Losing Charley

Chapter 13 Part 1

I arrive back at Southern with just enough time to get to practice. I enjoyed my time at home, but know that it is now or never with the team and class. In a little over a month, the season will be underway, exams, and then I'll be home for Christmas break.

As I walk into the locker room, the smell of chlorine hits me. I see that everyone has made it back but Georgia. Undoubtedly, she had bad traffic on the way here. I change into my suit and head to the pool. Coach is waiting on us, and boy, is she raring to go.

"Girls, it's time to show those Livestone girls what they are up against. That meet is getting close. We have an exhibition meet at home this Saturday against Monroe and Central. Make sure you do everything you can to be prepared."

Coach has had no mercy on us today, and since I didn't do any type of working out while I was at home, I'm going to hate life in the morning. Georgia finally makes it to practice, and Coach doesn't give her too hard of a time. We finish our last set and then the team decides to go eat supper together.

The café is open, but we decide to order pizza and hang out on our hallway. It's time for a little team bonding.

"Charley, did you get any action on break?" Tori wastes no time finding out what she wants to know.

I look at her like she's lost her damn mind. She has no idea the shit I dealt with while I was home... seeing Dustin, the text from Dylan, Cash beating the shit out of Trent, and me finally explaining everything to Dustin.

"Um, no, Tori. I didn't get any action, but I did have a pretty interesting break." They all look at me wanting more of an explanation. I now have to be as vague as possible. Georgia glances my way. I'll fill her in later.

"Well, now Charley, you have to explain that comment."

I shrug my shoulders and say, "You know, the typical country girl's weekend away. I worked on the farm, hung out with old friends, went to Turtle's Pool Hall, watched Cash get in a fight, and came back here."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Did you say that Cash got in a fight?" Georgia asks. I nod with no other explanation.

Tori, on the other hand, is dumbfounded. "Did you say Turtle's Pool Hall? Seriously, Char, Turtle's, what kinda name is that?"

"Tori, I live in a town called Grassy Pond. Turtle's Pool Hall is in an even smaller place called Turtle's Corner. I am a redneck and proud of it. Actually, I can't believe that surprises you." We all laugh.

We finish supper and then watch Scandal. I get a text from Joe wanting to make sure I'm okay and wondering when he needs to come by tonight. I text him to let him know I'm okay for the night and will see him for Freshman Seminar in the morning.

When Scandal is over, I make my way back to my room, and Georgia is right behind me.

"Hey, Char. You got a minute?"

"Sure. What's up?" She looks at me like I've got to be kidding.

We go into my room and I fill her in on what exactly went down. We both know that things are getting serious with Dylan and everyone involved.

"Here's my question, Charley. Who do you think is behind all this here at Southern? Who does Dylan have on his team?"

That is a question I have been trying to answer for weeks, and I think Georgia and I are about to be on the exact same page.

"The only things I know for certain are that it has to be someone that was with Joe this weekend. I really hate to think one of his friends or a teammate is in on it, but there is no other option. We talked about that when we met for lunch yesterday."

"All right, so now what? It's not like we can sneak into the guys' dorms and plant cameras or watch them in the locker room. Let's make a list of who all was in the mountains and then let's see what Joe can tell us."

I pick up my phone and text Joe.

Me: Can u come over?

Joe: Yes, u ok?

Me: Yes

While Georgia and I wait for Joe, I call Cash to tell him what we are thinking. He agrees that we need to narrow down who might be involved. I also inform him of the exhibition meet in two weeks. Of course, he plans on coming, and I've even talked him into going to Hank's that night. I can't wait!

Joe texts me he is outside, and I go let him in. Georgia waits for me in my room, and when he gets there, I think he's caught off guard.

"Dang, girls, are you trying to gang up on me?" We just smile, and I motion for him to hurry up and sit down.

"Okay, Joe, here's the deal," Georgia states very authoritatively, which is totally not in her character. "We know the snitch was with you in the mountains. If we narrow that list down, we can figure out who is behind the shit happening here at Southern."

"Yeah, Georgia, I thought we had that part figured out already?" Joe glances at me. Cash, Joe and I had discussed that at lunch, but hadn't acted on it yet. Georgia isn't giving us any time. She's taking control, and I'm so glad that a girl's in charge for once.

Joe, Georgia and I make a list of everyone that was there. They are all lacrosse players except Joe's roommate, Paul. We pretty much mark him off the list. He has access to Joe, but there is no connection to anything relating to Dylan when we Google/Facebook/Twitter search him.

When we search the team members, Mark, Trey, Chris, Jacob, Maddox, and Holden, we get nothing. I look at Georgia and Joe, and I think they feel like I do. Defeated. I decide to call Cash to see if he can do some digging at home.

"Hey, Cash! I need you to do some digging or better yet... talk to Dustin." I put him on speaker.

"You got it, Char! What are their names and what do you know 'bout them? I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks, Money! I love you!"

"I love you too, and Joe, in two weeks, Charley's mine at Hank's." The room falls silent, and Georgia makes some silly comment to lighten the mood.

"All right, boys. There's no need to fight over me. There's enough songs at Hank's to go 'round!" We all laugh, but there is still tension in the air. I hang up with Cash and Joe, Georgia, and I are back to square one while we wait for Cash to do some digging.

We decide to call it a night. Georgia goes to her room, and I can see from the look on Joe's face he's not going anywhere. I set my alarm and crawl into bed. Joe's arms surround me, and I fall asleep.

I wake up to my alarm making that annoying sound. I nudge Joe and tell him it's time to go to practice. He gives me a hug bye and sneaks out the door. I grab my flip-flops and bag, and out the door I go.

Georgia and Tori meet me in the hallway, and we all look like we could use another hour or two of sleep but we know once we hit that cold water, we will be awake.

Practice goes quickly. I take a shower, grab a bite to eat in the café and head to Biology. Even if it is at 8:00 a.m., it's not too bad. It's Monday, so I know that Joe will be waiting to walk me to Freshmen Seminar. We have decided to cash in that trip to Quail Hollow this Friday.

Dr. Cope wants to know how everyone's break has been, how projects are going, and if anyone is ready to present. Really? Of course, Dork 1 & Dork 2 are ready to present. Joe and I look at each other and sit back and listen. I write Joe a note.

We are going to be ready to present by Monday! That would mean 1 less class! :)

Joe looks at me and totally gets what I'm saying. One less class = more free time. This means that my week will be practice and finishing this project. When Dr. Cope dismisses class, I walk out with Joe.