Covering the Carolinas Read Online Free Page B

and
shopping until I drop, but this year, I have what looks like a
basketball in my belly. Basketball. Kind
of ironic. I have to say I’ve felt pretty good being
pregnant and if you only see me from behind, you’d never know I was
pregnant until I turned around. My sisters and I place the packages
in the spare room and we make our way to the living
room.
    “ Daddy, that tree is huge!” I say.
    “ Just like you,” Tinleigh snickers. When no
one is looking I flip her off.
    “ No one would even know I was pregnant if they
were waiting in line behind me at the store and you know
it!”
    “ You do have a point. I can’t wait for him to
get here. We’re going to spoil him like crazy! All those cute
little sailor outfits and fancy boy clothes.”
    “ You will not! This boy will not be dressed up
like a doll! He’s going to like to play in the dirt and play
sports.” That thought makes me smile yet
hurts because I know he’s going to be just like his
daddy.
    “ Girls, stop your bickering and decorate this
tree now. I’ve got to get the lights on the porch.”
    With that, we turn on Christmas music and begin to
decorate. We take our time decorating and then drink hot chocolate
on the front porch and talk to Daddy while he finishes up.
    We each take a rocking chair and talk about our
favorite Christmas memories. When Carleigh starts to talk about how
different next Christmas will be with a little one running around,
I can’t help but smile thinking about Santa Claus and what it will
be like for my son’s first Christmas. Daddy listens quietly.
    “ Marleigh, I really think you need to tell
that boy. He deserves to know. If it was me, I’d want to know,” he
says as he plugs in the last set of lights.
    “ No. I’ve made my decision. He needs to live
his life.”
    “ And, so do you, baby girl,” Dad says when I
stand and start to go inside. As the screen door shuts, I hear Dad
say something to my sisters about me being so stubborn. Funny thing
is, I’m just like him.
    GUNNISON
    It’s been four months since Marleigh shattered our
future plans with a phone call. Each day I wake up thinking of her
and at night, I fall asleep picturing her in my arms. Mikey and
Diesel have tried their best to help me forget her by taking me out
and trying to set me up with their girlfriends’ friends but no
matter what they do, I still can’t get her out of my mind. I’ve got
to get over her, and now is the time. There’s a party Thanksgiving
Eve at the Taproom and I plan on pushing her memories away one girl
at a time.
    Mikey and Diesel pick me up at eight and we grab a
bite to eat at the closest fast food window before we make our way
to the Taproom. As we enter the bar, I notice they’ve made a
make-shift dance floor, and several girls are sizing us up on the
other side of it. Mikey and Diesel look my way, and we all know
tonight is the perfect night for me to move on.
    As “5 O’clock” by T-Pain begins to pump
through the speakers, a tall blonde makes her way toward me. Blonde, just like Marleigh. She
takes me by the hand, introduces herself as Laura, and pulls me to
the dance floor. As the song continues to play, she grinds harder
and harder on me and I put the memory of Marleigh and me in the
back of my mind. Here’s a chance for a fresh start and I’m going to
take it.
    By the end of the night, I have Laura’s number and a
date next Saturday.

Chapter 5
    January 21, 2012
    MARLEIGH
    Oh my gosh! I’m miserable and feel like I’m the size
of Texas! Thank goodness little man is supposed to make his way
here no later than Monday. I plan on relaxing today, before I meet
the only boy who matters in my life.
    Taking my kindle, I lie on the couch and read
the newest young adult release by Tiffany King. Tinleigh and
Carleigh have gone out for a run, Mama’s gone to the grocery store
and Daddy’s working outside. Just as I’m getting into the story, I
feel my stomach cramp. What in the
world? I don’t pay much attention