Emerge
Page 28
I feel like I’m being gutted with a dull knife. I did a lot of things wrong, things I’m ashamed of, but I never gave my heart to another. My heart always waited for her and I took for granted that hers would do the same. With the last shred of strength and dignity I have left, I rip the shiny envelope from my back pocket. “Merry Christmas, princess,” I muster, shoving it into her hand.
In it, my transfer slip. I walked away from UGA and a full scholarship to sit the bench for a year of ineligibility at Southern…to be with her. I can’t change it now. I’ve been released; I’m as good as at Southern. When she opens it, will she come back to me? If she does, will it be for the right reasons? Would I ever know for sure?
“Evan, I—” her voice calls and then fades.
I don’t turn back to look. I’ll never know if she tried to come after me, Dane pulling her back, or she just let me keep walking. I don’t know if she’s crying or sighing in relief.
Sawyer falls into step beside me and throws his arm over my shoulder. “You a drinker?”
“Not really,” I mumble.
“Wanna be?”
“Fuck yes.”
“Thought so,” he chuckles, banging his hand on the hood. “Get in, bro, I’ll find ya a cure.”
I doubt it.
Acknowledgements
To my wonderful husband who brings me snacks while I’m typing away, cleans around me, surprises me with cool pens and notebooks and makes it possible for me to be exactly who I am—I adore you Jeff. You are my better three-fourths and I am lucky you continue to pick me.
To those two fabulous little girls wandering around calling me Mom—you guys are just the best! Thank you for seeking me out and demanding my attention, always remembering to kiss me goodnight. You guys are the greatest thing I’ve ever done and gotten exactly right! I hope in all my distracted absence lately that I’ve at least shown you to go for what you want…go for it full force and be grateful for those still waiting around for you when you reach the end.
To my CP, Angela—anyone who doesn’t believe in kindred spirits has yet to find their CP! This book wouldn’t be what it is, or even finished, with you. Thank you so much for all the calls, jam sessions, ideas and brutally honest feedback. Can’t wait to work our next books together!
All my friends and family, which I dare not name individually in fear of forgetting someone—thank you all so much! So many of you read version after version, ran over and let me read to you, made me copies, gave me pep talks, bought me “writer goodie packs” and accepted me for the bitchy author in the corner with the far off look in her eyes, not really paying attention to a word you’re saying.
Last but not least, thank you to my Lue for the inspiration. Since the minute you took a breath, you saved me and I have been in awe of you ever since. Your beauty, laugh, wit and ability to light up a room never leave me short of amazed. I am so damn proud to be your mom and have to admit; I’d kill to go back and be young again, as you. World wrapped around your little finger—that’s what you have. I never doubt you’ll always bounce back; vibrant, playful and charming…lovely and loved.
Playlist
“Big Green Tractor”—Jason Aldean
“Amazed”—Lonestar
“Ho Hey”—The Lumineers
“End of All Time”—Stars of Track & Field
“The Cave”—Mumford and Sons
“I’ll Be”—Edwin McCain
“9 Crimes”—Damien Rice
“Let’s Get Ready To Rumble”—Jock Jams
“This Year’s Love”—David Gray
“Hero”—Enrique Iglesias
“Flightless Bird”—Iron & Wine
“Collide”—Howie Day
“Talking To The Moon”—Bruno Mars
Look for Book Two, Evan’s story, coming Fall 2013!
Here’s a sneak peek!
Chapter 1
~Evan~
My phone is burning a hole in my pocket. Ninety percent of me wants to respond to Laney’s text she’d sent about an hour ago, but the other ten percent, the shred that still has some dignity, is winning. I am definitely not qualified to write the manual on Plan B, Plan A being plunge head over ass into a year of ineligibility for said girl who is now with another, having blown up in my face. As much as I want an exact explanation, I simply can’t bear to hear it right now.
Sawyer’s a godsend, shoving beers in my hand and attracting every lady in the bar over to our table. He’s doing a better job than anyone else could at distracting me, including the brunette currently perched on my right leg…Manda? Mandy? She’s hot, with long, dark hair, full lips and huge tits that she’s not afraid to let play peek-a-boo. She even smells decent and her hands know no boundaries, but all I can think about is the one who got away; a beautiful blonde with a quick wit, smart mouth and devastating smile.
“Dude, you need another one?” Sawyer’s question drags me from my mental misery, and I’m almost sure he’s asking about another beer, not another girl.
“Sure,” I respond, with no feeling whatsoever. It’s sadly the correct answer no matter what he was asking.
“Want me to get it sugar?” M- whatever asks, with a syrup to her voice I just noticed, and don’t like.
“Two, Amy,” Sawyer directs her and hands her some money.
Amy? Shit, I wasn’t even close. Good thing I hadn’t spoken to her, even once.
“She’s hot bro,” Sawyer raises his brows and motions to Amy with his head, to which I shrug noncommittally. “What is it, you need a blonde? I figured that’d be too much, but I can-“
I hold up a hand, cutting him off. “I appreciate it man, I do,” I stop and take a swig of beer, “but a parade of girls to choose from isn’t gonna help me tonight. I just need to crash, wake up to a new day. You think you can take me to my truck?”
“Nah, but you can bunk with me,” he throws some bills on the table and stands, “let’s go.”
While you’re waiting, be sure to check out
Inevitable by Angela Graham
After experiencing a humiliating breakup, twenty-two-year-old Cassandra Clarke is fresh out of college and living a simple solitary life without any intentions of pursuing love anytime soon.
When the estate next door sells, the last thing Cassandra expects is the unnerving attraction she feels for her sinfully handsome neighbor, Logan West, the young and charming single father with a playboy reputation.
It’s through Oliver, Logan’s four-year-old son, who keeps popping up in her childhood tree house, that she slowly begins to catch glimpses of the compassionate and wounded man Logan has hidden beneath his strong exterior.
Cassandra knows it's wrong and that she's heading for another heartbreak.
Logan will never be able to give her what she wants…love