Published by: Entangled: Teen
Publication date: September 5th 2022
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
A patch of black ice is all it takes for Ryan “Preach” Armstrong’s perfectly planned future to skid out of control. The car crash shatters his hockey dreams…and injures Woodhaven’s newest student, Grace Milner. As much as this feisty track phenom gets under Preach’s skin in all the best and worst ways, she might just be his path to redemption…
Grace can’t believe that all it took was seriously bad timing and a hot but prickly hockey player to threaten her lifelong dream of joining the Air Force. Now, instead of prepping for the track season and upcoming start of basic training, she has to complete community service with the absolute last person she would ever want to be stuck with—the guy who shattered her future.
When two fierce competitors collide this hard, the only result is heartbreak…or an epic victory as they cross the finish line together.
Excerpt
“You like hockey?” Brodie asked.
“That’d be a no.”
“I’m not sure you’re gonna make it here, then,” Wind said with a laugh.
“I’ll survive. I’m a professional new student,” she said.
“Nothing fazes me anymore, except cars ramming into me, maybe.”
“You play sports?” Wind asked.
“I run track.”
“What events?”
“Open 100, 4x100, sprint medley, and long jump. But the 4x100 is my jam.”
My ears perked up at the mention of those events, and I glanced at Wind.
“Thought that might get your attention.” Wind gave me a crooked grin. “Those are Becca’s events, right, Preach?” I nodded. Becca Scott was the senior on the team, class valedictorian, and a wicked-fast runner. No way was Grace going to come take over.
“Meaning…” Grace said.
“The 4x100 is Becca’s team. They took sectionals last year,” I said.
“Wait, though. Aanya’s sister, Maira, graduated. There’s an opening,” Brodie said.
“Sweet,” Grace said. “Well, if I can run with this stupid thing on.”
“Did they say how long you have to wear it?” Wind asked. “You’re right handed?”
“Yep. Right handed. Taking notes at school is going to be awesome.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she mimed typing one letter at a time with her left hand. “As for how long, they just gave me ‘doctor speak’ and ‘best-case scenario’ garble. I’m leaving for basic training as soon as school gets out.” She held up her splinted arm. “That is, if this doesn’t screw up my leave date.”
“Sweet. Army?”
“Air Force. Third generation,” she said.
“Very cool.” He elbowed me. “Preach and his 4x100 team took sectionals last year. They’re favorites to get to State this year.”
I wasn’t sure I was going out for track yet, but I hadn’t told anyone that. I kind of just wanted to stay home and eat Oreos, but Mom wasn’t having any of that. She’d kicked my butt out the door for school this morning without any qualms.
“Great… Not only have I had the joy of getting hit by you, but I’ll also get to run track with you?” This girl was like the queen of sarcasm.
Wind chuckled.
“It’s not like I tried to hit you!” I said it a little louder than I’d planned.
“Shit,” she said.
“What?” I checked over my seat, and she was leaning forward.
“Dropped my phone again!”
The sight of her injured hand resting against the seat as her good hand patted the floor sent a wave of guilt slicing through my chest. I had on my own purple cast, but seeing the brace on her hand…I’d done that to her. I’d hit her. I’d put her in pain.
But why was I worrying about her? I might not be able to play hockey again because of the accident. My heart hammered in my chest, and I gulped through the emotion about to choke me.
What if the second opinion didn’t go well?
What would I do?
No. It’ll go fine. Everything’ll be fine.
Grace looked up at me, wide blue eyes ripping right through me. Her auburn hair framed her face. Her jaw was set. Long eyelashes shadowed her eyes, and she had high cheekbones. Her square jaw, and how she handled herself at the car wreck, told anyone near her that she was strong. Confident.
And she was gorgeous. As in model-worthy beauty. Even with the scowl that overtook her features as she leaned back into her seat, now holding her phone. She held my gaze with such intensity, I had to look away.
Wind steered the Jeep into the school lot. Finally, I had to get out of this car like now.
The second he put the gear into park, I was out the door.
“Preach!” Wind yelled over the roof. “Get her door, man.”
I slung my bag over my shoulder as I made my way around to her side. I yanked open her door, and she ambled out of the Jeep. As awkward as she was handling that backpack, she was a righty for sure.
Cue the ping of guilt.
“Well, wasn’t that a fun little ride to school,” she said as she slammed the door shut.
“It’s no picnic for me, either,” I said, striding ahead of her.
“Yeah, well, let’s lay down a few rules here, buddy.” She shoved the back of my shoulder, and we came to a stop. Wind laughed, then coughed and looked away as he loitered a few feet ahead of us on the sidewalk leading to the front of the school.
“You’re my ride, and that’s it. If you see me during school or out in town, don’t talk to me. As a matter of fact, don’t even look at me. And no texting at all unless it’s ride related.”
She was laying down rules? As in…rules I had to follow? Standing to my full height, I stared her down. I was about six feet, and her forehead came up to right below my chin, so that made her about five foot five or so if I had to guess.
“Got it?” she asked. “Or should I write it on a bumper?”
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