Covering the Carolinas

by Casey Peeler

  “What’s wrong, Summer?” I ask.

  “Nothing, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have come, but I just had to check on you. I mean, to find out you had a kid like that, it must have been awful for you. ”

  “Summer, I have a lot to think about right now, I just need to be alone.”

  “I understand. I just wanted to make sure you were as okay as you could be.”

  “Thanks,” I say and seeing the concern in her eyes, I feel unsure about being alone now that she is here checking on me. “You want to come up for a while? I was just going to chill and maybe order a pizza.”

  “That’s not why I’m here, Del Valle,” she whispers and it’s obvious she’s trying to take my mind off things.

  “Tonight, it’s just food, it’s been an emotional day for both of us.”

  “Okay,” she says and we make our way upstairs.

  Summer doesn’t push things with us, and we actually have a good time. It’s the first time I’ve laughed all day and even though I hate to admit it, Summer really is a great girl. Maybe Marleigh broke the spell and I’m finally able to see what was right in front of me all this time.

  When the movie is over, I walk Summer to her car. Once she’s inside, she rolls down her window and I bend down and kiss her briefly on her cheek. “Thank you for tonight.”

  “Anytime, Del Valle.” She winks and then she’s gone.

  Chapter 22

  MARLEIGH

  Tucking Gunner into bed, I watch him sleep peacefully and my heart swells with love. I give him a goodnight kiss and make my way to the porch. As I take a seat, I scroll through the contacts on my phone and stop at GC’s name. I wonder if this is still his number? Should I? No. Give him time. I put it back in my pocket as Mama walks outside. She wraps her arms around me and I cry like a baby. “Mama, what am I going to do?”

  “You are going to continue being the best mother for your son. You made a choice and now you have to live with the consequences—good or bad. Just remember it was a shock for you seeing us today and you knew about Gunner. GC had no clue. That’s a lot to take in.”

  Pulling away from Mama, I wipe the tears on my sleeves. “Can you listen for him? I’m going to go walk on the beach.”

  “Sure,” she says as she gives me another hug.

  As I walk toward the pier, I turn to the sky and pray I can make this right. I then look to my right and I realize exactly where I am. I walk up to the old vacant house with its worn steps. Taking a deep breath, I notice the chair is still there. Three years, and it’s in the exact same place. Slowly, I make my way to the chair where my life changed, and something about this moment lets me know it will work out.

  Sitting, I ponder on my life, Gunner, and GC. Will he forgive me? I sit and listen to the crashing of the waves. My phone begins to vibrate in my pocket; I glance at it and see it’s a text from Tinleigh.

  Tin: Meet us at Sam’s.

  I meet my sisters at Sam’s Corner for a hot dog. We don’t talk about what happened today. Instead, they make me laugh and forget for a few minutes. Arriving back at home, I crawl into bed, stare at the ceiling, and at some point I drift off to sleep.

  *****

  This week has been amazing having Gunner here with me and celebrating his birthday. No video chats, phone calls or anything. Just us together doing whatever he wanted to do. What I wouldn’t give to have him here with me all the time.

  It’s Friday and I decide to take Gunner to the aquarium and spend a little one-on-one time with him since he will be leaving soon. Afterward, we walk from the aquarium to the boardwalk to get ice cream. As we sit and eat, he asks if we are going to the game tomorrow, and even though it’s going to make things even more awkward, I can’t tell him no.

  “Yes, we’re going,” I say with a smile as he licks his ice cream cone.

  “You get me shirt like them?” He asks.

  “You mean a jersey?” He nods his head yes.

  “We’ll see. I know I can find you a shirt, but we’ll have to see about a jersey.”

  That satisfies him and once we finish, we make our way back to the house. After he’s in the bed, I enjoy time with my family. We are all laughing and then Daddy decides to talk, and when he talks, we all listen.

  “Marleigh, I’ve been quiet and haven’t said anything about the situation at the coffee shop, but going to this game tomorrow, are you sure this is the best idea?”

