Date: February
7th 2017
Designer: Letitia Hasser, Romantic Book Affairs
Models: Sarah Beth Newkirk and Cody Lawhorn
Teaser credit: The Indie Author’s Apprentice
so hard that it leaves an indelible mark, like a scar on your heart. For me,
that crush is my first love, Carver Edwards. I met him at fifteen at summer
camp, and for three perfect summers, he was mine.
summer sun faded and reality crashed in. Carver went off to college, leaving me
trapped in my small farming town, with no way of reaching him and a problem I
needed solving.
focused on the past four years has been playing, school, getting drafted in the
NBA, and steering clear of relationships. I didn’t want them. I had nothing to
give another girl. I’d given it already. So, I built my rep as a player, and
honed my natural ability to charm the pants off girls. It’s what I did. Who I
was. Who I am.
emergency room, under the care of Logan Shaw – my first love. Of all the people
I could run into, why did it have to be her? Not only did my face get split
wide open, but so did the locks that held the pain I’d attempted to bury for so
many years.
consequences of our actions – even if it could destroy us. We must uncover the
truths that have kept us shackled from moving forward. That could possibly set
us free.
the towel a little tighter between my boobs and step out of the bathroom,
quietly tiptoeing around the corner to see what’s going on.
eyes land on a very familiar pair of latte-colored irises. Holy shit. Carver is standing
in my living room, whooping it up with my roommate. And he’s an hour early for
our date. What kind of parallel-universe is this?
my attire, I step into view and clear my throat to gain their attention.
and his eyes slowly rake over me with a look that I can only describe as
unfiltered desire. My knees may even wobble a bit. My stomach does an
Olympian-sized flip.
lust-filled eyes peruse me from head to toe is unnerving. But makes me feel
insanely good. The way he makes me feel is better than chocolate-caramel ice
cream. Better than a hot bubble bath on a cold, dreary Seattle night. Just
better than anything else I know.
dimple that makes an appearance as the corner of his mouth tips up into a
smirk.
hard knocks.
if I’m a bit reluctant about Kincaid Griffin – born-with-a-silver-spoon in his
mouth, conceited college hoops player. A guy who could get any girl he wants,
and yet, is suddenly everywhere I am trying to woo me. The more I protest, the
more persistent he becomes.
chase girls – they come to me. I’m as arrogant and cocky as they come, getting
nearly everything I want, whenever I want. But there is nothing sweeter than a
girl who plays hard to get. And Ainsley Locker is so full of confidence that
she knocks me off my feet from the moment I meet her. She’s a challenge. And I
like challenges. So I go full-court press to win her over.
viral, slam dunking all over my life in a media frenzy, my spot on the team may
be in jeopardy, along with my shot at winning the girl.
of my athletic older brother and my charismatic twin sister. And that’s okay by
me. I don’t mind being known as the shy wallflower. The gawky geek. The sweet,
virginal girl. Well, that’s one label I’ve been trying to shed since starting
my freshman year in college this year. The thing is, no one’s ever looked twice
at me.
seems to like what he sees. He understands and listens to me. He’s become a
great friend. The problem is, I don’t want him as a friend.
state line between us, and oh yeah, Van’s long-time girlfriend – are just a few
complications getting in the way of what I want.
college would be the best time of my life. I’m a starter on a Pac-12 basketball
team, set to graduate with a degree in Finance. I have a girlfriend whom I’d
planned to start a future with. I thought my life was already mapped out.
with a confession I never expected to hear, from the girl I thought I knew.
there to break my fall. She’s the best thing this year has given me. She’s
helped me through a devastating blow that could have sent me reeling.
sure I can give it. Now that I’ve been burned, I don’t think I can go there
again. Kylah’s not a hook-up, and she’s definitely not a rebound. She’s a sweet
girl who deserves more than to be friend-zoned.
so complicated.
has found her creative passion in writing about the fictional characters that
live in her brain, who are constantly shouting for their own love stories to be
told.
indulges in what some might consider to be an unhealthy dose of reading, dark
chocolate candy, and way too much coffee. She hates cold weather, and
frequently finds herself traveling around the country to see her favorite live
musicians in concert.
Pacific Northwest with her husband of twenty years and her long-haired, German
Shepherd. She is currently working on her next book.
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