I couldn’t be happier for Grams and Gavin. Her bachelorette party was Agnes’s idea. Everyone in attendance pledged a vow of silence. In Kirsty’s case, the evening remains a blur, any story leaks can’t be laid at her feet. Poor Kirsty learned the hard way that night never to drink with Agnes.
The pics of the party are epic.
I finally pressed five and accepted a call from the Henderson Detention Center. I told Mom to forget I exist. She’s good at that, so it won’t be a problem. Calvin is in jail in California awaiting trial, but I hear Henderson formed a line to get a piece of him, too. Back home many people scammed by Calvin and Mom are still unraveling the red tape.
It’s heartbreaking.
I saved Avó’s house, and helped at least one family. Maybe more considering the fact he would have continued stealing homes from hardworking people. I have to be okay with that. Mostly I am.
Going after Tiago’s family sealed Caity’s fate. Her KickBack account blew up with angry student posts before she disabled it. The students from the Ludus dorm organized a peaceful sit-in on the steps of Domus—her dorm—in protest, claiming she broke anti-harassment rules. They demanded her expulsion.
I helped Faith hand out care packages filled with bottled water and snickerdoodles to every student who showed up.
In the end, the administration didn’t have to act. Caity dropped out of Fortis the same week she posted the vid to KickBack.
Tiago healed—his eye doesn’t give him any trouble—and he’s been cleared for sports for months now.
When I arrived at Fortis, I didn’t want to look back. I didn’t want to confront Mom, craving my fresh start. But I’ve come to realize ignoring your problems doesn’t make them go away.
I’m not the same person who moved here last August. I’ve matured. I’m no longer afraid of anyone entering my name into a search engine and pulling up an eyeful of data on Mom. I’ve severed those ties. Her actions don’t define me; neither do her twisted ideas of love.
I get to say who I am. I get to make my own mistakes.
I found someone who stares straight at me—who loves me without condition—my lover, and my best friend.
He’s the love of my life, and I’m his.
Avó has fallen asleep on the other end of the couch.
Tiago rubs my knee. “Can I ask you something important? It’s been on my mind off and on since the first time we hung out.”
Curious, I say, “Go for it.”
He sneaks a peek down at Avó, obviously checking to see if she’s asleep. He leans in and whispers, “What did the ventriloquist make your vajayjay say when he threw his voice?”
I snort, remembering that day at Mama Chen’s Boba Tea Shop. We’ve come so far since we first met. I trust Tiago with my heart and my most embarrassing moments. I press my lips against his ear and whisper, “Welcome to the Cave of Wonders.”
“What?” he shouts, waking Avó with the noise. “You’re shitting me?”
“Oy, Tiago. Pare,” Avó exclaims.
I whisper, “I can see by your expression that you’re trying it on. Pondering whether you can get away with using the term. Hard no.”
“How could you possibly know my thoughts by reading my face?” He grins.
Pressing a kiss to the space above his brow I say, “You don’t have a poker face.” Moving my lips to his ear I whisper, “You’re the most important thing I see. I love you with all my heart.”
The End
Want more? Check out Faith and Caleb’s story in Mouthful!
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If you enjoyed Eyeful, you’ll love the next book in….
The Gladiators of the Gridiron series
Book 1: Mouthful
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Book 2: Eyeful
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Book 3: Handful
Coming August 2021!
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About the Author
C.R. Grissom lives in San Jose, California—smack dab in the middle of Silicon Valley. She works for a high-tech company by day, and at night writes contemporary sports romance featuring young adults as they transition to college. Winner of the 2018 RWA Golden Heart Award in young adult romance for her first manuscript: Mouthful.
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Eyeful (Gladiators of the Gridiron Book 2) Page 28
