire, and angst of what the night will hold and what the future will bring us. Cash nudges Joe, but Joe has already noticed Piper as well. Who would have thought the two guys that I tried to have my cake and eat it too are friends, but better yet, we all have found happiness.

  Once I’m within arms’ length of Cash, his hand extends to mine, and our fingers dance together. I glance into his eyes, and he gives me a wink before whispering into my ear, “You do know you’re makin’ it hard for me to keep my promise, don’t you?”

  “Maybe that’s what I’m working toward,” I say as I whisper into his ear and give it just a little nip. I feel every muscle in Cash’s body stiffen. Exactly the reaction I hoped for.

  “Char-coal, you better watch it if you know what’s good for ya.”

  “You sure you know what’s good for me?”

  “I’m just sayin’ with you doin’ stuff like that, I might get pushed to my limit on what I can say no to.”

  “Well, then I hope I make you break.”

  Cash tries to change the subject. Yup, this night is going to be one for the record books because if he’s str
uggling now, I can only imagine what’s gonna happen after a night at Hank’s.

  After finishing our drinks, laughing at some drunk soccer girls, and knowing the time is right, we all stumble our way to the Love Machine. Cash guides me to the van and makes sure I get in gracefully. I probably should have stopped after glass number two, but, oh well. It’s too late now.

  Our ride to Hank’s is loud. Everyone is talking, ya know, the kind when all intoxicated people are trying to out talk each other. At some point, Sarah yells for us all to shut up or we can walk. We try our best to be quiet, but after a minute of silence, it’s impossible. Once one chuckle escapes Hayden’s lips, we all erupt, and Sarah can’t help but laugh as well.

  As we pull into Hank’s, I notice that nothing has changed. It is still the wooden frame club we all love on a Saturday night. One of the streetlights is flickering, and they have poured new gravel into the parking lot. Sarah pulls us in on two wheels, and we exit and walk toward the entrance.

  Cash pulls open the glass door, and this time they make sure to place an “X” on our hands for underage. Damn. I look confused when Tori makes it in without an “X.” Once we are inside, we make our normal first stop at the restroom, and ask Tori to explain.

  “Hey, it pays to have a cousin that could be your twin. I just got in free and can drink.”

  “You do know you’re buying mine, too?” Anna states.

  “Already in the works.”

  Once our makeup is checked, we head to the dance floor. I notice that Cash and Joe are both propped up near the pool table. Piper and I make our way over to them and guide them to the dance floor. It’s not like it takes much effort because we all know they both love to dance as much as we do.

  As the crowd grows, the closer we all become, and before I know it, there is no space between Cash and me. The DJ continues to play typical Hank’s Tavern music where you never know if it’s going to be hip-hop or country, but with every beat, my hips match it and Cash follows along. The heat from the crowd coupled with the heat that’s building between the two of us is almost enough to make us combust. As the DJ switches up the set, I know the song as soon as I hear the first beat. It’s “Bottoms Up” by Brantley Gilbert. This is going to be fun. This song has a slow but evident beat. It’s like the perfect country girl’s make-a-guy-drool-all-over-ya kinda song, and that is exactly what happens.

  Cash sings every word, and I can’t help but dance with just a little more emphasis as I roll my hips from left right with my bottom up in exactly the right place. Cash then places his hands on my hips and follows them as they move to the beat of the music. With each word and beat, Cash and I fall more in tune with each other. I lift my hair off my neck as “Damn” escapes his lips. He turns me to face him as he sings directly to me. Every word brings us closer until there is nowhere for me to go. Looking into his eyes, I can see what he wants, and he wants me. I do what any girl in my position would do; I push him to the point that I hope he breaks.

  Not being able to fight me any longer, Cash takes the back of my neck and brings me in for a kiss that is filled with want like I’ve never felt before. I meet him with each move, and before I know it, he is guiding me away from the dance floor and out the back door.

  The winter air brushes my glistening skin, but I’m not cold. Instead, I feel a fire burn deep inside. Cash presses me against the outside wall of Hank’s. My arms wrap around his neck, and he moves his mouth from my mouth down my neck.

  “Hot damn,” I say because those are the only words I can manage. My body is starting to have feelings that I never thought could happen, and Cash is struggling to keep his promise as he begins to graze the hem line of my skirt, and as he starts to venture to a place he promised not to go, we are brought back to reality when the back door flies open.

  Cash stops what he is doing and leaves his hand on my thigh as his forehead falls against mine. “Damn,” he says breathlessly.

  “Damn is exactly right,” I say quietly.

  Cash removes his hand, takes mine in his, and starts to pull me back toward the door. Knowing that’s not how I want this to end, I stop him and pull him back toward me, leaving him breathless one more time.

  Chapter 20

  Sneaking back into Hank’s, we find Piper, Joe, and the Kluft girls right where we left them, or at least, where I think we left them. They all have that what have y’all been up to look on their faces, but we ignore it and join right in with them dancing and enjoying the remainder of the night with hope that this is just the beginning.

