All Chapters of Jaded: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

227 Chapters

He's the One--I Think

Kari"Are you excited at all? You look rough, like you might throw up any minute." Lisa reached over in the front seat of the car and poked Kari, whose hands were shaking slightly on the wheel.Kari laughed sarcastically and glanced toward the fiery redhead beside her, a smile on her mouth as nervousness churned from her stomach to her chest. The big day was tomorrow and she was beyond blessed to be marrying someone like Frank, but that didn't ease her worry, her thoughts. To be tied down to someone for the rest of eternity and hope that they would remain loving, faithful, fun?Impossible. Her own parents were a great match and yet they'd fallen apart her senior year, leaving her to celebrate most of her high school events with her brother, Marc and her mom's youngest sister, Katie. If two of the most compatible people in the universe hadn't made it, what chance did she and Frank have?"Hey, that was a question.""Oh, yeah, sorry. I was thinking about my folks again." Kari shrugged, g

Last Updated : 2023-09-30

The Bachelorette Party

Kari"You’re worried about marrying Frank because he's not good for you. He's not even big and all muscled up like you like." Lisa leaned forward and rubbed Kari's shoulder, her voice louder from her new position."I am a little surprised you've lasted this long," Sicily added from her seat, pushing the mirror back toward the ceiling and reaching for her purse before pulling out gum. "You guys want a piece?""Frank's a good guy. He's handsome and smart, has a great job, and was really there for me in college no matter what I wanted. Lately it's been a little ehhh...""That's because you locked down the goods." Lisa sat back and Kari turned the radio on, keeping the volume low. Kari reached for a piece of gum, smiling at Sicily."Boys are weird about the 'P', Kari. I know my last boyfriend was sex first and talk later, which wasn't such a bad thing, seeing that he was dumb as dirt." Sicily leaned back in her seat, her hands cupped together in her lap."The 'P'? What are you, ten?" Lisa

Last Updated : 2023-09-30

Caught Red Handed

Kari"Actually I'm waiting on some friends, so grab me in a bit and I'll definitely show you how it's done." She waggled her eyebrows, knowing he'd find someone else and she wouldn’t be tempted to have a one-night stand before the big day. No need in dragging guilt down the center aisle of the church."I'll hold you to it." He rubbed her back in a small circle and moved out to the floor by himself, the music shifting from fast and grind-line material to sensual and enticing."I'd like you to hold me to something else... namely that wall." Kari spoke softly to herself, her eyes following the sharp curves of his shoulders, his large arms, and his butt in his jeans. Was she really getting married the next day? Surely not."Oh my. Look at that hot piece of ass. I'm out, ladies. Don't leave without me." Lisa started for the floor before Sicily pulled her back."Hell no. This night is about taking care of Kari and making sure she bleeds out her last chance desires. You go out there now look

Last Updated : 2023-09-30

WAS Getting Married

Kari"That stupid asshole. I cannot believe he would be so dumb to go to a club and get it on with some skank when he’s getting married tomorrow!" Lisa ranted, her hair a mess from running her fingers through it over and over."Was getting married," Kari murmured as she slid the small glass of water between her hands on the kitchen table before her."Exactly. Was getting married. It's going to be okay, honey. Thank God you found out tonight instead of years from now. Creepy bastard." Sicily sat beside her, her voice soft and comforting.Kari didn't dare turn to look at her friend, the gaze of sorrow that most likely sat on Sicily's face would be her undoing. She didn't want anyone to feel sorry for her or to worry over her. She'd lived most of her life on her own and she would get through this too. The urge to tell them to just go home washed over her, but Kari pushed it back, knowing that they wouldn't budge from her side no matter what."I'm going to kill him. Sorry piece of shit,"

Last Updated : 2023-09-30

She's Not the Only One

KariKari’s phone buzzed again and she left it ignored for the moment, sliding down against the door until her butt touched the cold tile. She let her legs extend out and concentrated on her breathing, the overwhelming sense of lost self-worth swimming precariously around in her thoughts.If she was good enough this wouldn't have happened. If she was worth the wait.Was it her fault?She knew how sexually active Frank wanted to be and yet she'd asked that they take a break, purify themselves for the wedding night so that it would be something truly special, a gift of sorts instead of business as usual.How long had he been sleeping around? How many people had he slept with?A sob left her lips and she let her guard down, her tears rushing to wipe away the pain of loss and devastation. She let herself cry for as long as it took to release the pent-up portion of what she'd been through, her phone buzzing over and over again.Suddenly anger birthed from the wound in the center of her che

