All Out of Love

By Lisa Metallo

"""At 27 years old, Laura's life is going exactly as planned. She has a great job, a loving family, and is engaged to her true love....until everything changes. Suddenly Laura is forced to recreate her reality and embark on unknown adventures in love and friendships.  

Rather than a romantic honeymoon, Laura head

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Apr 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9789360491802

Book preview

All Out of Love

Lisa Metallo

Ukiyoto Publishing

All global publishing rights are held by

Ukiyoto Publishing

Published in 2023

Content Copyright © Lisa Metallo

ISBN

All rights reserved.

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

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

This is a work of fiction. 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.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated, without the publisher's prior consent, in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

www.ukiyoto.com

This is dedicated to all the men in my life who inspired these stories, to every woman who has struggled to find love, and most importantly to my family who has loved me unconditionally, and taught me to never settle for anything but true love!

Contents

The Beginning Is The End

Mind Over Matter

One Too Many Coincidences

Falling for Florence

Where There's A Will, There's A Way

Done

Set Ups & Spinach Dip

Summer Girl, Winter Boy

Insomnia

Unexpected Adventures

Ahoy Matey!

Back on Land

You're On Your Own Girl!

Unwanted Reunions

College Street Boys

The Ghost Of Valentine Past

New York, Baby

Big Apple, Dirty Sink

Promising Set Ups

Fear Trumps Chemistry Every Time!

Dating Adventures

Flee To The Sea

Coffees & Cigarettes

Night Of Possibilities

College Street Redeems Itself

The Best Ones Are Sometimes Short Lived

Back to Matchmaking

Months Pass, Suspicion Grows

Upsetting Discoveries

Prom Night Confessions

Mall Realizations

Avoiding Temptations

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

New Year & Unwanted Drama

Bittersweet

Gay Men Never Let You Down

The Powers That Be

Always Bobby, Never Walter

Winter Comes Early

Years Pass, But Time Stands Still

An Unrecognizable Life

Early Stages

Dinner Interrupted

Once Upon A Time…

Killing Spiders & Crushing Egos

Taking Chances & Deflecting Blame

It All Explodes

Secrets Revealed

A Family's Love

Betrayed by the Law

Temper Tantrum

The Comfort Of Family

Unstable at Sea

Dreams & Distorted Reality

Safe & Sound

Closure

Renewal & Rebirth

The End Is The Beginning

About the Author

The Beginning Is The End

L

aura was twenty-seven years old, and although her little breasts perked through her silk blouse as they did when she was only a teenager, she felt that she was getting older. She was definitely delighted about one thing: she was getting married to the most wonderful man who she had been dating for the past six and a half years. She had been engaged for about a year and the long-anticipated day was soon arriving.

James, her fiancé, was a gentle man whose mysterious nature was both intriguing and sexy. He was eyed at parties, and Laura knew how lucky she was to be marrying him. They were viewed as the perfect couple, kinda like the ones you only see in magazines: both with dark hair, tanned skin, and bright smiles. By her side, he felt confident and complete. She often finished his sentences, and he didn't seem to mind since it reminded him how well she knew him. He was also fairly quiet in most social settings, so he never felt nervous when she was around because he knew she could always rescue him from awkward conversations. These conversations usually occurred at family gatherings (her family, of course) and the talk revolved around his future career plans.

So, James, you've been a plumber for over four years now. Are you thinking of owning your own business? You know, being your own boss? asked Uncle Angelo.

Well, I've—

"Because I have a friend who opened up his own business a few years ago, Flush It, maybe you've heard of it? Anyway, he is doing so well now that he barely has to work at all. He has around six guys working for him, and all he has to do now is add up his profits at the end of the month. So, you should really look into it and do something now while you're young. Pretty soon, you and Laura will be married, and having kids and you won't want to take that risk. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about," Uncle Angelo claimed, just before he walked away to grab another dessert from the dinner table.

That's usually how Uncle Angelo's talks ended: reminding everyone of his wisdom. He claimed to always know someone who did something, and since he knew him, Uncle Angelo seemed to have the solution to everyone's problems. It was quite annoying, and demeaning at times, but Laura was used to his famous Trust me, I know everything! speeches.

