by Jordan Ford
My poor boyfriend is so nervous. I can tell by the way he’s refusing to look down at the crowd. His hand is making and releasing a fist as he walks across the stage and accepts his diploma.
As he moves his tassel across his hat, I let out a loud whoop and pump my fist in the air.
It makes him glance my way, and I give him the biggest and best smile I can.
The audience behind me is making a lot of noise and I know it’s the Hales, Nick, and my family that are cheering the loudest.
Vincent did it.
He’s worked his ass off this year and he’s getting out of Armitage to start his life anew…with me.
Senior year has just been one miracle after another. Vincent’s brother got out of jail, Dad helped him score a job, and then found them a little apartment only ten minutes from school. My parents have been completely won over by my boyfriend and just quietly, I think Vincent’s become Dad’s favorite. It’s a huge triumph and yet another reason why I’m so proud of my man.
He’s shown the world who he is this year and they’re finally starting to see what I see.
His smile and wink make my heart somersault as he saunters down the steps and finds his seat. As soon as this ceremony is over, I’m stealing him away and showing him just how I feel with a kiss that will curl his toes.
And that’s exactly what I do.
“Come on.” I walk past him, capturing his wrist and pulling him around the side of the gym while my family is busy chatting with the Hales.
Rahn is locked in a flirt-a-thon with Roman Sanchez. It’s kind of adorable. I didn’t even know they liked each other, or maybe today is just the start of something new. She can’t stop giggling around him, and his shy smile is the sweetest thing.
I glance over my shoulder, watching Rahn cover her mouth as she laughs at something Roman said. Austin glances at Cairo and rolls his eyes while Max and her boyfriend start laughing.
“You okay?” Vincent places his hands on my hips the second we stop walking.
I push him back against the building and grin at him. “I’m more than okay.”
Lacing my arms around his neck, I rise on my tiptoes and press my mouth against his. Our kiss is slow and languid, filling me up from my toes to the top of my head.
He softly moans against me, curling his fingers into my robe and tugging me as close as he can.
I grin against him, gently sucking his bottom lip before pulling away and whispering, “I’m so incredibly proud of you.”
He loves it when I say that to him. I can tell by the way his eyes sparkle. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Yes, you could—”
“No.” He shakes his head. “You believed in me, and I don’t think I could have done it without that. I love you.”
My heart turns to putty every time those words leave his mouth. I lean into another kiss and he cups the back of my head, deepening our moment to something hot and searing. A promise of things to come.
We still haven’t slept together. Vincent has flat-out refused, not because he doesn’t want to, but because he won’t disrespect my dad.
“The guy has done way too much to help my family. I’m not sleeping with you yet, Chloe. It’ll gut him if he finds out.”
“It’s not his decision,” I argued.
“I know, but please, you know he thinks you’re too young to lose it, and seriously, what’s the rush? We’re going to be together forever, right?”
Those words matched with that grin always win me over and so I remain a virgin…for now.
VINCENT
I ease out of the kiss, brushing my lips across Chloe’s nose before smiling at her. “We should probably get back before they notice we’re gone.”
“We probably should.” She wrinkles her nose.
“Hey.” Resting my fingers on her cheek, I whisper with a smile, “We’ve got the whole summer ahead of us, baby.”
Aw man, I can’t wait to tell her about the camping trip I’ve got planned. We’re heading to Utah straight after the Summer Rock Festival. Thanks to Holden’s help, the six of us are going for ten days of camping and hiking around these national parks that Chloe’s always wanted to see.
She’s going to love it.
I still haven’t decided when I’m going to tell her. I was thinking I might take her out one night this week. We’ll go for a romantic drive somewhere, maybe have a picnic, and then I’ll gently mention it to her while we make out under the stars.
My insides stir with desire.
Chloe’s eyes narrow as she studies my face. “What?”
“What?” I blink, going for innocent.
“What are you thinking right now?”
That I’m totally busted.
I can’t help a grin. “Nothing.”
“Liar.” She gently pokes me in the stomach.
I capture her hand and start to laugh. “Don’t make me tell you here. It’s a surprise.”
“What are you up to, Vincent Mancini?”
I clear my throat, still cringing when she uses my last name. I’d seriously love to change it but Chloe told me that’s dumb. It’s just a name, and it’s up to me to change what people think about that name.
“Don’t let those assholes make you feel ashamed. Just live the kind of life that makes people revere the Mancini name.”
And I swear, I’m really trying to do that.
“Hey!” Chief Barlow appears around the corner. “We’ve been looking for you two. Now, stop kissing my daughter and come pose for some photos.”
He points at me, then flicks his hand to beckon us out of hiding.
I rest my hand on Chloe’s lower back, gently pushing her forward.
