Chapter 1

"I'll never be able to love again, mom." I cried.

Harvey was my world. Ever since the first day we met as silly 9 year olds, he was my best friend and someone who I thought was my soulmate. After being together for 8 years, it ended when I moved away for school, and only then did I find out how much of a fool I was.

"You might be able to pick up where you left off, sweetheart," mom pleaded, trying to make me feel better. I was finally spending a weekend with my parents, they shouldn't have to console me

"I can't. He cheated on me, mom. He cheated on me with someone who I thought was my friend for the last 2 damn years we were together and I'm only just finding out now! How can you do that to someone you love? How do you trust someone again after they do that to you?" I continued to cry. It truly felt like my life was fading, my world was crashing down.

Mom shook her head and held my hands. "June bug, everything will be okay. Just know that I love you and will support you no matter what."

I nodded and got up to walk to my room. "I love you too, mom."

She smiled at me and went back to finish baking. As I walked up into my room, I got a notification on my phone from the girl who I thought was my friend.

Ashlyn. More like Trash-lyn.

I ignored her message and just minutes later, she called me.

"June, I am so sorry! I thought you two were split, he told me-"

I cut her off. "You thought we were split?! Not only is our relationship all over social media, but we have been together for the last 8 years! Do you understand how ridiculous you sound?" I yelled through the phone, trying to hold back my sobs. "We posted a picture together last night, but we were split? Look, I don't want to hear from you ever again. So help me, if I even see your face, you better avoid me. I hate you, Ashlyn. I fucking hate you."

"Please, June. I'm so sorry"

"Yeah, well, sorry doesn't cut it. Have the day you deserve." Choking on my words, I hung up the phone and it dropped out of my hands. I took a deep breath, trying to gather myself for something I dreaded to do.

When I got the strength, I picked my phone up and hovered over Ashlyn's name. Within seconds, I moved my thumb over the "block this number" button, clicking on it. This was it, both Harvey and Ashlyn were out of my life.

-Three months later-

I made my bed and grabbed the keys to my car. As I made my way out to my car, I gave mom a kiss on the cheek. 

I dropped out of university and moved back home where I could have the love and strength I needed to help me through everything, which was way better than living alone. I haven't heard from Harvey or Ashlyn since that day and it gave me so much room to grow.

I got in the car and started to drive out to my usual hangout spot: the wharf. Living in a small fishing community meant that I could hear the boat engines when they start up in the early break of the morning, and I always loved to watch the waves roll in on the rocks.

Most of the fishermen were older but there was always a younger man who would show up once a month. He wasn't from this town, I never learned his name.

He was a very attractive man; curly chocolate brown hair, bright green eyes, and a contagious smile. He seemed so smart, when I would ask him what something was on the boat, he had no trouble telling me what it was called and the purpose of it. I regret never getting his name, but maybe, just maybe, I’ll get to see him today to ask him.

He climbed out of the boat and noticed my car. He gave a big wave and started walking over.

“Hey you, I was hoping you’d be here,” his words flowed through his smile. “What’s up? How have you been?”

“Oh hey, I’ve been good! Just taking my daily break from life, watching the boats come in. How are you?”

“I’m actually pretty good, now that you’re here. It’s been a long few weeks, thankfully I won’t have to work after today, for a few more months.” He beamed at me and made me smile big.

“Really?” I asked, “That sounds like a dream.”

He laughed, “I have a lot of work to do around the house, I want to paint the walls, build some add-ons.”

I turned my head to look into his eyes. “I love painting! Feed me and I will paint it all for you.”

He let out a big laugh and leaned on the window of my car. “Maybe then you will tell me your name, pretty girl.”

I blushed and looked away. “You haven’t told me yours, either.”

Just coming into view, I see a big hand stick out as if wanting a hand shake. “I’m Zachary, you can just call me Zach. And you are?”

Taking his hand, I answered him, “Nice to finally get your name, Zach. I’m June.”

“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman,” He caught my eyes and looked deep into them. “I’m about 4 hours from here in a town called Pleasant View. I’m a hundred percent certain the view would be more pleasant if you were there. Maybe sometime, I’ll take you up on your offer to paint the house for me. I got a few spare rooms you can choose from.”

Pleasant View… That’s where my friend Terri lives!

“But for now, love, I gotta get back to the boat. Here’s my number,” he took my phone and put his contact in. “Feel free to call me anytime.”

He winked and started to walk away. Before he even got to the edge of the wharf, I sent him a “Hey, It’s June” text, and called Terri.

“Hey girl! How are you? Did you find out his name yet?” She answered, sounding excited.

“Terri, I did! His name is Zach and he lives in Pleasant View!”

Terri screamed on the other end of the phone. “Girl, I know who you are talking about! He lives down the road from me. What a damn small world.” She started to laugh.

I felt a vibration on my phone and sure enough, he replied to my message. “June! Free this weekend?”

“Speaking of the devil, he just texted me!” As I read out the text, Terri freaked out and started telling me to stay with her. “Okay, okay. I’ll let him know I’m staying with you, maybe I’ll mention you live down the road.” 

Terri squealed. “Yes! We are totally going shopping.”

I laughed and we said our goodbyes. Time to get ready for the weekend I wasn’t prepared for.