Finding Charley (Full Circle) (17 page)

“Like always.  I swear she cheats,” Dad says.

“I do not!”

“Let’s deal and see who wins this time,” I say as I push my shoulder into Tessa’s.

“Hey now!”

The next thirty minutes is Rice family time, and it’s perfect.  There are so many memories attached to nights like these when I was younger, and Tessa always won or made you feel bad if she didn’t.  She beats me, but mainly because I have other plans tonight.

Mama and Dad retire to their room, and Tessa and I hang out in the kitchen, putting away the cards and snacks.

“Soooooo, how was it tonight?”

“Okay, actually.  He didn’t try anything.  That was kinda weird or not like him.  He even apologized again.  Oh, and those flowers?  Totally not like him.  I’ve gotta figure out what that color represents.”

“No worries. I did that already.  They are beautiful, but who buys blue roses?”

“What do they mean?”

Tessa doesn’t say anything; instead, she pulls out her iPhone and opens Safari.  She hands it to me, and I read, “The unattainable, the impossible.”  I stop, stare, and think about those words.  What is he trying to imply?  Am I the impossible, or is my goal of escaping him unattainable?

Chapter 18

I hand Tessa back her phone without saying a word.  I push the meaning to the back of my mind.  She searches for what to say, but elects to give me a hug instead as she whispers that it’s going to be all right into my ear.

I pull away and take out my prepaid phone and text Cash.  Tessa knows where I am going, but she doesn’t want me to go alone.  I agree to have Cash meet me at the barn.

Tessa watches me walk to the barn from the back porch, and Cash and I make our way to the club.

We don’t talk for the first hour.  He just holds me in his arms as we dance to the music on the radio.  If only time could freeze, and I never had to face another day with Dylan, life would be perfect.

Eventually, Cash whispers into my ear that we need to talk about what’s in our near future.  It kinda catches me off guard.  I thought I was his future.

We take a seat on the futon, and Cash explains.

“Char, we have a lot going on in the next two weeks before you go back to Southern.  We need to have a plan for every event.”

I look at him like I’m lost because I am.

“Tomorrow at church, do we have a plan?  Your parents’ Christmas party, do we have a plan?  New Year’s? You see what I mean?”

“Yeah, I see what you mean.  What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking that I’m going to be ready to beat Dylan’s ass if I have to watch you two at these places.”

I take Cash’s hand in mine. “Look, Cash. There is no need to worry at church because we will sit with our parents. The others might be difficult, but I’m thinking the Kluft girls can help with New Year’s.”

“Aight, I’m listenin’.”

“My parents’ Christmas party is Christmas Eve.  That one is gonna be tough, but it can be doable.  Just remember that I’ll meet you here later to exchange our presents, okay?”

“Okay, but what about New Year’s?”

“Hayden and Anna are all about finding a country boy since they met you.  I figured they could help run
an interference, along with Caroline, Tori, Sarah, and Georgia.  I plan to call them tomorrow, but I do think you need a date to Mama and Dad’s party, as much as I hate to say that.”

“No way!
  I’m not going with someone else.  Besides, who would go with me?”

“What about Sally?”

“No!  I’m not going with anyone.  I’ll just make an appearance and try to stay clear of him.”

“Piper?”

“No, Char-coal.”

“Well, if you feel like that would be better for you, then do it.  Plus, it might make it look more realistic.”

“No, it won’t.  If I want you to move home and not go back to school, there is no way I’m moving on to someone else that quickly.”

“Okay, you have a point.  Can we quit talking about this?”

“Sure.” I make him forget everything around us by kissing his lips long and hard.  He begins to lose that thought and lose himself in me.

Before we know it, Cash is on top of me, and we have our hands in places that o
ur parents would kill us over.

Cash continues to stay true to his word, and he pulls away from me so things don’t go any further.

“Ya know what I wanted to do this year for New Year’s?” he asks.

I shake my head no.

