Showing results by author "Nicole Dykes" in All Categories

All I’ve ever wanted is to go to college and get out of Kensley. That small town is all I’ve ever known. I want to be free to be myself, not stifled by small minds in the football-loving town where I grew up. Then I blew my one and only chance. Now, I’m just stuck. Stuck in small-town life with the same small-town people I’ve always known. Stuck where I don’t want to be. Constantly on the defense and hiding secrets about myself. To never be the real me.

The emo kid, the loner, the cynical wallflower with an attitude. It's no secret that I've never quite fit in. But it's glaringly obvious now that I've moved to this Podunk small town that seems to run entirely on sugar, friendliness, and cheer. (And cows, an ungodly number of cows.) I hate it—this place where everyone knows everyone, and I'm still the outsider. Who wants to fit in anyway? I've never really tried, never even thought I wanted to…until I met him. Jimbob is living his best life out here, farming the fields of Kansas, well and truly happy. And I just don't get it.

Selfish. That's the only way Andrew will ever see me. An abused boy who grew up and became a defense attorney for the rich and famous. I'll never forget the look on his face when I told him. The hurt and disgust I saw in his eyes as I stomped all over his dreams. He left me behind, convincing me he'd hate me forever. Now, circumstances have brought me back into his life. I have one more chance to prove I'm not the man he thinks I am. I'll do anything to prove I'm worthy of him.

Grady: A preacher’s son. I’ve done everything I can to defy his rules. Reckless, destructive, immoral. But after all this, there’s only one thing I haven’t allowed myself to indulge in...him. Ryan: A welder's son. I’ve done everything I can to make him proud. Hardworking, loyal, strong. I’ve accomplished all his dreams while denying my own. But there was only one thing I’ve ever wanted...him.

I have a secret. We all have secrets. I’m nothing special. It just so happens, however, that my sworn enemy also knows my secret. He’s the absolute worst person to know this, and there’s nothing I can do about it. What he does with this information is totally out of my hands and completely in his. This is why I’ve never let anyone in. I don’t trust easily. I keep to myself. I’m closed off, angry—guarded.

I screwed up. Big time. I hurt someone, and I hate myself for it. I'm barely eighteen and already completely exhausted. Tired of being haunted by secrets and guilt. My biggest regret, though, is keeping it all from Adam—my best friend, teammate, protector. My everything since I can remember.

I’m a total nerd, but I look like a jock. I had a perfect GPA in high school, and my GPA in college is perfect too. I smile when I’m supposed to smile. I have two loving parents and a brother and sister who are always by my side. I’m the perfect all-American guy. But the only thing that actually defines me is the before. The things I keep hidden deep inside because I’m too afraid of losing what I have now. The past lives deep inside me as I force the plastic smile on my face. And no one sees through it because I’m just that good.

I know most would probably describe me as a little uptight, unwilling to change, set in my ways… The truth is, I just like my life the way it is—simple and predictable. I have everything I need—good friends, family close by, and the automotive business I've built from the ground up. I'm proud of the life I've made in this quiet, small town. Nothing needs to change. At least, that's what I believed up until the day Damon Deveraux, a lively and bold little whirlwind of a man in lip gloss and short shorts, saunters into my life and changes everything.

I'm the Rookie. That's how they want to label me. The new guy. But I'm damn good at what I do. I don't have anything to prove—except maybe to him. I've watched his career for years. So yeah, maybe I want to impress him a tiny bit. But I also can't help riling him up and ruffling his feathers. He wants me to do things his way, but I don't work like that. I may be the Rookie, but I'm about to school the Ace.

Healing after a tragedy is hard enough. Doing it when you’re haunted by past betrayal and so many things left unsaid? Feels nearly hopeless. Is it impossible to come back from so much anguish and all the regrets? Can you ever truly mend your heart and move on? Or are Penelope and Linc destined for a life of punishment and pain?

When you’re young, everything seems brighter, more hopeful, and like anything is possible. Which is great. But it can also lead to so many mistakes. Mistakes you promise yourself you’ll never make again.

Sean is a normal guy. Has a great job as a photographer. Drives a new car, but not overly flashy. Has his small group of friends. Yeah he's just your run of the mill average Joe. Except, is anyone really all that normal? The secrets Sean harbors run deep. Stemmed from agony deep inside and a thirst for vengeance. Melody is perceived as the beautiful spoiled princess that fell for a beautiful, confident stranger many years ago. Two polar opposites. One night that changed everything without either of them knowing it. Can love conquer all? With the help from a mysterious stranger, Adele.

How do you heal after tragedy? Is it even truly possible? Ashlyn and Garrett have been friends forever, nursing each other through the unimaginable. Over the years, they’ve learned to lean on each other and keep going. But there’s a huge difference between moving forward and merely standing still.

My entire world has been rocked with a loss, and I need to escape. With nothing left to lose, I leave behind the place I grew up and the memories haunting me there. I trust no one. Then I meet him. And he won’t stay out of my way.

I'm the hotshot—both on and off the track. I know how to work the crowd and show off. And I'm good at it. I've had to become very effective at putting on a show. But my agent is not a fan of my over-the-top antics. So she did something I still can't believe... She called in the press—the media. Specifically, the reporter who hates everything I stand for. And now, he's tasked with showing the world a different side of me. Yeah... Good luck with that.

I'm a fan—how could I not be? And not just a fan of racing. I can't help but be swept up by the lives of celebrities. Wondering if they really have it so much better or if something is missing. Now that Maverick isn't just that hot racer I've followed for years and is instead my friend, I'm starting to see the answer. We always want what we don't have.

Four years ago, my life changed forever. Some see it as a vast improvement. Me? I’m not so sure. The guilt from my betrayal has haunted me from day one. I knew my past would catch up to me. So when it comes crashing back into my life, I know the time has come to finally make it right. My path to redemption won’t be easy. But I've always been up for a challenge.

Two people drifting through life - one on a firmly established plan, the other with no plans at all. Both believing they know exactly what they want. But what happens when a chance encounter is so electrifying that everything they believe is threatened with destruction? They're suddenly fixated on each other. Will it make them stronger? Or will everything come crashing down? An addiction so strong, the high will be unforgettable, but the inevitable low will be devastating.

The Sterlings have been through hell. They’ve each made mistake after mistake while trying to climb out of their grief and guilt and recover from an unimaginable tragedy that had a ripple effect of consequences reaching far further than their own lives. It seems the youngest Sterling may never find peace after everything that’s happened. But the love he has for his nephew is more powerful than any amount of pride.

I’m in trouble. Big trouble. Not that I should be surprised. My entire life has been one huge misfortune. I have nothing and no one. But then.... Finn comes along. Gorgeous, stubborn, and infuriating. And he can’t seem to leave me alone.