Lexi Crandall’s world is turned upside down her junior year of high school. Her confession tears her family apart and leaves them broken. Looking for an escape after graduation, she heads out of town for college. Wracked with guilt and shame, she keeps to herself, befriending only her roommate, Paige.
Derek Fressen experiences one tragedy after another. After learning to cope with being raised by a single mom, he and his sister, Tiffany, become closer than ever. When Tiffany escapes for college, Derek takes the opportunity to leave his past behind as well.
San Francisco State University is where Lexi and Derek find themselves junior year, thrown into the most uncomfortable situation possible, a group project that requires each to open up about their past. Their grade depends upon the ability to prove to the professor through a class presentation that they truly learned about one another.
Painful memories and terrifying tests of courage propel Lexi to learn how to take baby steps in the healing process, and give hope of one day feeling normal. Although he feels he’s pretty well healed from the horrible events of his past, Derek is lonely and longing for a life of more.
Will Lexi and Derek be able to share enough of their lives with each other to pass the class? How much will Lexi let Derek help her in the process? Are their tragic pasts too much to overcome, or will love be in their future?
**NOTE: This book is intended for readers 18+ due to explicit sexual situations and alcohol consumption.**
"Derek, I . . . um, well . . . " Great, let's make thins worse by speaking like an idiot too. I take a deep breath before starting over. "I, um . . . I don't know how to do this, um, this friend thing. Paige is my only friend. It's that way for a reason. You don't want to be a part of my crazy. That is the only thing that is special about me. My special kind of crazy."
"Please let me make that decision for myself. None of us are damage-free. We all carry baggage. I'm not asking to empty yours, just to help you carry it when you need the help. No questions asked. All I need is friendship. You intrigue me, but if friendship is what we start with, then that is where we start. If that is where it ends, then we'll be friends."
I nod my head. I don't know what else to say. Friends? Can I do another friend? When the truth came out all those years ago, my friends left. They couldn't take it. People stared, whispered, and blamed. It was a lot for everyone. My biggest fear with this project is that those moments will happen again. I can't run this time, there is too much invested here already. I'll have a year and a half to endure it all over again. I won't be losing friends though. Paige knows and won't leave when everyone finds out. But if I let Derek in, will he stay or leave? Will I be able to handle having him look at me that way once he knows?
Hi! I'm Lisa. I live in SUNNY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA with my wonderful husband and two teenage children. With two kids in high school and involved in activities both inside and outside of school, I have a lot to juggle. When home, I lock myself inside the office to write. I've always loved to write, but life always seemed to be too busy. When inspiration finally hit, I made the most of the time hubby and kids were busy and published my first book in February 2014. I've published a total of 4 books in the past year and am hoping to bring you a few more before 2015 ends.
Come meet Lisa at the Naughty in the South Author Event in Birmingham, AL on June 6, 2015
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