by Casey Peeler
“Miss Cougar, ya wanna try out the dance floor? Joe smirks. This is not good.
“Sure, see if ya can keep up.” I smile.
Joe leads me to the dance floor and puts his oh so manly hands on my hips. I immediately think where I want those hands to go. After several songs, Joe whispers in my ear, “Charley, you’re so beautiful,” as he kisses my neck.
Ah hell, I was right. Those lips on my neck send a shiver down my spine and warm my insides like nothing I’ve felt before. Well, maybe that’s not the truth, there has been one other time, but I am not going there tonight. This has to be the PJ talkin’.
We leave the dance floor and walk outside to the porch. Joe sits me on top of the railing and pulls me in close. He looks me dead in the eyes. Ohmygosh, stick a fork in me, I’m done. Damn those crystal blue make ya wanna melt eyes!
Joe pulls me in closer, flashes those pearly whites, and takes my mouth in his. He kisses me to my core. I have to pull away, but I can’t; I need him so bad. We finally come up for air; there is a desire that has ignited between both of us. I really need to find Caroline and get outta here before I go too far. Before I can get a word out, he has covered my mouth again, and his hands are reaching for the edge of my top. As soon as his fingers grace my skin, I’m a goner. My hands are wrapped around his neck and in his oh so messy hair.
All of a sudden, I hear talking. Joe and I struggle to separate ourselves. When we do, I know this is my chance. I have got to find Caroline and get the hell outta here before I end up naked in Jackalope Joe’s bed.
“Um, Joe.”
“Yeah,” he says with the perfect smile.
“I’ve really had a good time with you, but I think I need to find Caroline. It’s getting late.”
“Really? You sure you don’t want to find somewhere a little more private?”
“Um, I shouldn’t. I’m not usually like this, um, I mean, there’s a lot you don’t know about me. In fact, if you did, you would probably have a different opinion of me.” I can’t believe I just said that aloud.
“I find that very hard to believe, Miss Cougar. From what I’ve seen, you have everything I like in a girl in one sweet, sexy, Southern package. I want to get to know you in more ways than one.”
How do I respond to that? I look into his eyes. Mistake number uno. Before I know it, I’m caught in his strong arms with his eyes staring straight through me. I can see that he has a desire to be with me, but I have a strange feeling that he wants to know more. He places his hand on my cheek as he pulls me in close. He kisses me with those oh so soft lips and then pulls away.
“Charley, you are truly beautiful. I don’t know what you are hiding or scared of, but I want to know you. All of you.” He gives me a quick kiss on my forehead. “Now, let’s go find Caroline.”
Gawh! My head is swimming above me right now. I’ve got to stop drinking. Like he has read my mind, Joe grabs a water.
We find Caroline hugged up in the corner with some jock. She sees me and pries away leaving her digits in his hand. We grab the PJ and tell the Kluft girls bye. Joe walks me to the front porch, kisses me one last time, and Caroline and I walk arm and arm back to Kluft.
I walk into my room. Crystal is MIA, go figure. I put my pj’s on and pass out.
Chapter 4: 1st Day of Class
I use the rest of the weekend to recover, hang out with the girls on my hall, and make decisions about swimming. Gah, I could use some advice.
Piper: Hey girl! Had ya on my mind!
Charley: You've got freakin' ESP! Call me like yesterday!
Ten minutes later I hear “Hell on Heels” blaring on my phone. I know exactly who it is, Piper. I miss her so bad.
"What's up, Charley?"
"So, let me just go ahead and tell ya. I know this is the right place, but I don't know if I can keep my head on straight."
"Okay, so what's his name?"
"Joe, but the other problem is Cash."
"Charley, you know he loves you, no matter what you think is good for you."
"Whatever. Here's the bigger problem. Everyone here plays a damn sport, and they know I use to swim. What am I going to do?" I'm a little bit on the panicking side.
"Girl, do what you want. You love it, kick ass at it, and the problem no longer exists that you’re thinking about. So go for it!"
"I just don't' know; there's this Red Tape thing I gotta go to tomorrow if I decide to do it. I'm telling ya, if I decide to do this, I better not have a chance in hell of running into that piece of shit!"
"Damn, Charley, calm down. You know he's off at some Division 1. You're good."
"K, well I guess I'm just going to weigh the pros and cons. So, how's the beach? I'm totally coming to see ya soon!"
"It's great, and ohmygah these guys are eye candy everywhere I turn. My roommate’s pretty cool too; she's an Army brat. She likes to have a good time, so far so good."
"Aight girl, thanks for the pep talk, but I guess I better figure out where I gotta be in the morning and what I'm going to wear."
"Char, why don't you wear your look pretty, play dirty camo racerback and your cut-offs? Just be you, you ain’t gotta impress anybody."
"I heart you so much! You know exactly what I should do and are my fashion conscience. Love ya like a Choice Cherry Gold!"
