Covering the Carolinas

by Casey Peeler

  “Sure,” he says. I stand and take him by the hand, pulling him into me to hold him close for just a minute, savoring this moment. For the second time in my life, this exact spot has changed the course of my life.

  As we begin to walk toward my house, he takes his arm and wraps it around my shoulder and I can’t help but smile as my heart warms. I know that I’m no longer in this without the other piece of my heart.

  Approaching the house, he stops as he sees it in the distance. “Marleigh, how are we going to do this?” Looking at him confused, I’m not exactly sure what he’s talking about. “I mean how are you going to tell Gunner who I am?”

  “Honestly, I don’t know. I think maybe you should meet him, and then we’ll just see how it goes. I don’t want to throw it on him too quick.”

  “Is he leaving tomorrow?”

  “Yes, around lunch.” GC doesn’t say anything. “Could we maybe get a late breakfast or something?”

  “I think that’s a great idea. Now, come on. There’s nothing to worry about.” I say confidently for the first time in a long time.

  When we enter the house, I don’t hear anything. I look to see if they are outside, but the fire is barely burning. Guess they’ve all gone to bed. GC follows me and as I turn from looking at the patio, I see him standing awkwardly at the kitchen island. I smile as I move toward him. Wrapping my arms around his waist, he relaxes. “Relax, it’s going to be okay. Come on, I want to show you something.” I kiss his lips briefly and lead him to where Gunner is sleeping.

  Quietly, I turn the doorknob and peek into his room. I open it enough for GC to see in as well and I look over my shoulder to see pure joy on his face, then he wraps his arms around me from behind and places his chin on my shoulder.

  “We did that, Marleigh,” he says more as a statement than a question. “He looks like a little sleeping angel.”

  “Yes, he does,” I whisper. He holds me tighter and I turn to look him in the eyes. “He reminds me so much of you.”

  As Gunner starts to move, we quietly move from the doorway and make our way outside to the fire pit. It doesn’t take long to get the embers to start burning again. We don’t say much, but GC never lets go of my hand.

  When my eyes become heavy, he holds me tighter. “Mar, I should probably call a cab.”

  “Why would you need a cab?” I ask as I yawn.

  “I rode with Wade to the party. I’m sure he’s long gone by now.”

  “Stay with me,” I say as I look into those perfect smoldering eyes.

  He looks as if he’s fighting for what to say, “Mar, I can’t. Your parents are here and I don’t want Gunner to meet me that way.”

  “Then let me drive you back,” I say.

  “You’re exhausted. I can’t let you do that.”

  “What if you drive and I stay with you a little while?”

  “Mar, what will your parents think? What if he wakes up and you’re not here?” As he says the words, my heart warms for his concern for our little boy and my family.

  “Let me tell Carleigh, she’ll listen out for him, and I’ll come home before he wakes up. Please, Gunnison,” I plead.

  “Do you know how much I love when you call me by my real name?” He says with a smirk.

  “No, tell me.”

  “How about I show you?” he says as he looks me in the eyes and my lips melt into his.

  “Gunnison, let me tell Carleigh, then we can finish what we’ve started.” I wink.

  I tip toe into the house and to Carleigh’s room. When I tell her what I’m doing, she tries to give me a lecture to be careful, but then she stops mid sentence. “Forget it, Mar. Just go get your happily ever after. I got him.”

  Chapter 25

  GUNNISON

  Pulling into my apartment, I hurry around and open the door for Marleigh before she wakes up in the passenger seat. Opening the door, she opens her eyes and smiles when they meet mine. She unbuckles her seatbelt and I take her hand to help her out of the car. We both look at each other as if it’s the first time we’ve been alone, and I can’t get the butterflies to quit fluttering within my stomach.

  Timidly, we make our way up to my door and I open it.

  “You sure your roommate isn’t going to care?” she questions.

  “I don’t have one.”

  “Oh, okay.” She says and I squeeze her hand.

  “Mar, there’s no reason to be scared,” I say to reassure her.

