Loving Charley

by Casey Peeler

  “You better stop that if you know what’s good for ya,” I mumble.

  “What’s good for me, huh? I do believe last night you knew what was good for me.”

  “Cash Money, are you trying to say that was what you wanted? Me to push you to that breaking point, but not go there?”

  “I’ll never tell,” he says as he gives me a peck on the lips and brushes his body across mine as he climbs out of bed.

  “Where ya goin’?” I question.

  “The little boys’ room or more like the little girls’ room.”

  I laugh as Cash excuses himself, and I text Piper. She doesn’t respond, so I’m willing to bet they aren’t up yet, even though it’s getting close to noon.

  When Cash returns, he crawls back into bed with me, and we lie there with each other and savor the moment of togetherness.

  “Char-coal, I love you. You know that, right?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “‘Cause there’s one thing I need to tell you about…” My senses begin to heighten and an uneasy feeling sweeps over my body.

  Pulling myself from his arm, I turn to him. “What do you mean you have something to tell me?”

  “Just listen to everything first,” he says. I know for a fact that anything that starts with words like that isn’t going to be good. In fact, I’m scared that Cash is about to break me. “When you went away to school, I didn’t know what to do with myself, knowing everything that had gone on. I had to do everything in my power to know what was really going on with Dylan. I didn’t tell you, but Dustin and I started hanging out.” Well, that’s no shocker. “But, what we didn’t tell you is that we also started hanging out with Trent. I had to know how they did things. With Dustin on my side, Trent trusted us and we know what they use, how they get it, and how they get the girls to trust them.”

  Horror flashes across my face. Please God don’t tell me what I think he’s about to say. “Don’t go there, Charley. I’m not a monster, and you know it.” Taking a deep breath, I sit up and continue to listen to a story that I don’t want to believe. “One night, the night I went out with Tessa and Sally came, we had them play along. Dustin and I gave Trent the whole package, made him think we were going to give them “Z,” and more importantly, Sally and Tessa went along with it.”

  “What do you mean they went along with it’?”

  “Charley, we did everything Trent told us to do, but with one minor change. When we put the “Z” into their drink, we actually switched the drinks. We drank it.”

  “You did what?!” I shout.

  “I couldn’t do that to those two, and if we were going to do that, we had to have two people we trusted with us.”

  “Question.” Cash waits for it. “How did you make it home driving if y’all drank it? It took no time for that to have an effect on me.”

  “Well, Dustin and I split the dose between us first of all, and we were in my truck. As soon as we were out of sight of the party, Tessa took the wheel. Then, they took us to the club to sleep it off.”

  “I just don’t understand why?”

  “Char-coal, at that point, you weren’t taking action, and if you weren’t, then I had to do something.”

  “So, why are you just now telling me?”

  “Because I have a feeling that Dylan is going to try to use that against me in court. I’m ahead of him, though. My lawyer already knows, and Dustin and I have video of deals made in Trent’s house, along with documentation of what we were doing. We have pictures of us that night. We have everything that the court will need to stop this entire operation.”

  Letting my tense body relax, I realize that Cash didn’t break me; he freed me once again. He truly is my knight in an F250 and a pair of Carhartts. A smile spans across my face.

  “You do realize that I thought you were about to break me into a million pieces?”

  No longer wanting to have any distance between us, Cash moves to sit directly in front of me, brushing my hair behind my ear. “I could never break you because that would demolish my soul. Our souls are intertwined forever, and what you feel, I feel.”

  Looking into his eyes, I see deep into his soul, and I know he speaks the truth. Regardless of everything going on in my life, he has never lied to me. Placing my hand on his cheek, I bite my lip and agree silently as we remove all space between us. His lips are light yet needy. We move in perfect unison, as we know that there are no walls between us, and we make use of every moment we have until my phone begins to play “Hell on Heels,” and Piper interrupts us.

  “Hey,” I say shortly.

  “Did I just interrupt something?”

