Benjamin - The Lost Boyfriend

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

Copyright 2019 by Christina Benjamin

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Crown Atlantic Publishing

Version 1.1

July 2019

H azel

Field Journal Entry:

Its called the rule of three. We can survive three weeks without food, three days without water, three minutes without air... but how long can we last without our hearts?

Im living by a new rule of three. Three seconds to change my life.

Thats how long it took for me to make up my mind when James showed up at my door the day after graduation with his heart on his sleeve and a question I already knew the answer to.

But Im getting ahead of myself... lets start at the beginning.

H azel

Hey kiddo, hows it going out there?

Hazel gripped the steering wheel harder. She hated lying to her dad. Its fine, she said into her cellphone.

Just fine?

Its a college pre-class, Dad, not exactly spring breakers gone wild.

He chuckled. I know. Im just proud of ya, kid. Going to college is a big deal. Youre a trailblazer, gonna be the first one in our family to get a degree.

Hazel bit down on her shame. She didnt need to be reminded of how selfish she was being. I dont have a degree yet, Dad. Talking about college degrees was a bit premature considering Hazel still had a few more weeks of her senior year of high school to finish out.

Just a matter of time, her dad mused. Did you meet up with Jenny yet?

Another lie. Hazel swallowed hard. Im actually just about to.

Good. Im glad youll have a familiar face out there. Tell her to come visit once in a while, will ya? Vegas isnt that far from Lovelock.

Hazel laughed. Vegas was eight hours from her little hole-in-the-wall town, but it might as well be on another planet.

Not wanting to burst her dads bubble and tell him no one who lived in Vegas would ever want to visit Lovelock, she changed the subject. Hows Lu, are you giving him attention like you promised?

Lugnut is fine, Hazel.

He hates that name, Dad.

Hazels grandpa had named the junkyard dog that awful name when he found him, but she affectionately called the adorable Jack Russel, Lu, for short. He looked more like a Lu anyway.

Hazel was only ten when Gramps brought the puppy home and that was it; love at first sight. Her heart hurt just thinking about spending ten days away from him. It was sad, but that damn dog was her best friendand who wanted to call their best friend Lugnut?

Lu, Lugnut, does it really matter? her dad grumbled. Hes a dog.

Yes, hes a very intelligent dog that will pee in your shoes if you piss him off. Pun intended, she replied. Dont forget to keep him out of Grampss room. And you have to put Lus sweater on at night. He hates to be cold.

Hazel heard her dad give a good-humored huff. Just like someone else I know.

She smiled, the irony not lost on her as she looked at the snowcapped mountains in the distance. Montana was only a few states away from her home in Lovelock, Nevada, but the landscape couldnt be more different. Towering evergreens and mountains sprouted up from every directiona big change from Lovelocks flat, brown dust bowl.

Even with the heater cranked in her old Scout, Hazel still felt the chill in her bones. Most of it from the crisp March air, but she knew some of her discomfort was from guilt.

Hazel had never lied to her dad beforebut how could she tell him the truth when she knew how bad it would hurt him?

She was so busy worrying about her guilty conscience that she almost didnt see the person crossing the street right in front of her.

Shit! she hissed, slamming the brakes a split second too late.

Hazel?

She shifted the Scout into park. I gotta go, Dad.

Everything okay?

Yeah, I just ran into someone. Literally!

Hazel hung up the phone and jumped out of her car.

James

Seriously! James scowled up at the sky, cursing the universe. Could there be more signs that I dont belong here?

Hed been in Montana less than an hour and had almost been killed twice. First landing on that sketchy excuse for a runway and now this.

He glowered at the emblem on the grill of the metallic blue death machine that almost turned him into roadkill. Hed never seen this make before. What the hell is an International?

Hed barely had time to jump out of its way, his long arms reflexively shoving him away from the hood as it screeched to a stop. James shook his head, climbing to his feet slowly to make sure he was still in one piece. Fortunately, he was. Or maybe unfortunately...

He really didnt want to be here. Would it be so bad if someone offs me before this fresh hell begins?

What a nightmare. James looked back at the antique SUV that had nearly crippled him. It looked like a tank. Is this really what passed as a vehicle in this part of the country? James shook his head. He was so out of his depth here.

Hillbilly Camp hadnt even started yet and James already wished he was back in his room in Boston surrounded by his computers and camera equipment more than ever.

Im so sorry! Are you okay?

James turned to see the tiniest girl ever running toward him. He couldnt believe shed been driving that tank. No wonder she hit him, she probably couldnt see over the steering wheel.

Yeah, Im... His eyes traveled from her espresso-colored hair to her caramel eyes. She had a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her button nose that reminded him of the cinnamon that dusted the top of a latte. He forgot what he was saying as his eyes traveled down her body, snagging on her feet. Did I hit my head or are your boots actually hot pink?

She pulled herself up to her full height, which was comical considering she was five-foot nothing, and crossed her arms, color flushing her cheeks. Yes, theyre pink. Do you have a problem with that?

No, its just... they dont really fit the whole vibe youve got going on here, he said gesturing to the torn jeans that hugged her curves like a second skin and the layer of edgy tees, leather jacket and military vest. Not to mention the death machine shed been driving. Everything about her looked dangerousexcept the pink boots.

They screamed bubble gum and Barbie dolls, while the rest of her said... well, the opposite.

And what vibe would that be? she asked, her tone as harsh as her glare.

James squinted and playfully cocked his head. Mad Max?

Apparently, it was the wrong answer because the pint-sized girl scowled at him.

This was why he didnt talk to girls. He was digging himself a graveand much faster than usual.

Flustered, James changed tactics and extended his hand. Ignore me, I think Im still in shock. Ya know, from almost becoming road pizza. Im Jamie-ur-I mean-James.

Her soft cocoa eyebrows arched. Which is it? James or Jamie?

Its James Forrester, but I prefer Jamie.

Then introduce yourself as Jamie, she replied.