Last Updated : 2023-09-30

I'm Coming, Too

KariThe rest of the weekend was a blur, her mother and Lisa helping her to cancel everything related to the wedding with the thought of calling the various vendors to see about partial refunds being on the back burner. Her kitchen table looked like a file cabinet exploded all over it, her mother and Lisa moving papers around to find this and that.Kari sat at the bar top, looking into the kitchen on her mother as she worked to grill everyone a cheese sandwich, her long dark hair, full hips, and sleek figure very much Kari's older version. Her mom glanced over her shoulder, almost as if she could hear Kari's thoughts and smiled."You sure are beautiful, baby.""Thanks, mom." Kari took another sip of her coffee and set the mug down. "I wish I could wake up from this and it be a lie.""Me too, but it's better to know now than waste twenty years of your life." Her mother gave her a silly look and yet the sadness still lingered under her cheerful disposition."I couldn't agree more. That

Last Updated : 2023-09-30

So Many Questions

KariKari closed the door behind her, turning to look over her shoulder at Lisa and Marc as they stood flirting in her kitchen. She locked the door and walked back to the living room, taking her position once more of cleaning up and clearing out. The soft snorts of laughter coming from both her brother and Lisa warmed her heart and stabbed her soul all in the same moment.Things would never be the same between her and men. She would always question where he, whoever the hell he was, or where he'd been or where he was going. The sense of inadequacy kept reappearing and she beat it back as best as she could, but the common denominator in the situation was her, right?It was she who hadn’t pleased Frank enough for him to wait.It was she who hadn’t been the right size or shape for him to be satisfied.It was her relationship with him that wasn't as strong as she thought or hoped.It was her.She sat back on her heels and closed her eyes, her fingers rubbing at her temples as she tried to

Last Updated : 2023-10-15

Where's Bar Harbor?

KariSteve sat back in his chair, Kari waiting for the explosion. Her boss had taken her under his wing for the last two years and had tried to start grooming her for larger responsibilities at the newspaper. She was happy just taking photos here and there wherever he needed her, but Steve wanted to eventually get her in front of a camera. She was quiet and introverted by nature, her willingness to stay in the background suiting her perfectly as a photographer, but he wouldn't have it."Where the hell is Bar Harbor? Is it even big enough to be on a map?" he grumbled, turning toward his computer, his thinning black hair combed over as best he could manage. He reached up and smoothed it down as if her thoughts were being read.She crossed her arms across her chest and leaned back in her chair, so grateful that he hadn't thought to scream at her just yet. The meeting wasn't over, but he seemed to be taking it better than she thought he would. He was highly emotional and belonged on a Bro

Last Updated : 2023-10-15

Dinner with a Prince

KariTheir goodbye had been quick, a stiff hug between them, but their parting words had given her comfort and renewed her sense of adventure. Life had thrown such a curveball her way, and yet because of it she was moving away from home, learning a new place and willing to eventually meet new people. The prayer was that she would meet someone who would love her the way she wanted to be loved - the way she loved.Her phone buzzed in her purse and she checked it, her brother, Marc making sure they were still meeting for an early dinner in Times Square. She confirmed and got into her car, resting her head on the headrest before bringing the car to life. More than anyone in the world, she would miss her little brother. He was her very best friend, her closest companion, the one quick to jump each time she needed him to, to defend her and to love her with silly openness.He was a jerk to most, a whore to many, and yet he was a perfect gentleman, a prince to her. She adjusted the rearview m

Last Updated : 2023-10-15

All Packed Up and Ready To Go

KariDinner with Marc had been exactly what she needed, the time with her brother had renewed her sense of self-confidence and given her a fresh outlook on things. He was silly and childish, but it was his unwillingness to fully accept all of the pressure that the world pushed on him that gave her permission for reprieve. He was riding a full scholarship for basketball, the team at NYU a total joke, but her brother was the glue that held them together, the fuel that forced the other players to strive to be better. He was immature, but when focused on a task, there was nothing that could stand in his way.Marc walked her to the car, his hands rubbing his belly as if waiting to feel the subtle kicking of an infant from deep within. He looked over at her and grinned before holding the door to the elevator for her."I'm so stupid full," he groaned and slumped against the wall of the elevator as she reached to press her floor."You ate your lunch, half of mine, and your chicken parm. Why d

Last Updated : 2023-10-15

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