Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  About the Author

  Also by Gianna Gabriela

  Not The End

  Prologue

  Better With You, Always

  Bragan University Series (Book Four)

  Copyright © 2019 Gianna Gabriela

  First edition, 2019

  Print ISBN: 978-1-0762710-4-4

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, or by any other means, without written permission from the author. The only time passages may be used is for teasers, blog posts, articles, or reviews, so long as the work isn’t being wrongfully used.

  This book is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, events, and incidents portrayed are solely from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual places, people, events, or other incidents is coincidental or are used fictitiously.

  Cover design by Sly Fox Cover Designs

  Edited by Lauren Dawes

  Proofread by Landers Editorial

  To My Readers,

  Mia & Colton were my first and I owe their success to you. Thank you for continuing to fuel me.

  Love,

  Gianna Gabriela

  Prologue

  Colton Hunter

  “Why did you need me to come over again?” Kaitlyn asks as she walks through the door of our house. Not the Football House, but our house—our home.

  “Stop asking questions and come here!” I tell her from where I sit in the living room.

  Kaitlyn removes her coat, setting it on the hanger at the door, and plops down beside me. “Okay, bro, what’s up?”

  I shut off the TV and turn to face her. “I need your help.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Clearly, otherwise I wouldn’t have had to drive home so early.”

  “Weren’t you coming for dinner?” We eat together as a family every Sunday. Nick, Kaitlyn, Dad, Mia and me. Sometimes a few of the guys crash it too. It’s a new tradition in the Hunter household. It’s been really nice to spend time with Dad and have conversations that are real. Meaningful. Ones that no longer tip-toe around my mom’s web of lies.

  “Yes, but that’s way later.”

  “It’s in three hours.”

  “Exactly, so why do I have to be here now?”

  “I need your help.”

  “So you keep saying. Will you tell me what you need already?”

  * * *

  “I am one hundred percent in!” Kaitlyn says with a smile after I finish explaining everything to her.

  “Do you think it’s lame?”

  “Absolutely not! She’ll love it.”

  I scratch the back of my head, the nerves getting the better of me. Mia makes me nervous. Always has. Even though we’ve been dating for almost two years, I still can’t help wanting to surprise her, to be the best version of me I can be.

  “I don’t know…”

  Kaitlyn looks at me and smiles. “She really did make a good guy out of you.”

  “I’ve always been a good guy!” I can’t even say it with a straight face because I know it’s a lie.

  “I don’t know about that. All I know is the Colton I grew up with wouldn’t be thinking of ways to surprise his girlfriend by planning the best anniversary ever.”

  “I just hope it works.”

  “It will.” Kaitlyn says the words with the certainty I’m lacking. At least someone thinks it’s a good idea.

  “What do you think we’ll need?” I ask, my mind working in overdrive.

  “We’ll need everyone to be a part of it.”

  “What do you mean, everyone?”

  “I mean, the whole squad—especially Emma. She’s the romance-reader, so she’ll have some ideas on how to make this all amazing.”

  Maybe I shouldn’t have asked Kaitlyn to help me with this. Maybe I shouldn’t be asking anyone. But the idea is already in my mind, and hers, and the Hunters don’t give up—it’s not in our nature.

  1

  MIA COLLINS

  Eight Days Later

  Yesterday was weird. I mean, seriously weird. Usually, dinner at Colton’s house is full of laughter and stories, but this past Sunday, things seemed different. Kaitlyn and Colton shared looks all night. Something’s going on; I just don’t know what.

  I get up from my bed, glancing at the empty space beside me. I’m so used to Colton spending every night here that I miss him when he doesn’t stay over. I especially miss the weight of his arms as he holds me close.

  Kaitlyn and I drove home together after dinner, but Colton stayed at his dad’s house because they were both heading out of state for a meeting. He didn’t really give me much information, just that it was something football related. He did, however, apologize a million times for missing our anniversary today.

  Maybe that’s why I feel like something’s wrong.

  I check my phone and find no messages from him.

  It’s interesting how used to a person one can get. I’ve gotten into a routine with Colton, seeing him every day, even if it’s only at night when he comes back exhausted from practice. When he’s not here, I feel like part of me is missing. I’d never admit this though, especially not to him.

  I brush my teeth, shower and change into jeans, boots and a shirt. I’m preparing breakfast when Kaitlyn walks out of her room, yawning.

  “Hey,” I say, a cup of coffee in my hand.

  “You’re up early,” she notes. “Is it because Colton isn’t here?”

  I shrug. “I wake up early sometimes.”

