No Going Back (32 page)
Authors: Erika Ashby
As soon as I’m able to break away from the cage, I push through the crowd without even going back to the locker area to clean up. I’m scared that if I wait too long Holden will book it before I’m able to meet his friend. He knows how I am and what I’m known for. That’s why I’m shocked as hell that he even brought her with him. People are trying to stop me left and right, but I’m a dick and ignore them. I see them looking around scanning which direction they should use to leave.
“Holden!” I yell. He’s looking around trying to figure out if he really did hear his name. “Holden, over here man.” He turns around and tries to cover up the worried look that is plastered on his face. Bastard. He meant to get out of here without seeing me; without me seeing her is more like it. Now I’m even more intrigued.
“Oh hey Jake. You were awesome tonight. As usual.” He gives me an unenthused smile.
“Thanks man.” I pat his shoulder. “Who’s your friend?” I turn to look at his lady friend who is curiously watching us. Just because I’m a cocky man whore, doesn’t mean I think every chick is interested in me. Now with that being said, I’m not fucking blind either. The way she is looking at me, I can tell she is interested. She doesn’t offer up her name or her hand. She’s waiting for Holden to introduce her. The one thing I’m not used to is shy females. The ones that hoover around me are everything but shy.
“Jesika…Jake. Jake…Jesika,” she smiles at me as my cousin hesitantly introduces us. This girl is fucking hot. The fact that she isn’t flaunting it around makes her even more appealing. “Jake is my cousin,” he shoots me a warning glare.
“Calm down Holden.” I clasp his shoulder before returning my focus back to his friend…one I hope to become really good friends with. “It’s nice to meet you Jesika.” I extend my hand for her to shake; which she quickly does and then quickly pulls it back and wipes it on her pants. I can’t help but laugh.
“Fuck, I’m sorry. Guess I should have at least wiped my hands off first, but I was kind of in a hurry to catch you guys before you left.” She looks up at me questiongly. “You see, Holden here never brings anyone to these fights with him. Nev-er,” I drag it out. “I had to know what was so special about you, that after two years of coming to these fights, he finally brings someone.”
She’s nervous now — twiddling her thumbs and looking everywhere else but at me waiting for Holden to explain his reason just like I am.
“Jes is my best friend and I thought she’d enjoy watching guys beating the shit out of each other.”
“Huh, well, I hope you weren’t disappointed seeing as I didn’t get my ass beat.” She finally looks back up at me.
“Not at all. It was actually really fun to watch. I can’t even imagine what the rush of being in there feels like.” Holy shit. The excitement I saw earlier was legit. She really enjoyed being here. It wasn’t about meeting guys like it is for most of the chicks that show up here.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I need to go change, but make sure Holden brings you back next week.” She nods her head. “I mean it. I better see your pretty face here with him — cheering me on of course.” I give her a wink which causes her to blush and look away. Damn this girl is already getting under my skin. The fact that she is so different from anything I’ve ever known, makes me want to know her. I’ve never wanted to get to know any female before. Well, besides their anatomy that is.
“Bye Jes. See ya next week.” She smiles. I turn to Holden before walking off, “Later cuz.” She will be mine. I don’t even think she has a choice.
Acknowledgements
First and foremost I would like to say no judging my editor for errors that will undoubtedly be in this section. I told her I didn’t want my acknowledgements edited because I want to let my Ebonics shine. Now with that being said, I’m not sure how many people even read these to begin with because I know I’m guilty of not always checking it out. I could never have finished NGB and shared it with the world if it wasn’t for so many incredible ladies and everyone who has supported and pushed my rear along the way. This has been such an incredible experience because of all the friends I’ve made along the way. It’s like a whole new world. A place you can go and talk about all your favorite characters as if they exist and form bonds with people you hope to one day meet, is such an awesome thing. Today marks the year anniversary of when I fell in love with reading; the day my world was forever changed. I felt like it would be very meaningful to release my debut novel on the day my world was rocked; since I would have never wrote this book if I would have never unlocked my hidden passion.