  “Yes, Daddy. Sunday was a disaster, but at least he knows. I’ve debated calling him, but each time I talk myself out of it. I’ve decided it’s time to face my choices and truly be the responsible mother I should be. You raised me to be a better girl than I am right now. Sorry doesn’t begin to explain how I feel about everything and starting tomorrow I’m going to try to make things right.”

  “Marleigh, even though I encouraged you to tell GC, you did what you thought was right at the time and I had to let you make your own decision. We all make choices in life that define us. You were always my girl that would react before you thought about the consequences, no matter what the situation, but Gunner, has changed you—for the better. Don’t think for one minute that that one decision wasn’t supposed to happen. It made my carefree Marleigh mature into a responsible young woman. Just look at how much you’ve grown over the past three years. I’m proud of you, but don’t push this on GC. It’s a lot to take in.”

  “Daddy, why were y’all so forgiving when I got pregnant? Most parents would have been pissed.” He nervously laughs.

  “Marleigh, I was disappointed and I was mad. Mad at myself for not telling you to slow down in life and to think about your choices. As a parent, you love your children no matter what. There’s nothing you could do to make me not want you in my life. Not to mention, I finally have another guy in the house.”

  Standing, I walk to my daddy and hug him. “Thank you, Daddy… and Mama. I couldn’t do this without you.”

  Chapter 23

  GUNNISON

  This week I’ve tried to keep my mind off Marleigh as much as possible. With the help of Summer, I’ve been able to do that. She is a good distraction, but as game day approaches, it’s time to get back on the court and forget about everything else.

  As my alarm goes off Saturday morning, I roll out of bed and pour a glass of orange juice from the fridge. It’s game day, and I can’t wait to hit the court.

  I start my game day rituals by going for a run, then eating pizza rolls before heading to the gym for a little extra shoot around time. Once I’m dressed and ready for the game, I put in my ear buds and get in the zone before warm up.

  Walking into the gym, I scan the crowd for her but don’t see her. I don’t know why I look. It’s not like she’s here on the weekends. I’m surprised at how much I miss her. The music pumps through the speakers as we warmup and I push my thoughts to the side and focus on the game. It almost feels like deja vu.

  As the announcer begins to call the starting lineup, I’m ready to play ball. As my name is called, I tap the hands of my teammates and make my way to the court. It’s game time! Glancing into the stands again, I see them. Marleigh’s entire family and that perfect little boy, sporting a Coastal Jersey, are sitting in the fourth row. Squinting to see the number, I can’t help but smile when I see the number twenty-two. My number.

  Marleigh looks my way and gives a brief smile. Smiling back, I take my position on the court. As the referee tosses the ball into the air, the game is on. I focus on the ball and before I know it, the buzzer sounds for half time.

  After Coach gives us his game plan for the second half, we make our way back on the court and we finish off the opponent. As the buzzer sounds, we shake hands with the other team. Taking a minute to scan the crowd, I see them moving down the stands, but I notice that Gunner points in my direction. I smile and wave at him. He turns to Marleigh and I can tell he’s excited that the guy with the number he’s wearing actually acknowledged him. Marleigh mouths thank you to me and I nod before I make my way to the locker
room.

  Walking out, Wade asks me if I want to go to a party later at Brett’s. Why not? Summer stops me on the way to my truck.

  “Hey, Del Valle, thanks for last night.”

  “Actually thank you, Summer. If I were you, I wouldn’t be so nice about this.”

  “What can I say? I still kinda have a thing for this hot basketball player.” She winks.

  “You want to grab something to eat? I’m starved.”

  “Sure,” she says and we make our way to the local Mexican restaurant.

  MARLEIGH

  Watching Gunner at the basketball game was priceless. When he chose GC’s jersey before the game, I couldn’t tell him no. Then, when GC waved to him after the game, my heart melted in one big puddle.

  Gunner wanted seafood for supper so we took him to Sarah J’s and he ate every last bite of his shrimp as well as dessert. When we get back to the house we go for a walk on the beach and I can’t help but notice the crowd growing at Brett’s. I’m sure I’m not welcome there anymore.

