by Laura Pavlov
“We’ve been given the tools to achieve our greatest dreams. And as you look around this room today, it is evident that we have the support of our friends and families as they’ve all gathered here to celebrate us. So, in finality, I’d like to close with the words that rang out at our kindergarten graduation ceremony when Principal Douglas sent us on to first grade.” More laughter.
“In the words of Dr. Seuss: ‘Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.’ Thank you.”
Applause filled the space around me, and I made my way back to my seat for a few final words before we all moved our tassels at the same time. Everyone cheered and the room was chaotic. Jett found his way to me and tugged me against him.
“Damn good, Ace.” His mouth covered mine, and I tangled my fingers in his hair.
“You killed it, girl,” Coco said, as she moved beside me, and I reluctantly pulled away from Jett.
“Thanks. I’m relieved it’s over.”
Maura, Gigi, and Ivy hurried over, and we all hugged, as Jett talked with Shaw and Jax. Ty walked over and wrapped his arms around Ivy’s middle with Alec right behind him in his wheelchair. Karina stood beside him as they made their way to me. Her gaze locked with mine and she smiled. It wasn’t a full-blown happy-to-see-you smile, but it was progress.
“Just wanted to tell you that your speech kicked ass, Addy,” Alec said, and everyone remained quiet around us.
“Thank you. I’m glad you’re here today.” I nodded.
“Yep. I think it’s the first step toward getting my shit together.”
“Well, it’s about time,” Coco snarled, and everyone laughed, including Alec and Karina.
“All right, we’ll talk soon. I need to go find my parents,” he said.
I waved as they turned to leave, and Gigi’s brother Cade and his best friend Gray walked over. “You did it, G-money,” Gray shouted and picked her up off the ground and spun her around before putting her down. Everyone burst out in laughter.
Except for Gigi.
She scowled and adjusted her gown as her cheeks pinked. “Can I not have one day without the ridiculous name?”
“He just likes giving you shit,” Cade said, pulling his sister in for a hug. “Proud of you.”
“Thanks.”
“I can’t believe we’re all going to be at the same school. Think of all the fun we’ll have,” Gray said, looking from Jett and me to Gigi. Cade turned to talk to Shaw and Jax about football, but Gray never took his gaze from Gigi.
“Yeah. Lucky me,” she said, trying to hide her smile. We all found her hatred for Gray hilarious.
“I think you picked TU because you knew I was there.” He winked at her.
Jett and Coco were talking, but I kept glancing over at Gigi and her nemesis because they were very entertaining.
“Of course, you’d think that, you pompous ass.”
“You sure seem to bring my ass up a lot, G,” he said, running a hand through his longer in the front, shorter in the back hair.
“Bite me, Gray,” she hissed. I’d never seen Gigi so tough with anyone but Gray. He brought something out in her that was definitely out of character.
“If only.” He smirked before leaning over and rumpling the top of her head with his hand before walking away.
“I can’t stand that guy sometimes,” she huffed when her gaze locked with mine and I laughed even though I wasn’t sure if what she said was true.
Coco turned to face us as Maura and Ivy walked over. “We did it, girls.”
“We sure did,” I said, as Jett came up behind me and reached for my hand.
“Are you guys ready to head to my house?” I asked as we all made our way out of the auditorium.
My parents were having a graduation party for all of us.
“Let’s do it,” Maura said. “I’m going to ride with my parents, I’ll meet you there.”
Gigi left with her brother and Gray, and I heard Gray teasing her as they walked away. Coco said she’d drive over with Shaw, and we told Jett’s mom and Gram we’d meet them at my house.
We walked toward my family and they went on and on about my speech. Clem said I was paving the way for women everywhere.
“Really proud of you,” Mama said before she pulled me in for a hug.
“Thank you. Are you ready to head home?” I asked, knowing we had people on the way.
“Are you going to ride with your family? Should I meet you over there?” Jett asked.
“Don’t be silly. You know she wants to ride over with you.” Mama smiled at him before reaching for my cap and gown and slinging it over her arm.
My eyes bulged out because I was in a dress, and I figured she’d have a fit if I wanted to ride on the back of Jett’s bike.
“She’s right. Looks like I’m going with you,” I said before hugging my parents and Clem goodbye.
“I was hoping you would. I’ve been dying to get you all to myself for hours.” Jett led me to his bike and I hiked my dress up a bit and dropped down to sit.
“Oh yeah?” I asked with a chuckle. “Why’s that?”
“I mean, we have the bracelets and all.” He leaned down and his lips grazed mine.
“And don’t forget I gave you half of my sandwich back in the day.”
“Damn straight,” he said as he nipped at my bottom lip. “Love you, Ace.”
“Love you the most,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck and urging him closer.
His mouth came over mine and I was lost in the moment.
Everything had come together.
And I couldn’t wait to see where the future took us.
