Discovery: Out of Body, Out of Mind, #1

By Imogen Karr

Joel Stanton had always had his feet firmly on the ground. As a reporter he only dealt in facts, what he could see and touch. His only weakness was his high school girlfriend, Laura whom he wanted back in his life permanently. He couldn't have imagined what was waiting for him to challenge, not only that dream but everything else that was logical and stable about his existance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stansedge Media
• Release date: Jul 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781507019511

Book preview

Out of Body, Out of mind - Discovery

Joel Stanton could never be accused of being the romantic type. He was more of a practical soul who carefully evaluated every option for its pros and cons. The only person this aspect of his personality did not apply to was Laura. Laura was his high school girlfriend. They met in the tenth grade and spent a lot of firsts together. When Joel graduated and headed off to college Laura was still a senior and their relationship became just another childhood memory.

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It was not until Joel had moved back to his hometown of Blairsville that they had the opportunity to rekindle it. Laura was even more beautiful than he recalled. She had let her blonde hair grow long, and her blue eyes were as bright and enticing as ever. Her body was slim and toned as a result of her love of outdoor activities. She had gone to college and now was doing well in her job as a legal secretary. It seemed as if every aspect of her life was falling into place.

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Every aspect, that was, except for romance. She had yet to find anyone who stirred her interest as deeply as Joel once had. Of course they both regarded the passion they experienced in their youthful relationship as a product of that innocence, of that hormone inspired time in their lives when the whole world seemed to exist inside of each others eyes.

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When Joel returned home to be closer to his family and his best friend, he had not expected to be so stunned by the sight of Laura. As a reporter for the local paper he would often run into her in the small town, and though they would smile politely and offer each other superficial small talk, neither was brave enough to say what they were really thinking, or feeling.

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One night while sharing a few beers with his best friend Michael, he confessed to what had been consuming him since he returned to Blairsville several years before.

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I just can't get her off my mind, Joel explained as he ran his hand back through his light brown hair. His green eyes fell closed as he took a long swallow of his beer. Every time I see her I can't believe I let her go, I can't believe that I ever thought there might be someone else out there for me.

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Michael laughed as he handed his friend another cold beer. You've got it bad buddy, he smirked. Michael was not the type to fall in love. He was a bit thicker even than Joel's athletic build and had used his size to his advantage. He offered a tough attitude and enjoyed playing up the bad boy image when he and Joel were out on the town. Women flocked to him, as if drawn in by his dark brown eyes that held very little emotion but a good amount of charisma.

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Joel was often jealous of the way he was able to attract women so easily. He would smooth back his dark brown hair, cast a wink in a woman's direction, and she would slide right up to the bar beside him, enthralled by his distant attitude and roaming eyes. Michael maintained his reputation by never being seen with the same woman twice.

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Don't you think it's time we thought about the future? Joel said as he popped open the lid on the new beer. I mean, we're not getting any younger, don't you want a family one day?

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Joel had weighed up his options and knew that if he did decide he wanted marriage and children, his time was running out. He was