By Taryn Plendl
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
First edition. July 14, 2015.
Copyright © 2015 Taryn Plendl.
Written by Taryn Plendl.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Epilogue
Also by Taryn Plendl
Further Reading: So Much More
About the Author
“Some people can’t forget their first love, others can't forget their last, but the luckiest are those whose first love lasts.”
– Unknown
To Chad ... my last.
I love you!
Prologue
Jay
The truck backed into the driveway of the two-story Tudor home. The neighborhood was nice enough—maintained lawns, trimmed trees, and kids playing outside—but it didn’t soften the blow of my moving to a new state. “Come on, Jayson,” my mom urged me. “You need to make the best of this.” Her chipper voice rubbed me wrong. How could she be so happy? Everything had changed. How could someone want to leave everything behind? I didn’t get it.
I stepped down from the passenger side of the truck, stretching my hands above my head and tilting side to side, and that was when I saw her. Long dark hair, big brown eyes, and a smile that was infectious. In that moment, at only thirteen-and-a-half years old, I knew that girl would change my world. With only a smile, she had infected me and stolen a piece of me at the same time, and I knew, without a doubt, that I didn’t ever want it back.
“Hi, I’m Abby.”
Chapter 1
Abby
The line moved slowly as I looked around at the people crowded into the small room. The air was warm and humid—a combination of the southern Florida weather and the amount of people sharing the same air. These same people I would spend the next five days with on this floating resort, and I didn’t know a single one of them. I was supposed to have known at least one of them, but Matt had decided at the last minute that we should just part ways now that college was over. A clean break, so to speak. He wanted me to do this alone. To prove that I was strong enough. That was complete bullshit, but it sounded good. I guess it was time, and Matt was ready to start his life too. I really couldn’t fault him for that.
My relationship with Matt throughout college had been one of convenience and necessity. I didn’t have to explain why I was unable to give all of myself to someone else. My heart had not been mine to give for a very long time. It was just as necessary for Matt too. With the facade of a relationship with me, he could still put on a front to his family and friends, still play college sports without conflict, until he found the courage to tell them all he liked boys instead of girls. One particular boy, who lived halfway across the country. It was a win-win situation for both of us.
Matt had come along when I really needed someone, and although we both knew our relationship was not a forever thing, as far as the charade of being a couple was concerned, we spent the next three years together anyway. He was a good friend, and would continue to be, even from across the country where he moved to be with his, until now, long-distance boyfriend.
I, on the other hand, hadn’t moved on. Not one bit. I was stuck in the past. Love, hurt, and betrayal wrapped itself tightly around my heart. For the longest time I didn’t want to forget. Now, I wasn’t sure if I even knew how to.
“Where are we going, Jay?”
He took my hand in his, and although it wasn’t the first time we had held hands, it somehow seemed different. I tried not to think too much into it. The warmth of his skin against mine felt perfect and the flutters in my stomach turned to full chaos. Every touch from Jay, no matter how slight, always produced the same reaction in me. “I want to show you something.” He grinned at me as he continued to lead me through the trees. His smile was radiant—it always had been.
“Don’t you think your girlfriend is going to wonder where you are? Jenna already hates me just because I’m your friend.” I stumbled over a branch, but Jay managed to catch me just before I fell, holding me close. I could feel his warm breath on my cheek, causing my heart to beat even faster.
“Best friend,” he stated slowly as he helped me right my footing before releasing me and taking my hand again.
“What?”
“You’re my best friend, Abby, not just some random friend, and I don’t have a girlfriend anymore.” He shrugged and continued to pull me forward through the dark brush, twigs cracking under our feet.
“What happened? Why did you two break up?”
“She didn’t like my best friend.” Jay turned and winked at me before we broke through the trees.
“Welcome to Choice Cruises, ma’am. Can I take your picture?” I looked up to see a small blonde woman dressed in a navy short set with the cruise logo on it smiling at me and holding a camera. I positioned myself in front of the photo backdrop of a blue sky with a cruise ship in the background and smiled.
“Squeeze in, so we can get the rest of your party in.” She motioned to the group of people behind me in line.
“Oh, I’m not with them. I’m by myself.” I blushed slightly at how pathetic I sounded, and seriously wondered about this photographer who assumed that I—pasty-white, dressed in denim capris and a tank top—was somehow part of a family of Indian descent, dressed in gorgeous saris. They at least had the decency to smile reassuringly at me.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She looked around, finally plucking a floaty prop from a box and handing it to me. “Here, hold this, so the frame doesn’t look so empty. Now smile!” The flash went off, and she ushered me along, sending a pity smile in my direction. I couldn’t have been the only person to ever take a cruise alone, could I? Part of me wanted to turn and leave the ship, forget this ridiculous idea, but I knew this was something I needed to do. It was like a new beginning. A kick start to my new life as a full-fledged adult.
