CC was thrilled to hear that Mack and I decided to ‘get our shit together,’ as she likes to refer to the time directly following the accident. She is a huge fan of his and loves to compliment his looks and body, even though it makes his cheeks flush. I love watching that happen and laugh every time.
My dad went to jail for a little bit, and when he got out, Jeremy gave him two options: rehab or he would never see or hear from us again. Dad told Jeremy to fuck off with his worthless dyke of a sister. We’ve officially blocked his number with our phone company, and deleted his contact from our phones. It’s been an adjustment, knowing that I’ll never talk to him again, but I feel like I am mentally so much healthier now. Even Regina says she can see a huge difference, and I haven’t had any more anxiety attacks.
Thomas and I didn’t end up doing the joint presentation. Ultimately, our research was weak and it felt forced, so we gave each other a high five and went back to fighting in class. And with Piper’s diligence, and some support from the tutoring centre, I was able to scrape by in my psychology class last semester. Barely. Needless to say, I won’t ever be pursuing a career as a psychologist.
“You guys are both idiots,” Jeremy says, returning from the kitchen with a box of cold pizza. “It’s gonna be Villanova again. For sure.”
“I’m calling Michigan State,” Charlie says.
The three of us look at her, a little surprised.
“How do you figure Michigan State?” I ask. “It’s been a long time since they’ve been notable in March Madness.”
“Their coach and the starters on the team have been together for three years. They recruited really strongly over the past few years as well. Two of their players were originally recruited to Indiana and North Carolina and then they transferred. I just think they’re positioned for success.”
I’m surprised nothing has flown into my mouth with how wide it’s hanging open. Charlie, Miss ‘Tell Me What Happens On The Basketball Field,’ has just thrown us all for a loop.
“Wow,” Jeremy says. “That was… a really great overview.”
I nod, but after he looks away, I mouth what the fuck? when I catch Charlie’s eyes. But she just shrugs and looks back at the TV.
There’s something going on between her and Jeremy and she hasn’t been very open with me about it. But in all honesty, we are still ships passing in the night now that she’s in the last months of nursing school.
“I still think Indiana is gonna take it all,” Mack says, sinking into the long portion of our L-shaped couch and hauling me on top of him.
“Indy can take it all right now, if he wants,” I whisper into his ear.
He freezes underneath me, then he’s pushing me off of him so he can stand up and he’s dragging me towards the stairs.
“Where are you going?” Jeremy calls. “The game’s about to start!”
“We’re gonna go play our own game!” I shout back as we race up the stairs to my room.
“Don’t be disgusting!” Jeremy shouts. “I don’t want to know that!”
I just laugh and follow Mack down the hallway. He opens my bedroom door and hauls me inside.
“I love you, Indy” I whisper as I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him close.
It’s true that I’ve been a lot happier over the past few months. But ultimately, that’s because I’ve taken the time to learn to love myself and understand what it is someone like Mack sees in me.
So when he looks me in the eye and says “I love you too. So much.” I can believe him.
And that means everything.
Acknowledgements
First, I want to thank YOU - thank you for purchasing my very first book. As a new author, it is incredibly nerve-wracking to put my work out there and essentially wait to be judged. But ultimately, thank you for giving me a shot. I hope you loved it, and that you’ll consider posting a review so more people can find my work.
Lots of appreciation to my beautiful sister and wonderful mother, who have been my cheerleaders since day one. When I started writing and sent them the first few chapters, wondering what they would think, they immediately came back to me and told me to keep going. Without your push, I might not have continued.
Thank you to every friend and family member who sent me words of encouragement, liked my posts on Facebook, shared information with friends, and on and on and on. When an author is at the beginning, it is the endless support and care of the people in their life that help move things forward. I appreciate you!
And last but not least, a really large thank you to my husband, who allowed me to pester him with endless soccer-related questions, even though there wasn’t that much actual soccer in this book. Yes, babe, I know. You’re Argentine and know all the answers :)
About the Author
Jillian Liota is a Southern California native currently living in Auckland, New Zealand. She has a hilarious husband (well, at least he thinks so), a three-legged pup with endless energy, and two very temperamental cats. When she isn’t writing, she is working at her full-time job with university students. Or maybe she’s reading, eating Twix and drinking Diet Coke. Yes, it’s probably the last one.
Check out Jillian online and contact her at:
facebook.com/AuthorJillianLiota
www.jillianliota.com
[email protected]
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