by Ali Parker
Christina frowned. "I know. Look, we knew what this was when we started. Let's not ruin it now. Just hold me, while you still can."
Jeremy held her tight, not letting her go until the sun was almost up. Then he snuck back to his own bed where he lay awake until it was time to get up and shower.
She knew that because she was awake too.
Despite her bravado during their conversation, she was just as shattered as he was. Being with Jeremy had been her dream since she was twelve years old. But a pre-teen fantasy could never work in real life, right?
Wasn't it safer to stay the course, embrace her scholarship and college life, and leave childhood dreams in the dust of her past?
Christina got up and shuffled into the kitchen, finding her mother at the stove cooking bacon.
Her mother had graduated high school, the only class she'd gotten an A in being Home Ec. Still, her advice had always been sound, and Christina trusted her more than anyone else in the world.
"Mom," she said, taking a deep breath. "What would you say to me going to school down the road at Texas State?"
Her mother laughed. "It's too early to be playing jokes on me, girl."
"I'm serious," Christina said, taking a piece of bacon off the plate and popping it into her mouth. "What if I stuck around, studied agriculture? Who's gonna take over the farm when you and dad want to retire? If I'm a doctor, I won't have time for baling hay. But I could study many of the same subjects at Texas State, and just apply them differently."
Her mother looked at her, her brown eyes concerned. "Honey, I'm always gonna support you, no matter what your decision is. But you have to be sure you really want this. Your father and I don't want you to feel as if you need to stay home to live out some legacy. You have to do what makes you happy."
Christina came up behind her mother and hugged her. "Thanks, Mom. I think my mind's made up, but don't tell anyone just yet, okay?"
"No problem, sugar. Now go get your cousins up. Breakfast is ready."
CHAPTER TWELVE
Jeremy's attitude could at best be described as cranky, at worst downright mean. "He makes a hornet look cuddly," Willy remarked. Christina managed to avoid him for the majority of the day, his behavior reminding her of the callous boy who'd called her 'Pissy Chrissy."
Look who's pissy now.
Christina watched from the window as he started to take his things out to his truck. She remembered that day, five years ago, when she'd chased him out into the fields, telling him that she wanted to show him something.
He'd followed her around the back of the barn where she showed him the litter of kittens the barn cat had birthed a few days prior.
"They're almost as cute as you," sixteen-year-old Jeremy had said with his charming smile.
"I'm in love with you," she'd blurted out then. She'd just turned thirteen and was unacquainted with tact.
He looked down at her and laughed, and her heart had shattered into a thousand pieces.
Jeremy had ruffled her hair. "Look, Chrissy," he'd said, "you're a good kid and I'm sure you'll be quite a pretty girl someday, but I'm too old for you."
He'd let her down gently, but it hadn't mattered. Her life had been ruined.
She watched him throw his duffle bag into the back of his truck and wondered if she could go through that pain again. But now, it would be a thousand times worse. She'd seen what it would be like to be his girl in truth. How could she give that up?
But if she stayed, would she be living up to her potential? Or would she be sacrificing her future for a dream?
Christina headed out onto the porch, the slam of the screen door making him turn his head to look at her.
So handsome, she thought for the billionth time as she took in his profile and his muscled physique. Stepping out onto the dirt drive, she headed over to his old pickup.
"You got everything?" she asked, not sure what else to say.
"No. I'm missing one thing."
"What?"
"You."
Christina blushed at his words. Jeremy pulled her into his arms and she surrendered, leaning against him for strength.
"I wish like hell you'd reconsider coming to school with me." He rubbed his nose up her neck and placed a kiss against her jaw. "I want you to be my girl. I need to feel your body against mine. Can't you understand?"
She pressed her lips against his, a sweet kiss, a soft goodbye, but he deepened the kiss until she could taste his desperation.
He pulled away, leaving her blood boiling. "I love you Chrissy. I want you to love me too."
Christina was stunned. He loves me? Me?