  I notice that Georgia is dancing with Tucker again. Interesting. I didn’t think he had called, but he could turn into Georgia’s constant dance partner at Hank’s, and who knows, maybe even when we all go out in Charlotte. She looks at me and smiles as she sways her hips back and forth only partially on beat.

  I turn my focus back to Cash as we enjoy being Cash Money and Char-coal for the rest of the night. We dance, sing, make out, and can’t keep our hands off each other regardless of whether we are dancing with each other or with the Kluft girls.

  As last call is announced, I know this night is going to end soon, but I don’t want it to. I want it to last forever. Cash must sense my feelings, along with Piper, because she steals me away from Cash for a few moments. We laugh and dance together like we are at the McCracken’s farm. She’s my best friend. No matter what, Piper is the girl that reads my thoughts, feels my emotions, and knows what to do without saying a word. I can’t be happier than I am in this moment with Piper and Cash by my side. We share the same hometown roots, and that will never change. We have a bond that can’t be explained, and I never want it to break.

  When Cash has had enough, he steals me back, and just in time. “Let’s Get it On” begins to play through the speakers, and a grin escapes Cash in a half-smile as we sway back and forth together, and everyone around us disappears. When the music stops, he and I stand caught in each other’s gaze. The house lights come on, and we are all brought back to reality from our hole in the wall escape known as Hank’s Tavern. What a night, and it’s not over yet.

  As we make our way back to campus, Cash never lets go of me. Of course, Hayden wants a Servco hotdog, and all I want to do is be alone with Cash. Sarah does her best to keep Hayden in line and tells her that we are just going back. Of course, Hayden’s not having it, and she throws out that she owns the Love Machine, and we will take it wherever she says. Needless to say, we go to Servco, and that early morning snack is fabulous to say the least.

  We arrive back on campus around two-thirty. I’m exhausted, and it looks like everyone else is the same way. My body is drained from the meet as well as an epic night out with my friends, but mostly from an emotional roller coaster between Cash Money and me. It has definitely been an eventful night, but in an OMG! I want more kinda way! When Sarah pulls parallel to the stoop, all of us pile out since this is our side of the tracks. Cash guides me out, and Joe does the same with Piper. The Kluft girls go on inside while we stand outside for a few minutes.

  Cash stands behind me with his arms wrapped around me. “This is nice,” he says.

  “Nice?” I question.

  “Yeah, the fact that the four of us are standing here without a care in the world, living life like we want, and know that we are here for each other regardless of what might come our way.”

  “Damn right,” Joe confirms.

  “Awe, y’all are getting so mushy. Stop!” Piper states sarcastically.

  “I’m just glad that we have each other. I never thought that Joe and Cash would get along, let alone be friends, and now you and him, Piper,” I say with an eyebrow raised. She mouths for me to shut up.

  “I don’t know about y’all, but I’m exhausted.” She tries to change the subject.

  “Yeah, and I feel like I smell like Hank’s. Yuck! I have to admit; I’m pretty whooped tonight, too,” I say.

  “You should be. Between the meet and tonight, I don’t know how you’re still functioning.”
>
  “I guess when you have good motivation to stay awake anything’s possible.” Cash squeezes me just a little bit tighter.

  After a few more minutes of pointless conversation and breakfast planning, we go our separate ways.

  All I can think of is a nice shower before I crawl into bed with Cash. But, then again, what’s the point? He reeks of Hank’s, too. As soon as the door is closed to my room, Cash embraces my neck with his rugged hand and brings my lips to his. My body makes a thud sound as he backs me against the door. A giggle escapes my lips, knowing the resident assistant is next door, and that Cash is having as hard of a time as I am with this promise.

  He continues to kiss my lips with need and then makes perfect little nibbles all the way behind my ear. Everything in my body tells me this is it, but my mind tells me that he hasn’t broken yet. I, on the other hand, am broken into about a million pieces in a good way this time.

  “Cashhhh,” I say barely audible. “Please.”

  He shakes his head no, but that doesn’t stop him from taking things as far as they can go without us actually breaking his promise. I was almost starting to think he wasn’t human, but after tonight, there are no doubts that he’s human all right and keeping his promise will be a miracle. After pushing our bodies and mind to the limit, I fall asleep on Cash’s bare perfectly carved chest, and I’m in heaven.

  As the sunlight begins to creep through my window, I realize this isn’t a dream, and I am lying next to the man that has been chosen for me. Even though I hate to admit it, in this moment, I know that we are worth the wait, but will we be able to push the limits without going there?

  Chapter 21

  Snuggling toward Cash Money as much as possible, I don’t want this moment to end. Cash begins to mumble, but I can’t make it out. I close my eyes and doze back off for another hour before he wakes me with little minute kisses.