Kelly: Summers of Love: A Why Choose Contemporary Romance (Seasons of Love Book 2)

by Pepper Paris

  “Nah, but I’ll tell you all about it once we get you settled in.”

  Without using her key, she opened the door to her room without even knocking.

  Sarah barely looked up from her computer. “Hey, Rox. I see your admirer found you. Make sure he wipes his feet and wags his tail before coming in.”

  “Hi to you too.” Roxie placed her stuff on the bed. “Kelly’s going to help bring the groceries up, and then we’re going out to get a coffee if you want to join us.”

  I bit back a groan. I didn’t want to share her with her roommate right now. I’d been keeping this secret for weeks and wanted to tell someone. I needed feedback on if I was completely crazy.

  Sarah glanced up before bursting into giggles. “I can’t take you away from the puppy. He needs you for a while by himself. I’ll meet you both for dinner, but I plan to grill you and find out if you’re good enough for her.”

  Roxie placed a hand on my arm. “Relax. If Carter could make it through her questions, then you should be fine.”

  “Carter has a way with words, and I just blush a lot,” I whispered.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t eat you whole tonight because I got my fill over the break. But just be warned. I’m pretty protective of this girl.” Sarah’s serious gaze made me want to hide.

  “So am I,” I declared. “I won’t let anything or anybody hurt her. Do your worst.”

  Sarah cocked her head to the side. “I don’t know, Rox, he might make it. It’s going to take a lot of work to get him to fend for himself.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ve got it.” She grinned over at me. “Now, let’s get my stuff before things get crazy out there.”

  Outside, I followed Roxie, shaking off my jitters at having to stand up for myself. I knew that Sarah had been teasing, but I wasn’t used to standing up to people. I’d always done what I was told, which was why going against my parents was so difficult.

  The wind had picked up as we hurried to the car, making sure to grab everything so we didn’t have to make more than one trip.

  We dropped everything off without disturbing Sarah again, then we walked arm in arm to the café a few buildings over.

  “Two hot chocolates, please.” I pulled out my debit card, trying not to wince as I realized that I was going to have to spend less money or get a job soon.

  “I’ll have them to you in a second.” The cashier swiped my card and handed it back to me.

  Roxie was already sitting at a table as I collected the two cups.

  “So, I need the whole story from you, mister. And not just what you think I want to hear.” She had pulled off her gloves and laced her fingers through mine encouragingly.

  “I hated it.”

  “It? Do you mean football or school?” she prompted.

  “Both. The campus was so big, and I was on third string. Even if I had gotten to play, it would mean that one of the others had been hurt. It’s nothing like high school. All you do is think about football. Even when you’re in class, they want you to learn more plays instead of studying, but you’re so tired from trying to do your best against the guys on your team so that the coach will notice you.” I sighed. “I hate that kind of competition. It’s different out on the field where you’re trying to beat guys you don’t eat and workout with.”

  “I’m sorry, babe. You’ve always loved it so much.”

  “I still love it. I just don’t want to work that hard for a dream that isn’t going to come true. Only those who are talented and work hard will make it to the NFL. I’ve worked hard and thought I was talented enough until I saw some of those guys play. We would run across a guy or two that was just amazing in high school, but Roxie, this is a team that’s stacked with these kinds of guys. Besides, my priorities kind of changed after this first season.” I glanced at her, my nervousness returning again.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You.” I spoke the word softly. “You’re what changed. I thought you were unattainable, but then you were there and you wanted us. I don’t want to be around a bunch of sweaty guys in padded tights for the next three years and no career when I get out. I want to focus on something with meaning. Plus, I want the girl.” I grinned at her, becoming more confident when she didn’t laugh at me.

  “Aw, Kelly. I’m not worth giving up your dreams for. I promise.”

  “I’m not giving up anything, just changing my priorities. I think I can be a better coach if I learn while I’m at school instead of practicing so much that I can hardly think at night, much less get good grades.”

  “So you still want to be part of the football world as a coach, just not on the professional level?”

  “I enjoy the atmosphere, but not that level of cut-throat competition. It’s always been the direction that my parents steered me in, and I’ve come to realize that it’s not the career path I would have chosen.”

  “What do your parents think of this switch?”

  “Um, they don’t know yet.” I gulped nervously.

  “Oh, Kelly. How are you going to pay for school? You’re planning on telling, right?”

  I shrugged. “Eventually, when they figure it out. There’s no point in dealing with that issue until I have to, right?”

  Roxie frowned. “Kelly, you know things like that always tend to backfire. Why wouldn’t they want you to follow your own dreams?”

  I scoffed. “You’ve met my parents. They’ve always had this plan for me. I don’t have a choice because they’re paying for it. Although, I did find a workaround, and my mom accepted it…for the moment.”

  “What did you do, Kelly?”

  “Oh, I just told her that I’d take care of dropping off my tuition money. I mean, I am old enough to handle doing those kinds of things now.”

  “She’s going to be so pissed when the grades come home from a different school,” Roxie pointed out, rubbing my hand with her soft fingers.

