Southern Perfection

by Casey Peeler

  We order and then enjoy each other’s company before our food arrives.

  “You know what, Raegan?” Looking up mid-bite, I finish chewing before placing my fork onto the table. “You are, by far, the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.” It was a good thing I’d already swallowed my food, or I would have choked!

  “Em, I’m sure that’s not the case.”

  “Don’t kid yourself, Rae. I can still remember what you looked like when we were kids, and even though I didn’t want anything to do with girls, I knew there was something special about you.”

  “Um, Em, I hate to break it to you, but you used to kiss me and every other girl on the playground, so I’m pretty sure you wanted something to do with us.” His face turns bright red. “Ohmygosh, is Emmett Bridges embarrassed?” He shakes his head. Leaning a little closer to the table, I whisper to him, “I gotta secret. Seein’ ya this way is kinda hot.” I lean back in my chair and wait for his reaction. Never, ever, do I just lay words onto the table like that.

  “Well, honey, I’ll turn as red as a tomato if it keeps you usin’ words like that.” He sits back and crosses his arms. This is going to be an interesting night.

  Emmett

  Once we finish eating, I pay, and we make our way to my truck. The way she took my comment so lightly, like she isn’t that pretty, really bothers me. She’s got to know she’s more than just looks in my book, and I’m ’bout to tell her.

  “I meant what I said in the restaurant, Raegan. You are the smartest, hardest working, most beautiful, and most caring Southern Belle I’ve ever met. Don’t ever sell yourself short.” I stare into her eyes, and place one small, but monumental, kiss on her perfectly plump lips. It’s times like these I wish I had a bench seat instead of captain’s chairs. When I pull away, she gasps, and I know she feels exactly what I do. I place the truck into reverse before we make our way to The Shed.

  During the drive to The Shed, she looks at me and smiles as we listen to the radio. She begins to sweetly sing the harmony to Blake Shelton’s “My Eyes,” and in that moment, my life changes for the better.

  “Raegan, I knew you could sing, but, damn.” She just shrugs her shoulders. “Really, Rae, you need to give yourself more credit.”

  “It’s no biggie, but I get it from my grandaddy.”

  “It is a big deal. Can I ask you something, and you promise not to take it the wrong way?”

  “Sure.”

  “Why do you feel like you have to be the girl that everyone expects you to be?” I ask as I approach a stoplight. She stops, takes a moment before she speaks, and then says the most honest words I’ve ever heard.

  “Em, over the years, the farm has grown, and people have come to expect certain things from me. I’m not perfect by any means, but I don’t want to let anyone down. In my life, I’ve lost a lot, but I’m also thankful for the support I’ve had over the years. That’s why I do the things I do. I do what is expected, and I do what’s right.”

  “Do you ever get tired of it all?”

  “Sometimes, but that’s our secret.”

  “A’ight,” I say as the light changes.

  “Em, wanna know another one?” she questions.

  “Shoot,” I reply.

  “For some reason, I feel like I can just be me with you. Not the all-American perfect student, cheerleader, granddaughter, or anything. Just plain ol’ Rae.”

  I don’t exactly know what to say to that, so I do what any other guy would do. I reply as simple as possible, “I’m glad.” I squeeze her hand a little tighter.

  Before long, we are pulling into The Shed. The parking lot is beginning to fill up. I’m not sure which band is playing tonight, but from what I’ve heard, they’re all great.

  I hurry around to let Raegan out of the truck. She slides down and turns to grab her purse. I squint my eyes shut to try to keep the excitement from building as her gorgeous figure turns around and leans into the cab of my truck. Then, she turns to face me.

  “Em, are you okay?” she asks.

  Knowing I just got caught, I smile. “Yeah, everything is perfect.” She grabs my hand, and we walk to the door.

  Pushing open the wooden door, we make our way to the cashier, who is around sixty, but trying to live like she’s still twenty-two. Smacking her gum, she looks at us.

  “Two?” she asks for reassurance.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I say as I let go of Raegan’s hand to grab my wallet.

  “That’ll be ten dollars, Hot Stuff,” she says with a wink.

