Tommy…

Tommy grabbed the socks off the shelf almost roughly as he sighed when he saw a laughing Jude and Mason head toward him from across the store--the watermelon wobbling in the metal encasing as Tommy sighed. He was never going to look at a watermelon the same way again. You just had to love one of those all-in-one stores where one stop gets you everything you need. Jude smirked as Tommy threw the new pack of socks into the buggy. Mason just looked confused.

"Running a little low in the feet coverage department?" Jude asked sweetly as Tommy laughed bitterly. Oh, she was one hell of a player. One friggin' hell of a player.

"Let me see. Considering the fact you rummaged through my drawers to steal my socks for your own feet before one--ruining a pair by ripping a hole in the toe, two—by ruining yet another pair by stretching them for use as a jewelry bag, three—ruining another pair by spilling dye on them, then I'd say, yeah I think its time I bought me a new pack." Tommy commented dryly as Mason snorted.

"Hey it's not my fault you keep your house so damn cold, Quincy." Jude replied stoically as Tommy advanced on her from the other side of the buggy—completely and utterly intending to put her in her place until a very disturbing sight caught his eye. Tom cringed. Oh no no no no no! Not now. Please not now.

"Well, if it isn't Little Tommy Q!" A woman exclaimed excitedly as Tommy braced himself for the fierce hug that followed. It was like a barraging bull ramming its horns into his gut. Jude and Mason just stared at the beautiful lady with keen and even suspicious interest as she backed away from the man and looked him over inquisitively. Tom sighed.

"It's been a long time, Ally." Tommy remarked carefully as his ex girlfriend Alexia just stared at him silently—grinning as she took in his defensive stance.

"Well, I never thought I'd see the day that Tom Quincy would step into a store by himself for any reason other than a drink. Not going soft are you, stud?" Ally asked as Tommy smiled tightly. Soft his ass.

"Soft is a really bad description to use there, Ally." Tom retorted with a frown as Ally grunted. What was it about this town and his exes? He somehow didn't remember having dated so many girls here, but then again just like he had told Jude in their emails, he really didn't remember most of the women he dated. Ally cocked her head to the side.

"I heard about the Bar-B-Q. We're all looking forward to it, Tom. As a matter of fact, we wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm so glad to see you home." Ally gushed as she took in Jude's and Mason's presence for the first time—glancing at them curiously before nodding slightly. Jude smiled. Oh God! Why was Jude smiling?

"Hi, I'm Jude Harrison." Jude remarked pleasantly as she lifted up her hand and offered it to Ally—smirking as Ally finally took it and shook it reluctantly.

"As a matter of fact, it's nice to meet one of Tom's female friends. I don't guess you'd care to help me out with a small dilemma would you?" Jude asked as Tommy narrowed his eyes. What the hell was she up to now? Ally just nodded at Jude carefully.

"Umm…sure..why not?" Alley muttered as Jude leaned over and grabbed a few articles of clothing. Tommy closed his eyes at the sight as he took a deep steadying breath. She wouldn't, she wouldn't, she wouldn't!

"Great! Because guys are just not the source of information for things like this. So tell me, do you like thongs or bikini underwear because I'm kind of leaning toward the thongs if you ask me, but at the same time…." Jude started as Tommy opened his eyes slowly only to find himself cross-eyed at the sudden proximity of the undergarments to his face. She would. Of course, she would. Ally just stood there dumbfounded as Mason said something about preferring the thongs himself. This was not happening. It was some twisted dream, right?

"Acually, I think I…uh…I need to be going?" Ally remarked softly as Jude shrugged.

"Oh well, nice to meet you though. You should try the pastries at the bakery up front. It'll give you a totally orgasmic experience." Jude proclaimed as Tommy coughed. She had not just said that! Tom clenched his fists together. Jude…..!

"Foreplay, I tell you." Mason whispered as he brushed by the two of them toward the front of the store. Jude squinted her eyes at the reteating Ally.

"She seems tense. Maybe I should introduce her to my two best friends Ben and Jerry. And in dire circumstances, there is always my buddy Haagen-Daas and Creamsicle as well." Jude remarked as Tommy grabbed her by the front of the shirt and dragged her towards the store's entrance. He was not going to survive this night.