As James stood there alone in the corner of the dining room, he became restless. He usually did it at family functions since he wasn't used to them. His extended family was in Italy, so it was easy for him to escape the rare family lunches of five at his mom's place. But with Laura's family, it was a bit more complicated. He caught Laura's eye as she was in the midst of a conversation with her mom about the cookies she had baked, and he gave her the look. You know, that one that all couples have to signal that they are ready to leave. Laura caught on, and after saying their many goodbyes, the two of them headed home.

The car ride was quieter than usual. Laura had attempted to talk about how nice the party was, and how great it was to reconnect with her cousins, but James seemed disinterested. He got like this sometimes, and although it really bothered Laura, she somewhat understood. After all, she had eight aunts and uncles, and over thirty cousins, not to mention her cousins' kids. It must have been overwhelming for him.

Did you have a good time? she asked.

Yeah, it was alright. I just hate talking to your Uncle Angelo. He always has this way of making me feel like I'm doing nothing with my life, and that I need to hurry up or something.

Don't get upset over that. He does that to everyone. You just have to remember that he means well. Besides, once we're married, he'll lay off of career-talk and start hounding us about starting a family. Laura laughed.

James was silent.

James, I'm kidding, she explained. She sensed there was something else bothering him. What's wrong with you? Ever since your cousin came to visit two weeks ago, you seem to be on edge.

He hesitated, and stopped himself from getting upset. He hated when she blamed his behaviour on another person. It's like she thought he was so impressionable that anyone could influence him.

I don't know. I've just been thinking that when we get married, things can't change too much. Like, I still want us to go out with our friends every weekend, and do the stuff we do now.

"What do you mean, James? Our lives are going to change; we're getting married. Obviously, we're still going to go out with our friends, but it's not going to be the same. We'll have a mortgage to pay, a budget that we need to stick to…" She was totally thrown and desperate to find the right words to say.  She knew James had not been himself and had been struggling with his parent's recent separation. After thirty-three years of marriage, his dad got up and left. He had been having an affair for the past fifteen years, and was leaving his wife for another woman.

I know it'll be different, but things can't change too much. I've dealt with enough change at home these past two months with my mom, and I just can't take it, alright? Things just can't change too much! He was getting angry now, and his voice was colder than before. I'm just saying, I know we'll be on a budget and stuff, but I'm still going to go out and do what I want sometimes. Like, I just may go out one day and spend four hundred dollars on whatever, and not let you know first. Or I may play cards with the guys one night, and end up losing two hundred bucks.

Laura sat there, speechless.

Listen, he said, I'm just telling you this now so that you're not surprised later.

She was angry now, as though his last point was supposed to make her feel better. As if he would be let off the hook for preparing her now for his future mistakes. "Well, I want you to know that I want a husband who makes decisions with me, not a roommate who tells me stories after the fact. Her voice was getting louder and stronger now. And it sounds like you don't want the same thing. Do you even want to get married?"

And without a moment of hesitation, he admitted, I don't think so.

Her stomach sank to the bottom of the seat as a million thoughts entered her head. Get me out of this damn car! Why aren't we home yet? Why didn't I drive? Why did I ask him that? How long has he wanted out of this? What just happened?

Listen, he pleaded.

"No, you listen! I'm not going to walk down that aisle in four months if you don't want to marry me. I deserve the best, and I want someone who will be so excited to marry me that he can't wait for me to walk down that aisle! I want someone who is strong enough to see other marriages fall apart and not run from a solid relationship because he's too scared of the what-ifs. Your cousin comes to visit two weeks ago, tells you how he left his wife, and has never felt freer, and suddenly your feelings change? That's bullshit! Your cousin left two young kids and his beautiful wife, just because he was like so many other messed up men in this world experiencing a midlife crisis! Life will be hard, James; not everything is going to be smooth, but if you're going to run away because you're too fucken coward to face it, then I don't want anything to do with you." The words spilled out of her mouth and she was unable to stop herself. Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she continued to argue her point.

He remained silent.

What am I going to do now? she cried, What am I going to tell my family? What am I going to tell everyone at work? I can't believe this is happening.

I will take care of cancelling everything, James said. Don't worry. It's my decision, so I'll take care of it.

What are you talking about? I have everything! Laura yelled. I have all the contracts, the phone numbers and papers. Holy shit! I can't believe this is happening. Get me out of this car! I have to get out of this car. She was frantic, and hadn't even noticed the car had been stopped in front of her parents' house already.

With shaky hands, she tugged at the car door, and pushed it open with her entire foot.

