Sweet Girl (The Sweetest Thing #2)

  Sweet Girl

  Book 2

  The Sweetest Thing Series

  by

  Sierra Hill

  Copyright © 2016 Sierra Hill

  Published by Ten28 Publishing

  Cover Design: RBA Designs

  Photography: K. Keeton Designs

  Models: James Freeman and Kerrigan Brianne

  Editing by: Leigh Cameron

  Proofreading by: The Indie Author’s Apprentice

  All rights reserved.

  Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without prior written permission by the author, except where permitted by law.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or used factiously, and any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, business establishments, or educational systems is entirely coincidental.

  All products and/or brand names mentioned are registered trademarks of their respective holders/companies/institutions.

  ISBN:

  ISBN-13:

  Reviews for Sweetness (Book 1 in The Sweetest Thing Series)

  “I loved this story so much, that I read it in one sitting. The character development is great, with a colorful cast of secondaries. A fast paced, sweet, and well written storyline flows smoothly. Ainsley and Cade has flammable chemistry, exploding into SMOKIN' HOT sexy scene goodness. Sierra Hill's easy writing style hooked me from the beginning, while holding me hostage until the end. She added a twist that had me jacked up, as it didn't resolve itself yet. I'm super excited to read more of her work in the future, so I'm HIGHLY RECOMMENDING Sweetness!” – The Power of Three Readers

  “This is the first book I have read by this author, and my word, it will not be the last. The title of this book is very apt, as this is a sweet love story. This story is about two young adults who are from totally different backgrounds, and end up attracted to each other...The attraction these two have is hot and steamy.

  I recommend this read to all romance lovers, and I am looking forward to the next book. Well done Sierra, on a beautifully written love story.” – Wendy’s Book Blog

  “The build-up between these two will leave you laughing, swooning, fanning yourself and oohing the next.” LLEP Book Blog

  “I really enjoyed reading this book. The title is perfect in every way. I was hooked in from the very beginning. And just when you think that this story is predictable, you quickly find out that there are still surprises. Don't miss out on the truly sweet story.” – Sweet Sexy Escape Book Blog

  “The most beautiful stories always start with wreckage.”

  Jack London

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Epilogue

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Chapter One

  Kylah

  If someone calls me ‘a sweet girl’ one more time, I’m liable to throat punch them. Not even kidding.

  This boring description has been pinned to me since childhood – albeit fairly accurate. But now that I’m nearly nineteen and a freshman in college, it’s not who I am, nor who I want to be. Unfortunately, it’s still how I get viewed. I’m the sweet little sister of Cade Griffin – college basketball player extraordinaire.

  I’ve tried to change my image over the first few months of college, and now that I’m back home on fall break, I’m hoping others will see I’m not the same girl I was before I left. All I want to do over the next week is let loose a bit and have fun. Enjoy my time back home – away from the stress of schoolwork, classes, and deadlines - spend time with my dad, my brother and his new girlfriend, Ainsley, and hang out at Cade’s apartment with his roommates and friends.

  Which is where I am right now. Sitting on the couch in Cade’s living room, watching an episode of Game of Thrones with my brother’s roommate, Lance, and their teammate Van. The guys, along with my brother, all play basketball for ASU. I’ve been sitting here the last hour, waiting for Cade and Ainsley to return from a shopping trip they had to run. They’d invited me along, but I told them I wanted to get caught up with GoT.

  Truthfully, I really just want to hang out with Van. I’ve kind of developed a little crush, even though I know he’s completely off limits and out of my league. And the fact that he has a girlfriend. Which really sucks for me.

  “Holy fuck!” Lance shouts, his body jumping off the couch in a herky-jerky motion, arms flailing over his head like the house is on fire. My head spins toward him, my cheeks flush in embarrassment that I may have been caught staring at the beauty of Van.

  Lance’s expression displays his state of horror, not over my obvious infatuation, but over something that happened on the show. I’m not exactly sure what I missed, but it must be a big deal. Since I’ve been lost in my own world and not really paying any attention to the TV, I have no idea what’s got him so excited.

  “I can’t believe they killed him off! Un-fucking-believable!”

  I look away from Lance and down at Van, who is sitting on the floor with his back up against the couch, shaking his head in disbelief. “Wow...I definitely didn’t see that coming. They’re always killing off the characters you’d least expect.”

  My attention swerves back to the TV, trying to clue into what’s happening so I don’t look like an idiot. Who could fault me, though? I’m sitting inches from one of the hottest guys I’ve ever met. I covertly glance over at Van underneath the protection of my bangs and the large-framed glasses I’m wearing today. I have contacts, but don’t always put them in.

  Van is sitting on the floor by my feet. His dark, shiny hair is pulled back in a low-man-bun, a black headband secured at his temple to hold back stray pieces. I’m not super into guys with long hair, or man-buns, for that matter, but it’s a really good look on Van. My current location gives me the perfect vantage point to check him out without him knowing it. Unless he has eyes on the back of his head.

