CHAPTER 1

EMMA

I opened the suitcase on my bed, mentally making a list of things I would need for my big move. It was only to another part of Tennessee but going anywhere by myself was huge.

I had lived in Chattanooga my entire life. It wasn’t that I didn’t love it here because I did. I had a great family and friends, and it was a wonderful town, but I was nineteen now. I had studied at the local community college until I had enough credits to transfer and convince my parents that I was ready to move and attend the university in Nashville. They only agreed because my brother Greg got his friend Jackson Cooper to let me stay with him when I arrived in town. They had been friends for years. Jackson played backup lineman for the NFL team, the Tennessee Trojans and seemed to be pretty established there.

I used to have a crush on Jackson before he moved away, but that was old news.

I told Mom and Dad that Jackson would help familiarize me with the city, plus we’d known him for years, and they finally agreed. I would be going to college and studying as well as looking for a job. I had a little money from a college fund that my parents set up, but I would need some pocket money as well. Nashville was supposed to be amazing. I wanted to get out and see things. Even if I didn’t have a lot of time, I was going to manage to do that.

I started looking through my clothes to decide what to bring. I went through a thick stack of jeans, leggings and sweats. After that, I grabbed several T-shirts and a few long-sleeved shirts and added them.

Mom took me shopping for some things and I added the new socks, underwear and sports bras that I favored on top of the growing pile. I wasn’t exactly feminine and more of a nerd. I didn’t wear a lot of skirts and dresses, though Mom insisted on getting me anything I might need for Nashville and I agreed when I saw the tears in her eyes.

A chime interrupted the music that was playing, and I walked over to see that my best friend Willow had texted me.

What you up to?

Packing. So much to do!

Right, sounds like fun. I’m on my way now!

My parents were throwing a BBQ for me tonight anyway and she’d be here soon enough. Why not arrive early so we can spend some more time together before I leave?

I continued to look over my closet as the music started again. I reached for a hairband to contain my straight blonde hair and wandered around to see what else I would need. I would come home for the holidays and the odd weekend, but I wanted to be as prepared as possible.

I was going to stay with Jackson in his spare bedroom at his apartment, so I could only bring so much. I bit my lip as I imagined the tall, dark-haired man I remembered when Greg brought up the idea.

Jackson was gorgeous. He was also a player, but I didn’t mention that. I knew my brother, and he was protective as hell. Jackson wouldn’t want much to do with me, but I was worried about him bringing girls back to the apartment.

However, moving to Nashville got me out my parents’ house and on the way to be an adult. I’d take the risk, but I expected Greg had a long talk with Jackson.

I heard the doorbell downstairs and smiled.

“Emma?” My mother called. “Willow’s here.”

“Hey,” I shouted and threw down the camisoles I was holding. I ran downstairs and greeted Willow with a smile as my flame-haired friend carried in a bag.

“I brought you something,” she said with a bright smile as we returned to my whirlwind of a bedroom. Willow set down the bag beside the suitcase and sighed heavily.

“I can’t believe you’re actually leaving me.”

“It’s not that far. You can visit on weekends when I have my own place.”

Willow was still attending the community college and had seven-year-old twin sisters who she wanted to stay close to.

“This is for you, Em, so you can remember me.”

I reached for the bag and opened it. Inside was a large picture frame with Willow and me hugging in the center. Around the border were smaller images from our long friendship. Tears started forming as I looked at the pictures, ticket stubs, buttons and other mementoes.

“I’ll visit you at Jackson’s. That man is so gorgeous!” Willow sighed.

She was much more of a dater than I was, and I didn’t doubt that she’d put the moves on Jackson if she had the chance. I was the girl who only had one boyfriend so far and with it a very awkward and brief sexual relationship. It didn’t wow me. I wondered what all the fuss was about.

“That’s the last thing I need, Willow. I know that he’s a total man-whore, or that he was one in school, and I don’t care to hear you and him in the same apartment,” I said with a grin.

Willow stood beside me as I placed her gift carefully against the wall. “Thank you. I love it. It’ll be perfect at my new place.”

We chatted and packed a bit more before I heard my mom calling us downstairs.

I looked at the clock, realizing that it was time for the guests to start arriving. I splashed some cold water on my face before heading down with Willow. We went to the kitchen to help Mom, and I hugged her as she looked at me with sad eyes.

I thought that my mother was beautiful with her blonde hair and big, blue eyes but I had dark brown eyes like my father. It just wasn’t a breath-taking combination in my opinion and the fact that I wore glasses sometimes didn’t help my confidence much. I felt like a nerd.

Family and friends started to arrive. We hung out in the backyard and ate. I wandered around and talked to everybody, realizing that most of these people weren’t going to miss me that much.

I made my way back over to Willow, who was talking to Greg and a couple of his friends. Greg pulled me close to his side, and I rolled my eyes at Willow.

“Are you sure that you don’t want me to drive you there, Em? I can catch a flight back home.” Greg was an accountant here in town and worked long hours.

“It’s just a couple hours away. I have my car and I’ll be fine if you help me load it,” I assured him. “If I let you drive me, you just might stay and guard me like a Rottweiler.”

“I already have Jackson on that. Nobody will mess with him in that town,” Greg bragged.

“He’s bound to be gone playing games. What are you going to do about that?” Willow asked with a challenging look.

“He’ll have made everyone know that Emma is off limits by then,” Greg replied with narrowed eyes.

“Let Em grow up, already. It’s time,” Willow grumbled before she took a bite of her food and gave me a sympathetic look.

I smile and shrugged.

I stayed outside for the entire party and finished packing with Willow once all the guests had left. She helped me decide on the sentimental items to take. We went to bed after midnight as she stayed over so she could see me off in the morning after breakfast.

We got up at seven and showered before enjoying breakfast with my family. My aunt and uncle came over, as well as my grandma, so we lingered for a bit before Dad and Greg started packing my Toyota Camry for me. It was small but dependable and it would get me through a few years still.

I hugged everyone slowly. Mom and Willow were crying, and I tried not to join in, hugging Greg last.

“Jackson should be all set up for you when you get there,” he said.

I smiled gratefully at him.

“Thank you for getting me a place to stay. It helps a lot.”

“It’ll be a safe place for you. He’s like a big brother to you and will keep the boys away.”

“Greg, it’s not the boys you should be worried about!” I said with a smile and a shake of my head.

I opened the door and got in the car. I looked in my rearview mirrors to see everyone waving and let a tear slide down my cheek. As nervous as I was, I was also excited to start a new life. I turned up the radio and hit the gas pedal, ready to be in Nashville.