“I wanted to take you somewhere you’ve never been, but have always wanted to go.”

My mind starts to race with all the possibilities, but only one stands out in my mind.  “Can I guess?”  He nods.  “Nashville.”

“Ding, ding, ding.  You are correct.”

“
Cash, that would cost a fortune.  I can only imagine what Music City is like.  One day we are going, that’s for sure! And, when we do, I want to be the biggest tourist around!”

“Whatever your country heart desires.”

We spend a little more time together before Cash takes me back to the house.  Once we reach the barn, he kisses me like his life depends on it to breathe.  I walk backwards to the house so that I can keep my eyes on the one that matters the most.  I wave bye when I enter the back door and sneak upstairs.

Chapter 19

The next morning I’m woke up with Mama yelling for me to get up and get ready for church.  I grumble, pull the covers above my head, and then jump up because I know for the next two hours I get to see my Cash Money. Even if we can’t talk, we are going to be in the same room.

Since I’m moving a little slower this morning, Mama and Dad go on to Sunday
school, and Tessa waits behind with me.

We arrive for Sunday school ten minutes late, and I’m relieved to know that Dylan isn’t here this morning.  My heart also skips a beat when I see Cash sitting across the room.

The lesson is exactly what I needed to hear, and we make our way to preaching.  Cash’s family is directly behind me with the Sloan’s to my right. 
Talk about uncomfortable!
   Piper is two rows ahead of us.

By 11:55, people are beginning to get restless, and the preacher wraps up the sermon.  Once the closing hymn and benediction are finished, we walk outside.  Cash doesn’t hang around, and he is heading down the main road by the time I make it down the front steps of the church.

I wait on Dylan to see what his plans are for the rest of the day and the week.  We decide to see each other tomorrow at the pool.  He knows that this week is busy with practice, the Christmas party, Christmas Day, and spending time with our families. He walks me to the car, kisses me goodbye, and Dustin does the same with Tessa.

We make our way home for a fabulous home-cooked Sunday lunch, complete with country style steak, homemade mashed potatoes, corn, green bean
s, and rolls.

Now that I’m as full as a tick, I relax for the remainder of the afternoon.  Tessa and I enjoy a little sister time, and then Piper comes over to join in the Christmas movie marathon. I text Cash and let him know we are taking it easy today, and I’ll talk to him later tonight.

I don’t think about Dylan, the plan, or anything except a perfect afternoon with two of my favorite girls in the world.

As the night arrives, Piper goes home because I have to go to practice in the morning.  Dylan calls to see how my day has been, and Tessa decide
s to sleep in my room with me.

As I doze off, I hear a tapping at the window, and I don’t need to think about who it is.  That is until I realize it’s not Cash; it’s Dylan.

“What are you doin’ here?”  I say with my arms crossed in front of my body.

“I just wanted to surprise you and give you a goodnight kiss.”  At the same time Dylan speaks, Tessa moves, causing him to look confused.

“It’s Tessa.” She wipes her eyes and does a double take.  Then, she waves and lies back down. 

“Sorry, if I’d have known you weren’t alone, I would have stayed home.”

“It’s all right.  Come here.”  I pull him by his shirt and kiss his lips.  “Now, go before my parents wake up!  I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Okay, okay.  I’ll see you in the morning.”  He kisses me again and makes his way back out of the window.

I shut it and lock it.  Crawling back into bed, I hear my door creak open.  “Char, is everything okay?  I thought I heard a guy’s voice.”

“Yeah, we’re fine.  Tessa’s stayin’ in here tonight.”

“Oh, okay.  Sleep tight.  Love y’all.”

“Night, love you, too.”  She closes the door, and we both exhale loudly.

Tessa whispers, “Ohmygawsh that was close, and what the hell was that?  Has he done that before?”

“No, he hasn’t.  Oh no! What if he saw Cash do that the other night?  What if he’s in trouble?”

