Southern Perfection

by Casey Peeler

  “Hey! Sorry, I’ve gotta go. I’ll see ya tonight,” I say, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek and leaving him standing alone. It’s not that he’s a bad guy; he’s just not for me. I want someone that gets me, not what everyone thinks they know about me. I don’t wanna be the cheerleader that dates the quarterback. I wanna be the girl that meets a guy that loves me for my brains and beauty.

  As I walk to my truck, I see Emmett propped up against it, waiting for me.

  “Dang, you’re fast,” I say as I make my way to the driver’s seat.

  “Well, it looked like you were busy in there,” he says as he pushes off my truck.

  “He just doesn’t get it, no matter how much I tell him, but don’t say I said that.”

  He laughs. “Why not, if you’ve already told him?”

  “Um, how long have you known Jace?”

  “A long time,” he adds.

  “He always gets what he wants. The only reason he’s still trying to talk to me is because I won’t go out with him. I just don’t have time for that. My grandaddy needs me too much right now.”

  Emmett looks at me quizzically. “What do you mean? He has Cole.”

  “True, but Cole doesn’t live there. I’ve always been there to help. The work doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. I help with the housework, cooking, and I’m his secretary, too.”

  “How do you balance it all?”

  “It’s pretty much all I’ve ever done. I don’t know any different. So, when did you get into town?”

  “Late last night.”

  “Oh, are you glad to be back?” I ask, trying to change the subject from me.

  “Kinda. My stepmom is a bitch. I swear, once Dad started dating her, I knew I needed to move back in with Mom. She and George have been married for a while, and I like him. He treats her better than my dad ever did.”

  “That’s so sweet. How is it with Cole as a brother?”

  “It’s okay. He’s older than me, but it’s good to have him around. That’s enough about me. What’ve you been up to, besides the farm?”

  I think for a few seconds. “Not much more than what I said earlier. Besides school and workin’ on the farm, that’s about it. I have been known to throw down a little at a field party or two.” I wink.

  “So, does that mean you’re goin’ tonight?”

  “Thanks to Jordyn, yes.”

  “Well, I’m glad,” he says as he opens the truck door, and I see Cole and Grandaddy making their way to us.

  Straightening my skirt, I grab my backpack and start to walk inside the house to change and work when Grandaddy stops me.

  “Raegan, whatcha doin’ home? I thought I told ya to have some fun,” Grandaddy scorns.

  I walk to him and give him a peck on the cheek. “Grandaddy, you know I couldn’t do that to ya.”

  He looks at Cole. “What are we gonna do with her? I swear.”

  Cole laughs and looks at me. “Uncle Dover, I have no idea, but maybe Emmett can help us.” My eyes bug outta my head. “By the way, how was your first day back, Emmett?” Cole asks, turning to Emmett.

  “Okay, I guess,” he says with his hands in his pockets and a shrug.

  “Yeah, I bet. Come on. We’re almost done; we were just fixin’ the door to the barn, and then we are outta here,” Cole says as he turns, and Emmett follows.

  As I stand there with Grandaddy, I know he’s waiting until they are out of ears’ reach before he says his next words.

  Before he can ask about my day, I ask him about his, “How did the appointment go?” I inquire with worry in my tone.

  “Raegan, Sunshine, there’s no need to worry. I’m doing fine. The doctor said it’s just the old man type leukemia. I just gotta take a pill every so often. I go back next week to get it all lined up,” he says with confidence and reassurance.

  “Grandaddy, I don’t care what they said. It’s a big deal to me. I can’t lose you, too!” I say as my voice heightens. He takes me and pulls me in for a hug, and I know he is strong, confident, and his positive outlook will see this through. I just know it.

  “Now, listen. This is between us. Within a month or so, this should be over, and I’ll be fine. Cole doesn’t need any more on his plate with Emmett moving back, and I need you to focus on school and having fun. Do you understand me?”

  “Yes, sir,” I say as tears fill my eyes.

  “Don’t cry, Sunshine. I’m fine. Now, let’s finish up. I wanna get a good seat for the game.”

  Shaking my head, I giggle. When my world stops, he makes it move again. “I’m going with you next week.”