We both laugh and then hang up. I take a look at my schedule... 8 a.m. Biology. What was I thinkin'? I get my books, iPad, and notebook and place them inside my bag. I take a look in the closet. Where is that outfit? I swear Piper knows me better than myself sometimes. I grab my phone, set my alarm, and decide to talk to Georgia across the hall.
"Hey, Charley, I'm about to go over Tori’s room. We’re gonna watch Scandal. Wanna go?"
"Sure, but I got an 8 a.m. class. What was I thinkin'?"
We are all chillin’ on Tori’s futon watching Scandal.
During the last commercial, Georgia brings up what I've been dreading.
"So, Charley, did ya decide yet about the team?
"Y'all, I just don't know." How do I tell them what happened? Or do I?
Tori turns to me with a devilish grin. "Charley, there's this thing called Google. I know you swim faster than a fish!"
"Yes, Tori, I know I'm a good swimmer, but I just don't know if that is what is in the plan for me here."
"How about you going to the Red Tape meeting with us tomorrow, meet Coach, and go from there. Why are you so wishy washy?"
"Tori, some shit happened at home that I don't want to talk about or bring up. If, and I mean if, I decide to go with y'all tomorrow, there are no guarantees I will decide to join the team. "
"So, you'll go?"
"Y'all aren't going to drop this are you?" Damn Google!
"Hell no, you’re quick as hell, and we need someone on the backstroke leg of the 4x200 IM."
"Alright, I'll go, but no promises. I guess I'm gonna head back to my room. I'll see ya in the morning. Anybody got Bio at 8?"
They all look at me and laugh.
"I know, I'm a freakin' idiot! I'll see ya at lunch for sure. Night y'all."
As I walk back to my room, I realize that I'm freakin' doomed. I love this sport, it's all I've known, but I just don't know if I can go back down that road again. There is too much at stake. It doesn't matter how fast I can swim. I can't run from what happened a year ago.
As I'm about to walk into my room, I notice a message from Crystal on the write board.
-At Lucas’, BBT- (BBT code = be back tomorrow)
Well, at least I can figure all this out myself. I grab my bath caddy, robe, and head to the shower. Maybe I can clear my head. I take my time shaving my legs, washing my hair, and thinking about my present situation. All I’ve ever known is the pool. I've spent my entire life there. How can one stupid asshole change my life? What am I going to do tomorrow?
I finally talk myself into getting out of the shower and attempting to go to sleep. I grab my phone, check my alarm, and close my eyes. When I do, all I see i
s Dylan, my nightmare all wrapped up in one hot, tattooed, swimmer’s package.
At some point in the night I drift off to sleep. I wake to the most annoying sound in the world, my alarm clock. I swear that has got to be worse than nails on a chalkboard. I hit the snooze button one more time. I’m exhausted.
Ten minutes later, I hop outta bed and grab the outfit that Piper advised me to wear. I decide to leave my hair down today with a few loose curls. I grab my bag with all my school stuff, a Choice Cherry Gold out of the fridge, and hurry to Hope Science Building.
I slide into the lecture hall and take a seat on the right side of the room. It’s old and musty smelling in here. Yuck! How appealing to my senses at this time of morning. Dr. Deal enters; he is a cute old man with a loud ass voice. He calls the roll and then informs us that there is no need for it anymore because he has a photographic memory. Well Damn. And he does.
He dismisses us right at 9 a.m. I’m starved. I sure hope my Kluft girls are already there waiting. I sure don’t want to sit alone. I walk in and notice Georgia and Tori eating at the same table from last night. I guess we can call that our table. I make my own waffle, grab an apple, a glass of milk, and walk their direction.
“How was that 8 a.m. Bio?”
“Alright, except I know I can’t skip ‘cause that professor has a photographic memory. I mean really? How did I get so lucky?”
“Well, it won’t be that bad ‘cause if you join the team we’ll be up anyways.”
I look at them both like I could kill them. Really? They are starting this already?
“Now look, I’m not makin’ promises. I’ll go today but no guarantee.”
“Char, you’re gonna love Coach. She’s a freakin’ hoot. You never know what she’s gonna say. Heck, she’s liable to call us one night needing a ride home ‘cause she’s had one too many,” Tori says with a mouth full of cereal.
“Y’all are kidding right?” Seriously, they have to be!
“Never know until you join our crazy team!”
We finish breakfast, and I head across campus. I have Freshman Seminar. I mean do they really think we are that stupid? We need a class on how to survive in college. Ummmm, no we don’t.
I walk toward Good Hall and go in the room that sits outside the main part of the building. This time I find the back row. Straight Southern Baptist all the way. If I have to listen to this crap, I wanna have the best seat in the house. I take out my phone to text Tessa.
Me: might need a favor.
Tessa: Well hey to u 2
Me: Shut up! I might need my swim bag.
Tessa: WTH? Ur j/k right?
Me: Not sure, meeting today, might, miss it
Tessa: Let me know & I will get it 2 u gotta go bf I get busted in class
Me: K Love u!
Tessa: Love u 2!
