Covering the Carolinas

by Casey Peeler

  “Can you tell me why?” I ask, no longer full of rage but fear for both Raegan and Mr. Lowery.

  “I can’t. It’s not my place, but you can’t let her know you know,” he says.

  “I won’t,” I vow. “Thanks, Cole, I’ve been driving myself crazy.”

  As I start to leave, Cole stops me. “Emmett, she cares about you more than anyone I’ve ever seen, but get ready, because when this storm hits, it’s gonna be a rough one.”

  I acknowledge his comment and make my way to my room. How am I going to act like I don’t know? I pull out a notebook from the side table and write exactly how I feel about her.

  Chapter 24

  Raegan

  For the next two months, things continue as planned. I go to school, fall further and further head over heels for Emmett, and Grandaddy is doing great. Not one person has noticed anything odd about Grandaddy or me. I’m exhausted and running on empty. Today, Cole started working at half capacity on the farm. It’s not a full tank of gas, but I’ll take it!

  Last month at Grandaddy’s appointment, Dr. Charles felt the pills were doing their job maintaining his white blood count, but not lowering it. I knew within my soul that another plan of action was going to have to happen, and this one was going to be harder to hide from the people of Pleasant Hill. He agreed to give the pills one more month, and then he would start IV chemotherapy.

  “Sunshine, Cole said he’d go with me today, so you don’t have to miss school,” Grandaddy says as we eat breakfast. I give him the you can’t be serious look. “Dr. Charles knows what he’s doing. He explained it to us last month. It’s either we keep this going, or I try something new.”

  I know he’s telling the truth. I want to go with him, but I also know he wants me to keep living my life. School is important to both of us, and if he does have to try the other kind of chemotherapy, I might need to save my absences.

  “Tell Cole to text me what y’all decide as soon as you leave,” I say, not wanting to admit my defeat.

  “Will do, Sunshine. Now, hurry up. You’re gonna be late. I love you,” he says as he hugs me goodbye.

  “I love you, too, Grandaddy,” I reply as Cole enters the house.

  “Mornin’, Rae,” he says.

  “Hey, Cole.”

  “So, you’re really gonna let us do this ourselves?” he questions.

  “You know there’s no arguing with him when he’s made up his mind, and it is made up,” I answer, and Cole laughs.

  “You do recognize you’re as stubborn as him?” I tilt my head, place my hands on my hips, and smile. “Yeah, ya know. What do I have to do to make you happy in all of this?” he asks.

  “I expect a text as soon as you are leaving. I’m gonna be one bottle of nerves, and I have to know what is decided.”

  “Got it. Now, go. You’re gonna be late,” he says.

  Emmett

  As the warning bell rings, I know I have to get moving from my truck. Where the heck is she? I pull out my phone and text her quickly. She doesn’t reply, which makes me worry. Knowing I have to get to class, I start to make my way inside. I glance over my shoulder, and there is still no sign of her.

  After taking my seat in class, I check my phone again and text Cole.

  Me: Where’s Rae?

  Cole: On her way

  Me: Thanks

  I place my phone back into my pocket and get ready to take a few notes. There’s no way I can focus, though. I stare at the clock, and every bad scenario runs through my mind. That’s it! I can’t take it anymore! I raise my hand and wait for the teacher to acknowledge me before I excuse myself from the classroom and start to wander the halls.

  I start by walking by her classroom, and I don’t see her. What the hell? I continue to roam the halls, giving up on the idea that I have any clue where she might be when my phone buzzes in my pocket.

  Raegan: I’m here. Had 2 handle something

  this morning.

  Me: K U n class yet?

  Raegan: No

  Me: Meet me at ur locker

  Raegan: K

  I really don’t know what I’m thinking or what she’s going to tell me, but as her locker comes into view, I see her smiling face making her way toward me. All apprehensions disappear when I’m in her presence.

  When I get within arms’ reach, I take her and pull her close to me. “You had me sweatin’ bullets this mornin’. I thought something had happened to ya.”

  She pulls back and looks into my eyes. “Nah, just runnin’ behind, and then Cole had to inform me of a few things on the farm before I left.”

