by Casey Peeler
“Thanks, but you are our priority. How long do we have to go along with this game?”
“If all goes as planned, it will be by Southern States, if not sooner.”
“Squirrel, that’s like two months away.”
“I know. Well, here’s Piper.” I decide to cut him off because I don’t want to discuss it anymore. Piper and Joe finish their conversation, and before we know it, we are at Northlake for some much needed retail therapy.
We spend the remainder of the afternoon in and out of stores. As we make our way to the car, we each have our hands full and are struggling. Piper drops her bag of shoes about fifteen feet from the car. I start laughing, and then I lose one as well. We look like a bunch of crazies. We grab our bags and finally make it to the car.
“Ohmygawsh, Piper. That wore my ass out! The only thing I need now is a bed, and I’d be out like a light!”
“I’m just glad all this Christmas shopping is finished.”
“Me too. So, what are we doing tonight?”
“I’m thinking a pizza and movie at my house. Whatcha think, Piper?”
“I’m game.”
We sing every song on the Christmas station, and I laugh so hard that I almost pee my pants during Piper’s rendition of “Santa Baby”. Before we know it, we are back in Grassy Pond and I’m no longer tired. We decide that a movie night is still in order. We stop at Piper’s house to grab her clothes and her makeup because she can’t do without it.
At the Chevron, we grab a Hunt Brother’s pizza fully loaded with all the meat, cheese and triple bacon. The aroma is making my stomach growl as I steal a bite of topping. Piper slaps the box lid when she catches me.
Once we are at the farm, we stop in the kitchen to grab drinks, plates, napkins, and dessert. Then, we make our way to the living room, sprawl out on the couch and turn on ABC Family for whatever movie is on tonight and pig out.
By piece number three, I’m stuffed and that makes me sleepy. Mama, Tessa, and Dad hang out with us, and this reminds me of so many nights before I left for Southern. I sure do miss when things were simple.
Once the movie ends, we make our way upstairs. We watch another movie on Netflix, but this time it’s just a good ol’ chick flick. Halfway through the movie, my phone rings. It’s Dylan.
“Hey.”
“Hey, what are you and Piper up to tonight?”
“We’re watching a chick flick. What about you?”
“Oh, Trent and I were just out riding around and thought we might stop by.”
“You can if you want to, but you know we’ll have to hang out downstairs.”
He laughs, “The rents are still pissed at me, huh?”
“Yeah, they are, but it’s okay. Let me see if Piper cares.” I look at Piper whose eyes are huge, but knows we have to go along with it. “She doesn’t care. We’ll meet you downstairs.”
“Okay, we’ll see y’all in ten.”
I hit End and Piper lays into me.
“I know, Piper. I know, but we have to make it look real.”
“You know your parents are going to be pissed. It’s getting late.”
“As long as we stay downstairs or hang out on the porch, we’ll be good.” Piper is unsure, and sends Cash a text to let him know what’s going on.
We both take a minute to freshen up before going to meet them downstairs. I stop by Tessa’s room to let her know what’s going on, and she’s game. Once we see the headlights coming down the gravel, we make our way to the front door only to be stopped by my mama.
“Girls, where are you going?”
“Dylan and Trent are just stopping by for a few minutes. We are just going to hang out on the porch or in the living room, if that’s okay?”
“Your dad and I are going to bed, but I’d feel better if you were inside. Make sure they are gone by midnight.”
“Thanks, Mama.” I give her a hug goodnight, but she pauses and waits for a greeting with Dylan.
Dylan knocks on the door, and I open it. Dylan and Trent are standing there in jeans, boots, thermal long sleeves, and toboggans. If this were two years ago, I would have had to pick my mouth off the floor. I smile and tell them to come in.
“Hey, Mrs. Rice. Thanks for letting us stop by. I didn’t get to talk to Charley much today at the pool.”
“You’re welcome, Dylan. Just make sure you are gone by midnight.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they say in unison.
Mama goes into the kitchen to fix her coffee for in the morning, and then she excuses herself upstairs to go to bed. Dad is already asleep by now.
I ask the guys if they want something to drink or any of the leftover pizza, and of course, they do. We walk into the living room and watch another movie on Netflix. This time it’s not a chick flick, but rather an action one.
I snuggle into Dylan’s arm on the loveseat while Piper and Trent sit at opposite sides of the couch. I catch myself dozing off, but am awakened when I hear the clock strike midnight.
“I guess that’s our cue,” Trent says.
Piper and I walk them to the door, and Trent makes his way outside, allowing Dylan to stay behind. Piper walks into the kitchen, and I could kill her about now, but it’s part of the act.
“Thanks for stopping by tonight,” I say as Dylan pulls me in for a tight hug and then brushes his lips on mine. Piper helps keep it short by interrupting. That’s my girl! Then, he distances himself from me and our hands are the last thing to separate. He turns as he walks down the steps, and I close the door. Once he is in the car, I lock the door, turn off the porch light, and make a mad dash for the bathroom again. Sanitize, mouthwash, and repeat.
Both Tessa and Piper are waiting in my bedroom when I’m finished. They have sadness in their eyes. I sit on the bed with them and cry a good, hard, much needed cry.