  We continue to walk the shoreline but the January wind is bitterly cold. Eventually, I can see that even though Gunner wants to keep walking, it’s too cold for him.

  “Sweet boy, you ready to go in?” I ask.

  “No! I stay here,” he says as he stomps his foot. My dad tries not to laugh, so he and my mama walk away.

  “Gunner, I know you don’t want to, but it’s getting late and it’s so cold. Come here,” I say as I scoop down to pick him up. “You’re gonna turn into an icicle. What do you say we go back and drink hot chocolate by the fire pit?” He smiles and I know I’ve won the battle with a three year old.

  We spend the remainder of the night by the fire pit, and when he is tuckered out, I carry him inside and read him a story as he drifts off to sleep. I kiss his forehead as he sleeps peacefully.

  “Is he asleep?” Tinleigh asks.

  “Yeah.”

  “I think we’re going to go to the party. Do you want to go?”

  “I don’t think that’s the best idea. I actually think I want to go for a walk on the beach alone. I’ve got a lot on my mind after the game today.”

  “You sure?” She questions.

  “Yeah, you think Mama and Daddy will mind?”

  “No, they are just sitting by the fire. I’ll tell them. You go ahead and go to the beach.”

  “Thanks, sis. You know I don’t tell y’all this enough, but thank you for always being there.”

  “That’s what we’re here for,” she says as I grab my coat and make my way toward the beach and to the place that brings back so many memories.

  Chapter 24

  GUNNISON

  Arriving at the party with Wade, we make our way straight to the keg on the back porch. Wade and I hang out and talk about the game with the other guys, then I see Summer and her friends arrive. She stumbles over the doorway and it’s obvious she’s drunk. When is she ever going to learn? As she walks toward me, I force a smile. This isn’t the girl that was with me this week. She throws her arms around me and the smell of vodka is evidently her poison tonight.

  “Summer, you better slow down,” I whisper in her ear.

  “Awe, Del Valle. How sweet of you. You want to take care of me later?” Smiling at her, I avoid the question as she looks at me for an answer. When I hear the screen door open, I glance toward it and see Tinleigh and Carleigh walking toward the keg. Of course, she wouldn’t come with Gunner here.

  “Del Valle, please don’t tell me you thought she’d come here tonight.” Summer giggles drunkly. “I bet she’s home changing a diaper or something.” And she laughs harder. Pulling her arms away from me, I realize I’m seeing the real Summer

  “Summer, that’s uncalled for.”

  “Whatever, but it’s the truth. You know as well as I do you don’t want a kid, and it looks like you made the right choice picking me.”

  “What are you talking about? I haven’t picked you.”

  “I wonder what she tells him about his daddy or if she just leaves you out? There’s no way you could walk into his life now.” For a brief moment I believe Summer, then it hits me. Summer was just being nice this week to get me to pick her. I have been honest with her but she doesn’t really care about my feelings. This is the real Summer and she disgusts me. “She’s no longer that perfect girl you had in your mind, and now she’s got this little boy tagging along.” As she tries to wrap her arms around me again, I step away from her.

  “You will not talk about my son or Marleigh like that ever again. The only choice I’ve made is that I never want to see you again. Do you understand?” She stands there in disbelief. I look over and see that Tinleigh and Carleigh have heard every word.

  Walking past them, I smile but don’t speak. Everyone’s eyes are on me as I leave Brett’s and get the hell out of there. I’ve got to get away and think about how I’m going to truly forgive Marleigh for missing three years of my son’s life because denying that I’m in love with her isn’t an option.

  Leaving Brett’s, I make a beeline toward her house. With each step, my focus is on Marleigh and my son. I have to have them in my life, and she has to know that I’ve never stopped loving her. As I reach the house and begin to knock, I hear her parents around back. I walk around the side of the house and they stop midsentence when they see me.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, I’m sorry it’s late but is Marleigh home?

