No Turning Back (Full Circle) (15 page)

“Oh shit! Coach is gonna kill me!”

I throw him his shirt and he kisses me quickly, starts to leave, and then comes back for one more kiss. 

“I’ll see you tonight!”

Out the door he goes.  I take my pillow and cover my face and scream while kicking my legs.  Yeah, real mature I know!  That has to have been one of the best nights of my life.

I set my alarm for 7:00 and doze back off till time for Bio.  I have to shower this morning.  I realized quickly that the “club” smell is something you want to get rid of instantly.  I leave my hair wet, pull it up, and haul ass to class.

After class, I meet Joe for our project.  I am somewhat embarrassed about last night.  I mean what is he going to think about me?  I beat him to the picnic table and add to my list while I wait.

Joe’s Unique Facts:

1. Scares easily

2. Grew up with his parents, but moved in with his grandparents his Sr. year.

3. Has played lacrosse since he was 5, but his first love was golf

4. Can do a toe touch

5.  Made straight A’s his entire high school career (must be nice)

6. Trustworthy

7. Respectful

8. Great dancer

9.

10.

Joe sneeks up on me.  “Did ya finish your list yet?”  I shake my head no.  “Well, let me help ya... great kisser, doesn’t give up, knows how to treat a lady... do you want me to keep going?”

“No, and I already have all of that down.” I smirk.

“You do not, let me see,” which is more of a demand than question. 

He looks at the list and smiles before handing it back.

“What about you?  Did you get number ten yet?

“Nope.”

We plan to begin our volunteer hours next week.  Joe has found an afterschool program for students with special needs.  I absolutely love this idea.  I also know what his surprise is going to be.  He loves golf.  I, on the other hand, know nothing about it.  I’m getting him tickets to play at Quail Hollow, and I’m driving the golf cart!

We finish the details for volunteering, and he kisses me before we go our separate ways.  Southern does things differently when it comes to Homecoming.  In fact, most people expect the dance to be after the big game tomorrow.  Not here, it’s on Friday night and alumni are invited because everyone knows where everyone will be Saturday night.

The Kluft girls eat lunch in the café and then decide to get manicures and pedicures for tonight.  Sarah and Hayden come along.  I think they are honorary Kluft girls now.

“So Charley, what kinda action went on in your room last night?” Tori asks with a smirk.

“I have no clue what you’re talking about!”  I’m so lying!

“Um hummm, I saw “Mr. I Got Eyes That Make Ya Wanna Melt” leaving your room, late for practice at that!”

“No, you didn’t!  You would have been sleeping then!”

“Yeah, I would have if I didn’t have to pee! You are so busted!”

“Y’all nothing happened like you’re thinking; I can promise you that!”

“Charley, I’m just gonna say what everyone is thinking.
Why the hell not!?!
” Hayden putting in her two cents.

“I promise I’m not like that.”

Hayden decides to just throw it all out on the table, “You’re a virgin, aren’t ya?”

“No, I’m not.  Now, can we please talk about something else besides me and my no-sex life?”

“Okay, Okay... damn, I didn’t think it was a big deal,” Hayden whispers to Sarah.

Georgia looks at me almost like she knows something.   I just smile and nod.  No words are spoken, but it’s like she knows.

We get back to campus, get ready, and Georgia stops in my room.

“Hey Char, you got a minute?”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“I know I’m being nosy, but I just had to ask. You can tell me to butt out if you want.  Did that conversation today have anything to do with Dylan Sloan?”

I’m not sure if I want to answer, but I know that Georgia won’t say a word.

“Yeah, but please don’t mention it.  There’s more to this story; I just don’t want to talk about it.”

“Sure, I just wanted to make sure that you were okay.  The look on your face today when Hayden said that broke my heart.”

“Thank you, Georgia, for noticing.  It means a lot.”  She gives me a hug and goes to her room.

I finish getting ready, text Cash, and wait for Joe.  At 7:45p.m., there’s a knock at the door, I open it to Joe standing there holding a bouquet of daisies. 

“Thanks, Joe.  You didn’t have to do that.  You going to come in?”

“Charley, you look stunning.”

“Thank you.  So, are you going to come in or stand in the hallway all night?”

“Sorry, I was distracted by the most beautiful creature I have ever seen.”  I can feel the heat in my cheeks begin to rise.  

He hands me the flowers, and I find an old Choice Cherry Gold bottle to make a vase. 
Redneck at its best!
  He just smiles and laughs. 

“Nice vase.”

“Well, not like I packed one from home or anything.” 

He takes my hand as I turn to fix the flowers and pulls me close to him.  He kisses me and then asks, “Shall we?”  I nod and we walk into the hall to find all my hallmates peeking out the door.  They are all going to the Homecoming Dance stag.  Most of them wanted to keep their options open for the night.  I, on the other hand, feel safe for the first time without Cash.