  “Sunshine…” He starts to protest, but I refuse to fall to this battle.

  “I’m goin’,” I state forcefully as I walk into the house, slamming the screen door behind me. Rushing to my room, I change from my uniform and hurry to start supper and finish cleaning the house. Two hours. I got this!

  I start with supper. It’s got to be quick and simple. I laugh when I look inside the cabinet. I couldn’t care less if I just eat a sandwich, and Grandaddy won’t care either. Then, I spot a can of Beanee Weenees. That will work, and they are his favorite. Each time he fixes them, he tells me how good they are and so much better than when he was in the war. This makes me smile, and I need to smile. I need to push away what he told me. I can’t lose him. I won’t lose him, because I need him to survive.

  After making the final decisions on supper, I head to the washroom to start the laundry. I then dust, sweep, and clean the bathrooms quickly. With just Grandaddy and me, the house stays pretty clean, except for all the hair Hank the Labrador loses. I swear, he never stops shedding. When I walk into the kitchen to warm up supper and fix a couple of sandwiches, I hear Grandaddy come inside from working.

  He stops at the sink, washes his hands, and makes his way to me. “Are those Beanee Weenees I smell?” I nod yes. “Allll righhht!” he says with excitement as he rubs his hands together.

  We make our plates and eat together while he asks me about my day at school, my thoughts about the game tonight, and my plans with Jordyn. “If y’all go to that field party, you be careful. You hear me?” he asks between bites.

  “Yes, sir, I’ll be fine. I promise there’s nothing to worry about. I do have one question, though.” He puts down his fork and looks at me. “Why do some guys never get the hint?”

  “Whatcha mean, Sunshine?”

  “Like Jace, for example. I’ve told him no a million times, but he won’t quit. I’m so tired of it.”

  “Raegan, you’re one of a kind. He sees that. Hell, everyone sees it, and to be perfectly honest, every guy wants what he can’t have. It’s as simple as that, but if he crosses any lines with you, I have a bullet with his name on it.”

  “Grandaddy! You wouldn’t!”

  “Oh, but I would. And, one more thing—be careful with Emmett.”

  I feel the heat in my cheeks begin to rise. “I don’t know what you’re talkin’ ’bout,” I say, trying to play dumb. Is it that obvious he’s been on my mind since I saw him in the cafeteria?

  Grandaddy looks at me like he doesn’t believe me. “That boy brought you back to life with one stuffed bunny. He has no clue how that one event influenced your life, and if I was a betting man, I’d bet on the two of you. Plain and simple, but I don’t want to see my Sunshine get hurt.”

  Without knowing what to say, I finish my sandwich and stand to clean up. Grandaddy stops me and tells me to get ready, that he will clean up tonight. I hug him and hurry to my room to change.

  Opening the heavy wooden door to my room, I know my Grandaddy is right. Emmett saved me with one compassionate event. I’m sure he has no idea the impact it has had on my life, but as I walk to my bed, I pick it up and hold it tightly. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him and what his innocent gift has done for me. I wipe a tear from my eye, push my parents’ memory to the back of my mind, and get ready to cheer the Cleveland High varsity football team on to victory.

  Emmett />
  As Cole and I walk farther and farther from Raegan and Mr. Lowery, I can’t help but feel like I’m losing my sunshine. That’s when I notice Cole laughing at me.

  “What?” I question.

  “I’m not sayin’ a word.” At that point, I grab the door to the barn and begin to help Cole. Damn, it’s hot out here. Before long, we are finished with the door, Cole puts away the tools, and we make our way to his truck. We ride to Mom’s with the windows down and the local country station playing in the background.

  Once we are home, Mom plays Twenty Questions about my first day back. It makes me feel good to know she’s glad I’m here and not a burden. We eat supper and then get ready for the game. Football is a town event. Everyone and their mama will be there hooting and hollering for their team.

  “Cole, are you goin’ to the field party tonight?”

  “Nah, I’m too old for that. Plus, if it gets busted, I’ll be the one in trouble since I’m twenty-one. I can drop ya off, if ya like.”

  “Don’t worry ’bout it. I’ll find a ride.”

