Page 1 of Dirty Dean

Prologue

Collegeacceptancelettersarecoming in by the dozens, and if I weren’t sure where I wanted to go, I’d be overwhelmed. But I know exactly where I’m going: Groveton College. They haven’t sent me my acceptance letter yet, but I expect it any day now.

When my step-grandfather talked about the college, it was all I could do to contain myself and not laugh with glee at the idea of going there. He told me all about its history and the legacy behind Groveton itself. He mentioned that my step-father, David, was supposed to take over as Dean of Education. However, his son, Christopher, had retired from the Marines early and took his place.

To me, that seemed fair, but grandfather didn’t think so. His mood darkened, and he asked me not to speak of him again. This intrigued me, and I asked my mom about him. David had refused to talk about anything to do with Christopher, and my mom had demanded I let things go. She didn’t know the whole story, but she told me it would be best if I just forgot about him.

But how could I? He was the head honcho at the college I wanted to attend. There was no way I was going to stop looking into him. What started off as a simple search on Groveton turned into hours of looking at every picture I could possibly find of Christopher.

It took months, but I received my acceptance letter, and it was signed by him. I know it was a stamp because I found his old schoolwork papers in grandfather’s attic, and his signature was on one of the papers. Christopher’s T and H have a unique squiggle on them.

I’ve become kind of obsessed about Groveton College and Christopher, but that’s how I am when it comes to research. And for me, the unknown man is definitely a worthy topic.

Chapter One

Anervous,jitteryfeelingrushes through me as I think about the letter I sent off. Will my step-uncle-in-law open the letter? That's not what I really want to know. What I really want to know is why my mom and step-father didn't tell me about him. Or how he was part of the Groveton elite society. Supposedly, it’s a big deal for the family line to be accepted into the college. It’s not why I want to go there. No, the college has some of the best professors, and I feel like they will challenge me.

"Jazz, come on! You’re going to be late for your own graduation," my mom calls out, and I can hear the irritation in her tone. The older I get, the more she seems to be short-tempered with me. Maybe because I’m an adult now, and I definitely shouldn’t need her to remind me when to be somewhere.

"Coming," I mumble, knowing she can't hear me, but I don't enjoy yelling. It hurts my throat too much. Taking a deep breath, I look in the mirror and smile. The robe swallows me, covering every inch of my body from neck to ankle. Mom said no one would be looking at that. They would be looking at the valedictorian lapel around my neck. It's been an easy four years for me, but I couldn't leave my best friend Tia. She’s my sister—at least for all purposes that matter. Who cares if we aren’t blood?

Walking down the stairs, I look at my mom and step-father and I smile. "You know, if you were in such a hurry, you could have just had Tia pick me up. It's not like we couldn't be a little late."

"You are the third in your class to be called up on the stage. You cannot be late, young lady." I blush but put my shoulders back.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't remind me."

"You are going to do great, Jazzy," David says, shaking his head at my mom and hugging me.

"Thanks, David." He's been a huge help to mom as she recovers from her depression. My father isn't around, and honestly, it's a good thing. He's an asshole on the best of days. At the thought of my father, I rub my left wrist and look at the gown, making sure it covers the scar.

"You know you are welcome, Jazzy. I'm in the presence of the smartest young lady I've ever met."

He's a charmer, and I simply smile as we walk out to the car. On the drive over, I think about Christopher Groveton, and I realize my obsession with learning everything about him has made me develop a major crush on him. I've never met the man, but there's a reason the internet was invented.

To spy.

As soon as I see Tia, she comes over and takes me by the shoulders, throwing out a quick hello to my parents. "So, did you get the scholarship?" She wiggles her eyebrows because she got her letter a week ago. It makes me wonder if I’ll receive a full scholarship. I mean, how could I not? I'm in honor classes, already have thirty credits, and I aced the SAT and ACT tests. It's making me a nervous wreck. What if I didn't get into Groveton? It's been my dream since I was five years old.

"Don't know." I sulk as we take our seats. She's right next to me since our last names are in order, and no one has a last name beginning with D or E.

"There's no way I got in and you didn't. Yes, I'm an A student, but you’re a genius." I laugh at Tia putting herself down for my benefit. The girl can run circles around me in a lot of things, yet she acts like she isn't smart.

"Let's not worry about it. I mean, we’re graduating today. That's enough to be happy about right now."

Tia agrees with me but promises to blow the place up for me if I don't get in. She knows how to make me smile. That's enough. Really. My brain, of course, continues to be a little bitch about things, and I know if I don't get in, I'm going to be disappointed.

After each student is handed their diploma, I give my speech. The principal gets up and announces the special speaker once I’m finished. Everyone thought it was going to be the governor of the state, but no one could have expected it to be Christopher Groveton.

My eyes are glued to him as he walks…no,walkisn’t the right word. Hesauntersup the steps to the microphone. Tia elbows me, and I don’t even acknowledge her as I watch the enigmatic man before me.

“Jazz, you’re drooling,” Tia’s whispered words break my attention, and I look at her. She winks at me, and I chuckle. Yeah, I really am a goner.

"Good evening students, and congratulations on your achievements." As he continues to talk, I can't help but stare. He's stunning. His suit is impeccable, but the material doesn't do anything to hide how he fills it out. Christopher has chestnut hair that’s combed back and to the left. There's no smile on his face, but his eyes are sharp, green as emeralds, and tell a story I wish I knew more about.

"And finally, I'd like to thank the school board for inviting me here to present this year's full academic scholarship to Jasmine Elaine Clarke."

Applause erupts everywhere, but I'm mesmerized by the way he turns and looks right at me. If one person could look into your soul, turn it around, shake it, and then steal it, it would be him. My heart rate picks up to a point that causes me to gasp, and Tia knocks her elbow into me as I blush.

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