As I made my way onto the ship, I was astonished at the size of everything. This was the first cruise I had been on, a graduation gift from my parents for Matt and me. I moved slowly through the crowd as my phone began to buzz.
“Hello?”
“Hey, sunshine!” I smiled at the sound of his voice.
“Hi, Matt. Still on the road?” I sat down in a chair in a small lounge area out of the way of everyone milling around, talking and purchasing drink cards and excursions.
“Yeah. I’m going to try to make it to St. Louis before stopping. How’s our ship?”
“Huge.” I smiled as I continued to look around. “Wait until you see the pathetic picture I took. I think it was the first time the photographer took a single person’s photo. She tried to insert me into another family. Sadly enough, they looked like they felt so bad for me that they just might have adopted me.”
“Sorry, Abby. I hope you aren’t upset with me for bailing.” His voice was worried.
“No way. You go get your man. Hey, how did the parents take your coming out?” With the sudden decision to change plans, Matt had decided to come out to his parents last night over dinner, rather than after the cruise. His parents had actually met his boyfriend, but only knew them to be friends.
“That’s sweet. Funny, though, I was pretty sure my parents were going to choose you over me when I told them we broke up—until I finally told them that you were gay and our relationship had been a farce.” I giggled.
“Not a farce ... don’t say that. I do love you, Abby. You know that.” I could hear the hurt in his voice.
“Oh, I know. I love you too. We were good for each other. It’s not your fault that my incredible body and charming personality wasn’t enough to entice you to switch sides.”
“Yes, if anyone could’ve done that, it would’ve been you. You do know you are going to run into him when you go home, right?” Matt changed the subject.
“I know,” I whispered. God, I didn’t want to think about Jay right now.
“It’s been four years, Abby. You can’t avoid him forever.” I nodded, even though Matt couldn’t see me. “You’re so strong, sweetie. You can do this; you know that, right?” Matt had always been good at building me up.
“Thank you, Matt. Everyone needs a personal cheerleader like you.” I smiled. “Hey, I see a flashing cup that they’re filling with a yummy-looking frozen drink, and I feel like I could use some cooling off. I think my make-up is melting off of my face. I’m going to go see what kind of trouble I can get in.” I didn’t want to sit here feeling sorry for myself, and I sure as hell didn’t intend to make Matt feel guilty.
“Call me when you get into port. And Abby ... have fun!” he hollered into the phone as I wandered over to the makeshift bar, trying my best to put the past to rest.
The better part of the afternoon was filled with mandatory drills and finding my state room, which was the size of a shoe box. I was seriously happy that Matt had bailed on me; there was no way we would have comfortably fit in this room. Sure, we had slept in the same bed over the years, but we were always careful to respect each other’s personal space. That wouldn’t have been possible in here, that was for sure. We would’ve had to have a game plan if we wanted to pass by each other without rubbing our bits together. Awkward.
I showered and got dressed for dinner when my luggage finally arrived, and I decided to wear a short summer dress and wedge sandals. I found that it was fun to have the opportunity to dress up a bit. Spending the last four years as a college student, those opportunities had been few and far between. I think I’d lived in only a handful of outfits. None of them consisted of any type of fabric other than cotton or spandex. I had a love affair with T-shirts and yoga pants that had never actually made it to a yoga class. Everything was going to change when I got back home and began my new adult life.
I rummaged through my bag, searching for my jewelry pouch. I hadn’t taken the time to sort anything before the trip, opting to just take it all instead of shipping it home with the rest of my belongings. Pulling the small black bag out, I blindly dug around in it for my silver hoop earrings. After coming up empty-handed, I dumped the entire contents onto the bed in frustration, running my hands through the jumbled metal mess, hoping to separate it all somehow.
I found one earring with this method, and continued searching for the second. When I finally pulled up the other hoop, I found it was still attached to something. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, I ran my fingers over the large red stone. I wasn’t sure why I still even had it. Like every other part of him, I just couldn’t let it go.
“Why are we here, Jay?” We moved out into the open, where I could now see that we were clearly on the other side of the lake from where we had previously been. With my hand in his, he pulled me farther onto the wooden dock before stopping at a blanket that was spread out before us.
“What is all this?” There was a small lantern casting a soft glow as the sun continued to set, spilling darkness around us. I could see twinkles of light from the other side of the lake where the Fourth of July party was still in full swing. The music could be heard faintly, as well as the voices of our classmates.
“Will you dance with me?” Jay held out his hand as I just stared at him. My heart was still beating out of my chest, and my breathing became labored. This was something I had dreamed about. Jay and I had been best friends for almost five years. He moved next door to me when we were in the eighth grade, and almost instantly we became friends. I had watched his girlfriends come and go over the years, and each time my heart broke a bit more, knowing he would never see me as more ... not the way I saw him.
