Loving Charley

by Casey Peeler

  Getting into the Honda, I crank up the radio and try to push aside my sadness. This is the beginning of my forever. I just have to face my past head-on to accomplish it.

  Chapter 25

  The drive to Grassy Pond isn’t too exciting. I spend the majority of the time singing country music to the top of my lungs. When “Famous” by Kelleigh Bannen comes through the speakers, I sing a little louder. That song holds so much home and meaning to what I did over break with Dylan. No, he didn’t cheat on me, but what he did was way worse… and now he’s famous in our small town. I hope no one ever forgets what he did to me.

  When the song ends, I glance to my right and see a middle-aged gentleman looking my direction. I smile and burst out laughing. I know I looked like an idiot, but I don’t care. Not to mention, it’s probably better he couldn’t hear my singing.

  As the exit for Grassy Pond approaches, I turn on my blinker as the excitement of being home starts to rise. Within twenty minutes, I’ve hit every stoplight in town and can see the farm quickly approaching. Turning onto the gravel, I try my best to slow down, but I really just want to floor it.

  When the house comes into sight, I can see every vehicle is in its place along with my favorite F250. A smile grows on my face, as I park my car and am greeted by my family and the ones I love the most on the front porch. Emerging from my car, I try to walk calmly to the porch, but that goes to hell quickly, and I sprint toward them all. Tessa and Mama take off toward me while Dad and Cash remain on the porch. Why in the hell isn’t he running? Within seconds, Mama and Tessa are embracing me and not letting go.

  “What’s wrong with y’all?” I question. “Everything’s okay, right?”

  “Yeah, Char, it is. I think Mama’s just a little emotional in general; she’s been baking up a damn storm.”

  “Tessa! You watch that mouth,” Mama states mid-tear.

  Tessa shrugs her shoulders, and we make our way to the porch. I’m dying to be in Cash’s arms, but something tells me that Dad is the one I need to hug first. Smiling at Cash, I give Dad a hug, and they tell me that supper will be ready shortly before they return inside the house. Tessa turns and gives me a wink like she arranged this entire alone time. She’s a mess, but I love her.

  “So…” I say as I place my hands into my back pockets, turning my head to the side and looking into Cash’s eyes.

  “So…” he says as he takes a step closer, sliding his arm around my waist to my back and pulling me close to him. As every nerve in my body comes to attention, I start to giggle, which catches him off guard. “What’s so funny?”

  “This,” I say as I point between us. “I mean, it just feels like we’re doing this for the first time.”

  “Don’t you realize we are? This is the first time I’ve welcomed the girl of my dreams home, and the entire world knows. There’s no hiding, crazy plans, or anything. It’s just my Char-coal and me.”

  Placing my arms around his neck, I look deeper into his eyes. “The girl of your dreams, huh?” I ask as I brush my lips against his.

  “Actually, you’re not a dream. You’re my reality and always have been, which is better than a dream.”

  “You steal my heart more and more each day, Cash Porter Montgomery.”

  “And you do the same, Charley Ann Rice.” He wastes no time covering his lips with mine.

  Forgetting the world is spinning around us, we are brought back to my front porch in Grassy Pond when we hear a throat being cleared. Cutting my eyes, I see my dad, and for some reason, I’m not surprised. I honestly think this is just a game for him.

  “Aight, you two, supper’s ready,” Dad announces.

  “Yes, sir,” we answer in unison. Cash weaves my fingers in his and guides me to the kitchen for supper with my family.

  We spend the next hour stuffing our stomachs until they are about to pop. Tessa wasn’t kidding; Mama cooked a feast. After supper, we sit and talk about school, the farm, and my plans for the rest of the semester. Tessa excuses herself to meet Dustin. Cash and I offer to do the dishes, but Mama quickly tells us to get out of here, so that’s exactly what we do.

  As we walk outside, the crisp country air tickles my face, and I stop to breathe it in.

  “Char-coal, are you okay?” he asks.

  “I’m fine. Just enjoying the moment.” We stand there and appreciate the freedom within the moment, and at the ideal time, Cash takes me by the hand and leads me to his truck. I don’t ask questions, but I’m safe with my Cash Money, and that’s all that matters.

