Before Someday- Part Three: The Hold: Double Threat Series, #7

By Julie Prestsater

Before Someday is the perfect combination of sweet and sexy, humor and angst, and a whole hell of a lot of love. Alex is the irresistibly sexy and charming guy who Meg falls madly in love with her freshman year. There is just one problem. He’s going off to college and she’s still in high school.

* * *

“I love you, Megan.” The subtle brush of her lips along mine fills my heart with emotion.

“I love you, too, Alex. This is it. This is our someday.”

A hint of a smile reveals itself as my gaze catches hers. Four years of heat, desire, love is shared between us. “No, Megan.” I lay a soft kiss on her lips. “This…is our forever.”

* * *

In the Double Threat Series, you were captivated by the sassy wit of Megan Miller and the heartwarming romance she shared with the guy who stole her heart and took off with it four hundred miles away. You wondered what Alex was up to while he was away at college. You questioned what he was thinking the night they played strip Twister. And you were dying to find out what the hell he could possibly see in Amy. Now’s your chance to find out when you read Alex Aguilar’s point of view in Before Someday. Alex tells all about finding the one in this Double Threat novel.

* * *

The Double Threat Series
Meg’s Books
•    So I’m a Double Threat, #1
•    Double Threat My Bleep, #2
•    Double Time, #3
•    Double Threats Forever, #4
Alex’s Books
•    Before Someday- Part One: The Wait, #5
•    Before Someday- Part Two: The Moment, #6
•    Before Someday- Part Three: The Hold, #7
•    Before Someday- Part Four: The Forever, #8
•    Before Someday- Alex Tells All, #9

These books have content intended for mature YA/adult audiences. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Julie Prestsater
• Release date: Mar 25, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507086858

Julie Prestsater

Julie Prestsater is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who writes both adult and young adult romantic comedies. Julie is a high school educator by day, and a writer by night. When she's not writing, she can be found out and about with her family, reading, and watching football. As a reading intervention specialist, she prides herself on matching her students with great books to encourage them to become life-long readers. The Double Threat Series So I'm a Double Threat, #1 Double Threat My Bleep, #2 Double Time, #3 Double Threats Forever, #4 The Double Threat Box Set Before Someday- Part One: The Wait, #5 Before Someday- Part Two: The Moment, #6 Before Someday- Part Three: The Hold, #7 Before Someday- Part Four: The Forever, #8 Before Someday- Alex Tells All, #9 The One for Me- Ben's Story (coming someday in the future) Losing It: A Collection of V-Cards The Against The Wall Series Against The Wall, #1 Between The Sheets, #2 Straddling The Edge, #3 Playing Chase, #4 Against The Wall: The Complete Series The Fire Me Up Series Tell Me You Love Me, #1 Tell Me You Want Me, #2 Hearts Afire. #1 (Fire Me Up-Hope Falls crossover) Love Remains, #2 (Fire Me Up-Hope Falls crossover) Tell Me You Need Me, #3 (Coming later on) Tell Me It's Forever, #4 (Coming down the road) Standalone Titles Without You More Than a Friend Request You Act So White Visit Julie on Twitter (@juliepbooks), Facebook.com/juliepbooks (search for Double Threat Novels or Julie Prestsater --send her a friend request), and check out her website (juliepbooks.com).

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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, and real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. The author also acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of any and all wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction.

Editing: Marion Archer of Making Manuscripts

Formatting: Perfectly Publishable

Cover Design: Perfect Pear Creative Covers

Cover Photography: Adriana Pilonieta of Visual Image Photography

Cover Models: Jurnee Mroczek and Gabriel Quesada

Hair: Kim Moreno

Makeup: Christina Brandts-Buys

Visit Julie on the Web at juliepbooks.com.

This book contains content intended for mature YA/adult audiences.

Dedication

For Samantha

Part Three- The Hold

Chapter 16

I never expected to stay in Berkeley for the summer. I never thought I’d have to. My dreams of graduating magna cum laude vanished after my first college calculus quiz. Everything I imagined going away to college would be was so far off, it’s laughable now.

Finally. I’m laughing.

After Meg and I broke up, I wasn’t sure I’d ever smile again, much less laugh. Yeah, I know I sound like a chick, but I don’t fucking care. When you find the one who you want to spend the rest of your life with and you realize you can’t have her anymore, it’s nothing but heartache. I’m not exaggerating. I wouldn’t wish a broken heart on anyone. It sucks. It fucking sucks. But, at some point, you need to move on. I didn’t think I was going to be able to, but Meg forced her hand and basically told me to fuck off until further notice.

