Losing Charley

Chapter 13 Part 6

We turn down the music and finish getting ready. I grab my pre-party shirt and toss an old t-shirt to Piper before we make our way to Caroline's room. As we enter, Tori, Anna, Jenny, Cassie, Georgia, Caroline, and a few lacrosse guys are there with beers and cups in hand. Piper takes a twenty-dollar bill from her purse before handing it to Caroline and taking Blue Tarantula Tequila and Margarita mix off her hands. I look at her like, what the hell? She turns and mixes two cups then hands one to me. I look at Cash, and he smiles. "Tonight's your night, Char. I'm here; have fun." I can't quit grinning. I have Cash and Joe to protect me. I'm definitely going to enjoy my night. I take the cup from Piper, and we cheer to our night.

Things get a little rowdy in Caroline's room. The lights are down, music is up, there's a little bumping and grinding, and I have to say I'm starting to get past tipsy. Cash has kind of hung back and just watched. I can't help but walk over to his fine ass and sit myself right on his lap and run my fingers through his hair. He looks up at me as if he is searching for words.

"Char... you might wanna slow down, if you want to make it to Hank's tonight." I look into those eyes as I take a long sip of my margarita. Cash just shakes his head before saying, "I think somebody's gonna be sick tonight." I shake my head no.

I'm pulled from my thoughts when Hayden arrives in the room. "Hot damn! Who's this hot looking country boy?" No filter at all. "Charley, if it's who I think it is, I'm moving to Grassy Pond 'cause they don't grow them like this in New York!" She walks across the room and makes sure to shake what her mama gave her when she walks by Cash to get a glass of Caroline's PJ.

We finish our drinks and make our way to Hank's Tavern. The Love Machine is waiting out front. I start to walk toward the Aerostar when Cash grabs my hand and starts to pull me toward his truck. I shake my head no. He is going to have to experience Hank's like the girls of Southern.

"Get your ass in the Love Machine, Cash Money. This is how we roll, and if you're going to Hank's, this is how it happens." I wink.

He whispers in my ear, "What if you get sick?"

"I'll be alright. I'm not going to puke." Even though everything inside my body says that I will have a date with the porcelain throne later tonight.

Cash gives in, and we make our way to Hank's. The Love Machine makes three turns before we see Hank's in the distance. I'm so excited. I glance at Piper, and I can see that she is, too. She's only heard me talk about it, but I know it's a place that anyone from Grassy Pond would appreciate.

Sarah pulls the Love Machine into the gravel parking lot, puts it in park, and we pile out. Cash takes my hand and helps me out along with the other girls that remain in the van. He's such a gentleman.

"Damn, I gotta pee!" Hayden exclaims.

"Well, hold it 'cause it's like a minute walk to the facilities," Tori says.

"Tori, I'd almost rather pee out here. Regardless, there's no door!" We all laugh at Hayden, but Piper looks at me like we can't be serious. I smile and shrug. We walk across the parking lot and enter the glass doors. The smell of must, stale beer, and sweat penetrate my nostrils. Yes, we're at Hank's. We make our way to the cashier, turn over our IDs and five dollars, and enter the last glass door. Wait. They didn't mark us with an 'X'? You would think the glass door would help keep the smell out of the foyer, but it doesn't.

Hayden leads the way trying to make the mad dash to the restroom. The rest of us follow her across the large dark room. I look at Cash, and he totally understands that this is complete routine.