Thank you for reading Frayed, book 1 in the Willow Springs Series. I hope you enjoyed your journey with Jett and Addy! Please consider leaving a review on Amazon/Goodreads!! They help authors SO MUCH!!
Do you want to read the next book in the Willow Springs Series?! PRE-ORDER GRAY AND GIGI’S STORY, TANGLED, HERE: https://amzn.to/2NHCCu7
Acknowledgements
Greg, Chase & Hannah, YOU are the reason that I work hard every day!! I love you more than I love winning Backy-G, Rocky, Unicorn Donuts and Bernedoodles!! Thank you for always being my biggest cheerleaders!
Pathi, Abi, Annette, Natalie, Doo, Lara and Caroline, thank you for being the BEST beta readers EVER! Your feedback means the world to me. I live for your comments and suggestions!! I would be lost without you!
Thank you, Sarah Hansen (Okay Creations) for working your magic once again! I think this is my favorite cover yet!!
Sue Grimshaw (Edits by Sue), Thank you for your encouragement, your guidance and your support. I honestly don’t know what I would do without you. Thank you for always going the extra mile for me. Your feedback is always spot-on, and I am so incredibly thankful for you! I appreciate you more than you know!!
Tamara Cribley (The Deliberate Page), so thankful to get to work with you again. I love all of the little details that you add to the formatting and appreciate your patience and support so much!! Thank you, my friend!
Sarah Ferguson (Social Butterfly PR), I appreciate you more than you know!! I am looking forward to many more releases together!! Thank you for all of your support and encouragement!!
Danah Logan, Thank you for the beautiful graphics and for bringing this story to life with the teasers!!!
Dad, you really are the reason that I keep chasing my dreams!! Thank you for teaching me to never give up. Love you!
Mom, thank you for your love and support. So excited that you loved Jett & Addy as much as I did!! Love you!
Sandy, thank you for reading and supporting me throughout this journey. Love you!
Lisa, Julie, Eric, Jen and Jim, I am very thankful to have such supportive and encouraging siblings in my life. Love you!
Pathi, I am so thankful for you! You are the reason I
even started this journey. Thank you for believing in me!! Thank you for ALWAYS supporting me! Your friendship means the world to me! Love you!
Natalie (Head in the Clouds, Nose in a Book), Thank you for all that you do for mel! I cannot even put into words how much I love and appreciate you!!
Nicole, Our snaps give me life and keep me sane! I am so thankful that we get to talk in ridiculous filters every day! I love you!
Willow & Catherine, I would be lost without the LOVE-CHAIN! Thank you for giving me the push that I need every day and cheering me on. So thankful for you both!! Love you so much!
Sammi Sylvis, Thanks for making me laugh and helping me stay sane through these releases! Glad we have one another to lean on!!
Adriana Locke and Marni Mann, I cannot tell you what your support means to me!! Thank you so much for encouraging me and being huge inspirations at the same time!! I am so grateful to have found you both!! Very proud to call you my friends!!
Megan Stillwell, Thank you so much for working with me to come up with adorable merchandise for this series!! So incredibly thankful for you!!
To all the bloggers and bookstagrammers who have posted, shared and supported me—I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to me. I love seeing the graphics that you make, and the gorgeous posts that you share. I am forever grateful for your support!
A HUGE thank you to every reader who chose to read my words!! I am honored that you took a chance on my book, and I hope that you enjoyed your time with Addy and Jett and will come back for more!!
Other Books by Laura Pavlov:
A Love You More Rock Star Romance
More Jade (Book 1): https://amzn.to/2YEpys8
More Of You (Book 2): https://amzn.to/2ZdOiGG
More Of Us (Book 3): https://amzn.to/2YKZQlX
Montgomery Brothers Series
Legacy (Montgomery Brothers, Book 1): https://amzn.to/3cai05D
Peacekeeper (Montgomery Brothers, Book 2): https://amzn.to/2VqQfhl
Rebel (Montgomery Brothers, Book 3): https://amzn.to/3t6VP8k
The Shine Design Series
Beautifully Damaged (Shine Design, Book 1): https://amzn.to/2Vr6uvu
Beautifully Flawed (Shine Design, Book 2): https://amzn.to/2FHr0mP
COMING IN 2021…
A Willow Springs Small Town Romance
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Tangled: https://bit.ly/3lEojS8
Charmed: https://bit.ly/33TFwB1
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Claimed: https://bit.ly/37xviY1
The G.D. Taylors Series with Willow Aster
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Wanted Wed or Alive: http://bit.ly/3dFQkIn
The Bold and the Bullheaded: http://bit.ly/3kisUu5
Another Motherfaker: http://bit.ly/3dHcfyS
Don’t Cry over Spilled MILF: http://bit.ly/3aPfjHu
Friends with Benefactors: http://bit.ly/3bw53mC
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