When Hearts Collide

by Lorana Hoopes

“I see.” The woman looked down at her notepad. “Didn’t he pour you a drink from a keg though?”

  “He did.”

  “So how could he have drugged you? Wouldn’t the drug have been in the keg and affected other girls?”

  Amanda had wondered this herself, but Paul had assured her it didn’t matter. She only needed to tell the truth. “I assume it was in the keg and maybe they made sure other girls didn’t drink from that keg. I honestly don’t know, but he knew what was in the keg. He refused to drink it for one, and he immediately took me to the back of the house for another.”

  “But didn’t my client say that it was just to talk since the music was so loud?”

  “He did, but that wasn’t his real motivation. As soon as the drug started kicking in, he took me to a bedroom and locked the door.”

  “Isn’t it possible that the Ketamine just heightened your senses and you gave him the signal that you wanted sex, but then changed your mind afterwards and that’s why you filed this complaint?”

  Amanda clenched her fists in her lap and shook her head, sending her red hair rippling against her face. “I could barely move before he took me to the bedroom, and once he laid me down, my entire body went numb. I couldn’t speak; all I could do was move my eyes. I tried to move them back and forth to let him know I didn’t want his advances, but he ignored them and assaulted me anyway.”

  The defense attorney fired a few more questions at Amanda, trying to discredit her integrity, but the peace continued to flow around her, and she answered each one in turn.

  When the judge dismissed her from the stand, she glanced over at Caleb as she took a seat next to Jared in the audience. Caleb didn’t meet her eye, but whether that was from contriteness or something else, Amanda did not know.

  At the end of the day, her energy waned from having to hear all the sordid details replayed in the courtroom. Amanda still couldn’t believe how many other girls had fared much worse than she had. Though she had met most of them, seeing the actual black book admitted into evidence still hit her hard. Her Christian upbringing made it difficult for her to believe that men like this existed, men who would take advantage of women for the sheer sport of it.

  “You did great,” Jared said as they left the courtroom. “Do you want to get something to eat?”

  Amanda was hungry, but more than that, she felt filthy. The reminding of the traumatic night had re-ignited the feelings of violation, and she wanted a hot shower to wash them off. She declined the dinner invitation with the excuse of being tired, and she and Jade headed back to the dorm room after being dropped off.

  “You aren’t really tired, are you?” Jade asked as they entered the room.

  “I am, but more than that, I just feel dirty. I want to take a long hot shower and try to forget everything I heard today.” Amanda shivered as another wave of disgust shot down her back.

  Jade nodded in understanding.

  Amanda gathered her toiletries and headed down the hall to the bathroom. Though a hot bath where she could soak the filth away would have been preferable, the hot water of the shower at least eased some of the loathing. The water droplets felt like tiny pellets stinging her back like a whip, but the image of the soap running down the drain made her think of sins being washed away.

  After drying off, she redressed and returned to the room. Her pale skin was now a light pink from the heat of the water.

  “Feel better?” Jade asked from her bed.

  “A little,” Amanda shrugged. “How did people do it? How did they get over it?”

  Jade sighed. “I don’t think anyone really gets over it, but from what I’ve seen, it gets easier. You start to think about it less. Some women change a lot though, taking self-defense or martial arts to protect themselves. Some hide away inside, but you’ve got God on your side, and I know with prayer and time, he will heal you.”

  Amanda smiled and chuckled as she asked, “How did you get so knowledgeable about God?”

  “I had a persistent roommate who was a very good teacher,” Jade said, returning the smile.

  The trial lasted another week. Both Jordan and Emily had to testify, and it was hard to sit through the story again and again, but the evidence was convincing, and the jury convicted Caleb of rape, attempted sexual assault, and drug possession. He, Trevor, and the other boys who were named in the book were all convicted to a minimum of ten years. It wasn’t perfect, but knowing that they would be put away for a decade brought some relief.

  “I’m glad that’s over,” Jared said as they exited the courtroom for the last time.

  “Me too,” Amanda said, snuggling into his side and enjoying the security of his arm around her. “This was not how I pictured my Freshman year, but I have to say, I think it will be much better from here on out.”

  “I wholeheartedly concur,” Jared said with a smile as he pulled her even closer. Emily, Jade, Jordan, and several other friends joined them, and together the group walked out of the court house and into the crisp winter air, ready to tackle whatever else life threw at them.

  * * *

  THE END!!

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  If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review at your retailer. It really does help and only takes a minute. http://books2read.com/Whenheartscollide

  Author’s Note

  When Hearts Collide looked a little different when I first wrote it. It had Amanda’s, Jess’s, and Alyssa’s story all in it because in the beginning it was more of a woman’s fiction. When I decided to turn it into a romance, I knew I needed to focus on just one character, so I gave Jess and Alyssa their own stories and added more to each.

  I think the end result is even better than the original book, and while it’s not perfect (what book is), it’s a sweet story with a compelling relevant message. We are always told to be careful about crossing the campus, but no one tells us to be careful of the men we choose to date.

  I hope you enjoyed this story. If you did, would you do me a favor? If you did, please leave a review. It really helps. It doesn’t have to be long - just a few words to help other readers know what they’re getting.

