Free Loving Charley by Casey Peeler Page B

to
stop looking over my shoulder all the time.”
    Coach fidgets with a few
papers on her desk before she speaks. “Charley, I hope he rots in
hell, because I don’t care if he is God’s gift to the swimming
sport, that is unacceptable. The only thing I’m worried about is
Southern States. There will be a lot of coverage there, and you are
already in the spotlight with your times. Add this story to it, and
who knows what will happen? I just need you to promise me that no
matter what they say or do, you will keep you head held high and
remember we are here for you.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “Oh, and Charley, you
looked fabulous in the water today. You’re gonna leave them
speechless.”
    As I’m leaving Coach’s
office, I’m met by Georgia and Tori who are dying to know what has
gone on. I fill them in fast, and Tori is quick to say that she
will take care of anyone that tries to start anything at Southern
States. I don’t want any more trouble, so I inform her that we are
classy Southern girls and will do what any country girl would do.
That means put on a pretty face and kick their ass in the water.
She loves that idea, and we walk back to Kluft and get ready for
our first day of a new semester.

Chapter 16
    Cash made it home all right
and informed me that he and Tessa will bring back my car next
weekend at Southern States. He also told me that I might want to
call Tessa because she seemed a little too happy when he saw her.
That can only mean one thing; Dustin finally got in touch with her,
and I’m beyond happy for her.
    Giving a little time lapse
between now and calling Tessa, I take a quick shower, glance at my
class schedule, and relax. Afterward, I call her. Of course, she
answers right before it goes to voicemail.
    “Hey, Sis! Whatcha doin’?”
she says very perky.
    “Um…well, a little birdy
told me you were in a very good mood, and I just wanted to see the
reason behind it.”
    “Charley Anne Rice! Do I
have to have a reason to be in a fabulous
make-your-heart-wanna-melt mood?”
    “No, but I know you well enough to
know that something has happened. Either you got outta doing chores
for the rest of the year or Dustin has made your day.”
    “Gah, why do you always
think that it has something to do with getting’ outta work? But,
you are right! He called!” she squeals. In all my years, I’ve never
seen Tessa like this, and I hope and pray that Dustin is her
forever like Cash is mine. I know it will make for interesting
family functions in the future, but with love, anything’s
possible.
    “What did he
say?”
    “He said that now that his
parents have had time to cool off, they can’t stop him from seeing
me. They did ask if we would keep it low key until after the court
stuff, but regardless, they aren’t goin’ to stop us from being
together.”
    My heart leaps out of my
chest with excitement for Tessa and Dustin. They deserve to be
happy despite what has happened between Dylan and me. The fact that
Dustin wasn’t willing to just let her go makes me love him,
too.
    “I’m so happy for y’all!
Have you seen him yet?”
    “Not yet.”
    “Well, I have an idea. What
about if y’all take the club for the night or two? It’s not like
I’m going to be home to use it, and I know Cash won’t
care.”
    “Yeah, let me see what he
thinks. Char, thanks for everything. I don’t tell ya
enough.”
    “Anytime. Love ya,
Tess.”
    “Love ya, too.”
    We disconnect, and I text
Cash the news as well as Joe and Piper. Come to think of it, I
haven’t seen Joe much, but I guess it’s because he’s giving me some
space with Cash. As suppertime approaches, the Kluft girls and I
make our way to the cafeteria. A million eyes meet mine, and I’m
pretty sure that I’m the current talk of the school.
    Without missing a beat, we
all walk inside with our heads held high, acting like nothing
happened over break. I see Joe sitting with his teammates, and he
smiles. I’m glad that everything has worked