I walked into his arms without a second thought, allowing myself to just live in the moment—one that might never come again. At this point, I didn’t care if it didn’t. I would take one night with Jay and cherish it forever, if that was all I got. “Do you know why I brought you here, Abby?” I shook my head, looking up into his eyes, trying not to focus on the way his hands rubbed slowly up and down my back. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and I’ve waited too long to do this.” Before I could even think about what was happening, Jay’s mouth covered mine in a slow, sensual kiss. Automatically, my mouth opened to him, enjoying the taste and feel of his mouth on mine. It felt natural to be kissing him. It was better than I could have ever imagined, and ended way too soon.
Jay walked me to the blanket and sat down, pulling me to sit between his legs. As I leaned back against his chest, I was afraid to say anything, afraid to break this magical moment. As it turned out, words weren’t necessary. I had no doubt what Jay was trying to say when he took my right hand and slid his class ring onto my finger. I knew he cherished this gold ring with the large red stone; he had never let any of his girlfriends wear it. Ever.
“Jay, what are you doing? This ring means everything to you.” I turned my head, trying to wrap my brain around the sudden turn of events.
“Not everything. I love you, Abby. I have for a long time.” He kissed me softly as the night sky lit up in an amazing display of colors above us. The fireworks seemed to be ours alone as they blasted vibrant colors above us.
“I love you, Jay ... I have for a long time, too.”
A single tear rolled down my cheek as I recalled that night. It was the first night of many trips out to the dock to swim, relax, and finally make love for the first time. Shoving the class ring back into my jewelry pouch, I continued to get myself ready for dinner, ignoring the ache in my chest—one I was unfortunately still very familiar with, even after all of these years.
***
The dinner table I was assigned to in the dining room sat six people, and I was momentarily thankful that my parents hadn’t opted for a table for two when they made the arrangements. It would have been extremely awkward to be sitting alone for the next five days. “Hi, I’m Abby Bradshaw,” I said to my tablemates as I sat down in the seat closest to the window. I took in the friendly faces around me and felt almost instantly comfortable.
“Hi, Abby. I’m Sara, and this is my husband, Ron, and my parents, Bob and Melinda.” The woman closest to me smiled as she pointed out the members of her party. The seat across from me remained empty, and I assumed it would stay that way since Matt wasn’t here.
“You can call me Mellie. Are you alone?” the gray-haired woman blurted out as she studied me over the reading glasses perched on her nose.
“Mom!” Sara gasped, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s okay. Yes, I’m alone.” I smiled softly as I picked up the menu to see what my choices were for dinner, not wanting to delve deeper into why my companion had decided not to come, knowing that the little old woman would probably love to hear all the sordid details.
As I tried to decide between the duck and the filet, I did my best to ignore her musings about why anyone would come on a cruise alone, and then her loud whispers about how I was probably left at the altar. I heard Sara gasp again, causing me to smile even bigger, making sure to keep my head down, hiding my amusement.
“Well, you are certainly a hunk
of a man!” My heart went out to whomever Mellie had set her sights on now, but in truth, I was seriously thankful to have the attention elsewhere.
“Mom!” Sara exclaimed again, and I giggled, still keeping my head down. She had her hands full with her mom, who obviously lacked a filter in a major way.
“What’s your name, handsome?” Melinda asked the person who sat down across from me. After looking over my dinner choices several times, I finally decided on the duck. I set my menu down and raised my head, locking eyes with the last person I ever expected to see.
“Hello, Abby.”
Fuck.
Chapter 2
Jay
She took my breath away—but she always had. There was no other way to describe it. It took everything in me to propel my feet forward through the dining room to my table—our table. She sat with her head down, looking over the menu. The way her dark hair cascaded in curls over her shoulders made me want to run my fingers through it. I couldn’t see her face, but I had no doubt that she was just as beautiful as I remembered.
The day had dragged on, knowing that Abby was in the room just down the hall from me. Everything I had planned in the last week had come together without a hitch, which was very surprising. When Abby’s parents had told me in casual conversation about her recent breakup and that she was still planning to go on the cruise that they had given her as a graduation present, I did everything I could to get on this ship with her. It was slightly stalkerish—I was well aware of that fact—but after four years of only hearing tidbits about her from her parents, I couldn’t let this opportunity get away. Four years ago she had run away from me. She wouldn’t answer my calls, and she wouldn’t see me when she came home. This time she couldn’t run. She was going to have to talk to me one way or another.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her as I pulled out the chair across from her. The little gray-haired lady was rambling on about something, but my mind was focused on one thing only. Abby. Sitting down, I waited patiently for her to look up, and when she did, a million memories came flooding back. All I could do was say hello, and hope like hell that she would talk to me.
An Unexpected Journey: A Second Chance Novella Page 1