Someone to Love (Love Series Book 1) Read online

  Someone to Love

  Copyright 2020

  Editor: Abigail Wild

  Cover Designer: Brittany Kapjon

  Published: Becky Kapjon

  All rights reserved. No parts of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed, or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictious. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Someone To Love

  Chapter 1 | Class of 1992 Graduation/Farewell Party

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Epilogue

  A Big Thank You!

  Dedication – This book is dedicated to the couples who lost their way and came back to each other.

  Chapter 1

  Class of 1992 Graduation/Farewell Party

  Jenna gazed into the mirror, making minor adjustments to her hair and makeup. She smiled at her reflection, thinking she looked perfect. It was a hot steamy night, so she decided to wear a pair of denim shorts with a deep purple tank top which accentuating her curves. She pulled her fingers through her hair one more time to make sure every strand was in place. Her dark brown curls were laying perfectly at her shoulder as she applied her light pink lip gloss. Jenna was hoping to get the attention of one person, in particular. She needed to be sure the extra time spent to look good was not wasted. When she was invited to the party of the year, it didn’t take much convincing to get her to clear her calendar for the big farewell party.

  Graduation was a month before, so the football team threw the party of the summer for the senior class, but especially, their captain Don Martin. The plan was to give Don a big send-off since he was leaving for boot camp in a week.

  The sound of the doorbell ringing brought Jenna out of her daydreaming. She looked into the mirror one last time and started to walk toward the stairs.

  “Jenna, Sandy’s here.”

  Jenna bounded down the stairs to grab her purse and keys, “Don’t worry, Mom, I have my house key. You don’t have to wait up.”

  “Don’t be too late, I’ll be waiting up,” said her Dad.

  Sandy looked at Jenna, as they walked down the treelined street. “Did you pick that outfit for Don Juan?” Jenna shook her head with a coy smile spreading across her face. But Sandy knew the truth.

  “Like you picked that one out for Johnny.” Jenna pointed out while nudging Sandy in the shoulder. “Of course, if I move a certain way, he might get a glimpse of some boobage.”

  Laughing, they continued to walk the few blocks to Johnny’s house. When they got closer Sandy said, “Remember, Colleen and I are supposed to be spending the night at your house tonight, just in case our moms call you. Colleen will stay with Bobby and I’m hoping to spend the night with Johnny.”

  Jenna nodded her head in agreement. She might not have agreed with their methods, but she agreed to be their alibi while they had their fun. She didn’t know how they’d manage their sleepovers once she left for school.

  Opening the back gate, Jenna and Sandy arrived at the party. The team spared no expense, a DJ was set up in the corner singing along to the songs he was playing, while a row of kegs lined the fence.

  Colleen rushed up to the girls, wrapping her arms around them in a hug, almost spilling the her cup in her hand. “What took you two so long? I’ve been waiting forever for you to show up.” Sandy pointed her thumb at Jenna as if she was the one holding them up.

  “You were late getting to my house too. Don’t blame it all on me. Anyway, I needed to look my best.” Jenna scanned the crowd trying to catch a glimpse of him.

  Colleen nudged Jenna’s shoulder. “Go get yourself a beer and meet me over by the garage. I’m hanging with Bobby.” Collen walked back to where Bobby was standing with his friends.

  Sandy and Jenna walked across the grass to the line of kegs. Sandy danced to the music while waiting for a beer. A deep voice asked for her name. Looking up into his chest, she answered, “Sandy,” while continuing to shuffle her feet and shimmy her shoulders to the music. Jenna laughed, looking into the brown eyes giving him her cup. “Do you need my name?”

  “Nah, I know who you are,” he passed the cup back to her, “I’ll catch you later.”

  “Sure, see you later,” Jenna smiled and took the cup from him. Walking away, she could feel a set of eyes watching her.

  “Do you believe the Neanderthal didn’t know my name? It isn’t like I haven’t gone to school with him since kindergarten when he was the paste eater.” Sandy turned to look at Jenna as she took a swig of her beer. Jenna giggled thinking of Don giving her glass. She took a swig of her beer and lifted her glass in his direction. “You aren’t even paying any attention to me. Earth to Jenna!”

  “Did you say something?” asked Sandy. Jenna looked at the ground as they walked toward the garage. “The two of you have been flirting all semester. Are you going to finally do something about it or what?” Sandy and Jenna watched a tall guy with broad shoulders and brown hair talk to a girl with long blonde curly hair.

  Halfway to the garage, Jenna stopped in mid-stride and looked at the group of girls standing with Colleen. I don’t know if I want to go over there. She looked in their direction, they were glaring at her.

  She couldn’t help it she was smart, and he needed help with English. It was supposed to be their little secret. He didn’t want anyone knowing he needed the help. Over that year, they met in secret. She would help him with his English papers, and they would talk in her kitchen over cookies. They had fun together when they were alone, but he was cold in public. He would walk past her in the hallway as if she didn’t exist.

