Track 1 Love Story – Audrey
AUDREY
Two Years Later
The lake was quieter in the fall — just wind, water, and my laptop clicking against the desk my dad once wrote on. The view hadn’t changed, but everything else in my life had.
Four freshly finished Jane & the Bully Boy books sat stacked beside me — my parents’ last outlines finally brought to life. Their handwriting still made my throat tighten, but finishing what they started felt less like grief now and more like carrying a torch they trusted me with.
My own books filled the rest of the desk, spines bright and unapologetically mine.
Just like them, I was an author.
A bestselling one.
My new adult romances — edgier, messier, a little too enemies-to-lovers for someone who claimed she didn’t believe in bullies growing up.
Mom might’ve been right all along…
I typed a few more sentences, reread them, and shut the laptop before I could overedit.
A vibration buzzed across the desk — and my stomach flipped when his name lit the screen.
Taylor
I appreciate the picture you sent me this morning…
I have no idea what picture you’re talking about.
I’ll be sure to show you the effect it had on me after I get off the field…
Are you on your way?
I will be in 5.
Before I could send anything more, the cabin door slammed open.
“Oh my GOD, seriously?” Cecelia burst in, hair everywhere, fully dramatic. “You were supposed to be ready to drive us to the stadium an hour ago!”
“I am ready.” I stood up and grabbed Taylor’s jersey, tossing it over my white shirt.
Her eyes widened. “What happened to the super-slutty dress I bought you? That’s how you make an entrance in the players’ box. That’s how you mark territory. That’s how you—”
“I’m never wearing that thing,” I said, pocketing my keys. “It’s see-through.”
“Exactly.” She pointed at me like this was obvious. “Maybe he’ll finally get the hint and propose before you get bored and move on to someone else.”
I stared at her. “Are you drunk right now?”
“Just overly tipsy.” She grinned. “I’m impatient about the engagement, that’s all.”
“We both want it to be the right time.”
“You’ve practically been dating since you were seven.” She rolled her eyes. “Maybe you didn’t know it, but—fine. I’ll wait.”
Laughing, I looped my arm through hers and walked her toward the stairs.
“Come on,” I said. “Let’s go watch him win.”