by Casey Peeler
“So anything else going on?” he questions.
“Not really. Coach is letting me come back with Marleigh late on Monday. I talked with the team and they were okay with it, but I don’t want to let them down in any way.”
“GC, in life we have to make choices that impact others. I’m sure the team understands and knows this isn’t a normal thing for you, but you have to make yourself available for Marleigh and Gunner. Make sure you keep God first and your family second. I know you don’t want to hear this but basketball and school are now third in your life.”
Wow! I wasn’t expecting that from him today. Dad always pushes basketball and school. He wants me to do well in everything. He’s dying for me to graduate and come back to Pennsylvania to work unless I get to live my dream.
“Dad, I plan on that. Life might have gone a different route, but at least I now have two special people in my life.”
“You’re right, and I’ve brought you up to be a gentleman. I’m proud of how you’re handling this because I don’t think I could have been that big of a man.”
“Thanks, Dad. So you guys are coming to Radford, right?”
“I believe so, there’s one issue we have to work through on the farm. If for some reason things change, we will be at the championship regardless of what’s going on at the farm.”
Something about that comment scares me, and I feel like he’s leaving out some important information. “Is everything okay. Where’s Mom?” He informs me that everything is just fine and mom’s gone to play Bunco.
Tossing my phone on the couch, I sit back and try to imagine tomorrow when there’s a knock at my door. Who in the world?
Opening the door, I’m met seeing double—Carleigh and Tinleigh. They look like they are on a mission. “Everything okay?”
“We hope so,” Tinleigh says smartly. “Can we come in?”
Moving from the doorway, I usher them in. “Is everything okay with Marleigh and Gunner?”
“Yeah, everything is okay. We just need to talk to you. Sisters to the guy who knocked up our sister.” What the hell is their deal? They take a seat on the couch and I’m a little terrified to sit down. “Sit down, GC. We won’t hurt you.” Slowly I sit down and brace myself for what is about to come my way.
Tinleigh looks toward Carleigh, asking permission to speak. “Look, we know that Marleigh and you are meant to be together, but sometimes our sister doesn’t always think.”
“GC, what Tinleigh is trying to say is that we know you care about her, but you need a plan. Are you ready to be the one to keep her grounded when she wants to react before thinking?”
“That’s what I love about her. I’m ready to be the one to hold her feet on the ground when she wants to jump just a little too early, but I also want to be the one to jump with her when it’s right.”
Tinleigh takes a moment and looks like she’s wiping away a tear as Carleigh speaks. “We’ve also taken note of how you think things through over the past three years. We respect that, and believe that’s why you and Mar are such a great fit for each other.”
“I’m glad you think we make a good fit. I want to spend the rest of my life with her… and Gunner.”
They both sit back and contemplate their next thought. “GC, both of you have school, she has to go back and forth between school and home, and you’re going to move back to Pennsylvania to work on the farm.”
“I don’t have an exact plan for us yet, but I’m working on it. Once basketball is over my schedule will have more free time, and with Marliegh’s classes only three days a week, we should be able to make this work. Yes, I know that it’s going to be hard, but after this weekend, we hope that Gunner will visit more often.”
“But who’s he going to stay with? Will y’all stay together? Y’all aren’t married, ya know?”
“Uh, I know that, Carleigh, but I do plan on changing that soon. This school year will be over soon and then it’s just two semesters. Do you promise not to say anything?”
Their eyes look at me curiously. “Sure.”
“I want Marleigh and I to be married before we graduate. I don’t know when it will happen. I know we just got back together, and people will probably think we’re crazy, but I know that she’s the girl who makes me a better person. She makes life worth living, and I’m not willing to put our future on hold any longer.” Looking at her sisters for answers, they both begin to smile.
“GC, thank you for loving her and letting her back into your life. She did what she thought she needed to do,” Carleigh says confidently before walking toward me and giving me a hug. “Good luck at the game tomorrow, and have fun with Gunner.”
They make their way from my apartment, and I don’t know what to think about the conversation. However, I know that I have a lot to think about now that I have more than just Marleigh to worry about in my life.
