Authors: Dallas Adams
Contents
Legal Disclaimer
Legal Binding
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
A Special Thanks
I'd like to thank my mother for always believing in me and helping me get this book out there. I don't think I'd be able to finish this book if it wasn't for her. I'd like to thank Jan Klein for taking over the creative writing class so that students like me could express ourselves. She supported me, and excitedly awaited this book. Now it's here, and I'd like to show how much I appreciate all the help. I'd also like to thank Tommy for helping me get this book published and guiding the way to getting my stuff seen by the world. I'd also like to thank Elliott for helping me stay on task, and encouraging me the whole way through. I hope to do many more books. May you all enjoy this one!
Legal Disclaimer
This novel is not to be taken as anything but a fictional story and the ideas or concepts within this story cannot be held liable for anything for any reason. Under no circumstances will Tommy Mertell’s Publishing, or any of its representatives or contractors be liable for any damages, including special or consequential damages that result from this novel. You alone are responsible and accountable for your decisions, actions and results in your life, and by your use of these materials, you agree not to attempt to hold us liable for any such decisions, actions or results, at any time, under any circumstance.
Legal Binding
This copy must be purchased and cannot be resold. Any copy of this book that is free and has not been purchased from Tommy Mertell on Amazon.com with a verified receipt can and will be held as a criminal offense under Copyright Infringement. All materials written in this book belong to Dallas Adams and all publishing rights belong to Tommy Mertell.
"Eventually you need to stand on your own feet. You can’t lean on someone forever, because it’s not that person's responsibility to take care of you."
- Grandma Baker
Forward
Roxie’s love life was a crime scene. She dated so many men; all different types in her twenty-three years of living. No, she was not a whore. She was just lived by what her mother had taught her. Dating was supposed to be for finding who you want to marry when you get old enough to decide. She never took her dating life too seriously, until Eric came along. That changed everything.
Christen’s love life was a walk in the park. She never dated much. With her second man to date, however, she became hooked. Her chosen love was named Joey. She believed him to be her soul mate at the age of twenty-one. He was dispatched to the army not long after she decided this. A month later, boom. He was gone. The damage a thing the size of a metal pea can do; devastating would be an understatement. Suddenly, nothing mattered anymore,
Her life stood still.
Chapter 1
“College is such a drag, you know?” Christen sighed, ruffling her caramel colored hair. All the scientific theories, postulates, theorems, formulas and math equations were all starting to blur together for her.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” the blonde boy said while stretching lazily across her bed. She rolled over to look into his bright blue eyes before sighing, placing her hands on both of his cheeks.
“I miss your long hair, why did you have to go cut it, Joey?” she pouted, distracting herself from the work. She was so done with school in high school. She wondered why she chose to torture herself with college.
Joey was a very muscular and tall male. He used to have long, flowing strawberry blonde hair, but he cut it for the military training he went to. He never had an interest to join the army. She even remembered him stating that he felt that war was pointless and stupid. Once his brother died in action though, he started training and learning to be a solider.
She did not understand how such a kind and gentle boy would ever join the military. Revenge just didn’t fit him, but she was ignored when she brought this to his attention. Joey had a boyish look to him. His attitude matched it, as well; childish, fun-loving, and most of all, pretty clueless. That didn’t mean he was at all dumb, or couldn’t be a charming and romantic man.
“I had to, and you know why,” he poked her cheeks, which puffed up against his finger. “You’re so cute,” he stated, running a hand through her hair. She just glared at him with her big dark eyes.
“Oh shut up,” she laughed.
Joey and Christen shared many qualities. They both were compassionate, easy-going, and madly in love. To listen to them, it would seem they were two peas in a pod, even if they varied greatly in appearance. He was tall while she was short. He had blue eyes while hers were dark amber. Joey always wore sloppy thrown together outfits. She was wearing classy and expensive clothing. Together, they seemed like an odd couple, but to everyone who knew them, they were the dream team. She sure felt like she was in a dream with him.
He always made her feel happy, and he never allowed her to be upset or sad for too long. They shared the same ideas and supported each other’s hopes and goals. He was very protective of his girl. Nobody would ever be allowed to insult her. He was not a prince, but her knight in shining armor. She was not treated like a princess, but more like a queen. He made her feel all warm inside, and every time they touched she felt butterflies.
“Are you done yet?” Joey asked after a few more hours, hanging half his body off the bed.
“Nearly done, why? Got an important date?” she joked, giggling. He groaned and put a hand under her chin with a grin.
“Hey, actually, I do have a surprise for you once you’re done with that work of yours.” He stole a quick kiss, winking at her. She kissed back, closing up her notebook.
“Then, I’m done,” she announced, jumping up off her bed, slamming her text book shut. “Let’s go to this surprise!” she cheered, looking behind her shoulder at him. “Come on, come on, come on,” she repeated in rapid-fire to go see this surprise of his. He chuckled and got up casually.
“Well then, follow me.” He took a hold of her hand. They ran out the door to Joey's car and headed toward the ocean.
