Rival Hearts (Rival Love #2) (27 page)

“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

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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.

I snatch up a Post-it and scribble out that I need to come back next week. Then I slap the Post-it on her desk calendar. Janice’s blue eyes lock with mine and she shakes her head while still talking to the person on the phone. She looks over at her computer screen, clicks the mouse a couple times, and then writes on a card. She hands it over to me and waves me off.

She didn’t even bother asking me if this time was okay. I glance down at the card in my hand and shrug. Well, if I miss class, oh well. It’s not like I’m going to be here that much longer anyway.

Now, I just have to tell the great news to Skylar, my uncle, and Erin.

***

I visit Sky’s dorm room. On the whiteboard hanging on her door is the last note I wrote her.
Caleb+Skylar always and forever
. Yeah, I know it’s cheesy, but Skylar loved it and that’s all that matters. Of course, now that I stare at the note, I can’t help but wonder if this news I’m about to tell her will ruin us.

A few years ago, when Sky and I were seniors in high school, she left to go live with her dad in New York. And that distance almost broke me, so I went after her. How the hell will I survive being apart from her if I’m drafted to a team on the West Coast? Or really any team that isn’t the Carolina Panthers? I mean, Sky’s going to be in school for two more years, then another four years of medical school.

And she won’t leave her dream school to be with me. She worked so hard to get into Duke. To ask her to follow me would be selfish and wrong. I’m not going to be that asshole.

So, instead of knocking on her door or writing her another sappy note, I leave.

***

My cell rings with a picture of Uncle Bri across the screen. I groan and answer it. “Hey.”

“How’s school going?”

“Good. How’s the pup?”

Uncle Bri and Erin decided to get a puppy because they missed me and Skylar too much. Of course, according to my uncle, this was all Erin’s idea. And according to Erin, this was all my uncle’s idea. So far, the puppy, whose name is Maxwell, has chewed on every chair in the dining room and peed in my closet. And, for some reason, he loves to sleep under Skylar’s bed.

My uncle grumbles. “He’s in time out for hopping up on the counter and eating our bacon.”

“He ate your bacon?” I sit on my bed and kick off my shoes.

“It was cooked. And yes. He somehow jumped onto the bar stool and sat there like a human, eating the bacon right off our plates.”

I can’t help but burst into a fit of laughter.

“It’s not really funny, Caleb.”

“Actually, I beg to differ. It’s pretty funny. I can’t wait to see him.”

“That’s why I was calling. Erin and I are planning on coming down there to visit in a couple of weeks. You kids don’t have any exams or anything going on, do you?”

“Nah. No exams for me. I’ll have to ask Sky what her schedule’s like. I think it should be fine, though.” I lay back on my bed, resting my head against my pillow.

“Good. I’ll probably have Erin call Sky later. So, how are you doing money-wise? Do you have enough for groceries and the down payment for an apartment?”