  “Gunnison, I’m not scared. I’m just… trying to tell myself to take us slow. Things between us can get hot in a hurry and believe me, I want that, I just want us to think unlike the last time.” I know exactly what she means because even though this wouldn’t be the first time, I want everything to be perfect.

  “Mar, I want you in every way, shape, and form, but tonight I just want to hold you in my arms because I can,” I say as I pull her to my body and hold her as if I never want to let her go.

  MARLEIGH

  Waking up with the sound of Gunnison breathing into my ear and his arms wrapped tightly around my arms is the perfect way to wake up. Glancing at the alarm clock, I know I need to get moving. As I try to move from his arms, he grips me tighter and then lets out a small laugh. He’s totally awake. He loosens his grip slightly, so I turn to face him and drape my leg over his as I place my arm on his chest. Looking at him, it’s as if he’s giving me a warning. As my hand slides up his chest, I look into his eyes and bring my lips to his.

  “Mar, if you’re wanting to take this slow you better stop now, ‘cause once we start this I’m not stopping.” I fight the inner battle to stop, but all I have to do is think about Gunner for me to do that. Removing my leg from across his body, I kiss him once more.

  “I guess I better get home,” I say as I start to move away from him. He pulls me on top of him and caresses the side of my cheek.

  “Mar, as much as I don’t want you to leave, I know you have to.”

  “It’s just a few hours.” I can see the fear in his eyes. “Please don’t worry about this. He’s going to love you. In fact, he already does. I wish you could have seen him when you were on the court, it’s like he had a connection with you and didn’t even know it.” I kiss him briefly then move from the bed.

  As I exit the bathroom and make my way to the living room, Gunnison meets me with a cup of coffee. “I’ll see you at ten at the Conch Café.” He places the coffee on the table and wraps his arms around me. “Thank you for forgiving me,” I say as he looks at me.

  “There’s no way I couldn’t. No matter how much I’ve tried to be angry, I can’t. You were my past and I want you and Gunner to be my future.”

  “I love you, Gunnison Cyrus.”

  “I love you, Mar. Now go before our boy wakes up,” he says with a smile the size of the Atlantic.

  Pulling into the drive, I see my daddy enjoying the peace and quiet from the porch. He looks toward me as I get out of the car with a questioning look.

  “Daddy, no need to worry. Carleigh knew where I was.” He doesn’t say anything. “Um, we’re meeting GC at the Conch Café at ten. Is that okay?”

  “Are you sure you want Gunner to meet him and then us leave?” I hadn’t really thought of it like that.

  “I’m not going to tell him too much today, but I do want to introduce them. Honestly, I don’t know what I’m going to tell him.”

  “You sure you want all of us there?” I nod and that’s all the answer he needs. I make my way inside to take a shower and change clothes before Gunner wakes up. After I’m ready, I pour myself a cup of coffee and giggle when I realize that I never even got the cup at GC’s.

  “What you laughing about?” Tinleigh asks.

  “Nothing, just something from this morning.” Her eyes get big. “No, not what you’re thinking.”

  “Right.” She says, not believing me.

  “Whatever, but you better be ready by nine thirty. We’re going to eat with GC this morning.”

  As she starts
to talk, I hear the pitter patter of little footsteps coming toward us. She looks at me as if I’m crazy. “Hey, little man! You slept late this mornin’.” He smiles as he climbs into my lap. “Guess what?” He looks at me curious. “We’re going out for a late breakfast with number twenty-two this morning.”

  “Tin Tin, we go eat basketball player!” he says excitedly. “I go tell Pap!” He jumps from my lap and runs to the door. Tinleigh looks my way and smiles before going to get ready. I take my phone from my pocket and let GC know that Gunner is excited to meet his favorite basketball player, hoping this will reassure him.

  Once we are ready, we make the short drive to the Conch Café and ask for a table for seven. We are seated near the window with a perfect view of the ocean. Gunner wants to go out on the patio and look at the water so my daddy takes him by the hand and walks him outside. As we order our drinks, I see GC walk in, wearing dark denim jeans and a button up that make the color of his chocolate eyes deepen. As my eyes scan his body, I notice an oddly shaped package in his hand. I stand to meet him as he kisses my cheek briefly, and he greets my mama and sisters.

