We walk onto the porch to find Cash and my cousins sitting on the front steps, shooting the shit and talking about hunting and fishing. We make our presence known and totally butt into their conversation. I have to tell them the story of the one, as if they haven't heard it already. My cousins, Claire, Tessa, and Cash give me their full attention, and when I finish, we decide to take a ride out to the pond and do a little night fishing. I run upstairs and change my fancy boots for my old faithfuls.
The guys have the Gator loaded and we pile on. We spend the entire evening fishing, replaying memories of the past, laughing until I almost pee my pants, and then decide we better head back before dark.
Tessa and I tell our family bye, along with Cash's parents and Claire. Cash hangs around, and we enjoy the cool November air on the front porch swing.
"Just in case I haven't told ya, you look beautiful tonight."
"You don't look so bad yourself. You like the fancy boots I had on earlier?"
"Yeah, I was wondering if you were going to push your mama's limits, and of course, you did. That's why I love you. You never try to be someone you're not. Char, always be true to yourself no matter what life throws ya. Can you do that for me?"
I don't know exactly how to reply to that so, I nod my head yes, then lay my head on Cash's shoulder as he moves us back and forth in the swing.
About the time I get comfortable, the screen door flies open and my dad walks out like he is on a mission. I jump about ten feet off the swing, and my dad starts to laugh.
"Gotta keep you on your toes!" Seriously, the barn and now here! "You two better not get too comfortable out here, if you know what I mean." His comment isn't a question, but more of a statement. I know exactly what he means, and so does Cash. My parents have always trusted Cash, but I guess at some point a dad has to let his presence be known no matter how much he trusts him. We move apart, and Dad goes back inside the house.
"I guess there's no more staying at the club," Cash jokes.
"Guess not."
"I better get home. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Wanna walk me to the truck?" I stand and follow him to his truck parked below the big oak tree in the front yard. As we approach, Cash pulls me into him tight. He breathes in my shampoo and the Aruba Coconut lotion that I never leave home without. He places his hand under my chin, and I look into those beautiful blue eyes. Then, he pulls me in for the sweetest, softest, and most emotional kiss I have ever had in my life. I can feel everything within my mind, body, and soul telling me that this is where I belong. But as stubborn as I am, I just can't admit it to anyone but myself that I want to be in a relationship with Cash.
Cash pulls away from me. "Well, I don't know how Dad would feel about kissing, do you?"
It's a good thing it is dark because my face is as red as a Solo cup. I try to come up with a quick remark, but all I can do is pull Cash right back into my lips. This time he pulls away, only to open the truck door and we climb inside to continue our make out session.
When we're finished, I go straight to my room. My mind is reeling as I try to drift off to sleep, and just like he's reading my mind, I get a text from Cash.
Cash: Go to bed Char-coal love u
Me: U need 2 go 2 bed 2! Love u!
After what feels like hours of tossing and turning, I look at the clock, and it has been a whopping fifteen minutes. I turn on the TV and eventually fall asleep.
The remainder of my Thanksgiving break goes as planned. I work on the farm all week, and daddy tells me to go have some fun with Piper Saturday morning.
Texting her quickly to see if she wants to go shopping at Northlake Mall, I hurry upstairs to change out of my work clothes and make my way to her house. After shopping until we drop we make a quick stop at the food court.
"So Char, tell me. What's up with you and Cash? Have you made up your mind yet?" She questions between bites of ice cream.
Trying to hide my smile, it's pointless to hide anything from her. "Ohmygosh Piper! I knew that he was special, but I know that he's beyond that now. We've talked a lot about things, and he's okay with me taking my time and finding myself."
"I can't believe you thought he wouldn't be okay with it. That boy loves you! I mean LOVES you."
I feel my cheeks begin to blush, but know she's right. "So what about you? Anyone caught you're eye lately?"
"Nah, new boy just a different day," she says as we both laugh.
After we finish our ice cream, we make our way back to Grassy Pond. I get a text from Cash saying he's going to Turtle's and wants me to go.
"Cash wants to go to Turtle's tonight. He said there's a band. You wanna go?"
"A band? When the hell did Turtle's play anything but that old ass jukebox?"
"I have no clue, but it would be fun!"
Um, I think I'll let you two lovebirds enjoy your last night home."
"Come on. You know you are more than welcome to join. Plus, who knows who you'll meet," I say.
"True, but I'm good," she says, and even though I hate she's not going, I can't help but think I'm glad I don't have to balance both of them.
As the sun sets, I see headlights approaching as I finish my supper. Starting to stand, mama motions for me to sit down.
"Charley, there's no need to look so eager. Plus, I have him a plate in the microwave." She smiles.
Cash takes the plate and we finish eating together before going to Turtle's. The parking lot is packed when we arrive, and I can only think this band is going to be decent. We stop by the bar to talk to Sammy and grab a Choice Cherry Gold while we wait on a table to open up. As the band sets up, we listen to the music on the jukebox, and Cash wraps his arms around my shoulder and pulls me close.
A pool table opens just as the band begins to play. We grab it and enjoy the music, game, and each other. We enjoy every moment together playing pool, I laugh at the silly things Cash says, and when I the first downbeat of our song begins to play, I stop.
Cash takes my pool stick from my hand, places it on the table and pulls me into him. We don't sing the words, but our bodies move to the beat. As the band ends the song, we stay still, and I look into the eyes of someone who truly cares for me, I realize I don't want to share him.
Taking Cash by the hand, I pull him through the crowd, out of Turtle's, and toward his truck.
"Char, slow down," he says and I laugh as I pull him faster.
As we reach his truck, I turn to him and wrap my arms around his neck while my lips meet his. Within a few moments, Cash has pulled me into him and we have made our way to his truck. Fumbling for the keys, he pauses but our lips never part. Finally he opens the door and I climb inside. We waste no time greeting each other with our lips again.
As things begin to slow, Cash pulls away slowly. "Char, I don't want you to leave tomorrow."
"Me either, but just think Christmas Break will be here soon."
"Not soon enough," he says as he kisses my lips one more time.
YOU ARE READING
Losing Charley
Детектив / ТриллерAfter a horrific breakup with Dylan Sloan, the bad boy of the Dixon High Swim team, Charley Rice loses the confident swimmer she once was. Her best friend, Cash Montgomery is the only one who truly knows what happened that night and is a constant so...