  As the younger sister of a college basketball stud, I’ve been around my fair share of Cade’s good-looking friends for as long as I can remember. Always watching from the proverbial courtside seats – invisible to them all. Sure, his friends and teammates tease me unmercifully over my “sweet” and “cute” looks or gawky tendencies – I’m used to that. I’ve been known to trip over my own feet from time to time. But Van’s attention these last few days has made me feel special.

  Getting to know Van has been an entirely different experience. He’s treated me like an equal, not the younger, bratty sister of his friend. He’s asked me about my interests, my favorite classes at school, my intended major and listened to me talk about some of the issues I’ve been dealing with during my first semester away. Like the high level of anxiety over expectations, as well as my constant cloud of homesickness. He’s so easy to open up to that I forge
t to be my usual Nervous-Nelly around him. He’s even cajoled me into regaling some of the embarrassing moments I’ve had and related to me on the same level, which I find adorable.

  And his sexy, gray-blue eyes – so dark they look like I’ve fallen into the deep ocean - seem to have taken notice of me as a woman, not some little girl. Unless it’s my overactive imagination at work, I think there may be a mutual attraction.

  That attraction I have toward him has turned me into an idiot who can’t keep a single thought in my brain when I’m around him. Or apparently, pay attention to really interesting storylines on my favorite show.

  The only problem?

  Van is taken.

  He has a girlfriend.

  The only guy I’ve ever connected with and feel like I can be myself around is in a long-term relationship with his high school sweetheart. The only reason I know this is because Cade and the guys constantly give Van shit about his “ball and chain” and say that he’s crazy to be “locked down” when he could be getting tons of action from all the hoops hunnies that throw themselves at basketball players.

  And believe me, I can see why they would. I’m not a girl who flaunts it or even knows how to flirt, but with Van, I’m inclined to try.

  “Earth to Kylah.” Van’s smooth voice once again reminds me to get out of my own head. My body jolts at the mention of my name and my eyes flick up to his. He’s now standing facing me and I have to crane my neck because he’s so frigging tall. He’s even taller than my six-foot-five brother.

  “Uh, what?” I ask hesitantly, because I have no idea what he just said or asked me. Space cadet, much?

  Van’s low chuckle sends crazy vibrations through my nerve endings.

  “I asked if you wanted something to drink. I’m going to run to the store and grab some beers and stuff. The fridge is nearly empty.” He eyes me curiously when I don’t say anything. “Or, would you like to get out of the house and come with me?”

  My gaze darts around the room, trying to figure out what’s going on. Apparently I’d been zoning out longer than I thought because the show is over and Lance is no longer sitting next to me. He’s off in his bedroom, leaving Van and me together. Alone.

  I swallow the lump in my throat, the massive ball of indecision bubbling up inside my chest. Yes, of course I want to go with him. I’d be crazy not to. I look down at the flip-flops I’m wearing, like they have the answer. I’m nervous – nothing new there. Being alone with Van has me questioning my sensibilities. He’s giving me a look now that says he’s probably questioning his own decision to ask me along. I probably should say no. But I don’t.

  “Um...yeah...sure.” I stammer, sounding like a complete loser.

  Pull yourself together, woman.

  “Great. I could use the company.”

  He reaches inside his pocket and pulls out a pair of keys as we walk out of the apartment together. As we near his beat-up late model Nissan, I’m aware of his close proximity right behind me. He reaches down to the door handle, sidling up beside me, which startles me so that my head turns and my nose smooshes up directly into his chest.

  Oh my God. The very first thing I notice is his scent. It’s the best thing I’ve ever smelled. It’s a combination of fabric softener, a crisp, clean deodorant and something else altogether very masculine. Maybe it’s a cologne, but if I’d have to guess, it’s just Van. Eau de Van. I sniff and then inhale a deep breath, taking him all in as he hovers over me. Realizing too late that he’s staring at me, I jerk back against the car door and close my eyes in utter embarrassment.

  When I gather enough courage to open them up again and dare a look, Van is smiling. At me. Not in an arrogant smirk, nor with mocking disdain. But with amusement. His dark eyes gleam with a sweet reverence and it has me tingling in awe over this giant of a man.

  I quickly pull myself together, shoving myself into the passenger seat, immediately taking notice of the state of disarray that is his car. It’s filthy! Littered with empty sports drink bottles, soda cans, chip bags, fast food containers, gum wrappers. You name it, it’s on the floor, the dash, the middle console. I just pray I don’t see an opened and used condom wrapper.

  My body is contorted as I’m perusing the backseat when Van slides into his spot, his eyes flashing to mine and he shrugs apologetically, his neck and cheeks blooming in red.

  “Sorry about the mess. I would’ve cleaned it up had I known I’d have company. It’s not generally this bad.”

  “Psssh,” I wave him off. “It’s all good.”

