Rival Hearts (Rival Love #2)

by Natalie Decker

  “I’m almost at the exit. There’s a huge traffic jam. Sorry. Have you landed then?”

  “Yeah. Getting my bags down. Hey, wait your turn, grabby hands!”

  “Um … need me to call you back?”

  “Nah, some business monkey is in a real big hurry and can’t wait his turn. Yeah, I’m talking to you, buddy, don’t give me that look. So, anyway, the baseball game’s tonight. Why aren’t you going again?”

  I sigh. “I don’t know. What’s the point? It’s almost April. We graduate in May, and then I’m off to Italy for a couple weeks.”

  She huffs. “Okay. So where is Malcom sleeping? Should he go get a hotel room?”

  “He can sleep on the fold-out bed downstairs.”

  I finally pull up to the airport terminal, and I spot Malcom first, then Lidia. She comes up to my car with a huge purse in one hand, Malcom carrying the rest of the luggage

  She opens up the door and Malcom smiles. “Hey, babycakes!” I frown. “So this is what you drive? How do you expect all this fine specimen to fit in this little-ass car?”

  “Keep laughing it up. Get in or you can walk,” I say with a smirk.

  Lidia slides into the back and sits in the middle. Malcom sits up front. “Touch my radio and you’ll forfeit an entire hand,” I warn.

  Lidia laughs while Malcom pouts. As soon as the coast is clear, I exit the airport terminal and head home. Lidia asks me about prom, if I have a date, a dress, all that fun stuff. I burst her bubble when I answer “no” to all.

  When we pull up to the house, Malcom whistles. “Nice, this is like suburbia.”

  I roll my eyes.

  Lidia gets out of the car and kisses Malcom. “Get our bags, please, and be nice to my sister. She’s had a shitty couple of weeks.”

  “Try months,” I mumble.

  “Fine,” Malcom says.

  We head up to the house, and Malcom thinks it’s funny to trip me or step on the heels of my shoes as I make my way across the yard. After the third time, I whip around and punch him in the chest. “Dude, quit doing that!”

  “Sky, stop hitting me. Your boyfriend is giving me the ‘I will kill you glare’ from the porch,” Malcom whispers.

  “What?” I look back and notice Caleb scowling near the front door. Lidia runs up to him and gives him a hug. He barely hugs her back as he keeps his eyes trained on me. I scrunch up my face and walk past them. He should have been on his way to the baseball game.

  Going up to my room, Lidia and Malcom follow. At least I think that’s what is happening. I look back to tell Lidia that we’re at my room, but she’s not there. It’s Caleb. He pins me against my door and looks at me. “Yes?” I ask.

  “What’s he doing here?”

  “He’s Lidia’s boyfriend. And we’re friends. He came to hang out.”

  He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and says, “Just friends?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  He nods and walks away. I let out a breath I apparently was holding in. Lidia rushes up to me and giggles. “What was that?”

  “I don’t know. He’s been so … I don’t know, lately. See what I’m talking about, though. He gave me these gifts for a week, but all I want is for him to say he’s sorry and that he wants me. Not buy me like I’m some type of hooker! And just when I think he’s going to do that he acts all weird and then walks away. What is that?”

  We venture into my room. She shakes her head. “I don’t know, but he’s definitely still into you. Do you think he found out about your early admittance? Maybe that’s why he’s acting all weird.”

  “I don’t know. Ugh … what do I do? It drives me nuts.”

  Malcom makes a noise, dropping Lidia’s bags near my closet door. “So, boyfriend isn’t really your boyfriend anymore? But you want him to be? Am I all caught up?”

  Lidia pats my bed for Malcom to sit while I spin in my computer chair. “Yeah, pretty much. I’m an idiot. Maybe I should have taken the gifts.”

  “A hot idiot. Ouch.” Lidia slaps Malcom and then nods at me. “But I thought you and him were all, we’re hearts forever kind of crap?”

  “‘Were’ is the key word there.” I pick up my guitar and start to strum a chord. Lidia looks over at my other one. “Pick it up.”

  “Nah, that’s okay,” she says. “He’s been trying to teach me, but I suck. Go ahead, baby.”

