by Casey Peeler
“Love you, too, and don’t you worry ’bout this old man or the farm. Do you hear me?”
“I hear ya,” I say, heading to the truck.
I wave to him when I drive past him and make my way to school. I can’t wait to lay my eyes on Emmett.
Emmett
When the alarm goes off, I hit Snooze at least five times. When I cut it off the last time, I pull myself from the bed. Sitting on the edge with my elbows on my knees, I give myself a minute to wake up. When Raegan’s image enters my mind, I automatically become motivated.
Glancing at the clock, I hustle to get to school. I’m not exactly sure how this is gonna go now that Jace has said his peace, but I know I’m not gonna let him mess with her today.
Grabbing a quick shower, I shave to remove the stubble and then pull on a pair of AE khaki cargo shorts and a fitted vintage style tee. I grab a Pop Tart on the way out the door and put the truck in the wind.
When I arrive in the parking lot, I look for her truck, but I don’t see it. Crap! I didn’t even find out how Cole was this morning! I send Mom a quick text, and she says Cole’s doing better, and they are going to work today because he insisted.
As I slide my phone back into my pocket, I see her blue Z71 Chevy coming in on two wheels. I can’t help but smile, but when I see her hair blowing in the wind and the look on her face, laughter is the last thing from my mind. She’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
Chapter 18
Raegan
Crap! Crap! Triple Crap! I’m running late! I push the Chevy’s gas pedal to the floorboard as I hurry to make it to school. This isn’t how I planned on Monday starting. When I round the turn into the parking lot, my wheels squeal just a little as I slow down toward my parking space. Once I’m in my spot, I throw the truck into park, glance at my reflection in the rearview mirror, add a little lip-gloss, and grab my bag. As I turn from the truck, I see him. Who thought a pair of shorts and a tee could look so good? A smile escapes my lips, and I take a deep breath to slow myself down from my crazy drive to school this morning.
“Mornin,’ Rae, or should I just call you Mario Andretti?” he teases as he approaches.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I say as I make my way to him. He embraces me in his arms, kisses the top of my head, and laces my fingers in his as we walk into Cleveland High. Emmett walks me to my locker as the first bell rings. “You better go, Em. I don’t want you to be late because of me.”
“It’s all good. It’d just be my first tardy.” I guess he has a point.
He walks me to physics and lets my hand go as I enter the doorway. I swear, every time he leaves me, I feel like a piece of me leaves, too. I take my seat and count the minutes until lunch.
When the bell rings, I gather my things and walk to my locker. I’m surprised when Jace smiles my way, but doesn’t say a word. Something is totally up with him. I smile back and make my way to my next class, but not before someone wraps their arms around my waist as I walk.
“How was class?” Emmett asks.
“It was physics. Please, don’t tell me you’re takin’ another tardy?” I laugh.
“Nah, I have physics next and just wanted to surprise you.”
“Thanks.” I kiss him briefly on the cheek before he separates from me, and yet again, I’m yearning to have him near me.
Jordyn is waiting for me after class, and I know she’s about to ask a gazillion and one questions, and to be honest, I can’t wait to tell her all about it.
“Spill it, girlfriend!” Jordyn says with excitement. “But, first off, what happened to Cole? There are all these crazy rumors going on.”
“Cole was in a car accident Saturday night. He hadn’t been drinkin’ or anything. Some car pulled out in front of him, and he tried to miss them, which he did, but not before he hit a freakin’ tree. It was awful, J. I’ve never seen him so pitiful. That boy is like my brother, and I was scared I was gonna lose him.”
“Can I be honest, Rae?” she asks.
“Aren’t you always?” I laugh.
“True! I always thought he was in love with you.”
“What? He’s family for cryin’ out loud.” I’ve never in a million years looked at Cole that way. Now, I’ll be the first to admit, he’s easy on the eyes, but we are family.
“The way he looks at you sometimes, I mean, y’all are like barely related.”
“Just stop! That’s totally gross, and no, he’s not in love with me. I know that for sure. Yuck! I don’t even wanna think about that.”
“Fine, I’ll stop, because I’m tellin’ ya right now, if I knew I stood any chance with him, I’d be all about that.”
