All Ricky Martinez knows of life is loss, loyalty, and family. When his father became a quadriplegic after breaking his neck saving a drowning girl, Ricky gave up his dreams of playing football at a big college to stay home and take care of his family. His new dream? Find the girl who caused his father's injury and get justice. Because of her, his family lost everything. All Aveline Gerard knows of life is a quiet, protective love. Homeschooled ever since her accident eighteen years ago, Aveline's parents, both deaf, have kept her safe the only way they know how-sheltered, and alone. Aveline's deepest desire? To experience life in all its loud and messy glory, and the tattooed guy in her first college class is all of those things. Because of him, her life is finally beginning. But fate has a wicked sense of justice and when Ricky realizes the sweet, shy girl in his class is the one who wrecked his family, will he be able to walk away? Or will the bitter rage inside cause him to make the biggest mistake of his life? Because of them, the pain of two families will finally collide.