Covering the Carolinas (8 page)

“
Okay.” He kisses me deeply once more and then
we walk to his car. As we arrive at his house, I notice how quiet
it is. “No one’s here but us. I stay here all the time, but it’s
only a full house when there’s a party.” He must sense my
nervousness as he takes my hand in his, and we walk up the steps to
the house. Walking into the kitchen, Brett tosses the keys on the
counter and then pulls me into his arms. He doesn’t pressure me,
instead he just holds me. As my phone rings, I pull myself from
him. Glancing at the screen, I see it’s just Tinleigh and silence
it. I quickly text her and then toss it back in my
purse.

“
You want something to drink? I’ve got
anything from water to beer.”

“
A beer would be great.”

Brett and I take our beers and make our way to his
balcony. As we both lean against the railing, I take a sip of beer
to calm my nerves and ask myself once more if this is what I want.
I need this and need to move forward.

“
It’s beautiful up here. I don’t think looking
at this view will ever get old.”

“
You’re exactly right, Marleigh. Looking at
this view will never get old.” Suddenly I realize he’s not talking
about the ocean. He turns and takes my beer from my hand and sets
it on the table, then turns back to me and I say a little prayer.
He places his hand on the base of my neck as I look into his eyes.
I take a step toward him and he bends down to meet my lips. As our
lips dance together, it doesn’t take long for a fire to ignite
within me. Wrapping my arms around his neck, he lifts me off the
ground and places me on the railing as we continue to heat things
up. As his hands begin to roam, I break away. He pauses and looks
concerned. “Take me inside, Brett.” I state.

“
Are you sure?” he says with wariness in his
voice.

“
Yes.”

He lifts me from the railing and I wrap my legs
around him as he takes me inside. He pulls open the sliding glass
door and I capture his lips once more. Once we are in the room, he
slowly lowers me onto his bed and takes a step back as he removes
his shirt. As his hand glides up my outer thigh, goose bumps form
and a shiver escapes my body. As he looks into my eyes for
assurance, I guide his lips to mine. He reaches for a condom and I
forget about everything except what is happening in this
moment.

As I awake naked in someone else’s room, I quietly
freak out in my mind, but then quickly realize where I am and
relax. Rolling over, I realize Brett isn’t in the bed with me.
Looking around, I try to find my clothes and look at the time. It’s
six. Gunner won’t be up for another hour or so. As I begin to get
out of the bed, I freeze when the door slowly opens and cover
myself.

“
I didn’t want to wake you. You looked so
peaceful. Here’s a cup of coffee.” Brett says as he takes a seat
beside me. “I wasn’t sure how you took it so I brought the cream
and sugar with me.”

“
Thank you,” I say as I kiss him briefly and
pray my morning breath isn’t too bad.

“
What time does he wake up?”

“
Around seven thirty,” I say as I take another
sip of coffee.

“
Why don’t you get dressed and let’s enjoy the
sunrise before I take you home.”

“
That sounds wonderful,” I say. Brett walks to
the balcony while I change. Stepping outside to join him, I see him
perched on the railing and my heart warms for the first time since
GC. The rising sun takes my breath away as we enjoy a cup of coffee
and our time together.

Chapter 16

MARLEIGH

Each day I’m away from Gunner, I miss him more and
it makes my heart hurt, but it’s almost as if I’m gaining pieces of
myself at the same time. I never realized how much of myself I lost
after I had him. I am still Marleigh, but I had to focus on my new
responsibilities. I couldn’t be that carefree girl anymore. Being
away at college has actually made me feel like my old self. Maybe
now I can figure out a way to combine the old me and new me.

Classes start today and I’m super excited. Knowing
we each finish around the same time, we ride together. I can’t wait
for my Ecology of Coral Reef class this afternoon. They have
fascinated me for as long as I can remember. Carleigh and I have a
little while to spare so after we drop Tinleigh off, we decide to
grab a cup of coffee at Coastal Java right off campus. We order our
favorite blend and a scone and then take a seat.

