Finding Charley (Full Circle) (7 page)

Piper hasn’t said a word, and like a ton of bricks, I realize what’s going on.  Joe.  She really likes him.  I didn’t even put her feelings into play when I opened my mouth.  What an awful friend I am!

“Piper, I’m so sorry.  I shouldn’t have said it like that.”

I see a glisten in her eyes, and she quickly brushes away a single tear.  “No, thanks for telling the truth.  But Char, I never saw that coming.  He seems to have so much heart.  I just talked to him yesterday.  He seemed distant when I asked about you, but I just figured it had a lot to do with his parents.  They are complete asshats.  He’s got a lot of shit going on back home.”  She takes a moment, and I know there is more.  “Gosh, y’all, when I looked into those make-you-wanna-melt eyes, I didn’t just see crystal blue, a smokin’ hot body, and a one-night stand. I saw a guy with a heart of gold.  He stole my heart within minutes of contact.  Even if he’s who you say he is, I just have to believe there’s something we don’t know.”

Quiet tears begin to roll down Piper’s face.  In the seven years I’ve known her, I’ve never seen
her this upset over a guy.  She always knew there were more guys out there and told me to toss ‘em back if the catch wasn’t what I wanted.  Too bad the one catch I wanted to belly-up kept returning to make my life hell.  It’s time for Dylan to go down.

The remainder of the drive to the General Store is pretty quiet except for the tune
s coming through the speakers.

We find a parking spot on Main Street, and I decide it’s time to make a statement before we check out what’s on sale.

“Y’all, before we go in, I’ve got somethin’ to say.” Everyone sits still and turns toward me.  Cash stretches out his hand and laces his fingers through mine.  “I’ve made a decision.  I’m going to take Dylan down… my way.  I’m not exactly sure of my entire plan right now, but I know I’m going to need your help.  Are y’all in?”

“It’s about damn time!”  Tessa states and Piper is an
Amen
right behind her.  Well, with that out in the open, it’s time to do a little shopping.  Maybe I’ll just browse because I broke the bank at Lebo’s on Friday.  We hop out of the truck and make our way inside.  Cash drapes his arm around my shoulder and holds me close.

Chapter 9

We walk inside the General Store, and it’s obvious a new stock of Rock and Roll Cowgirl apparel has arrived.  Tessa and I look at each other and grin from ear to ear. 
Thank goodness for Dad’s credit account at the store. 
We peruse the aisles, and I spot top after top after top that I’d love to have in my closet, but at fifty bucks a pop, I know it’s not happening.   I decide on a new gold and lace sequined top.  It will look fantastic with my new boots.  Tessa has two shirts, and Piper even has one.  Cash, on the other hand, walks around with a box of Justin boots.  I can’t wait to see what they look like!

“Cash, let me see ‘em.” I remove the box from his arms.  “Nice,” I say as I enthusiastically open it.  Inside is a pair of beautiful brown Bent Rail boots.  They look a little worn in color.  It’s like when your tan b
egins to fade from the summer.

“So, they’re keepers?”
Cash questions.

“Heck, yeah!
Oh, but my new ones are H-O-T!  I guess I’ll wear them to the McCracken’s farm tonight.”

We finish at the store and make our way back to the farm.  On the way there, we decide what time we’re meeting up tonight and discuss enjoying ourselves.  The plan to take Dylan down will begin tomorrow.  Here’s to one more night of normalcy, I hope.

Piper heads home to get ready, Tessa goes inside, and Cash and I park it on the front porch swing.

“Char-coal, do you think he’ll be there tonight? 
Because if he is, we need some idea of a plan.  We can’t get blind-sided.”

“True. I told him I’d be at GPAC when I texted him back.  So, I know that’s where he will plan to see me.  Cash, I know you’re not gonna like the plan that I have playing out in my head, but it’s the only way.”

“What are you talkin’ about, Char?  Tell me now.  I’m not waiting until tomorrow.”

I take a calming breath before I say words that Cash is going to hate.

“Aight, since I have to go to the GPAC to stay in shape for the season, I figured I’d try to get back with Dylan.”  Cash cuts me off, and I can see the veins popping out of his neck because of his anger.

