I laugh as the opening credits for Sixteen Candles roll across the screen. Even though it's a movie from the eighties, I love it. We're talking total cult classic. I've lost track of how many times I've forced Sam to sit through the film. It's enough that we can easily parrot the lines back and forth to one another which makes the movie more enjoyable.Even though he was groaning only moments ago, I think he secretly likes it as much as I do. I mean, come on, it's hilarious. With a contented sigh, I pick up my glass of wine before settling on the couch and nestling close to his body.Out of nowhere, I'm slammed with the realization that my grandmother is right. Sam is perfect boyfriend material. I suppose it is kind of surprising that he hasn't had more of a steady girlfriend throughout the last six years. He's handsome, smart, athletic, and so sweet that you just want to kiss the hell right out of him.Okay, let me clarify that statement-I don't want to kiss the hell right

Around nine o'clock that night we all head to O'Brien's. It's a little dive bar a few blocks from campus where a lot of college students hang out. Well, the ones who are twenty-one or, at the very least, have a decent fake ID. The rest stick to campus and the inevitable victory parties that will take place up and down Greek Row. It seems like all of Barnett has turned out to help celebrate. Even if you're not a football fan, it's as good as any excuse to get together with friends and have a few drinks.I'm happy for the guys, happy their last year playing together is turning out to be a season for the record books, one they'll remember for the rest of their lives. Hell, I think everyone at Barnett will remember it.Sam is a first-string left tackle. It's his job to protect the QB's blindside on passing plays and counter-act the pass rush of defensive ends. The only reason I know that is because I've spent more than my fair share of time with my ass in the bleachers, hollering

It's after one in the morning when we finally decide to call it quits for the night. Even though we're heading out, there's a rowdy bunch who decide to stay and close down O'Brien's. To show us how lame we are for leaving early, they boo us on the way out.Loudly.With a grin, Roan gives them a one fingered salute in response. As we drive back to the apartment, I can't help but notice that Sam is quieter than usual.Once home, I wait until Roan disappears inside his room to FaceTime Ivy before hesitantly asking, "Is something wrong?"The strange vibe that keeps reverberating between us is now back in full force. It sucks all the oxygen from the room, making it almost impossible to breathe. Already it feels as if our relationship has shifted. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get a firm handle on the situation.And that frightens me. I'm not good with change. I'd prefer our relationship stay the same. Just friends. No weird vibes messing up what we have going on b

"Are you ready to go?" I want to hustle Violet back to the apartment so we can sit down and talk about what's going on between us. This conversation has been a long time in coming and it finally seems like she might be ready to have it.I also want to get her away from Garrison.Goddamn mother fuc-"I'm going to run to the bathroom before we leave, all right?" Violet says, forcing Liam to slide from the booth so she can shimmy her way out. I'm all too aware of the way his hand trails over her arm, all in the guise of helping her up.Yeah...nice try, pal. I know exactly what you're up to.The fact that Garrison nods at her like she's talking specifically to him makes me gnash my teeth together in aggravation. The dude is completely oblivious to the fact that he hijacked my breakfast. Then he stands in the middle of the aisle and watches her hips sway back and forth as she disappears toward the back of the restaurant. By the time Liam sits his ass down, I'm tempted to leap ac

When I make it back to the guy's apartment, Sam is nowhere to be found and Roan is walking out the door. He's hitting the library for some research and won't be home until after dinner. It's probably not a good sign that my first reaction is relief.Now I can throw all my stuff into a bag and get the hell out of here before Sam returns. Then, from the relative safety of my dorm, I can take a few days to think about what's going on between us. I'm hoping that with enough time and distance, these feelings will simmer down and-My phone dings with an incoming text.I grab it and scan the message.Crap.Carter is going to stay for another night.My belly flips in response to that bit of unwelcome news. All I want is to make a clean get away before Sam returns and forces me to discuss all the issues that have sprung up between us. That's the last thing I want to do. Doesn't he understand that avoidance is the best possible tactic at this point?Every time he popped into my hea