  After paying, Raegan takes my hand in hers. “Come on, Hot Stuff!” I just shake my head.

  As we enter The Shed, the lights are dimly lit with some type of string lights, people are sitting at tables, the band members look as if they are about to start playing, and several couples are already on the dance floor as the stereo blasts country music through the speakers. I guide Raegan toward a small table off to the side, and we take a seat.

  “Have you heard of them?” I ask her as I point toward the band.

  “Yeah, do you see that drummer right there?” I nod. “That’s Bobby Parker. He’s about Cole’s age and goes to church with us. You’ll see him in the mornin’.”

  “You’re kiddin’ me, right?” I ask.

  “Nope. You know as well as I do, people down South go to a good honky tonk on Saturday night and church on Sunday mornin’.”

  I stop and think about it, realizing she’s telling the truth. “Yeah, it’s the same in Georgia, too.”

  As the song drifts away, the lead singer in the band welcomes everyone, introduces the members, and begins to play covers of new and old country music. We sit and listen for a few songs. When “Copperhead Road” begins to play, all the girls in the place head toward the dance floor. Raegan looks at me.

  “I’ll be right back.” She stands and makes her way to the dance floor. Her hips sway to the beat of the music, and as she reaches the dance floor, she tosses her hands into the air and begins to clap on beat, and before I know it, every female in the joint is in unison in a line dance. The Electric Slide has nothin’ on this.

  When the song comes to an end, she smiles as she walks back to me. I stand to meet her.

  “Rae, when did ‘Copperhead Road’ get its own line dance?” I question.

  “Maybe a year ago or somethin’. I’m not real sure.” As the band continues to turn out more country tunes, it doesn’t take long for Raegan and me to find a spot on the dance floor. The playlist from the band is kick ass, and as they get ready to break, they slow it down. I take my arms, pull them a little tighter around Raegan, and we begin to move to the music like the world just stopped spinning.

  “Hey, Em, you wanna Two-Step?” she inquires as she burns those deep emerald eyes into mine.

  “Sure.”

  She takes my hand, and we jump in line with the crowd around. It’s been a while since I’ve done this, but it takes no time for me to fall right in time with Raegan. She smiles at me, and I know I’m done. It’s taken me all of two days back in my hometown to fall for the girl I’ve met in my dreams for years.

  As the song ends, I lead her away from the dance floor to the bar area to get a drink.

  “Rae, whatcha want to drink?” I ask.

  “Sun Drop would be fabulous!” she says.

  We take our drinks and notice our table is gone, but that’s not a problem. It just gives me a reason to stand closer to her. After we finish our drinks, we make our way back to the floor. Glancing over my shoulder, I see Cole making his way in with his friends. I toss my head back and give my full attention to Raegan.

  Before long, Cole and his friends are making their rounds with the ladies on the dance floor. Raegan looks his way and smiles, and then he makes his way toward us.

  “Hey, Rae!” Cole yells over the music.

  “Hey! Catch anything?” she asks.

  “A few bream and a catfish or two,” he says as he begins to dance with his flavor of the night.

  “I
’ll expect that for supper tomorrow!” He laughs and forgets I’m standing there. I hate for the thought to enter my head, but I feel like there is something about these two that I just don’t know.

  As if right on cue, Raegan places her hand upon my chest and grins at me. When she brings those gorgeous lips to mine, that thought evaporates from my mind.

  Chapter 10

  Raegan

  Holy freakin’ smokes! I can’t speak after that kiss. My lips ache for his to touch mine again, but it was just a peck. Lord only knows what’s gonna happen when he lays it on me for real. Trying to pull myself together, I get lost in the music that plays through the truck’s speakers. Before I realize it, I’m singing right along with Blake Shelton. Emmett’s voice interrupts me.

  Once we are at The Shed, we make our way inside. Emmett is in for a good laugh when he sees the wanna-be-MILF at the register. Sure enough, he’s almost at a loss for words when she greets us. I swear, she started working here when she was young enough to wear that wardrobe, but I gotta hand it to her, at least she’s confident. When Emmett tells her how many, she refers to him as “Hot Stuff,” and I almost lose it. He has no idea what to say or do. After “Hot Stuff” gets his change, I take him by the arm and tell him to come on.

