Torn: A College Sports Romance (Cherry Grove Series Book 3) Read online

  Torn

  Cherry Grove Series Book 3

  Cole Lepley

  Copyright © 2020 by Cole Lepley

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Playlist

  “Breathin”- Ariana Grande

  “Liar”- Camilla Cabello

  “River”- Charlie Puth

  “Someone Like You”- Adele

  “Bad at Love”- Halsey

  “Impossible”- James Arthur

  “i love you” - Billie Eilish

  “Weakness” - Jeremy Zucker

  “If You Want Love” - NF

  Contents

  1. Don’t Call Me Babe

  2. Great Expectations

  3. Betting On The Edge

  4. Passing Judgments

  5. After The Rain

  6. All Bets Are Off

  7. Blowing Up

  8. Haunted

  9. Casting Shadows

  10. Flicker

  11. New Territory

  12. Weakness

  13. Catch Me Falling

  14. Way Down We Go

  15. Moving The Line

  16. The Beautiful Ones

  17. Friday Night Lights

  18. Suffer

  19. More

  20. Recovery

  21. Light’s Up

  22. Blackout

  23. Viral

  24. Breaking My Own Heart

  25. Wicked Game

  26. Save Yourself

  27. Don’t Forget About Me

  28. Stay

  29. I Never Will

  30. Try

  31. Heal

  32. Best Laid Plans

  33. Love Don’t Cost A Thing

  34. Don’t Let Me Down

  35. No Way Out

  36. Say Amen

  37. Three Words, Eight Letters

  38. End Game

  39. Loose Ends

  40. Too Late

  41. Take A Bow

  42. Nothing Without You

  43. The Reason

  44. Back From The Edge

  Acknowledgments

  A Note From The Author

  About the Author

  Also by Cole Lepley

  Chapter 1

  Don’t Call Me Babe

  Judah

  Being on the field this year feels different. Football has always been life for me, but until recently, it hasn’t been my primary focus. I’ve already made a promise to myself I’d be all the way in this time. I won’t let distractions from home keep me from achieving the success I once had.

  Elliot Monroe doesn’t own me anymore.

  I’m free.

  At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

  Despite my unpredictable absences last season, I was able to form a few solid friendships. My best friend since grade school, Holden Parker, will also be here with me this year. Playing for Cornell is a huge deal. Few athletes get the chance to experience football on this level and it’s time I take it as serious as I should be.

  Holden nods to me as I set my equipment down at my feet. “Nice of you to join us.” He looks at his watch with false annoyance. “You’re only twenty minutes late.”

  I laugh. “I told you I had to stay after class. I have to pull my grades up this semester if I have any chance at keeping my scholarship.”

  Holden scoffs, running a hand through his platinum blond hair. “Oh please, Judah. You and I both know you don’t need a scholarship. Just call daddy and ask him for an advance on your allowance.”

  I shove him sideways. “Whatever, dick. I need to keep my grades up if I want to stay in this program. My dad will fucking kill me if I don’t come home an architect.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” he chides. “The only thing you have to do is stay far away from Ell…”

  Before he can finish that sentence, I clasp my hand over his mouth. “Don’t even say her name. It’s bad for my recovery.” I release him backward and he laughs louder.

  He wipes fake tears from his eyes. “Oh, man. You mean to tell me you require some sort of rehab to get over that girl?”

  I nod. “Basically. I need to distance myself from her or she’ll have me wrapped around her finger for the rest of my life.”

  “More like she has something wrapped around your balls.”

  I’m about to punch him when Coach Lafferty steps out from behind the bleachers. I need to walk a straight line this year if I want to get back in his good graces. I think I proved my worth during training camp this summer, but after my suspension at the end of the last season, it’s lucky I’ll still get to play.

  It’s my fault for getting involved in a situation I shouldn’t have. I swear if it ever comes to blows between me and Elliot’s boyfriend Hunter again, I won’t be caught off guard. There’s no way he would have gotten the best of me if I had been fighting back.

  “All right everyone, you know where you need to be.” He points to me with a serious expression. “Get moving, you’re starting Friday night.”

  A large smile crosses my face and Holden nudges me with his elbow with an equally excited grin. He jogs alongside me across the field. “Told you it would be okay.”

  “I don’t know how I’m getting another chance, but I swear, I’m not going to waste it.”

  Practice was intense as usual. After a quick shower, I walk across campus to my truck. The bag slung over my shoulder feels like it weighs a hundred pounds as my aching muscles beg for mercy.

  A group of girls in tiny shorts intercept me as I’m stepping into the parking lot. Typically, this pleases me greatly, but I’ve already decided to avoid distraction at all costs. Any chance of a new relationship would fall into the category of things I need to stay away from.

