Covering the Carolinas (7 page)

“
Nah, I like her, but I just don’t want to
have to worry about her all the time. Did you see her last
night?”

“
Yeah, she was shitfaced. I can’t believe you
just let her go home alone. If I was her, I’d be pissed,
too.”

“
Well, honestly, I didn’t want to have to deal
with her puking all night. I know that’s terrible. I just didn’t
want to start my first night back like that. I’m sure her roommates
made sure she was okay.”

“
You sure that’s all? Just let me know when
she’s free game because I’m tellin’ ya now, I’m going after
her.”

“
Dude, really?” Paul starts to laugh and if he
wasn’t driving, I might have punched him. I might not be in love
with her but she’s mine, or at least that’s what I keep telling
myself.

MARLEIGH

After soaking in the morning air, I make my way back
to the house. Carleigh is watching a Lifetime movie and drinking
coffee while Tinleigh is still snoozing away. I take a seat beside
her.

“
You’re up early.”

“
Gunner called this morning and then I
couldn’t sleep. I just went down to the water and had a little time
with the big man upstairs. Being here, where it happened, has made
it harder than I thought.”

“
Whatcha mean?”

“
Just that I’ve told myself for the past three
years that it was the worst week of my life, but that’s a lie. It
will forever be the
best
week
of my life. I’ve made my decision on letting him live his life, but
being here isn’t like I thought it would have been.”

“
I’m sure it’s different, Mar, but just do
what you know is right. I know you enough to know that once you
make a plan you always stick with it until you need to make a new
one, so everything will work out like it should. Right now, I want
to know about you and Brett.” She winks.

I chuck a throw pillow at her. “There’s nothing to
tell. He’s really easy on the eyes, and those hands are nice and
strong.”

“
So did y’all?”

I shake my head no. “Believe me, I wanted to, but I
just couldn’t. He’s a really nice guy, or seems to be at least. I
will say it took every ounce of my being to stop what almost
happened in that room. It’s been a long time since a guys even
kissed me, let alone got me in a bed, or should I say a beach
chair, with them.”

Carleigh spews the coffee from her mouth. “Mar, it’s
really been since GC?” I nod my head yeah. “Dear lord, we’re going
to have to fix that.” I can’t help but laugh at the logical sister
saying I need to get laid. “I think Brett just might be the guy to
make you forget.” I think she just might be right.

Once Tinleigh wakes up, we load up the golf cart and
make our way to the beach. Today is a great day to soak in the sun,
recover from last night, and get ready to do it again. We spend the
entire day in our bikinis lying on beach chairs, sipping margaritas
and listening to the radio. Being back with my sisters, I feel like
myself for the first time in almost three years.

At some point I doze off, and wake up
unexpectedly to ice sitting in the curve of my back. I scream and
jump out of my skin. As my sisters burst out laughing, I turn over
and see exactly who’s behind this joke.
Brett.
“You’re so dead!” I say as I stand. He
starts to laugh, but realizes I’m not joking as I dig my hand in
the cooler, then he takes off toward the water. I run after him and
follow into the water. He dives under just as I reach him. I stand
and cross my arms, making my “B” cup look more like a “C” and pout.
He comes above the water and notices me. He starts to laugh. “You
don’t play fair, Brett,” I say and when he walks toward me, I can’t
help but know he’s playing right into my hand. As he gets within
one arms reach, I take a step as I’m going wrap my arms around him,
but instead, I push him backwards into the water and take off back
toward the beach. It doesn’t take him long to catch up with me and
toss me over his shoulder. I kick and yell like a girl as he takes
me back into the water. As he starts to toss me into the ocean, I
realize that’s not his plan. Instead, he slides me down his solid
body and holds me in his arms looking me dead in the eyes. He
stands there as if waiting for permission after last night, and I
don’t give him permission, I just react. Wrapping my arms tighter
around his neck, I can’t get close enough to him. He walks us
further out into the water and I giggle as we step into a hole and
almost go under. When he smiles, I can’t help but realize here I
am, yet again, falling for a boy on this beach. I’m not sure if
this is just for fun or what exactly, but for right now I’m living
in the moment.