So, now...that’s what I’m doing. I’m moving on. I wouldn’t say I’m moving on without her. It’s not like I’ve left her on the sidewalk and I can see Megan in my rear-view mirror as I drive away. It’s more like she’s sitting in the backseat of my car, not riding shotgun anymore. She’ll always be in my thoughts. In my heart. Like I said, though. I’m moving on.

Summer session starts tomorrow. I’m taking second semester calculus so I can get caught up, plus a reading and comp class and art history course to get ahead. I ended up passing the rest of my classes after working my ass off those last few weeks. For the first time, cramming like crazy worked in my favor. Miles sucked in calc, too, so he decided to stay for the summer. Esteban kicked ass in everything, but he’s staying anyway. I tease him saying he’ll miss us too much if he goes home. He’s lost without Kayla. She left back to San Diego right after finals and we all know how his last long-distance relationship worked out.

Miles, Esteban and I are subletting an apartment together until we can move into an apartment of our own when school starts. Esteban’s friend from high school is also sharing the place. Jesse seems like a cool guy. He’s kicked it with us a few times this year. We’ll see what it’s like to live with him. Hell, it will be interesting living with Miles, too. Esteban and I are used to living in close quarters, so it shouldn’t be a problem with us.

If I don’t pass calculus this time, I quit, Miles says, as he organizes his school supplies.

He has so much shit it reminds me of when my mom used to shop for me in elementary school. The dude even has crayons. Since when do you need Crayolas at a university? Not to mention we have enough shit in the studio. How much more does one need?

I talked to Tony last night. Guess what his GPA is after our first year? he asks.

Shrugging, I don’t answer him. Tony, the ex from Stanford is wicked smart. There’s no question how he ended the year.

A fucking 4.0.

Now, he’s shoving pencils into a lime green pencil bag fastened into his three-ring binder.

Who cares?

I do, he says. He’s never going to want me back if he keeps on getting As and I keep failing. I may as well go home and go to a technical school for medical assisting. Or maybe modeling school.

I catch him admiring himself in the full-length mirror hanging on the outside of our bathroom door. He raises a brow and pouts his lips. I roll my eyes. This is going to be a long-ass summer.

Miles, I say, sternly. If I’m moving on...so are you.

He narrows his eyes at me, but doesn’t say anything. He goes back to his supplies, and I flop back on my bed to take a nap. If I’m going to be sharing a room with Miles for eight weeks, I’m going to need to get my rest when I can. This guy is like a walking, talking Red Bull.

* * *

Two weeks into summer school, I’m taking a break from homework and playing Madden football with Esteban when there’s a knock at our door.

Get the door, Esteban says, hitting the keys of his controller.

You get it, I tell him, pressing pause.

Fucker, I was about to score and you stop the game. There’s another knock. You get it.

He should be thankful for the interruption. Esteban has yet to beat me. In fact, I’ve only lost once since I moved up here. Jake got lucky one night. I ended up having to buy pizza for the whole suite after that loss.

Another knock comes just as I get to the door. I’m coming, I’m coming. I swing open the door without looking through the peephole. Holy shit!

What’s up, dick? Ben says, a wide smile spread across his face.

I can’t believe it. It’s really him. My mouth hangs open. Words escape me.

Are you going to let me in, or what?

Seconds later, I snap out of it and hold the door open wider. Yeah, man. Come in.

Can I come in, too?

Son of a bitch! I shout. Holy shit, Dom. I can’t believe you guys are here. This is awesome.

Dom and Ben step inside my small apartment and we exchange big back slapping bro hugs. These two are too much. Shock and awe, that’s what this is.

I start to close the door, but it pushes back against me.

Excuse me, a female voice says. Don’t forget about me, assholes.

Are you kidding me? I open the door again to find Lydia. My mouth curves into a ridiculous smile. What are you doing here?

Hey, baby. I heard these two were coming up for a visit and I decided to tag along. It’s a good thing I did or they would have ended up on the other side of the bay. She rolls her eyes. They can’t follow a map for shit.

As I scoop her up into a warm hug, I can hear the guys chattering.

Whatever, Lyd, Ben says. Keep talking shit and you’ll be walking home.

Tag along is right. She jumped in the car and wouldn’t get out. Dom shakes his head at her.

Yeah, Ben says. We told her to get out and she didn’t. Then I told her as we drove down the street it was now or never and she didn’t stop us. We had to stop at a store along the way so she could buy some clothes. She’s fucken crazy. He swirls his finger around his temple.

