Meet Rylee Parks. JV Cheerleader, kick-ass bowler - and she is in love with her best friend's brother. Meet Aiden Reed. A varsity Football player, he can drink Ireland under the table and would do anything to protect the friend he sees as a brother. This is Rylee's first year of University and her last year of fawning over a boy who will never look at her the same. But what happens when Aiden is finally woken up to the realization that Rylee won't stay the small and innocent girl she always has been, and his time with her is quickly running out?
"Rylee is that the last of the boxes?" my mother called up the stairs.
I jumped on my suitcase one more time to close it.
"I just have one more suitcase, Mom," I said and continued to struggle.
"Oh, honey," my mother laughed. "Have I taught you nothing over the holidays? You have to do it like this." She sat down on the suitcase and pushed everything inside before she zipped it shut with ease.
"I don't think I weigh enough; I wasn't blessed with the family height sadly."
"That hasn't stopped you from getting into San Marco for JV Cheerleading. I thought you would be over the moon right now, and you'll finally get to join your brother and Aiden."
My heart stopped at the mention of my childhood crush, the boy I could very well call another brother from a different mother. Our family has known the Reed family since before my brother and I were even a thought. My mother and Aiden's mother were best friends in high school and were on the same cheer team at University. They both got pregnant at the same time and chose to raise their kids together; Avery Parks and Aiden Reed were born to be best friends.
Which always left me to be the third wheel. I was only a year younger than both of them which meant we were always thrown together during family vacations and get-togethers. Over time I had quickly become one of 'the boys', an inseparable trio had been formed.
But there was no denying that over time I developed a major crush on Aiden and his rugged good looks and sweet personality. He was just the right amount of goofy and caring but knew how to be strong and stand up for those he cared about, he was perfect boyfriend material.
But he has never looked at me as more than a little sister, no matter how much I tried to get his attention, I was always shot down and reminded of how close our friendship was.
"I am excited, but I'm also a little nervous. I'm not going to know anyone there and I doubt I'll be able to hang around Avery and Aiden while I'm there. They have their own frat house and I'll be in the dorm rooms."
"I'm sure you guys will have plenty of time to hang out. Now come on, your Dad is waiting in the car downstairs." She grabbed the last suitcase, and we headed downstairs.
It was a pretty short drive to the school, but my parents wanted to get me in there earlier and make a quick stop to see my brother, who hopefully remembered they were coming today and made his shared house somewhat manageable for their visit.
My heart continued to pump nervously as I thought about seeing Aiden again. It has only been a few months since he and Avery had last come home for the weekend to visit, but every day that I was unable to see or talk to him has been brutal. Our time spent together in University was going to be different than when we were all in high school together.
Despite taking after my mother with her gorgeous, good looks and athletically built body, I looked nothing like the many girls Aiden showed interest in during our high school years, he never looked twice at me.
But over the summer my body finally decided to fill out and catch up with my age, instead of being a 19-year-old in a little boy's body. This was going to be my year to stand out and what a coincidence that this was the year I finally reconnected with Aiden in a place where frat parties are plenty and anything could happen.
My parents helped me bring my bags and boxes into the dorm rooms and set up my side of the room before we had our tearful departure. Then, I was finally left on my own.
It wasn't until later in the morning when my roommate finally arrived, a sweet girl named Isabelle who was studying music and had a huge celebrity crush on Henry Cavill, judging by the many, many posters she hung of him.
I was halfway through unpacking my suitcase when the door flew open, and I was tackled by two large bodies. "Ryles!"
"Ugh, can't breathe. Get off!" I struggled to push them off me.
My older brother Avery helped me off the floor and pulled me in for a bear hug.
"Do you need any help unpacking?" Aiden asked.
I could feel the sweat perspire on my hands as soon as my eyes landed on his, the familiarity of their blue warmth washed over me and almost caved in his arms.
"I don't have a lot of stuff, and classes don't start for another day," I said.
"Then, let's go grab something to eat. I can show you all the good places to go around here," Avery offered. "You also have to come to check out the frat house and see the guys, they've been dying to meet you."
"Sounds good, let me just change really quick." I pushed them out the door and rummaged through my suitcase to find a clean pair of jeans and a shirt to trade out my joggers and sweatshirt.
We walked around campus sipping on Starbucks as Avery and Aiden took me to all the local and hot spots that students frequented, including the campus bar that was pretty loose on checking I.Ds. After that, we were headed to the infamous Alpha Sigma Phi Frat House that Avery has taken so much pride in as the house's President, Aiden of course being the Vice President or whatever the titles were.
When we walked into the house, I was greeted right away with loud hollering and shouting coming from the living room.
"Hey guys, come meet my little sister!" Avery called out.