  “Woo Hoo, are you coming with me or not?” Sandy waved a hand in front of Jenna’s face waiting for an answer.

  “I need a little more liquid courage if you know what I mean,” Jenna said lifting her cup, “I’ll meet you over there.”

  Sandy adjusted her top to show off more cleavage and walked over to the garage where Colleen was hanging out with Bobby and the rest of the football team and their groupies, the cheerleaders. Walking over to the garage, she waved to Colleen who was talking to Bobby. Jenna turned to walk toward the line of kegs. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she waited in line hoping not to see him again after she looked like a fool raising her cup to no reaction. He wasn’t even looking at her. He was looking past her at Kelly, as always. Everyone must have had the same idea because the line was long.

  She stood in the slow-moving line until she heard the familiar grunting, “What’s your name?”

  “My name is on the cup. I just need a beer.” The beer guy looked down at her name, then back up at her, then back down at the cup.

  “This line is for first cups only. We put your name on the cup and then you go over there for your refills.” He pointed in the direction of a group of people standing around another keg.

  “Jimmy, what does it matter what keg you give me the beer out of just fill up my cup please.”

  “That’s the way it works. What is this your first party, Taylor?”

  Jenna could feel the heat in her cheeks as she took the cup out of his grasp. She walked over to the other keg where a few others are standing and talking. She looked at the keg, not knowing how to operate it, wondering if a second beer was worth the hassle.

  “I got it,” said a familiar voice over her shoulder,” Jimmy always takes rules too seriously. Here you go.”

  “Thank You, Don.” Jenna took the cup from him and looked up at his smile while she kicked the dirt. “I’m going to meet up with my friends.” Jenna walked away from him with a grin from ear to ear. Two chance meetings in one night. These things never happened to her.

  “No matter how many times you curl your scraggly hair and try to dress like me, he will never look at you like he does me. So stay away,” said Kelly bringing Jenna out of her musings. Jenna looked at the blonde captain of the cheerleading squad. She detested Kelly McGuire for as long as she could remember. How such a mean and spiteful girl could be Gertie’s daughter always amazed Jenna. Her Mom’s friend was always such a nice woman.

  “He can talk to whoever he wants Kelly. He isn’t your property. I’m not trying to be like you. I would never want to be like you.”

  “Whatever,” Kelly said as she turned to go back to her friends.

  Jenna just wanted to hide for a few minutes. She found a chair in the corner of
the yard and sat for a bit until she found enough courage to walk over to the garage. Kelly and her friends were laughing and glancing in her direction, but she tried to ignore it. She watched couples dancing, trying to get her mind off everything. Jenna hoped someone would ask her to dance, but she knew it would never happen. She tilted her head against the chair and let out a deep sigh. She thought about how nice it would be to have someone approach her to talk, making her less of an awkward wallflower. But there was only one person on her mind, and she would have loved to have his attention all the time.

  A deep voice brought her out of her daydreaming, “Is this seat taken?”

  Jenna looked at the boy standing before her, who had the deepest brown eyes and had a smirk on his face. “No, It’s all yours.” She waved her hand in a big sweeping motion at the chair next to her. Her heart started beating faster as she looked into his eyes.

  Instead of taking the chair, he sat down on the chair next to her, “So what are you doing sitting over here all by yourself?” Don leaned in closer, almost falling off the chair, making Jenna giggle.

  She replied trying to hide a smile, “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t have anyone to talk to until now.”

  “Want another drink? I’ll get you one,”

  “Sure,” Jenna gave Don her cup in the hopes he would come back. She wanted to talk to him all night long.

  He got up, taking her cup, then quickly turned toward the kegs. After taking a few steps, he stopped to say something to Kelly while looking in Jenna’s direction. Kelly smirked as he dropped the cups and put his arm around her. Jenna narrowed her eyes in their direction and watched them walk toward the house. Her heart dropped as she realized he wasn’t coming back. She always thought of herself as a wallflower, but after she watched him go off with another girl, she was crushed. In that moment she felt the heat creeping up her face, she knew she was beet red. She wondered how he could have done this to her? She wondered why she thought he could ever be interested in her? She tried her best to hold back her tears. She didn’t want anyone seeing her cry over him. Jenna walked back to her friends and their boyfriends. She was giving up.

  “I think I will get going. I’ll see you later.” Jenna looked down at the ground and put her hand on her stomach. She hoped her friends wouldn’t ask too many questions.

  Sandy tried to focus on Jenna’s face. “Hey, wait a minute, you’re not walking home alone.” Sandy started looking more deeply into Jenna’s face, wondering what was going on.

  “I’m fine, it's not that far and I’ll be home in no time. I don’t want you missing out on a good time because of me.” Jenna turned to walk toward the gate, not wanting to show her friends how upset she felt.

  Once she reached the gate, she heard Sandy’s out of breath voice,” “I’m not letting you leave alone.”