“
So Marleigh, would you want to go out
tonight?” he asks as we float together in the water.

“
I’d love to,” I say and then I place my lips
on his again.

GUNNISON

Finally breaking down, I decide to go by Summer’s
apartment and check on her. On my way over, I stop to get a bouquet
of flowers and a coke. Knocking on her door, I wait for a few
minutes but no one answers. When I turn the doorknob it’s locked so
I grab the spare key and let myself in. It’s perfectly still. I
make my way to her room and quietly open the door. I see her hair
is a complete mess and she is sleeping like only a princess can. I
place the flowers on her dresser, slide off my shoes, and climb in
bed with her. As I wrap my arms around her, she snuggles closer. I
kiss her cheek and fall asleep.

I wake up to Summer kissing my neck and my entire
body wakes up. “I guess you feel better.” She smiles and her lips
begin to trail down my body. She shows me just how great she feels
as she takes me in her mouth and brings me close to climax.
Quickly, I pull her from me and remove her clothes. I begin to
trail kisses on her neck and as she encourages things to go
further, I take a condom from my wallet and waste no time making
her scream my name.

Chapter 15

MARLEIGH

As the sun begins to set, we say goodbye to the
guys, pack up, and make our way to the house. I have a little over
two hours to be ready for Brett. Just thinking about going on a
real date is making me so damn nervous!

“
Quit biting your lip,” Tinleigh says, “it’s
just a date.”

I roll my eyes and she bursts out laughing. “Y’all,
I haven’t been on a real date since freakin’ prom and that was with
Wesley, which doesn’t even count. Having a kid doesn’t exactly
attract guys our age.”

“
Speaking of that, are you going to tell
him?”

“
Hell no! I mean, if we got serious maybe, but
no.”

“
Sis, just so you know, Brett doesn’t date too
many girls. He pretty much focuses on the team and classes. He
always has a date to the formals and always finds a girl at a
party, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him like he was today, and
we hang with them a lot since we live so close.”

“
That’s good to know, but y’all, what the hell
am I gonna wear?”

“
Easy, wear what you would wear on a date
here. Personally, I think you need to wear a short sundress with
cute wedges,” Tinleigh states, and I know which dress she’s
referring to and she’s right. It’s perfect.

At six fifty-five, there’s a knock at the door
and I feel sick to my stomach.
Deep
breaths. One… two… three.
Carleigh comes to see if I’m
ready. “Dang. He’s gonna be speechless,” she says as I start to
follow her. When I round the corner, Brett is standing inside the
door. He looks perfect in a surfer boy kind of way, but it’s his
emerald eyes that hold my attention. Suddenly I feel like Dorothy
in the Emerald City.

“
Wow. You look amazing, Marleigh.” I smile as
I grab my purse and make my way to him. He kisses my cheek and I
feel the fever rush to them. Looking at my sisters, they are
smiling like proud parents. I toss them a wave as we begin to walk
out the door. Just before the door closes, I hear Tinleigh say
something about being home by midnight. I just shake my head and
mouth “whatever”.

Brett walks to my side of his BMW and opens the door
for me. I slide in as he makes his way to the driver’s side. He
smiles at me as he puts his seat belt in place, and I know tonight
is going to be a night I’ll never forget.

As we leave Garden City and make our way down
highway seventeen toward Murrells Inlet, I’m curious to know where
he’s taking me.

“
So you want to tell me where we’re going?” I
question.

“
Do you like seafood?” he asks.

“
I
love
it!”

“
Have you been to Wicked Tuna?”

“
Yeah, last summer. Their Mahi is amazing. It
like melts in your mouth.” Just thinking about it makes my mouth
start to water. “It’s got a neat atmosphere, too. Is there a band
there tonight?”

“
I think so, but I thought if nothing else we
could walk on the marsh.”

“
That sounds perfect.”