  “Not if she thinks they’re all online only.” I grinned. “But what do you think of me doing all this? Are you mad I didn’t tell you?”

  She brightened. “Of course I’m not mad. I was just wondering how I was going to make it through the year without having Carter or one of you close. Now I don’t have to wonder.”

  “Your roommate mentioned that you were taking care of your mom and aunt before you came back. How did that go?” I decided to change the subject.

  Now it was her turn to shift nervously. “Well, Carter had been helping me with them, but over the break I stayed at his house. He didn’t want me to move back into Mom’s house.”

  Tears silently made their way down her cheeks.

  “Rox, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” I scooted my chair closer and put my arm around her, pulling her into my chest.

  “It’s not you. I just feel so guilty leaving them there to fend for themselves while I’m here at school.” She attempted to wipe at the tears still falling.

  “Hey, now. You can’t feel guilty. You’ve done everything you can to help take care of them. I know you had their meds delivered, and even do the shopping online so all they have to do is pick it up. That doesn’t sound like a person who has any reason to be so hard on themselves.”

  She pulled back to look at me. “I forget that they’re still at home. I get so busy here at school and with work, it’s a whole day or two before I remember that they might need something and check on them.”

  “Oh, Mouse. You don’t ever have to worry that you aren’t thinking about them. They aren’t your priority. You’ve given to them for most of your childhood and they’ve taken everything, including most of what should have been things done for you.” I patted her hair awkwardly in an attempt to offer comfort.

  “You can’t not be happy or ever do something fun just because they aren’t the first thing you have on your mind. They’re grown women who are more than capable of doing work for themselves. I guarantee that you do way more than you should while you’re here at school.”

  “Someon
e has to look out for them,” she protested from the comfort of my arms.

  “That’s true, and you do a great job of that. Just don’t let it consume you. If there’s an emergency, they can call 9-1-1 and we can rush back to help them. Spring break is only two months away, and then you’ll have a chance to check in on them.” A thought suddenly hit me. “If you’re not going back there to live, what are you going to do? Is Carter’s dad okay with you staying at his house?”

  Roxie moved back into her own chair. “That would be really uncomfortable. I’m sure Mr. P and Sophia would insist on it, but they’re newlyweds, and Carter isn’t there to bother them. They need to have their space.”

  “Any thoughts?” I wished that I could offer for her to come home with me, but I was already walking a fine line with my parents as it was.

  “Wade mentioned something about his place, but I haven’t really thought that far ahead yet. We just got back today.” She gave me a weak smile.

  “Speaking of which, I haven’t had time to ask around yet, but I need to find a job. I’m going to have a lot more time on my hands and will want to have some money saved up in case my parents find out what I’ve done.”

  “Oh, jobs fill up fast, but we could check out the paper and see what’s available this week.” She jumped up and walked over to grab the paper sitting abandoned on the table next to us.

  “The coffee shop subscribes to the paper and puts it here for anyone who wants to read it.” She flipped it open to the ‘help wanted’ section.

  “They need someone over at the hospital for janitor services.” She looked at me.

  I couldn’t help the look of distaste that crossed my face. “Weak stomach.”

  “Okay, that means these three others are out as well.” Her finger ran down the page. “What about a sales position?”

  “Roxie, I can’t even stand up to my parents long enough to sell them on the idea of me switching careers. How am I going to sell something to other people well enough to convince them to buy it?”

  She gently placed the paper on the table. “Tell me, what are your three favorite things to do?”

  “How is that going to help me find a job?” I shook my head, confused.

  “Just think about it and answer me. I know a few things, but most of them are football related. Do you like other sports?”

  “Of course. I was just always better at football.” I ran a hand through my hair, trying to think of something I really enjoyed.

  “Okay, so we have a lot more work than just trying to get you a job. You’re going to need to try out different things and see where they lead you.” Roxie gave a long sigh.

  “What do you mean? I like to do things, they’re just not coming to mind right now. Well, there is one thing, but it’s not something I could get a job doing.” I sent a wink in her direction, causing her to blush.

  “I think the problem is that you’ve always done what Carter and your other friends have wanted you to. You’ve never really tried to do something for yourself. You’re going to have to figure out what makes you happy, and it can’t be sex with me.” She grinned at my innocent expression.

  “There’s one job opening that would look good on your resume and help kids at the same time. It’s an after-school club which would let you have enough time for your classes, and then you would still have time to get a few hours in each day to get you used to doing something like that.” She pointed the paper. “It’s one of those jobs that has extra benefits, and I think it would give you a good idea of how you’ll like being a teacher.”

  “I knew you were the person to talk to about all of this.” I tilted her head up and placed a kiss on her lips.

  “Glad I could be of service. Now, are you ready for the inquisition from my roommate?”

  “Sure, why not?” I responded gamely.

  Chapter Two

  Roxie

  OMG! I’d been shocked when Kelly showed up, literally sweeping me off my feet.