I notice Carleigh rolling her eyes as a gorgeous
blonde enters. “I hope they don’t get stuck like that. What’s
wrong?”

“
Nothing, just a blonde bimbo who thinks she’s
better than everyone,” she says as if it’s not a big deal, but for
her to react, it is a big deal. Quickly she changes the subject.
“So what’s up with you and Brett? Like for real? Don’t give me any
bullshit either,” she says mid bite.

“
I swear you are more and more like Tin each
day. I mean, I like him and we have a great time together. I didn’t
tell y’all this before but Gunner called while we were on our first
date.”

“
How did you forget to leave that out? What
happened? Does Brett know who called?”

“
I had to take the call. I excused myself and
when I hung up, Brett was standing there. He heard all of it, so I
couldn’t lie about it.”

Carleigh sits her coffee and scone down to give me
her full attention. “What did he say?”

“
Basically, when I started to talk he asked
how old he was. He asked about his daddy, and that’s about it. He
didn’t push for information, but was understanding. I really like
him, Car. I know you probably think I’m crazy, but there’s just
something about him.”

“
You do realize falling for him is going to be
hard to balance along with classes and going home? Not to mention
he knows GC pretty well.”

Glancing at my watch, I realize it’s time to get to
class. When we get back to campus, Carleigh and I go our separate
ways and I keep my eyes open for GC. So far, so good. He’s nowhere
in sight.

The first day was uneventful as each professor went
over the syllabi and class expectations. From just an hour, I can
tell my Coral Reef class is going to live up to my expectations. I
spend the next two days getting acquainted with my new classes and
enjoying time with my sisters and Brett.

On Thursday morning, I pack my car and drive
separately to campus. After class, Brett meets me at my car before
he goes to the weight room. As we’re saying goodbye, I notice the
blonde from Coastal Java in the distance, but seeing who’s on her
arm makes me sick to my stomach.

“
Mar, are you okay?” he asks as he moves me
into his arms.

“
I will be,” I say as my eyes cut toward the
blonde and GC. Brett looks to see what has my attention. When he
see’s GC and the blonde, he just shakes his head.

“
He’s such an idiot. He can do so much better
than her.”

“
Who is that?” I ask because I don’t want him
asking why I was staring.

“
That’s GC Del Valle. He’s the starting point
guard for the basketball team. Summer’s been after him since
freshman year, but it wasn’t until last year he gave her the time
of day. I’m sure she just wanted him because of his status.” He
shrugs his shoulders and I turn my attention back to him. “So
you’re sure you have to go?” he questions.

“
You know I have to, but I miss you
already.”

“
I bet I’m going to miss you more. I mean
you’ve got another man waiting for you, and me, I’ll just be
hanging out all alone,” he says as he pouts. I push his shoulder
and he laughs.

“
That’s right, just think about me while
you’re having a good time at a party and I’m watching Nick Junior,”
I say.

“
Just know that I’m not going to have a good a
time without you,” he says as his lips brush mine.

“
I guess I better get going.” As I turn to
open the car door, Brett turns me to him again and kisses me as if
he’s never going to see me again. “I promise I’ll be back on
Tuesday.” As his face falls, I try to look on the bright side.
“It’s five days, Brett.” He doesn’t say anything, instead he
attacks my lips again. Finally, we part from each other and it’s
hard to believe I just met him last week. He is such a good guy and
I feel safe with him. He helps me into the car and as I roll down
my window, he bends down and kisses me once more before stepping
away and I watch him in my rearview.

Chapter 17

January 2015

MARLEIGH

Wow, I can’t believe my first semester is over, that
I’m having a blast dating Brett, and am finding a way to balance my
school life with my home life. I’m one semester closer to being
able to start my new plan for the future with Gunner. After
dropping off my backpack in my room, I walk into the living room to
see my sister’s looking like they are up to no good.