Brett is a complete gentleman as he opens the door
for me yet again and pulls my chair out for me at supper. The
electric blue of the restaurant makes his green eyes darken and I’m
lost in them completely. After ordering, we talk comfortably and it
feels wonderful to be out with someone my age who is interested in
me. As the food arrives, we get quiet and enjoy our meal. When my
phone buzzes in my pocket I try to ignore it, but hearing the
distinct ring, I can’t ignore this call.

“
Um, Brett. I’m sorry, but I have to take this
call. I’ll be right back,” I say as I stand and make my way to the
marshwalk. Hoping there’s enough light, I answer the Facetime call.
“Hey, Mommy!” He waves.

“
Hey, little man! You goin’ nite nite?” I
ask.

“
Yup. You look pretty, Mommy. Where
you?”

I smile. “Thank you! Mommy’s eating supper with a
friend.” Then I see my mama peak into the camera and I can read her
expression. Her eyes give a warning, and I know exactly what she’s
thinking—be careful and remember why I’m there. I know I’m going to
have to answer a million questions tomorrow. “I better get back
inside. Be good and I’ll talk to you first thing in the morning. I
love you, Gunner.”

“
I love you too, Mommy.” I blow him a kiss and
he does the same. As I disconnect, I turn and come face to face
with Brett. He has his hands in his pockets as mine covers my
mouth, unsure of what he overheard.

Removing my hand and taking a step toward him, he
doesn’t move. “Brett, I can explain.” For the first time in my
life, I don’t want to hide my son. He places his finger over my
lips.

“
How old is he?” he questions.

“
Two and a half,” I say just above a
whisper.

“
His dad?” he questions.

“
Not in the picture.”

“
I’m sorry he’s not around; he’s an idiot.” He
says as he pulls me into his arms. “Come on, let’s finish eating.”
I try to push aside the fact it’s not his daddy’s fault he doesn’t
know, but mine. I’m amazed at how Brett handled hearing I have a
child. Maybe, just maybe, there’s more to this date than I thought.
Brett and I finish our food, and as the band prepares to play, it
doesn’t take me long to realize exactly who it is. I can’t help but
wonder if Brett recognizes them. I look his way and he smiles. “You
don’t know who they are, do you?” I ask him.

“
No clue.”

“
Do you like beach music?”

“
Yeah, but it’s not like I grew up around
it.”

“
Well then, that is Chairmen of the Board, and
they are big dogs in beach music. They are my favorite!”

When the band begins to play, I can’t help but
smile. I feel at home. This beach is my other home, now if only I
could dance. As couples begin to shag on the dance floor, I can’t
help but look at Brett’s reaction. He’s taking it all in and
watching their footsteps. I begin to giggle. “What?” he asks. I
stand and take him by the hand. “I have no clue how to do
this.”

“
It’s easy. Just remember, one-two-three rock
back. I’ll help you, no worries.” I wink. After a few songs, he
becomes a natural and, we are laughing, smiling, and dancing like
we have been dance partners for years. When the song ends, they
slow things down and Brett never lets go of my hands. Instead, he
pulls me close to him as we sway back and forth and my lips meet
his.

He takes me from the dance floor and leads me to the
marshwalk. We walk hand in hand from Wicked Tuna to Sisters Marina
while looking at all of the fishing boats and yachts. On our way
back, we walk a little slower and stop to watch the tide flow into
the marsh. Brett wraps his arms around me and I can’t help but look
into the clear Carolina night sky and pray this is real.

“
Brett, please don’t say anything about
Gunner. I’ve worked hard to be where I am today, and I don’t want
any one’s pity. He’s my world and why I’m here.”

Brett turns to face me. “I think you’re brave
raising a child on your own and pursuing your dream. That’s
amazing, Marleigh.” He takes his hand and guides it along my cheek
until his fingers intertwine with my long locks. “That’s why you
pushed away, wasn’t it?” Nodding yes, he brings his lips to mine
and I let go. For the first time in three years, I’m putting myself
first in this moment.

“
Brett, I need to be home before Gunner calls
in the morning.”