"I need you," he whispered from the passenger seat. Why would I trust a bad boy? But I felt, for some reason, that I needed him to. I turned to look at him, but he was already leaning in to kiss me. Why is love so complicated? Maya Reeds is a seventeen year old girl thriving on independence and drive. She thinks boys are mindless, immature imbeciles and has steered clear of the entire concept of love in general. Her single mother is not just a role model, but an inspiration. Leaving for a business trip to China, Maya's mother has high ambitions for her future. However, she can't leave her daughter alone for all those months. That's where Carrie Groom comes in. Carrie has been friends with Maya's mom for years, and her home seems like a harmless place to stay for the duration of Maya's seeming abandonment. Never thought that Carrie could've raised a bad boy. As Maya endures this temporary move, she is sent into a whirlwind of desire, heated emotions, and betrayal- all fueled by the boy who lives just down the hall.

He lit his cigarette, I lit nothing. He drank alcohol, I drank water. He smirked, I smiled. He didn't love me, I didn't love him. He and I together wouldn't last a day. And then the game started... He said he found me intriguing, unique, and interesting because I didn't swoon over him. "You and me Grey, let's play a game. We'll date and in three months time I promise you will fall for me. When you fall in love with me between that time span, I win. If in any way you were to win I'll give up all the alcohol, cigarettes, and player ways." It was a game I wasn't willing to lose, but all games had accidents and consequences. It takes a broken heart to know how to break a heart.

Wren Martin is socially awkward. She blocks off herself to the world, hiding behind her favorite hoodie. All she wants to do is keep a low profile, and graduate well enough to qualify for a college scholarship. But then a babysitting job leads her to cross paths with Asher Reed, Eastview Highʼs notorious athlete. When a field injury kickstarts his senior year, heʼs turning his free time and attention to Wren. And maybe she might not want to be invisible after all. ***** [Watty's Collector's Edition Winner] [TFA Runaway Prize Winner] [[word count: 150,000-200,000 words]] Cover designed by Ashley Santoro

"I'm trying to complete my moms summer list from when she was in high school," I explain, and Ace snatches the paper out of my hand. I reach for it, but he holds it high above his head so I can't. I huff and cross my arms. His eyes scan the page and his lips purse. "Dev, everything on here is lame. Nothing requires actual adventure," he says, and I scoff. "What do you propose I do about that?" I snap, my lips curved into a smirk. Ace sighs and hands me back the paper. "I'll complete this list with you so aren't the loser doing it by yourself." He then comes closer to me so our faces are only inches apart and he continues, his voice husky. "But only if I get to pick what we do first."