  Van continues. “I just haven’t had time to clean it out since I returned from Albuquerque. I returned late Sunday night and haven’t had time yet.”

  My curiosity takes over. “What were you doing in New Mexico?”

  Van is looking over his left shoulder out his car window as we merge onto the main road heading toward the grocery store.

  “Um, my girlfriend Lyndsay goes to school there.” His voice is barely a whisper. Like he’s reluctant to say it.

  I think my heart stops beating. Of course I know he has a girlfriend, but this is the first time he’s brought her up, or mentioned her name. It just puts my crush into perspective. The reality is, I’ll never have a chance with him. My heart wilts.

  I try to school my facial expression, which I’m sure reads heartbreak, and place a mechanical smile on my face. I’m sure my voice sounds as fake as it feels to say this out loud, the tone overly cheerful.

  “Oh, that’s great! So do you see her...I mean, Lyndsay often?”

  There’s a pause and his eyes remain on the road – either for safety reasons or he wants to avoid the topic. As if he’s uncertain what to divulge to me.

  Van shifts his gaze over to me for a brief second, and unless it’s my imagination, I see a flash of sadness.

  “We try. Lynds doesn’t have a car, so she can’t come visit me often, unless she can find a ride. Our schedules don’t always mesh too well.”

  He turns his face back to the road, his jaw flexing. He has a really angular jawline, that squares off at his chin, that is covered with a thin, dark stubble. My first instinct is to reach out and pat his arm – a gesture of empathy. I know that feeling of homesickness and loneliness all too well. And if I’m reading things right, he’s got it bad, making me wish I could do something for him. But I can’t, because he’s not mine.

  Instead, I grip my two hands tightly in a ball on my lap, fighting the urge to reach out and provide a consoling touch.

  “I’m sorry to hear that. How long have you two been together?”

  He heaves a heavy sigh. Almost in resignation.

  “Since I was a senior in high school and she was a junior. We grew up together in Tucson. She got a scholarship for UNW and I came to ASU.”

  “Wow,” I flatly acknowledge. “Four years of long-distance is a really long time. I’m impressed. How do you guys manage it?”

  What I really want to ask is “how have you remained faithful?” Because, come on...he’s a college basketball player, for heaven’s sake. He’s absolutely gorgeous. He must have girls tripping over themselves to get a piece of him. There’s bound to have been some serious temptations over the years, that even the most steadfast and loyal of guys would fall victim to.

  Case in point, the Midnight Madness after-party last Friday night. It was the team’s first official practice of the season, and it was glaringly obvious that Van garnered the attention of more than one girl. Myself included. I, however, was more or less the self-appointed hostess of the evening, since the party took place at Cade’s apartment and I knew his roommates, Carver and Lance, weren’t going to be responsible for keeping things in check. As usual, Lance got so trashed he passed out around two-thirty a.m. As for Carver, I noticed him going into his bedroom with one girl, and then coming out later with another. Holy cow, two girls in one night. I’ve never...I mean, wow.

  Yet I didn’t notice any untoward behavior from Van that would make a long-distance girlfriend question h
is fidelity. He drank, he joked, he laughed, he casually chatted with girls – and guys - but there was no obvious flirting, and definitely not any hooking up.

  Van is definitely a good guy.

  “I honestly don’t know,” he says in response to my question. I watch his lips form a tight grimace, his side profile a view that could be a chiseled work of art. “I guess when you love someone enough, you have to believe that neither party will do anything to sabotage that trust.”

  He shrugs as he pulls into the parking lot and turns off the engine.

  Turning toward me, he smiles brightly, all the tension vanishing with the light of his perfect white teeth.

  “So, what’ll it be? Beer or tequila tonight?”

  Hmm. I’d opt for something else. Something tall, dark and handsome. Because Van gets me tipsy just by his presence alone.

  Dammit. Why does he have to be taken?

  Chapter Two

  Van

  Lyndsay is cheating on me.

  I think.

  No proof or evidence has surfaced to justify this claim, but something was off with her last weekend. I felt it during my visit. It was our first visit in over a month and only the second since the start of the school year.

  Call it gut instinct or whatever, but something’s definitely going on with her.

  It could be just the strain and readjustment of getting back into the academic school year. We’re both on the basketball teams at our respective schools, and team practices have just begun in preparation for the upcoming season. Lyndsay is also still grieving the loss of her dad, who died suddenly last May, right in the middle of finals.

  We grieved together over the summer, in between basketball training camps and our summer jobs. She originally wasn’t planning on coming home to Tucson, but after her dad’s death, she came home to be with her mom and younger siblings. I was selfishly glad she did. I needed to be with her; spend time with her; remind her how good we are together.

  But that didn’t last long. Now that she’s back in Albuquerque, she doesn’t have time for me anymore. Or more like make the time for me. The vibe I got when I visited her is that I was a nuisance. She acts like it’s a chore to hang out with me around her friends, her dorm – her life.