“We need a different subject because this is wrong on soooo many levels.”
“Okay, so, what’s up with you and Emmett? I overheard Jace talking this morning.”
“What’d he say?” I stop in the hallway.
“He said he and Emmett had words last night. He made it sound like he was all big and bad, but my guess is he’s the one that went inside with his tail between his legs.” We both laugh because that is highly likely.
“Now, back to you. What’s up with you and Emmett?” My face starts to flush red. “Ohmygosh! You’re totally blushin’, Rae! Spill it!”
“J, we had the best day. Well, after we left the hospital, anyway. Take out Cole’s accident, and this has been the best weekend of my life. Emmett took me dancin’ at The Shed Saturday, and then Grandaddy let me go with him yesterday after we left the hospital. We cruised around and then went to the creek.”
“Y’all totally went creek stompin’, didn’t ya?”
“You know it!”
“I’d loved to have seen him all drippin’ wet,” Jordyn says seductively, and I laugh.
“It was nice.”
“‘Nice’? That’s the word you’re gonna use?” she asks. “‘Nice’ is how you tell Grandaddy he looks. I’m sure Emmett was like damn scrumptious!”
“Come to think of it, I think you’re right,” I say as I loop my arm in hers as we giggle our way toward the cafeteria.
Emmett
I’d planned on waiting for Raegan to walk into the cafeteria, but when I see her and Jordyn in a full-blown conversation, I decide to give them a little time.
Without much of an appetite, I settle on a pack of chips and a Gatorade from the vending machine and make my way to sit down. Um, awkward! Do I sit with Jace like Friday or find a new table? I see Ridge sitting at the table, and he makes a motion for me to move his way.
“What’s up, Ridge? Jace?” I acknowledge them as I sit.
“We don’t know. How ’bout you fill us in?” Ridge says with a sly grin.
“Besides spending the weekend in the hospital with Cole and Raegan showing me around town, that’s been about it,” I say, trying to keep it low key.
“I bet she showed you ’round town,” Ridge says mockingly.
“Hey, man,” I say as Ridge bursts out laughing.
“Chill. I’m just messin’ with ya. We know Raegan is like the crown jewel, and nothing’s getting that. Right, Jace?” He laughs.
Jace remains silent; he picks up his tray and walks outside. I laugh it off with Ridge until my eyes catch sight of Raegan and those long, toned legs moving our way.
“Who pissed in his Corn Flakes this mornin’?” Jordyn asks as she and Raegan sit at the table. Did she really say that out loud?
Ridge kisses her on the cheek. “Ya know, his macho ego just got deflated.”
I smirk, and Raegan elbows me. “Play nice,” she whispers.
“I didn’t say a word.” I throw up my hands to prove my innocence.
“Maybe not here, but word is there was a not-so-friendly discussion last night.”
I just shrug my shoulders. I don’t care to air out our business for everyone to hear.
“Em? What happened?” she asks as she places her hand upon my leg. “I know he tries to act big and bad, but we all know he’d go cryin’ to his mama.
Tell me what happened.”
“Nothin’ really. He just wanted to know what was going on with us. So, I told him, left him standin’ there, and went in and ate supper. That’s pretty much it,” I recount as I take a swig of my drink. Her eyes meet mine, and I can tell she’s unsure if she believes me.
“I promise, Rae. That was it. I’m not arguing with him about you because there’s no reason. You got me?”
“I got ya,” she says as she lays her head upon my shoulder and steals my bag of chips.
“Chip thief? I never would have thought that about ya!” I tease as I watch her eat every last one as slow as possible.
Chapter 19
Raegan
The way Emmett stares at me as I eat his chips looks as if I am about to have him begging me to stop in front of everyone. I have to say, for a girl who hasn’t really liked all the male attention I’ve gotten in the past, I love everything about the way Emmett Bridges looks, touches, and speaks to me.
When I finish the last chip, I don’t give him time to think. Instead, I brush my salty lips across his and back away.
“Rae, you’re gonna have to stop that,” he says.
