The unexpected match the.., p.1
The Unexpected Match (The Unexpected Series Book 1), page 1
The Unexpected Match
THE UNEXPECTED SERIES
L. CLARA
First Edition published by 2024
Copyright © 2024 by L. Clara
Edited by CPR Editing
Cover Design by Maree Rose
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
This is a work of fiction that includes sexually explicit language and situations. All characters portrayed in sexual situations are 18 or older.
L. Clara asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.
Contents
Note from the author
Trigger & content warnings
Playlist
Glossary
Prologue Part One
Prologue Part Two
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Epilogue
Additional titles by L. Clara
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Note from the author
If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please reach out for help.
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 Text “START” to 88788
If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or going through a crisis, you can call or text the 988 Lifeline, which provides 24/7, free, and confidential support. Call or text them by dialing 988 or live message/chat with them at their website: https://988lifeline.org
This book does not depict a healthy open/polyamorous relationship and should not be taken as a guide on how to open a relationship.
Trigger & content warnings
Include but are not limited to:
Divorce
Manipulation
Cheating (not main love interests)
Abuse
Death
Murder
Domestic Violence
Anxiety
Depression
Attempted Suicide
Sexually explicit scenes
Please feel free to reach out to L. Clara at lcturnspages@gmail.com with any questions regarding triggers.
To my grandmother: MomMom, if you really thought my first book had too much of “the sex” close this one and don’t look back.
Playlist
Check out The Unexpected Match Playlist on Spotify.
(Tap Search in the Spotify app, tap the camera icon, scan, and viola!)
Glossary
Howya: Hi, Hello
Tá brón orm: My apologies/I’m sorry
A mhuirnín: Darling
A thaisce: Treasure
Mo stór: My Treasure
Boyo: boy or man
Bodach: Low-life
Fine-thing: Good looking woman/man
Tá tú foirfe: You are perfect
Mo ghrá: My Love
Táim i ngrá leat: I’m in love with you
Mo shíorghrá: Eternal Love
Prologue Part One
HADLEY
Five years ago
After five years, today is the day! We’re getting married!
Attending high school together and being separated by several cities at different colleges, it feels surreal, as if this is the path we have always been on since the day we met. Before we left for college, Andy confessed that he knew he would marry me one day, but part of me didn’t believe him. I knew the statistics of long-distance relationships, especially in those first few years of college.
Eventually, we couldn’t take it anymore, and Andy transferred to Lyndon University just outside Central Falls to be with me. I was ecstatic, and from that moment on, I had no doubt that we would last. The odds were against us, yet here we stand.
I stare into the dark eyes of my high school sweetheart, Andy James. His soft blond hair is mussed like he ran his fingers through it too many times while waiting for our moment. This man is so beautiful; he is mine, and I am his.
“Do you, Andy Michael James, take Hadley Veronica Lancaster to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Pastor Giovanni asks while Andy and I gaze into each other’s eyes at the front of the church before our family and friends.
After hearing Andy say, “I do,” the rest of the ceremony is a blur. I know I recite my vows, but after that, everything is a joyous haze.
We are herded around with the wedding party for pictures. Thankfully, it is a cooler day for June. If it was any warmer, my makeup would melt off. A nice breeze blows just enough to keep everyone comfortable while we are instructed on who is next. Between the bridesmaids and groomsmen, we have six people besides Andy and me to get photographs of. Then our parents and grandparents are on top of that.
I’m ready for a drink once we finally make our grand entrance. I love Andy and my family—honestly, I do—but damn. A girl can only take so much.
Thankfully, Ryan, my best friend since junior high, has a screwdriver ready for me when Andy and I make it to our table. She looks beautiful in the dress we chose for her as my maid of honor. Her shoulder-length blonde hair is curled in soft waves, and her peach-colored smokey eye that she chose makes her milk chocolate eyes pop.
“Congrats, babe!” She smiles as she hands me my drink.
“I am so happy!” I shout gleefully, even if I am a little buzzed.
Andy and I sway back and forth to “Our Song” by Taylor Swift, lost in each other.