  Malcom picks it up and we start to have a little jam session. Lidia, however, makes us stop after a while and we decide to go downstairs. As soon as I step out of my room, I find a trail of red, pink, and white petals on the floor.

  “Oh, ew. I hope my mom and Brian aren’t doing something gross downstairs.”

  “I’m pretty sure they would go to the bedroom, right? Let’s go see what this is, though.” With a huge smile on her face Lidia runs down the stairs.

  I tiptoe because of the fear I’m walking in on something barfalicious. When I reach the living room, Caleb is standing in the middle of the room in front of a bunch of petals shaped into a heart. My hands go up to my mouth and he smiles. “Caleb, what is—”

  He shakes his head. “Sky, please stop talking. I need to do this before I lose it.” Oh my God, his hands are shaking. It’s so freaking cute I almost can’t contain myself. “These past few months have been a roller coaster. But one thing was constant and always there, and that’s you. I love you, Skylar. I haven’t stopped. I never meant to push you away, I was just sorting out a bunch of crap. Because, Sky, the man you deserve is one who knows what he’s doing. Has a set plan and path, and at the time I had not a clue. I do now. Skylar, do you forgive me?”

  I nod while tears roll down my cheeks. I start to lean in and kiss him, but he shakes his head.

  “Hold on. I’m not done yet. I’ve got two more questions.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You have my heart, Skylar Olivia Fletcher. Will you promise to keep it? And while we’re at it, will you be my date to prom?”

  “How did you … ”

  “Kayla and Lidia kind of hinted it to me. Also, ever since our dance in the shower, I’ve wanted to take you.”

  “You said you didn’t remember that night.”

  He frowns. “Yeah. I kind of lied about that so you wouldn’t be mad at me or push me away.” He steps forward and wraps his hands around my waist. “What do you say, Sky?”

  Lidia squeals. Malcom points a thumb at the door. “We’ll be outside.”

  I stare at them leaving, chewing on my lower lip.

  “Sky?”

  I look back at Caleb. “I’m going to Duke early. I’ll be in North Carolina at the end of June.”

  “Okay. That’s okay. That doesn’t answer my questions, though.”

  “How is that okay? I’ll be almost thirteen hours away.”

  He laughs. “Babe, quit freaking out. Take a breath. Relax. Okay?” I don’t know why he’s so calm about this. I just told him we’re going to be doing a long-distance relationship and he’s acting as if we’re going to be neighbors or something. “I’ll be there in June, too.”

  “You’ll be where in June?”

  “I’m going to Duke.”

  “Are we still talking about this year? Or are you saying what your plans for next year are?”

  He laughs even harder and louder this time. “Really, babe, and I thought you were the smart one in this relationship. Of course I’m talking about this year. I had to call my friend, you remember the guy on the plane going into New York, Clyde? I called him, and the recruiter, turns out they were college roommates. I told them both what happened, and the recruiter said as long as my arm is ready, he’s looking forward to seeing me this summer.”

  “So … ”

  “I start training in June.”

  I smile, happy tears pouring down my face, throw my arms around him, and kiss him. He finally pulls back and breathes, “You still haven’t answered my questions.”

  “Yes. Yes, to both.” I kiss him some more.

  Epiloguer />
  Skylar

  Kayla and Lance are standing in Caleb’s dorm room. I unroll a poster of a swimsuit model and say, “Um, no.”

  “What? I can’t have one of you to hang above my bed. It’s for those late nights when you’re working or practicing.” Caleb wraps himself around me.

  I smack him with the poster. “Fine. Then I’m going to go get one of those racy cowboy posters and hang it up over my bed.”

  “I don’t want to see that when I’m sleeping next to you in your room. That’s just creepy. Some half-naked dude in a hat staring at me. Hell no.”

  Kayla laughs. “You two sound like you’re married.”

  “And you two are going to get us killed. Don’t be wearing any of your school shit down here,” I warn.

  “Yeah.” Caleb laughs.

  Lance pounds Caleb’s fist and hugs me. Kayla hugs the both of us and promises to call me later. “Coffee this weekend,” she says.

  “Yup. Coffee off-campus.”

