by Casey Peeler
“Now, some of my friends did, but me, no. Your grandma would have shot the guy and me! Anyways, one day your grandma had to put in her two cents. Each time she’d give me a lecture, I’d run straight into another guy’s arms, but I didn’t put out. During my junior year, I was at the Burger Shak and your father walked in. We had known each other forever. He had lots of girls after him, and he decided to pull up a seat beside me. He was different. He wasn’t about wooing me; instead, he wanted to be my friend. That friendship grew into the best love possible. I spent an entire year off at college without a boyfriend, and it was the best thing I had ever done. Your father did the same. When we came home after freshman year, we both knew who we were as individuals and there was no doubt that our friendship was the foundation for the relationship that was destined to bloom. We also knew that becoming a couple could change things if they didn’t work out, but the moment he took me fishing for our first date and then his lips touched mine, I was his hook, line, and sinker! Girls, just thinkin’ about it gets me tore up!”
“Mama! Stop! I don’t want to hear anything else! Yuck!” I say.
“Come on, Mama. I wanna know more,” Tessa says. Of course, she does. She always wants to know all the juicy details and then give a play-by-play later.
“Mama Number Two, I knew you and Pops were hot stuff back in the day!” Piper adds.
“I don’t know about y’all, but it’s getting hot in this kitchen, and I need to get outta here,” I say as I put my plate into the sink. Tessa and Piper follow suit while Mama sits there smiling and drinkin’ her coffee.
About that time, Dad walks into the room, and we snicker.
“What was that about?” he asks Mama.
“Let’s just say that I let them in on how things were we when we were young and foolish,” she says as she stands and moves toward Dad and places her arms around his neck.
“On that note, we are definitely out,” Tessa says as she makes kissy faces as she passes them.
The fact that my parents are as in love as they were twenty-five years ago makes me proud. I can honestly say that will be Cash and me one day. I’m sure of it. It’s just gonna take a little time to get Dylan completely out of the picture.
We all make our way to my bedroom, and that’s when the questions start. Where are we going? What time am I leaving? How am I gonna let them know what’s going on? What will I do if he tries something? They keep going on and on.
“Y’all stop! I’ll be fine. I just need you to know where I am and when I should be home. If I’m not, then you need to worry. He was almost apologetic at practice. If he’s on his game, then he won’t try anything tonight. It will be later. He needs to know that he has me for sure.”
I take out my phone and text Cash. As always, he calls me before he replies. I explain the same thing to him, and he calms down. I also promise him that he will be who I’m with at the end of the night. We disconnect, and I return my attention to Piper and Tessa who are picking out my outfit for tonight.
They’ve done a pretty good job. Glancing at my bed, I see a pair of Miss Me Jeans, a V-neck long-sleeved red shirt with a lace camisole to go underneath, and my boots.
“Good job, ladies!”
“Well, you know you have to look the part,” Tessa says.
“True dat!” I say.
“Uh, please don’t talk like that again,” Piper states. “That in a redneck Southern drawl isn’t cute.” She pauses. “Well, I guess I better get home. I think Mom wants to get the decorations finished, and everybody has to be there. Let me know when you get home and if you need me tonight.”
“I will,” I reply. Piper gives me a hug and heads home. Tessa and I decide to go out on the farm and see what all the animals are up to.
We walk out the back door and get on the Gator. We start at the back of the farm and make our way up. Dad is in the shed working on the tractor. We stop by to see if there is anything he needs us to do. He just says for us to make sure the goats are still near the pond. We are on it, and it also gives me a reason to get close to Cash’s farm.
We follow the perimeter of the farm toward the pond. Tessa and I don’t say much until we realize that Joker, along with his two siblings, has jumped the damn fence again.
“Oh my gosh, Char! How are we going to get them back across?”
“Easy. Pick up their asses, unless they decide to be as stubborn as usual.”
“That’s so not funny. You think Cash can help us, or is that off limits, too?”
“I’m okay with him helping if he’s outside. You see him anywhere?”
We both look around, but we don’t see him.
“Tess, let’s just try it, okay?”
I put the Gator in park, and we try to call them back across, which is a negative. Joker and I have our own way with words. Pretty much I keep it blunt, pull on his horns, and he gets the picture. Slowly but surely, he makes it across. I just need Tessa to hold the fence, so he can cross.
Once he is back inside, we work on the others. One at a time, we get them across. After the last one is back on our property, I see Cash in the distance. He looks our way almost like he’s unsure of how to react. Then, I watch him walk away. My heart breaks to see him act like we are nothing, even if it is an act.
“Charley, he’s only doing what he has to and what you asked him to do.”
“I know, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Let’s make our way back to the house. I’m gonna need another shower after all this mess.”
“Whatever, I could use a cup of Mama’s hot chocolate.”
On the way back to the Gator, something creeps into my brain. I feel a pull toward the club. I need to go up there for some reason.
“Tessa, can we check out the club? I just feel like I need to go up there.”
