Covering the Carolinas Read Online Free PDF Page B

together than it was
already.
    “ Girls, you ready?” Daddy asks. They
nod.
    “ Y’all be careful and call me when you get
there.”
    “ I’m gonna miss you, Mar,” Carleigh says as
she and Tinleigh give me one more group hug as we all start to
cry.
    “ No more tears, girls! Y’all live my
dream.”
    “ We love you, sis.”
    “ I love you both! Now go before Daddy yells
for you again.” Gunner and I walk to the porch and wave as they
leave Gaffney behind to start their new adventure without me. Never
in my life have I been separated from my sisters. This is going to
different for each of us.
    “ Come on, Gunner, let’s go play with your
blocks.” As he coos, I know I’ve made the right
decision.
    GUNNISON
    Arriving onto campus I can’t help but scan the
crowds for her. I know that even if she did decide to attend CCU
there’s no way I’ll see her at a dorm. She’d be at their house in
Garden City. Maybe I need to take a ride
by there for old times sake. Then I shake it from my
brain because I know I need to let her go.
    After getting the key to my dorm, I grab a few
things and begin to make my way up. It sucks that I had to come
alone, but there’s no way my parents could leave the farm this
week. There are several prospects coming to check out two of our
best horses. My parents can’t afford to lose that money.
    Entering my door room, I’m met by my roommate, Wade,
who I’ve only spoken briefly with online. He’s on the team as well,
and we’re both eager for our first team meeting. After unpacking,
we decide to go shoot some hoops. We talk and continue to shoot
around as several upper classman come in and introduce themselves.
I recognize several of them from my recruiting trip. We decide to
scrimmage and when it’s over they tell us all about the girls and
the parties. I can already see that living the life of a college
athlete is going to have its perks.
    MARLEIGH
    Checking my watch, I know they have to be getting
close to CCU. It’s driving me crazy. Gunner and I have played
trucks, attempted to fish in the creek, ridden the Gator, and are
now watching Nick Jr. I look down at him sleeping in my arms. I
love to watch that precious little boy sleep. He looks just like a
little angel. As I begin to hear my phone ring, I hurry to grab it
in hopes of keeping him from waking.
    “ Hello,” I say quietly.
    “ Hey, Mar, we made it. We’re just about to
unload the cars at the house. I think Mama and Daddy are going to
stay the night and head back tomorrow early. I think they are
worried about y’all.”
    “ Why? I’m a responsible adult,” I snap and
notice Gunner starting to stir. “I mean I’m responsible with Gunner
at least.”
    “ That’s not what I mean. Never mind. I’ll call
you later. I just wanted you to know we’re here.”
    Carefully, I move from the couch and put him to bed.
Laying him in the crib, he moves toward his night-night. As he
holds his night-night close and snuggles in his crib, I look at
him. I swear every time that little boy makes a move, he steals a
piece of my heart. He’s the one thing I’ve done right in my life,
even if it wasn’t at the right time.

Chapter 8
    December 2012
    GUNNISON
    As the music begins to echo through the gym,
we are welcomed to the court for warmups. Before each game I try
not to scan the crowd for the Anderson sisters, but each week I
continue to fail. I’ve seen them several times and each time, she’s
not with them. If they are here tonight, I’m making it my goal to
find out where Marleigh is once and for all. Just as that thought
enters my mind I see Summer, the hot and sexy cheerleader that
continues to show up at exactly the right time. Whenever Marleigh
comes to mind Summer shows up and whisks my thoughts away. She
certainly has made college a hell of a lot more fun and helped me
forget Marleigh, if only for short periods of time. I have to talk
to Tinleigh or Carleigh to figure out where the hell Marleigh is,
why she’s