  Pushing her hair behind her ear, I look into her eyes, and I can sense she’s lying to me. Even with the lies, I know she’s trying to protect me from whatever is going on with her granddaddy. I just wish she’d tell me. I brush my lips quickly against hers, and we go our separate ways to class.

  Chapter 25

  Raegan

  While sitting in class, all I can think about is Grandaddy and how I continue to hide this from Emmett. Since the day he walked into my life, we’ve grown closer, but I know we want to see how this plays out. I know I need to trust him with this, but I don’t want him to feel sorry for me.

  When the bell rings, I hurry to my locker and check my phone. Nothing. I put it back into my pocket and grab my textbooks before heading toward second block. As I’m entering the doorway, I feel a vibration in my pocket. Once I’m seated at my desk, I check to see if it’s Cole. It is. Unsure of how I will react, I ask Mrs. Horn if I can run to the restroom. When she excuses me, I make a beeline for the bathroom, shut the stall door, and open the text.

  Cole: It’s still the same.

  Taking a minute to process what I’ve read, my mind begins to race. Still the same? That means they are trying the hard stuff this go round. Without another thought, I call Cole.

  “Hey, Rae.”

  “Hey, when are they going to start?” I ask, forcefully holding back the tears.

  “Monday. He’s right here. Do you wanna talk to him?”

  “Sure.” I hear Cole pass Grandaddy the phone.

  “Hey, Sunshine,” he says. “Shouldn’t you be in class?”

  “Yeah, but I needed to be alone a minute,” I admit quietly.

  “It’s gonna be fine. Cole, Dr. Charles, and I worked out a schedule. Hopefully, it will only take a few treatments, and I’ll be good as new.”

  “I hope so,” I say as someone comes into the bathroom. “I better go. I’ll be home as soon as I can today. Love you.” I hang up quickly so whoever came in doesn’t hear me.

  When I open the door, I come face-to-face with Jordyn. “Hey, girl.”

  “Who were you talkin’ to, and why are you missin’ class?” she probes with a little more attitude than usual.

  “Grandaddy. He had a question about the finances at the farm before he went to the bank,” I say as guilt eats away at me.

  “I’m not buying it, Rae.”

  “Well, it’s the truth.”

  “I’m callin’ bullshit. You’ve been up to something for weeks now. I don’t know what it is, but just know, nothing is too bad that you can’t talk to me about it. I’m your best friend, remember?”

  Grief washes over my body. “I know, but that’s it. I know I can tell you anything. I’ve just been really stressed out lately with the farm, especially since Cole’s been out.”

  “Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but come here,” she says as she waves her arms toward me for a hug.

  “Thanks, J, and thanks for not asking questions.”

  “You’re welcome. Now, let’s get back before someone comes lookin’ for us,” she states as she loops my arm through hers.

  I’m thankful to have Jordyn in my life. She knows me well enough to know what buttons to push and when to run like hell. I love her for it.

  “So, I heard there’s a party this Saturday. Do you wanna go?” she asks.

  “J, there’s a party every Saturday night.” I laugh.
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  “Yeah, but you haven’t been to one since Emmett showed up.”

  “What can I say? He’s where it’s at.” I smirk.

  “You little hussy!” She grins, and we part ways back to class.

  Emmett

  I know I am overstepping my boundaries when I do it, but I can’t resist. I have to know what’s going on. As soon as I am out of eyesight from Raegan, I call Cole, but there isn’t an answer. What the hell? I send him a text and still nothing. What is it with no one answering me today? Damn.

  Brushing it off, I make my way to class. At lunch, Raegan is her bubbly self, but our conversation almost seems like it’s on autopilot. I want to get her alone and find out what is going on, but I know if she finds out I know, she’s going to hate me… and Cole. I can’t let her push us away, because she is going to need us at some point.

  After lunch, I finally get a text from Cole. It appears his lips are sealed shut, but I’m going to find out what is going on. This day isn’t going anywhere close to how I’d planned, and I just want to get out of here as fast as possible. The only thing stopping me is Raegan. If I walked out right now, no one but her would really care if I were gone. It might even make a few people, like Jace, happy, but I can’t leave her without telling her. She’d freak out, just like I did this morning.