As if right on cue, there is a tapping on my window, and my knight is standing there with a Choice Cherry Gold and a PB&J. I wipe away the tears as Tessa opens the window.
“Hey, Tessa, you wanna show me that new book you just downloaded?” Piper says.
“Sure, we’ll be in my room.”
The door clicks closed, and I fall into Cash Money’s arms.
“Hold up a minute, or you’re gonna be wearing this PB&J. I thought it might help you feel better. I know it’s not Fun Dip, but that’s yours and Piper’s thing.”
I smile a half-smile as I glance up to the best man I’ve ever known, both inside and out. I pull him tighter because I’m not sure how he knew, but he knew I needed him. Then, fear enters my body.
“You don’t think he knows you’re here, do you?”
“No, he doesn’t. I made sure that I saw those taillights hit the paved road and were out of sight. I even parked the four-wheeler at the club and walked up here.”
“Really? You could have parked it behind the barn.”
“Char-coal, I can’t risk anything when it comes to you. I’ve been watching from a distance. I know what I’m getting you for Christmas.” I look at him quizzically. “A gallon or two of mouthwash. Every time his lips touch these, I want to beat him to a pulp. As much as I hate to say this, I wish this would hurry up. Do you really think it’s going to take until Southern States?”
“I don’t know, but I really hope it doesn’t. I’m struggling, and it’s been a week!”
Cash pulls me closer and runs his strong, hardworking hands through my hair. I can feel his heart pounding. This isn’t just about me; it’s about us.
He takes my chin, lifts it to his face and those mesmerizing chocolate eyes, and claims my mouth as his and only his.
Each time our mouths touch, a spark grows higher and higher, and before I can keep myself in check, it’s a full out fire burning between us. My hands are all over him, and he is all over me as well, until there is a tap at the door. We stop, and our breath is short. Piper and Tessa enter.
“Sorry, y’all, but Tessa just got a call from Dustin. He overheard Dylan talking to Trent tonight.”
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br /> The heat that I just felt running through my veins from Cash has just been replaced by ice. I know this isn’t good.
“What did he say, Sis?”
I can see that she is struggling for words. “He said he heard Dylan tell Trent that it wouldn’t be long until he had you. He didn’t know if he was just bragging, but with that track record, he didn’t want to risk not letting you know.”
“Thanks, Sis. I know things are going to have to heat up between us, and it makes me nauseous. He will not have that piece of me ever again.”
Cash pulls me in close as Piper and Tessa wait for what I’m going to say next.
“Aight, it’s time for me to really tell you the plan and make it foolproof.” They nod, and we sit in the floor.
“First off, this is going to get hard for all of us. This week has shown me how much I truly hate him, what he did, and why we have to save every other girl from him. So, here’s how it is going to work. I’m going to continue to act like I’m totally falling for Dylan. Y’all, he might be at my parents’ Christmas party. Cash, are you going to be able to handle that?” He nods. “I’m going to play the perfect girlfriend. My remainder of the time here will be about practice, Christmas with my family, hanging out with Piper, and seeing if the Kluft girls are willing to celebrate New Year’s here in the big metropolis of Grassy Pond. I’m sure there’s going to be a party at the McCracken’s. This way we can all be there, show the girls how we do it in the South, and we have backup for Dylan. If I can get him where I want him, then I’ll take it to the police before I leave for break, but if not, I’m going to continue to use the Kluft girls and Joe while I’m at Southern. I’d really love to take him down where it would hurt the most… Southern States.”
Piper looks at Cash and Tessa, and I do the same. Their faces are all blank. It’s almost as if they are trying to process what I just said.
“Y’all? Are you okay?” I ask.
Cash stands, and I’m afraid he’s leaving. Instead, he walks back and forth before he speaks, “Char-coal, I’m with ya, but I’m gonna need someone to help keep me sane. I have no clue who that is going to be because of the act we are all playing.”
“Cash, I got ya, honey! Piper isn’t gonna leave you out in the cold,” Piper says as she links her arm through his. “Dylan knows that we still talk, so we’re good. I might not be with you every second, but if you need me, you find me, no questions asked.”
All our emotions are running high, and I’m exhausted. I can’t let Cash leave like this. Hell, I don’t want him to leave period. My phone buzzes, interrupting my thoughts.
Dylan: I hope u r thinking of me like I am of u! C u @pool in am.
Me: Of course I am! C u soon!
I hit the Lock button on my phone as fast as possible and toss it onto the bed. I want to escape the nightmare I am living, and I want to do that safe in the arms of Cash Money.
Without one word, Cash walks to me, pulls me in close, and holds me tight.
“Char-coal, I need to go.” I shake my head no and tears start to fall effortlessly. “Shhh, don’t cry. I’ll see you tomorrow. I promise. I’ll be with you until the end and forever. Remember?” I answer with my eyes, and his lips take away all the fears, questions, and unknown. I can’t wait until this is over, and I’m finally able to shout to the rooftop how much I love my Cash Money.
Cash steps away and makes his way to the window. “Hey, can’t I at least drive you to the club?” I ask.
