Losing Charley

by Casey Peeler

  Chapter 4

  I take a few minutes to look at myself in the mirror. What the hell am I going to wear? In my closet I find white jean shorts, a hot pink crocheted vest top, and a pair of wedge sandals. I want to look cute, but don’t want it to look like I took hours to look good. I pull my hair up into a messy bun, touch up my makeup, and apply Aruba Coconut lotion to my legs and arms. I take one last look in the mirror on the back of the door, and I’m ready to go.

  When I open the door, I don’t see Crystal, but I hear her down the hall. Crystal and the three guys, Lucas, Jordan, and Nick, are in Caroline’s room.

  “Hey, Charley. We’re going to chill in Caroline’s room for a while,” Crystal says as she pokes her head out of the doorway.

  “Okay.”

  “Come on in. We’re just drinkin’ a little bit before we go.”

  Walking into Caroline’s room I see a cooler with God knows what in it. I’m afraid to even ask what is in it.

  “Want some PJ?” Caroline asks in her strong Southern accent.

  “What’s in it?”

  “Ya know, a little bit of everything, and those strawberries will knock you on your ass after while!”

  “So, are we trying to get fucked up tonight?” I say sarcastically.

  “We totally are! You want some or not?” What do I do? I mean, I use to be that girl that loved to have a good time, and now I’m afraid to have one drink because of what happened. I can’t drink this; I have no clue what’s in it. If it was an unopened can or bottle then maybe, but not this.

  “Nah, I’m good.”

  After hanging out in Caroline’s room for about thirty minutes, we all head off campus to the Soccer House. As Caroline and I walk side by side down the highway, I can see the effects the PJ is having on everyone.

  Caroline looks at me and says, “I just love you. We are going to have so much fun tonight!”

  The closer we get to the house, the louder the music gets. I can hear the bass thumping and know we are going to have a good time. I was nervous at first but now I can’t wait to dance and let loose a little bit and then I have a thought, a very good thought…Joe! I wonder if he will be here tonight. I haven’t been able to get him outta my head. I’d love to see if his moves are as hot as he is.

  We walk inside and this house looks like the furniture was picked up off the side of the road. Can you say thrift shop? There are people everywhere. As we make our way to the kitchen, Crystal, Lucas, Caroline and I bump into about a hundred people. Lucas informs us that since we are with him, nobody will touch our stuff. Well, I guess I’m super glad that my roommate is sleeping with Mr. Big Man on Campus. Caroline begins to sing, “Red Solo cup, I fill you up, Let’s have a party, Let’s have a party; I love you, red Solo cup, I lift you up, proceed to party, proceed to party.” I really hope she isn’t a music major, but I do know what her ringtone is going to be on my phone.

  Crystal and Lucas go on about their business while Caroline and I mingle. I recognize a few faces, but no one really stands out. That is until I look across the living room, and I see him. I try to act like I don’t see him, but I think it’s damn near impossible to miss someone that damn fine. I notice that Georgia, Tori, Jenny, Anna, and Cassie have arrived, and I can tell they have all had one too many. They run over to Caroline and me talking way too loud and acting too excited. We all claim the spot we’re standing in and just talk about random shit.

  The next thing I know, I hear Caroline shout. “Ohmygod, y’all! Do you see that wonderful specimen of a man over there?” She nonchalantly points across the room. Let’s not be obvious or anything!

  I look across the room and see a guy wearing jeans that fit right below his waist, white V-neck t-shirt, and a pair of Sanuks. He has the perfect color of sandy blonde oh-so-messy hair that I want to put my hands in. Then there are those eyes. Those eyes are beyond perfect. In fact, I think they match the Caribbean waters to a tee. I try my best not to let him know I’m staring, but damn, I just can’t help it. I give him a cute smile and then look back at the Kluft second floor girls.

  “Uh, Charley, hellloooo? Do you see him? He was soooooo checking you out!”

  “He was not, but oh my holy goodness, he’s like the hottest thing I’ve seen since I got here. Isn’t his name Joe? I think he was in our group today.” Like I don’t recognize him!

  “You are so right, Charley! Your name was priceless today! Cougar Charley, no way anyone’s going to forget that!”

  “Hey, let’s hit the dance floor.” I take Caroline’s arm while the rest of the Kluft girls follow us, and we hit the make shift dance floor in the living room. They are playing Mobb Deep’s “Quiet Storm.” It’s old, but I love the beat. We hit the middle of the floor and start swaying our hips to the music. We giggle like schoolgirls as we notice the guys in the room taking notice. A few others join us, Crystal and Lucas included.