  “What’s this?” I question.

  “Gunner’s birthday present.” My heart stops and I have to hold back the tears.

  “Mar, hunny, why don’t you take GC out there and let your daddy come in with us.”

  “Okay, Mama,” I say as I lace my fingers through GC’s and we make our way out the screen door to them. I whisper that it’s going to be fine. Daddy sees us first and once we are close enough, he excuses himself. I bend down to Gunner.

  “Gunner, this is GC Del Valle, number twenty-two,” I say. His eyes light up. GC bends down to him.

  “Hey, Gunner. I heard you had a birthday last week. I brought you a present.” He says as he hands him the package. Gunner looks at me and I hold it for him as he tries to unwrap it. When he struggles, I help him, and when I see the orange begin to shine through, I look to GC.

  “Mommy basketball. I be like him,” he says as he holds the basketball tightly.

  “Yes, baby, you can be just like him,” I say as GC and I both stand. “Let me get a picture of the two of you.” GC looks at me with tears in his eyes as I take the picture and text it to him. As I look up and out into the ocean, I see a school of porpoises. “Look, Gunner!” I point. Without thinking, GC scoops him in his arms and holds him up to where he can see them glide in and out of the water with grace. I take a step closer and wrap my arms around my two perfect guys.

  When the screen door creaks, we turn to see Carleigh. “Sorry, y’all, but we didn’t know if you wanted us to order for you?”

  “Give us just a minute and we’ll be in,” I say.

  Turning to Gunner, I look at him and GC. “Gunner, how would you like to spend more time with GC?” He begins to nod his head yes. “Maybe Pap and Mimi will bring you back in a few weeks. Who knows, maybe he will come to Gaffney with me sometime.” The smile on my child’s face shows I’ve made the right choice. “What do you think, Gunnison?”

  “I’d love that.” Then Gunner has a confused look.

  “I Gunner. You Gunnison. We same,” he says pointing to him. My heart begins to beat fast. What do I say? I look to Gunnison for answers. I didn’t even think about it when I said his real name.

  “That’s right, buddy, we have the same name,” he says as he takes him in his arms and we walk inside to meet the rest of my family. Breakfast is a priceless memory that I will never forget filled with smiles and laughter. After we finish, GC follows us back to the house. He plays with Gunner as I help my parents pack up their things and Gunner’s. Once I have everything together, my mama pushes me toward them.

  Making my way to my boys, I hate the fact that Gunner is leaving. GC carries him to the car and buckles him into his car seat, then steps out of the way for me to tell him bye. As they back out of the driveway, GC places one arm around my waist and kisses the top of my head. “Mar, does it hurt that bad each time you leave him?”

  “Yes, but I know it’s what’s best,” I say as I look at him, “he loves you.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I just do.” We turn and walk into the house.

  GC pauses. “Marleigh Anderson, will you go out with me? Like a real date?”

  “Yes, Gunnison Cyrus. I’d love to go out on a real date with you.

  Chapter 26

  GUNNISON

  Getting ready for my date with Marleigh has me sweating like I’ve stolen something. I’ve got to talk to someone; I decide to call Diesel.

  “Man, I thought you forgot about me. Are you in jail or somethin’?” He laughs as he answers the phone. When I don’t say anything, he says, “GC, what’s wrong?”

  “I have a date with Marleigh tonight.”

  “You what? When did you find her?”

  “Diesel, I’m freakin’ out. I’ve never been so scared to go on a date in my life.”

  “It’s a date. You’ve gone on those before, you know.”

  “It’s just this is real different. I know why she cut ties before, and Diesel, I hope you’re sitting down for this one. I’m a daddy.”

  Silence is on the other end. “Daddy? What the fuck man? Please tell me I heard you wrong?”

  “I didn’t stutter. I have a three-year-old named Gunner. That’s why she cut ties. She was scared and wanted one of us to have a normal life, but that’s not what matters. I’m scared shitless.”

  “Okay, beside the bomb you just dropped on me, have you told anyone else? Maybe like your parents?”

