Preface.

Brinley Rose is a freshman at Alabama University, her father's alma mater. It's a special place for her, the last trip her family took as a whole unit before her father passed away unexpectedly. For Brinley, it makes going there all the more special but also increasingly difficult. While she navigates the grief of losing a parent and also leaving her hometown of Clearwater Beach, she leaves behind best friend Lilah Jones who was supposed to attend freshman year with her. Faced with the challenges of finding new friends and forging a pathway for a new life she meets unexpectedly meets football player Carter Cruz. Brinley's always worn her heart on her sleeve, but she finds out through heartbreak that she may need to keep it a little closer to the vest. Can Carter redeem himself and keep the only girl who's ever truly understood his pain?