  Once we are inside, Emmett leads me toward a table. We sit, and he asks if I’ve heard of the band. Of course, I have! The same four bands rotate each month. I inform him who’s who around here and remind him that he’ll see the same folks tomorrow at church. He’s got to know that’s how the South rolls. Party it up on Saturday night and get your religion on Sunday morning. I know for sure Georgia isn’t any different from Carolina.

  The lead singer in the band welcomes everyone, introduces his band mates, and begins to play covers of new and old country music. I love sitting beside Emmett, but as soon as “Copperhead Road” begins to play, my insides scream for me to get up and dance.

  As I make my way to the dance floor, a smile covers my face, and I swing my hips a little harder as I toss my arms into the air from excitement and begin to clap in rhythm. This is a country girl’s Saturday night!

  As the song concludes, I see Emmett walking toward me, and I can’t wait to be near him again. The music continues to play, and we find a spot on the dance floor. Emmett pulls me in close, and we dance as if no one is watching. As the song beat turns to a slower one, I look into those aqua eyes and ask if he wants to Two-Step. He smiles in agreement.

  As we fall in line with the others, I love the feeling that ignites within me as our arms are twisted within each other. When the song finishes, he takes me to the bar for a drink, and thank goodness, they have my drink of choice, Sun Drop.

  While making our way to table we had earlier, we realize it’s been taken by another group of people. I’m all right with that because it means I just might get a little closer to him. We find a spot to hang out while we finish our drinks, and then we head back to the dance floor.

  Emmett gives a welcoming nod to someone as we’re dancing. I look that direction to see Cole, and for some reason, I’m worried about what he might say to me in front of Emmett. I push that thought to the side and lose myself on the dance floor with Emmett, until Cole makes his way toward us.

  “Hey, Rae!” Cole yells over the music. Oh crap! Act like everything’s okay.

  “Hey! Catch anything?”

  “A few bream and a catfish or two,” he says as he spins a girl around and begins to dance.

  “I’ll expect that for supper tomorrow.” And, that’s not a joke. If Cole’s fishing, that’s the deal. He brings Grandaddy and me supper the next night.

  When I look up to Emmett, I see fear written on his face. I wonder what he’s thinking, and I sure hope he’s not worried about Cole. Trying to ease his mind, I lay my hands upon his chest and smile at him. I lean up on my tiptoes and place my lips on his. Pulling away, I look into his eyes for a moment, and then he crashes his lips back onto mine. When the band takes their next break, we finally separate from each other. Emmett wraps his arm around my waist as we leave the dance floor.

  Our ride to the farm is filled with trying to keep our hands off each other, laughing, and pretending nothing else matters. I hear Dustin Lynch begin to play through the radio, and before I know what’s going on, Emmett has pulled the truck off the side of the highway with the engine running. I stifle a laugh as he runs to open my door and squeal as he takes my hand and pulls me to the ground and into his perfectly rock solid body. We sing to each other while moving to the beat as random cars continue down the two-lane highway past us.

  On the final beat of the music, Emmett takes my cheek in his hand, pulls my lips to his, and kisses me like his life depends on it. At this moment, I realize this boy is going to change my life.

  Emmett leads me to the truck and gets back in the driver’s side. He looks my way, and I melt right there on the spot. He puts the truck into drive, and we both can’t erase the grins on our faces

  He laughs and kisses me again before walking me to the door. Placing my hand on the doorknob, I look back at him and smile. As he opens the door, I wave to him before opening the front door and closing it behind me. I press my back against it as it closes. What has this boy done to me? I must be grinning like an opossum because Grandaddy rounds the corner and cackles.

  “What?” I ask as my cheeks flush pink.

  “Nothin,’ Sunshine. Nothin’,” he says as he makes his way back into the kitchen. Shaking my head, I follow him. I go to the freezer and grab a tub of homemade snow cream from this winter and two spoons before sitting across from him. Opening the container, I wait for him to ask the first question. “So, whatcha do tonight?” he asks lightly.

