After a messy divorce, Joe Jonas finds himself lost within the inability to move on with his life. That is, until he unexpectedly starts to feel a love he never thought he'd experience again, let alone with a stranger.
First Installment of Trilogy
Last night I kept on waking up every few hours, checking my phone for a reply first thing every time my eyes opened.
Nothing. Silence was worse than a rejection text.
It was six in the morning now. I wasn't used to being up this early on a day off. Glancing one last time, I frowned seeing no new notifications, at least not from Taylor.
After letting my phone slide out of my hand back onto the nightstand, I shuffled out to the kitchen and popped in a bagel into the toaster. I really wasn't in the mood to cook myself a gourmet breakfast, especially when I rose before the sun did.
I took my simple breakfast, grabbed my small notebook off the coffee table and made myself comfy out on my private outdoor patio to watch the sunrise. Taking a bite from my bagel, I opened my notebook and began to write my gratitude list. It was something I tried to do every day. I also sometimes wrote quotes and reminders to myself that felt right in the moment.
Today's reminder... I am not who I was a year ago.
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I put my pen down and took in that small, but powerful sentence. It was true. Even if I never get the chance to see Taylor again, she did something to me, and I'll forever be grateful for that impact I needed.
My heart could feel love again for someone else. If you told me that before yesterday, I would've laughed in your lying face.
With my notebook, empty plate and a glass of water half-full in hand, I closed the door behind me. Humming a random tune, I rinsed off the plate of crumbs to load in the dishwasher once I placed my notebook and glass on the coffee table.
My head shot up as I heard my phone ring. Without meaning to, I slammed the dishwasher shut, rushing to the sound. The thumping of my heart was going a mile a minute, and not because I just ran like my life depended on it.
"Hey!" I tried catching my breath discreetly as I answered.
"Joe, I'm so sorry!" Taylor remorsefully expressed, "I got distracted and thought I sent my reply."
"It's okay," I sat on the edge of my bed, now fully composed, "We can just do today like we planned originally and—"
"Yes, Joe. My answer is yes," she cut me off, making me immediately smile from ear- to-ear.
A part of me didn't believe it, like I wouldn't let myself get my hopes up, "Really? Are you sure?"
"That's what distracted me!" she laughed, "I was busy packing a bag!"
She reminded me of the one thing I forgot to do myself, my mind too busy on focusing on potentially being ghosted.
"Does eight sound good, or is that too early?" I asked while grabbing a small suitcase out of my closet, quickly folding an array of clothes that could easily match together.
"Eight is perfect," she replied, "I have to go pick some stuff up at my friend's, but I'll ping you my address once I get back. Unless you want me to drive to you?"
"What kind of gentleman do you take me for?" I responded in a sarcastic, yet jokingly offended manner that got her to chuckle, "I'll pick you up at eight."
"I'll see you in a few hours," a smile crept in the tone of her voice.
"Don't forget to hit send this time," I teased before we ended the call.
It was go-time. Text my friend to ask if it was still okay if I borrowed his truck for the weekend. Make arrangements to somehow get the truck to me. Shower. Brush my teeth. Do a simple skin care routine. Fix up my hair, although that one would've been easier if it weren't damp. Change into something casual, but irresistible. Finish packing my suitcase. Double-check that I had everything essential packed in said suitcase. Load up the truck with my suitcase and guitar. Lastly, click on Taylor's pinged location she so graciously didn't forget to send this time.
The drive wasn't far from my place, and thankfully the New York morning traffic wasn't too bad. It gave me a chance to get used to the mechanics of the truck. Honestly, I didn't know how or why my friend trusted me enough to lend me his precious vehicle that he so proudly labeled the love of his life. It wasn't that I was a bad driver. I just also wasn't the greatest either.
Arriving at the entrance to the apartment complex, I noticed it wasn't as safe as it seemed as the gate was already opened. I assumed it closed during specific hours towards the night.
I pulled in to a parking spot directly across from her location and texted her that I was here. Almost immediately before my feet hit the pavement, Taylor rushed from the first door on the left of the bottom floor, a duffel bag over her shoulder. She was dressed in a loose light beige sweater and dark blue denim skirt that cut off mid-thigh, pairing it with some white sneakers. Her hair flew with the wind as she approached the truck.
"You look beautiful," I commented with a grin, giving her a big hug before taking her bag for her and placing it carefully next to mine.
"The same could be said about you. You clean up nicely," she complimented back as I held the passenger side door open for her to hop in, "Thank you."
I shut her door and climbed in the driver's seat, "I had to redeem my first impression."
"You're doing a good job at that so far," she winked.
Not long into the drive, Taylor dozed off, her head bobbing with every movement. I pulled over safely, thankful that we were no longer in the city as barely any other cars were on the same road as us. My hand reached in the backseat, grabbing one of the pillows I had packed and gingerly lifted her head up as my other hand slipped the pillow behind it.
"Wha—what happened?" she slowly opened her eyes, still partly asleep, "Is everything okay?"
"You fell asleep," I replied softly as I pulled the lever under her seat with one hand and the other reclining the back of her seat slowly, "I'll wake you up when we're there."
She nodded her head and closed her eyes, falling back asleep soundly.
My heart fluttered as I watched, tucking her hair behind her ear to move it from covering her face. If only she knew the affect she already had on me.
I put the truck back into drive, flicking the right turn signal on before getting back on the road.
The buildings, crowds, and chaos had turned into trees, fields, clear sky, clean air, and silence. I loved the city, don't get me wrong. I wouldn't have chosen to live there if I didn't, but there was something about the country vibe that served serenity, freedom and calmness.
Almost three hours passed when Taylor's eyes fluttered open before closing them again as she held her hand over her face, the sun blinding her.
"You could've warned a girl," she groaned.
"Good morning," I chuckled, "There's an extra pair of sunglasses in the glove box if you didn't bring any."
"I stupidly didn't," she stretched a little before sitting up, opening the glove box before looking out the window, "Where are we?"
"New Jersey," I told her, still keeping our first destination a secret.
"Why? What's in New Jersey?"
"Keep looking to the right," I gestured, knowing that in a few miles, she'd find out the answer.
Her eyes widened in awe while she took the sunglasses off so they wouldn't obstruct the view, "Oh. My. God."
Author's Note: Go stream "What This Could Be" by Joe Jonas at midnight (Oct. 4)! He deserves all the love and support!