With the biggest grin plastered on his face, he brushes his lips against my ear. “I love you so much, Hadley.”
We sing along with the music until it fades into the next song, and most of our guests join us on the dance floor.
My man’s Tardis-blue tux is taut over his broad chest and muscular arms. He looks sexy as hell. He spins me in a circle around the dance floor, his arms wrapped tight around my waist, keeping me close. The evening fades into night, and night fades into the early morning hours before the reception guests part ways.
We just signed on our first house two days ago, right in the heart of Central Falls. Boxes have yet to be unpacked. We had no time between being handed the keys and walking down the aisle. I’m nervous to get home tonight. We’ve made love before, but this feels different. Like it’s the first time for the rest of our lives.
Jana Kramer had it wrong. I had the boy, but I also get the man.
Prologue Part Two
CONNOR
It’s been a week since I got the call. I haven’t come to terms with the news. Colin was so young, only twenty-nine. This shite just isn’t fair. He had so much more to do in this life.
I step off the plane to see my baby sister and nephew. Alannah’s cherry-colored hair is tied in a low knot at the base of her neck. Her jade-green eyes are hidden behind a pair of sunglasses that are too large for her face. The evidence of tears is clear in Sean’s eyes, which look bloodshot; I can see the puffiness in both of their faces, even behind her sunglasses.
My brother-in-law is dead, killed instantly in a head-on collision with a drunk driver. The driver suffered the same fate, though I don’t know how to feel about that. It seems as though she got off easy, yet her family doesn’t deserve the same pain we’re going through.
No matter how much we begged and pleaded for Alannah to return to Ireland, she refused. She couldn’t uproot her boyo. I can’t blame her. He’s been through more than anyone at eight years old should ever have to endure.
I made a promise to Alannah when we were kids. I will always see her as a baby, even now at twenty-eight. Being the oldest, with a twelve-year age gap, I had to care for her growing up, especially after Ma passed away when Alannah was two. Da had to work two jobs just t
The promise from our childhood seemed like it shouldn’t even need to be uttered. Knowing how stubborn my baby sister is, though, she wouldn’t have asked if I hadn’t vocalized it. She knew I would drop everything and be there if she ever needed me. There was no question when she told me the news; I needed to be here. It took a week to finalize the details of replacing my CEO position at O’Sullivan TeicNet. Now that I’m here, I can concentrate on helping my family recover from the grief of losing Colin.
I didn’t expect to stay as long as I have, but the longer I am around Sean, the harder it is to say goodbye. Eventually, finding a position with DL Technologies Inc. has allowed me to stay put and continue helping my sister raise Sean.
Chapter One
HADLEY
I had to rush home from the gym. Andy and I have made it a point to have a date night each Friday night at eight p.m., and I’m cutting it so close to being able to get ready by the time he gets home.
My session with Kat went over what we planned, though if I’m honest, it usually does. We always get to talking and forgot that we’re supposed to be working out together. We have gotten so close since meeting at the gym after I decided to quit my job.
Andy and I wanted a child so badly that we decided that I should take on less stress, which led to me leaving my dream career as a teacher, at least for now. I will say it’s been less stressful with no asshole boss micromanaging my every breath, but I’m not the biggest fan of having to rely solely on Andy for everything.
“Hadley?” I hear him shouting from the foyer as I put the last touches on my makeup.
Taking one last glance in the mirror, I admire my form-fitting teal dress. It hugs my soft curves in all the right ways. My dark hair is in romantic curls and my makeup is applied perfectly, just enough to brighten my complexion with a golden smokey eye, which makes my baby blues pop. I smirk at myself before heading out to see my man.
“Coming, honey!” I shout and giggle to myself.
That’s what she said.
I walk down the stairs to find him leaning against the doorframe.
“Hi, handsome! How was your day?”
I admire him as I approach. His broad chest fills out his navy suit so deliciously.
“It was fine. Let’s go. We’re going to be late.”
Andy opens the door and motions for me to walk out to the car.
