Sand & Second Chances (A Lesbian Romance), page 1
SAND &
SECOND CHANCES
WRITTEN BY
ELEANOR ALLISON
Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2024
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission.
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER ONE
JOEY
Stepping off the plane, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement coursing through my veins. The warm tropical breeze kissed my skin. The scent of saltwater hung heavy in the air, instantly enveloping me in a sense of serenity and adventure.
As I glanced around at the lush greenery and crystal-clear waters that stretched out before me, I couldn't suppress the grin that spread across my face. This was it – the beginning of the summer of a lifetime, all thanks to a bold decision and a stroke of luck.
When I first applied to appear on the new reality show, Girls On The Island, I never thought I'd make the cut. I mean, sure, I was charismatic and decently attractive, but so do plenty of other girls, right? I wasn't totally sure what differentiated me from all the others who applied, but I was happy to be standing on the shores of paradise, ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
The reality TV show promised sun, sand, and plenty of drama – everything a girl could ask for in a summer getaway. And as I took in the stunning scenery around me, I was excited for all the adventures that lay ahead. I was determined to take full advantage of this once in a lifetime experience.
First, though, I needed to find my luggage.
As I made my way towards the baggage claim to grab my bag, I couldn't shake the feeling of someone's eyes on me. It wasn't an unfamiliar sensation. Being a woman who often presented as more masculine than society expected, I tended to attract quite a bit of attention.
I looked around, trying to figure out who was gawking at me. I was fully prepared to stick my tongue out at whoever it was. Make them feel as uncomfortable as I felt getting gawked at constantly. When I found the culprits I changed my mind, though. It was two blondes, one tall and the other short. Their gaze felt more intrigued than hostile, so I tried my best to ignore them.
When I reached for my bag, they moved closer to me. It was as if they were positioning themselves in a way that I had to notice them. And were smiling in my direction as if they knew me. Their eyes sparkled with excitement, and I couldn't help but return their smiles with one of my own.
"How's it going, ladies," I said, giving them a wink.
The taller one's face turned beet red in an instant. The smaller one was a little more subtle with her interest in me, flipping her long hair over her shoulder before responding, "We're doing pretty good. Was wondering if you were here for the show?"
"Yes," I beamed. "What about you? Are you going to be on Girls On The Island?"
"We are," the shorter of the two answered. "We've been here for an hour wondering if any other castmates might arrive."
"Did you come here together?"
"We met on our connecting flight," the taller one chimed in. She had kind of the shy girl vibe going, but I kind of liked it. When our eyes met, the redness in her cheeks deepened and she looked away, "I'm Morgan, by the way."
"Joey."
"And I'm from LA. Morgan and I were on the same connecting flights. Something told me to introduce myself to her."
"I actually live in LA. Or I did, I guess. It's complicated. I'm a prop designer, so mainly I work in LA, but every once in a while I get jobs in Atlanta or up in Vancouver. That's where I was before coming here."
"That makes sense," Morgan giggled and then pointed out, "Because you're wearing a sweater and shorts. Makes sense that you were somewhere that wasn't scorching hot."
"Yeah, I guess it does. This will probably be the most clothes y'all see me in. I plan on being in my bikini as much as possible."
I could only imagine what thought went through Morgan's head when I mentioned being in
a bikini. She blushed again and her smile got a devilish flare to it, "I'm sure the cameras are going to love you."
"Think so," I winked at her.
"Definitely," chimed in. "Speaking of cameras, I wonder when they're going to come get us."
"I don't know. They mentioned in the email that they'd be here within an hour of my flight landing. Hopefully not. Wouldn't be fair to you guys to keep waiting."
"Maybe, we could go outside to see if there's someone out there," Morgan said.
"That's a good idea," nodded. "What if this whole time we've been waiting out here when our driver has been out there?"
"After the two of you," I insisted with a smile.
As Morgan and Lillian headed towards the exit, I reached for my phone to check the time, my fingers tapping nervously against the screen. But just as I unlocked my phone, a familiar notification popped up, causing my heart to skip a beat.
It was a message from an ex – one I hadn't heard from in months. As I read the heartfelt words, memories of our time together flooded my mind. I'd been in a lot of dead-end relationships, but this one had made me hopeful. I even told her that I loved her, which was so out of the ordinary for me.
"Hope you're doing well. For some reason, you've just been on my mind lately, so just wanted to check and say hey." Her words laced with a sense of genuine concern that tugged at my heartstrings. But beneath the surface, I could sense the weight of unspoken regrets and unresolved emotions, lingering like shadows in the corners of my mind.
As I stared at the message, my heart clenched with a mix of emotions – regret, longing, and a tinge of sadness. The words were filled with the echoes of a love that once burned bright but had dimmed over time, leaving behind only the remnants of what could have been.