  “Definitely, I can’t be hanging out with a Devil,” Kayla jokes.

  “Oh, please, Tar Heel. You mean I can’t been seen with you.” I laugh.

  Lance rolls his eyes. “Looks like you’re on the losing side this time, man.”

  “Please. Two all-stars right here, right, babe?” Caleb high-fives me and we all bust out into loud laughter.

  I wink at Kayla. “Let the rivalries begin.”

  Once we wave goodbye, I go back to helping Caleb organize his room. He loops his thumbs into my shorts and pulls me against him. “I think we need a little break.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Oh yeah.” His mouth captures mine.

  Oh yeah, his room is going to take a while with little breaks like these. But you know what? I don’t mind at all. We’re just making up for a lot of lost time.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  To my wonderful Readers, I never dreamed so many of you would love RIVAL LOVE as much as I did writing it. Each one of you mean so much to me and make me very proud to be an author. Without you we wouldn’t exist. Thank you very much.

  I have many people to thank for being a part of this amazing adventure. My wonderful family and two awesome children, you inspire me to be the very best I can be. You make me laugh, sometimes make me want to pull my hair out, but most of all you are always there encouraging me. My dearest friends, without you I don’t think I could have gotten through some days. Either talking out my frustrations or making you read my work. You were there to talk me off the ledge and tell me I’m great when I think I suck that day. The staff at Swoon Romance, you are all so amazing and fantastic, without you this book wouldn’t be possible. My CP’s each one of you have read and gave incredible advice, pushed me, and helped me get this story right where it needed to be. And of course, I must thank all my bloggers who wanted to see Skylar and Caleb’s story unfold. To my very special fans who’ve shown a lot of support and love for RIVAL LOVE and RIVAL HEARTS. You are wonderful, so thank you Sanvee Quintila and Tiffanie Marks.

  Special thanks to: Jason, Ethan and Leeah. Josie Glauser, Brooks Remp, Tracey Chapman, Clarissa Grimes, Courtney Bivens, Angie Ball, Georgia McBride, Mandy Schoen, Lindsay Leggett, Sheri Larsen, Kelly Mooney, Annie Cosby, Courtney Koschel, Kerry Genova, Ann Ormond Fennell, Sarah Sharp, and Michelle Aker.

  NATALIE DECKER

  Natalie Decker is the Author of Rival Love. She loves oceans, sunsets, sand between her toes, and carefree days. Her imagination is always going, which some find odd. But she believes in seeing the world in a different light at all times. Her first passion for writing started at age twelve when she had to write a poem for English class. However, seventh grade wasn’t her favorite time and books were her source of comfort. She took all college prep classes in High school, and attended the University of Akron. Although she studied Mathematics she never lost her passion for writing or her comfort in books. She’s a mean cook in the kitchen, loves her family and friends and her awesome dog infinity times infinity. If she’s not writing, reading, traveling, hanging out with her family and friends, then she’s off having an adventure. Because Natalie believes in a saying: Your life is your own journey, so make it amazing!

  Follow Natalie:

  Twitter: @NatalieDecker07

  FB: https://www.facebook.com/natalie.decker.716

  Blog: Adayintothewriter.blogspot.com

  Here’s a sneak peek at RIVAL DREAMS,

  book three in the RIVAL LOVE series.

  Chapter 1

  Skylar

  The Daily is spread out before me on the dining hall’s table. Caleb is across from me working on his philosophy paper. I look up from the newspaper and say, “I found one.”

  Caleb is rubbing his temples and says in a tired tone, “Yeah?”

  “I think so. We’ll have to check it out, of course. But listen to this, two-bedroom apartment with walk-in closets, one bathroom, kitchen, spacious living room, and washer and dryer already included. No more rolls of quarters. Yay!”

  His gaze meets mine. “Sounds good. How much is it?”

  “It’s only five hundred a month. We can afford that.”

  He nods. “Whatever you want, babe.” He looks back down at his laptop.

  “Caleb, we don’t have to move in together if you don’t want to.”

  “Skylar.” He focuses on me again. “I want to move in with you. I’m just frustrated with this stupid paper that’s due in a couple days. My prof has been on my ass and, honestly, I think this is by far the stupidest class I’ve ever taken.”