  When the afternoon bell rings, I wait on her at her locker. She smiles, and I want to hold her in my arms and demand she tell me what she’s hiding. Instead, I hold her close, inhale her scent, and pray it will all go away.

  Chapter 26

  Raegan

  As my truck makes it way down the drive, I see Cole, Grandaddy, and Hank sitting on the front porch. I smile at the three of them as I head their way. Those two men have been what keeps me hopeful in this world and make life worth living.

  “Hey, y’all,” I say as I make my way to them and take a seat beside them. “Please, tell me y’all haven’t been front porch sitting while I’ve been in class all day.”

  “We wish,” Cole says smartly.

  “Boy, you know you don’t have to work here,” Grandaddy says flatly. What’s Cole’s deal?

  “I’m just kiddin’, Uncle Dover. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”

  “Good, ’cause I need ya here bright and early in the mornin’.” I try to refrain from laughing, but it’s no use. “Sunshine, why are you laughin’? I gotta have you, too.” I stop mid-giggle. I’ve never seen him like this, and I look at Cole for direction.

  “Grandaddy, is everything okay?” I ask.

  He exhales a big puff of air. “Yeah, it’s all right, or it will be. It’s just been a long day, and we’ve got to get this hay baled before Monday. I can’t have that weighing on my shoulders when I’m sitting in a doctor’s office with a damn needle in my arm.” Oh God, this isn’t good. He rarely uses four-letter words!

  “No worries, we got this. Right, Cole?” I say in his direction.

  “Heck, yeah. Y’all want me to see if Emmett will pitch in tomorrow?” he asks.

  In unison, both Grandaddy and I exclaim, “No!”

  “Y’all, he doesn’t know, and we could use an extra hand,” Cole insinuates. I look at Grandaddy, and he asks what I want to do.

  “I guess, but I swear, Cole, if he figures out anything, I’m gonna beat the shit outta ya!” I cover my mouth from surprise of what just popped out. Both Grandaddy and Cole look at me like I’ve lost it. “Sorry, it just kinda slipped. But, I’ve had to watch every move I’ve made for the past couple of months, and if he finds out now, what’s been the point in keeping it a secret?” I say bluntly.

  “Sunshine, it’s not Emmett I’m worried about. It’s everyone else in this damn town.”

  “Well, you told me not to tell, and I haven’t. I’ve lied to everyone I care about, and I plan on keeping it that way until this is just water under the bridge.”

  After my rant on the front porch, I make my way inside to try to calm down. As I pace the floor, I hear footsteps approaching. Ignoring whomever it might be, I walk to the fridge and pour myself a glass of cold sweet tea. Maybe it will help. I turn and see Cole standing there with his arms crossed. He’s definitely pissed.

  “Rae, what the hell?” he asks.

  “Whatcha mean? I just told y’all what I was thinkin’. That’s all.”

  “If that’s what you wanna tell yourself. Listen, you do know that if you told Emmett, he would understand.”

  “Understand? He might, but I’m not gonna.”

  “Damn, stubborn ass. Get over it. Whatever you’re thinkin’, get over it!” he yells, and I stomp past him and up to my room to throw a hissy fit and a pity party all-in-one.

  After an hour or so, there’s a light knock on my door. “Sunshine.” I hear Grandaddy say just above a whisper. “Can I come in?”

  “Yeah,” I answer as I wipe my eyes and attempt to ignore the fact I just acted like a preschooler.

  When he opens the door, I can see the concern in his eyes. He takes a few steps, reaches my bed, and takes a seat beside me.

  “Sunshine, I never should have asked you to keep this secret, but we all know that with one lie comes another. As hard as it is for me to say this, I thought this was going to be a simple fix, but it’s turning out to be the complete opposite. If you want to tell Emmett and the rest of this Podunk town, I’m with ya. I love you too much to watch it eat you alive.”

  “Grandaddy, I don’t want to tell. I don’t want their pity. Let’s just see what happens,” I say.

  “Are you sure?” he asks once more.

  “I’m positive.”

  He pats my leg before he stands, tells me he loves me, and then asks about my plans for tonight. I tell him I had planned on hanging out with him, and he tells me it’s crazy to wanna spend time with an old man. He insists I pick up my phone and call Emmett to take me out on the town. I smile while shaking my head. I don’t think I can love anyone more than I love him right now.

