Kristin Coley - Finding Ford

Finding Ford

By

Kristin Coley

This one is for the dreamers. Never stop.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

FINDING FORD

First edition: March 6, 2016

Copyright 2016 Kristin Coley

Written by Kristin Coley

1 - Ford

W hoever was knocking was persistent. Id give them that. I glanced at the alarm clock and saw it was 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday. I groaned and threw back the sheet. They were obviously not going away. I looked down at my boxers, as I scratched my chest. This was decent enough for whoeverd decided to wake me up this early on a Saturday.

I threw open the door and immediately regretted my choice not to grab a shirt.

Hannah, what are you doing here? Wheres Colt? I asked, vaguely alarmed. I really wasnt expecting to see my younger brothers girlfriend on my doorstep. Maybe a dumb salesman, or someone trying to convert my religion, but not Hannah.

Ford, hey, sorry its so early, Hannah said nervously. Is that a new tattoo? I like it. Can I come in? How have you been? The last time I was here was right before school started. She was definitely nervous. The rambling and incessant questions were a dead giveaway.

Sure, come on in. I opened the door wider, gesturing her in. Im gonna go put on some clothes. Make yourself at home. She headed to the island in the kitchen and hopped on a barstool. I noticed she hadnt told me why she was here, or where Colt was. I knew Hannah pretty well, but she was always with Colt when I saw her. Something was going on, for her to show up unexpectedly at my place without him. I pulled on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts and headed back to the kitchen. She was still sitting where I left her, looking extremely uncomfortable.

Want to tell me whats going on? I asked her, straightforwardly. She looked up at me, a wry smile on her face.

Youre always to the point. I respect that, she replied, taking a deep breath. I noticed her boobs and looked away. Shes sixteen and your little brothers girl , I told myself. It might be second nature to look, but no need to be a lecher.

Is this about Colt? Is he okay? Something happen I dont know about? I prodded, getting a little anxious. I was sure someone would have called me if something had happened to Colt, but now I was wondering.

Hannah seemed to realize my apprehension and rushed to assure me. Colts fine. Nothings wrong with him. In fact, hes on cloud nine, with graduation and everything.

Colt had been offered a full ride with the University of Alabama to play football. Hed been breaking records his entire life, throwing a football. No one had ever doubted hed play college ball, and I was pretty sure hed make it to the pros, if he didnt get hurt. We were planning a big family dinner tomorrow night to celebrate his high school graduation.

Its his dream come true. Youll be there tomorrow to celebrate, right? I asked her, thinking maybe she and Colt were having relationship issues.

Yeah, Ill be there, Hannah replied, looking at her hands.

I was trying to figure out what the issue was. Hannah was looking forlorn, but she was telling me that Colt was okay, and it sounded like she was coming tomorrow, so I wasnt sure what was going on. I grabbed juice from the fridge and poured us each a glass. I nudged the glass towards Hannah and leaned back against the counter to wait. She took a sip then set the glass down and looked straight at me. Im pregnant.

Holy shit.

I was not expecting that. I knew my brother, and wed had the safe sex talk, multiple times. I also knew Hannah wasnt the type to cheat on my brother. Hell, she wasnt going to fool around and take chances either. She had a solid head on her shoulders.

How? Besides the actual how. I do know how, but Ive taught him to wrap it up, I exclaimed, running my hands through my hair.

Yeah, we were always safe. I dont know if a condom broke, or slipped, or what, Hannah answered in a small voice. She reached for the glass of juice and downed it. Any chance you have food? Im starving, and I havent had breakfast, she asked, calmer now that shed told me. I was in a daze.

Eggs okay? I asked, going to the fridge by rote and pulling them out, along with cheese and onions. Ill make her an omelet, thats a good breakfast for a pregnant woman, right?

Yes, she replied, and I jerked my head up, thinking Id said the pregnant woman part out loud. She looked at me, and I realized she was answering the egg question. As I made the omelet, I remembered the first time I met Hannah.

Dude! Im dating the hottest girl ever, Colt exclaimed, catching me the minute I walked in the door for dinner. Id moved into my own apartment when I started my sophomore year, so I wasnt around as much.

Oh, youre old enough to date? When did that happen? I joked with him. I was four years older than Colt, but sometimes it seemed like a bigger gap. Id always been the books guy, and Colt was the football player. Dad intended for me to get my law degree and join his firm. That left Colt free to follow his dream of becoming a professional football player. It seemed like a ridiculous dream, but Colt had the talent to do it.

I dodged, as he went to punch me in the shoulder. I'm old enough to date! In fact, youre going to meet her tonight at dinner, Colt told me, with a smirk. And dont think you can steal her, college guy.

Pretty sure shes jailbait, bro. But Im ready to meet the hottest girl ever, cause I only get to hang with college girls now, I replied, dryly. I could only imagine what my baby brothers idea of the hottest girl ever was: Short, tight skirt and cleavage; probably bleach blond hair; and a giggler, no doubt.

Have Mom and Dad met her yet? I asked, concerned. I wanted to enjoy dinner, not get in the middle of a fight over my brothers girlfriend.

Oh yeah, they met her at church last week, Colt told me. I was instantly relieved. She couldnt be that bad. Colt continued, Shes the preachers daughter.

Aw, hell. Yes, she could be that bad.

I headed to the kitchen to say hello to Mom. She was pulling a casserole out of the oven when I walked in. I grabbed her in a hug from behind, as she set the dish down, her curly hair tickling my nose. She laughed and leaned back for a second, as I growled, Guess who?