Cash and I spend the remainder of the day doing what we do best, spending time with each other on the farm. We take rides on the four-wheeler, fish, and attempt to keep our minds off things.
As nighttime approaches, we have a decision to make. Do we go home to our own houses, or do we stay here?
“Cash, you’re not leaving me tonight.”
“I wasn’t planning on it. I do need to go home for a little while. You wanna go?”
I nod in agreement, and we make our way to his house. We have been avoiding the conversation about our future. Instead, we focus on the here and now.
Opening the screen door to Cash’s house, we are hit with the wonderful aroma of his mama’s cooking. Needless to say, she and my mama are neck and neck with who’s the best. I look at him, and he knows what I’m thinking.
“Wanna stay for supper?”
“I think that’s obvious, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I figured.”
Walking in, Cash hollers to let his mama know we are here. We enter the kitchen, and she is drying her hands with a dishtowel. Then, she walks toward me and embraces me in a tight squeeze.
“Charley, I want you to know I don’t blame you for anything. No one understands why we’re at this point now, but God knows and has a plan. You have always been my Cashy’s favorite; therefore, you will always be my favorite. He loves you, and we do, too. We’re all in this together.”
“Thank you,” I reply as she lets me go, and we set the table.
When Mr. Montgomery enters the kitchen, he is taken aback when he sees me. “Charley,” he says with a nod before he excuses himself to clean up for supper.
I’m uncertain of how to take that, as Mrs. Montgomery gives me her two cents. “He just has a lot to understand, take in, and figure out. Regardless, he feels the same way that I do about you. He is just dealing with things differently.”
When Mr. Montgomery returns, we all fix our plates and eat. Things are quieter than usual, but not uncomfortable. At the table, they discuss what the plan is for the future and possible outcomes for Cash. I don’t say much; it’s not my place. In fact, I just want to disappear at the moment.
After supper is finished, we help clean up, and then I walk upstairs with Cash to pack a bag and gather a few other essentials for the club.
“Are you sure they’re all right?” I ask as I help him stuff a few movies into the bag.
He stops, walks around to my side of the bed, and turns me to face him. Taking my chin in his hand, he tilts my eyes to his. “They’re fine. It’s a lot to take in. Remember, we are all that matters. When this is over, everything will be exactly like it’s supposed to be.”
“I just don’t know, Cash Money. I feel like this might make things different.”
“What do you mean?”
“I feel like after this is over, people aren’t going to look at me the same. Do you think people ‘round here will believe me?”
He wraps his arms around my body. “I know it’s true, and that video proves it to all that weren’t there. If they don’t believe it, then they’re just as bad as him.”
We finish getting everything together and go by my house to pick up a few things as well. When we walk inside, Mama has a basket packed.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“Sweet girl, I’ve known y’all long enough. I’ll see you in the mornin’,” she says with a wink.
After I hurry upstairs to grab a few items, we are on our way. I’m so ready for this, and I know Cash is, too.
Today, we drive his truck out there instead of our ATV’s. There is a chill in the air when we reach the club. I pick up the basket while Cash gathers our bags. He goes up first and then takes the basket from me so I can make my way up.
Once we are situated for the night, we take a look inside the basket, and I can’t help but smile. PB&J’s, Choice Cherry Gold, and Mama’s homemade peach cobbler. I laugh when I look at what else she put in there. A bag of popped popcorn with M&M’s.
“What’s so funny?”
“Mama. She knows us too well.” He smiles when I pull it from the basket.
“Yes, she does.”
Cash takes a blanket and lays it on the floor while I move the basket beside us. I stand after I place it on the floor, and I’m met by warm, rough, yet tender, hands reaching under the hem of my shirt. Cash wraps his arms around me from the back, and I turn my neck to meet him. As I do, he places a tender kiss on my neck.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
With a smirk, he replies, “Why’s that?”
“‘Cause stuff like that can lead to trouble.”
“After the past forty-eight hours, I’m up for a little trouble.”
“‘Bout damn time,” I say as I turn to face him and take charge.
For the first time in a long time, Cash lets me take the lead. My lips press his firmly and forcefully. The hunger I feel for him has only increased with our current situation. I’m not willing to put off showing him how I feel.
Unable to control himself any longer, he lifts me off the ground, and I wrap my legs around his firm body. It’s very evident how much he is enjoying this. He takes me to the futon and lays me down as he hovers on top of me. This is it! We continue to explore each other’s body, and when I go for his belt, he stops. OMG! He’s killin’ me here! He shakes his head no. Looking into those beautiful eyes, I give him the saddest face possible and try to work my magic.
Cash places his hands on each side of my head as he looks directly into my puppy dog eyes. “Char-coal, I’ve already told you about that.”
“Can’t we just mess around or somethin’? You’re killin’ me!” I exclaim.
“We could, but not right now. I don’t want our emotions to be the reason things happen. If I know you, you’re thinkin’ about a million what ifs in that cute mind of yours.” I can’t say anything because he’s right. He bends down to my lips and kisses them quickly. “That’s what I thought. Come on,” he says as he stands and pulls me up.
Crossing my arms and pouting my lip, I respond, “You’re no fun.”
“Oh, Char-coal, I’m too much fun. You might not be able to handle all of this.”
“How about let’s just see about that?” I smirk.
“We will one day … soon,” he says with emphasis.
Soon? What does that mean? Is he already planning this out in his mind? I start to get giddy inside.