  When he leaves, I call Emmett to see what he’s up to.

  “Hey, Beautiful,” he answers.

  “Hey, whatcha up to?” I ask.

  “Not much, I just got finished talkin’ to Cole. It looks like I’ll be at your beck an’ call tomorrow, but you know what?”

  “What?”

  “I might actually like it.”

  “Ohmygosh! Really? I have to say; I get the better end of that deal. You all hot and sweaty minus a shirt. Yeah, I’ll take it.”

  “You ain’t right. So, really, what’s up?” Silence.

  “Ummm, I was gonna just hang out with Grandaddy, but he’s told me that was a negative tonight. You think he’s gotta woman friend he’s tryin’ to hide?” Where did that come from?

  Emmett bursts out laughing. “I doubt that, but if he did, who would it be?”

  “Ohmygosh, I can’t believe we’re even talkin’ ’bout this.”

  “No, really, if you could see him with anyone, who would it be?”

  Never in my life have I thought about him with anyone other than Mawmaw. “I don’t know… it’s weird to think like that.”

  “What about Pearl Allen?”

  “No! She’s too prim and proper. He’d need someone like Agnes Berrier. She’s like Southern Belle meets redneck. Ya know, classy when needed and red any other time.”

  “Now that you put it that way, I totally see it.”

  “Anyway! So, the reason I called was to see what you had planned tonight.”

  “Raegan Lowery, are you askin’ me out on a date?” he asks with a fake gasp in his tone.

  “Why, yes, Mr. Bridges, I am.”

  “Are you payin’?” he asks with a laugh.

  “Whatever works for me,” I say, and he quickly informs me that he will be paying and picking me up at seven. Crap! It’s already after five!

  I let Grandaddy know I’m going out with Emmett, and he smiles. I hurry upstairs to get ready. I crank up a little Luke Bryan on my iPod and get ready as fast as possible.

  At ten un
til seven, I see Emmett making his way up the driveway. Grandaddy tells me to be careful, and I walk outside to meet Emmett. I’m not giving him a moment’s time with Grandaddy. I’ll wait until tomorrow to wait on the classy yet redneck jokes to start.

  Emmett hops out of the truck as he sees me making my way toward the truck. He’s standing there in a pair of Rock ’n Roll jeans and a fitted tee. Every muscle in his body is evident, and I just want to reach out and touch him. This becomes a reality when he meets me on the passenger side.

  Wrapping my arms around his neck, he pulls me in closely and lightly kisses my lips. “He’s watchin’, ya know,” Emmett says as his eyes point toward the house.

  “Yeah, I know,” I reply as I kiss his nose and pull away to get into the truck. He just shakes his head. As he makes his way around, I observe that fine specimen of a guy in front of me. How’d I get so lucky? When he slides inside the truck, I cut a glance toward him, and he smiles and places his hand around my neck, giving me the kind of kiss I’ve been waiting for.

  Chapter 27

  Raegan

  “So, where are we goin’?” I ask him.

  He looks at me like he’s clueless. “You asked me out, remember?” He then laughs when I’m speechless.

  “How ’bout let’s go to the city for a nice meal and then see where the night leads?” he suggests.

  I quickly begin to rethink my attire, but realize he’s in jeans, so there’s no need to worry about a five-star, top of the tower meal. “Sounds good to me. Whatcha thinkin’?” I ask.

  “Maybe Cheddar’s?” he asks.

  “Sounds perfect!” We make our way out of Pleasant Hill and toward “the city” as we call it, but it’s not like a big metropolis. It’s more like a bigger redneck town with lots of shopping, restaurants, and a place to cruise on Saturday nights.

  After we pull into the parking lot, I wait for Emmett to open my door. I slide out of the truck, and he laces his fingers in mine as we enter.

  Walking into Cheddar’s is like going on vacation. The décor makes you feel as if you just walked out of a hotel room and into an exotic location. There are waterfalls, beautiful copper fixtures, and intricate rock details. After a short wait, we make our way to a table near the aquarium and glance at the menu as the waiter takes our drink order.