All Broke Down (Rusk University #2) (35 page)

BOOK: All Broke Down (Rusk University #2)

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As readers, as people, we might not have the capacity to change the justice system. But as Dylan says in the book, we can change one person’s perspective at a time. We can notice. We can speak up. We can teach this generation, my generation, that the way sexual assault is viewed and treated in this country is not okay, so that when it is our turn to step into the shoes of political office and criminal justice, we can continue changing the narrative from a place of power.

And more than anything, we can support. And we can empower. We can love.

We can be better.

Acknowledgments

I
t takes an extraordinary number of people to make a book happen. Most days I barely know which way is up or what time it is or even what month I’m currently in. But even so, I would be even more lost without my family and friends, in particular my father, who’s been so helpful with hashing out the football details to keep the Rusk world as true to life as possible. Any mistakes, of course, are mine. Then there’s my sister Amy, who I can always count on to read for me or give me her thoughts on absolutely anything. And my mother, who listened to me vent and rage and stress about these characters as if they were real people. In fact, she’s there to let me vent and rage and stress a lot. Same goes for Lindsay: I always feel incredibly safe in sharing my words with you, and I absolutely could not do this without you. And thanks to Jen, Mer, Kristin, Bethany, Patrick, Shelly, Michelle, and more for the love and encouragement.

To Amanda, thank you for loving Silas with me, and for always challenging me to dig deeper and do more. KP—oh my Lord, what would I do without you, lady? (I’d be a nervous wreck . . . that’s what I’d do.) Thanks for keeping me sane. And for caring so very much about my THINGS. To Suzie, Jessie, Molly, Kathleen, Pouya, Danielle, and everyone else who works so hard to help my books succeed—thank you! A thousand times, thank you!

Thank you to the incomparable Carmcats! I can say with absolute confidence that putting together this Rusk University Street Team was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. You all have challenged me and championed me and never fail to cheer me up. I feel like you know and love these characters as much as I do, and for that I will never be able to put into words my gratitude. Thank you: Alana, Amber, Amoolya, Andy, Anabel, Betsy, Christine, Danielle, Elizabeth, Emily, Ethan, Jen, Kaitlan, Katelyn, Kim, Krista, Lucy, Maggie, Megan, Momo, Sara, Stephanie C., Stephanie G., Yesi, and Yvette.

And to all the other magnificent readers and bloggers whom I’ve met over the last few years. Thank you for your hard work and dedication and love. Shout out to a few amazing people I’ve met this year: Misha in Seattle, Leah in Austin, Caitlin in Nashville, and so many more! Thanks also to Jen, Jay, Kathleen, Sophie, Monica, the Chelseas, Molly, Becca, Jamie, and the dozens of authors who keep me sane by dealing with my late night texts, blurbing my books, giving me awesome things to read, and God knows what else. And to everyone who reads these books, you rock! Bleed Rusk Red!

Coming Soon

The Rusk University series continues . . .

What happens when a good girl creates the ultimate college
bucket list and item #1 is to hook up with a jock?

ALL PLAYED OUT

Antonella “Nell” De Luca is the first in her family to go to college, and on a full ride, too. She’s spent years working and studying nonstop to make the most of this chance. But now college is almost over and she’s seriously lacking in friends and a social life of any kind. So, with the help of her friend Dylan, she does what she does best . . . She makes a to-do list. More specifically . . . the Ultimate College Bucket List.

Item #1 on that list? Hook up with a jock.

Mateo Torres is a wide receiver for the Rusk University football team. He’s committed and works hard, but when he’s not on the field all bets are off. He likes to party and do whatever insane thing pops into his head. It’s not uncommon to find him dancing in inappropriate places, wearing inappropriate amounts of clothing, and just being generally inappropriate. If it’s fun . . . that’s all that matters. Because as long as things don’t get too serious, he can avoid thinking about the ex he lost when he put football and his ego ahead of her.

Hooking up with Dylan’s friend, Nell, is absolutely the last thing he should do. She’s quiet and smart and innocent, and too much like the girl he spends all his time trying not to think about. But when he gets a taste of her, he’s reluctant to give her up. Being around her almost feels like he’s getting a do-over. A chance to do things right. And he’s the perfect person to help her drop her inhibitions and complete her bucket list.

But as the list draws to a close, they’ll both have to decide if what they have is real or just for fun. Life is more than just lists. And the past shouldn’t rule the present. But can they figure that out before it’s too late?

Spring 2015

About the Author

Cora Carmack
is a twentysomething
New York Times
bestselling author who likes to write about twentysomething characters. Raised in a small Texas town, she now lives in New York City and spends her time writing, traveling, and marathoning various television shows on Netflix. In her books, you can expect to find humor, heart, and a whole lot of awkward. Because let’s face it . . . awkward people need love, too.

www.coracarmack.blogspot.com

facebook.com/CoraCarmack

@CoraCarmack

DISCOVER GREAT AUTHORS, EXCLUSIVE OFFERS, AND MORE AT
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Also by Cora Carmack

All Lined Up

Seeking Her
(Novella)

Finding It

Keeping Her
(Novella)

Faking It

Losing It

Credits

Cover photograph © by Kelsey Kukal-Keeton/K Keeton Designs
Author photograph by Matt Tolbert

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

ALL
BROKE
DOWN
. Copyright © 2014 by Cora Carmack. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

FIRST
EDITION

EPub Edition OCTOBER 2014 ISBN 9780062326232

ISBN 978-0-06-232622-5

14 15 16 17 18
DIX
/
RRD
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

About the Publisher

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