“Well, no.” Holden’s face turned red. “I didn’t mean to stereotype or say that was all that exists. I’m sure everyone doesn’t love Nascar and every guy isn’t into pickup trucks.”

“Rhett loves pickup trucks.” I grinned and punched Rhett in the shoulder. “And stop picking on Holden. He’s going to think we’re unfriendly.”

“No offense about pickup trucks.” Holden made a small face and Rhett rolled his eyes at me. I knew exactly what he was thinking, just from his expression. He thought Holden was an idiot. He thought Holden was a wimp and everything he disliked about guys from the North. Holden unknowingly was proving Rhett’s thoughts about how Northerners thought about Southerners and I knew that Rhett was going to let me know exactly what he thought as soon as Holden left.

“No offense taken.” Rhett muttered. “I don’t say nothing about you damn—”

“Rhett, why don’t you go and watch TV in the bedroom.” I glared at him to shut him up before he said something we’d both regret.

“I’ll go and call Tomas. You know he’s coming up tomorrow.” Rhett reminded me and then looked at Holden. “And yes, Tomas is a Hispanic fellow and there’s no need to be shocked. We are allowed to have friends of other races now.”

“Rhett.” I growled at him and he laughed as he sauntered to the bedroom. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay.” Holden looked a bit unsure of himself. “I hope I didn’t offend him.”

“Don’t worry; it takes a lot to offend Rhett. He was just joking with you.” I smiled at him, trying to let him know that everything was cool. “The truth is there are many older folks that do wish that we were back in the 30s and 40s, but me and Rhett, we’re not plantation kids. Well, I’m not at least. I don’t come from old money and I don’t come from a family that thought those days were better.”

“I didn’t mean to insinuate that you guys were—”

“Ooh insinuate, such a big word. I guess he’s a Harvard guy.” Rhett mumbled out loud so both of us could hear. I knew he was doing it to make Holden uncomfortable and I shook my head.

“Excuse me please.” I walked to the bedroom and closed the door behind me. “Stop it, you’re being rude.”

“Who me?” Rhett looked at me with wide eyes. “I didn’t mean to be.”

“Yes, you did.”

“I didn’t.” He gave me a small smile and I sighed.

“You’re insufferable Rhett. You know I need to study.”

“You’re always studying.” He sat on the bed. “I hope you will be able to hang out with Tomas and me tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” I bit my lower lip and tried not to sigh. I knew he wasn’t going to like my answer.

“Yes, tomorrow.” His eyes narrowed.

“Well, Holden and I are meeting up again tomorrow to finish our project.”

“But you’re meeting now?” He looked upset.

“We’re starting it today and finishing it tomorrow.”

“What?” He sighed and lay back on the bed. “Fine.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”

“Yeah you will.” He rolled over and winked at me. “You’ll make it up to me alright, for about an hour and thirty minutes as soon as he’s gone.”

“Rhett.” I could feel my face growing warm as he licked his lips and winked at me. There was something so special about our connection. All he had to do was look at me in a certain way and I felt my body warming up.

“That’s my name.” He grinned. “I’ll have you screaming it out by the end of the night.”

Chapter Three

Rhett

“Dude, let’s go to a strip-club.” Tomas grinned as he walked out of the bathroom, his hair slicked back and wet.

“I can’t go to a strip-club.” I shook my head and laughed. Tomas was one of those guys that would never change.

“Don’t tell me, Clementine’s taken your balls and cut them off.” Tomas raised an eyebrow at me and looked around the living room.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Dude, you’ve always been down to go to see some big ol’ titties bouncing in your face, why can’t you go now?”

“You know why not.” I frowned, as I started to feel irritated at Tomas, and he’d only just arrived.

“Because you have a girlfriend.” He said in a singsong voice. “Where is she anyway?” He plopped down on the couch. “This living room looks like a hot mess. Doesn’t Clemmie like to tidy up?”

“Dude, I have spoken to her about the living room.” I could feel my face heating up.

“And she still hasn’t done anything.” He pulled a bra out from the chair he was sitting on and threw it at me. “Here you go. Maybe I’ll find your panties as well.”

“You’re a dick.” I grabbed her bra and sighed. “She’s at some study session with some prick from Harvaarrd.”

“Nah, I’m just a guy with a dick.” He paused and looked at me. “I think yours is gone.”

“So she cut my balls and took my dick?”

“Didn’t she?” He raised an eyebrow and then laughed. “Dude, come on, let’s go and have some fun. We haven’t done shit since I’ve been here.”