  I hadn’t realized how much I missed having the guys with me all the time.

  Okay, maybe I had since I’d spent an hour in my car this morning dreading the drive back to school without Carter.

  Crawling up onto my bed, I sat on my knees, looking at the collage of pictures I’d taped to the wall. There were separate ones of each guy from home, and then my favorite had all five of us together in our graduation gowns.

  Kelly, with his blond hair, blue eyes, and stocky build, was so unsure of himself. He’d let his hair grow out from a buzz cut to just above his collar.

  I smiled as I traced his face with my finger, noticing how each of the guys were so different.

  Wade with his brown hair falling to his shoulders and chocolate eyes told a story filled with trouble.

  Then there was Carter, with his brown hair matching his tan from working outside all summer. He’d been sad and angry, but over the summer we’d both learned a lot about each other. This growing up thing was really harder than I’d thought when college had seemed years away.

  Jay was the innocent redhead with freckles sprinkled all over, and his green eyes troubled me the most. I wasn’t sure if it was his lost expression, or the fact that I still had to pull him out of his shell to join the others that drew me to him.

  My four best friends were guys. They were my world, my family, and the reason that I hadn’t lost my sanity long ago. I couldn’t choose between them, and so far, they hadn’t made me. I knew it would happen eventually. I mean, who actually got to keep four guys all to themselves? I wasn’t living in a fairy tale, but I was going to hold onto the dream for just a little longer if at all possible.

  Sarah entered the room and flopped onto her bed. “So I’m completely mad at you right now.”

  “Really? Why?” I asked, not paying attention to her theatrics.

  We were completely opposites in just about everything. From her very thin figure and outgoing nature, to her absolute carefree attitude with guys. She’d managed to bring me out of my shell just a little, and since I’d never had a sister, she was quickly filling that place in my life.

  “How could you hide such a hunk from me? On top of that, I knew he was one of your guys so it’s hands off.”

  I rolled my eyes and swung my legs back over the side of the bed. “He wasn’t hiding, he was at school. You should know just about everything in his life considering that you grilled him throughout dinner.”

  “Nah, that was the light version of grilling because you’d already told me about him.” She grinned at me. “Is he better in bed than Carter?”

  “I refuse to answer.”

  “Wait!” She sat up on the bed facing me. “You’ve slept with both of them at the same time, haven’t you? Tell me how that worked?”

  I just shook my head at her enthusiasm. “Do I ask you about your weekend conquests?”

  “No, but that’s only because you’re getting some from one of your guys, or have your head stuck in work stuff all the time. I’d be glad to share all the details with you, but you never ask me.” She pouted.

  “That’s because I don’t want to share sex stuff with anyone. I can barely discuss it with the guys.”

  “So not true. We’ve discussed sex.”

  “But not in regards to anyone specific, just in general.” I gave a fake shiver. “It’s so personal, and I’d feel like I was sharing stuff without them.”

  “I get it.” She waved away my protests. “This is your first real relationship, and you want to keep it all to yourself while it’s still new.”

  “Well…” I trailed off.

  She wagged her finger at me. “One of these days you’re going to come running to me for help because you don’t know something that one of them is talking about. I won’t hold it against you.”

  I stopped her by throwing the pillow at her.

  “See? I knew you had a funny bone under all that…uptightness.”

  “It’s not uptightness, just responsibility.”

  “Whatever.”
She rolled her eyes and threw the pillow back at me.

  Classes had started, so it wasn’t until dinner when I assumed I’d see Kelly, and he didn’t show up that I was really disappointed.

  I had almost made it back to my room when he came running up beside me.

  “Guess what? I got the job.”

  “At the after-school thing for kids?”

  He bounced up and down next to me. “It’s so crazy. I mean, I don’t have any experience or have a clue what I’m doing, but when I mentioned that I wanted to be a teacher, they loved it. I’m going to be in charge of activities involving sports with middle school kids.”

  “That’s amazing, Kelly. I’m so proud of you.”

  “Now I can tell my parents I have a part-time job. The more information I feed them, the less they’ll ask questions about the other stuff.”

  “Have you thought about what you’ll tell them over spring break?”

  “We always take a family trip somewhere, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to avoid it until school’s out. The only problem is going to be when I’m supposed to go back in time for camp this summer, because I won’t be. I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.”

  “Are you going to tell the guys about your change of address?” I knew they had a separate chat for just them, and I tried not to let it bother me.

  “I’ve hinted at it, but I haven’t come right out and told them yet. I guess I didn’t want to cause any problems.”

  Halting right there on the steps of the dorm, I pointed my finger at him. “Kelly Hudson, you have to be more confident in yourself. If this is going to work with all of us, we have to be completely honest with each other.” I threw my arms around him. “Wanna go up to my room so I can help you work on that confidence?”

  “Do you really have to ask?” He grabbed my hand to start up the stairs. “What about Sarah? Won’t she mind?”

  “Nope. She found a new guy at dinner and will be checking out his equipment to see if it’s in proper working order.”