Tell him something he doesn’t know, Lydia says. He’s happier to see me than he is either of you. Right, baby?

Looking back and forth from Lydia to the guys, through a chuckle, I tell them, You got that right.

Then, the four of us are laughing and hugging each other again.

Who’s your friend? Lydia asks, checking out Esteban.

My roommate doesn’t know what to make of her. His expression is that of confusion and unease by her forwardness.

Down, girl. He’s taken, I tell her. Everyone, this is Esteban, my roommate.

I continue to make the introductions, completely thrilled my friends are here. I didn’t think I was going to see them again until the end of the summer. This is by far the best surprise ever.

Great to meet everyone, Esteban says, shaking hands with my friends. I’ll see you all later. I have a call to make.

I glance at the display on the microwave. It’s almost four, which means Esteban is off to his room to make his daily call to Kayla.

When Esteban is down the hall, I tell everyone to take a seat in the living room. I stare at them one by one. Ben sits beside me on the couch, while Dom and Lydia take the chairs on either side of us. It’s crazy. It feels like it’s been forever since I saw everyone last. Spring break seemed to fly by in a blur of emotions, and I feel like I didn’t get much time with Ben or Dom. Lydia called me after the breakup, but, shit, I haven’t seen her since Christmas.

How was graduation? I ask Dom.

It was cool. All right, I guess. He slouches in his chair, his large frame shrinking with each word. He’s not himself at all.

What’s going on? I ask, looking back and forth to him and Ben.

Ben gives me one of those don’t ask looks, like he wants me to tread lightly here.

Oh, just stop babying him already, Lydia says. My dumbass sister broke up with him.

Dom sits up a little. She didn’t break up with me, Lydia. We both decided it’s better to take a break.

Oh, right. The pact. The one where they take a break until Steph graduates.

Lydia rolls her eyes. So if it’s better, then why are you both miserable? Now, she shakes her head. Boys are stupid.

What the hell did I do? Ben asks, holding his hands up in surrender. Don’t lump me in with this bullshit. It wasn’t my idea.

Give me a minute and I bet I can come up with something. Lydia is on fire.

It wasn’t my idea either, I say, chuckling inside.

There she goes with the eye rolling again. Don’t even get me started on you.

Tell me again why you brought her, I tell the guys.

Ben laughs. She didn’t give us much of a choice.

We should have pushed her out of the car when we had a chance, Dom says, chuckling, too.

At least he’s laughing. It’s a start. Believe me. I know.

We spend the rest of the evening with a quick tour of the campus. It’s much like what I did with Meg when she came for her visit, except I don’t have them roll down the hill. They want to see where I lived my first year, so we head over to Clark Kerr. By the time we’re finished walking around, everyone is hungry so we eat at the dining hall. Dom is amazed that for eleven bucks he can eat all he wants. They may need to adjust their prices when he’s done.

On the way back to our apartment, Lydia and Dom walk ahead. It’s not difficult to figure out what they’re talking about. Lydia is just as loud as her sister Stephanie. Her volume does not turn down.

All I’m saying is I can’t believe you went along with this stupid plan, she says.

Dom responds to her, but Ben starts talking, distracting me from the other conversation.

How you holding up, man? he asks.

I shrug. Eh. I’m all right. Some days are better than others. Overall, I’m good though. No need to call in a shrink or anything.

Good to know.

How are you? I ask, looking over at my best friend.

I’m good. Just busy with school and work. I’m taking classes this summer, too.

Ben taking summer school surprises me. I would have thought he’d take the time off. No classes today?

It’s one of the things I love about college. I can leave Fridays free. I just wish I could work it so I have Mondays off, too. That would be a bomb ass schedule.

Hell yeah it would.

So have you talked to her? he asks.

Thank God he’s the first to bring up Megan. I’ve been biting my tongue since they got here. I’ve heard enough about Dom and Steph. I need to hear about Meg.

Ben chuckles, so I ask, What are you laughing about?

Well, that big ass sigh is a sign you’ve been waiting for an opening to talk about the little one. He laughs again.

You got me. Now, we’re both chuckling. I talked to her before finals. Just a quick hello and good luck. Then she texted me a few weeks ago to tell me I lost a bet. I haven’t talked to her since, though. I’m trying to be patient. Trying not to bug the shit out of her like I did before. She needs space. I need space.

He nods. Sounds about right. How’s school going?

It’s still early, but I’m doing well. So far, so good. I aced my first calculus quiz. My life feels a lot less stressed.

Good.

It just sucks it came at such a high price.

It won’t be long before you get your shit together again and figure out how to manage both. Ben punches me