“Like hell you will, Charley Anne Rice!  You aren’t getting near him.  I won’t let you.  You aren’t puttin’ yourself in danger again.”

“Listen, Cash Money. I’ve been in danger since that god awful night.  This can’t be any worse because I’m gonna be the one in control.  He’s gonna think I’m on his team.  I’ll make him think I can’t live without him, and just when he thinks he’s got me for good, I’m gonna turn the tables and take him down.  He won’t hurt me or any other girl for that matter.”

“I don’t like this one bit, Char-coal.  In fact, I want to get my rifle and blow his damn head off.  You don’t deserve to put yourself through this again.  Just so you know, if you go through with this plan, I’m gonna be in the shadows. 
Always.”

“Cash, I gotta do something. If he wants control, then I’m gonna make him think he has it.  You better be in the shadows, but tonight, I just want a night without Dylan,
Joe, and every other piece of drama I’ve been dealing with lately.  I want Piper, Tessa, you, and me to be like old times.  My only thing is…if he shows up, the plan might have to be put into action sooner.”

“Char-coal, if I have you for one night, then he’s not gonna ruin it.  I’m gonna make sure this is the best night of your life.”

I lock my arm through his and place my head onto his shoulder as we swing on the porch swing in silence. 

“Char, you better get ready if we’re going to the Burger Shak,” Cash says as he moves a strand of hair from my forehead.

“How long have I been knocked out?”

“Um, about thirty minutes.”

“Why did you let me do that?”

“Char-coal, you are like my piece of heaven here on Earth.  I couldn’t stand to wake up my beautiful angel.  You looked so peaceful and sweet.”

At that moment, Cash Money completely stole my heart.  I have no doubt that he is in my future.  But, will our future survive Dylan and his control?

I look up into his eyes and just smile because there are no words to express what I am feeling inside.  I love him with my every fiber of my body.  He will always be my Cash Money.

“Why are you grinnin’ like an opossum?” he asks as he starts to stand.

“Uh, ya know, sometimes there aren’t words, Cash Money.”  He grabs for my hand and pulls me up into a tight bear hug.  It’s the type of hug that removes all air from your lungs.  He releases me and begins to head toward his truck.

“I’ll see ya in a lil while, Char-coal.”

I stand there in complete awe as that fine ass walks to the truck.  Damn.  Before my brain registers with my feet, I’m less than an inch from Cash when he turns around.  I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him in for a kiss that has been brewing within my soul since I understood he was always going to be my Cash Money. 
Forever.  Time stands still.   He picks me up and sits me on the tailgate without separating our lips.  I want him to know that he’s it.  Cash is the one.  The one that my heart desires for eternity.  He’s what makes this Char-coal feel like a diamond.  He begins to control our kiss and slows it down to a smooth and steady rhythm before ending it with his head pressed against my forehead.

Catching his breath, he asks, “Char-coal, what was that?  I can’t let you keep pulling at my heart strings like that.”  I stop him from talking by placing my fingers gently over his lips.

“Cash Money, I don’t know what tonight, tomorrow, or our future brings, but I want you to know that you are the one I want.”  His eyes get wide, and his smile grows from ear to ear.  “Cash Money, I chose you, and if things don’t turn out the way I hope with Dylan, I want you to know that you are my number one.  You have been since we were four years old.  No one will ever be able to hold my heart like you. Please remember that as the shit with Dylan plays out because I’m good at putting on the dog when needed.  Just know that I’m doing this for us.”

His eyes glass over, and I crash my lips back onto his.  If I thought I felt hunger and desire before, I had no idea.  Cash gently slides his hand behind my neck, and we savor every moment until I hear a truck coming up the drive.  There’s no need to act surprised.  As usual, it’s Dad, raining on the Cash and Charley parade.  We both giggle as we break apart, and Cash gets into the truck.  I walk back to the house with a smile on my face that will not quit.  I love Cash Money.  There, I said it, I meant it, and I want the damn T-shirt.

I meet my dad as I get to the porch steps.  He’s sweaty and covered in dirt from working on the fence posts all afternoon.

