Craving the Player (Amateurs in Love, #1)

by Hannah Cowan

Dedicated to all of my ex-boyfriends. Thank you for making me feel unworthy and subpar. Because of you, I pushed myself to find what makes me happy, and have found my self-worth again. Suck it, assholes.

I’ve learned that if you want to be taken seriously in this competitive—sometimes unforgiving world—you have to carry yourself with an unwavering sense of confidence. Without confidence, how do you expect anyone to take you seriously?

I hate dresses. They're only good for two things. Drawing unwanted male attention to your body, and making you worry that you’re going to flash your goods every time that you have to pick something up from the bottom shelf.

A goal without a plan is just a wish.

“So, are you going to run away from me again? Or have I convinced you that it’s no use?”

“You’re invading my life, Sierra. I was just trying to keep you out. But clearly, it didn’t work.”

“I don’t take kindly to people who find it so easy to talk to women like that. And I especially don’t like it when that woman's mine.”

A cheek-splitting smile spreads across my face as soon as his wandering eyes clash with mine, brimming with so much emotion. A beyond obvious, cheesy wink from my playboy boxer is all it takes to forget about everything and lift my own arms in the air to join in the excited cheers, happier than I have been in years.

“Don’t blame yourself for the actions of a man who has tried to use his power to take advantage of you.

We’re all afraid. But sometimes it’s worth the fear of the unknown. And I think you two are worth it. Don't you?”

I squeeze my eyes shut and sigh heavily. “I love her, Dad. I love her more than I thought I could love anything or anyone and I hate it. I fucking hate knowing that to be with her, I have to give her the power to hurt me. How is that fair? How am I supposed to want to do that?”

There’s no me without you anymore baby. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize that. Meet me on the roof. I know that you know how to get there. Blame Sophie. I’ll see you soon.