  “Yeah, I bet you will,” he says as he elbows me.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Dude, you pretty much eye fucked Rae with Uncle Dover standing there. I don’t know how you’re even alive right now.”

  “Uhhhh,” is all I can manage as the thoughts of Raegan’s perfectly tanned long legs in that too short uniform enter my mind.

  Cole laughs. “I’m right because you’re practically doing it again. You want my advice? Not that I’m a ladies’ man or anything…”

  “Why not.” I sit and listen to Cole. To be so damn young, he has the wit of an old man.

  “Look, Rae is a rare gem. Girls like her are hard to find, but even harder to catch. She’s lost everyone but one man in her life. I’m not sure she’s ready to let him go.”

  “Let him go?” I question.

  “Her granddaddy is her constant. I’ve never seen a girl so compassionate and hardworking. She puts him first, so be prepared to always come in second place.”

  Chapter 3

  Raegan

  “Grandaddy, I’ll see ya around lunch tomorrow,” I say as I kiss him goodbye at the stadium.

  “Behave yourself, Sunshine, but remember to call Cole or me if you need anything.”

  “Yes, sir. I love you.”

  “Love you, too, Sunshine. Now, knock ’em dead out there.” He mocks a “High V” with his best spirit fingers. Gah! I love him!

  Grandaddy takes his reserved seat and talks to his buddies while the teams warm up. As I make my way down the stadium steps to the track, I see Jace on the field. Why can’t I be that girl? The perfect cheerleader for the perfect quarterback. I shake away my thoughts as Jordyn yells for me. I hurry to her on the track.

  “What’s up?” I ask.

  “So, how did the ride home go?” she asks with her eyebrows raised.

  “Dang, not beating ’round the bush, huh? It was a ride home, nothing else. I worked in the house, and he helped Cole. They left, end of story.”

  “For some reason, I feel like you’re not tellin’ me somethin’,” she says. She’s right, but it’s not about Emmett. It’s about Grandaddy.

  “Nope, nothin’ to tell,” I say as I brush her off.

  “Come on now, Rae! That boy is smokin’ hot, and the way you just offered to give him a ride means something in your world. You don’t do that, but whatever. I’ll let you off the hook for now.”

  I turn my attention to the field and see Jace looking right at me. I smile, and he smiles back, making his way off the field and toward me on his way to the field house.

  “Raegan, thanks for being my biggest fan, and make sure you save me a dance tonight.” He winks and continues to jog to the field house. I just give him a half-smile without a reply as our captain calls for us to get ready for the start of the game.

  At exactly seven-thirty, the Chargers make their way onto the field, the stands go crazy, and the game is underway. Friday night is the best night of the week. I enjoy every minute of cheering on my high school team while watching my grandaddy relax with his friends and smile down on me from the stands, but tonight is different.

  As I look into the stands, a pair of baby blues catches my attention, followed by his sandy blonde hair that is calling for my fingers to rummage through it. What pulls me to him even more is the fact that Emmett knows me better than anyone else in this town, and he has been gone for years. When his eyes catch mine, I turn from him, but it’s too late. He caught me, and deep down, I pray he’s at that field party tonight.

  *****

  As the fourth quarter comes to an end, we have another victory under our belt. With the sound of the buzzer, we cheer in victory before shaking the opposing team’s hands. Jordyn and I turn to head back to the stands when Jace yells for me.

  “Hey, Raegan, I’m lookin’ forward to tonight,” he says with his helmet held underneath his arm.

  “Look, Jace. I’m just not interested, okay? I’ve tried to be nice about it, but you don’t seem to get it.”

  A pure look of shock covers his face. “It’s because of him, isn’t it?”

  “No, it’s not because of him. I’ve been turning you down for what feels like an eternity. I’m not a prize you get to win. I don’t have time for anyone but Grandaddy, and even if I did, it wouldn’t be you.”

  “Damn, Raegan, when did you turn into such a bitch?”

  “The day I realized the only way for me to get through that thick skull of yours was to be one.” I turn and walk away.

  Jordyn and I don’t say much as we make our way to her car. “Um, Rae, did you forget something?” she asks.