“Char, it’s about damn time, sweetheart.”

I glance at him. Did he really just say that?

“Honey, since the moment I saw you two together, I knew that you were each other’s happily ever after.  I just didn’t know how long it would take for you to figure it out.”

We make our way into the house, and I get an earful from Mama and Tessa about the show they just got in the front yard.  Tessa had to be Tessa and give me a play-by-play. 
Like I wasn’t there!
  She did it no justice whatsoever.  Tessa and I tell Mama and Dad our plans for the night, and then it’s time to get ready.  I’m ready for a night with my sister, best friend, and the love of my life in a field with big trucks and country music.  It doesn’t get any better than that, and I plan to make it a night none of us forget!

Chapter 10

Taking two stairs at a time, I make my way to my bedroom.  Time for a quick shower before my one night of forgetting everything begins.

Walking to my closet, I turn around and grab my bag from school.  No need to think about what I’m wearing tonight.  That new outfit from Lebo’s is all I need.   I love the gold sequined shirt I got today, but it’s not really ‘getting down on the farm’ type attire, but that pearl snap is a different story.  And, Cash is gonna love it.

Cranking up the radio, I finish getting ready.  I’m almost done when Tessa bursts through the door, looking like she’s on a mission for who knows what.

“Dang, Char, are you tryin’ to put a hurtin’ on Cash?  He’s not gonna let you outta this house.”

“He’ll let me out, but he might not let me outta his sight though,” I respond as I go back to finishing my mascara.

“There’s the confidence I’ve missed in my favorite sis.”

“That’s so wrong because I’m your only sister.”

“I know, but it’s true.  Are you ‘bout ready?  Piper and Cash should be here any moment.”

“Yup.”
  I glide on my lipstick, pop my lips and look one more time into the mirror.  I’m ready.

We walk halfway down the stairs and are met by Piper.  “Dang, Char!  I thought we were just going to the McCracken’s?”

“What? It’s my new outfit from Lebo’s.  You like?”

“Def your style, Char, and Cash is gonna go nuts!  You’re gonna drive him crazy, especially since you are trying to be Miss Independent.”

Oh gosh, I know Tessa is about to give that play-by-play again.  Before I can intercept her, she’s spilling it to Piper loud and proud.  When she finishes her version of events, we make our way down the steps, and Piper waits for my version.

“Pipe, I can’t tell you right now.”  I point toward Mama and Dad.  “I’ll fill you in later, but it was a lot sweet
er and not anything like that!”

The front door creaks open, and there he stands. My knight in an F250 and tonight a pair of Rock and Roll Cowboy jeans matched with a black and turquoise plaid poplin shirt. 
OMG, I think I can pick my mouth off the floor right now.

Cash closes the door and waves to my parents on his way to meet us.

“Ladies, are y’all ready?” he asks with a nod and a smile. I think I might have just melted into a puddle on the floor!

Quickly, I pull myself together, and we walk to the truck.  We climb into the cab and head to the Burger Shak. 
My mouth is watering already!
  We sit, order, and eat with no issues like the last time.  In fact, I’m totally prepared when Dustin walks in, especially when he sits beside Tessa and pulls her in for a quick kiss.  My mind begins to wonder, and I feel Cash’s hand squeeze my thigh.  Looking at him, I can sense he’s trying to reassure me that everything is okay.  Then, he just puts it out there on the table.

“Dustin, do you know if Dylan is g
onna be at the party tonight?”

“Nah, he’s still at school.  Their coach made extra practices through the weekend.  I don’t think he’ll be home until mid-week, but when he’s on his way, Charley will be the first to know.  I can’t believe th
at asshole’s my damn brother.”

“It’s not your fault, Dustin,” I say.  “What are you up to tomorrow?”

“Nothin,’ I don’t think.  Why?”

“It’s time to put an end to all of this, and we need your help to do it. 
You in?”

“As much as I want to help, I can’t really be involved.  He’s already suspicious
of my relationship with Tessa, even though there’s nothing fake about it.”  He pulls Tessa tighter and assures her of the truth.