I'm really sorry, he cried as she slammed the door shut. He drove away before she even got to the front porch.

Once inside, Laura looked at her reflection in the mirrored sliding doors at the entrance. She slid to the ground and began to sob uncontrollably. She was defeated, and thankful she was alone at that moment to soak it in. She was a twenty-seven-year-old woman who was supposed to get married in four months, and now had to cancel everything. Her heart was broken, her ego was shattered, and she was ashamed to tell anyone. But she knew she had no choice. In that brief car ride home, her entire life plans were changed. She would no longer wear that gorgeous white Givenchy gown, and her family would not celebrate one of the most important days of her life. The wedding was off, and she had to cancel all of the plans that she spent so much time making. She had to deal with all of it.

By the time her family came home, Laura had gathered her thoughts and cried herself dry. She was dehydrated, and emotionally drained. When her parents and three sisters entered the kitchen, she was sitting at the table.

What's wrong? Why this sad face? her dad asked.

It's over. The wedding is off. James freaked out, and said he can't do it. She was mechanical now, and she spoke frankly.

Unprepared for what he had just heard, her dad did what he would always do in a family crisis: he began grinding the beans to make an espresso.

Her sisters were shocked, as her mom rushed over to hug her.

Don't worry, her mom whispered as she pressed Laura's head into her chest. You'll be okay. We will deal with this together. If he doesn't realize how lucky he is to have you, then you're better off without him.

She knew her mom was right, but it just hurt too much to believe this right now. One moment she agreed with her, and the next, she wanted to rush to the phone and call James.

What happened? I don't understand, expressed Sandra. He seemed fine tonight. I was even joking with him about how many cookies we were all eating and that maybe the bridesmaids would have to get refitted for our dresses.

I don't know. One minute he was talking about Zio Angelo, and the next he was telling me that he didn't want anything to change once we were married.

Zio Angelo is an idiot! her dad chimed in.

Okay, Pa! Could you please stop grinding that coffee? I could barely hear Laura! Sophia shouted. She went to sit on the edge of Laura's seat, and shoved her over so they were now sharing the chair. I just can't believe it. You guys seemed so happy. But don't worry, Laur, he'll realize he's an idiot and that he's just lost everything.

Being the two younger sisters, Sophia and Laura were best friends and shared everything. Sophia knew that James had been acting weird from a few weeks ago when his cousin came to visit, but she had not foreseen this.

Christina, the oldest sister, was standing behind Laura's chair, crying. She felt awful and didn't know the words to say to comfort her sister. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Laura's shoulders.

They stayed like that for a while; all three sisters, Laura and her mom embraced in a big hug. All of them were crying now, feeling the betrayal of someone they all loved for many years. Although they each shared a different relationship with James, he had become part of their family.

What the hell is going on here? Who died? asked Anthony, Sandra's husband. He always had a way of lightening the mood, even when he wasn't trying.

Laura laughed, amidst the tears.

James broke up with her, stupid, Sandra responded.

Oh… said Anthony dumbfounded. Well, at least no one died.

Okay, that's enough. Let's have our coffee before it gets cold, her dad suggested as he began placing the espresso cups on the table. Her mom leaped to her feet to get the cookie plate that she had brought home from the party, as if they all hadn't eaten enough. But this is what they did when problems happened—they'd have a coffee together and ragione, or reason out, as her dad would say.

Christina, with her husband John, sat and listened. They had already been married five years now, and understood the sacrifices that had to be made for a marriage to work.

Marriage is not always easy, you know, responded John. If he can't deal with his own issues now, imagine when you're married.

I'm so sorry that this is happening to you, Laura, wept Christina. It's just not fair. You are a beautiful girl and you deserve the best.

Thanks, Laura said, squeezing her sister's hand. I know, and I told him that if he doesn't want to marry me, I will find someone who will. Laura assured her family that she would be okay, and deep down, she knew she would be. She was a strong woman and she always said she would never settle. Full of conviction, she knew that what happened would inevitably change the course of her life, but that she would be stronger for it.

The next morning, she woke up early, walked to the local convenience store, and bought a newspaper. She sat on the curb with her Tim Horton's coffee, and turned to the Travel section. She had to get out of here, and fast. She was determined to cancel all the wedding plans that day, and be out of the country within the next twenty-four hours. She didn't care where she was going, so long as it