Chapter 35
MARLEIGH
As the sun begins to shine through my window, I’m awakened by the sound of my phone. Groggily, I pull it from the night stand and look to see who it is. The unpleasant awakening quickly disappears when I realize it’s Gunnison.
“Mornin’, Mar,” he says with just a little roughness in his voice and it’s a perfect wake up call.
“Mornin’. You ready for the game?”
“Game? Hell yeah, but I’m ready for what comes after.”
“Gunnison, I am too. When are y’all leaving?”
“Around lunch.”
“It’s barely six?” I question.
“I’m sorry. When I woke up this morning, you were on my mind, and I couldn’t wait hear your voice.”
“As much as I’d rather be sleeping right now, hearing your voice makes me forget. Oh, and while I’m thinking about it, we’re going out tonight—me and you.”
“What about Gunner?”
“Mama and Daddy want us to go out and have a little fun on our own away from campus. I think it sounds like the perfect day: game, Gunner, and a little us time.”
All of a sudden, my door opens and Gunner runs in. As I tell him good morning, Gunnison gets quiet. Asking him to hold on a minute, Gunner slides next to me in the bed and I turn the speakerphone on and let him know Gunnison is on the phone. As he talks to Gunnison, there’s a light in Gunner’s eyes and Gunnison’s voice that let’s me know everything is going to be okay. After we hang up, Gunner tosses the phone on my bed and snuggles in my arm while we watch his favorite show.
GUNNISON
Talking to Gunner on the phone this morning started my day off right. Today is going to be nothing short of amazing. Not able to relax, I make my way for a morning run, breakfast with Wade, and shoot around until it’s time to get ready to leave.
Stepping onto the team’s bus, I can’t help but smile as I toss my gym bag stuffed with everything I might need for the weekend. Taking my seat beside Wade, I place my headphones on and pump up my pregame travel music. This time I have a harder time focusing because my mind continues to drift to seeing both Marleigh and Gunner today.
We are on the bus for what feels like forever. Dang, I don’t know how Marleigh does this each week, but I realize it’s not about wanting, it’s about doing what a mother does for a child.
As the bus makes its way toward the North Carolina line, I can’t help but wonder where they are right now. I’m so close to both of them, but yet, they aren’t with me. Staring out the window, I notice that there is nothing around here and, up until this drive, I never realized how close I was to her each time we played Gardner-Webb. Had I known, I might have found a way to see her. Shaking that thought from my mind, I realize we’ve finally made it to GW.
Coach gives us a pep talk before we step off the bus, and as I pass him, he places a hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. I guess that’s his way of telling me he’s got my back.
Chapter 36
MARLEIGH
A ride that typically feels like a few minutes feels like an eternity. Once we cross the river, Gunne
r’s excitement begins to grow and is contagious. I’m grinning as much as he is. Turning left into campus, we park in the lower parking lot. Gunner is so excited he tries to undo his car seat, but isn’t successful. After I hurry around to assist him, he wastes no time moving from the car to the pavement. He takes my hand, and I know that this is the last time we will make this journey alone. Walking into Paul Porter Arena is like climbing Mount Everest with all of those stairs. I swear, who needs to work out if you could do this each day? I scoop down to carry him, but he refuses so we take them a little slower.
After making Gunner use the restroom, even though he swears he doesn’t have to go and grabbing a snack at the concession stand, we begin to locate our seats in the lower level, thanks to Gunnison. It’s early, but I thought maybe we’d get to see the team shoot around before the game. Gunner begins to pull on my shirt. When I look to see why he’s so excited, I see Gunnison on the court. I give him a minute to watch, then squeeze his hand as we find our seats. I’m not sure how Gunnison did it, but these seats are amazing.
Looking around, I notice the ocean of red and black around me. It’s obvious we are visitors, but as game time approaches a few others trickle in.
