“Little bit.” His nose wrinkled.
I couldn’t help a smile. It blossomed on my face like a spring flower opening up to the sunlight. Gripping his wrists, I whispered, “So you didn’t come over to break up with me then...even though we're not officially boyfriend and girlfriend yet?” I blushed.
He tipped his head, a smile hiding on the edges of his serious expression. “As long as you promise to call me every time you get yourself into shit, then no, I’m not breaking up with you...my girlfriend.”
My insides sizzled with giddy excitement.
“Well, as long as you answer your phone, we should be sweet.” My cheeky grin was met with an unamused glare. I winced. “Too soon?”
“Little bit.” His eyebrows rose and I giggled.
“Well maybe we should just cut this conversation short by kissing or something.”
His golden smile appeared, the one I could sink into on a daily basis. He moved towards me and pressed it against my willing lips, filling me with a secure warmth that shunted all my fears aside. I wrapped my arms around his neck as his hands moved around my waist, pulling me close and holding me against him so the world couldn’t touch me.
Epilogue
The sun was hot and luscious as I made my way across the grass and down to the sand. Eric was bobbing on his surfboard out in the water, his torso wet, shiny and delicious. I paused in the sand, watching his strong arms paddle through the water and his lean body jump into position on the board. I couldn’t take my eyes off the way his muscles curved and moved as he carved up the wave.
Damn, he was hot. And he was mine. Still.
It had been two months since the Liam incident. The Donovan boys had disappeared off the face of the earth. As each week passed, I stopped looking over my shoulder a little less. I didn’t know what had become of them and I didn’t know if they would one day resurface, but I think I’d read them right and I couldn’t help pitying them just a little. They were scared little kids who had never had the chance to grow up right. I feared for the people in their future, but it could no longer be my problem.
I couldn’t carry that. Just like I couldn’t carry the world. The whole incident had really put me off people-reading, not that I was that into it in the first place. I still did it without meaning to sometimes, but I had decided that unless I saw something dire, I wasn’t going to act. The world could survive without my meddling for a while.
My senior year at Pali High was drawing to an end and I had made it through unscathed. I couldn’t say the same for everybody. Thankfully with Liam no longer ruling the school, all problems seemed minor. But Stella and I would never be friends again, that much was clear. In fact I lost all my old friends. Chase and Stella made sure I was completely shut out. What they failed to notice was that I didn’t care. Libby had quickly become a close friend and now that Indie was back in town, we were hanging out with her and Micah a bunch, too.
Stella and most of her sad-ass, cheating friends were finishing their senior year on a major downer. She was running off to Europe for the summer with a private tutor. I’d heard she’d planned to catch up on all the repeated work she had to do while checking out Tuscany. She’d probably work her way through Italy and end up on some Spanish beach by the end of the summer. I no longer cared.
The people I did care about, however, were doing great.
Libby, free from the demanding workload, had ended up flying through her last couple of months. Thanks to her, we aced our Biology assignment. She got into Princeton, just the way she’d wanted to and would be graduating with one of the highest GPAs in the school. She was hanging around L.A. for the summer and we were planning on catching up as much as we could.
Indie had spent the rest of her year on set with her father. She really didn’t want to go, but he’d insisted. She’d had a tutor to get her through and when I saw her last week, she’d managed enough credits. She was going to graduate no worries. She and Micah were still loved up to the max and she’d managed to convince her father to let her attend U.C. Berkeley, which is where Micah had scored his basketball scholarship. Things were looking good for both of them.
And me. I was pretty happy too.
Eric made his way out of the water, a big grin on his face as he ran up the beach towards me. Dropping his surfboard to the ground, he collected me in his arms and laughed at my squeals as his wet body soaked my clothing.
“Thanks for that.” I kept my hands on his damp shoulders.
“Anytime.” He nuzzled my neck, making my skin tingle. “What are you doing here? I thought I was meeting you later.”
“I know. I just wanted to show you something.” I pulled the acceptance letter from my back pocket and tapped it against his chest.
Grabbing his towel, he dried his hands and carefully unfolded the paper. His curiosity morphed to pleasure and he leaned forward to kiss me. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” I nodded. “I’ve heard U.C.L.A.’s a good school.”
“It is.” He grinned. “I know a couple of people who already go there. One in particular, who is very keen to show you around...keep you out of trouble.” He winked.
