my name, but somehow it's the only t

Violet? That's it. But my brain has replayed the low, gravelly so

g cross-legged on her unmade bed, surrounded by a mountain of throw pillows. "A

I mutter, shaking my

It's official move-in weekend at Maplewood University, and the energy outside our window is

t. My chance to be so

impossible, exhausting fantasy about my brother's best friend. But stand

essing a thumb-tack firmly into the drywall.

aving a small low-key thing at their off-campus house tonight. Just some

a hockey party. I'll just end up sitting in a corner while Liam i

agging. "Second of all, you're a freshman now. You're a college student. Put on that cu

has thin straps and a square neckline-definitel

my lips. "But if Liam starts lecturing me

ea

d porch and a lawn littered with empty red cups. Music is thumping through the clo

wraps around us. It smells like cheap

Over

the sea of people, a red cup in his hand, looking completely in his element. He's we

uick one-armed hug. "Nice. Grab a soda from the kit

dy scanning the room. "Is that the

. Go say hi, he's ha

k you-got-this look and disappears into the crowd towa

His protective older-brother radar instantly glares.

, rolling my eyes, though affectio

. Come on, let's

g air hits my face, a welcome relief from the stuffy heat inside. A massive bonfire

n the arm of a weathered s

k flannel shirt over a white tee, his jaw sharp in the flickering light of the fire. He has a beer danglin

edge of the deck. "That's the scout from t

into the shadows of the

looking at your discipline just as much as your stats. Keep your head down this season. Lead the team, avoid the ty

ture, and focused. "I know, sir. The team comes

e sky is the

Jace takes a slow sip of his drink, his eyes staring

way, a cold wave of r

a thousand miles an hour. He's talking to professional scouts. He's looking at a futu

d

od crush, hyper-fixating on the fact that he said my name in

ofessional sports caree

my heart. This is the exact moment I get over Jace Donovan. I'm done being

ht. "I'm actually feeling a little tired.

. "Already? You just got here,

s just a ten-minute walk," I say, forcing a br

me the second you g

ough the crowded porch. I just need t

grass meets the gravel path. I'm moving fast, my eyes slightly blurred wit

on a loose, wa

ho

y arms flailing slightly as gravity pulls

ground, a hand shoots

fingers wrap firml

wood of the deck, and my front slams directly into a broad, solid chest. Th

to my throat, ham

breath hitchin

ht, his fingers warm against my bare skin. His dark eyes are wide, searching my

hless second, nei

into a low, breathless register that sen