  “Crap! I left my bag in Grandaddy’s truck! Will you run me by the farm?” She nods. “I guess I should just follow you to the house; that way you won’t have to drive me back tomorrow.”

  “A’ight,” she says with concern etched in her voice.

  Once Jordyn and I are in her car, I know I’m about to get an earful. She is trying her best to hold back, but she’s about to unload on me. I can feel it.

  “Rae! What happened to you back there?” she asks. I just shrug my shoulders. “Seriously! What the hell? I’ve never seen you act that way before. You are never mean to anyone. What aren’t you tellin’ me?” she says, almost like she’s hurt.

  “I’m fine. I’m just so sick and tired of playing games with Jace. I want to go and do as I please without having him hit on me every time I turn around. I don’t want him. I have other things to worry about.”

  “Like what?” she asks, trying to bait me.

  “Grandaddy. He’s not as young as he used to be, and I have more responsibilities than ever. Jace doesn’t get that. He never will, either.”

  “But Emmett does?” she probes as she turns to me.

  “I’m not saying that, but heck, at least he’s not scared to get a little dirt on his hands.”

  “Just admit it, Rae. It’s okay to finally find someone you like. You deserve to have a guy in your life. We both know that Jace is totally wrong for you, but Emmett, girl, he’s the best thing since sliced bread in this town.”

  I giggle. She’s totally right. “Yeah, I might like him a little, but don’t you dare say anything to Ridge!” I say with my finger pointed at her.

  “I pinky promise,” she says as our fingers lock. “Now, let’s get your stuff.”

  Jordyn drops me off at the house, and I hurry to Grandaddy’s truck to get my things. Then, I hurry inside to tell Grandaddy why I’m back. He is sitting in the living room, waiting on Friday Night Football to air on the local cable channel and is startled when he hears the door slam behind me.

  “Sorry, Grandaddy! I forgot my bag. I’m just gonna drive to Jordyn’s, so she doesn’t have to bring me back tomorrow.”

  “A’ight, Sunshine. Be careful and remember what I said.”

  “I will.” I kiss his forehead and walk to the truck. As I place my bag inside, my phone chirps
.

  Cole: Be careful tonight. Call me if you need

  me.

  Me: Thanks

  Emmett

  Cole and I take our seats in the stands behind the student section. With ten minutes to go, we sit back and watch as the team makes its way to the field house. What I wouldn’t give to be playing tonight. My arm is aching to pass a football down the field into the receiver’s hands for a touchdown, but I guess I’ll have to wait until next year for that.

  I see Jace and a few other guys that I played ball with for years, but it’s what Jace does that makes the anger rise within me. He looks at me and gives me a friendly nod, but not before he smirks and makes his way to Raegan. That douche bag doesn’t deserve a girl like her. I’m just glad Raegan sees through him, because not many girls around here are able to get past “Mr. Quarterback”.

  When I think the steam is about to blow from my ears, I feel a sense of peace looking directly through me. Raegan. She is staring at me, and as my eyes catch hers, she tries to act like she wasn’t looking. I can only hope she decides to go to that party tonight, but I have a feeling my friendship with Jace will be short-lived.

  Once the Chargers pull out another victory, Cole and I make our way to the truck. We make a stop by the convenience store for a case of beer for him before we head to the house so I can get to the party. Lucky for me, George and Mom picked up my truck after we left for the game. Now, Cole can quit giving me shit about getting a ride with Raegan, even though I’d love to be in the passenger side again watching those long legs peer underneath her short skirt as she presses in the clutch.

  Cole drops me off at the house to get my truck. Undoubtedly, he has other plans tonight that involve a case of beer, friends, and probably a few of Pleasant Hill’s finest girls. There’s one thing about Cole; he’s always had to work hard in life, except in one area—girls. For as long as I can remember, he’s had the best girls in town after him, but for some reason, he just keeps them at a distance.

  “Hey, Emmett, here’s a couple of cold ones to take with ya.”

  “Thanks,” I say as I reach for the beers.

  “Just limit it to this, and you should be fine. I’m sure there’ll be a keg, but be careful. The law will be watchin’ as y’all leave tonight.”