Loving Charley Read online

  Loving Charley

  (Full Circle #3)

  by Casey Peeler

  Copyright 2013 Casey Peeler

  Smashwords Edition

  All rights reserved.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This book is a written act of fiction. Any places, characters, or similarities are purely coincidence. If certain places or characters are referenced it is for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. The author recognizes all copyright and trademarks that are mentioned within this work of fiction.

  Acknowledgements:

  Special thanks to:

  My husband, Billy, and daughter, Carlee, thank you for being there on this adventure. I love you both with my whole heart!

  My sister, Pam Baldwin, at Paperclutch for the cover design. You have always been there at any given moment. Cover one was an adventure for both of us, cover two was a breeze, and three full of choices! It is as fabulous as you! Love you!

  My parents, Mike and Cindy, thanks for believing in me like you always do! Parental support is important no matter your age!

  Jeannette & Mike thank you for your judicial expertise!

  Chelly Peeler, you’ve had my back from day one. You have helped keep up with reviews at Hardcover Therapy while I finished writing, read NTB, FC, & LC, read it again, edited, and given advice. We aren’t just family; you truly are one of my best friends, and I couldn’t have done this without you.

  My Boondock Betas, thank you so much for your thoughts and feelings that have brought this book to life. I owe y’all!

  Paige, you have read, edited, read, edited, read, and edited! I couldn’t have done this without you! Round three has been amazing! I can’t wait to continue our editing journey!

  Southern Charms, my street team, y’all are sweet as sugar! I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without you! With each like, share, comment, and review, you’ve gone above and beyond each and every day! I <3 y’all!

  Cortlan Allen, my cover model, thank you for taking part in this journey from start to finish.

  Brian Harris at Firelight Photography for the cover photos.

  My family, friends, authors, and bloggers, thanks for your thoughts, posts, shares, tweets, and likes!

  For Chelly, who’s been with me on this journey since it was a thought, and now it’s come full circle!

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Previously in Finding Charley

  “Somebody help me! PLEEEAASSSSSEEEE!” I expel from my lungs. No one. Not a soul sees us. My adrenaline kicks into high gear. I put the Ariats in the wind and haul ass to the fire.

  As the roar of the fire comes into view, so do all the people. They are oblivious to what has just occurred. They continue to sing, drink, and party as I run as fast as I can. The more people I’m around, the safer I am. I see Piper and Joe sitting on a log. A look of horror flashes when she sees me, and her eyes speak volumes. I know that he is coming…that he is coming for me… it’s time to face the devil with everyone watching. Knowing that I don’t want to turn around and face him, I center my feelings to my core, and I do it anyway.

  Dylan is within a few feet of me. He has a mix of emotions on his face that include shock, pain, and confidence, but the obvious one is rage.

  “Stay away from me,” I growl through my teeth.

  He laughs wickedly as he inches closer. “I’ll never stay away. Don’t you get it? You’re mine.” Grabbing my waist, he pulls me close to him. I try to escape his clutch, but it’s impossible. “You were mine from the first time I saw you at GPAC.”

  For the first time, all eyes fall on us. Dylan is about to be famous, but not in a good way.

  “Like hell I was!” I say as a lean back from him.

  “You are so full of shit, Charley! You know you wanted me, everyone does, but I made sure of it! That state championship made you fall hard. You were different, like a new event at a meet that I was going to win, and then I sealed the deal at Trent’s. You fell for it so easily. I slipped that “Z” in your beer without you knowing. You were so naïve and stupid! Going to the bathroom was just classic!”

  People begin to whisper and point, as we are on full display now. Something inside me snaps. I push him back, but he comes at me again. This time I can’t push him off me, and I struggle to stand my ground. I use every ounce of force, but as soon as I’m ready to push away again, a fist comes in contact with his jaw. Cash.

  Punch after punch, blow after blow, Cash continues to take out the past eighteen months of bottled-up emotions on him. Cash continues to hit him over and over. The sounds coming from Dylan’s body are like none I have ever heard. There are cracks, crunches, whimpers, and howls. By the time Cash is finished, Dylan is lying in a fetal position in the dirt, not moving.

  “You listen to me, motherfucker. Char-coal’s not yours. She’s mine.”

  Chapter 1

  Dylan doesn’t move. He just lies there… motionless. Oh God, is he dead? Dustin leaves Tessa and rushes to his side like the brother he should be. My heart begins to race, and I’m terrified of what just happened. As I glance around, I notice everyone’s eyes are focused on us. For a while, Cash stands there like he is glued in one spot and then slowly begins to walk backward from Dylan and toward me. I want to speak, shout from the rooftops to tell everyone to quit staring at me, but nothing… not a damn word escapes my lips.

  “Char-coal, let’s get the hell outta here,” Cash says firmly while looking over to Dustin. Dustin looks up at Cash and nods with assurance that he will try to keep the repercussions to a bare minimum. “Char, did you hear me?” I’m still frozen.