We make our way to the front lawn, there is a huge party tent, music is being played by the DJ, and there is a buffet dinner.  We fix our plates and find a table.  The rest of the Kluft girls arrive about twenty minutes later.  They have definitely been partaking in a few beverages. 

“Hey, if y’all need something to drink, just go to my room.  I got plenty, plus it’s closer than Kluft,” Hayden says.

Joe answers before I can, “I wish I could, but we’re under 24-hour rule with the game tomorrow.   I’ll be ready for a cold one tomorrow night.”  Well, at least I know we can be sober together and still have a great time.

After we eat, the alumni are already on the dance floor.  It looks just like a fairytale in here.  There are strings of lights, a wooden dance floor, tables with fancy tablecloths, and cute little centerpieces.

As time ticks by, we all make our way to the dance floor.  We start off with the “Bikers Shuffle” then move on to some oldies my parents like.  Around 10:00, we notice all the alumni leaving.  It must be the cue for the party to really get started.  I honestly think this must be the same DJ from Hank’s because I know we will hear these again tomorrow.

Joe and I haven’t left the dance floor since we got here, the only difference is that I have lost the shoes I came with because my feet are killing me!

While we are dancing, a familiar song comes on. 

“So, are you gonna put it on me like last time?”  Joe whispers in my ear.

“You better believe it!”  They are playing “Get Low,” the same song I left Joe wanting more at Hank’s.  I guess this is our song.

I have to remind myself that I am not in the most appropriate attire to dance how I did that night, but what the hell, you only live once. 

Joe and I bump and grind all over each other right there for everyone to see.  I make sure that I don’t show my ass literally to people around me, but I’m definitely enjoying myself.  I turn around to look at him and place my hand on his face as I continue to match my hips in rhythm with his.  He smiles as I look into those eyes, and my lips crash into his.

The dance shuts down at midnight, and Joe has to be in his room for curfew at 12:30.  He walks me to my room, and on the way there, he stops me.  I turn to look at him, and he smiles.

“Charley, I just want to thank you for a perfect night.  This has been the best date of my life.  I wish I could stay with you tonight, but I’m sure Coach is already mad that I was late this morning.  Promise me you will be there to cheer me on?”

“Of course, I will!”  He takes my hand and walks me to my dorm room.  I unlock the door, and he kisses me goodnight. 

“Sleep tight, Jackalope Joe; I’ll be pulling for ya tomorrow.”  I wink.

He kisses me again and walks to his dorm.

I go into my room and relive the fairytale of my night.  I take off my dress, get into my pajamas, and doze off.  I wake up to my phone beeping.

Joe: Good morning beautiful!  I can’t wait to see you in the stands today!

Me: :) Good morning to you too.  C u soon!

The game is at noon. The girls and I get ready and eat breakfast before going over to the field.  The first person we see is Coach.

“I see you are all still alive.”

“Yes, ma’am.  Looks like you had fun on the dance floor last night, too,” I say.

“I did, and I have to say that was quite a show you two put on out there.  I sure do hope he made curfew.”  My face starts to blush, again.

“He did.  Just so you know.”  I smile.

We find a seat on the bleachers that will accommodate all of us.  I can see Joe warming up, and I smile when he looks my way.  He is so dagum cute in that uniform!

The game is great, and we win, of course.  Isn’t that how all Homecoming games are played... play someone you know you can beat?  The Homecoming King and Queen are crowned.  Not to my surprise, Lucas is our new Homecoming King.

Crystal pretty much attacks him afterwards, and we all stand around talking after the game.  As I'm standing there talking to Tori and Georgia, I feel a familiar hand wrap around my waist.  Sure enough, it’s Joe.

“Great game.”

“Thanks.”  He gives me a quick kiss in front of God and everybody.  “Wanna go out for dinner before Hank’s?  I mean like all the Kluft girls and us Irvin guys?”  I look at Tori and Georgia.

“Hell yeah, we’ll go, but you guys better be buying!”  Tori says with her hands on her hips.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

We return to Kluft, chill out on the lawn, and get ready for supper with the Irvin boys.  We invite Hayden and Sarah.  We take the Love Machine, a guy from Irvin’s 4Runner, and Joe’s Jeep. 

We eat supper, and yes, the guys pick up the tab before going back to pregame before Hank’s.  At supper, I notice that Joe is really quiet, and when I ask him about it, he brushes it off.

When we get back to campus, everyone starts to go their separate ways.  As I’m about to get out of the Jeep, Joe grabs my hand.

“I need you to wait.”  I shake my head yeah. 
Have I done something wrong?  Is he breaking up with our non-relationship?  I’m so confused.

“Is everything okay?”  He shakes his head no.

“Let’s go for a ride.”  I nod.

“Hey Georgia, we’ll be back in a few.”  She waves bye to me, and we leave campus.  Joe doesn’t say a word.  He stops at the public fishing access for the Rock Lake.  He just sits there and then pulls out his phone. 

“Squirrel, I don’t know how to start this conversation.  I got this via Facebook after the game today.  I take a look at his phone and burst into tears.