  “Judah,” the blonde croons. She twirls a strand of hair around her finger while eye-fucking me with a seductive gaze. “Glad to see you back. We missed you over the summer.”

  Recognition flashes briefly in mind as I give her a quick once over, not breaking stride. I think I remember her from some of the parties my friends threw last year. The ones I actually attended are blurry at best.

  “Oh, hey… uh…”

  My voice trails off and she giggles.

  “It’s Ainsley,” she says coyly.

  I turn and walk backward a few steps. “Yeah, Ainsley. See you around.” I catch the disappointment on her face as I continue to my ride.

  After tossing my bag into the back seat, I reach in my pocket and pull out my phone. I lean against the driver’s side door with my finger hovering over her name. Elliot texted me earlier in the week to wish me luck on my upcoming season.

  She of all people knows how important football is to me. It always has been and my actions last year almost ruined it forever. I don’t blame her though. I blame myself. If I had been honest before I left, maybe we wouldn’t be here.

  I still don’t like Hunter. It’s not just because he’s with the girl I still love, it’s because I don’t trust him. There’s something not right about his behavior with her. She’s more fragile than he realizes, and it’s my instinct to protect her.

  Gripping my phone tight in frustration, I let out a groan and throw it on the passenger’s seat. I can’t call her. It would derail my sobriety.

  As I’m pulling out of the parking lot, I reach over and adjust the radio to find something to drown out my thoughts. It’s hard to do, but I have to try. Whe
n I’m satisfied with my selection, I drive the two miles to my off-campus apartment. It’s been a busy week with the new students moving into my building that I’ve barely had time to meet any of them.

  I release a disgruntled sigh when I notice my usual spot is taken by a small, red coupe. I’ve parked in the same spot for over a year now and it’s beyond frustrating to move. I park three spots over and stomp over to the entrance.

  Just as I’m pulling on the door, I catch the owner of the car throwing a large bag of laundry into the trunk. I turn around to confront them.

  “Hey!” I call as I walk toward her. “That’s my spot.”

  The thief swings her long, brown hair over her shoulder, turning to glare at me. Annoyed I had the audacity to question her, she faces me with disdain. “Funny, I didn’t see your name on it. These spots aren’t assigned to anyone.”

  She turns away from me as if our conversation is now over. This girl has a serious attitude.

  Not to be discouraged, I keep going. “I’ve been parking there ever since I moved in. Everyone knows it’s my spot.”

  She laughs as she twists her hair up on top of her head in a messy bun. The sunlight shines around her like a disgruntled angel and I can’t help but step closer. Truth be told, I’ve always been attracted to a bitchy girl. It’s probably weird, but I guess every guy has their vice.

  Her expression remains dismissive as she reaches into the pockets of her cutoff denim shorts for her keys. “You’re one of those guys, huh?” She locks eyes with me. “Well, I don’t know you and I don’t care.”

  I let out a surprised chuckle. I’m taken aback by her hostility. It’s also kind of turning me on.

  “Listen, babe.” Her green eyes narrow, but I continue, leaning into her. “You’re obviously new here, so let me properly introduce myself.” I extend my hand to her. “I’m Judah Holloway.”

  She looks to my hand and then back to my face with a mildly amused expression. It’s obvious I’m pissing her off somehow, but she’s still talking to me. She takes my hand and gives it a firm shake.

  “Well, Judah, like I said, this is where I’m parking so I guess you better get over yourself and accept it.” She walks away from me, but stops suddenly, turning back around. “One more thing.”

  I smile. “What’s that?”

  She moves closer and traces my lips with her eyes before connecting her penetrating gaze with mine. I take a shallow breath.

  “Don’t call me babe.”

  Her lips curl around the words like a warning, but I can’t help but feel like she’s lying. Her body language says one thing—but those eyes? I’m not so sure.

  I watch her turn back around without another word, leaving me speechless. I shake my head, laughing to myself. Rule number one—no distractions. This girl most definitely falls into that category and I don’t even know her name. That coupled with the fact she looks dangerously close to Elliot could only spell disaster for me. I take my wounded pride and walk up to my apartment.

  There’s a party tonight at my teammate Adam’s frat. He’s been a decent friend to me since I’ve been here, so I promised I’d make an appearance. Keeping myself on the straight and narrow won’t be easy, especially when alcohol is involved. Every time I drink, I drift back into a state of complete hopelessness. Elliot isn’t the only thing I need to get some rehabilitation from.

  A small knock lands on my door before it’s pulled open. Holden pokes his head in with a grin. “You ready to go?”

  “Almost,” I say back, pulling on my shoes.

  He strolls across my living room to my kitchen and opens my refrigerator. I hear a bottle opening and look up to see him tilting back one of the few beers I have on stock.

  “Impatient, are we?” I ask, standing up in search of my keys.

