Showing results by author "Nicole Dykes" in All Categories

Big Bend is my home. I love it here. I love everything about it. It's my senior year, and I'm determined to have the best one yet. Of course, that's when life gets confusing. I think I may have a little bit of a crush on my nemesis. Something I never saw coming. I just hope I can find a way to make him give me a chance because being together would make not only this year great but this life of ours—absolutely epic.

The emo kid, the loner, the cynical wallflower with an attitude. It's no secret that I've never quite fit in. But it's glaringly obvious now that I've moved to this Podunk small town that seems to run entirely on sugar, friendliness, and cheer. (And cows, an ungodly number of cows.) I hate it—this place where everyone knows everyone, and I'm still the outsider. Who wants to fit in anyway? I've never really tried, never even thought I wanted to…until I met him. Jimbob is living his best life out here, farming the fields of Kansas, well and truly happy. And I just don't get it.

I'm a fan—how could I not be? And not just a fan of racing. I can't help but be swept up by the lives of celebrities. Wondering if they really have it so much better or if something is missing. Now that Maverick isn't just that hot racer I've followed for years and is instead my friend, I'm starting to see the answer. We always want what we don't have.

I’m a teacher who has only one thing missing from his life: a healthy relationship. I have a plan in place. This should be easy. No more toxic men. No more casual hookups. I want something real. A love that’s equal, not lopsided. I’m a fixer at heart, but I’m done with the hopeless and the selfish.

He’s an influencer—whatever that means. He’s also stunningly beautiful with a feisty attitude, and I can’t deny that it intrigues me. But more importantly, he’s in trouble. I’m not like my brother. Except for being a cop, I don’t strive to save the entire world. However, I find myself compelled to save him. If he’ll calm down and just let me.

I'm the Rookie. That's how they want to label me. The new guy. But I'm damn good at what I do. I don't have anything to prove—except maybe to him. I've watched his career for years. So yeah, maybe I want to impress him a tiny bit. But I also can't help riling him up and ruffling his feathers. He wants me to do things his way, but I don't work like that. I may be the Rookie, but I'm about to school the Ace.

I'm the hotshot—both on and off the track. I know how to work the crowd and show off. And I'm good at it. I've had to become very effective at putting on a show. But my agent is not a fan of my over-the-top antics. So she did something I still can't believe... She called in the press—the media. Specifically, the reporter who hates everything I stand for. And now, he's tasked with showing the world a different side of me. Yeah... Good luck with that.

All I’ve ever wanted is to go to college and get out of Kensley. That small town is all I’ve ever known. I want to be free to be myself, not stifled by small minds in the football-loving town where I grew up. Then I blew my one and only chance. Now, I’m just stuck. Stuck in small-town life with the same small-town people I’ve always known. Stuck where I don’t want to be. Constantly on the defense and hiding secrets about myself. To never be the real me.

Welcome to Big Bend—my nightmare and my home, all in one. I don't fit in here. I don't fit in anywhere. I've made so many mistakes. Over and over. Two of those mistakes haunt me. One, being responsible for a friend losing his job and reputation in this town. And two, well, that one is even worse. I ruined so many lives with one stupid decision I barely even remember. And now, I'm going to pay for it.

I’m a music manager. I’ve taken the smallest artists and made them soar into superstardom. I’m good at what I do, and I never fail. Except with him. I let him down, and that doesn’t sit right with me. No. I’ll track Justin St. James down and find a way to make him happy and settled. No matter what it takes.

I have a secret. We all have secrets. I’m nothing special. It just so happens, however, that my sworn enemy also knows my secret. He’s the absolute worst person to know this, and there’s nothing I can do about it. What he does with this information is totally out of my hands and completely in his. This is why I’ve never let anyone in. I don’t trust easily. I keep to myself. I’m closed off, angry—guarded.

There are several principles of landscaping, but my favorite has always been simplicity. I'm a go-with-the-flow and keep-it-simple kind of guy. Always have been. Always will be. It's how I do my job and how I live my life. Of course, as luck would have it, it only takes one job and one indescribably hot stranger to change everything for me. Because one thing Dutton Collins is not... simple.

When you’re young, everything seems brighter, more hopeful, and like anything is possible. Which is great. But it can also lead to so many mistakes. Mistakes you promise yourself you’ll never make again.

Sean is a normal guy. Has a great job as a photographer. Drives a new car, but not overly flashy. Has his small group of friends. Yeah he's just your run of the mill average Joe. Except, is anyone really all that normal? The secrets Sean harbors run deep. Stemmed from agony deep inside and a thirst for vengeance. Melody is perceived as the beautiful spoiled princess that fell for a beautiful, confident stranger many years ago. Two polar opposites. One night that changed everything without either of them knowing it. Can love conquer all? With the help from a mysterious stranger, Adele.

Four years ago, my life changed forever. Some see it as a vast improvement. Me? I’m not so sure. The guilt from my betrayal has haunted me from day one. I knew my past would catch up to me. So when it comes crashing back into my life, I know the time has come to finally make it right. My path to redemption won’t be easy. But I've always been up for a challenge.

Grief can hold us back. Sorrow can make us stop enjoying our lives for fear of being too happy when what we truly want is never possible. Lola Sterling has deprived herself of living for a long time. Remaining laser-focused on everyone and trying to fit their pieces back together. But can someone from the past repair her? Could he help her heart break free from the painful restraints put there from a devastating loss? Can the Sterling family ever come back from the tragedy? Time will only tell.

Two people drifting through life - one on a firmly established plan, the other with no plans at all. Both believing they know exactly what they want. But what happens when a chance encounter is so electrifying that everything they believe is threatened with destruction? They're suddenly fixated on each other. Will it make them stronger? Or will everything come crashing down? An addiction so strong, the high will be unforgettable, but the inevitable low will be devastating.

Healing after a tragedy is hard enough. Doing it when you’re haunted by past betrayal and so many things left unsaid? Feels nearly hopeless. Is it impossible to come back from so much anguish and all the regrets? Can you ever truly mend your heart and move on? Or are Penelope and Linc destined for a life of punishment and pain?

I’m in trouble. Big trouble. Not that I should be surprised. My entire life has been one huge misfortune. I have nothing and no one. But then.... Finn comes along. Gorgeous, stubborn, and infuriating. And he can’t seem to leave me alone.

I’m the fun one. The loud one. The overly opinionated one with no filter. I’ve been unapologetically me since day one, and it hasn’t been easy. Kicked out of my home when I was sixteen, I chose to be alone rather than not be my true self. I found my family now and a job I love. I have everything, and yet I’m still an outcast in so many ways...