Dream Chaser (36 page)

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Authors: Angie Stanton

Tags: #Juvenile Fiction, #Love & Romance

BOOK: Dream Chaser
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Give it up to
Tyson,
he knew how to throw a party. I spotted Mom and Dad with Breezy. “Look at my mom in a slinky black dress! And my dad is in a suit! I didn’t know he owned one!”

“It looks like he shaved.” Eli said.

“Who are those people? And what did they do with my parents?”

Eli’s parents talked to some men in suits; his dad was probably trying to land a business deal. I spied a beaming Miss Ginny who looked the same as always visiting with Samantha who wore a gorgeous gold dress held up by teeny little straps. Tyson held a martini and laughed with a large group. He fit well in any situation.

Eli curled his finger around mine. “Part of me doesn’t want to go in.”

“We should go for a little while,” I suggested.

He took my hand and cradled it in his. “Yeah, that would be okay.”

“What do you want to do afterward?”

A devilish smile covered his face. His strong arm pulled me into a close embrace. “Take a drive over to
Messerschmidt
Road.”

“Can you get your mom’s car with the big backseat?” I gave him a sly smile.

“Any time. You say the word.”

I arched an eyebrow and said, “You jump,
I
jump.”

 

 

The End.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Angie Tyler never planned on writing
books,
she wanted to be a
Rockette
. However, growing up in a rural setting with her brothers' 4-H pigs as pets, dance didn't work out. Instead she became an avid daydreamer. After years of perfecting stories in her head she began to write them down and the rest is history.

 

She loves dipping
french
fries in chocolate shakes, all natural disaster movies and Broadway Musicals. When not writing, Angie is concocting ways to make more dreams come true, whether it be tickets to a Broadway show or convincing her family they should rent an RV and travel the country.

 

Angie is a proud double finalist of the 2011 National Readers Choice Awards for Love '
em
or Leave '
em
, as well as a finalist for the Golden Quill Awards.

 

Look for Angie’s next book in 2012. Another Young Adult romance about Adam Jamieson, the younger brother in
Rock and a Hard Place
.

 

 

 

Acknowledgements

 

Special thanks go out to my fabulous critique partners, Linda
Schmalz
, Deb
Barkelar
and Rachel Michaels, your eye to detail is a godsend. My terrific Beta readers were Kate Grout, Kristi Tyler, Margo Zimmerman and Donna Van
Keuren
. The beautiful cover is by the talented and very patient Mary Kay Adams-
Edgette
.

 

For all the research assistance I thank: Sheila
Noone
of Varsity Brands, Inc. for her assistance with cheerleading terminology; dance team member, Allison Martin, for her terrific input on hip-hop; David
Kuelz
and Donna Van
Kueren
for their great theatre and Kathleen
Chesley
Williams, a gifted dancer, teacher and choreographer for her generous time and knowledge of everything dance.

 

A special thank you goes to Virginia Davis, the fabulous woman who taught me how to tap so very long ago and has inspired thousands of young dancers at the Virginia Davis School of Dance.

 

Of course, I must thank my family, Ed, Kristi and Kevin, who listen to my crazy ideas and always nod and smile, even though deep down they think I’m nuts. They’re right, but it’s nice they know how to fake it. And my brother Pat who was always amazed I could write a story. Sorry I didn’t get to yours in time.

 

And finally, to that boy in high school who took me to
Messerschmidt
Road on a cold winter night. I never guessed it would end up in a book!

 

~
 
~
 
~

 

 

 

More books by Angie Stanton

 

Rock and a Hard Place
Available as an e-book everywhere and print book at Amazon.

 

 

What others are saying about
Rock and a Hard Place
.

 

Wow! Rock and a Hard Place took me places I didn’t expect to go. I thought I had this book all figured out from the description, but it was so much more.
  

~ Reading, Eating & Dreaming

 

This book was so good! I started reading it, expecting the typical pop star and normal teen romance, but that’s not what I got. I would recommend this 1000%! GREAT, GREAT, GREAT read!

~
lowshie

 

This book was an absolute joy to read. I laughed and loved with Libby and Peter, but even more, I cried as if it were actually happening to me.

~
fasnfuurious

 

I can’t seem to get this one out of my head. I laughed, I cried, I got pissed, I cried some more.

~
rookiegolf

 

Let me warn you, you will smile, you will laugh, and you will cry at this Libby and Peter journey. I strongly recommend this book regardless of your age.

~ My name is Jane

 

 

Love '
em
or Leave '
em

Available in hardcover through Amazon.

 

What others are saying about
Love ‘
em
or Leave ‘
em
.

 

I loved every minute of this book…a delightful look into what happens when a woman is mistakenly cast on a matchmaking reality show…entertainingly fun read.