If you would have told me a year ago that I would write a book and self-publish it, I would have busted out laughing in your face. Like falling on the floor, unable to control myself, can’t catch my breath, laughing….because Lesbihonest, the idea of writing has always made me cringe. I don’t claim to be an author, but since I’m in the business or writing stories, and business is a booming (sorry had to bust out with my own revised Inglorious Bastards quote) I’m given that job title. And believe me I will do my darndest to bring glory to that title. The truth of the matter is that I’m just a simple chic who fell in love with reading at the age of 29 and before that I had claimed to have hated it (horrific, I know). Five months after reading my first full book ever, yes The Hunger Games is where it all started for me, and becoming obsessed with Indie Authors and all their books, I decided that writing a book maybe wouldn’t be such a crazy idea. Not that it wasn’t difficult, time consuming, or frustrating but a story came to me and I just had to see where it could go. Because honestly it’s true that sometimes the book just writes itself and characters just take over without your consent. I had thought authors were Looney when they’d say “oh let’s see where my characters take me today” I would always think “ahh to wherever you want them to, DUH”….. So not true. There are times you have no fricking control of what goes on and you’re just like “huh, that was totally unexpected, but it works perfectly.” Needless to say, this has been a mind-blowing, amazing experience that I will cherish forever and it wouldn’t have come to fruition without the love and support from some amazing ladies along the way.
~Nacole Stayton-Where do I even begin? We’ve just now known each other for a year, yet it seems like I’ve known you for forever. We had a mutual love for books that instantly kindled our twitter relationship. I’m so thankful that you stalked all the amazing indie authors just like me so we were able to run into each other, and then become such good friends. We made a crazy pack to each attempt to write a book. At first the idea seemed so easy and attainable. Then as time passed by and words slowly made their way on to the screen, the idea started to seem like a fantasy, a nice idea but out of reach for us. But we kept pushing each other and encouraging each other along the way. We instantly felt connected to the others characters and had an unbreakable bond that made us want to finish this journey. What we now both see as a continuous journey. I’m so thankful that I had you to start this adventure with and that I will always have you beside me the whole way, and at the end if or when the ride ends. Because that’s exactly what it will be, a ride full of tons of up’s and a hand full of down’s along the way. But the fact that we will always have each other through it, makes if for one hell of a ride. Love yah hun! Thanks for always being there for me no matter what. You are my rock through this whole journey!
~Ena Burnett- I’m so glad we became friends. It’s the nutJuice that binds us…hehe. Thanks for loving my characters and taking on my blog tour even though I changed it all last minute. You are honestly one of the sweetest people ever. I know Seth says that “spitters aren’t quiters,” but Grumpy Cat disagrees.
~Kristen Teaff- thanks for being such an awesome friend and listening to all my crazy ideas and offering me some of your own. I’m so glad we became friends… I love our chats.
~Emily Lamphear-Mitchell- you’ve had my back since MoFo and I love you for it. I know I will always be able to count on you for the most awesome insight. You help my stories become what they are. You’re ideas hold so much value. I appreciate you for being you and being my friend.
~Dawn Martens- thank for always been a straight shooter and not beating around the bush with what you think. You’ve always shot the shit straight and I respect you so much for it. I will always value your opinion just because I know it will always the most honest to God truth of what you really think. Congrats on all the awesomeNess that’s coming to you in your own author world. You deserve it girl!
~Brandelyn Harris- you told me that you had a slight author crush on me and I think I might have a slight blogger crush on you. I seriously love you to pieces. I’m so glad we’ve become friends. You’re an amazing person!
~Lori Duda, Stacie Page-Ramay, and Heidi Goodwin-Small…you gals are awesome friends. I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know you guys and share my stories with y’all. Thanks for being so kind and just taking such an interest in my stories. I <3 y’all long time!
~Michelle Ponce Mazuros- your advice was phenomenal. You helped make NGB so much better. I cannot say in words how thankful I am for your kind words, encouragement and just insight on so much stuff. I will forever be grateful for you.