“So, when are you going to tell me?” She bobs on her toes and grins up at me.
“How about I take you out for a date this week, and I’ll tell you then.”
She tips her head back with a groan. “Don’t make me wait!”
I laugh and shake my head. She’s seriously too cute.
Rounding the corner, we’re met with a mixture of cheers and wolf whistles. I can’t help blushing as I’m teased for pulling my girl away to make out.
But she pulled me away, something I will always love about her. I never have to doubt her feelings for me.
“All right, let’s get some photos!” Mrs. Barlow claps her hands and starts organizing us. She hired a professional photographer to snap some pics of our big day.
I actually hate having my photo taken, but I do as I’m told and huddle up with my family that’s grown from just Nick and me into this beast that now includes a little Mancini, Carter and Hale, mixed with a whole heap of Barlow.
It’s the perfect combination, if you ask me, and I’ll happily stay connected with these people for the rest of my life.
“Okay, just a few more!” The photographer raises his hand to grab our attention.
Threading my arm around Chloe’s waist, I pull her back against my stomach and softly whisper in her ear, “Cairo, Holden and I are taking the Barlow sisters camping in Utah after the Summer Rock Festival.”
At first there’s a gasp, followed by a pause, and then Chloe lets out an excited squeal. “I love you, Vincent Mancini!”
Everyone glances our way, then starts laughing.
I hope the photographer’s finger is planted for this moment, because I’m pretty sure there will be some golden images captured on screen. I want to frame them and hang them on my wall so I never, ever forget how blessed I am, and how much my life has changed.
Thank you so much for reading Foul Play. I really hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to support my work, please leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon. This validates the book and helps me reach new readers. Thanks for your support.
Jordan hasn’t announced her next project yet, but something is brewing for 2018.
Keep an eye on her website for more information: www.jordanfordbooks.com
Note from the Author
There’s s
omething very special about Chloe and Vincent’s story. From book one, my readers wanted to see them together. And that was always the plan. Chloe’s a sweet flower. Vincent’s a dark knight.
But they work so well together.
They balance each other, and watching them fall in love was so special and precious.
I flew through this book. My fingers were desperate to write this story, to finally unfold the big mystery. I love the combination of danger and sweetness in this book. The brutality Vincent faced at home was tempered by the tenderness he found in Chloe’s arms.
In the prom scene, Chloe talks about how sometimes the best things can come from the worst. I’ve experienced this firsthand in my own life. Sometimes we have to go through the lowest points we’ll ever face before discovering something amazing. I don’t know why life works that way; maybe it’s so we’ll appreciate the good stuff when it comes along.
Thank you for reading this trilogy. I appreciate you and I’m so very grateful for your support. Writing is a huge privilege that I will never take for granted. It’s my dream come true, and I wouldn’t be able to do it without you. So thanks :)
And I’d like to thank a few more people too…
Cassie, Rae, Lenore, Beth, Kristin and my eagle-eye proofreaders. You make these books publishable! I also need to give Kristin an extra special mention for all the baseball help and guidance she gave me when I was mapping out this trilogy.
My assistant Rachael—what would I do without you? Thank you so much for being amazing!
My husband—thank you for being my perfect match.
The Holy Spirit—you fill my heart to overflowing. With you, I am never alone.
xx
Jordan
Books by Jordan Ford
THE BIG PLAY NOVELS
The Playmaker
The Red Zone
The Handoff
Shoot The Gap
THE BROTHERHOOD TRILOGY
See No Evil
Speak No Evil
Hear No Evil
FAIRYTALE TWISTS NOVELS
Paper Cranes
THE BARLOW SISTERS TRILOGY
Curveball
Strike Out
Foul Play
Jordan hasn’t announced her next project yet, but something is brewing for 2018.
Keep an eye on her website for more information: www.jordanfordbooks.com
About the Author
Jordan Ford is a New Zealand author who has spent her life traveling with her family, attending international schools, and growing up in a variety of cultures. Although it was sometimes hard shifting between schools and lifestyles, she doesn’t regret it for a moment. Her experiences have enriched her life and given her amazing insights into the human race.
She believes that everyone has a back story…and that story is fundamental in how people cope and react to life around them. Telling stories that are filled with heartfelt emotion and realistic characters is an absolute passion of Jordan’s. Since her earliest memories, she has been making up tales to entertain herself. It wasn’t until she reached her teen years that she first considered writing one. A computer failure and lost files put a major glitch in her journey, and it took until she graduated university with a teaching degree before she took up the dream once more. Since then, she hasn’t been able to stop.
“Writing high school romances brings me the greatest joy. My heart bubbles, my insides zing, and I am at my happiest when immersed in a great scene with characters who have become real to me.”
Connect with the Author
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Barlow Sisters Trilogy on Pinterest