~Linda M.
Schmalz

 

For all the fans of reality shows like “The Bachelor” you’re going to especially love this book!

~ Meg Valentine

 

I loved this book. It was like watching the Bachelor or Bachelorette! It was a good short romance!

~ Annie ~
Goodreads

 

 

 

 

Look for Angie Stanton on Facebook

Blog:
http://angiestanton.wordpress.com

Angie loves to hear from readers at [email protected]

 

 

 

Excerpt from
Rock and a Hard Place

 

Peter and Libby sat atop the giant rock engulfed in the misty cool beauty of the glen. Peter reached over and held her hand. They relaxed, content in each other’s company. Peter ran his thumb over her fingers. Suddenly he paused and turned her hand over.
“What’s this?” He asked, innocently enough.
“Nothing.” She snatched her hand away, embarrassed.
“No, give it back.” He reached out and pulled her hand back into his two and examined the violent bumps. “What are all these marks?”
Her face heated at his question. “It’s nothing.” She tried to brush it off, but dread crept in.
“It’s not nothing, it looks like cuts.” He held tight to her hand as he examined it. “You’re not a cutter are you?” He looked her straight in the eye.
“No! Now let go.” She tried to pull her hand away, but he wouldn’t release her. Libby’s happiness spiraled down, the joy of the day gone. Too often the kids at school snickered ‘cutter’ to her back, just loud enough that she’d hear.
“Well, what happened?”
She understood why he asked. She might ask the same thing. Peter’s expression was honest concern, nothing more.
“They’re scars. From a car accident.” She bit her lip, not wanting to reveal another word.
“Oh God, that’s terrible.” He continued to study her permanently marred fingers and palm. “It must have been a really bad accident.”
“Yeah, it was,” she whispered as the image of the crumpled car and glow of ambulance lights flashed in her mind.
He peeked up at her past the heavy chunk of hair that covered his eyes. “You know, they look like little starbursts.”
“Whatever you say,” she replied, not seeing it.
“Give me the other one,” he commanded, as if her feelings weren’t involved.
For some reason she obeyed and extended her other hand.
He examined both palms, lightly trailing his thumb and fingers over the surface of her skin. Shivers ran up her arms.
“No, they’re not starbursts.” He continued to touch each mark. “They’re angel kisses. It’s like angels kissed your hands all over.” His eyes rose to meet hers. They were filled with kindness and compassion. Something she had felt little of the past year.
Only Peter could turn the violent scars from a devastating accident into something beautiful. He was the sweetest person she’d ever met. Without another word, he lifted first one hand and then the other and kissed each little mark on her tender, scarred hands.
Libby’s mouth opened in wonder. Peter bent over her damaged hands. His soft lips pressed to them. His warm breath tickled her skin as his lips gently moved. Goosebumps danced up her arms and her stomach flipped. Never in her life had she felt this way. His tender kisses were heaven. She never wanted this moment to end. For once she thanked God for the ugly scars.
Peter looked up, her hands cradled in his, as if it were a perfectly normal thing to do. His eyes, a deep pool of liquid brown, melted into hers. Libby’s breath slowed. Today her world was perfect. This beautiful boy held her captive. His expression confirmed he felt the same. They leaned their heads closer, just inches apart.
Something moved out of the corner of her eye.
“Ouch! Crap.”
They looked up just in time to see Peter’s brother Adam slip down the side of the boulder, and drop his fancy camera in the process.
“What the?” Peter exclaimed. They jumped away from each other as if guilty of some terrible act.
Adam,
crouched at the bottom of the large boulder checking his camera for damage.
“Adam, what the hell are you doing?” Peter yelled, their moment shattered.
“Looking for you, nimrod. Dad’s really pissed. You were supposed to be back an hour ago.”
“Shit,” Peter said under his breath.
Adam resumed his picture taking, focusing on Libby and Peter.
“Stop it.” Peter reached for the camera. “Don’t make me break that thing.”
“Hey, I’ve got some great stuff here, this new lens is amazing. I’ve heard the paparazzi use this type too. I got it all, Peter, including your nose hairs. You should really trim them.” Adam ducked out of Peter’s reach before he could get smacked.
“Libby, please excuse my “little” brother. As you can see he is mentally challenged.”
“Hi.” Libby said, mortified to be discovered at such a vulnerable time.
Adam flashed her a huge grin.
“Adam here is going to hightail it back to the bus and tell them I’m on my way. That way I won’t have to break his fingers. Right?” Peter stood and glared at his brother.
“Dad would be pretty ticked if you did that. Plus, who’d play lead for you, so you don’t go off key all the time.”
“Libby, can you find me a rock? I need to throw it at Adam?”
“Geez, you really know how to spoil a party,” Adam complained.

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