As the GWU cheerleaders take the court, Gunner searches for Gunnison. When I spot him in the starting lineup, I point in his direction. As I do, our eyes connect and he winks my way. I think that’s our thing while he’s on the court. It’s as if my heart skipped a beat, but when he gives Gunner a “what’s up” head nod, I fall in love even further. It’s the little gestures that make me love him more and more. I’m sure that after this weekend, there’s no way my heart will ever be the same.
Gunner and I enjoy the game, and when the buzzer sounds for the end, Gunner is pulling me from the stands toward the court. What is he doing? Then I see that the Coastal guys are hanging around, and I guess this has to do with Gunnison.
As we stand at the edge of the bleachers, Gunnison approaches me covered in sweat and it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, but when he half grins, I change my mind. A hot, sweaty and half-grinning Gunnison approaching our son is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
“Gunner do you remember Gunnison?” I question as he comes to a stop in front of him.
“Yeah we same!” Gunner says and melts my heart.
“You guys enjoy the game?” Gunner begins to nod his head yes and gets overly excited. “Come on, the guys want to meet Gunner.”
“Day meet me?” Gunner points to himself and it takes him less than a second to let go of my hand and latch onto Gunnison’s. I want to freeze this moment in time. I follow behind them to watch their interactions.
The team and Coach give him high fives and knuckles, and it’s the happiest I’ve ever seen Gunner. Gunnison motions for me to join in the fun.
“Coach, I want you to meet my girlfriend, Marleigh Anderson,” he says as Coach extends his hand to me.
“Nice to meet you, Marleigh,” he says and Gunner begins to look between us with confusion.
“Nice to meet you too, Coach. Thank you for letting Gunnison come with us this weekend.”
“You’re very welcome. Now Gunner, we expect to see you at the championship. I think you brought us good luck this afternoon,” he says as he pats the top of his head. Gunner’s eyes light up and I’m truly blessed to have both of my boys in my life.
“Gurlfriend?” He points to me. I nod yes and I’m not sure if this is the moment so I pause briefly, but I can see his wheels turning. “I her boyfriend, who you?” he says surely toward Gunnison. Looking between the three of us, Gunnison bends down to Gunner’s eye level.
“You know how we have the same name?” Gunner nods his head in understanding. “Want to know why?”
“Uh-huh,” Gunner replies.
“Because you’re named after your daddy.” Gunner takes his index finger and scratches his head. Sitting on pins and needles, I wait for what happens next. Gunner looks at me.
“Mommy, you have same name too?” I begin to giggle, and Gunnison replies she will soon. My. Heart. Stops. Gunnison glances up to me and winks. Just like that, our world changed. Short, sweet, and simple, just like the mind of a three year old. Never in a million years did I think my child would start the conversation, but I knew that Gunnison would have the words to finish it.
When Gunner begins to dance as if there are ants in his pants, Gunnison excuses himself to go with the team. As Gunner and I make our way to the restroom and then the lobby to wait on Gunnison, I can tell that his mind is spinning. Picking him up, we walk the length of the lobby, looking at the awards given for all kinds of sports. Gunner asks questions and as I begin to look at my watch, Gunnison catches my eye. He’s propped up against the wall watching. I smirk toward him, “You sure do like to watch me.”
“Maybe,” he says as he pushes off the wall, and I want nothing more than to wrap my arms around him and kiss the hell out of him. “You ready, little man?” he asks as Gunner squirms out of my arms to walk like a big boy to the car. He walks between us holding each of our hands. Being in this moment, I feel contentment as our family is finally beginning.
Gunnison helps Gunner into his car seat and we make our way to Gaffney, I glance at Gunner in the rearview mirror. As his eyes get heavier and heavier, I smile knowing he’s happy.
GUNNISON
Looking at Marleigh watching Gunner in the rearview mirror makes my heart swell. I take her hand and lace my fingers through it. She glances my way, and I can’t do anything but grin. Being with her and Gunner feels different than I thought it would. I thought it would be a little awkward, but it’s the complete opposite. I feel as if my world is now complete, and there’s only one thing that will make it officially complete—for her to be my wife, and that is my next plan of action.