“No, Char-coal, I need to walk alone.”
That stung just a little, but I know that he needs some space to sort through everything.
As he swings his legs out the window, I walk to him. “Hey, Cash Money, I love you forever and ever.”
“I know, Char-coal, and I can’t wait until it’s no longer hidden because I’m going to put you up on a pedestal for everyone to see how much I treasure you. Don’t think I don’t want you to go with me; I’d just hate if your dad caught us because then we’d have a big ol’ kink in this plan.” That warms my heart, and I give him a quick kiss before he vanishes into the night.
Once he’s out of sight, here come Piper and Tessa.
“Dang, Char, I didn’t know y’all were that serious. I mean, I think I knew, but it’s totally obvious,” Piper says. “I don’t know how he’s gonna keep it together.”
“Pipe, you have to help him. That’s the only way he’s going to make it. Now, let’s get some sleep. That pool is going to call my name way too early in the morning.”
“Night, y’all,” Tessa says as she goes to her room, and Piper and I fall asleep instantly only to be awakened by that awful alarm clock.
Chapter 17
I slam my hand on top of the alarm and hit the Snooze button one time. Ten minutes later, it goes off again, and I slowly roll out of the bed. Piper covers her head with the blanket and mumbles something about being here when I get back.
I grab my bag, slowly make my way downstairs, and grab a piece of bacon on the way out the door. “Thanks,” I tell Mama as I leave.
The parking lot is starting to get fuller since the first day I got back. This means more people to put between Dylan and me.
Grabbing my bag, I close the door and follow the same routine as I have since I was seven. Get up and swim my ass off. I eat, sleep, and breathe it. There is only one thing that I desire more, and that’s Cash Money. The smell of chlorine hits my nostrils, and I’m awake and ready for the workout that is waiting.
Dylan is in lane two in the middle of a set. I quickly make my way to the locker room, change, grab the workout, and dive in lane one.
Before Dylan starts his next set, he waits on me. His perfectly chiseled chest is perched on the lane rope like he is King of GPAC.
“Mornin’, Char. Just so you know, thoughts of you kept me up all night.”
“Give me a break, Dylan. You know that’s not the case,” I say as I perch myself against the gutter in lane one.
“Char, you are always in my thoughts, and if everyone wasn’t around, I’d show you exactly what I mean.”
“I bet.” I adjust my goggles and start my next set.
After twenty more minutes, our workouts are over, and Dylan hangs around to help me out of the pool, even though I don’t need it.
We separate at the locker room, but not before Dylan kisses me briefly on the cheek. I glance back at him as I make my way to shower, change, and hurry so I can meet Piper.
“So, I’ll see you later tonight,” Dylan informs me as he walks me to my car.
“Aight, is it another double date?”
“That’s a negative. It’s just us.”
“Okay,” I almost stutter.
“Char, I’m not gonna make you do anything you don’t want to. I promise.”
“What are we going to do?”
“I was thinking about taking you to see the new movie, ya know, from that book. What’s it called?”
“The Hobbit?”
“Yeah, I think so. I know you like to read and all.”
“Um, yeah, but I like a good book with a great book boyfriend, and that’s not one. How about that Madea Christmas one? I just wanna laugh, and that’s a guarantee.”
“Whatever. You wanna go eat somewhere nicer than the Burger Shak, especially since we are going to the city anyways?”
“Sure, what about Texas Roadhouse?”
“That sounds really good actually. I’ll pick you up at five thirty.” He captures my lips once more before closing the car door and walking to the Mustang.
I crank up the Honda, blast the heat, crank up some Florida Georgia Line to lighten my mood, and make my way to wake up Piper.
Dad is up early as usual and out at the barn. He waves to me when I get out of the car, and I hurry up the steps to the house.
Piper, Tessa, and Mama are in the kitchen eating breakfast.
“I’m glad Sleeping Beauty decided to wake up,” I say as I steal a piece of bacon from Piper’s plate.
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��Hey now! Get your own!” she says as she smacks my hand. I shrug it off and do exactly that. I pile my plate full of grits, bacon, eggs, and homemade biscuits.
“Hungry, Char?” Tessa asks.
“I worked up an appetite. Y’all know what it’s like when you swim. It’s like all that water just makes you want to eat and sleep for days.”
“So, how did things go last night, girls?” Mama asks.
“Good, I guess. I’m going to the movies in the city with Dylan tonight.”
“Don’t you think y’all are moving a little fast? I mean, I just don’t want you to forget who you are. Sometimes we women need to learn to be without a guy.”
Tessa, Piper, and I all stop and listen because we know there is a story that is getting ready to be told, and it will be one that teaches a lesson. One that I’m sure I need to hear.
“Girls, before your dad and I got together forever, I had bounced from one guy to another.”
Tessa interrupts, “So, Mama, were you a hoochie mama? Because if so, ewwww, I don’t want to hear anymore!”
“No, ma’am, I was not! In fact, that’s why I never settled down. I didn’t put out!”
Piper, Tessa, and I look at each other and our hands fly over our mouths. She has no filter, ever!