About the time I look up from my phone, I see him. Joe. He walks into the room with so much swag and confidence it should be illegal. His looks are beyond call the fire department hot ‘cause a fire has gotta be put out in a pair of Under Armour gym shorts and a Southern lacrosse t-shirt. It is very evident that he just left the gym. Ohmygawh. That hair is soaked on the ends with sweat. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to be a little closer to him. I think this class just got interesting! To think, I was able to remove myself from that oh so hot situation this weekend, but I don’t know if I will be able to resist three a week scheduled occurrences.
As I am about to pick up my mouth off the desk, attractive I know, I hear that deep sexy voice.
“Hey, Miss C, anybody sitting here?”
Take a deep breath I keep telling myself.
“I don’t think so. How are ya this mornin’?” I say with my sweet Southern accent.
“Okay, if you don’t mind running about three miles before the crack of dawn.”
What I wouldn’t give to have seen that show this morning?! I just might have to make note of that routine. Joe and his fine ass running across campus. Ummmhumm!
All of a sudden, the door closes, and I hear Dr. Cope, the professor say, “Welcome to Freshman Seminar. Whatever you think this class is about, you are wrong. This is not a class about learning the ins and outs of college. It is a class to build relationships and figure out who you are now that Mommy and Daddy aren’t telling you what to do.”
That is definitely not how I thought this was going to go. Between Mr. I’m Sexy and I Know It and Dr. Cope, whom I think I’m going to get along with just fine, this morning is starting to look up.
While handing out the syllabus, Dr. Cope goes through her expectations and tells us all about herself, her kids, and her yellow lab named Sampson. Time flies in this class.
“Before I let you go, I want to explain how you are graded in this class. It is pass/fail, which means you have one attempt at passing this class. You have one project and one project only. You homework is to read the syllabus, be prepared to start the project that is explained, and be able to complete the project with success. That’s all for today; you’re dismissed.”
Well, I thought Dr. Cope and I were going to get along, but maybe not. I’m going to have to check out this project. Pass/Fail?! Really? I begin to pack my belongings when I hear a laugh next to me. What the hell is so funny? I turn and look at Joe with an irritated glance.
“What?”
“Nothing, Charley. You just look like you’re ready to haul ass outta here. I mean it’s just a project.”
“Yeah, I know. But pass/fail, really? I just think one project is a little unfair. She didn’t even explain it.”
“Oh, I see. You’re one of those people. Gotta know every detail, and you’re freaking out about now, huh?” Well, shit. How did he know that?
“I guess you could say that.”
As we walk across the front lawn, Joe readjusts his backpack on his shoulder and gets quiet all of a sudden. I mean is he nervous or something?
“Charley, I’m going to grab a bite to eat before my next class. You want to go with me?”
“I guess I can. I’m planning on meeting the Kluft girls there now anyways.”
“Whoa, did you just say Kluft girls?” with a smirk and brief chuckle.
“Uh, yeah. That’s who we are. Second floor Kluft. We’re the best girls on campus hands down.”
“Well, there’s no argument there,” as he looks me from head to toe.
“What? It’s just easier than going down the list of my hallmates. I mean I can do that each time if you like. Let’s see. Caroline, Georgia, Tori....”
Joe interrupts me, “Nah, I get your point.”
When we walk into the café, Joe decides to eat with his teammates, and I go toward the Kluft girls. I try my best to keep my mind off him and this project. We finish lunch, walk back to the dorm, and decide that since the sky is that perfect color Carolina blue, we will hang out on the lawn and grab a little Vitamin D.
“Hey, y’all. I’m going to go make some Kool Aid,” Anna says with a wink.
“Oh, I want some of that!” Caroline states in that enthusiastic cheerleading voice.
I know that ain’t just Kool Aid by the way they are talking, but I also notice that no one else jumps at the chance. Must be because of the Red Tape meeting in an hour.
We enjoy our fun in the sun until the last minute and hurry across our oh so huge campus to the gym. When we get there, it looks as if everyone on campus is inside. When we walk through the double doors to the basketball gym, it is overwhelming the number of athletes that are at this school. As I’m taking it all in, I notice him. Joe. He looks at me and smiles. My heart feels like it is going to explode. Two times in one day. Lord help if I see him again today.
We take our seats and listen to the Athletic Director, Jones Monroe, go over all the details. How you can play a sport, when you can’t, grades, yada, yada, yada. Then we are dismissed into teams.
“Hey, Coach, this is Charley. Ya know, the one we Googled?” Tori says with a smile.
“Nice to meet ya, Charley
. I really hope that you will think about joining our team. We have a great group of girls here. We are like a family. I’ve also done my research on you as well, and if you decide to join us, there is no doubt Southern States isn’t going to know what hit them! Now girls, load up, we’re going to get some ice cream!”
There is no fuckin’ way that would happen back home. I really think I love Coach already. I can tell beyond the shadow of a doubt that she loves this team, has expectations, but knows when it’s time to have a little fun. Now to figure out how to get my stuff. Yes, I could buy new swim gear, but that’s not how this chick works. I’ve used the same pair of goggles forever, and I don’t plan to get any new ones. I guess I’m a little superstitious.