I heard what sounded like controllers dropping to the ground before two towering guys rushed around the corner, both of them built like damn trucks.
"This is Carter Romero, our Treasurer, and the official Hazing King." Avery pointed to the one with short-cut dark hair and tanned skin.
"Pleasure to finally meet the littlest Parker's sibling." He stuck out his hand for me to shake.
"That's Noah Knight, our House and Scholarship Manager." He pointed to the other guy next to Noah with shaggy blonde hair and bright green eyes who gave me a small wave.
"I'm Ryan Hayes, and I'm the house Secretary and Academics Chair. We've heard a lot about Avery's famous little sister, and word is you can drink him under the table." A preppy kid with curly brown hair and glasses that slightly hid his brown eyes.
"Thanks for the warm welcome, I've heard a lot about the house as well and I look forward to these infamous parties I hear you guys like to have," I said with an excited grin.
"Well then you gotta come tonight!" Carter said. "It's our first party of the semester, so it always goes out with a bang."
"She just got here, give her the night to settle in," Avery frowned.
"I'm up for it if you guys don't mind me bringing a plus one."
"What plus one?" Aiden asked.
"Yeah, you've barely been here an hour, who have you met already?" Avery piped in.
I rolled my eyes. "I meant my roommate, geez. I don't remember asking for two brothers, by the way."
The guys chuckled. "I can't wait to see these two in big brother mode, I never thought I'd get to see that," Carter said and slapped Avery on the back.
"Yeah, yeah, alright. Let's get you to the main building, you still need to grab your locker keys and cheer uniform. What are your classes like this semester? Have you gotten your schedule yet?" Avery bombarded me with questions as he pushed me out the door.
"You're acting worse than Dad right now, he already forced me to make a list and check it twice before we left the house. I have everything I need already; I just need to unpack."
"Then, let's get you unpacked."
"Why are you shoving me out the door?"
"I'm tired of my friends checking out my little sister," he grumbled.
I slapped him on the arm. "Don't start that now, no one is checking me out. Now, drive me back to the dorms, I'm not walking back."
"I don't have any gas left."
"I'll drive you back to the dorms," Aiden said.
My heart lurched in my chest at the thought of a car ride alone with him after not speaking for almost a year.
"O-okay."
Isla Thatcher has given up everything she has ever loved: her looks, her confidence, and her passion for dance. The day a drunk driver takes her mother is the day her beautiful life turns bleak, and to make it all worse, she gains a personal bully. Ace Huxley, star hockey player and captain, has rigid good looks and he will do anything to pick on Isla Thatcher and remind her that her life is miserable. There has never been a particular reason why, but anyone would find someone as mysterious as her weird. But what happens on the day they are reunited, but only one can recognize the other? Isla has regained her confidence and is ready to take life head-on with everything she has missed, but she never expected she would also be given the chance of a lifetime - to bully the bully!
Maia Beaufort has lived her 17 years on Earth as Han Ma Ri, until the day her mother puts her on a plane and her past is taken away from her by her estranged father, with the promise that she would be able to return home someday. As an already struggling artist, Maia sees no other choice but to take advantage of this opportunity to secure herself the best future she can, until the day she can finally leave her horrid new life behind. Reign Ferrante has tried his best to live a normal life, away from the daunting secrets that plague his every waking hour. Setting up an art shop was his only saving grace of holding onto the one true part of himself and the hopes of leaving his unwanted life behind. But the arrival of a striking girl with a headstrong attitude and a talent too gorgeous to be hidden away might just change his outlook on life. What will happen when these lost souls find each other?
Amira Altaha has lived her entire 18 years alongside the natural - and supernatural. In her hometown city of Morrowfalls, it isn't unknown to be working side by side with a furry friend, or scaly, or one that floats. She can't imagine life without this diverse culture, especially not her longtime boyfriend, Isaac Lund. Despite their differences of her being a human and him being a werewolf, it takes one meeting during junior year of high school for them to fall head over heels for each other. Amira understands that one day Isaac might find his mate in someone who isn't her, but he makes his own vow to be with her until the very end. This promise is upheld for five blissful years - until the day Isaac turns 18, and meets Eris Morin, daughter to the Alpha of the Silverhowl Pack - and his new mate. ~ “Is this another attempt at avoiding me?” he asks. Goosebumps rise on her skin as his lower lip subtly brushes against hers while he speaks, his breath warm and sweet on her tongue. “What if it is?” She is surprised at how strong her voice sounds despite how much her chest is trembling. His fingers tighten their grip on her chin and waist, his already dark eyes darkening further. “I’ll say this only once so listen close, sweetheart – there isn’t anywhere in this world you can go where I won’t find you, and as cute as this game of dog and squirrel has been, I am only willing to play for so long. It’s best for you to give up now; I always win.”
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.