  “I told you you’d hate it.”

  “I know you did.” He smiles. “I thought it was going to be a cake class.”

  I laugh. “That serves you right then. Taking stuff because you think it’ll be easy.”

  He groans. “Hush it over there.” He leans across the table and I meet him halfway with my lips. He pulls back a little. “Much better.”

  I smile at him. The alarm on my phone goes off. “Crap. I have to go. I love you, and I’ll see you later.” Pushing back my chair, I fold up the paper, grab my backpack, then kiss Caleb one more time.

  ***

  In the weight room I count out a rep on the sled. Zachery, one of the butterfliers on the guy’s team, stands over me as I push the weights up with my legs again. “Looking good from this angle, Sky.”

  “Keep dreaming, Zach,” I grind out as I lower the weights to my chest and push them up again.

  “I’m telling you, you have no idea what you’re missing out on.”

  “Oh, believe me, I’ve heard, and it’s not worth it.” I use my thumb and index finger to measure out an inch and he just laughs.

  His dark eyes do a once-over on me. His blond hair reminds me of a Brillo Pad, all stiff, tight curls, and closely shaved to his head. Definitely nothing like Caleb’s hair, which is soft, long, and always looks like he has bed head.

  “Anyway, I came over here to tell you Coach needs you to stop by the office.”

  I lock the sled into place and stand. “You know, you could have just said that first.”

  He smiles. “And miss all of our flirty conversation? Where’s the fun in that?” He winks.

  I roll my eyes and push past him. Snatching up the cleaning spray and paper towels, I head back to the machine and wipe it down. Once that’s done, I head to the locker rooms, change, and then leave for the pool area.

  Entering my coach’s office, I look around and notice he’s not in the room. Great. I came in here for nothing. I’m going to smack the hell out of Zach the next time I see him. I turn to leave and slam straight into a chest.

  I look up at Coach Marshal and take four steps back. “Sorry,” I mumble.

  “It’s okay. Have a seat, Skylar.”

  Placing my butt firmly in one of the cushy seats, I focus on the name plate on his desk.

  “Skylar,” he says, pulling my attention away from the items on his desk. “I want to talk to you about something. I’m always on the lookout for leaders. Someone
the team looks up to, respects, and, above all, trusts. I need someone who can guide this team as whole. Not just the small group of swimmers that they share a lane at practice with. Not just the group of swimmers that might swim a relay with them. But the entire team. Making sure they have the same goal and are achieving it as one unit.”

  I nod.

  “I need a female captain and a male captain. I picked Gary Colliage for the male captain position, and I want you to lead the females. I usually don’t choose sophomores for this kind of responsibility but you seemed to have really stepped up. Can I count on you?”

  I jump up out of the chair and scream, “Are you serious?”

  “Very.”

  “Oh my God! Yes! I can totally do this. Thank you!” I grip his extended hand and shake it, sealing the deal, then leave the office with a huge smile.

  Chapter 2

  Caleb

  I stare at the dean of students as she asks, “Are you sure about this, Caleb?”

  Of course I’m sure. But the look she’s giving me is making me doubt my decision. “I … ”

  “Caleb, I know I’m going to sound like a nagging mother, but I can’t help that. I am a mother, and I do nag. Especially when one of my children is about to make a huge decision without really giving it some thought. So, I’m going to ask you, have you given this a lot of thought?” Her dark eyes bore into me like she’s got x-ray vision. I shift a little in my seat. “I’m not your guardian, however, I suggest you talk to them. See what they think. Talk to someone, at least, and get some opinions before you quit your education.”

  “I don’t need more time to think.”

  She shakes her head. “Fine. I need a week to gather all the proper paperwork. Make an appointment with Janice, and I’ll see you then.”

  I nod. “Thank you.”

  She seems to be focused on her computer screen so I leave. Janice is on her phone yacking to someone, while rolling her eyes and shuffling papers on her desk. She clears her throat and says, “Yes, sir. But as I said before … you need to make an appointment.” She points her finger over at the stack of Post-its on her desk without even looking at me.