With Gunner asleep, we begin to talk about the normal things in life like class, the game, and then Marleigh reminds me about our date tonight. I can’t wait to have her to myself. As we make our way into Gaffney, we decide to take Gunner to eat at Chick-fil-A. I know it’s not romantic in any way, but in the eyes of a three year old the playground is like hitting the lottery.
As Gunner wakes up, I glance over my shoulder at him. “Did you sleep well?” He nods as he rubs his eyes. Noticing he’s extremely quiet, I look toward Marleigh, unsure of what to do.
“Gunner, you okay, baby?” she asks.
“Mommy you GC girlfriend?”
“Yes,” she replies simply.
“You my girlfriend.” He pouts. Smiling toward Marleigh, I’m going to let her handle this one. When she looks like she’s in disbelief, I toss up my hands and give a single laugh. I know I might be in the doghouse on this one, but I can’t wait to hear how she explains this one.
“Gunner, baby. Mommy will always be your number one girl. Don’t you ever forget that, but one day you will find a girl who loves you like your daddy loves me.” Just like that, I realize she’s laid everything on the table in front of our son, and I wait for his reaction.
“I glad Daddy love you, but I love you more. Where Aunt Tin Tin? She be my girlfriend?” Looking at Marleigh, she grins and confirms that Tinleigh would love to be his girlfriend.
Chapter 37
MARLEIGH
Arriving at my home, my parents meet us outside and my daddy gets Gunner from the car. He asks us about the game and I can tell he wants to know if we’ve had a conversation with Gunner.
“Hey, Gunner, tell Pap who this is,” I say pointing to Gunnison. He crosses his arms and pouts.
“Her boyfriend. I her boyfriend, Pap!” He stomps, but then Gunnison grabs him, tosses him in the air and begins to tickle him. “Stop Daddy!” He laughs, and just like that my parents know without asking that life is good between us all.
As I go to give Gunner a bath, Gunnison asks if he can instead. Shrugging my shoulder, he takes over, and it’s wonderful to let him. When he is finished, Mama takes over and tells us to hurry and get out of here.
; We both take a moment to freshen up and I slide on my boots. Gunner runs into my room with Gunnison right behind him. “Night night, Mommy. I love you,” he says. Kissing his cheek, he then takes off to his room where Pap is waiting to tell him his favorite bedtime story. Making our way to my car, Mama stops us and tells us they won’t wait up.
GUNNISON
The ride to the concert is nothing but pure torture. Looking at Marleigh in those tight jeans and the way her top accents her chest, I can’t handle it. As we pull into the gravel parking lot, I’m in shock at the number of people here. She turns and looks toward me.
“You ready?”
“Always for you. I’m ready. Thank you for letting me in my son’s life.”
“Gunnison, once we crossed paths again, I knew I couldn’t keep you away, but for tonight, can we just focus on us? Sometimes being a parent is tiring and more like work than a real job. Heck, I use to love working at the grocery store because I wasn’t in charge of anyone. So tonight… it’s me and you.”
I never thought about that. I’ve never really thought about everything she’s gone through, what she’s given up. She didn’t just give up us; she gave up her life as a teenager. Trying not to ponder on what my life would have been like, I then realize she really did make a selfless decision, and one day I’m going to let her know.
Once we are inside, the sound of country music fills our ears from the house band, but as the ten o’clock hour rolls around, Outshyne takes the stage and there’s pure bliss on her face. When they begin to play a song that I don’t know the name of, I can’t help but realize that it’s exactly how I feel about her. As she begins to sing the words, she looks in my direction and they are right—I love every inch of her. She’s my definition of perfection, and she has been since Spring Break four years ago. Taking her by the hand, I pull her close and we begin to dance to the music regardless of what is going on around us. As the song ends, I dip her backwards and kiss her deeply.
As they finish their last set, we move away from the stage and head to her car. Not only has today been amazing, but tonight has made it even better. She hands me the keys and I drive back to her house. As she places her head on my shoulder, there is no doubt that I’m head over heels in love with her and that perfect little boy.