Free No Turning Back (Full Circle) by Casey Peeler Page A

experience again, but I need you to understand there are a few things I need to do alone before I can be yours forever.”
     
    He uses his fingers to guide my eyes to him. I start to melt as he brings his soft kissable lips to mine.  We break apart all too quickly, and he gives me a few quick pecks on the lips before sending me on my way.  In a million years, I never expected this to happen today.

 
    Chapter 6: Hank’s Tavern
     
    I drive a little slower back to campus because I know I’m going to get twenty questions when I return.  I decide to call Piper, but she doesn’t answer.  I try Tessa even though I know she is at work.  She picks up, and before I can tell her one word she already knows what happened.  I think there is just something about sisters.  You hate them when you’re little, sometimes like them when you get older, but when you get through your teen years she’s the one that is always there and can complete your sentences. 
     
    “So Char, how much do you love him?”  I can feel her grinning ear to ear.
     
    “I don’t know if there are words, but I do know that things are going to go slow.  I want to be on my own, experience college, and then make decisions.”
     
    “I knew when you wanted him to bring your swim bag that things would work out.  They always do between you.  Y’all got too much history to just throw it away.”
     
    “Thanks, Tessa, I know I’m about to get grilled like a ribeye when I get back, but it’s okay.  And Tess, I thought he knew how to kiss, but he had my toes curling today!”
     
    She bursts out laughing, and then I hear her apologize to the customer. 
     
    “Hey, I’ll let you get to work, but I just had to talk to someone. Love ya!”
     
    “Love you, too!”
     
    I continue to drive to campus in a daze.  My thoughts keep going back to Cash, the kiss, and his words.  I know that this good ‘ol country boy is who I am meant to be with.  I know I like Joe and he has this effect on me, but I can’t let go of Cash. Ever.
     
    I start to walk into Kluft when I hear this hootin’ and hollerin’ coming from the upstairs window.
     
    “Y’all ain’t right!”  I laugh and walk upstairs.
     
    Before I reach the hall, all of second floor Kluft is in my business.
     
    “So, spill it.  You said you were going to be back before supper, and we can all see that didn’t happen.  So, what’s the deal?  Y’all were out on some back road weren’t ya?”  Caroline says ever so confidently.
     
    “Um, no. We were at Hooters, thank you, and in the parking lot to be exact.”
     
    “I bet horns were just a honkin’ at y’all!”  Georgia chimes in.  She is quiet most of the time, but when it’s time, she always puts in her two cents.
     
    “Okay, first of all I’m only gonna explain this once.  Yes, I got my swim bag, ate at Hooters, laughed like old times, and had the best make out session of my life The kind where your toes curl and you don’t want to pull away.”  They are all completely pulled into what I’m saying.  It’s like they are trying to picture it, which totally freaks me out!
     
    “Then he told me he loved me and would wait on me no matter what.  I do love him, but I want to be independent for a while.”
     
    “Awe Charley, that’s so sweet!” Anna says. 
     
    We make our way to our room and chill out for the night.  We have practice at 5 a.m. tomorrow, and I haven’t been in the water in forever.  I’m sure my body is going to take a beating in the morning.  I better get a good night’s sleep.
     
    I turn on the TV and watch Gray’s Anatomy .  Then my phone chirps, and I know it’s Cash.
     
    Cash: I just want u to know I love u & I’m ready for whatever u want me to be in ur life
     
    Me: Thanks $ Love u 2, practice at 5am :(
     
    Cash: Go 2 bed, $ <3 u!
     
    Me: Char-coal <3 $
     
    I haven’t felt this happy in what feels like an eternity.  I turn over, fall asleep, and dream sweet dreams of