“What can I say? I love chips. Come on. We’re gonna be late for class,” I say as I stand from the table, grab his hand and we walk down the hallway.
The remainder of the day is filled with boring lectures, a pop quiz, and thoughts of Emmett. I take a few minutes with him after school before I head to practice. As I hurry to the gym from the locker room, Jace meets me.
“Hey, Raegan, you got a minute?” he asks as he stands propped against the wall.
“I’ve got like five. So, let’s walk and talk ’cause I know you’ve got practice, too.” Can’t he just get over it? “Talk.”
He takes a minute to look around, almost as if he’s looking to see if anyone is watching. “Look, I don’t know what he’s got, but if he makes you happy, then I’m happy for you.”
I stop mid-stride. “OMG! Is Jace admitting he is wrong?” I say smartly.
“Not funny. I’m trying to be nice here,” he says.
“Sorry. Go on.”
“I just wanted you to know I’m calling a truce. Not to say I like it, but I do want you to be happy. Of all the girls in this school, you deserve it.”
I’ve never seen this side of Jace, and honestly, I don’t believe it’s genuine. “Thanks, that means a lot,” I say as I give him a hug. He vanishes as quickly as he showed up. Maybe I was wrong about him. Maybe he’s not a total jackass, but regardless, he’s not the guy for me.
Practice goes off without a hitch, and I’m on my way home before I know it. When I get home, Grandaddy and Joe are sitting on the front porch sipping sweet tea and shooting the breeze.
“Hey, Sunshine,” Grandaddy says as I meet him with a hug.
“Looks like y’all did all right today,” I say to both of them.
“For two old buzzards, we still got it,” Joe says, and we all laugh.
“I’m gonna fix us some supper. Have you heard any more about Cole today?” I ask Grandaddy.
“If things go well, he’ll be home Wednesday. He’s already tryin’ to figure out how to get back to work. Bless him. He’s gotta learn to take it easy.”
“And you’re one to talk,” I say as I enter the house and start supper.
Emmett
I fall in love the minute Raegan steals my bag of chips. Most girls wouldn’t be that bold as to steal their man’s food within the first week of seeing each other, but when she eats each one slowly, I am fully aware that she knows exactly what she is doing to me.
When my mouth falls to the floor, she helps pick it up by placing her, salty with a hint of strawberry lip-gloss, lips onto mine. I try to keep her lips on mine a moment longer, but she pulls away and puts me back in our reality inside the school cafeteria, and I’m close to tardy number three today.
After school, I start to make my way to my truck, but decide to surprise her before practice. I’m caught off guard when I see her and Jace embracing in the gym. I can’t stand him! Why can’t he get it through that dumb skull of his? I shake it off and drive to the hospital. I mention to Cole what I saw, and he tells me not to worry, because he knows exactly how Raegan feels about Jace. That is much easier said than done.
After I get home, I take a quick run before supper and then see what Raegan’s up to.
Me: Hope practice went okay. I can’t wait to
see you 2morrow.
Raegan: It did! Fixin’ supper now and then I
have a ton of homework. I can’t wait to see you
either.
Me: Try 2 come in on 4 wheels 2morrow. LOL
Raegan: HAHA I’ll try! ;)
Tomorrow morning can’t get here fast enough.
Chapter 20
Raegan
The next two days are near perfect. When I’m not working on the farm, I’m at school or practice. Every moment I can spend with Emmett, I do. Cole got discharged from the hospital on Wednesday morning, and as soon as practice is over, I make my way to visit.
As I pull into the driveway, I see Emmett’s truck and smile. This is kinda weird. I never thought the guy I’m head over heels for would live in this house. Walking up to the door, I see Jace pulling in the driveway. Dang. I toss up my hand and wave before I ring the doorbell and wait for someone to answer. When the door opens, it’s Emmett.
“Come in,” he says as he takes my hand in his. “He’s in his room.”
“Okay.” I say as I give him a brief kiss on the lips.
“Just give him a knock and go in. I’ll give y’all some time.”
A questioning look flashes in his eyes. What’s up with this giving us a minute? Whatever. I shake it off. I give Cole’s room a light knock and peek inside.