  “I don’t want to mess up your chance with Johnny” Jenna opened the gate and walked out to the driveway.

  “That’s not happening. He made plans with one of the cheerleader skanks. I didn’t have a chance. I was his beer girl, so I got one for him and one for me each time I went.” Sandy snort giggled as she let the gate slam behind her. “Oops!” They both laughed, walking down the driveway.

  “These guys are all a bunch of douchebags. Do you believe Don Juan sat down next to me, took my cup and dropped it, just to run off with Kelly? I shouldn’t be surprised. They act as if we don’t even exist.” Jenna raised her arms in exasperation then turned to look at Sandy.

  “We will do bigger and better things, my friend. Can I stay at your house?” Sandy said while purposefully bumped into Jenna on the sidewalk.

  “Yeah, come on, let’s go back to my house.”

  They walked down the block when Jenna felt the little hairs on her arm stand up. She thought she heard something behind them. She nudged Sandy to stop singing, then put a finger to her mouth. They both giggled again as she looked over her shoulder. She decided it must have been a cat. She shook her head as Sandy began the slurred song again. Jenna heard the sound again. She nudged Sandy again, “Ssh, wait a minute.” She said as she turned around coming face to face with the person following them.

  “Why are you following us?”

  “I didn’t want you walking home alone,” said Don.

  Sandy turned around and laughed.

  “Stop laughing, this isn’t funny.” Jenna stood with her arms crossed.

  “Oh yea, this is hilarious.” Sandy rolled her eyes at Jenna.

  “It's dangerous for you to be walking at night alone. I could at least fight someone off.” Don haphazardly flung his arms in the air then took a fighter’s stance.

  “Oh really? You could fight someone off? You can hardly stand up.” Jenna stomped her foot on the ground, pointing at him.

  Don wondered if this girl was worth the effort.

  “Hey, could you two continue your argument another time? I don't feel so good,” Sandy bent over while heaving her insides out on someone’s front lawn.

  Jenna rushed to her friend and pulled her hair back, making sure she didn’t fall forward. “Are you all right? Can you walk to my house?” Sandy nodded her head, grabbing Jenna’s outstretched hand. Jenna helps Sandy clean herself up as they continue their walk home.

  “I'm walking with you. I don't care what you say. Besides, I only live a block over so you’re on my way home.” Don continued to walk with them, keeping his distance.

  Jenna gave in and let him walk with them. Her main concern was getting Sandy in the house and up the stairs without her parents noticing her drunken state. The three of them walked halfway down the block in silence. The silence was eating away at Jenna; she needed to know why he would follow them.

  “Why did you feel the need to follow us home? You do realize the party was thrown for you. You should have stayed.” Jenna looked back at Don, who was smirking at her. She smiled while he jogged up next to her so they could walk side-by-side.

  “I already told you why. You shouldn’t be walking home alone. If it’s my party, I can leave when I want, and I wanted to leave then. Anyway, things were getting out of control.”

  “I think maybe it’s because he likes you,” Sandy said. “You know, she picked that outfit just for you,” Sandy looked over at Don while Jenna nudged her, giving her the ‘be quiet’ look.

  Just what Jenna needed, her drunk friend running off at the mouth. She hoped Don couldn’t see the blush that crept up her face. She could feel his eyes drifting up and down her body from her head to her toes.

  “I’m glad she did,” he said, answering Sandy, before he leaned in and whispered in Jenna’s ear, “You look beautiful.” He reached his hand toward Jenna’s, grabbing her hand and intertwining his fingers with her’s, while looking down into her blue eyes, which shone brightly from under the streetlamp.

  Jenna smiled as she walked down the block to her house. Arriving, she noticed a light on in the front of the house, so she guided Sandy to the back door, hoping to escape any unwanted attention. Sandy sat on the bottom step and heaved again. Suddenly, the back door opened.

  “Tony, I’m glad to see you,” Jenna said to her brother as relief washed over her face. She hoped he would help her get Sandy in the house without her parents noticing.

  “You know your friend is drunk, right? Mom will flip if she sees this,” Tony said as he smirked toward Sandy puking in the grass.

  “Thanks, Captain Obvious. I need some help here.” Jenna looked over her shoulder at her brother with a scowl on her face.

  Tony shoved a garbage bag in Jenna’s direction and dropped it on the ground nonchalantly, “Here, take this. I’ll make sure she gets upstairs,” he said, before bending over to help Sandy up, “You are lucky I like you or I would not go nowhere near you.”

  Jenna bent down to pick up the garbage bag just as Don did the same. He straightened up and looked at her bent over with a big smile on his face.

  “What are you smiling at?” Jenna playfully asked, surprised to have caught him checking her out.

  “I was just thinking my night just got better.”

  “You like what you see,” Jenna said standing looking at him licking her lips.

  “More than you know,” he said following behind her adjusting the hard on in his pants.

  She walked with him to the garbage can and through the gate to the backyard.