  Guiding me to the passenger side, he opens the door and helps me in before closing it and hustling to the driver’s side. I’m not close enough to him, so I slide to the middle seat. He gives me a wry grin before cranking the truck and driving away from the farm. I wonder where we are going?

  As if reading my mind, he answers, “Char, we’re going to the club in a little bit, but I just wanted to take a ride with you.”

  “It’s your night. Whatever you want,” I say as I lay my head on his shoulder.

  We ride around Grassy Pond, out to the edge of town, and back around. Just when I think that he’s going to return to the farm, he surprises me by going to Dixon High. Now, I’m confused. Pulling into the student parking lot, he parks in his old spot and turns off the engine.

  “Char-coal, do you remember the last time we were in this spot?”

  Taking a minute, I recall an abundance of memories of this spot, but the last time we sat here like this was the last day of Cash’s senior year. Our birthdays are a little over a year apart, and he was always one step ahead of me. It worked out to my advantage for tests, figuring out teachers, and having someone that had been there already. But… the last time we sat in this spot… that was the moment I knew Cash loved me.

  “Yeah, I remember,” I answer softly.

  “Whatcha remember?” he asks as he turns to look at me.

  “I remember the final bell ringing for summer and hurrying to catch my ride home. I wonder who that was?” I say sarcastically. “But, when I got out here, you were talking to Dylan.”

  “And…” he says, probing for more.

  “Y’all both looked like you were up to no good. I had been seeing Dylan for a few months, and you knew Dad didn’t allow him to bring me home. He only let you. You gave Dylan and me a moment before I came to get into the truck, and then you said words that pissed me off back then.”

  “What did I tell you, Char-coal?” he questions as he holds my hand.

  Taking a moment to think of the exact words, I feel my stomach begin to churn. Ohmygawsh! Cash knew! “You said that you didn’t trust him as far as you could throw him and to watch out for him. You said something about him being a guy with a hidden agenda, and I thought you were being an ass.” I feel the heat begin to rise, as I look Cash dead in the eyes. “Did you know he was like that?” Cash doesn’t answer. “I said did you know he was like that?”

  “No, Char-coal, I didn’t really know. You know guys talk, and I had heard he was a take what he wanted kinda guy, but I didn’t know anything for sure. I just had a really bad feeling about him. Every time he talked to me about you, it was almost as if he was digging for information or that he was trying to replace me. That day he pretty much told me you were going to put out for him, and I let him know real quick you weren’t like that. That’s what you walked up on. I should have done more to protect you.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask as I place my hand on his strong forearm.

  Turning to look me in the eyes, he answers, “Do you really think you woulda listened? You were stuck so far up his ass it was ridiculous. I loved you with my whole heart, and there was no way I was going to lose our friendship over a battle I couldn’t win back then.”

  Taking a moment to myself, I don’t answer him. The thought that Cash knew in his heart that Dylan was going to hurt me kills me a little inside. I’m not going to say I blame him for any of it. All those choices were mine, but I just wish I wouldn’
t have been so crazy in love with the devil himself. Finally, I tell Cash what I think.

  “Now that I look back on it, I realize how much you loved me, but I don’t like the fact that you knew he was gonna hurt me. I mean, I understand. I wish I wouldn’t have been so stupid, but bless, you dealt with all my wanna be with Dylan Sloan moments, stayed by my side, didn’t kill him about the incident, and I left you! What guy lets a girl do that to him?”

  Looking into my eyes, Cash answers, “A guy that’s madly in love with a girl. I’ve known you were my forever since the day you bet me a PB&J dinner if you caught the bigger fish. I lost, and we’ve made PB&J’s our traditional meal ever since.”

  Sharply, I reply, “Cash, we were twelve. You knew then?”

  “Yeah, I’ve always known that you were more than just my best friend, but in that moment, you stole my heart and the biggest fish in the pond. I knew I had the perfect girl for me, and I’d be damned if I let you go.”

  “But, you did… you let me go,” I say in a whisper.