  “She went for a walk on the beach, GC,” Mrs. Anderson says.

  “Thank you.” I turn and jog toward the ocean as memories of us fill my mind. As my feet hit the sand, I don’t see anyone anywhere. I look to my left and right, and then I take a deep breath and close my eyes while my heart tells me exactly where to find her.

  Hitting the sand, I hurry to the old house and pray that it’s still there. I slow as I see her curled up, with her hair blowing in the wind, in that old chair. Every doubt I had about forgiveness melts away as I move closer and closer to her. Is she crying? My heart begins to pound as I walk toward her and the place where our lives changed. Maybe, just maybe, we can make this right. She lifts her head from the arm as I reach her, and she wipes away tears as she stands.

  “What are you doing here?” She says just above a whisper.

  I take another step toward her. “Mar, I’m sorry I acted that way. I just… just didn’t expect that when I met you that day. I mean…” She takes a step toward me and I do the same.

  As she starts to speak, we continue toward each other until we are a within each other’s reach. “GC, I’m the one that’s sorry. I went about this completely wrong. I never should have kept Gunner from you, but I was scared and wanted what I thought was best for you.”

  “I know that now. I’m sorry I wasn’t with you through all of this. I mean, it about killed me the way you just ended things.” I place my hand on her cheek and wipe the single tear that falls from her beautiful eye. “What do we do now?”

  “That’s up to you,” she whispers as she looks in my eyes, and I know there’s no way I’m walking away from her ever again.

  Placing my forehead against hers, my hand slides to the base of her neck and I feel a necklace. I pause and then pull it from her chest. Tears flood my eyes when I see the necklace I mailed her the day she broke my heart.

  “You kept it.” She nods and then turns it over and when I see that precious name and date on the other side, I can’t keep the tears at bay. Marleigh takes her soft hands and tries to wipe the tears that have begun to fall. A smile escapes my lips. “Marleigh, will you let me in his life? And yours? We can get through this together.”

  She pauses and stares into my eyes. “Yes, Gunnison Cyrus. I will.” I waste no time capturing her lips with mine, and with each kiss I can’t get enough of her. It’s as if I’m making up for the past three years.

  As her hands trail up my chest, I realize there’s no way in hell I’m letting her go. As her arms wrap around my neck, I reach around her and lift her off the ground. Marleigh
pauses and looks at me with a smile. She wraps her legs around my waist and I walk her to the chair. Sitting down, I let my hands roam her body and hers do the same. As a moan escapes her lips, I pause. As much as I want to pick up where we left off, tonight’s not the night.

  “Mar, as much as I want to, we should stop.” She bites her lip and nods in agreement as I pull her into my chest. I kiss the top of her head. “Is it crazy I feel as if you’ve never left me?” I whisper.

  She pulls away and looks at me. “No, it’s not crazy. No matter how much I told myself I was doing what was best for you, I never let you go. You stole my heart and gave me the most precious gift. Even when I tried to move on, I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

  “Everyone told me I was crazy, and that there was no way you would come back to me. I tried to move on, too, but Summer wasn’t you and after her shenanigans tonight, there’s no way I’ll ever speak to her again.” Marleigh looks at me confused. “You don’t need to know the details, but no one will ever speak about my son or you like she did tonight.” I see a glimmer of wonder in her eyes. “I love you, Marleigh. I always have and always will. Now that you’ve walked back in my life, I’m never letting you go.”

  “Gunnison Cyrus, I’ll never be able to tell you I’m sorry enough. I love you with every ounce of my being and I want to make us work.” She says and then brings her lips to mine and starts to cry. Pulling away, I try to dry her eyes before they become icicles. “These are happy tears,” she says with a smile.

  “They might be, but I don’t want you to turn into an ice princess.” She starts to laugh and so do I. Being with her makes me feel complete. We might have met by chance, but that chance made life worth living.

  MARLEIGH

  “So you want to go back to my house?” she questions. I raise my eyebrows and she swats at my arm. “Not like that. My parents are there! I mean to talk.”