Covering the Carolinas by Casey Peeler

clothes, and make my way to my happy
place—the beach.
    The beach is not as crowded this morning, with
vacationers switching over today. I walk towards the water and take
a seat on the sand where the tide barely brushes my feet. I sit and
wonder how the next two years will change our future, and if
keeping Gunner from his daddy is truly what’s best for him. I take
a moment and pray that what is meant to be will be, and we all find
our own happiness. As I watch the waves crash down, I think about
the memories of this place, and let the memories wash away with the
tide. It’s time to move forward.

Chapter 14
    GUNNISON
    Before I even get close to campus, Summer is
blowing up my phone. I already promised I’d stop by as soon as I
got back to campus, but honestly, I just want to go to the
gym. What the hell is wrong with me? Hot
as hell girl wanting me and I want to go to the damn gym? Paul laughs as he hears my phone erupt again.
    “ You really don’t like her, do you?” he
asks.
    “ Nah, I like her, but I just don’t want to
have to worry about her all the time. Did you see her last
night?”
    “ Yeah, she was shitfaced. I can’t believe you
just let her go home alone. If I was her, I’d be pissed,
too.”
    “ Well, honestly, I didn’t want to have to deal
with her puking all night. I know that’s terrible. I just didn’t
want to start my first night back like that. I’m sure her roommates
made sure she was okay.”
    “ You sure that’s all? Just let me know when
she’s free game because I’m tellin’ ya now, I’m going after
her.”
    “ Dude, really?” Paul starts to laugh and if he
wasn’t driving, I might have punched him. I might not be in love
with her but she’s mine, or at least that’s what I keep telling
myself.
    MARLEIGH
    After soaking in the morning air, I make my way back
to the house. Carleigh is watching a Lifetime movie and drinking
coffee while Tinleigh is still snoozing away. I take a seat beside
her.
    “ You’re up early.”
    “ Gunner called this morning and then I
couldn’t sleep. I just went down to the water and had a little time
with the big man upstairs. Being here, where it happened, has made
it harder than I thought.”
    “ Whatcha mean?”
    “ Just that I’ve told myself for the past three
years that it was the worst week of my life, but that’s a lie. It
will forever be the best week
of my life. I’ve made my decision on letting him live his life, but
being here isn’t like I thought it would have been.”
    “ I’m sure it’s different, Mar, but just do
what you know is right. I know you enough to know that once you
make a plan you always stick with it until you need to make a new
one, so everything will work out like it should. Right now, I want
to know about you and Brett.” She winks.
    I chuck a throw pillow at her. “There’s nothing to
tell. He’s really easy on the eyes, and those hands are nice and
strong.”
    “ So did y’all?”
    I shake my head no. “Believe me, I wanted to, but I
just couldn’t. He’s a really nice guy, or seems to be at least. I
will say it took every ounce of my being to stop what almost
happened in that room. It’s been a long time since a guys even
kissed me, let alone got me in a bed, or should I say a beach
chair, with them.”
    Carleigh spews the coffee from her mouth. “Mar, it’s
really been since GC?” I nod my head yeah. “Dear lord, we’re going
to have to fix that.” I can’t help but laugh at the logical sister
saying I need to get laid. “I think Brett just might be the guy to
make you forget.” I think she just might be right.
    Once Tinleigh wakes up, we load up the golf cart and
make our way to the beach. Today is a great day to soak in the sun,
recover from last night, and get ready to do it again. We spend the
entire day in our bikinis lying on beach chairs, sipping margaritas
and listening to the radio. Being back with my sisters, I feel like
myself for the first time in almost three years.
    At