Joey's best friend Eric greeted them when they arrived at the beach. “Happy Anniversary, you two. Made it through another year, I see,” he stated dryly. She gasped at the romantic picnic Eric must have set up on the beach. A bamboo mat was placed on top of the sand. Colored petals of red, pink, orange, yellow, and purple were all over and around it. Small bundles of the same sunset-colored flowers were scattered in different places. Even the three plates had a few flowers on them for decoration.
Fancy champagne stood next to the gorgeous picnic basket with three champagne glasses filled. The sun was about to set, hanging low in the sky giving the beach a nice and warm orange glow. She looked at Joey, then at Eric. “Oh how romantic… a dinner for three.” She raised her eye brows at Eric, who just gave Christen a small, confident smile back.
Eric was present in their relationship ever since she started dating Joey. Once and awhile, it got to be annoying. For the most part, however, he was always willing to be a third wheel. It got to be very weird that he would follow them like a puppy when they went places, but she got used to it. He was a very dear friend that Joey had known all his life. This alone, made Christen tolerate their tag-along.
Strangely enough, Eric was very different than Christen and Joey. He was as tall as Joey; however, Joey was more built. Eric was very slender with short, jet black hair. His eyes were a deep green that always held intensity. He always held a strong a sense of reserve and sophistication. In all reality, he was extremely intimidating to people. He backed his appearance with his actions. This contrasted greatly against the backdrop of the fun and frolicking couple.
Eric was a very strong individual; mentally, physically, and emotionally. He was professional, practical, and very intelligent. He was rather dry, but that didn’t stop him from saying extremely funny things. He never showed anything but a calm and cocky outlook. He also was known to look for advantages, a real businessman. Joey always told Christen that him and Eric were 'going places in the world.' She believed him.
He was Joey’s best friend, and an excellent friend at that. Eric was always doing things for Joey, which was always returned in favor. They supported each other, even with the most ridiculous and unrealistic ideas Joey sometimes came up with. She always saw Eric cringe when he heard him say or plan something impossible. This was a side of Eric that Christen liked. She appreciated that he wouldn’t take out Joey's dreams, though there were times he simply couldn’t just sit and be quiet. In turn, since they were such great friends, Eric became a great friend to her by chivalry, if nothing else.
They all walked up the beach and took their seats on the mat. Christen was between Joey and Eric. Sitting next to the picnic basket, Eric gave them a charming smile. “Today, I have made a perfect salad of lettuce, red cabbage, spinach, dried cranberries, crumbled blue cheese and toasted sunflower kernels; all topped with a smooth honey vinaigrette. The main course shall be grilled steak, with cranberry sauce and fresh green beans. I also made some dessert, so keep room for some chocolate mini-cakes with ice cream in the middle, powder sugar on top and star fruit and strawberries on the side.” Eric nearly bragged while explaining his creation to them. “Doesn’t it sound delicious?” Eric beamed.
“It sounds like it’s pretty delicious to me!” Joey cheered, nearly drooling as Eric started pulling out the containers.
“It sounds very fancy," Christen said with a ring of a snobby accent.
“Wait until you take a bite of it,” Eric stated, giving both of them a smile. “Still warm too. You’re in for a treat.” He proceeded to fill three bowls with his salad before trading the bowls for their plates. After serving the food, Eric passed the plates back, with utensils wrapped in velvet, purple napkins.
Joey didn’t wait until everyone was all situated. He just dove right into the food, ripping off the napkin. He cut a huge piece of steak and shoved it into his mouth. Christen watched him go straight for the meat like a true carnivore.
“Joey, that’s not how you eat a fine meal,” she spoke with a giggle. He looked at her with some of the green beans hanging out of his mouth. He quickly pulled them into his jaws.
“You eat the salad first.” Eric murmured, eye nearly twitching. Christen couldn’t help but have a quiet laugh. It was funny to see him lose his calm once and a while. Joey snapped his fingers, like he just remembered that.
“Ohhh yeah, sorry about that Eric. I didn’t mean to show any disrespect towards you,” he told him. Eric quickly regains his composure, giving Joey a chuckle and shake of his head.
“Yeah, yeah, just shut up and eat the salad,” Eric tells him. Christen looked down at hers, carefully unwrapping her napkin. She picked up the salad fork and poked into the delectable greens. She carefully placed it in through her lips, sliding it off into her mouth. Joey reached for the wrong fork, while she watched with a slight smile. “That’s the wrong one, Joey,” Eric tells him.
“Oh, I wasn’t aware,” Joey stated and blinked a few times. Christen smirked. She thought that anybody who put up with Eric for a life-time, would have to know the rules of proper table etiquette by now; not her dear Joey, though. He looked at the left-over two forks. He stared at them like a deer in headlights. He didn’t know which one to pick, Christen thought. She slowly tried to point to the correct one, but Eric caught her before she was able to do it with his scary intense look. She felt the hairs on her neck stand on end at his stare. She felt a little bad, but knew Joey was going to have to be on his own for this one. Slowly Joey reached, and she shut her eyes tightly as he picked the wrong one again.