“Hey there, Rae,” he says as he starts to sit up in the bed.
“Hey, how are ya feelin’?” I ask.
“I’m all right. Better than a few days ago. The question is, how are you?” I know exactly what he’s referring to.
“I don’t wanna talk about it,” I say as I feel tears creeping up. I’ve fought them away all week, and I know the bewitching hour is upon us.
“Look, I know you don’t, but just remember I’m here.”
“I know.”
“Has Uncle Dover said any more about it?” I shake my head no.
“Cole, I’ve got a really bad feelin’ ’bout it. You know, the kind deep down in your gut that’s never wrong.”
He pats the bed beside him, and I take a seat. He moves my hair behind my ear. “Rae, it’s gonna be okay. If he said the doctors aren’t worried, then we shouldn’t be either.”
“I know, but…” is all I can manage before the waterworks flow.
“Listen to me, Rae. Don’t do this. We don’t know what’s gonna happen tomorrow, but you’re the strongest person I know. Have you said anything to Emmett?”
“No! Grandaddy said not to. I won’t break that promise to him.” He understands where I stand on that thought and drops it. He changes the subject, and I dry my eyes just in time for the blotchiness to evaporate from my face, as Grandaddy knocks on the door with Emmett right behind him.
“Hey, y’all,” I say as they make their way into the room. We all visit, and then Emmett and I give Grandaddy and Cole some time alone. I can only imagine what is being said between those walls.
Emmett walks outside with me toward my truck. As I stand there with my back against the driver’s side, he moves in closer and brings his lips to mine.
Emmett
As Raegan disappears behind Cole’s door, I make my way back downstairs, but not before I hear her begin to cry. I know they are close, but he’s getting better. What in this world would have her so upset? I begin to think about us, seeing her with Jace today, Jace’s reaction at lunch, and their relationship. Feeling the frustration beginning to build, I walk out to my truck and clean out the Pop Tart wrappers from the week.
“Hey there, Emmet
t. How are you doin’?” I hear as I glance over my shoulder to see Mr. Lowery.
“I’m doing well, sir. How ’bout yourself?” I ask.
“A’ight, just thought I’d check on Cole. Where’s Sunshine?”
“She’s with Cole. I’m givin’ them some time.”
He crosses his arms and stands there. “Boy, let me tell ya somethin’. Don’t ever get jealous of those two. Cole has been there for her as long as I can remember. They hit it off the day he started working in the summers when he was barely old enough to pick up a bale of hay, but not like you’re thinking. Raegan has always been the girl everyone wants her to be, and you are the first guy to walk into her life that she’s let in. Don’t be a fool and screw it up because of what you think.”
I’m completely floored by his forwardness. “Yes, sir. It’s just hard to think through. Can I ask you one thing?”
“Go ’head.”
“Well, you know my neighbor. Has she ever given him a thought?”
Mr. Lowery belly laughs in my face. “Son, Jace McCoy wants anything he can’t have, and my Sunshine has wanted nothin’, and I mean nothin’, to do with him. You have no worries.”
“Thanks for your honesty,” I say to him.
“Anytime,” he responds as he goes inside to talk to George and my mom.
When I finish, I walk back inside, and Mr. Lowery and I make our way to Cole’s room. As we enter, Raegan is sitting beside Cole, and regardless of how much she’s trying to hide the fact she has been crying, I can see pain in her eyes. All I want to do is hold her in my arms and make everything better, even though I have no clue what’s going on.
When Raegan makes the motion to leave, I don’t hesitate. I follow her outside to her truck. She turns when she gets to the driver’s seat, and I move as close to her as possible. The fact we’ve been in the same house, and I have barely been able to touch her has been driving me crazy.
“Ummm,” escapes her lips as mine begin to move from hers.
“‘Ummm’ is right. Raegan, I don’t want you to leave, but I’m sure this isn’t the best place for this.”
“I think you might be right.” She winks.
Taking every ounce of willpower I have within me, I kiss the tip of her nose and tell her I’ll see her before school starts, but I’m shocked when she tells me she won’t be there. I have a feeling she’s keeping something from me, but only time will tell.