Hold On to Me

Jace’s hand flew back and smacked John in the stomach pulling him out of his thoughts. “What the hell, bro?”

“I asked you a question.”

“And clearly I didn’t hear you, asshole. What did you ask me?”

“Want to go muddin’ sometime? We haven’t been in a while.”

When had the conversation moved to another topic? “Yeah, sure.” John was still focused on Alyssa. “Have you met the new girl yet, Ford? She actually lives near us.”

“I call dibs!” Ford exclaimed.

John turned his head, bemused. “You call dibs? What are you? Fucking ten? First of all, no one says dibs anymore, dipshit. And second, you haven’t even seen her yet. For all you know, she could be wearing braces, pimply faced, with some nappy looking hair, all skin and bones. And we all know how you like ‘em thick and younger than you. You still gonna call dibs then?”

Jace barked out a laugh at Ford’s expression and John found himself laughing, too. “I can’t help it if I like a little meat on my girls’ bones. More cushion for the pushin’.”

“Oh, my God.”

“Whatever, douche bag.”

John guided his friends toward Alyssa. “There she is.”

“I think I just saw hearts in John’s eyes,” Jace joked. John gave him the middle finger and a friendly smile.

“Well, hey there, sugar,” John drawled, stopping in front of Alyssa.

Alyssa’s head snapped up to see three guys standing in front of her. The blinding sun shined in her eyes and she blocked it with her hand, then looked at each one and finished at John.

“Johnny. Still can’t remember my name, I see.”

“Johnny?” Jace retorted.

“Alyssa,” he drew out her name, ignoring Jace. “This is Ford. You met Jace already the other day …”

“Yup, she ain’t my type, but pretty though,” Ford spoke up. Alyssa’s brows pinched together and her mouth dropped open. Of the three guys in front of her, Ford easily stood the tallest. His physique was quite impressive. He wore one of those ugly muscle shirts that exposed his incredibly defined and toned arms. It had giant holes that looked like he cut out himself.

“I’m glad, because you are not my type either,” she said slowly, enunciating you are not. She hated when people said ain’t.

John snickered. Alyssa was a mouthy little thing. He was feeling her attitude. “So, are you finding your way around?”

“I am.”

“Are you liking South Fork?” Ford asked.

“It’s growing on me. Is your name really Ford, or is that some sort of nickname?”

Ford lowered his eyes. Barely moving his mouth, he responded. “Yes. My name really is Ford.”

“He hates when people ask him that.”

A smile formed on Alyssa’s sweet face. Her heavy black lashes only made her bright blue eyes glimmer in the light.

“We just decided we’re all going muddin’ sometime. Since I know you have no friends yet and I can bet you have no plans, what do you say? Wanna dip your feet in the Georgia mud? Get a little taste of the South?”

Alyssa’s mouth dropped open, utterly shocked. Was he serious? “I told you, but I’ll tell you again since you seem to have a listening problem. I don’t play in the mud. And aren’t you a little old to be going mudding?”

John could barely form words as he stared at her. He just met his match. A chick that wasn’t afraid to hand it to him. That got the blood flowing straight to his dick.

“There isn’t much else to do around here,” Jace jumped in.