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balance along with classes and going home? Not to mention
he knows GC pretty well.”
    Glancing at my watch, I realize it’s time to get to
class. When we get back to campus, Carleigh and I go our separate
ways and I keep my eyes open for GC. So far, so good. He’s nowhere
in sight.
    The first day was uneventful as each professor went
over the syllabi and class expectations. From just an hour, I can
tell my Coral Reef class is going to live up to my expectations. I
spend the next two days getting acquainted with my new classes and
enjoying time with my sisters and Brett.
    On Thursday morning, I pack my car and drive
separately to campus. After class, Brett meets me at my car before
he goes to the weight room. As we’re saying goodbye, I notice the
blonde from Coastal Java in the distance, but seeing who’s on her
arm makes me sick to my stomach.
    “ Mar, are you okay?” he asks as he moves me
into his arms.
    “ I will be,” I say as my eyes cut toward the
blonde and GC. Brett looks to see what has my attention. When he
see’s GC and the blonde, he just shakes his head.
    “ He’s such an idiot. He can do so much better
than her.”
    “ Who is that?” I ask because I don’t want him
asking why I was staring.
    “ That’s GC Del Valle. He’s the starting point
guard for the basketball team. Summer’s been after him since
freshman year, but it wasn’t until last year he gave her the time
of day. I’m sure she just wanted him because of his status.” He
shrugs his shoulders and I turn my attention back to him. “So
you’re sure you have to go?” he questions.
    “ You know I have to, but I miss you
already.”
    “ I bet I’m going to miss you more. I mean
you’ve got another man waiting for you, and me, I’ll just be
hanging out all alone,” he says as he pouts. I push his shoulder
and he laughs.
    “ That’s right, just think about me while
you’re having a good time at a party and I’m watching Nick Junior,”
I say.
    “ Just know that I’m not going to have a good a
time without you,” he says as his lips brush mine.
    “ I guess I better get going.” As I turn to
open the car door, Brett turns me to him again and kisses me as if
he’s never going to see me again. “I promise I’ll be back on
Tuesday.” As his face falls, I try to look on the bright side.
“It’s five days, Brett.” He doesn’t say anything, instead he
attacks my lips again. Finally, we part from each other and it’s
hard to believe I just met him last week. He is such a good guy and
I feel safe with him. He helps me into the car and as I roll down
my window, he bends down and kisses me once more before stepping
away and I watch him in my rearview.

Chapter 17
    January 2015
    MARLEIGH
    Wow, I can’t believe my first semester is over, that
I’m having a blast dating Brett, and am finding a way to balance my
school life with my home life. I’m one semester closer to being
able to start my new plan for the future with Gunner. After
dropping off my backpack in my room, I walk into the living room to
see my sister’s looking like they are up to no good.
    “ Oh, no, I know those looks, what are ya’ll
thinkin’?”
    “ We know Gunner’s birthday is next week, and
you’re planning on having his party next weekend so is there any
way you can stay here this weekend? There’s a big game this weekend
and it would be so much fun if you could stay.”
    “ I don’t know, Tin. I mean, I’ve done so well
not running into GC, why risk it now?”
    “ He probably won’t even look in our direction
since it seems he only has eyes for Summer these days. Plus, you
have Brett.”
    “ Yeah, about that. Brett and I have gotten
really close. I want to introduce Gunner to him, but I think I need
to tell him about GC first.”
    “ Where the hell did that come from? I thought
you were taking that to your grave?” Carleigh says.
    “ I just know at some point Gunner is going to
ask about his dad, and I don’t want that to blow up