SHELBY POV
I giggle as Curt practically shoves me into my apartment. His face is red, and he is refusing to tell me his plans for us this evening. He keeps telling me to dress up but don't go overboard, and I have no idea what that means.
"Curt, just tell me," I beg, and he shakes his head yet again.
"It is a surprise. Just put on something nice and be ready at eight," Curt says before pecking my cheek and darting up the stairs.
"That is so far away," I yell after him before slamming my door a little too aggressively.
A small smile tickles my lips as I remove my shoes and place my purse on its hook. My boyfriend is the absolute cutest. I have no idea why today is special or what he has planned, but if I know Curt, it is bound to be romantic. The man is a walking Hallmark card.
He makes me feel like the most cherished woman in the whole world every sing
CURT POV I slowly unwrap myself from Shelby's sleeping form. I cover her with the blanket and press a quick kiss to her forehead. She didn't even finish the movie before passing out on me. If I didn't have to blow out the candles and put away the leftovers, I wouldn't be leaving her side. But the last thing I need is a fire. I look down at my sleeping beauty one last time. She really surprised me tonight. I've never seen her this dolled up. The dress she chose looks perfect on her. Her hair is usually up, so I forget just how long it is. She looks like an angel—my own personal slice of heaven. I clean up as quietly as I can. I place leftovers in the fridge and the rest of her Twix in a ziplock baggie. I place her flowers in my tallest glass I have because I don't own a vase. When I'm finished, I return to the couch, and my brain freezes. The couch isn't large enough for us both
CURT POV Mom forced Shelby to sit in front of me instead of beside me. I hated the idea until I realized I get to watch all her little reactions. She is so busy taking in my family's interactions she hasn't touched her food. Dad, Colt, and Granddad are talking about the embarrassing game the Eagles just played. Ian and Stacy are talking about high school. Lacy, mom, Hailey, grammy, and Dylan are all discussing the baby. Watching Shelby absorb a real family dinner is heartwarming. She reacts to every sound. If one of the women squeals or laughs, her head snaps in that direction. If my Granddad or brother raises their voice over the game, her attention quickly shifts their way. But mostly, she watches Ian and Stacy. I've never spoken to Shelby about my aunts and their differences. To me, they are just ordinary. They both have cochlear implants now, but they still sign often. Lacy received Lasik eye surgery, but
COLT POVI lock the bathroom door, and I dig out my phone. My leg has been vibrating all dinner; I am so glad I remembered to place it on silent. Dad and mom would have skinned me alive if my phone interrupted our Thanksgiving.31 New Messages.8 missed callsI begin to rub my forehead in frustration. I sit down on the toilet and lean my head back. What am I going to do? I have dreams, ambition. If I focus on this mess, I can kiss those dreams goodbye. I never wanted this. I never wanted her. I never wanted anyone.I reopen my home screen. I delete all the unread messages, and I block the name that is burned into my brain, time to get back to my family.TWO YEARS LATER"Great job, man," Hugh says as he slaps me on the shoulder before exiting the locker room.I give him a smile and head nod in return before he disappears completely. I am trying to keep my excitement as contained as possible. But I know I am
COLT POV Anger, like I haven't felt in years, knocks all the fear and shock out of my body. The drama that I never wanted to have to deal with again is now being thrown in my face—thrown in my face during one of the happiest times of my life. I meet my Dad's glare head-on with one of my own. "I am not that child's father," I say in a voice so deep and dark my mother looks scared. They are all looking at me as if they don't know me. As if the person standing before them is an alien. But I'm not; I am the same Colt they have always known. Nothing about me has changed. I still have the same goals in life. I still love football. I still love my family. I'm still a faithful Christian. I'm not a villain or even the bad guy they think I am, and I refuse to take ownership of a crime I didn't commit. "MY OFFICE NOW," Dad yells, and we both immediately leave the room.
JANELLE POV Making a name for yourself as an artist is hard work. Being young and trying to be taken serious as an artist is even more challenging. So a second job is a must for me. I have to pay my bills somehow. I throw my painting clothes in my hamper and yank on the green polo that has the most unimaginative motel logo on it. I hate it. I hate the color. I hate the itch of the fabric, and I hate the stiff collar. But I love the paycheck I earn while wearing it.Tonight I have the night shift, which is the busiest time at any motel's check-in desk. I straighten my hair and add a dash of makeup just in case my prince charming ever does show up, then I head out. I can't afford a car, so I was extremely particularly when I chose my apartment. I made sure that I was less than five miles away from anything I needed. I'm right next to a Kroger. I live two blocks from the motel I work at. I'm about two miles from the cen
COLT POV "Hate to say this, but you look like crap," Curt says as soon as I roll over to see him in his favorite recliner. "I don't feel too good either," I admit while forcing my sore body into a sitting position."Dad might be middle-aged, but I think he hits harder than a linebacker in his prime," I mumble, and Curt laughs."Maybe don't punch your dad next time," Shelby says as she enters the living room carrying two coffee mugs. She hands one to Curt before turning and giving me the other. "Thank you, " I whisper as guilt hits me over my behavior. I never meant to fight my father. I didn't even really think before I threw the first punch. I was just so hurt and angry at the fact he could think that about me. I wanted to hurt him back. I wanted to inflict pain on him physically because he had just destroyed me emotionally.&
COLT POV (pg 13 bad language)As soon as I hang up with mom, my phone rings. Cold sweat drips down my back as I answer my head coach's phone call."Hello," I croak out."Wilson, what the hell is going on? Less than twenty-four hours after revealing to the press that you will be our starting quarterback, you have this crap come out? You better start talking," Coach yells, and I feel like I am an inch tall."Look, Coach, this is an old rumor. I am not a father. I haven't even lost my virginity yet. As soon as Monday rolls around, I am getting in touch with a lawyer and demanding a DNA test to prove I am not this kid's dad," I explain quickly, and I hear him sigh."Look, Wilson, I hate to do this, but you are suspended until this is handled and your name is cleared. Our organization is Christian-based. We hold you all to a much higher standard than then other colleges for a reason. We want to provide the younger generatio
JANELLE POV "Sir, I understand. If I could just apologize, please. I feel terrible. I have never spoken to a woman like that before, and she wasn't even who I thought she was. This was a big misunderstanding, and I let my emotions take over my common sense," I hear the guy who yelled at me plead with someone I can't see yet. I step around the corner of the building, and the officer who spoke with me follows. I already explained to her that I don't want him barred or arrested and that the whole incident was a misunderstanding. But it seems like her male partner is still giving the stranger a hard time. "I'm not going to let you go further harass someone. It would be best if you stayed right here until my partner comes back and lets me know what the employees want to do with you," the male officer states while staring down the well-built stranger. I clear my throat, and both men look over at u