  Taking the spoon, I skim the top of the snow cream and place it into my mouth before answering, “He took me to eat at Smoke, and then we went to The Shed.”

  “And…” he says slowly as he takes his turn in the snow cream.

  “And… we saw Cole there.”

  He looks up from the snow cream and stares at me like I caught him off guard. “What’d he have to say?”

  “That we’ve got supper tomorrow.”

  “Allll righhht!” He finishes dipping his spoon into the snow cream. “So, Sunshine, tell me a little more about this date. He didn’t try anything, did he?”

  “Grandaddy!” I gasp. “I can’t believe you!”

  “What? I’m just makin’ sure. I’d hate for this old man to have to show him who’s boss.” We both laugh.

  “Actually, Grandaddy, he was a perfect gentleman…most of the time,” I say with a giggle.

  “It’s times like these I wish your mawmaw or mama was here. I don’t know if I can handle all of this, but I’ll sure try,” he says honestly.

  “I know this much. Never in my seventeen years has a guy treated me like he does, except you. He acts like I’m the only girl in the room, but best of all, Grandaddy, he sees me for me, not the girl everyone expects me to be.”

  Grandaddy doesn’t say anything else. He takes another couple of bites, and then finally replies, “Raegan, you deserve someone to love you completely, not because of your last name, what happened to our family, or what people think about you, but instead, someone who loves you as the bright and compassionate star you are. If anyone wants to think otherwise, then they don’t deserve you.” He takes another bite.

  Water begins to creep into my eyes. “I love you, Grandaddy, and life tossed us a big curve ball, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

  Grandaddy tries to divert his eyes from mine, but I catch a glimpse of them shimmering. “Sunshine, dang right. I’m glad God saved me for you that night. We’ve been on this road a long time, and I know we don’t know the future. I do, however, know I feel better knowing you have Emmett in yours.”

  I’m unable to control the waterworks as I shake my head in agreement. No matter what those doctors told him, or he says they told him, I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach that tells me something different. />
  Grandaddy stands. “Come here, Sunshine.” I stand and walk toward him, and he holds me as we both cry. When there aren’t any more tears to shed, he pulls back and looks at me. “No more tears, Sunshine. For both of us.”

  “Okay,” I say as he gives me one more squeeze before we call it a night.

  As I walk to my room, I remove my accessories and feel completely drained emotionally. I toss on my pajamas, wash my face, and brush my teeth before sliding into the bed. Grabbing my stuffed bunny, I hold it in my arms like I did when I was five years old and cry myself to sleep.

  Emmett

  As the band takes their next break, I can’t stand the thought of not touching her. I wrap my arm around her waist, and she molds to my side. On our way out, we stop to talk to Cole. He’s planning on taking his buddies home because they are obviously two sheets to the wind.

  I notice Raegan seems to continue to fidget and glance at her watch. Shit! I bet it’s time to get her home.

  “Hey, Em? I hate to be the party pooper, but it’s like ten-thirty. I just don’t want Grandaddy to worry,” she says sweet as honey. Oh, the things I could do with a jar of honey.

  “Of course not. I don’t want that shotgun pointed at me, either.” I laugh to attempt to remove my current thought.

  “So, Cole, what time are we eatin’ tomorrow?” she asks.

  “Five?” he says in a questioning tone, and I just want to be Cole at the dinner table and not at home with my mom.

  “Sounds good. Em, do you wanna join us?” She turns to ask me.

  “I’m in. I gotta see why Cole’s getting all the props,” I say.

  “Oh, you’ll see why. It’ll make ya wanna smack yo mama! That’s for sure. Night, y’all,” Cole says.

  “Night,” she says and gives him a hug before we make our way to the truck. The thought of anyone else touching her makes me want to go caveman on someone, but who am I to be this territorial? This is not who I am. I’m not the jealous boyfriend. In fact, that’s why my previous relationship didn’t last. I just didn’t realize my ex wanted me to be that way.