~Melanie Dawn- I just love your face and all your sweet advice. I know I can always count on you to answer any question I may have or just to reply if I’m wanting to chat. You’re a very sweet gal and I’m glad to call you my friend.
~Elaine Breson- Our late night chats are awesome. I love getting to share crazy new lines that come to me as I’m writing. I also like getting to read some of your stuff too. I seriously can’t wait to meet your pretty face in Vegas.
~Kristin LeFort- Thank you for your awesome piercing experience so I knew how to write it out. You gave me the perfect insight that I needed to capture “the moment.” And thanks for the awesome piercer chick Lacy to use as inspiration for the character “Lacy.” Haha yes, I used her name too.
~I’ve made so many new friends through this process and have even lost some along the way. It sucks, but this is a journey that is filled with many dips and turns. I love everyone that has come into my life and even the ones no longer a part of it. Someone *cough* Kimi Flores told me once that each person who comes into your life has a purpose, even if it’s not to stay a permanent fixture. I fully agree with that, because I know that everyone who has been a part of this journey has made some sort of impact on me. Indie Chixx- I love you girls something fierce.
I know I’m going to miss so many people, and I hate that. So many people have been a part of this amazing journey with me that I’d love to put on blast. I want to give a special thanks to my personal friends/family for the support and encouragement along the way. Abby Gregory, Bobbi-Jo Owens, (and again, I’m sure I’m missing someone), thank you guys so much for having my back the whole way. Not once did you tell me I was stupid or that my book was dumb. Your interest and support helped push me to finish this, so thank you. Jaimi MacMomma-you’re brilliant. You always have the most amazing advice and I love you for sharing it so willingly!
I’d also like to give a special thanks to all the other indie authors who have paved the road to self-publishing now being an acceptable way to show our stories. I know I bow down to all of you who have pushed past the boundaries that have constricted the depth of people your amazing stories were allowed to touch. I honestly wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all you awesome indie authors. You have proven that hard work does pay off and to never give up on your dreams. So thank you!
Okay last but not least, I want to give made props to all the bloggers out there. I’m sure the indie world might survive without all of y’all, but it wouldn’t very well. You guys are amazing, and make it go round. You do so much for us, and sometimes (okay, maybe lots of times) aren’t appreciated enough as you should be. I’m so thankful for your mad skills of being so passionate about all authors in general and wanting to share your passion for others. I love you all.
Seriously, if I forgot anyone, please don’t hate me.
A big flipping thank you to Michelle Valentine for allowing my boys to go on tour with Noel and the boys from Black Falcon. Girl, everyone has been ecstatic once they’ve seen that. Anyone who hasn’t read it yet, you really need to read her Black Falcon Series.
~Rock The Heart, Rock The Band, and Rock My Bed. Don’t forget to check out her book Demon At My Door as well. This woman has some mad skill.
Huge thanks to my editor at KMS Freelance Editing. Thanks for being so patient with me, and being so invested in my characters and stories. Thanks for helping me out as I wrote NGB. Your advice was awesome and I’m glad you got to see how the whole story evolved and still manage to love it
in the end
. Also, thanks to JT Formatting. You are amazing and are always so helpful. I appreciate you guys so much!!
Last but not least, I want to thank Toski and Sommer. You guys have blown my mind with your mad cover skills. Thank you guys so much for just being you. You gals are the most kindest, sweetest ladies ever and I’m so glad I’ve had the privilege of meeting and working with you guys on all my re-covers and covers to come. And special thanks to the couple on the cover — Troy and Melissa Stiller.
About the Author
Being born an "Army Brat", Erika Ashby has been residing in Oklahoma the last 10 years finally putting an end to the nomad tendencies she had grown accustomed to. She's a happily married woman who has 5 kids between her and her husband. She has an insane passion for music and embraces her Inner Groupie any chance she has. It wasn't until the age of 29 that she realized she also had a hidden passion for reading; before then she claimed to have hated it. Six months after unlocking that deep desire she never knew she held, she turned the key to another chapter of her life which has become the desire to write. And the rest is still history in the making.