  Before I have time to think, Cash engulfs my body, picking me up in one swift move. As I semi begin to snap out of shock, I see Tessa and the Kluft girls gathering their things and following behind us.

  Once we reach the truck, Cash boosts me into the passenger side before hustling around to the driver’s side. After he closes the door and cranks the truck, I slide as close as possible to him. I look up into his eyes and say the only words that I can mutter, “Thank you, Cash Money.”

  “There’s no need to thank me, Char-coal. He’s had that comin’ for a long time now, but I’m pretty sure this isn’t the end of it.”

  Removing myself from his right side, I glance at him with a questioning look. “What do you mean?” He uses his right hand to put the truck in reverse, but pa
uses as pain flashes across his face. I see that his right hand is beginning to swell and has a knot the size of a golf ball on it. “Ohmygosh! We’ve got to take you to the hospital.” He laughs as he uses his left hand to put the truck in gear. “What’s so funny?” I ask.

  “Do you know what will happen if I go to the hospital? I’m pretty sure that Dylan’s gonna end up there, and it’s not gonna take a genius to put the puzzle pieces together.”

  At that moment, the impact of this entire situation has come to the forefront. I now know that this plan was a mistake, not only for me, but also for everyone I love. There is no way that I am going to be able to fix this, but I’m going to try my best, even if it kills me.

  Chapter 2

  Once we enter town, my phone starts blowing up. The Kluft girls need to know what to do and where to go, Tessa’s an absolute wreck, and Piper and Joe are on our heels. Without thinking, I do the one thing that I should have done a long time ago. “Cash, it’s time.”

  “Time for what?”

  “It’s time to go downtown. I need to talk to the police before they come after you. I can’t let you go down for my mess.”

  “Char-coal, no! Regardless, I’m gonna get in trouble, but you are not putting yourself through this. I don’t want you to have to keep reliving this.”

  “Don’t you get it? I’m always gonna relive this! Until I tell the truth, it’s not going to end. Please, I’m begging you! You’ve protected me for so long; it’s my turn now. Let me be the one to rescue you like you have done for me as long as I can remember.”

  As we get closer to the center of town, I’m positive that Cash is going to keep driving and not stop. “Cash, if you don’t stop now, I’m coming back as soon as you drop me off. It’s better off if we do this together. Remember, Char-coal plus Cash Money equals forever.” I take his swollen hand in mine.

  “Are you sure? Once we do this, there is no turning back, ya know?”

  “I know.”

  “Things will be different, people are going to talk, and your parents will know it all.”

  “It’s time.” With those two words, Cash makes a left-hand turn for the police station. I send Piper, Tessa, and Georgia a brief text. I’m a mess of emotions. Can I really do this? Is this what I want? What will happen to Cash? What are my parents going to think? But as we pull into the station, I’m only one emotion—calm. Just like the eye of a hurricane or the calm before the storm. I know that things are going to be a battle from this moment forward, but it’s one I’m ready to fight until the end.

  He puts the truck in park with his left hand and turns off the ignition. I see Piper and Joe pull into the space beside us. Cash looks at me, and I fall into those eyes of his. No words are spoken at first because I can read his thoughts. We are walking in together, but I doubt we will be walking out the same. Placing my hands on his scruffy cheek, I place my lips slowly on his as the tears stream down my face.

  Knowing time isn’t on our side, we pull ourselves apart. “I love you, Cash Money, and no matter what happens, I’m here. We will come out on top. Now, let’s get this over with.”

  He opens his door and slides out, and I follow right behind him. Piper and Joe are getting out of the car as well. “I think y’all might need to go on to the farm. This is about to be a mess, and I need someone there with Tessa.”

  I hear a strong, yet sweet, voice behind me. “No one needs to check on Tessa because I’m not going home.” I turn around, and we meet each other in the middle. “Char, I wasn’t there when it happened, but I’m sure as hell not gonna let you do this without me.”

  “What about the Kluft girls? Did they just drop you off?” Then, I see them, sitting in the distance near Tori’s Explorer. “Any word from Dustin?”

  “I know they are on their way to Trent’s. I’m pretty sure Dylan doesn’t want to go to the hospital, but I bet he’s gonna have to. Cash whooped his ass, and it’s about damn time!”

  “Yeah, he did, but I gotta take care of this before Dylan gets admitted or Cash could get in big trouble.”

  I turn from Tessa, but do a one-eighty. I pull her in for a hug and tell her thank you before grabbing the hand of the man I love and walking into the police station.

  Chapter 3

  Opening the glass doors to the Grassy Pond police station is kind of surreal. As I walk inside these doors, it feels as if it is a dream. I’m going to wake up from this nightmare, and everything will be how it should have been before Dylan. Once the glass closes behind us and a middle-aged woman with glasses asks how she can help us, I’m brought back to reality. No, this isn’t a dream. I’m awake and in the moment.

