Read Online Loving Charley by Casey Peeler - Free Book Online Page B

something?” Georgia asks.
    “Nah, they just aren’t
prepared for us. That’s all,” Hayden states confidently as she
makes her way to the hostess.
    After waiting for a booth
to be cleared, we are taken to a back corner in the restaurant.
It’s hidden away, but we can still see everything around us. There
is a DJ setting up not too far from us, families eating a quiet
supper, and several couples on dates.
    We each take a moment to
look over the menu. They have anything from burgers to filet
mignon. I know that shrimp and grits are what I will enjoy tonight,
and a ribeye is in Cash’s future. The waitress approaches and takes
our drink order and brings out a basket of bread. Everyone grabs a
piece.
    Once our order is taken, we
sit back, relax, and enjoy being together. Hayden gives us a
play-by-play of her crazy adventures while at home on break. I
swear, I’d love to have been a fly on the wall when she was little.
I bet she stayed in trouble.
    The food arrives, and we
dig in. It’s fantastic. As we all finish, we sit and watch as
families leave, and the young crowd begins to arrive at the bar. By
nine, the place is crawling with people. Most are young, but there
are a few men and women that undoubtedly are single and looking for
a good time.
    Knowing that this might be
our last night out with the swim season being at its peak, we are
going to let loose, and I’m glad that they only guy I’ll be dancing
with is my Cash Money. When the music begins to play, we try to
refrain from being the first ones on the dance floor, but that’s a
lost cause. As soon as the first beat drops, Hayden is out there
acting a fool for the entire bar to see.
    “Ya know, I’d never have
picked Hayden as one of your friends,” Cash whispers.
    Laughing, I answer, “I
know, but I wouldn’t trade her crazy ass for the world!”
    About that time, I see
someone approaching us. It’s Joe. Cash extends his hand, they
shake, and he takes a seat with us.
    “Hey, Joe. Whatcha up to?”
I ask.
    “Nothing much. The lacrosse
guys just figured we’d go out, and when I saw the Love Machine
outside, I knew we were in for a fun night.”
    “You know us too well! Have
you talked to Piper?”
    His face turns bright red.
“Jackalope Joe! Is there something you’re not telling
us?”
    “I have no idea what you’re
talking about, but I will have to say that girl is something else…
and I’ll leave it at that.”
    Cutting my eyes at Cash, I
know exactly what that means. Piper has Joe wrapped, and she’s not
going to let him loose if she can help it. I can’t blame her one
bit. He’s a good one, and if I didn’t have my Cash Money, he would
definitely be at the top of my get-to-know list.
    “Well, I just wanted to say hey. I’m
sure I’ll see ya on the dance floor in a little bit.”
    “Wait! Let’s send Piper a
pic. You think she’s back yet?” We send a funny group shot with a
message wishing she was here before Joe goes to hang out with the
guys.
    After Joe leaves, Cash and
I sit and enjoy being together. Little by little the dance floor
continues to get packed. Cash and I have had a good time sitting
here, but now it’s time to shake what my mama gave me. Taking him
by the hand, I pull him from the booth, putting a little more
emphasis on my hips as we make our way to the dance
floor.
    As we reach it, I turn
around and face him. “You know you’re killin’ me, right?” he
whispers.
    “I don’t want to kill you, but I might
want to make you want me just a little bit more.”
    “Char-coal, that ain’t
possible, but I plan on enjoying every minute of it.”
    Smiling, I look him in the
eyes and brush my lips against his. Wrapping my arms around his
neck, I sway my hips to the beat of the music, and he follows
along. Whoever said white boys can’t dance sure haven’t seen Cash.
He doesn’t even need liquid courage. With each song, we become more
in tune with each other. Everyone around us has disappeared, and we
are now the