Dallas is a daddy's girl and loves her Dad as much, as she hates his life as a football coach. Dallas believes she is finally going to be out of required games, stats, and a town that lives and breaths the thing she hates most. She's been accepted to college and has just found out her dad is going to be the new head coach. Dallas is outdone. For once she wants to have a normal life and date someone who isn't trying to get next to her to gain an edge on the football field.
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Dallas and her friend are headed to the Delta Sigma house for their first freshman party at Rusk U. Dallas is terrified someone will tell her dad that she's at a frat party where drinking and freaking on all in several rooms. Stella encourages her to let her hair down and live a little. The school has over ten thousand students, if they can't have a good time blending in here, then life is truly sad.
One of the first people Dallas sees as soon as pours a cup of punch is Levi her ex. He's broke her heart in high school and is quarter back at Rush. She silently curses her father again for not letting her leave Texas in pursuit of life and higher education. Levi is physically bigger but still emotionally immature. Dallas does her best to ignore him.
The night gets better when she meets Carson. The handsome guy isn't running around doing frat pranks or talking mess to every girl in the house. He's outside alone when Dallas steps on the balcony to clear her head. They introduce themselves with first names, adding a surname would have been a bit pompous or at least reserved for older people.
He doesn't say he's a walk on for the football team. He shares that he has transferred from the community college in Westwood after getting some prerequisites out of the way. Dallas certainly doesn't mention that her dad is the famed new football coach. It is apparent they are attracted to each other. They exchange numbers and over the course of the next week a more than a few text messages.
Carson is slow to make friends with the team. Seasoned players look down on walk-ins. He can accept this but it sure makes things harder. Ryan is the first guy on the team to reach out and they become fast friends. Somehow, Carson manages to stay out of the locker room bad-boy's talk about who is going to have her next. Oddly, the name Dallas doesn't come up and Carson doesn't inquire. Her ex- Levi makes a whole lot of noise about first loves and how he's going to sleep with “her” again. There are even bets made.
He and Dallas have had some private time and really enjoy each others company and while they haven't slept together they have gotten a little physical. Stella thinks Dallas is still a virgin although it's hard to believe the state of Texas hasn't heard with Levi telling everyone.
Dallas and Carson were bound to figure things out at some point. When it happens Dallas has to respect the fact the football is important to Carson and that he can be asked to leave at anytime. He doesn't have a scholarship like many of the players. He has to realize her position being the daughter of Coach Cole. They call a truce and both feel awful that their young friendship is controlled by so many factors beyond them.
After staying away from one another as long as they could Dallas and Carson make plans to connect at an off campus party. She even gets Stella to cover for her so she can spend the night at his apartment. Levi has been arrested and the “Rusks Bust” that involved Levi selling marijuana to undercover cops is all across social media and the campus. A well meaning player heads Carson off at the party and tells her
of the bet Levi and Silas made on her. She wonders if Carson was in on it. She also scales back her plan to tell her dad they are dating. Carson isn't using her and is hurt that she would even suggest it.
Dallas decides to play bad girl. When she and Carson end up in the bedroom of Silas she pushes herself on Carson. He almost gives in but tells her he'd rather have her in his bed She breaks down and apologizes, it really was too much pressure trying to please her dad, Carson, and to always be the unapproachable good girl. The same person who tipped of Dallas about the bet, told her dad. He blamed Carson who remained a stand up guy when approached. Coach Cole has a heart-to-heart talk with Dallas and apologizes for making her feel like she couldn't share her feelings around dating. He still makes her move home. He finally decides to give Dallas some breathing space and Carson moves into the role of quarterback since Silas is off the team.
She and Carson talk and she tells him she wasn't herself that night. He sticks to his story that they are better than just sex buddies and he will wait until the time is right. That time presents after Home Coming. Carson and Dallas decide they will give their relationship a chance no matter who is against it. Having Coach Cole on their side makes dealing with college and the games people play a bit easier.
Best part of story, including ending:
I liked that Dallas did some growing up and that Carson stood up for her.
Best scene in story:
My favorite scence was at the party when Carson stopped Dallas before they had sex. It wasn't the place or time.
Opinion about the main character:
I liked that Dallas finally grew up enough to tell her dad that she wanted to be with Carson.