“Slow down, Char-coal. I see those wheels spinning. You’re never gonna know when it’s gonna happen, but I promise you, it will be sooner rather than later,” he says as he steps closer to me. “One thing I’ve realized is that I’m not takin’ anything for granted. Life is precious; you are precious, and our forever is gonna be sooner rather than later.”
As his hand grazes my cheekbone, I get weak in the knees. “I can’t wait until our forever is really forever.”
“Me either.” He seals the deal with a kiss. “Now, let’s eat. Whatcha say?”
“Well, I guess since you aren’t gonna let me have what I want…” I say with a wink.
He grins and takes me by the hand, and we sit on the blanket and enjoy our picnic basket full of goodies that Mama has prepared. While we eat, we talk, laugh, and dream. No matter what is going on around us, when we are inside the club, we are in our own world.
We clean up our trash and go down to the pond. Cash places his hand in mine, and we walk around. The sound of nature is peaceful, and it allows us both to think about what is really on our minds.
“Cash Money, what do you think the judge is going to decide… for you, I mean?”
“It can go two ways, an easy way out or serving some time. Char-coal, it was a felony to do what I did. If I wouldn’t have put him in the hospital, I’d have been a lot better off.”
“What did your lawyer say?”
“He felt like since I have a clean record and I was trying to protect you, the judge will take that into account. He said I better be ready to get ripped to shreds on the stand, though.”
“Yeah, I got told the same thing. It amazes me that even though we aren’t guilty, we’re going to have to go through hell and back to deal with this. I’m so sorry I waited, but I just couldn’t go to the police back then.”
Cash stops walking. “Char-coal, you want my real opinion?” I shake my head yes as he replies. “I’m glad it happened this way. I believe this is how it was supposed to happen. Imagine if it was just you and me against Dylan? How do you think that would have turned out? Now, the world knows. Charley, you made him famous in this small town in a way that he never wanted. Every girl that might have come in contact with him should be grateful.”
We finish our walk around the pond and then make our way back to the club. Cash pours the movies out onto the floor and lets me choose. “You know what I want to watch, but why don’t we watch something different? What about Ghost Rider?”
“I mean, if that’s what you want. I’m not gonna complain about watching a non-chick flick.”
“That’s what I thought.”
Cash takes the DVD and gets it ready while I grab our drinks and M&M popcorn. We find our spots side by side on the futon. The spot where I fit perfectly in his arm. As I let my head rest on his shoulder, he kisses my hair, and we enjoy the remainder of our night in each other’s arms.
When we wake up the next morning, I know it’s time to return home. I have a major decision to make today. Do I return to Southern, or do I not? I love it, but I love Cash more.
“Whatcha thinkin’ ‘bout?” Cash questions as he moves my hair from my shoulder.
“You don’t want to know.”
“Why wouldn’t I? I need to know everything you’re thinkin’, even though most of the time I already know. Let me see if I can guess.”
“What, are you a damn mind reader?” I sass.
“Might be. How about if I get it right, then whatever is racing through your mind, I get to decide the outcome?” This makes me beyond nervous. Cash can read me like a book, but honestly, I need him to decide, because I’m not sure if I can.
“Aight. Shoot. Whatcha think I’m thinkin’?”
Scratching his chin like he’s deep in thought trying to decipher my thoughts, Cash says, “If I was a mind reader, I’d say you’re debating about going back to Southern.”
Speechless. Yeah, that’s what I am. My face must tell it all because Cash doesn’t give me any time to respond. “The answer to that verdict is… you’re goin’ back.”
“But…” I start to say, but he doesn’t allow me to finish. Instead, he covers my lips with his finger. “Shhhhh… just hear me out.” Knowing I don’t have a choice, I listen. “I know you’re scared. I am too, but you went to Southern for a reason. You’re not a quitter, and I won’t allow you to not finish this year. You have too many people that need you there. The Kluft girls, the team, and Joe.”
“But, what if they put you away, and this month is all we have?”
“What did I tell ya about the what ifs? God knows the future, and I believe that He’s on our side. He’s gonna take care of us. We are meant to be, but you have grown so much these past few months, I can only imagine what you will be like when this year is over.”
As tears form in my eyes and one trickles down my face, Cash wipes it away. “Charley Anne Rice, you have grown into a stubborn, fierce, and loving woman that I plan on making my wife one day. You always say I’m your rock and that I saved you, but you save me every day. I’d just be another good ol’ country boy, but with you… I’m the good ol’ country boy with the strongest country girl by his side, and I’ll take that any day.”
I don’t want to agree, but I know I have to. He’s right; he always is. Cash and I hold each other, and by mid-morning, we know we have to go back home. We pack our things and load his truck and drive it through the field to the house.
Dad gives us a wave as he drives the tractor. Tessa’s car is home, and I’m sure Mama has a few leftovers from breakfast for us.
Once we are at the house, Cash turns off the truck and looks at me. “So, when are you going to return to Southern?”
Taking a deep breath, I reply, “I guess the sooner the better. Southern States is in two weeks.”
“I’ve got to go home after we eat and talk to Mama and Dad. Then, I’ll come back and help you pack.” Tears begin to stream, and a wave of emotions hit me even though I try to force it back. I don’t want to leave, but I need to do this. Just like the day I decided to go to Southern. I just know. Cash wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in tight, and when I glance at him, his eyes are glossy and tears begin to slide down his face one at a time. Not knowing what to do, I turn to face him, and press my lips to his. We both continue to cry as our lips ignite. In this moment, we have both started to heal with each other.