How many hours are you talking about? It is only 2 hours to Wilmington! I'm sure some of the ops there do a single tank afternoon dive, but even better would be an offshore two tank dive. People speak highly of Aquatic Safaris there.
I don't do freshwater...but here is the quarry most folks go to in the area. It is northeast of Raleigh.
Fantasy Lake Scuba Park
As for dive shops to rent equipment, Diver Down may be the closest for you, it is close to the Raleigh/Apex border. Gypsy divers is to the east side of Raleigh, but if you are going to the coast or to the quarry it would not be too far out of your way.