  He shrugs. “I needed one for the way over.” He walks over and pats me on the shoulder with a wink. “I might get thirsty.”

  Ignoring his wolfish grin, I shove my phone in my back pocket. “Okay, now I’m ready.”

  Holden gives me a questioning look and my eyebrows rise. He points in mock horror to the photo on my entertainment stand. “What the fuck is that?”

  I turn around and spot the picture of Elliot and I at prom last year. “A picture…”

  He shakes his head. “No, that’s your problem.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You still have her all around you. That’s not distancing yourself.”

  “It’s just a picture. We’re friends.” I attempt to step past him and he places his hand on my chest. My nostrils flare as I glare down.

  “Easy, man,” he says with a laugh. “I’d like to have fun this year. You’re not going to do that if you’re still strung up on Elliot Monroe. She’s your kryptonite.”

  I can’t argue with him there, but I enjoy having things around that remind me of her. She’s like home to me and nothing will change that. Instead of arguing with him, I walk over, grab the picture, and shove it in a drawer of the end table beside the sofa.

  “See.” I walk toward the door again. “Problem solved.”

  He laughs. “If you say so, man.”

  I follow him out the door without another word about it. One thing I do know, is that when I get home, I’ll move it to my bedroom where no one can see it.

  One step at a time.

  Chapter 2

  Great Expectations

  Mackenzie

  My cell phone buzzes in my pocket while I’m trying to balance my laundry on my hip and open my apartment door at the same time. Multi-tasking has never been my thing, so I struggle to keep everything from falling into a heap in the hallway. I know who it is so I don’t even bother to reach for it. With a sigh, I push the door open and drop the basket onto my living room floor. I sit cross-legged beside it and begin the grueling task of folding.

  “Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

  Zander’s voice is laced with irritation when he strolls inside the room moments later. Not a single overly gelled strand of blond hair is out of place as he plants his hands on hips and stares down at me with purpose.

  “Because I knew you forgot your key again.” I glance up into his vibrant blue eyes and then back to the pair of jeans I’m folding. “You always do when you stay at Mark’s.”

  He gives me a smug smile before taking a seat on the sofa in front of me. His finger comes up to his lips. “Shh, Mack. That’s a secret.”

  I laugh. “I don’t see how. You two aren’t exactly discreet all the time.”

  “Well, my dear. Not all of us can be as set in ways as you are.” He crosses his legs and shrugs. “Mark is still deciding what team he wants to play on and until then we have agreed to keep it low key.”

  I shake my head while trying to pair my socks. Zander Thorn has been my best friend since I transferred here. We met last semester in a coffee shop and after misreading his friendliness, and now obvious attraction to the male sex, we became inseparable. So much in fact, we decided to live together this year.

  He picks a piece of lint off the shoulder of his polo shirt and leans down to me. “Anyways, you seem bitchy. What gives?”

  “Nothing.” I don’t look up, but I can sense his intrusive eyes judging me.

  “Come on. Something happened. Did the barista not put extra soy in your latte again? I know how that sets you off.”

  Releasing a huff, I stand up from the floor. “No, they made it correctly today.” I walk toward the kitchen and he follows. “It’s ridiculous to pay five dollars for a cup of coffee and not have it be perfect.”

  Zander leans back against the counter, nodding. “I hear you. It gets me all twisted up inside too.”

  He gives me a mocking look and I throw a dish towel at him. “No, that’s not why I’m irritated.” I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and mirror his position. “There was this totally arrogant douchebag outside when I was leaving for the laundromat. He was going off on how I parked in his space and how I should kno
w who he is or something.” I take a drink and scoff. “Judah. He even sounds like a total douche.”

  Zander’s eyes widen. “Judah Holloway?”

  “Um, yeah. Why?”

  He smiles, exposing his vibrant white teeth. “How could you not know who he is? He’s the quarterback of the football team.”

  I place my hand on my chest in false amazement. “Oh, my God. The quarterback of the football team? Why didn’t you tell me?” Rolling my eyes, I set my bottle down on the counter and attempt to walk past him.

  Laughing, he grabs my arm. “Oh, please. Admit it, he’s gorgeous.”

  “Not my type.”

  “Hot is everyone’s type, honey.” He crosses his arms after releasing his hold on me. “Even you can’t tell me you’re not attracted to him.”

  “I never said he wasn’t attractive. He’s a jerk.” I walk back into the living room, still being trailed by Zander. After picking up my laundry, I turn around. “He lives somewhere in this building. Why don’t you comb the halls until you find him?”

  He gets a wicked grin on his face. “I might have to do that. I had no idea he lived here.”

  “Well, apparently he does.” My face scrunches up in disgust as I recall our encounter once more. “And something tells me he’s not used to anyone telling him no.” I smile. “I enjoyed being that person today.”