“Hey, I’ve lasted two months without trouble.” My grin faded. We both knew it was only a matter of time. I shoved the letter back into my pocket and tried not to let that thought bother me. “I figured that this was probably the best school for me. It’ll be good to have certain people nearby, you know with all the trouble I supposedly get myself into.”
“Supposedly. Mmhh.” He stepped towards me, gliding his arm around my back. “I sure hope you know someone who can keep you safe, Caitlyn Davis.” His eyes danced.
I shrugged, biting back my smile. “I'm pretty tight with Hercules, so I should be sweet.”
He captured my grin with his lips, his tongue dancing with mine as he lifted me off the sand. Eric was right; I wouldn’t be able to stay out of trouble forever. There were too many screwed up people in this world and I’d be drawn to help another sooner or later, but with him by my side, I knew for sure that I could handle it.
< < < < < > > > > >
Thank you so much for reading True Colors, if you've enjoyed it and would like to show me some support then please leave a review.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you so much for everyone who has contributed to this project. I'd like to give special thanks to a few key people.
Margery from Evatopia Press - it has been such a pleasure working with you. Your ideas are fantastic and I look forward to many projects in the future.
Kate from Dwell Design & Press - you've given me a serious case of cover love with your amazing work. I am so proud to have my name on the cover of this book. You are such a talent.
Cassie, Beth and Brenda - as always, your feedback is top notch and so vital in making sure my book is a strong story that people will enjoy.
Kristin - thank you for your extra help at the end with proofing this book. You caught so many little mistakes I'd missed and I'm so grateful for your keen eye.
Allison - thank you for being such an amazing PA. I just love having you by my side throughout this writing journey.
Indie Inked - love you girls so much.
My street team - thanks for all your support.
My readers - I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for you. Thank you so much for reading my work and then taking the time to tell me about it.
My boys - Jake and Brody - thanks for always making me laugh. You are my cheeky monkeys and I adore you.
My family - your constant love, support and faith in me is so appreciated. I love you all so much.
My inspiration - thanks for another great story idea. I love the characters in this series, thanks for always fueling my imagination.
OTHER BOOKS BY MELISSA PEARL
The Time Spirit Trilogy
Golden Blood - Black Blood - Pure Blood
The Betwixt Series
Betwixt - Before - Beyond
The Mica & Lexy Series
Forbidden Territory
Forbidden Waters (due for release: 2014)
The Masks Series
Book 2 (due for release: 2014)
Book 3 (due for release: 2014)
Book 4 (due for release: 2015)
I Know Lucy Series
I Know Lucy (due for release: 2014)
Set Me Free (due for release: 2014)
Find out more on Melissa Pearl's website:
http://www.melissapearlauthor.com
ABOUT MELISSA PEARL
Melissa Pearl is a kiwi at heart, but currently lives in Suzhou, China with her husband and two sons. She trained as an elementary school teacher, but has always had a passion for writing and finally completed her first manuscript in 2003. She has been writing ever since and the more she learns, the more she loves it. Keep an eye out for future projects.
CONNECT WITH MELISSA PEARL
You can contact Melissa Pearl online:
Website: http://melissapearlauthor.com
Blogs:
http://melissapearl.blogspot.com
http://yalicious.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/melissapearlauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelissaPearlG
You can also subscribe to Melissa Pearl's Book Updates Newsletter. You will be the first to know about any book news, new releases and giveaways.
Follow this link to sign up.
EVATOPIA PRESS
For more information about Evatopia Press visit http://www.evatopia.com/
Learn more about other Evatopia Press authors...
Lizzy Ford - http://www.guerillawordfare.com/
Mia Fox - http://miafox.net/
Cindy Mezni - http://www.cindymezni.com/
Cambria Hebert - http://cambriahebert.com/
BELLA FRESCA
Bella Fresca is a company in Glendale, California that makes gorgeous, natural handmade soaps and body products. You may have noticed them mentioned in the book. Caitlyn uses Ocean scented body soap from Bella Fresca.
http://bella-fresca.com/
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Epilogue
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
OTHER BOOKS BY MELISSA PEARL
ABOUT MELISSA PEARL
CONNECT WITH MELISSA PEARL
EVATOPIA PRESS
True Colors (book #1, The Masks Series) Page 22