  “If they’re watchin’, let’s show them how we Southern girls have a good time,” I say to Caroline.

  “You got it!”

  We add just a little more emphasis to our hips and start dancing with each other. Before I know it, the song is over, and we walk back into the kitchen so Caroline can grab another drink.

  “Caroline, I’m so glad Crystal got me to come with y’all tonight. I haven’t been to a party in forever!”

  “Girl, anytime! I can tell already that Georgia and I are going to be tight because we are a lot alike. Only thing is she’s super quiet. We are from ‘round here. Most of the students here are Yankees. Not that it’s a bad thing. They just piss me off when they make us seem stupid by the way we talk. I mean, they chose to come to school here.”

  “I understand you completely! But aren’t those Yankees too damn cute? I love me a country boy, but I might have to widen my horizons.”

  While Caroline pours herself another round, I hear the sexiest voice known to women. I look up and there is Joe. If his voice does that to me, I can only imagine what will happen if those perfect lips touch mine.

  “Let me get that for you.”

  “Thanks, Joe? Joe is your name, right?” Play dumb Charley.

  “Yeah, and you’re Cougar Charley.” We both laugh.

  “You know all I want to call you is Jackalope Joe,” I say with a half smile.

  I think I might fall out looking into those make-ya-wanna-melt, piercing blue eyes. Keep it together, Charley. I’ve got to keep in control. Good looking or not, guys are like a bad habit I can’t break. The last time I got involved with someone that could make my panties drop by just looking at me almost ended my life. I have to stay in control, no matter what my emotions are screaming at me.

  “Miss Cougar, ya wanna try out the dance floor?” Joe smirks. This is not good.

  “Sure, see if ya can keep up.” I smile.

  Joe leads me to the dance floor and puts his oh-so-manly hands on my hips. I immediately think where I want those hands to go. After several songs, Joe whispers into my ear, “Charley, you’re so beautiful,” as he kisses my neck.

  Ah hell, I was right. Those lips on my neck send a shiver down my spine and warm my insides like nothing I’ve felt before. Well, maybe that’s not the truth as my mind wanders to Cash, and guilt fills me for a brief moment.

  We leave the dance floor and walk outside to the porch. Joe sits me on top of the railing and pulls me in close. He looks me dead in the eyes. Ohmygosh, stick a fork in me, I’m done. Damn those crystal blue eyes.

  Joe pulls me in closer, flashes those pearly whites, and takes my mouth in his. He kisses me to my core. I want to pull away, but I can’t. We finally come up for air; there is a desire that has ignited between both of us. I really need to find Caroline and get out of here before we go further. Before I can get a word out, he has covered my mouth again, and his hands are reaching for the edge of my top. As soon as his fingers grace my skin, I’m a goner. My hands are wrapped around his neck an
d in his oh-so-messy hair.

  All of a sudden, I hear talking. Joe and I struggle to separate. When we do, I know this is my chance. I have got to find Caroline and get the hell out of here.

  “Um, Joe.”

  “Yeah,” he says with the perfect smile.

  “I’ve really had a good time with you, but I think I need to find Caroline. It’s getting late.”

  “Really? You sure you don’t want to find somewhere a little more private?”

  “Um, I shouldn’t. I’m not usually like this. Um, I mean, there’s a lot you don’t know about me. In fact, if you did, you would probably have a different opinion of me.” I can’t believe I just said that aloud.

  “I find that very hard to believe, Charley. From what I’ve seen, you have everything I like in a girl in one sweet, sexy, Southern package. I want to get to know you in more ways than one.”

  How do I respond to that? I look into his eyes. Mistake numero uno. Before I know it, I’m caught in his strong arms with his eyes staring straight through me. I can see he has a desire to be with me and a first I’m scared but then his eyes soften and I have a strange feeling he wants to know more about me. He places his hand on my cheek as he pulls me in close. He kisses me with those oh-so-soft lips and then pulls away.

  “Charley, you are truly beautiful. I don’t know what you are hiding or scared of, but I want to know you. All of you.” He gives me a quick kiss on my forehead. “Now, let’s go find Caroline.”

  Gawh! My head is swimming above me right now. I need something to drink. Like he has read my mind, Joe grabs a water.

  We find Caroline hugged up in the corner with some jock. She sees me and pries away, leaving her digits in his hand. We grab the PJ and tell the Kluft girls bye. Joe walks me to the front porch, kisses me one last time, and Caroline and I walk arm and arm back to Kluft.

  I walk into my room. Crystal is MIA. Go figure. I put on my pj’s and pass out.