I had loved her – truly, deeply, and unabashedly. But love alone wasn't enough to sustain us, and as much as I wanted to believe that we could overcome any obstacle, the reality was far more complicated. We were two imperfect souls, each grappling with our own demons and insecurities, unable to bridge the growing chasm between us.
Reading her message brought back a flood of memories – the late-night conversations, the stolen moments of intimacy, the whispered promises of forever. But alongside the nostalgia was a sense of resignation, a painful acknowledgment that some things were never meant to last.
I had made mistakes – plenty of them – and despite my best intentions, I couldn't undo the damage that had been done. Deep down, I knew that dwelling on the past would only hold me back from embracing the present. With a sigh, I tucked my phone back into my pocket, steeling myself against the tide of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.
"Everything okay, Joey?" Morgan's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present moment.
I quickly pocketed my phone and forced a smile, hoping to hide the turmoil swirling within me. "Yeah, just got a message from a friend. Nothing important."
Morgan nodded, though her gaze held a hint of concern. "Alright, well, let's go see if our ride is waiting for us."
With a determined nod, I pushed aside my lingering thoughts and followed Morgan and Lillian outside. The warm island breeze washed over me like a soothing balm. It almost made me feel brand new, which was the feeling I'd been hoping for.
It was why I had signed up for Girls On The Island – to escape the ghosts of my past, to leave behind the heartache and disappointment that had weighed me down for far too long. Spending the summer on an idyllic island resort with fifteen other singles was the perfect opportunity to rediscover myself, embrace new experiences, and connect with women as beautiful as the two ladies in front of me.
"There," I said, pointing at a woman holding up a sign that read "Girls On The Island".
A surge of excitement washed over me as I quickened my pace, eager to begin this new chapter of my life. Morgan and Lillian followed close behind, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Together, we approached a young woman who I assumed was a production assistant, who greeted us with a friendly smile and a warm welcome.
"Welcome to Girls On The Island," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "I'm Sarah, and I'll be your guide for the day. Are you ready to start your island adventure?"
We nodded eagerly, our excitement palpable as Sarah led us inside the waiting shuttle bus. As we boarded the bus and settled into our seats, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of the adventures that lay ahead.
As the bus pulled away from the curb, I leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes and allowing myself to bask in the warmth of the sun and the promise of the journey ahead. This was it – the beginning of somethi
CHAPTER TWO
ADDISON
Stepping through the grand doors of the beachside mansion, a surge of emotions washed over me, threatening to overwhelm my carefully constructed composure. The opulence of the surroundings, the lavish décor, and the distant sound of crashing waves served as a stark contrast to the humble beginnings I had fought so hard to overcome.
For years, I had navigated the tumultuous waters of social media and influencer culture, tirelessly promoting a brand built on kindness, authenticity, and inner beauty. And finally, after countless setbacks and struggles, my efforts had begun to bear fruit. Opportunities were now knocking at my door with greater frequency than ever before, promising a future filled with success and fulfillment.
A decade ago, I had been living out of my car, scraping by on meager earnings and fighting tooth and nail to build a life for myself from the ground up. The journey had been long and arduous, filled with moments of doubt and despair. Now I was surrounded by a level of luxury and excess that had always felt out of reach.
"There's an infinity pool," my best friend, Vena called out from the other room.
A lot of people thought we were an odd pair. I was more of a laid-back girl next door. Vena prided herself on being Southern glitz and glam. Her social media career started by making videos of her adding rhinestones to all her clothes and had segued into having her own fashion line
We were different, but more alike than a lot of people realized. We both came from humble beginnings. Had awful relationships with our parents and would rather be struck by lightning before we stepped foot in our respective hometowns again. And we both had these crazy busy lives that revolved around social media.
It wasn't something a whole lot of people could understand. Vena did. She'd been the one to reach out to me when I was getting tons of hate and threats from internet trolls. She invited me out to have afternoon tea, which was the oddest invitation anyone had ever extended to me. We laughed and drank so much tea my bladder felt like it was going to burst. Since then, we'd been thick as thieves.
"Aren't you glad I convinced you to come here," Vena asked me.
I joined her to look out the massive floor-to-ceiling window with the view of the infinity pool, the beach, and miles of ocean waves. It was the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen, but I wasn't sure if it was worth all the arm-twisting Vena had done trying to convince me to apply to be on this show.
"Time will tell," I said, feeling the anxious flutter in my chest.
Ever since we'd gotten news that they wanted us both on the show, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping into the corners of my mind. Was this truly the path I wanted to pursue? Was participating in a reality show the right move for someone like me? At this point, I wasn't even worried about how it would affect my brand as much as I was worried about how it might affect my mental health.