“Don’t worry.  He’s gone.  I’ll text Cash real quick though.”

Tessa texts Cash to tell him to keep his eyes and ears open.  He feels like there is no need to worry, but we decide not to meet up until Christmas Eve.

Eventually, I doze off, and of course, awakened by that awful alarm clock. 
Seriously?!

Chapter 20

Monday through Thursday is exactly the same.  I wake up, go to practice, get ready, eat lunch with Dylan, help Mama and Dad at the house and farm, eat supper, and repeat until Christmas Eve.

I wake up Christmas Eve and stare at the clock. It’s 10:30.  When was the last time I saw that?  I don’t have practice; it’s just time to celebrate the reason for the season.  I grab my phone and notice I have four missed texts, one from Piper, two from Dylan, and one from Georgia. 
Glancing at them, I decide to check Georgia’s first.

Georgia: Miss ya bunches! 
We still getting together?

I don’t reply; I just hit
Call
.

“About time, Char!
  I figured you were at the pool, but it wasn’t that long of a set today.”  She takes a breath before realizing I’m still half asleep.

“Yeah, well, I decided to sleep in.  I haven’t missed a day yet.  I was planning on calling you to see about your plans for New Year’s, because um…”  I pause. I don’t know how I’m going to explain all of this to her.  “I’m kinda seeing Dylan… like a lot.”

She wastes no time before she butts in.  “What the hell, Char?  This better be good because he is a piece of shit.  Please tell me you didn’t fall for his crap!  Wait. What is Cash saying about this?  I mean, I don’t even know what to say!  Where is my strong Charley who’s ready to kick some ass and take some names?”

“Georgia, hold up.  Don’t get too excited.   I can explain.”

“You better.”

“When I got home, I decided I needed to put a stop to this, but on my own terms.  I want Dylan Sloan to suffer, pay for what he did, and in doing that, I’m making him trust me. Then, when he’s completely oblivious, I’m taking him to the big house.”

“And, how are you going to do that?  He’s dangerous.  Don’t get yourself in over your head.”

“Listen, Georgia. I have it all figured out, but I need your help along with the rest of the Kluft girls.  I was thinkin’ it’s ‘bout time to show those Yankees how we do it in the South.  Whatcha think?”

“Hell yeah!  Hayden and Anna will die!  ‘Cause you know we’re outstanding in our field!”

“Damn right, we are!  So, let’s say y’all come up on that Thursday, and we can all practice together New Year’s Eve at GPAC.  Anna and Hayden can hang out with Piper and Tessa.”

“Speakin’ of Piper, what in the heck has happened with her and Joe with all the shit that’s gone down?”

“Well… you’re not gonna believe this, but Joe did what he had to do in order to protect me.  Dylan was at Whiskey River that night.  Joe knew if I went, there was no telling what Dylan would have done to me.”

“Char, are you kidding?  I never would have thought that.  I mean, I didn’t want to think he was as bad as Dylan, but he really didn’t give us any reason to believe that he was on our side.  It looked really bad!”

“I know, and I basically got in a big argument with Piper about it.  She told me she talked to him, and I pretty much lost it on her.  Then, my eyes were opened, and we are all good now.”

“Speaking of being all good with people, how’s Cash?  Is he okay with this?”

“No, he’s not, but he agrees we had to do something.  He doesn’t like my plan, but knows that I’m only going to do things my way.  Tonight’s gonna be rough though, because we have to go to my parents' Christmas party, and Dylan’s my date.”

“Shut the front door!  Char, that’s awful!  Please tell me Cash has a date.”

“He refused to bring anyone.  He thought that might make it look more real since he’s playing this overprotective lover role.  I’m just hoping he doesn’t beat Dylan’s ass if he touches me.”

“Char, what are you going to do about that?  You know he’s gonna expect some type of action.”

“He’s been a gentleman so far except the fact that I need a gallon of hand sanitizer when he touches me.”