"I do," she said after a moment, shock making her unsure of her actions. She gave him another kiss, then backed up. "Stay in touch?"
He frowned, but gave her a nod. Climbing into his truck, he buckled up and started it.
"Goodbye, Chrissy," he said, then backed out of the driveway and headed off onto the main road.
"Goodbye," she whispered.
He loves me. Does this change things?
She wasn't certain, but she was sure as hell gonna figure it out.
EPILOGUE
Two weeks later, and Christina was off the farm at last. After filling up on breakfast tacos at Mima's Kitchen, they'd made the drive into San Marcos. And here she was, her parents flanking her on either side, sitting in the stands of the Texas State practice field.
Her eyes were glued to the field, and number 17 in particular. Damn, but those tight maroon pants make his butt look hot. He caught every ball thrown to him, running like the wind down the field.
She could tell the other players respected him. They patted him on the back or locked helmets with him. Christina wondered for a moment whether she should be jealous at all the slaps on his ass.
The coach blew a whistle and the men started heading towards the sidelines. Number 17 grabbed a bottle of water and sprayed it in his mouth, his eyes scanning the field.
He froze, his blue eyes locking on hers. Then he started heading towards the stands with steadfast determination.
"Christina White, you get your fine behind down here," he yelled up at the stands.
Her father turned to her, his eyes wide with surprise, but her mother gave her a little shove on the shoulders. Christina made her way to the bottom of the bleachers and stood beside him.
Jeremy took off his helmet and dropped it, then immediately pulled her close and kissed her hard. She melted into him, realizing what she'd been missing for the two longest weeks of her life.
He nuzzled her neck, growling at her. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I've decided to join you, if you'll still have me."
He stared at her, his blue eyes confused. "You're coming to Texas State."
Christina nodded. "I'm going to study agricultural science."
Jeremy let out a loud whoop and picked her up, spinning her in a circle. He stopped, setting her down but not letting her go. "Why the change of heart?"
Christina shrugged. "I decided that I belonged on the farm. That it made me happy, and that I didn't have to run off to the big city to prove myself. I would be more fulfilled staying here, taking over the farm and raising a family of my own."
"Is that the only reason?" he asked, rubbing his nose against hers.
"Well, that and the fact that I love you."
Jeremy smiled, cupping her cheeks in his hands and giving her a deep, passionate kiss. "I love you too, Chrissy. Ever since you were that gangly thirteen year old who professed her undying love for me. I knew you were too young, but in the back of my mind I always wondered how you'd turn out. And whether you'd still want me when you were old enough to know better."
"I'm old enough now," she said, "but I can't say I know any better."
Jeremy chuckled, then suddenly swept her up into his arms and started walking.
"Where are we going?" she asked as he carried her along.
"To my truck. Then to my house for a shower. You're in luck. I
need someone to wash my back."
He set her down in his truck, then walked around to climb in the other door beside her.
She leaned over him, rubbing her hand against his arousal, already hardening in his tight football pants.
"Are you accepting volunteers?" she asked, her voice dripping innocence.
Jeremy growled, pulling her to him for another scorching kiss. Then he settled her back in the seat, snapping the seatbelt into place.
"I think I'll take the long way home," he said, settling her hand back into his lap. "Now that we have all the time in the world."
The End
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About the Author
Ali Parker is a full-time contemporary and new adult romance writer with more than a hundred and twenty books behind her. She loves coffee, watching a great movie and hanging out with her hubs. By hanging out, she means making out. Hanging out is for those little creepy elves at Christmas. No tight green stockings for her.
She’s an entrepreneur at heart and loves coming up with more ideas than any one person should be allowed to access. She lives in Texas with her hubs and three kiddos and looks forward to traveling the world in a few years. Writing under eleven pen names keeps her busy and allows her to explore all genres and types of writing.
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Copyright © 2018 by Ali Parker
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
The novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and plot are all either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons – living or dead – is purely coincidental.
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