  “What do you think?” I ask in a smart-ass tone.

  “Maybe Cash needs to give in so you won’t be such a smart ass.” She laughs.

  “Haha! You know better than that. So, what are y’all doin’?” I question.

  “Finally moving. I guess it’s safe to say we missed breakfast, huh?”

  “Yeah, but it’s okay. I needed to sleep in. We can always go to IHOP or something if y’all still want breakfast.”

  I hear Piper ask Joe what he wants, and I glance at Cash who basically doesn’t care what we do as long as we are together.

  “That sounds great. Give us about thirty minutes, and we’ll be ready to go.” We hang up, and I fall right back into Cash Money’s arms. “We have thirty minutes.” I wink.

  “Well, how about you just let me hold you for a few minutes before we get ready?”

  “Sounds absolutely perfect.”

  Cash holds me in his arms, and we talk about random stuff. When we get up, I take a super quick shower, get ready, and throw my hair up into a messy bun. Cash is packed and ready to go, and just seeing him standing there with his bags makes my heart sink.

  “Hey, no need for that, Char-coal. These next few weeks will be over before you know it. Then, hopefully, court will be behind us, and we will be spending a weekend away at the Florida Georgia Line concert. That brings a smile to my face. I hope Cash gets off easy, and I don’t have to take Tessa instead. “Whatcha thinkin’?” he asks.

  “That I sure hope Tessa doesn’t have to go with me to the concert.”

  Dropping his bag to the floor, he walks toward me, pulls me in for a strong hug, and tells me that he promises it will be us. There is one thing I know about Cash; he always keeps his promises.

  “Now, let’s go. I feel a big ol’ stack of pancakes callin’ my name,” he says as he takes me by the hand, and we make our way to meet Piper and Joe.

  They are waiting for us by Joe’s Jeep. Knowing that Piper has to leave, she drives separately from Joe. I decide to ride with Cash since I know I can ride back to campus with Joe.

  After sliding into the middle of the front bench seat, I rest my head on Cash’s shoulder for part of the ride. Cash turns up the radio to our favorite country station. We sing every word that comes through the speakers, but when Brantley Gilbert begins to play, I think my face turns a million shades of red.

  “Whatcha blushin’ for?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about, Cash Money.”

  “I know exactly why you’re blushin’, but there’s no reason for it. Honestly, that’s one of the highlights of our relationship.”

  I gasp. “And to think I was really starting to wonder if I could make you give in just a teeny tiny bit.”

  “I’d have given in a long time ago, but there’s always a time and a place for everything.”

  “Why do you have to always be right? It drives me crazy.”

  “Hopefully, it just makes you crazier for me,” he says with a smile.

  “Oh, it does.” I give him a few kisses on his neck as he is driving, and he informs me I better stop before we wreck.

  As we pull into IHOP, we are greeted by Piper and Joe having a little “them time” in Joe’s Jeep. I’m not really sure how they got here before us, but, oh well.

  “Um, do we interrupt them, or just go on in?” Cash questio
ns as he points to them.

  “I’ll text her.” After a brief moment, they break apart and exit the Jeep.

  We enter with a little awkward silence as we are seated. After the waitress takes our drink and food order, things get back to normal. We just cut up and enjoy the next hour before we all have to go our separate ways.

  After we eat, we hang out outside as we avoid saying goodbye. When the inevitable is upon us, each couple goes their separate ways after I tell Piper bye. Joe and Piper go to her car, and Cash and I go to his truck.

  As he places his arms around my waist, he asks, “You remember the last time I told you bye in a parking lot?”

  As I slide my arms around his neck, I reply, “I sure do. That was the moment I realized we would never be over.”

  “What do you mean that’s the moment you knew?”

  “Cash Money, I could fight us from now until the cows come home, but what’s the point? That day when I drove off and back to school, deep down I knew that even if I wanted to be on my own, you would be at the finish line. I love you, and I always have regardless of how stubborn I am. It was just something I had to do. You. Are. My. Forever.”

