Page 83 of Miss Me Not

"Hey, don't knock it until you try it," he said, climbing out of the vehicle.

"Mud, bugs and rowdy boys, no thanks," I said, reluctantly climbing from the vehicle.

Dean came around the side of the jeep and grabbed my hand. "So, I thought, I um, should give you the heads-up. My family members are huggers," Dean admitted as the throng of people on the front yard all turned at our approach.

"What?" I hissed under my breath. Surely, I'd heard him wrong. He had the nerve to bring me? Me, who hates to be touched, to a get-together with a bunch of touchers? I was going to kill him, and when I did, I would make it excruciatingly painful, so he could feel my pain. Fire ants and honey would definitely be used.

Dean's too late "I'm an asshole" warning proved to be accurate as I was immediately enveloped in a hug by an elderly woman who claimed I was the spitting image of her late sister who had passed away many years ago. My arms remained at my side as I was passed from one set of arms to the next. I willed my mind to remain numb as I focused on keeping my breathing normal. I sure as hell didn't want to further embarrass myself by passing out like I had the day Dean had touched me for the first time.

Yep, I was definitely going to kill him, I thought to myself as the hugs and greetings continued to come at me from all sides. I was in hell.

"Okay, I think Madison has been mauled enough," Dean said when a guy roughly our age stepped in to give me a second hug. "Nice try, asswipe," I heard Dean mutter to him under his breath before punching him in the arm.

"What?" the multiple offender said with mock innocence.

"Don't be a douche, Travis. I saw you give Madison a hug twenty relatives ago," Dean said, tapping Travis in the arm again to emphasize his point.

"Hey, it was worth a shot, especially since you seemed so keen on sharing her," Travis said, darting out of the way as Dean stalked him, calling him several names.

I stood rooted in the spot where Dean had left me, silently cursing him out for leaving me behind. Forget the fire ants. A pond full of alligators was a much more fitting death for him.

"Madison, I'm so glad you made it," Sarah said, coming up beside me.

I was momentarily confused until I realized she didn't mean "made it through the hug assembly line," but "made it for the holiday."

"Thanks for inviting me," I said, finally looking up. I was relieved to see I was no longer the center of attention as everyone resumed their previous conversations. Dean gave up on chasing his cousin around the yard and was headed back my way.

"We're all pleased you're here. Holidays are a special time," she said, sliding her arm across my shoulders and giving me a one-armed hug before walking away.

"Hey," Dean said, stopping in front of me.

"Hey yourself, Jock Prick," I said, still pissed.

"I'm sorry," he said sheepishly.

"For which part? Conveniently forgetting to tell me that your family is like an episode of some kid's show with their need to hug everyone in sight, or sorry you left me standing here like an idiot so you could play tag with your cousin?"

"All of the above," he said, stepping closer. "I really am sorry. I just wanted you to come today."

"No more surprises. Got me, Sport-o?" I finally consented.

"No more surprises," he promised. "Now come meet my cousins and sister," he added, grabbing my hand in his.

His cousins were on the far side of the house, roughhousing with a football in hand. Several girls were standing off to the side talking when we approached.

"Madison, this is my sister Trish," Dean said, stopping in front of the small group.

"Madison, it's a pleasure to meet you," a tall brunette that I recognized from the family tree wall said, stepping away from the group to give me my millionth hug of the day. I tried not to focus on how drop-dead gorgeous she was, and how intimidated I suddenly felt being in the presence of people my own age. Could they tell I didn't belong here? Surely, it vibrated off of me like some sonic signal.

"I feel like I've known you for years as much as D has talked about you," Trish joked, releasing me.

"Same here," I said truthfully. It had become clear after the first few days of being Dean's friend, that he shared a close relationship with his sister. Even with her away at college, he still made sure that he talked or texted her at least once a day.

"Great, Dean has a girlfriend. Can we move on so we can play some ball?" one of his cousins said snidely.

I studied him for a moment. For some reason, maybe it was his shorter, slimmer appearance, he reminded me of Perry Pervert. He just looked like a slimy weasel.

"Keep your shirt on, Pete," Dean said, shooting the guy a glare.

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