Prologue
Tonight’s the night. It’s not only my eighteenth birthday but also my high school graduation. I’ve been dreaming about this day for six long years. I am moving on to another chapter in my life, and this is the day Bryce Randolph will finally realize I’m an adult.
I fell in love with Bryce the first time my brother brought him home after football practice when I was twelve years old. He was the new guy at school, and my brother, Nate, and he hit it off on the first day. As soon as they walked through the back door that afternoon, my world changed. Bryce was the most beautiful guy I’d ever seen. Even at fifteen, he and my brother were more filled out and muscular than the other guys their age.
Bryce became a permanent fixture at our house. Neither of the guys ever treated me as the pesky little sister. Even though they were in high school and I was in middle school, I hung out with them all the time.
My best friend, Quinn Jackson, and I made the varsity cheerleading team in high school as freshmen and traveled with the rest of the squad to all the games. We always got questioned about Nate and Bryce from the other girls, which made me uncomfortable, but there was nothing I could do about it.
Quinn is the only person in the world who knows how I feel about Bryce. She’s known since the first time she saw the goofy grin on my face when we watched him playing catch in our backyard. I think my mom was suspicious, but she’s never said anything.
The first time Bryce dated a girl more than a few times, I cried myself to sleep for a week. It was a ridiculous reaction, but I was a hormonal teenage girl. Unfortunately, the girl was also on the cheerleading squad and carried animosity toward me when she learned how close he and I were. During one particular game, when he and Nate ran a play that resulted in a touchdown and lead for the team, they both came to me on the sidelines, taking turns swinging me around as I screamed.
Bryce was single soon after that because he broke up with her for being a massive bitch to me. It was one of the best days of my life.
I turned fifteen the week Nate and Bryce graduated. Quinn and I concocted this elaborate plan for me to get Bryce alone so I could kiss him. I’d never been really kissed before, and I wanted him to be my first. My parents had a party, and almost all the newly graduated senior class was there. Bryce hung out with mostly the guys by the pool, but I saw him walk down to the deck and knew it was my chance.
He heard me behind him, and when he turned his head and saw me, his face lit up in a smile. He motioned for me to come over, and I walked straight into his arms. The smell of his cologne surrounded us, and I inhaled deeply.
“You know we’re only a phone call away if you need us, right?” he asked.
“I know.”
“You have a few more years of school left, and it kills me and Nate that we won’t be here in case some jackass gets the wrong idea. Or worse, someone fucks with you. I know how guys think, Devon, and I hate that we can’t stop the way they’ll look at you.”
“What do you mean?” I was truly confused.
He sighed and pulled me closer. “You’re a beautiful girl, inside and out. Without Nate and me around, I’m scared some guy will try to take advantage of you. Promise me you’ll be careful.”
Boldness took over, and I pressed him for more. “Is that because I’m like a little sister to you?”
“Yes. No… I don’t know.”
My heart deflated. There was no way he’d kiss me if he considered me a little sister. But I decided to take a chance and rotated in front of him, staring into his blue eyes. Not really knowing what I was doing, my arms wrapped around his neck, and I lifted up on my toes to reach his mouth. As soon as our lips touched, my nervousness dissolved. He took over, and when my lips parted and our tongues swirled, my knees fell weak. What started as sweet quickly turned frantic. His hands gripped my scalp, holding me hostage. Our mouths moved in sync as we devoured one another. Lack of oxygen made me dizzy, but I didn’t dare pull away.
His hands moved to my hips and squeezed lightly. I was lost to him, but all too soon, he pulled away. His eyes met mine with anger and confusion.
“Jesus Christ, Devon! I’m so sorry. What the fuck?” He stepped back and ran his hands through his hair, looking around to make sure we were still alone.
Heat rushed up my cheeks, and tears filled my eyes. “Why are you sorry? I started it. I wanted to kiss you. I’ve been crazy about you since I was twelve years old!” Yep, I just blurted it out like a true lovesick teenager.
His face softened, and he pulled me in for a hug. “Devon Harris, when you turn eighteen, I hope to God you still feel this way. Come on, let’s go back to the party.” He led us back to where things were getting wild and winked at me before joining the other football players.
As the years went by, we never mentioned the kiss again, but I began to understand what he meant by being eighteen. It wasn’t just an age; it was maturity. I’d grown so much in the last few years. The few boyfriends I had never lasted long because nothing could compare to the men Nate and Bryce had become.
; Both joined the ROTC and went to college with the intention of joining as Officers in the Navy after graduation. Quinn and I visited them one weekend on our college scouting trips, and our minds were made up. We are both going to attend University of Tennessee as well.
My brother’s excited about me following him to school, and my parents are thrilled I’m going to be close. Once again, only Quinn knows I’m partly following the love of my young life.
A knock at my door jolts me out of my trip down memory lane. Quinn walks in with an outfit similar to mine.
“We look hot. I can’t wait to see the looks on people’s faces when they see our shoes.” She kicks one foot behind her, showing off her new hot pink heels. We decided if we had to wear all white, we were going to add a pop of bold to sass up our outfits.
“Me too! Are you guys the first ones here?” I ask, referring to her family.
“Yeah, but a huge truck pulled up behind us. A girl I didn’t recognize was getting out of the passenger’s seat.”
“Huh? Wonder who that is?”
“Okay, let’s get downstairs and get the hundred pictures taken so we can party as soon as this ceremony is over. I’m ready to throw down tonight.”
We head down the stairs to the sound of laughter and greetings. The familiar scent of Bryce fills the room, and my stomach does somersaults knowing he’s so close. Even though we’ve spoken a few times, I haven’t physically seen him since Christmas Break.
As soon as I hit the bottom step, I sense something is very wrong. I can feel it all the way to my bones. Quinn steps behind me, placing her arm through mine. She knows, too. Everyone, including my parents and Nate, Quinn’s parents, and the Randolph family turn to face us.
The unknown woman is in the middle of the room standing next to Sheila, Bryce’s mom, and Bryce. She has her arm linked through his in a possessive manner, and when our gazes meet, there’s a flash of something. I can’t tell what, but when I look into Bryce’s eyes, they are sad and pleading.
“Hi, everyone,” I squeak, trying to find my voice.
All the parents rush over to engulf us in hugs and kisses. Nate holds on to me a little longer than normal, and when his eyes meet mine, they’re filled with concern. He doesn’t get to say anything because Bryce breaks in and hugs me tightly and then stands back. Unknown woman is still clinging to him, giving me a sneer.
“Hi! I’m Devon.” I hold out my hand to her, and she looks at me with recognition.
“I’m Holli. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She shakes and drops my hand roughly. “I’m Bryce’s fiancée.” Her hand moves over her flat stomach and rubs gently, with the tell-tale sign of pregnancy.
Those words cause me the most pain I have ever felt in my eighteen years. They also change the course of my life.
Chapter 1
Year and a Half Later
“When will I ever get used to Virginia winters?” Quinn shivers besides me as we walk to the Communications Building.
“Probably about the time we graduate?”
“Have you decided yet about the holidays?”
“I’m going to fly directly into Aspen and stay the ten days, then I’m coming right back.”
“How’d your mom and dad take it?”
“All right. They didn’t push too hard because they knew I may bail all together.”