  “I need to file a report.”

  Adjusting her glasses, she punches a few keys on the computer. “Name?”

  “Charley Anne Rice.” She pauses and looks at me.

  “As in the Rice farm?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Cash places his hand on my lower back. I glance and smile at him.

  “I went to school with your daddy. What type of report are we looking into filing?”

  “Rape.” She stops mid-type and gives a deer in the headlights look. Undoubtedly, this isn’t something they hear a lot of in Grassy Pond.

  “Miss Rice, are you sure?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” She asks me basic information, and then we sit and wait. The lobby area is cold and musty smelling. After what feels like an eternity, an officer appears from behind a wooden door.

  “Miss Rice, this way, please.”

  Cash and I stand. Hand in hand, we make our way to the officer. He takes us back to his office and offers me a seat. Taking a deep breath, I explain everything that occurred eighteen months ago. Cash’s hand never leaves mine, and the officer listens while taking notes.

  Once I finish reliving my real life nightmare, the officer folds his hands and places them on his desk.

  “Miss Rice, you understand that once this charge is filed, there is no going back. I’m not sure exactly what will come of this, due to the time frame and his word against yours, but you need to be prepared. This town isn’t going to take lightly to these types of accusations, especially against Dylan Sloan. I’ve seen him swim, and he’s got a fan club in this town.

  “Yes, sir. I know I should have come forward a long time ago, but who’s gonna believe ‘Mr. Can’t-Do-Anything-Wrong’ raped me? Cash tried to get me to, but I wouldn’t. The rape was awful, but his control and presence is the real problem. I just want him to leave me and everyone else alone.”

  “I understand. I haven’t been in your situation, but the allegations are serious. Once I submit this report, things might get ugly. I’m not sayin’ you shouldn’t; just be prepared.” Turning, he looks at Cash. “Mr. Montgomery, do you understand that if Dylan Sloan comes to press charges against you, you will have consequences to face?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Officer, I have a question? What if I file my report based off the stalker like conduct? I have evidence.”

  “As in what type of evidence?”

  “Sir, I have a box with photos that he had taken of me, phone records, and Facebook messages. The list is a mile long.”

  “Miss Rice, it is totally up to you, but if you want him to stay away, you need to file a restraining order. We will need the evidence, but I wouldn’t let the other charge go. You never know what the court will decide, and you just might save another girl's life. As for you, Mr. Montgomery, I need a statement from you about tonight’s events.”

  Cash gives his statement to the officer, and once he is finished, we are dismissed except for bringing the evidence back to the station as soon as possible.

  As we walk out into the lobby, Piper, Tessa, and Joe stand. About that time, the receptionist informs the officer that charges are planning to be filed from the Grassy Pond Medical Center. We all look at each other and realize this is about to get dirty.

  “Cash, let’s get that box now.”

  “You got it.”

  As we wal
k back to the truck, the Kluft girls are waiting. I tell them to follow us to the farm, but we have a lot to do in a short amount of time. I snuggle up to Cash as close as possible. I have no idea what is about to happen, but I know that it is going to involve the devil in human form, my knight in an F250, my parents, my friends, and half of this town if I’m not careful.

  As if Cash is reading my mind, he kisses the top of my head. “It’s gonna be fine, Char-coal. I promise.”

  “I know, but it’s what we have to get through until the ‘fine’ part that I’m worried about.”

  We remain quiet for the remainder of the ride to the farm. Once we turn onto the gravel road, I know I have to make a decision—talk to my parents, get the box of evidence, or act like this didn’t happen.

  Cash puts the truck in park. “You ready?” I nod.

  “Cash Money, I love you more than life itself.” I crash my lips into his because it could be our last kiss for an extremely long time.

  Cash pulls away from me. “Don’t do this, Char-coal. This isn’t the end; it’s the beginning. Remember, we’re in this forever. Now, let’s go get that box!”

  As I open the door, I’m greeted by the Kluft girls, Joe, Piper, and Tessa.

  “Hey, y’all. We’ve gotta get something from the club. I need y’all to keep my parents occupied until we get back. Then, I got some explainin’ to do.”

  “I’ve got ya covered, Sis,” Tessa says, but not before Hayden puts in her two cents.

  “Tessa, we’ve got this! We’ve got Mama and Papa Rice under control. Let’s just say we can get her talking, and she’s not gonna stop. Your dad will be stuck listening.”

  We have a quick group hug; the girls walk toward the house while Tessa, Piper, and Joe follow us to the club. We make our way to the barn before grabbing a shovel and getting on the Gator, and then we put the pedal to the metal.

  Once we get to the club, Cash turns off the Gator, but leaves on the lights. He takes my hand in his while I grab the shovel.

  “Um, we’ll just wait here,” Tessa informs us.