Love Me Always (Top Shelf Romance #8) - J Daniels Page 0,1

a look, indicating that she’s not letting me back out of this. “This is the perfect time. And like I said before, she wants you to go. If you try and stay home now, I’m afraid you won’t only be getting an earful from me.”

I smile and nod in agreement. My mom does enjoy laying into me when I deserve it. She’s stern but sweet at the same time, always following up a punishment with a hug.

“All right, I’ll go. But you need to promise you’ll call me if there’s any change. Even the slightest.”

“I promise.” She drops her hand and steps around the counter, digging into the pile of dishes that has accumulated in the sink.

I’ll be staying with Tessa at her parents’ house for the summer while she looks after it. I have a ton of memories at that house, considering the fact that I practically lived there for five years. I’d always go to Tessa’s house after school, staying there until my mom would pick me up on her way home. Tessa was like the sister I never had, and when my grandmother got sick and we had to move to Fulton, Georgia the summer before ninth grade, I cried for weeks. We kept in touch over the years, and now I’ll be spending the entire summer with her just like we used to. And as long as her pain-in-the-ass brother stays as far away from me as possible, it’s going to be the best summer of my life.

Benjamin Kelly. World’s biggest dickhead.

I head back to my bedroom, needing to finish up my last bit of packing. Tessa is expecting me tomorrow afternoon sometime, but I’m not waiting until then to get into Alabama. There is something I want to do before I start my summer break. Something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. If I’m really going to enjoy myself this summer, I need to let go of all my inhibitions. This will not be the summer of hang-ups or shyness. I’m not the same girl that left Ruxton nine years ago. That girl has been gone for a long time. The braces came off first, followed by the weight and the glasses; which were exchanged for contacts. My hair is no longer a wild mess of curls now that I’ve learned how to manage it. My skin cleared up in tenth grade, and that wasn’t the only big change to my appearance that year. My breasts came in overnight it seemed, and they are definitely my best asset, if I do say so myself. And with the help of the volleyball team I joined in high school, my body got tight and stayed that way. The new Mia Corelli is going to let loose and experience everything an Alabama summer had to offer. But in order to do that, I need to handle something first. And that thing is going to be handled tonight.

I grab my phone, falling back onto my pillow after pushing my suitcases to the floor.

Me: All packed up! I’ll call you when I’m on the road tomorrow.

Tessa: OMFG I’m so excited! Your ass is mine for the summer! I have so much planned for us already. :)

Me: Yay! I can’t wait to get there and relax by the pool for three months.

Tessa: That’s not all we’re doing. We’re finding you a play thing for the summer. I’ll surround you with penises if I have to.

Jesus, Tessa.

Me: Well there’s an image. Speaking of dicks, any chance your brother will be out of the country for the summer?

Tessa: Don’t worry about Ben. I don’t even see him that much so you won’t have to either. And besides, he’s already been warned. If he bothers you, I get to kick him in the nuts.

Me: Only after I get the first shot at him. :)

Tessa: There’s my girl. This summer is going to be amazeballs!!! See ya tomorrow!

Me: See ya!

I don’t even know the name of the bar I’m currently sitting in. But I doubt it matters. It was the first one I spotted when I got off the Ruxton exit and it looked promising enough. A bar seems like the perfect venue for what I am about to do, or at least attempt to do. I don’t want to face another summer as a virgin, especially when my best friend isn’t shy about her sexual conquests. If I am going to keep up with her this summer, I have to ditch my