  I’d love to hear from you, not only about this story, but about the characters or stories you’d like read in the future. I’m always looking for new ideas and if I use one of your characters or stories, I’ll send you a free ebook and paperback of the book with a special dedication. Write to me at loranahoopes@gmail.com. And if you’d like to see what’s coming next, be sure to stop by authorloranahoopes.com

  * * *

  I also have a weekly newsletter that contains many wonderful things like pictures of my adorable children, chances to win awesome prizes, new releases and sales I might be holding, great books from other authors, and anything else that strikes my fancy and that I think you would enjoy. I’ll even send you the first chapter of my newest (maybe not even released yet) book if you’d like to sign up.

  * * *

  Even better, I solemnly swear to only send out one newsletter a week (usually on Tuesday unless life gets in the way which with three kids it usually does). I will not spam you, sell your email address to solicitors or anyone else, or any of those other terrible things.

  * * *

  Turn the page for a sneak peek at A Past Forgiven!

  Not ready to say Goodbye yet?

  Amanda and Jared were a lot of fun to write. Emily comes into the next book where we meet Jess.

  A Past Forgiven

  Jess has a chip on her shoulder…

  But she should. Her past is full of abuse and disappointment, but when Emily enters her life, she begins to see a new path.

  He thought it just be an easy hookup…

  But he can’t help the feelings he’s developing for Jess.

  Can an unplanned pregnancy change your whole life….

  * * *

  Read on for a taste of A Past Forgiven….

  A Past Forgiven Preview

  Jess Peterson stepped off the bus onto the campus of Texas Te
ch and took a deep breath. Though not her first choice of colleges - she’d wanted to get farther away - at least it removed her from the clutches of her “handsy” stepfather. In fact, if she never saw Paducah, Texas and it’s one stoplight again, she would be fine with that.

  She slung her black backpack over her shoulder and crossed the quad to Knapp Hall. A folded map resided in the back pocket of her cutoff denim shorts. However, Jess possessed a photographic memory and had memorized most of the buildings, on the east side of campus at least. Knapp Hall was a large, though non-descript, brick building of three floors built in 1948.

  Jess registered the cracks in the cement steps as she pulled open the front door. They weren’t surprising as old as the building was, but she hoped the interior had been updated more recently.

  It was not to be. The dorm had been improved since 1948, but it still looked to be about ten years behind the times in terms of decorating. Variations of browns and greens were the main colors, interspersed with a few streaks of gray.

  After stopping at the information desk on the first floor just long enough to get the keys, Jess took the stairs at the end of the hall two at a time to the third floor. 316. The closed door elicited a glimmer of hope that they’d gotten her the single she'd requested. She did not want a roommate.

  As the door swung open, Jess swore softly under her breath. A blonde girl stood beside the left bed unpacking the suitcase in front of her. She looked up when Jess entered and smiled. Jess did not return the smile as she asked, “Who are you?”

  The girl dropped the item of clothing she had been holding and stepped forward, extending her hand. “I’m Emily. I guess you’re my new roommate.”

  Rolling her eyes, Jess pushed past the girl, ignoring the hand. “Crap. I told them I needed a single.”

  “Well, they ran out,” Emily stated, appearing unperturbed by the rude behavior. “See, I’m a sophomore, but I offered to room with an incoming freshman if it was necessary. Since you’re here,” she shrugged, “I guess it was necessary.”

  Jess tossed her backpack on the right bed and glared at the blonde. “Well, I’ll be telling them to look again. I don’t do roommates.” Her hand plunged into the backpack, rifling through the contents until she found the item she was looking for - the paperwork with the RA’s name on it. Ah, there it was. Clasping it in her hand, she glared at Emily again, and then abruptly left the room, slamming the wooden door behind her. “Nope, nu uh,” she muttered as she stomped down the hallway to the RA’s room.

  Room 350 was at the far end of the hall, and Jess rapped loudly on the wooden door when she arrived. A tall, leggy blonde with sparkly pink lips opened the door. “Hi, can I help you?”

  Oh, great. My RA was probably the prom queen - every year, Jess thought as she shoved the paper clenched in her fist in front of the preppy blonde’s face. “I’m Jess Peterson, and I’m supposed to have a single, but there’s some goody-two-shoes who has already unpacked her things in my room.”

  The RA’s perfectly arched eyebrows shot to the top of her forehead as she leaned back slightly and took the paper, lowering it to a level she could read it from. “Okay, well, first off, let’s try not to call our roommate names.” She unfolded the paper and glanced over it.

  With crossed arms, Jess tapped her foot against the carpeted floor as she waited for the RA to explain they had made a mistake.

  The RA looked up from the paper and sighed. “This says we’d try to get you a single, but that we couldn’t guarantee it. Apparently, more upperclassmen returned than expected, and they get their choice of a single first. So, I can add you to the waiting list, but I’m afraid you’re stuck for now.”

  Heat erupted in Jess’s body and her hands clenched into fists at her side. “That’s it? That’s all you can do?”

  The blonde shrugged and held the paper out to her, “Maybe try to get to know your roommate. I bet she’s not as bad as you think.”