“Sure, you want me to hang out down here or come up with ya?”
“I think I’ll be all right. It could be nothin’.”
Making my way to the ladder, I look back to where Cash was standing, only to find he’s no longer there. Then, I see him sitting on the bench outside his barn, like he’s waiting. I hurry up the ladder and look around the club. It doesn’t take me long to notice what’s different.
There is something carved into the wood below the window and overlooking the pond. I walk closer, squat down, and run my fingers across it.
Char-Coal + $ = 4ever & ever
My heart warms, and it amazes me how in tune Cash and I are. I pull out my prepaid phone and text him.
Me: 4ever & ever & ever. I Love U $!
Cash: U like?
Me: I <3 TY!
Cash: Meet me there tonight.
Me: K
“Hey, Char, everything okay up there?”
“Yeah, you gotta see this. Come here.”
Tessa comes up the stairs and looks around, trying to figure out what is different. It takes her a good five minutes to notice, but when she does, her smile lights up the room.
“Char, I wouldn’t have even noticed it because it blends in perfectly with the wood and location. Can you imagine when y’all’s kids come here to play?”
“Um, I don’t know about all that. This is our spot, ya know? But I guess you’re right. It would be neat for our kids to experience this. I mean, the club, farm, country life, getting your hands dirty, and keeping things simple.”
Tessa and I make our way out of the club and back to the barn. We return the Gator and spend a few minutes with Dad in the barn. He’s cleaning the horses’ hooves. I join in and help, and Tessa watches as usual. It’s nice to spend some quality time with Dad.
“Char, with practice you haven’t been able to get in a tree, have ya?”
“Nope, but I’m hoping I can a couple of days before the season goes out.”
“You got the one and now are takin’ it easy. It’s okay. You got the Big Buck Contest in the bag this year.”
“Maybe.”
I finish helping Dad, and then we head to the house. I’m about to sta
rve, but I don’t want to eat too much since I’m going to eat with Dylan.
Mama has a crockpot of chili beans going. Tessa and I each grab a cup and get comfortable on the couch. Mama is watching a rerun of Mama’s Family, and we watch it with her.
“Is the chili good, girls?”
“Yes, ma’am,” we say on cue.
After eating just a little, I excuse myself and get ready for my date with Dylan. I take my time because not only do I need to look the part, but I’m also worried about being alone. I don’t believe anything will happen tonight, but who’s to say that won’t happen. I know a few things though. I will not leave my drinks unattended, and I will keep up my guard.
Turning on the radio, I try to focus on anything but what is about to occur. That is until Luke Bryan comes on the radio. “Crash My Party” echoes through the speakers, and that song means more to me than words can express. Not only is that Cash Money’s ringtone, but I also know without any doubt that if I call Cash, he will come to my rescue. He doesn’t care what he’s doing, where he is, or what he will lose in the process, and that means more to me than life itself. I stop to stare in the mirror and reflect on my plan. Does it reflect those same feelings for Cash? Or, am I being selfish because I want to hurt Dylan like he hurt me? Either way, I don’t like who I see in this reflection, and I want this to be over sooner rather than later.
When the song changes to a more upbeat one by Taylor Swift, I pull myself from those thoughts and finish getting ready. As I’m adding the final accessories to my wardrobe, I hear Mama call that Dylan is here. I grab my purse, coat, and head downstairs. Dylan is standing there in a pair of AE jeans, a fitted vintage style long-sleeved tee, and a pair of Sanuks.
What catches me off guard is the bouquet of blue roses in his hand. That’s different. I wonder what they symbolize. I take them from him and thank him with a kiss on the cheek. Then, I turn to Mama who takes them from me, and we make our way to the car.
Dylan guides me to the car with his hand on the small of my back. Again, he plays the perfect gentleman role to a T by opening the car door, asking if I’m comfortable, what I want to listen to on the radio, and so on. The only thing I want right now is to be out of this car, but instead, I make the best of it and ask for a little country because Dylan hates country music. That in itself should have been clue number one for me to stay away from him.
He does as I wish and the night gets a little better when it’s like the big man upstairs is looking out for me as Florida Georgia Line comes on.
“Did you know there’s a remix of this on the other stations with Nelly?” Dylan asks.
“Yeah, but the original is way better. They are going places fast, and I can say I used to listen to them before people had a clue about them.”
“You’re right about that. I thought if I had to hear “Cruise” one more time I was going to break your damn iPod.”
“Dylan Sloan, you wouldn’t dare!”
“No, I wouldn’t, but seriously, who’s gonna be the next big thing, if you had to guess?”
“That’s easy! Cole Swindell and then Chase Rice isn’t far behind him!”
“I’m sure you’re right. So, what’s been your favorite thing about college?”
“Definitely the friends I’ve made. The Kluft girls are like my sisters. They helped me decide to swim again. I missed it so much. I think some of them might actually be coming to Grassy Pond for New Year’s.”
“What are they going to do here for New Year’s?”
