For Reed Johnson, the dream was always football. But then Nolan Lennox took over his heart. She was the good girl who made him want to be better-made him whole. Whatever man he was becoming, he owed to her. The life he dreamed of was right there to take-bowl games, national championships, and maybe...going pro. But a hundred of miles of desert between them and four long years of college ahead might prove to be the toughest challenger of all.

Hearts can't help but want to play defense when they're wounded, and some wounds seem impossible to heal. But Reed Johnson isn't the kind of man who backs down from the challenge. He digs in, and he fights-just like the woman he loves taught him to do.

But is he willing to give up his first love just to keep his true love? Or will he be too late?

**Special collector's edition - 10-year-anniversary illustrated edition**