Another contest!

That's right, I have another contest for you to check out. This time is a contest from the awesome Shelley Watters that will be judged by Victoria Marini of Gelfman Schneider Literary Agency! If you want to enter then click here. 

First Page of JUST A CON: a 54k YA contemporary romance about a 16-year-old con artist, Megan Benson, that lands a place living in the wealthy Keller mansion only to realize this is the one family she doesn't want to pull a heist on.
 

His stomach grumbled like a bizarre hybrid between a sputtering submarine and a wounded grizzly. Glancing at his watch for the twentieth time, Alex Harper let out a heavy sigh and tapped his right foot, mentally urging the middle-aged cashier to hurry up with the orders.

 If he was late for soccer practice one more time, he’d get kicked off the team. Or at least that’s what Coach Wilkins threatened every other week. If anyone asked him though, it was the coach’s fault for having practice so early. Didn’t he know that teenagers weren’t supposed to get up before twelve in the summer? It was practically a law of nature.

Then again, he knew Coach would never actually kick him off the team. Not if he wanted to keep winning. Everyone knew Alex was the best sprinter on the field. No lie. He could also mention that he knew Coach was sleeping with his stepmother whenever his dad was out of town. She certainly brought more than snacks to practice.

Thank God for adultery.

Alex relaxed and leaned back against the plastic yellow railing. Yeah, there’s no need to hurry.

As he studied the burger menu above his head, he couldn’t help noticing the girl in front of him. Not only was she wearing very tight jeans that showed off her slender legs and round—although small—ass, but she was also wiping her eyes on a Kleenex every few seconds like her rabbit had been run over right in front of her.

Now I'm off to enjoy everyone else's first pages!

Teaser Tuesday

Just a Con: Raindrops

“I guess we shouldn’t have parked across the street,” Ian said, changing the subject with a groan. “Do you think it’ll let up anytime soon?”

As a response, the rain seemed to thunder down even harder. I looked up at the rumbling dark clouds with a doubtful frown. “Unless soon would mean tomorrow.”

“Our car’s not that far. We could run.” Ian gave me a wide grin. “Unless you’re afraid the rain might make you melt.”

At his challenge, I hopped off of the curb and landed in a large puddle with a splash. Wet gritty mud sloshed into my sandals and between my toes. It wasn’t long before my clothes and hair was completely soaked through. I swept my dark locks off my face and turned to him with my hands on my hips. “Well, come on.” I taunted. “Afraid your expensive leather jacket’s going to get ruined?”

He chuckled. “For your information, I don’t even know what my jacket’s made of.”

“Then what are you waiting for?”

“I just want to remember this moment forever.” Ian used his thumbs and index fingers to make a frame. “The image of you looking like a drowned rat. It warms my heart.”

“Well, that makes two of us.” I leapt forward and grabbed his hands, dragging him into the rain with me.

Just as he came off the curb, a large stream of water came off the roof and landed right on his face, causing him to choke and sputter. Unable to help myself, I clenched my stomach with my arms and laughed until I was practically gasping for air.

With an evil glint in his eyes, Ian pulled me toward him until the water splattered on me too. He kept an iron grip around my shoulders and tilted my chin up until I got a faceful of the rainwater. I alternated between laughing and gurgling.

Finally, he pulled us both out of the waterfall and into the shelter of the diner. I gave him a mock glare and wrung my hair to get the water out.

“Alright, that’s enough.” Ian fervently shook his head, making his hair fly around and stick up in all directions effectively drenching me once more. He raised both hands in surrender. “Now that we’re even, let’s go home before we both get pneumonia.”

I didn’t realize until we were standing on the sidewalk that Ian was still holding onto me. I peered up at him out of the corner of my eyes, but his gaze was straight ahead, watching the street to make sure we didn’t get run over. His hair was plastered to his forehead and neck. Droplets of rain ran down his nose and lashes.

I thought he forgot until he shifted his hand and laced his fingers through my cold ones. He looked down at me and smiled, lightly squeezing my hand.

I could have pulled away right then and there. I should have.

But I didn’t.

Tardy Teaser Tuesday

I don't usually do the Teaser Tuesday, but today I happened to write a scene I like. But of course it's Wednesday! So here's my Tardy Teaser Tuesday :)

Just a Con - Scene Snippet: Friendships & Secrets

(read my blurb in the previous post to get the basis of the story)

 “Are you yourself with me?” Ian suddenly asked when we waiting at the elevators.

“What do you mean?”

“Before, when you told me you don’t have any friends because you could never let your guard down.” He shrugged. “I was just wondering if I could be considered your friend now.”

I paused and thought about it. Despite the circumstances that brought us together and the fact that I shouldn’t let myself get close to anyone (especially not them), I did consider him a friend. And Cammy.

He cleared his throat and started punching the down button again. “You know what? Don’t worry about it. I don’t even know why I brought it up in the first place.” I could see his ears turn slightly pink. “What’s taking this so long?”

Just then there was a ding and the elevator slid open. Ian stepped back to let me through, still not looking me in the eye.

I rolled my eyes and went in. He stepped back just when I held my hand on the edge so the doors wouldn’t slid shut. “As much as I hate to admit it, I do consider you a friend. I don’t know why though. I don’t even like you,” I joked.

His lips quirked into a smile. “That’s alright. I don’t like you much either,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. He finally looked up; his laughing gray eyes met mines.

“I should go now before Lily calls one of her henchmen to track us down,” I said, still not moving.

“Yeah, I better go back to Cammy before the doctor comes in.” Ian pushed my hands off the edge and took a step back. “See you at home later?”

“Yeah.”

He gave me a wave right as the doors closed. Still shaking my head, I leaned back against the wall. As I watched the numbers flash overhead as the elevator descended, my smile slowly faded as a somber thought occurred to me.
I may consider them my friends, but if they ever found out the truth, would they still consider me one?

*image is from deviantart.com