Changing the Game: A Second Chance "Love At First Kiss" College Romance

By Laura M. Baird

In high school, I was the nerdy guy. The nice guy. The chubby guy. I didn't know crap about athletics or girls. But I had my eye on Lidia Hightower. She was kind and smart and beautiful. And with the wrong guy. Nothing I could do about it since she'd never look at a guy like me. Even after I saved her from a grave mistake. Years later with my transfer to Thackeray College comes a second chance I never thought I'd have when Lidia's here, too. Well this time I'm not going to blow it.

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In high school, I was the popular girl. The society girl. The one who had it all. I even dated the wrong guy because it presented a better image. But I was done with that. I was over doing what was expected and ready to do what I wanted. Who would have thought what I wanted was Cooper Stevens, the sweet boy who championed me when my friends abandoned me? The cute high school boy who grew into a fine college man but probably wouldn't look twice at me now. Only one way to find out...

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This standalone novella is part of a multi-author new adult steamy contemporary romance series set on a college campus in New England where twelve couples will fall in love at first kiss.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura M. Baird
• Release date: Dec 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201315245

Laura M. Baird

An avid reader-turned-writer, I've also worked over seventeen years as a dental hygienist. I'm thrilled to see my dreams come to life, and hope to provide readers with many more years of sensual romance filled with laughter, maybe a few tears, and always a happily-ever-after. Married over twenty-six years to my own stud, we've raised two wonderful sons, enjoy the beauty of the Northwest, and proudly cheer on our Boise State Broncos. When not staying active and juggling multiple tasks, I'm consuming plenty of great reads.

Book preview

Changing the Game

A Love At First Kiss Novella

Laura M. Baird

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Laura M. Baird

Copyright © 2021 by Laura M. Baird

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner.

Any resemblance to an actual person living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Cover by: Romantic Renderings

Editor: Hana Chappell

Contents

About Changing the Game

1. Chapter One

2. Chapter Two

3. Chapter Three

4. Chapter Four

5. Chapter Five

6. Chapter Six

Epilogue

Excerpt from Securing His Mate

Excerpt from Park Avenue Princess

About Author

Acknowledgments

About Changing the Game

Love at First Kiss Series: Changing the Game

In high school, I was the nerdy guy. The nice guy. The chubby guy. I didn't know crap about athletics or girls. But I had my eye on Lidia Hightower. She was kind and smart and beautiful. And with the wrong guy. Nothing I could do about it since she'd never look at a guy like me. Even after I saved her from a grave mistake. Years later with my transfer to Thackeray College comes a second chance I never thought I'd have when Lidia's here, too. Well this time I'm not going to blow it.

In high school, I was the popular girl. The society girl. The one who had it all. I even dated the wrong guy because it presented a better image. But I was done with that. I was over doing what was expected and ready to do what I wanted. Who would have thought what I wanted was Cooper Stevens, the sweet boy who championed me when my friends abandoned me? The cute high school boy who grew into a fine college man but probably wouldn't look twice at me now. Only one way to find out...

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This is a stand-alone novella, but also part of a shared world multi-author new adult steamy contemporary romance series set on a college campus in New England where twelve couples will fall in love at first kiss.

Chapter One

Cooper ~ Seven year ago

Rushing around the corner, I collide with someone, clumsily knocking them back. Before they wind up on their ass, my hands spring out to steady them, grabbing onto silky tender flesh. I hear the exhale of an oof as I stare into beautiful liquid-caramel orbs.

L-Lidia, damn, I'm, damn, I'm s-sorry. I quickly drop my hands away. Not that I'm repulsed by touching her. Just the opposite. But I'm sure Lidia doesn't want my paws on her.

Her chuckle surprises me; her smile even more so.

No harm, Cooper. Guess you're in a hurry.

Uh, yeah, not really though. Ya know, math test. I'm a tongue-tied idiot.

She laughs. Well, should be a breeze for you, Mr. Math Tutor. When all I can do is remain silently stunned, she continues. Good job what you've done with the underclassmen by setting up the tutoring schedule during free periods. I hear it's made a wonderful impact.

Yeah, I guess as student body VP, she'd know about student affairs like that. I wasn't looking for any kudos; just trying to help because I know all about struggles.

Realizing I'd remained silent while she continues to stare, I try to coherently formulate a response.

Thanks, it's no big deal. I, uh, I better not be late.

Oh, sure. Well, again, good job, and good luck with your test. Her smile renders me speechless so all I can do is nod before hurrying away.

Such a doofus.

I jog across the square then slow down before rounding another corner, making sure I don't crash into anyone else today. An unmistakable, grating voice stops my progress.

Are you kidding me? She'll never know the difference. And I'll finally get her to loosen up a bit, ya know?

Snickers follow those words from Jonathan Archer as he and whatever asshole friends are with him crack up. My fists clench, knowing exactly who the her is he's talking about. Lidia Hightower. She and Jonathan are like the power couple of the school. She's a beautiful person who unfortunately gets treated like a possession by this douche. Jonathan is king jerk of the school in my opinion, thinking he's better than everyone else. Doesn't help he's top jock and from one of the wealthiest families in South Portland, Maine. Some would say that does make him better, but that's bullshit.

I just wish she'd find the courage to break away from him before she gets hurt.

So what's the plan?

I jolt as I hear Tina Marsh, a supposed friend of Lidia's.

After prom, we're all hanging out at my place for a party. We got the pool and liquor, and even the pool house to crash in.

What about your parents, dude? Marvin asks.

Jonathan scoffs. They're all too happy to see me graduate high school so the party was their idea. Liquor and all. Said it'll be fine as long as anyone drinking remains for the night.

Shit, that's pretty cool.

I roll my eyes at these numskulls. All they care about is the next party or piece of ass they can score. What's worse are their parents who turn a blind eye to their actions. Talk spreads even though I don't run in their circles.

Damn right, Jonathan says. After Tina pushes the drinks on Lidia and she starts feeling good, we're gonna rock that pool house, so I'm counting on you to make sure nobody gets in until I get off.

More laughter. You got it, man, Marvin says.

Fuckers! I want to rush around the corner and pummel every one of them, even Tina.

If only, I scoff to myself as their voices fade, telling me they're moving away from the building. They play every school sport imaginable while I can barely make it through a PE class without huffing and puffing as if I'd just climbed Saddleback Mountain. And that's less than 4200 feet. Yeah, I'm not in the best of shape. I'm six foot three, two hundred seventy-five pounds, and never do more than what's required in gym class. But lately I'm spending more time moving rather than sitting in front of my gaming console. I mean, my games are important because they're gonna get me into college, but I'm realizing there's more to life than that.

Like Lidia. I know she's way out of my league, but a guy can dream about one day having a special person in his life. If only it could be her. There's a natural beauty about her, from her pretty face that looks like it doesn't get coated with five pounds of makeup, to the easy charm she radiates. She's the sweetest, kindest girl in school. Smart, too. Except when it comes to guys. She's only with Jonathan because that's what her parents want. I know this because I happened to overhear a conversation between Lidia and another friend. I'm not particularly proud that I was privy to it, but they didn't know I'd been shoved in the library's janitor's closet right before they decided to have their little