JASON ARCHER: I couldn't love myself anymore. I didn't know how. Not after it was stolen from me. After I drop out of college, I rush back to North Carolina to regain some stability in my life. Only, I get doused with a heavy dose of reality. My parents wouldn't welcome me back in their house after I quit school, so I ran off to find Emery. Only, he is staying with the vicious group of boys I refused to see for who they were. Only, when Axton Reynolds, the big bad wolf, catches me applying makeup, he rushes over to my side with ease. It scares me to death, but I find it within myself to drop my angry facade and see Triple-A for who they are. For who Apollo is. And I find out rather quickly that...I really like who Apollo Diaz is. But what if he doesn't like me for who I am? Because I don't even like myself for who I am anymore. APOLLO DIAZ: Anger isn't something I find worth my time, but when this blond-haired, blue-eyed boy shows up on my doorstep, and Mama invites him to stay, I find myself absorbing too much anger. Jason hates me for reasons that I could never figure out--not entirely. After hearing stories about the boy who loved sunshine and rainbows, I couldn't put those things next to Jason in comparison. Not until he decides to stop hiding his true self from everyone. Not until I let my anger get the best of me, and I say the one thing that strips him bare. After I apologize, I realize I...really like the boy Jason truly is. I want to know more about him. I want to consume every single piece of information. I want it all. I want all of him. Jason doesn't find himself beautiful. Not anymore. And now, I want to be the person to help him gain his confidence back, and tell him how beautiful he is. Every. Single. Day. No matter how difficult it is to admit my feelings. But when I do, I only double my efforts to get Jason to believe what I see. And what I see is a beautiful, brave soul. I will make him mine, no matter what it takes.
31 parts