“Oh. I get it. So, your broke butt wasn’t good enough for her.”
“I don’t think that’s it, man.” I sighed. “I think she’s just . . . she’s insecure. She shut me out before giving me a chance to hear her out.”
I wanted to be able to do nice things for Lauren. I wanted to take a trip to see her, and I’d saved enough to pay for the gas when my dad bummed out on my family last fall. I dropped out of Community and forgot my dream of getting into the Fire Academy so I could help my mom make rent. At least Bridgeport had room and board. She’d be able to keep food on the table for my brothers without having to worry about feeding me, too. Whatever I made, I could send to help cover bills. I clenched my fists, hating the fact that I had to leave them alone to be here at all.
I tried not to hate my dad for making the choice he did, but how could I not? What kind of man ditches his family like that?
“Well, forget Lauren, man,” Mal said, slapping my shoulder. “New Chick looks promising, and besides, girls, or no girls, I’m not about to let you fade out.”
“Ha. Like you could stop me.”
Mal headed toward the coffee shop and I went up to the guys’ lodge to change, ignoring the cute dimples that kept coming back to mind. Yeah, New Chick was hot. But I had to be there for my mom and my brothers this summer. New Chick would have no problem finding another guy.
Grab your FREE Bonus Scene from Tucker and Emery’s story here.
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Acknowledgments
As always, I would first like to thank my Lord and Savior, the ultimate author and perfecter of life. You are so good to me, and Your presence is the best blessing I have ever known. Thank You for loving me and leading me. May my work be a blessing back to You and may it help others see and know You more.
Second, I want to thank my amazing husband who often cooks dinner, shoulders the weight of our kids’ bedtimes, and carves out extra time with our kid-os so I can have the time to write. You’re too good to me! I love you!
To my children, you cannot read this book until you’re seventeen, but I love you and hope when you do read it, you’ll know how deep God’s love for you truly runs. Thank you for putting up with my authorly moods and for the wonder in your eyes each time I tell you I’m writing a book. It never grows old.
Of course, I have to thank my wonderful and witty “London editor”, the lovely Sarah Calfee of Three Little Words Romance Editing. Your expertise and knack for the romance genre has shaped this story into something it never could have been without you. Carter and Lauren are so much better off having met you and I am too. Working with you felt like taking a world class romance writing course, and I can’t express my gratitude enough.
I’d like to also thank each and every member of the US military. Your service means the world to me and my family, and being the granddaughter of a US Airman I’d like to say, with utmost respect and gratitude, your sacrifice truly matters.
Last and most certainly not least, I’d like to thank you, awesome reader. For spending your precious time reading this book, and for taking a chance on me. Without you, my writing efforts would have been made in vain. I hope and pray that this novel compels and inspires you and that you get at least the smallest glimpse of the incredible God I believe in.
I look forward to connecting with you through my Newsletter!
About the Author
A long time fan of Clean Romance, Danielle Arie delivers her readers with gut-wrenching plots, heart-stopping romances, and satisfying finales. She's a big believer in all of the tropes.
Addicted to YA pacing, but longing to write about characters after graduation, Danielle has come to the conclusion that a clean middle ground exists between Young Adult and Adult fiction, and aims to satisfy readers looking for books within the same zone. She has always enjoyed Christian Romance and is passionate about representing the gritty faith so many believers face in their college years.
Danielle Arie is a follower of Christ, a smitten wife, the dedicated mother of four littles, and an avid Office fan. If you don't find her writing, or with her nose in a book, she's likely serving at her church, helping at her kids' school, or somewhere in the Target Dollar section, coffee-in-hand.
You can learn more about Danielle and the Bridgeport Lake series at www.daniellearie.com