  “Aargh, you are worthless.” Jess snatched the paper back from the RA’s glittery pink nails and marched down the stairs. This could NOT be happening. She slammed the outside door open as she reached the final step. It banged against the wall before slamming shut, satisfying a small destructive desire burning within.

  Leaning against the brick wall, she pulled a cigarette and a lighter out of the pocket of her shorts and flicked the lighter on. As she puffed on the cigarette, the nicotine went to work on her nerves, soothing some of the manic feeling. How was she going to make it through a semester with a roommate?

  It wasn’t that she’d never lived with anyone. She’d crashed with a few friends the last few months after moving out of her mom’s house, but that had been a necessary evil and she’d been hoping to finally have a place of her own when she arrived at college.

  As she inhaled, plans formulated in her mind. Maybe if living with her was awful enough, she could get the girl to leave. What would it take? Loud music? Being a slob? A parade of men? She would have to try them all until one worked.

  The cigarette burned to a nub, and Jess dropped it to the ground, squishing it into the dirt with the toe of her boot before deciding to take a walk to calm her anger and solidify a plan.

  When she returned to the room later, the girl was still there and had decorated. Red and black towels, displaying Tech pride, hung from the handle by the sink. Pictures of the Eiffel tower covered the wall above a soft grey bedspread etched with a black Flëur De Leis. The girl sat on the bed with a book open on her lap. Ice flooded Jess’s veins as she realized what the girl was reading. She hadn’t thought this roommate situation could get worse, but she’d been wrong.

  “Oh heck no, you’re one of those?”

  “I’m sorry, one of what?” The girl’s brow wrinkled as she looked at Jess.

  “One of those Bible beaters.” Jess had known enough “religious” people in her lifetime to know she wanted nothing to do with them. They always talked a big talk, but they never lived what they preached. Even her mother attended a church for a time, but dropped it when she met Jim.

  The girl smiled. “I am a Christ follower, if that’s what you mean.”

  With another eye roll, Jess mumbled under her breath, “Great, they paired me with a religious nut job.” She grabbed her headphones from her bag, plugged them into her phone, and turned up the music. Though the girl said nothing, Jess could tell the music was bugging her, and she smiled a little inside. Maybe this wouldn’t be too hard after all.

  A few minutes later, the girl motioned for Jess to remove the headphones. She pushed one back just enough to hear the girl ask something about food. Yeah, as if I’d want to eat with you. Jess flicked a hand at her in dismissal and sighed in relief when the door closed behind the girl.

  Turning off the music, she began to unpack her own things. There wasn’t much, only what would fit in her large backpack. When she’d left home a few months back, she had taken only a few clothes and items, just enough to get by. She’d stayed with a few acquaintances through the summer before having to spend the last week in a shelter. It hadn’t been that bad, and it allowed her to keep the small wad of money she managed to save up and keep hidden from her mother.

  Thankfully, a scholarship arrived her senior year that covered college room and board. No fan of high school, Jess had done as little to get by as possible. But her Junior year, the guidance counselor, who understood a little of her unfortunate home situation, convinced Jess she was a good student and could get a scholarship if she worked hard. The counselor had been right, and the scholarship had been Jess’s ticket out of the abuse she’d lived with for the last several years.

  Jess pulled out her favorite black blanket, unrolled it, and covered the bed. As she looked at the bare walls, she wished she could have brought some posters from home, but there’d been no room. Her small wardrobe filled most of the space in the backpack along with necessary items. The contrast between her blank, monochromatic side of the room and the other girl’s pride-filled side was nauseating an
d slightly comical.

  An audible rumbling in her stomach sounded, and Jess realized she was hungry after all, but she had no idea which dorm the blonde saint had gone to. Knapp Hall didn’t have a full cafeteria, but many of the nearby dorms did. As she didn’t want to risk running into her, Jess decided it was time to see what the town offered.

  University Avenue lay to the east, and she trekked that direction having seen a few restaurants from the bus when she arrived earlier. The sun still shone, though it was nearing dusk, and beads of sweat trickled down one side of her neck. She had shaved the other side hoping to deter her stepfather’s advances, but it hadn’t worked. However, it seemed to fit well with her “don’t mess with me” attitude, so she’d kept it.

  She crossed University at a crosswalk and debated. A pizza place, a burger joint, and a pancake house dotted the row of buildings. Not feeling much like breakfast or a greasy pizza, Jess opted for the burger joint, Ollie’s.

  The red and black building oozed Tech pride, and a picture of Ollie, a white dog with a black patch over one eye and a red bandana, completed the sign. Jess sighed at the gimmicky exterior, but figured the food couldn’t be too bad. It was rather hard to mess up a burger and fries.

  As she opened the door, second thoughts flooded her mind. She might as well have walked into an updated version of Cheers. Huge television screens adorned the walls. Booths covered in red vinyl hugged the large windows, and a few tables and chairs crowded a large bar. A lively group filled the room, including a group of jocks at the nearest table cheering at the big screens. Pretty, blonde girls in designer clothes sat at another table tapping away on their expensive cell phones. If there were two things Jess couldn’t stand, it was jocks and Barbies.