  He tilts his head to meet mine, and we don’t talk with words, but with actions until I hear Joe clearing his throat.

  “Sorry to break up the party, but Piper’s about to head out. Looking up, I see her backing out of the space. She has her window down and is yelling bye to us as she pulls onto the main road. Gosh, I love that girl. Cash places his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in close as we wave goodbye to her.

  “She sure is somethin’,” I say.

  “Y’all have no idea.” Joe smirks.

  “Just give me a minute, and I’ll be ready. Okay, Joe?”

  “Just meet me at the Jeep. Cash, I’ll take care of her, and I’ll see ya soon,” he says as they shake hands.

  As Joe turns to go to his Jeep, I realize that this is it. The next time I see Cash will either be in court or the night before the hearing.

  “Don’t. Char-coal. Don’t,” Cash says in a hushed tone.

  Trying my best to force back tears, I shake my head okay, but inside, I never want to leave him. I want to throw away everything I’ve worked toward and spend every moment possible with him until the future is decided.

  “Just think. The next time you see me, this will be at an end. Dylan will have his verdict and so will I. We will come out on top, so don’t you worry your cute little ass about it. Do you understand me?”

  “Okay.” I quiver.

  “Promise me,” he says confidently.

  “I promise.”

  “I love you, Charley Anne Rice, and when this is over, our life is truly going to start.” Then, he kisses me deep into my soul.

  “I love you too, Cash Porter Montgomery, and I can’t wait to spend every mornin’ wakin’ up beside you, and when I close my eyes at night, you’re there, too.” He hugs me tight and kisses me once more before he walks me to Joe’s Jeep.

  Cash opens the door like the true Southern gentleman he is and guides me to the seat before he closes the door. I roll down the window, and he leans in and brushes his lips against mine one last time then he tells us bye, turns, and walks to his truck. I swear nothing can brighten my day better than watching him walk away, even though it breaks my heart because an ass shouldn’t look that good in a pair of Carhartts.

  Joe starts to laugh. “What?” I ask.

  “You got it bad.”

  “Whatever, like you can talk,” I banter right back.

  “You got a point.”

  He puts the Jeep in reverse, and we make our way back to Southern. The entire way back, I play twenty questions with him about Piper. By the time we finish, I’ve embarrassed him so much that he doesn’t answer the questions, but I keep them coming anyway. Finally, I stop because he’s starting to get pissed off. Personally, I think it’s funny. Him, not so much.

  “On a serious note, Jackalope Joe, if you hurt her, I’ll kill ya. Ya got it?”

  “If it was any other girl, I might not take you seriously, but I saw the line of trophies hanging in the living room at your parents’ house. I don’t doubt you one bit, but I promise not to hurt her. If anything, I’m worried about her hurting me.”

  That kinda stung when Joe said it because I know Piper. She’s head over heels for him, but she also has never been one to settle down. She’s usually on to the next guy when she gets bored, but she also has never stood up for a guy like she did for Joe over the break with me. I know that there is more than just moving on.

  “I know her, and I can promise you this. She has never been this way over any guy. I believe you’re safe. Hell, if she hurts you, I just might whoop her ass.” I laugh.

  “Uh, Squirrel, let’s don’t. That would revoke my man card,” he says like he’s wounded.

  “True.”

  Before we know it, we are crossing the railroad tracks onto campus. Joe parks, and I tell him bye. As I start to walk to my dorm, he hollers at me. I turn around, and he’s walking toward me. Confused. That’s me.

  “I wasn’t sure when I should give this to you, but I figured I better go ahead,” he says as he pulls a folded piece of paper from his pocket. Slowly, he hands it to me.

  “What is it?” I question.

  “It’s from Cash. He wanted you to read it after he left.”

  “Left? What do you mean ‘left’?” Panic sets in my tone.

  “Charley, don’t go there. I meant when he went back home.”

