Page 1 of Flame After the Fumble

Prologue

Hartley

Ithought that night was a passing moment in time. A college memory that would fade quicker than it happened. A girl that I would see from time to time at parties, in class, the occasional night out and I’d smile, reminding myself of our passing friendship. I was incredibly wrong. Liza Wilde isn’t a passing memory or a blip in time. She’s everything.

1

Hartley

“Let’s go!” I scream from the top of my kitchen table, lifting the red plastic cup to my mouth to drink until there’s only a few trickles left. Hazy vision invades the corners of my eyes as I sway back and forth to the chants coming from the crowd. Most of them are teammates or friends I collected throughout high school. I toss the empty cup on the floor, dripping more alcohol against the old tile.

Booming voices ring through my ears. “Hart! Hart! Hart!”

I reach out for an outstretched hand and a soft one interlaces with mine, helping me hop off the sticky table. “Thanks, baby. What’s your name?”

She giggles and wraps her arms around me, scraping her long nails across the base of my neck. “You’re funny.”

I guess I know her. . . she clearly knows me, but who doesn’t? I might as well enjoy my last party before I leave for college. Before I can make a move on this chick, a hard thump hits my back. “Dude, we’re going to miss you this season.” My high school quarterback, Leo, wraps his arm around my shoulder.

“Dang right. You’ll never see another receiver like me.”

“Mhmmm.” The girl clears her throat as she stares back at me with a pout on her delicious red lips, goading me to pay attention to her. “We were talking.” She rolls her eyes at Leo for interrupting whatever we were about to do.

He pats my shoulder again before turning back toward the living room. “Alright, I’ll leave you two to it.”

“It’s your last weekend here.” Her lips are so close, I can almost taste them. I lean in for a kiss, when another hand is placed on my hips and twists me out of the mystery girl’s grip.

“There you are!” she squeals.

I reach out to steady myself against the wall, hoping it clears my vision. The new girl in front of me has jet black hair with piercing green eyes that cut through me. “Layla?”

“Leslie,” she corrects.

Scooting closer, I wink at her and run my hands through my matted hair. “Uh huh, baby.”

She bats her eyelashes and runs her tongue against her bottom lip. “How could you forget?” She takes a step closer and runs her fingers against the tender spot behind my ear. “Kiss me.”

Don’t have to tell me twice. Pulling her flush against my chest, I grab her hair and go in for it. When her lips connect with mine, the sweet coconut taste consumes me. Tonight is zero stakes, just the way I like it. I likely won’t see any of these people again after I leave my hometown for my freshman year at Springs U in Florida.

“Psst.” A low whisper startles me as I break away from the kiss. Girl number two walks away, seemingly having gotten what she wanted out of me. “Sorry to bother you, but do you know if we still have peanut M&Ms?”

“Where have you been?” I throw my hands up and pretend that I’m shocked about Violet being MIA tonight.

“For real?” She crosses her arms over her pajama shirt and rolls her eyes.

“I just want my candy.”

I groan, hoping one of these days she’ll want to commit to a night of partying with her best friend. “Top of the pantry behind the honey nut Cheerios.”

“Thanks!” She does a little happy dance and scurries into the kitchen past drunk couples, rowdy football players, and random people I haven’t seen before.

Since Violet moved in with me after her grandpa passed away, she hasn’t been out much. She’d rather curl in her bed with a book and snacks than get wasted at a party. I still try to push her out of her comfort zone. But then again, I worry about her and want to protect her as much as I can while I’m still here. Coming from damaged households will do that to you.

She passes by with a handful of M&M’s on the way back to her bedroom. “Have fun!”

I shake my head and give her the salute to enjoy her chocolate and books. My eyes scan the party as I lift my heavy legs to walk to the couch.

Tomorrow, my life will change. I’m ready.

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