Showing results by author "Crea Reitan" in All Categories

One mistake can ruin your life. I learned that at fifteen when my hormones got the best of me and I was landed with an unwanted pregnancy. My parents decided to punish me and forced me out of the sport I love to raise my child and provide for my newly forced-upon-us-both marriage. One mistake can cost a life. My life. If not for my best friend who rescued me and my daughter, I'd have ended it all.

Hiding behind my mascot mask has always worked in my favor. As someone with social anxiety and paralyzing shyness, the ability to be out in the world without being seen is the only way I'm able to function. It also means I can long for my crush from afar without him knowing. I'm invisible inside my costume and try to go unseen otherwise. Except that Hugo always sees me because he's such a sweet, kind, thoughtful man. Is it any surprise that I'm completely in love with him? What starts out as an accidental anonymous text turns into a date, but there's just one problem.

After a series of relationships where I've been made to feel inadequate because of my asexuality, I've made the sole focus of my life my coaching career. I love hockey—the chill of the ice, the fast-paced, high-stress game. I love the fans and the atmosphere. The energy. Now that I'm coaching in the NHL, I feel a sense of serenity and comfort with life. All that's left is to get my team to the Stanley Cup. The frustration that my boys feel echoes through me, and after one of the most horrible plays I've ever witnessed, I turn my back on the ice—only to catch his eyes.

Life has taught me not to get attached to anyone because they'll only let you down, but I can't stop myself from falling in love with my roommate and frat brother the moment we meet. Nothing can possibly go wrong when I agree to be his fake boyfriend for the holidays, right? One kiss under the mistletoe changes everything, and the childhood make-believe suddenly morphs into so much more. There's only one problem—this arrangement is only for Christmas, and then we're back to being only friends when we return to school.

I don't know what it is about this man that has captivated me like no one else. It's made me question everything I think I know about myself. But that's fine—I'll obsess from afar until I graduate and move on with my life. Then I'm handed an exclusive invitation to Rumor, the frat's 'gay chicken' club that performs in front of a camera. The one who doesn't back out first wins cash. Thinking maybe I can clear up this curiosity once and for all if I try my hand at dick, I go.

I've lived a very quiet life, keeping my deepest secrets close to my chest. I let no one in, not even my closest friends. When I'm invited to participate in the All-Star Games, I'm suddenly forced to share a hotel room—and a single bed—with a stranger. My carefully guarded world starts to come undone when he kisses me, and I can't get enough.

My relationship with twins Damon and Declan has always been close. Too close, according to what society has deemed appropriate between guy friends. But that's never stopped our hugging and cuddling—in public or private. My best friends knew I didn't receive affection from home, so they never let me go without it.

I used to believe in fairy tales, but I've kissed far too many frogs that never turn into Prince Charming. The glass slipper never fits. I'm always the ugly step-sibling; never the princess. They're the same crushing blows every time. Why is it so difficult to accept that I like myself the way I am? With my pretty dresses, pastel tattoos, and sparkly nail polish, I like to feel beautiful. All I want is my happily ever after. To be cherished and adored and loved for who I am. I desperately want to find my forever person. Why am I always left with a broken heart instead?

After the fallout between me, my brother, and Simon, I find myself either wallowing in a black pit of depression or lashing out with vicious rage. Technically, Simon still lives in the condo the three of us bought together, but ever since our relationship imploded months ago, I've barely seen him.

One summer. An island resort escape. Solitude to banish the demons in my past. What begins as a chance meeting on a beach during sunset turns into the most romantic, life-changing five weeks I could ever dream up with two of the most amazing men I've ever met. The end of summer comes all too soon, and we're forced to part ways, though we promise to keep in touch. Fate isn't letting this be the end, though. The start of the new school year finds me on Alka's soccer team. We're not sure whether to celebrate being together again or hide our forbidden relationship.