  “Oh, okay.” I grip it tighter in my hand. “Thanks,” I say as I turn to leave, but decide to ask one more question. “Hey Joe, do you really think he’s going to be all right?”

  “I don’t think he’s the one I’m going to have to worry about. Squirrel, just promise me no matter the outcome that you don’t do anything stupid. No more plans. You got me?”

  Trying to avoid tears, I agree quickly and turn to go to my room. My hands begin to tremble just thinking about what might be in that note. I want to open it, but I’m scared. Why am I scared to open something from my Cash Money? Trying to be incognito from the Kluft girls, I sneak into my room to see what’s going on, but realize that Georgia has already spotted me.

  “Char, are you okay? I mean, besides the fact that Cash has gone home.”

  Shaking my head no, my face scrunches together as I force back tears. She sees the note in my hand.

  “What’s that?” Georgia questions.

  “I don’t know,” I say within a sob.

  She approaches me and takes the note. “Do you want me to read it?”

  “No, I’m just scared.”

  Georgia guides me into my room and closes the door. “Char, I don’t know much about love, but I do know this. He. Loves. You. That’s all you need to think about. Whatever is in this letter is going to confirm that.”

  Using my sleeve to wipe away the tears, I answer her, “I hope so.”

  “I know so,” she says with a mischievous grin. This makes me smile because whatever is going on here she knows as well, even if she tried to act clueless a minute ago.

  “I’ll leave you alone a minute,” she says as she hands the note back to me and then goes to her room.

  After grabbing a tissue, I unfold the paper and begin to read the words from my soul mate.

  To my Char-coal,

  I know by now you are probably a crying and slobbering mess, and I’m sorry to have made you cry, but those are all the tears you will ever shed over me. This letter is about firsts. I didn’t know how to tell you what I really feel about everything going on, so I thought I’d try this.

  For starters, you are everything that matters to me. Without you in my life, I serve no purpose. You give me a reason to wake up each morning. Knowing that you are my future is what gets me through the day and through all this mess that’s going on now.

  I promised you that I would come out on top, and I know that I will. When the judge sees the evidence, my record, and that
what I did was to protect you, I know they will be on our side. I know I won’t get off completely, but the moment that I can walk out as a free man is the day that I will never leave your side.

  Until that day, I want you to live life to the fullest, enjoy the Kluft girls, keep Joe straight, kick ass in the pool, and let your light shine to everyone you meet. You are a one-in-a-million girl, and I can’t believe that you are mine from now until eternity. I love you, Charley Anne Rice, and when this is over, I’m never letting you go.

  Now, quit sulking, smile that heart-warming smile, and have fun because that’s what college is about. I’ll see you in two weeks.

  Love always and forever and ever,

  Your Cash Money

  Smiling that heart-warming smile is exactly what I do. Glancing in the mirror, I look like a semi hit me, but I don’t care. I open the door only to be greeted by the Kluft girls with open arms.

  “‘Bout damn time. We got shit to do and take names,” Tori says smartly.

  “Whatcha mean?”

  “We are about to have one hell of a time for the next two weeks because I have a feeling when this is over, Cash isn’t going to let you outta his sight.”

  “Sounds like fun to me!” I say excitedly.

  “So, have you heard of Gravity Hill?” Tori questions.

  “Um, no. Please tell me it’s not some ride at the local county fair?”

  With an eye roll, Tori fills me in. “Gravity Hill is this hill in the middle of freakin’ nowhere. People say that if you put baby powder on your bumper and turn off your car when you get to the bottom, there will be fingerprints left in the powder.”

  “What? Is that not just from what falls off the back of the car?”

  “Hell, I don’t know, but it sounds like something fun to me. So, are you in?”

  “Why not. Who has baby powder?” I ask.

  We all look at each other and then Caroline speaks up. “I do.”

  “Why in this world would you have baby powder in your dorm room?” Anna smarts at her.

  “Y’all, this Southern Belle’s feet cannot sweat! I glisten, remember!” Caroline says in a sweet Southern drawl.