  “Do you now?” Kaitlyn replies with a knowing smile. I don’t wake up early. I hate it actually. Always have.

  I laugh. “Nope. Want some coffee?” I ask, pouring some into a mug. I know what her answer’s going to be.

  “Do I ever say no to that?”

  “Nope,” I say, passing it to her.

  “You’re the best roommate ever,” she says the moment she takes a sip.

  “You gotta thank Kiya for that. She taught me a few tricks before leaving.” I miss Kiya. I saw her a few times during the summer, but not enough. Never enough. I miss talking to her every day, seeing her every morning and listening to her stories. She tells me she’s doing well though. She and Blake are still together—still good. She’s happy, so I’m happy for her.

  “I’ll make sure to thank her the next time I see her.” Kaitlyn drums her fingers on the kitchen counter. “So, what are you doing today?”

  “I don’t have any plans.”

  “Do you miss my brother so much already?”

  “Is it that obvious?”

  “Only a little.”

  Leaning my hip against the counter, I say, “He seemed so nervous yesterday. He didn’t tell me much about the meeting he’s going to today. He also hasn’t texted.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about it. You know how tough Colton is.”

  I nod. But he usually tells me everything, so how can I not worry?

  “Do you know anything?” I pry.

  She shakes her head.

  “I just wish he’d told me more about this meeting. I feel like it’s important to him…”

  “You know what? I won’t let you stay here torturing yourself. Let me hit the shower and then we’ll spend the day together.”

  “You don’t have to take pity on me. Today’s a holiday, so you should do something fun.”

  “Spending the day with you is fun, Mia. We don’t get to do it often, so don’t ditch me.”

  I laugh. “I never ditch you.”

  “Hmm, that’s arguable. Anyway, give me twenty minutes and we’ll go.”

  “Alright,” I tell an already retreating Kaitlyn.

  2

  MIA

  “Are you ready?” Kaitlyn asks, walking into the living room where I’m binge watching my new go-to show. It’s about undercover female officers who have infiltrated the cartels. I’m definitely a fan of kickass women.

  “Of course. I just sat down and started watching this because I assumed you were going to take at least an hour to get ready. You usually do.”

  She shakes her head. “I can get ready quickly if I need to.”

  “I can see that.”

  “Okay, shut the T.V. off and let’s go.”

  “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask, getting up from the couch and walking to her.

  “Nope. You’re at my mercy today.”

  “Your next victim?”

  “What do you mean next victim?”

  “I feel like the last person who was ‘at your mercy’ was Emma and look what you did to her.”

  “What did I do to her?” she demands, her hands on her hips.

  “Zack.”

  Kaitlyn laughs. “They’re adorable together!”

  I can’t deny that. “They are. Who would’ve thought?”

  “Who would’ve thought you and my brother would be a thing?”

  “Definitely not me.” I laugh, remembering how much I disliked him in the beginning.

  I throw on my jacket and follow Kaitlyn out the door. “Nothing too crazy, please. It’s Monday morning.”

  “Stop complaining and just get in the car already,” she says, shutting the door behind her. I walk over to her car and get in the passenger side.

  Five minutes later, Kaitlyn brings the car to a stop in the student lot. “Why are we here?” I ask when I see a mostly deserted campus. Long weekends usually mean people go away. No one wants to be in school when they don’t have to be.

  “I have to grab something really quickly and then we can go.”

  “You brought me along to do errands?”

  “Stop your whining woman, and get out of the car,” she orders.

  “You remind me of your brother.”

  “It’s the Hunter trait.”

  I roll my eyes.

  We both get out of the car and walk in the direction of the building where I had the humanities class with Zack and Colton. Gosh, it brings back memories.

  I didn’t think Kaitlyn took classes in this building.

  “What do you need from here?”

  “Just follow me,” she says, walking inside.

  “Fine,” I relent. I trail behind her, wishing I’d chosen to stay home instead. It’s chilly, and the T.V. series I was watching was just getting interesting.

  “We’re here,” Kaitlyn says. We’re standing right outside the door of my humanities class. I look through the small window and see that it’s empty.

  “And what do you need from here?” I ask when she just stands there.

  “This,” she says, searching through her bag. She grabs a white envelope and passes it over to me.

  Humanities Class. That’s what it says on the front of the envelope.

  “Are you dropping that off?” I ask, still confused.

  “It’s for you.”

  “You made me come to the humanities building to give me an envelope? I thought you said you needed to pick something up.”

  “You ask a lot of questions,” she says, dramatically rolling her eyes at me. “Just open it.”