“
Oh, no, I know those looks, what are ya’ll
thinkin’?”

“
We know Gunner’s birthday is next week, and
you’re planning on having his party next weekend so is there any
way you can stay here this weekend? There’s a big game this weekend
and it would be so much fun if you could stay.”

“
I don’t know, Tin. I mean, I’ve done so well
not running into GC, why risk it now?”

“
He probably won’t even look in our direction
since it seems he only has eyes for Summer these days. Plus, you
have Brett.”

“
Yeah, about that. Brett and I have gotten
really close. I want to introduce Gunner to him, but I think I need
to tell him about GC first.”

“
Where the hell did that come from? I thought
you were taking that to your grave?” Carleigh says.

“
I just know at some point Gunner is going to
ask about his dad, and I don’t want that to blow up in my face.
Brett is a good guy, and I don’t want that to impact our
future.”

I can see Carleigh beginning to fume, and I know
she’s about to blow. “You mean to tell me you’ll tell Brett but not
GC?” She waits and I say nothing. “That’s fucked up. There’s no
other way to put it.”

Without saying a word, I turn to go back to my
room and I scream. Yes, it’s fucked up, but it’s my choice. GC has
moved on, and it’s not like he’s ever going to see Gunner. He’s in
Gaffney, and I know GC plans on moving back home after school, or
at least that
was
his plan.
Going to my closet, I pull a small plastic container from the top
shelf. Opening it, I take a deep breath as I look into it and
remove the necklace GC gave me. I place it in my pocket so I can
tell Brett all about my past.

GUNNISON

Taking the court against Gardner-Webb, I know
this game isn’t going to be as tough as some of our others, but
each time I step onto the court I give one hundred percent. I take
a minute to take it all in just like I do every game, but that’s
when I see
her.
Taking a
double take, my breathing begins to increase and my heart begins to
soar when I see not two, but three Anderson sisters talking in the
crowd. Her hair isn’t blonde anymore, it’s caramel just like her
sisters. As my eyes focus on her, trying to process that she is
actually here, I notice her starting to laugh, and when she smiles
there is no doubt that’s my Marleigh. As quickly as it soars, my
heart plummets when I see that her full attention is on
Brett.
Fuckin’ A!

“
Del Valle! Let’s go!” Coach yells and I know
that regardless of what I’m feeling, I’ve got a game to play, but
I
will
talk to her after.
There is no way in hell she’s leaving this gym without talking to
me. It takes every ounce of focus and self-control to pull myself
together, step on the court, and not run to her.
Play for her. Show her who you’ve become and what
she’s missing.

After warmups, I wait for the starting lineup
to be announced. When I hear my name, I walk out on the court and
get ready to help bring home another victory. As the clock begins
the first half, we dominate the other team. We don’t give them an
inch, but we take a mile. Every time the ball is passed my way,
I’ve already found the next pass or shot. We are on fire. I try my
best not to look in the crowd, but I can
feel
her watching me. Refusing to look, I play
with more heart than I have in a long time.

As the buzzer sounds for half time, we exit the gym
as the cheerleaders take the court. “Hey, Del Valle, you okay?
You’re grinning like an opossum, and I’m pretty sure this has
nothing to do with the game,” Wade says as we enter the locker
room. I try to shake it off, but then he has to keep talking. “So
you and Summer getting that serious?” Crap, I wasn’t even thinking
about her at all, so much for moving on.

“
I’m not going there. We’ve got a game to
win,” I state as we listen to Coach and get ready to start the
second half.

The second half feels like an eternity with each
tick of the clock. I’ve never been as ready for a game to be over
in my life. As the final moments come into play, I risk it all as I
look into the stands for Marleigh, and when my eyes catch hers, I
wink and terror flashes across her face as she turns to her sisters
to avoid me.

The buzzer sounds. I don’t think; I sprint to her.
Hearing my name in the distance, I know it’s Summer but I don’t
care. I’ve got to get to her.