  Before taking my hand, he grazes my cheek. “Char-coal, I never let you go. Instead, I let you grow your wings and fly. I’ve been beside you every step of the way. Sometimes I wanted to shake the hell outta ya, tell you exactly how I felt, and grow a pair, I guess you’d say. Hell, some people probably think I’m a softy for letting you do it, but I know you. The more you push, the farther you run, and I never wanted to be far when you chose to run back to your forever.”

  “Don’t ever let me run again,” I say as I eliminate the distance between us, and happy tears begin to trickle down my cheeks as our lips meet. We now have a new memory that’s about us, and no one else. Between kisses, I whisper to him, “Can we get outta here?”

  Without a word, he turns on the ignition, and almost as if someone’s looking out for us, our song comes through the radio. “Hey, Cash Money?” He looks at me. “You know you can crash my party anytime, right?”

  “Oh, I plan on it.” He puts the truck in drive, and we make our way to the club.

  As we reach the club, I notice a car behind us. “Cash, do you see that?” I say with fear in my voice.

  “That car? Yeah, it’s made every turn with us. I just thought they might be going on down the road,” he says, trying to shake away my worry.

  Looking at him like he can’t be serious, I ask, “What are we going to do?”

  “I guess I’ll stop at your parents and see if they follow us.”

  “Or we could call the police? I don’t want any trouble tonight,” I state.

  “Me either. Let’s just see who it is.” Cash pulls to the edge of my gravel driveway before waiting for the car to pass, but we realize all too quickly that it’s not going to pass. We can see Trent in the driver’s seat. Shit. Double Shit. Cash looks at me, and I call my dad.

  Within seconds, I see Dad’s headlights coming our way. Cash goes to open the door, but I stop him. “Please don’t.” He shakes me off and steps out of the truck. I hear another door slam and see Trent standing in front of Cash, trying to act like he’s someone with power. Cash keeps his ground, though. The closer that Dad’s headlights approach, the louder Trent gets, and the harder my chest beats out of my chest.

  “Hey, Trent. What’s goin’ on?” Cash asks in a friendly manner.

  “I think you know damn well what’s going on.” Trent seethes through his teeth.

  “Nah, I really don’t know why you’re tore up out the frame and following us.”

  “I know what you did. I know that you tried to make me look like a fool. There ain’t no way in hell I’m going to jail over some stupid girls.”

  “Dude, seriously, you’re not going to jail. Yeah, you have been doing some stupid shit, and Dustin and I have played you like the fool you are, but nothing’s gonna happen if you get your shit together. You’re a good guy and all this stuff y’all been doing is crazy. Don’t you wanna make something of yourself? Get outta this town?”

  Trent just laughs wickedly at Cash. “I’m never getting outta this town. None of us are. You know that as much as I do. Look at you just working on the farm with Daddy. Yeah, that’s real grown up.”

  “I don’t even know why I’m talkin’ to you right now. This makes no sense,” Cash says as he remains calm.

  As they continue to banter back and forth, I see Trent pull something from his coat. Ohmygosh, no! Quickly, I dial 9-1-1, asking for the police because nothing good is going to come of this.

  Unable to hold myself back, I jump from the truck. “Cash, watch out!” I scream as Trent points the gun at me.

  “You little bitch! You couldn’t leave well enough alone. You had to tell Blanton what was going on, too! How the hell am I supposed to make a living? Dylan should have left you alone before y’all even started.” I stand frozen and hear my dad’s truck turn off.

  “Son, I suggest you put that away. There’s no need in all of that. Put it away, get into the car, and never look back. We will forget this happened, but if you pull that trigger, I’m beating you to it,” he says with his shotgun cocked and aimed directly at Trent. “What’s it gonna be, Son?” Dad asks as he steps closer. We can hear sirens in the distance. Trent slowly drops his gun before stepping toward the car.

  As three police cars approach the farm, Trent speeds off, and Dad puts away his gun. All but one pursues him. The last officer stops and questions us. Once he has enough information, he leaves.

  “Charley Anne, are you okay?” Dad asks me before looking at Cash for confirmation that he’s okay as well.

