In this post, I wanted to share a “sneak peek” of The New Girl in Town. Here’s an excerpt from one of the stories titled, “Our Girl.”
I suppose every high school had one. I know ours did.
Her name was Heather, the worst kept secret of the senior class. And by late fall she had become a staple of our adolescent preoccupation with the carnal.
Heather was everyone’s girl.
Like vitamins, she kept us healthy. And many of us took her, once a day.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Because all of that happened later . . . after I forced myself to sweep away the memory of our first kiss, after the lingering scent of her perfume on my shirt had evaporated, after I heard the first snickers and the poorly disguised innuendo.
Because before I knew the truth—before I felt the sinking nausea sweep through me as I finally realized who they were talking about—Heather was my girl.
At first, I refused to believe it—it had to be a mistake. Why would she need to share her body with others? She wasn’t that kind of girl—the kind who would cheat on me and lie about it. The whole idea was insane.
But as others stepped up to confirm the rumors that, apparently, I was the last to hear, it became clear she was exactly that kind of girl.
Even with such overwhelming proof, I searched for a reason to doubt the accusations. Confronting her accusers, I demanded details—when, where, and with whom. Like all teenage boys eager to brag about their sexual conquests, they were happy to oblige.
They held nothing back, describing the features of her body in the same way a cartographer defines the features of a relief map—her full, rounded breasts crowned with small nipples, the small, clover-shaped birthmark on her right hip—and then adding how the muscles in her thighs flexed in synchronized cadence as her torso rose to meet theirs with every thrust.
That afternoon, just hours after I learned the truth, I waited for Heather in the parking lot, just like I always did. For four months, I’d picked her up and driven her to and from school—because it was what you did when you were a couple.
At first, I’d thought about leaving without her, letting her find her own way home. But I had questions. And I wanted answers—from her.
A strangling lump rose in my throat as I saw her emerge from the crowd. Running up to me, she stretched high on her toes to kiss me, forcing me to use every ounce of self-control I could muster.
Not here. Not now. Wait until we’re down the road. When the others—the ones who already know—won’t see us arguing.
Without saying a word, I opened the car door and watched her scoot across the front seat of my ’89 Chevy—to sit close, shoulder to shoulder—just as she always did. For her, the day was no different—her smile, her arm around my shoulder, the softness of her lips on mine. All the same—for her.
But for me, everything was different.
I’m so grateful for the reviews the book has received so far.
5.0 out of 5 stars - The New Girl In Town - This was an ah-mazing book. I have read all of Jaye Frances' books but this was the best by far. Her descriptions of all the characters leaves you with wanting more page after page. I was sad it ended. I am looking forward to her next exciting novel! Way to go Jaye. You hit another one out of the park!”
5.0 out of 5 stars - "Poignant and thought-provoking, leaves a smile on your face or a tear in your eye sometimes both." The New Girl in Town author Jaye Frances explores the many facets of human emotion in the several short stories and in the longer work which bears the book's title. Each is poignant and thought provoking, leaving either a smile on your face or a tear in your eye and sometimes both. Captures the adolescent sexual awakening and explores the longing of what might have been.”
The New Girl in Town is available in eBook and Paperback at TheNewGirlBook.com
Many thanks again for your support,
Until next time,
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P.S. If you’d like to watch the YouTube Book Trailer for The New Girl in Town, just Click this link.
Coming up next from Jaye Frances:
In case you missed the last post …
Jaye Frances is the author of seven books including The New Girl in Town and the suspense thriller trilogy World Without Love. Storyteller, truth-seeker, and optimist, Jaye explores relationships, philosophy, and the complexities of life - a day at a time. Jaye’s books are available at JayeFrancesBooks.com