  “No, I plan on doing that in person, that’s not something I want to tell them on the phone.”

  “I think that’s a good idea. Now for your date tonight, just try to relax. You two had so much fun that week at the beach. Try to get that feeling back, just don’t knock her up this time,” he laughs.

  “Thanks, for throwing that in there.”

  “Anytime, man and keep me posted. I want to hear all about this date.”

  “Thanks, Diesel. I’ll see you at Spring Break.”

  After we disconnect the phone, I take a deep breath and pull myself together. I finish getting ready and make my drive to her house in Garden City. Pulling into her driveway, Carleigh meets me outside. She smiles my way.

  “Hey, GC. How are ya?’ she asks.

  “The best I’ve been in a long time.” I start to walk to the door, but then turn to her. “Thank you for telling me she didn’t regret it.”

  “GC, my sister has been in love with you since the day she met you on this beach. She’s never quit, but she tried to do what she thought was best for you. She’s stubborn and we couldn’t talk her out of it. We all prayed for this day.”

  Making my way to the door, I take a deep breath as I knock. When the door opens, my breath catches as Marleigh stands before me dressed in a top that sparkles as bright as her eyes in this moment. Her dirty blonde hair is cascading down her back, and my body is longing to move toward her.

  “You look absolutely gorgeous,” I say as I kiss her on the cheek. She glances over her shoulder at Tinleigh and then we make our way to my truck. I open her door and help her in. As I make my way around, Tinleigh calls to me and I stop to look at her.

  “Take care of her. Oh, and this house might be empty tonight,” she laughs and I shake my head.

  “Please tell me she didn’t say something crazy,” Marleigh says.

  “Nah.” I smile at her with a wink, and we make our way to the Inlet Crab House. It’s chilly out, but they have outdoor heaters and an awesome band playing. I feel like it’s just what we need tonight.

  As we drive down highway seventeen, Marleigh looks at me and it takes every once of restraint I have to not pull the car over her and attack her lips, then her phone begins to ring. She smiles at me and I know it’s Gunner. Listening to her speak to him on the phone is the most precious thing I’ve ever heard. She chooses her words delicately and listens fully to every comment he makes. When she starts to laugh, I ca
n’t help but wonder what is so funny. She must see my look because her reply fills me in on their conversation. When she tells him that she loves him and will talk to him in the morning, I can’t help but wish it was me he was talking to.

  “Now I’m all yours tonight,” she says as she places her phone in her purse.

  “Marleigh, is it bad I wish that was me on the phone with him?” She looks at me with love in her eyes. “The way you spoke to Gunner and chose your words, and knowing that you’ve taken care of him and met his every need makes me love you even more. I want that. I want to help take care of him… and you.”

  I place the truck in park as I wait for her response. “Gunnison, I want nothing more than for us to be together as a family, but I also know we have a lot of growing to do before bringing him into all of it. I want us to know each other as the people we are now, not as teenagers.”

  “I couldn’t agree more, but there’s a part of me that doesn’t want to waste any more time. I want my parents to know, Gunner to know, and for us to be a family.” Tears form in the edges of her eyes, and I’m afraid I’ve pushed too far.

  “Gunnison, I want that too, but how? You have basketball and we both have school. Not to mention he’s in Gaffney and I have to go home each week. We need to keep things routine for him right now.” I turn my head from her as she touches my arm. “We need to do this slowly. I agree, I want this to happen faster as well, but for my own selfish reasons. What about this? Maybe when you have home games on the weekends, I can get my parents to meet me half way with him, and we can spend more time together. Once basketball is over, you can go home with me, and when you’re ready to go home and tell your parents then we can go with you.”

  “I don’t want to wait to tell my parents, Mar. They’ve missed out on their grandson, too. It’s not fair to keep them in the dark. They are planning on coming to the game in Radford at the end of February as well as all of the championship games in March. We play at Gardner-Webb next Saturday, and I’ve been thinking. Do you think you and Gunner can come to the game since it’s only fifteen minutes from your house? I’ve also thought about riding separate from the team so I can stay longer that night with you guys, if coach will let me.