  I look down at the envelope once again then flip it around to tear it open. Inside, I find a card.

  Mia

  I know I’m missing our anniversary, but I promise I’ll make it up to you. Kaitlyn’s set up a few things for you since I can’t be there. I know she’s a pain in the ass, but don’t give her too much shit—I mean crap. (I know we talked about me swearing less.) Anyway, she’s actually helping me.

  I had her bring you here today because this is the place I first laid eyes on you. You looked at me so fiercely when you ran in to me. I knew in that moment, looking in your big brown eyes, that I had to get to know you better. I can’t explain it, but this is where you started to take over my mind and heart.

  This is the classroom where I fought my hardest to get you back. I wanted the whole world to know I was in love with you. I wanted you to be mine and for me to be yours.

  You make me better, Mia. You always have.

  Love,

  Colton

  3

  MIA

  I reread the words on the card a few more times. I can’t believe Colton wrote me a letter. I mean, I guess that’s something people do, but I never expected him to be the kind of guy to do it. It’s romantic.

  I turn around and look through the window into the classroom again. I remember the first day I saw him here. I was so angry at him for being rude to me outside the club. Shoot, I remember how many times I had to switch seats to try and get away from him after the whole Abbigail fiasco. A tear escapes my eye as I recall the day he professed his feelings for me.

  “Now, will you stop asking me a million questions?” Kaitlyn asks, bringing my attention back to her.

  I nod, unable to give her anything more than a non-verbal response. Colton surprises me more and more each day. Even when he isn’t here, he manages to make me feel like he is, to make me feel how much he loves me.

  “I know you probably want to stay here and take it all in, but there are a few other stops we’ve gotta make. Are you ready?” Kaitlyn asks.

  “I’m ready,” I tell her as I fold the card and put it inside my bag.

  “I guess you know how this works now?” Kaitlyn says the moment we walk into the café.

  “Do you have another card for me?” I ask eagerly. This place is so special to Colton and me. I want to hear what he has to say about it.

  “Nope, no cards.”

  “Seriously? Then why are we here?”

  Kaitlyn smiles deviously. “I do have a card, sorry.”

  “You’re the worst.”

  “But you’re stuck with me.”

  “This is true,” I tell Kaitlyn, who’s delving into her bag to grab another envelope.

  When she hands it to me, I open the card as quickly as possible and start to read it:

  Mia

  If you’re reading this, you’ve made it to the café.

  Remember when you lost that bet to me? The whole gym thing? Well, I couldn’t have been happier to get you to agree to meet me for coffee. Then, you agreed to come every day.

  I think, at the time, you saw it as a way to not have to work out, but I saw it as my opportunity.

  This place helped us get where we are. It’s where we talked and spent time getting to know one another. This is where I realized I was falling in love with you.

  You make me better, Mia. You always have.

  Love,

  Colton

  4

  MIA

  Another tear falls as I glance around the empty-ish café. I look at the table Colton and I sit at every day and I can’t believe it’s been two years since we started talking to each other.

  “Are you going to cry every time you read a letter?” Kaitlyn asks, and I laugh, wiping away my tears.

  “Sorry. Your brother has a way of making me feel everything.”

  “Too much information, love.”

  “Not like that!”

  “Your business is your business. Anyway, are you ready for the next one?”

  “There’s more?” I ask, smiling widely.

  “Of course there’s more.”

  Kaitlyn and I walk out of the café and toward the parking lot. “Do you want to just give me whatever’s left so I can just read them all?”

  Kait shakes her head. “That’s not part of the plan.”

  Shrugging, I say, “I figured you wouldn’t give in, but I had to ask.” I cannot wait to read them all.

  Kaitlyn starts the car and pulls out, only to come to a stop a few minutes later in front of the gym. I can’t hold back the laughter.

  “This must have a funny story,” Kaitlyn says, watching me with curiosity-filled eyes.

  “Your brother bet that I wouldn’t last a week in his shoes.”

  “And?”

  “He was right, but mostly because his shoes stunk and I didn’t want to—not because I couldn’t.”

  Kaitlyn laughs. “That’s a good one. I wouldn’t want to spend a week going to the gym at 5AM and going to football practice either.”

  “Exactly! It’s also how he got me to agree to go to coffee with him for a week.”

  “Coffee dates! How cute.”

  Her words make me pause. They were dates, weren’t they? Back then, I thought it was just getting to know each other, and I wasn’t really sure why he wanted to do that.

  “Yup.” I remove my seatbelt, but Kaitlyn stops me from opening the door.

  “This one doesn’t require us to leave the car.”

  “Really?”

 

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