Hi there,
It's been a while since I've posted anything on here. I know some of you are probably waiting for me to update "Three Months Sober".
I'd like to thank all of you who remain interested in my story. And for all the messages asking me to update it. Truth be told, I've gone through a period of losing interest and motivation for writing. It happens. Call it laziness. Call it writer's block. Or just call it life getting in the way.
Anyhow, I'm determined to try and get back into my writing. (A very good friend of mine has been trying to pursue me to get back into it). And whilst I do intend to continue with "Three Months Sober"(in fact, I should be posting a new chapter very soon), I've joined forces with a fantastically talented writer (who goes by the name of honey77) to see if we could write a story together.
We're not sure where it's going to take us – or even sure it'll work. And ultimately, it's just a bit of fun. But we fancied giving it a go. So, here's the opening piece, written by yours truly. The next part will be written by honey.
Feedback is always very welcome, because we'd like to know whether you guys think we should continue with our little "experiment".
Thanks for reading – hope you enjoy it!
Blind Date
Chapter One
Joey
Blind date. Just two little words. But at this very moment, those two little words were causing me much discomfort. As I sat there, waiting for my blind date to arrive, seconds felt like minutes and minutes felt like hours. I glanced at my watch: I'd only been waiting for just over fifteen minutes but at this rate I was sure my nerves would eventually get the better of me. In fact, if my date didn't put in an appearance soon, I was pretty certain I would end up doing a runner from the scene. Patience may very well be a virtue, but tell that to my nerves.
I took in a deep breath and reached to take a sip of my most-definitely-not-from-out-of-a-tap expensive bottled mineral water. Relaxing slightly, I used the opportunity to take in my surroundings. Cicconi's was one of the city's busiest and most popular eating establishments. A little gem nestled in the heart of the city, the food was exquisite and the establishment was elegant but relaxed - although not too up market to be classed as foreboding or pretentious. I'd been there on a couple of previous occasions and always found it utterly delightful. It was the perfect venue if you were looking to make a good and lasting first impression. Like on a first date, for example.
Speaking of first dates... I'm not sure why I had exactly agreed to "it" in the first place. After all, everyone knows blind dates are notoriously evil ways of meeting people who couldn't be less right for you if they tried. Not that this was my first blind date. Oh no. When I was twenty-two, a work colleague had set me up with a friend of a friend. To say it was a disastrous experience would be far too kind. It was the date from hell; uncomfortable silences competing against awkward, strained conversation. It had been the longest ninety minutes of my life. And after that dreadful evening, I had vowed never to repeat the experience.
But obviously in the sad world that was currently my personal life, forever didn't seem to count for very much. And so here I was, three years later, probably preparing to repeat said disastrous experience. I was either stupid, insane or just plain desperate. In fact, upon reflection, I was probably a combination of all three!
Unfortunately, I'd been totally and utterly helpless when it came to ignoring the constant pleas of my best friend, Aden, who, for almost two solid months, had taken on a stoic determination to get me to start dating again. And for some reason, he'd got a particular bee in his bonnet when it came to trying to set me up with his new girlfriend's sister.
I adored Aden; we'd known each other since we were seven years old. He was the brother I wish I'd had, rather than my own waste of space sibling, Brett. Handsome, tall and muscular with a killer smile and an infectious boyish charm, Aden was gorgeous in every sense of the word. In fact, if guys had been my flavour, Aden would have been my perfect match. Instead, he had cemented himself in my life as my best friend. Aden only had to flash me a smile or look at me with his puppy dog eyes and I was putty in his hands. And boy, did he know it. And sometimes, he really knew how to use that to his advantage. Which is why I had broken my long-standing vow and agreed to throw myself back into shark infested waters and endure another blind date.
Flashback.... four days ago
"Are you doing anything this Saturday night, Jo?"
"Nope, no plans. Dare I ask why?"
"Well... it's just...well..."
"Come on! Spit it out, Ade!"
"Okay. It's just that Ruby has an older sister... a gay older sister… and well... Rubes and I think you and Charlie would really hit it off and…"
"No Ade. We've been through this before. Stop trying to set me up!"
"Oh come on, Jo. You need to start putting yourself out there again. You've been single for far too long."
"And I'm perfectly happy being that way, too."
"I'm sorry Jo, but that's bull…"
"Ade..."
"No Jo. It's been almost twelve months. Twelve months, Jo – that's almost a whole year. At this rate, you'll turn into a nun and no offence Jo, but I don't think you'd look good dressed up as a penguin!"
"Look Aden, I appreciate your concern, I really do. But it's not like I haven't been out on dates. I'm just not looking for a relationship. I'm not you."
"Dates? I don't think one night stands are technically considered 'dates'…"
"Aden!"
"Okay, sorry… Did I mention that she's totally hot?"
Back to present day...
Hot or not, as I continued to sit there, twiddling with my napkin and biting on my bottom lip, I was beginning to regret ever listening to Aden Jeffries. The nerves were starting to set in once again and I had visions of being stood up, which – considering I'd been out of the dating market for what felt like an eternity - would really do my self esteem the world of good. Not!
The thing was, I didn't really do dates as such; not since my last relationship had ended. I'd just never really found that connection, that spark with anyone. At least not enough to take it beyond the odd one night stand or casual liaison. At twenty-five, I'd never really been in love. My last – and longest relationship had lasted just three months. Maybe I was picky; perhaps I was hard to please. But I was beginning to think I was one of those people destined to remain a singleton forever; grow old with only a houseful of cats, never destined to find "the one".
In fact, as far as I was concerned, the very idea of a soul mate was utter nonsense; something that had just been conjured up to sell love and romance to the lonely broken hearted masses.
But then everything went out the window when "she" walked in. The "goddess"... Charlie Buckton.