Vena's gaze softened, her expression mirroring the concern that gnawed at my own heart. "Addison, I know this is a big step, but trust me, it's going to be amazing. Think of all the exposure we'll get for your brand. You'll be able to reach so many more people and spread your message to a whole new audience."
Her words were meant to reassure me, to quell the doubts that lingered in the depths of my mind, but instead, they only served to amplify my uncertainty. I appreciated Vena's optimism and enthusiasm, but deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension that clung to me like a shadow.
Taking a deep breath, I tore my gaze away from the mesmerizing view outside the window and turned to face Vena, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "I know you mean well, Vena, and I appreciate everything you've done to get us here. It's just...I can't shake this feeling. I can't even really explain it. I just feel like something big is about to happen."
"Honey, something big is happening. Look around," she spread her arms out and spun in a circle. "We all feel down sometimes, but I can't think of a better place in the world to have a case of the sads."
I couldn't help but laugh, "I guess you're right. Maybe, I'm just anxious about meeting everybody. Like I said, I can't really put my finger on it."
"At least we won't have to share a bathroom like you thought, which means there's one less thing to worry about," Vena continued, venturing toward the spiral staircase. "I bet this place has like twenty bathrooms."
"Are we allowed to roam around," I asked as Vena headed up the stairs.
She shrugged, "I think they said make yourself at home."
"Literally, no one said that," I laughed, following behind her. I didn't want to start any trouble, but the production assistant had dropped us off and left us all alone. They had to expect we'd look around a bit.
Maybe, they didn't expect the two of us would be running around like two giggling school girls from room to room. Vena wanted to scope out potential rooms and to my disappointment, she was getting emotionally invested in an all-pink everywhere room with one king-size bed.
"There are only so many rooms with two beds. Why do you want to give one up to stay in the Pepto Bismal Palace?"
"You know what," Vena grabbed a pillow off the bed and hurled it towards me.
I stepped aside and an unfamiliar voice rang out, "Ouch!"
"Oh my..." Vena ran to hide in the closet. That's where she was when two other women walked through the door with a camera following behind.
"We've already started the pillow fighting," a woman with a stellar smile asked in an Australian accent.
I was so caught off guard and embarrassed, I couldn't manage to say anything. Luckily, the accent was enough to coax Vena out of her hiding spot, "Are you from down under? Have you picked out your room? You wanna sleep in here with me?"
The woman chuckled, her dark eyes twinkling with amusement. "Yeah, I'm from Australia. And no, I haven't picked a room yet, but thanks for the offer."
Vena grinned, undeterred by the rejection. "Well, if you change your mind, just let me know. We can have a sleepover every night!"
The other woman laughed, her blonde hair bouncing with the movement. "I'll keep that in mind. By the way, I'm Amber, and this is Rachel."
Amber gestured to the woman beside her, who offered a friendly wave. "Nice to meet you both."
With introductions out of the way, we made our way downstairs to the common area, where more castmates were filing into the beach house. Despite my initial apprehension, I found myself enjoying their company. Their easygoing personalities and friendly banter put me at ease. Conversations flowed naturally, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement.
But as the night wore on and the drinks began to flow freely, I started to feel a little out of place. Everyone seemed to be pouring shots of tequila and raising their glasses in toast, but the thought of drinking made my stomach churn with unease. Honestly, just being around alcohol, even casually, had been difficult until a couple of rounds of therapy.
After all the awful crap that my alcoholic put me and my siblings through, I never liked the idea of consuming. It always made me feel like I had something in common with him and that was the last thing I ever wanted. Even though I'd dealt with a lot of the daddy issues, but still felt more comfortable when I was sober.
Thankfully, my discomfort didn't go unnoticed. Amber, the Australian woman, caught sight of my hesitation and offered me a sympathetic smile. "Hey, are you okay? You look a little lost."
I nodded, grateful for her concern. I spared her the back story about my alcoholic father and the emotional scars that he left. Just mentioned for the first time, but probably not the last time, "I'm just not much of a drinker, that's all."
Amber's smile widened. "No worries. I think there's some sparkling mango juice in the fridge. It's non-alcoholic and tastes like heaven. Want me to grab you a glass?"
Relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but return her smile. "That would be amazing, thank you."
It was good. Sweet, but refreshing.
Amber indulged in another glass as well before turning to the eruption of noise in the living room, "I think we might have some more new arrivals."
As we made our way back into the living room, the noise and laughter bounced against the walls. Everyone surrounded the new faces in the room. I was headed in the direction but stopped in my tracks. My heart skipped a beat when I caught sight of a familiar face in the crowd. My jaw dropped down to the floor.