  “Yeah, I’m okay. We’re just getting ready to go to the club,” I inform him.

  “Like hell you are. Not after that. Y’all can go to our house or the Montgomery’s, but you’re not going out there alone tonight.” Disappointment spreads across Cash’s face. “Cash, I didn’t say you had to leave. You’re just not taking her there tonight.” Did my dad just tell Cash he could sleep over? “I’m no idiot, but I trust you both. Tomorrow’s a different day for all of us, and if it was your mama and me, I wouldn’t leave her for a minute.” Hearing my dad compare us to mom and him warms my heart.

  Rushing to my dad, I hug him tightly. “Thank you, Dad! I love you.”

  “I love you, too. Now, Cash, call your parents, and y’all get to the house.”

  “Yes, sir,” Cash replies.

  Once the truck is in Dad’s view, he goes inside, and Cash calls his parents. Then, we make our way into the house. I have to say that this is the weirdest feeling I’ve ever experienced. Never in a million years would I have thought my dad would have allowed Cash to spend the night. We take a few minutes to talk to Mama and Tessa, grab a snack, and then go to my room.

  Tessa is hot on our trail. “What the hell happened out there?” she asks. I give her a brief play-by-play, and she tells us about her night with Dustin as she makes herself comfortable on the floor in my room.

  “What are you doin’?” I ask her.

  “You didn’t really think Dad was going to leave you two alone all night, did you?”

  “Well, yeah, I did,” I state confidently.

  “You’re right. I just wanted to see your reaction.” Throwing a pillow at her, she ducks, sticks her tongue out, and then makes a break for her room.

  Cash and I laugh as I fall comfortably into his arms. We watch my favorite movie and drift off to sleep as soon as the credits begin to play.

  When the sun starts to rise, Cash begins to stir. He has his own internal alarm clock. “Char-coal, I gotta get home,” he says as he moves my hair from my face.

  “Really?” I pout.

  He looks at me like I can’t be serious. Then, it hits me, and I jump up. Today’s the day. My breathing begins to increase, and panic sets in.

  “Hey, it’s okay,” he says as he pulls me to his chest, and I take slow, deep breaths, and savor the last few moments I have with him. As he kisses the top of my head, I pull away and look at him. “Don’t do that. It’s going to be okay.”

  “
I know, but I’m scared for all of us.”

  “There’s no reason to be scared. I’ll be there for you, and you’ll be there for me. Remember we’re in this together… forever.”

  Cash and I spend a few minutes together in silence before he makes the first move to go home. While trying to hide my emotions, I don’t cry, but leave him with a kiss that says it all.

  “I love you, Charley Anne Rice, and when today is over, I plan on never leaving your side.”

  “I love you more than life itself, Cash Porter Montgomery.” I walk him downstairs and to his truck. After backing away, I try not to watch him drive away. This isn’t the last time that he leaves my driveway, but it is the last time he will leave with a possibility of not returning.

  I see him turn toward his farm and continue to watch until I can’t see him anymore. I stand there motionless, watching the dust settle on the road until arms embrace me from behind. Turning, I know that it’s Tessa, and I fall apart in her arms once again.

  Chapter 26

  Tessa pulls me to the porch swing, and we sit as I cry. She doesn’t say a word; she’s my rock. When I feel that I can’t cry anymore, I wipe the tears on my sleeves. “Thanks, Tess.”

  “I’m your sister. I’m here no matter what is going on and whether you are right or wrong. Now, I smell bacon. Are you ready?” Laughing, I shake my head yes, and we go inside for breakfast with Mama and Dad.

  After breakfast, I go upstairs, shower, and get ready for court. Looking at the two outfits I brought home, I choose the A-line dress. Rummaging through the closet, I find my black pumps and pray that I can walk in them. Taking extra time to finish my makeup and hair, I try my best to look like a professional. I want people to take me seriously and know this isn’t a joke. After adding my waterproof mascara, I take a step back and like what I see. I grab my purse and make my way downstairs.

  Tessa, Mama and Dad are waiting on me. “Charley, you look beautiful,” Mama says.