“You know as well as I do, there’ll be a party somewhere. Hayden and Anna are about to die to meet some good ol’ country boys.”
“I bet.”
Before I know it, we are at Texas Roadhouse and those cheese fries are calling my name. If I’ve got to be on a date with Dylan, I’m going to eat what I want. One thing that I’ve never been scared to do is eat in front of a guy. Now, the only problem is keeping it down.
Conversation at supper is easy and like it used to be before the incident. I try to focus on that time when we were happy, or at least, I thought we were.
Once supper is finished, we make our way to the theater. Dylan offers to buy popcorn and drinks, but I’m stuffed. He gets a drink, and I know I’m safe tonight because he doesn’t offer me an extra straw or anything. I’ll just drink straight out of his since there is no way he’s going to poison himself.
The movie is hilarious, and at one point, I’m crying I’m laughing so hard. When it ends, we make our way back to Grassy Pond. Dylan doesn’t push himself on me; he walks me to the front door, kisses me on the cheek, and turns to walk away. Odd.
“Thanks for a great night,” I say.
He stops and turns around on the step. “Charley, I meant what I said when I told you I was sorry about before. I’m not that person anymore,” he says it with no hint of lying in his eyes, but I know better.
“I’m glad. I’ll talk to you tomorrow sometime after church. I’m taking a day off from the pool.”
“Okay, night.”
Walking inside, I hang my coat on the hook and make sure the door is locked. I’m in earlier than midnight, and my family is up playing Uno in the kitchen.
“Can I play?”
“Sure, as soon as I beat their butts,” Tessa says.
“Let’s just see about that,” Dad replies.
“Well, while y’all finish this round, I’m going to change. I’ll be right back.”
Hurrying upstairs, I text Piper that I’m home and fine. She informs me that she’s been talking to Joe all night, and he wants to visit her before she goes back to school. Then, I call Cash because I just need to hear his voice.
“Hey, Char-coal.”
“Hey, Cash Money, it’s so good to hear your voice.”
“I’ve been waiting all night to hear yours as well. Do I need to head toward the club?”
“Give me just a little bit. Mama, Dad, and Tessa are playing Uno downstairs, and I wanna whoop their butts real quick. I have a feeling Mama and Dad are ready to call it a night. Once they are in their room, I’ll text ya.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you soon. Love you.”
“Love you, too.” After we hang up, I change and hurry downstairs for a family fun game of Uno.
I make my way to the fridge for a Choice Cherry Gold and take a seat beside Tessa. “She beat ya, huh?”
“Like always. I swear she cheats,” Dad says.
“I do not!”
“Let’s deal and see who wins this time,” I say as I push my shoulder into Tessa’s.
“Hey now!”
The next thirty minutes is Rice family time, and it’s perfect. There are so many memories attached to nights like these when I was younger, and Tessa always won or made you feel bad if she didn’t. She beats me, but mainly because I have other plans tonight.
Mama and Dad retire to their room, and Tessa and I hang out in the kitchen, putting away the cards and snacks.
“Soooooo, how was it tonight?”
“Okay, actually. He didn’t try anything. That was kinda weird or not like him. He even apologized again. Oh, and those flowers? Totally not like him. I’ve gotta figure out what that color represents.”
“No worries. I did that already. They are beautiful, but who buys blue roses?”
“What do they mean?”
Tessa doesn’t say anything; instead, she pulls out her iPhone and opens Safari. She hands it to me, and I read, “The unattainable, the impossible.” I stop, stare, and think about those words. What is he trying to imply? Am I the impossible, or is my goal of escaping him unattainable?
Chapter 18
I hand Tessa back her phone without saying a word. I push the meaning to the back of my mind. She searches for what to say, but elects to give me a hug instead as she whispers that it’s going to be all right into my ear.
I pull away and take out my prepaid phone and text Cash. Tessa knows where I am going, but she doesn’t want me to go alone. I agree to have Cash m
eet me at the barn.
Tessa watches me walk to the barn from the back porch, and Cash and I make our way to the club.
We don’t talk for the first hour. He just holds me in his arms as we dance to the music on the radio. If only time could freeze, and I never had to face another day with Dylan, life would be perfect.
Eventually, Cash whispers into my ear that we need to talk about what’s in our near future. It kinda catches me off guard. I thought I was his future.
We take a seat on the futon, and Cash explains.
“Char, we have a lot going on in the next two weeks before you go back to Southern. We need to have a plan for every event.”
I look at him like I’m lost because I am.
“Tomorrow at church, do we have a plan? Your parents’ Christmas party, do we have a plan? New Year’s? You see what I mean?”
“Yeah, I see what you mean. What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking that I’m going to be ready to beat Dylan’s ass if I have to watch you two at these places.”
I take Cash’s hand in mine. “Look, Cash. There is no need to worry at church because we will sit with our parents. The others might be difficult, but I’m thinking the Kluft girls can help with New Year’s.”
“Aight, I’m listenin’.”