“I told you I had reservations at Providence,” he scolds as he closes his door, leaving me to rush to the passenger side.
“I know, honey. I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to be late.” I close the passenger door and buckle myself in as he stares at me. “We should still make it on time, though. The restaurant called to confirm our reservation today, and it’s for eight-fifteen. They said that there was an issue with their booking system and they couldn’t get us our usual time.”
I’m shocked when he turns his cheek just as I lean in to kiss him, and my stomach flips unpleasantly. It’s our tenth and fifth anniversary tonight: ten from when we first started dating, and five since we got married. Anxiety rushes into my chest as I feel a dread that makes my stomach drop. I know something is wrong; I just can’t put my finger on what.
He is way too quiet on the drive over to the restaurant. There is a tension in his jaw that just doesn’t make sense. His hands are gripping the steering wheel so tightly, his knuckles turn white. Usually, we chat about his day and how work has been. He has become so much more distant lately, ignoring calls or texts and canceling plans at the last minute. I thought work was just becoming overwhelming, but now I’m not sure what it could be.
We arrive at Providence, and the valet greets us upon exiting the car.
“Hi, Jim!” I smile at the thin older gentleman who has been here since our first date after we got married.
“Hi, sweet girl. How’s my favorite couple? It’s your anniversary tonight, isn’t it?”
Jim is always a staple in our Friday night dates, constantly checking in on us. He is simply the sweetest. His thinning hair has gone white in the years since we started dining there.
Andy walks off quietly, and I notice he is looking at his phone with a smile on his face that I haven’t seen in a while. Maybe I’m just overreacting.
“Aww, Jim! You remembered?” I wrap my arms around him in a quick hug. “We’re good. How are you? Did your daughter have your grandbaby yet?”
After a few moments of conversation catching up on the past week with Jim, we head inside at ten after eight. As usual, the maître d’ greets us with a friendly smile and walks us right to our table.
Once the wine has been served, I attempt to coax Andy into a conversation.
“How was your day? Did you get the contract you’ve been working on signed today?” I ask, offering a sweet smile.
“Yeah.” He glances at me with no emotion, meeting my gaze before he continues with the confidence of Shenzi just before Mufasa showed up to rescue Simba and Nala.
Then he says the five words every woman dreads.
“Listen, we need to talk.”
My heart starts pounding in my chest. This can’t be happening.
I can barely get an “okay” out, and just nod for him to continue.
“I love you, Had. I will love you forever, but I’m not really happy. I haven’t been for a while,” he sighs.
It takes several moments for the words to sink in.
Our entire relationship flashes before my eyes with thoughts of where I went wrong. All I have ever tried to do is take care of him. My heart lurches in my chest, the shock internally tearing me apart.
“You’re leaving me?” I choke on a sob that has been trying to claw its way out of my throat.
My eyes drop to the floor, confusion over what has transpired in the last twenty-four hours consuming me. I lose all sense of my surroundings as panic clouds my vision. I can’t breathe.
“What? No.” He shakes his head and is beside me with his arms around me instantly. “I don’t want to leave you. I just want to experience…more.”
“I don’t understand,” I tremble out, the words barely audible through my shallow breaths. “What more could you want to experience?”
He stares at me for several moments. Glancing around the room, he looks like he’s having trouble finding the words.
That is, until he blurts out, “I need more in bed. There is just so much more to explore than what you can provide me. I mean, you say you’ll try anything at least once, but the last time I tried to fuck your ass, you pushed me away.”
Taking a quick breath, he continues.
“I told you, I love you. But you can’t tell me you’re satisfied.”
My eyes widen, and I laugh, the tears drying.
“This is a joke, right?” I shake my head as if to clear the conversation from recent memory. “We just had sex last night. I have had every first with you, and I’ve never been against anything you’ve wanted to try.”
Andy blanches.
“Lower your voice.” He glances around, as if we’re close enough for anyone else to hear our conversation. “We’ve only ever been with one another. Don’t you want to explore more? I told you, I don’t want to leave you.”
I can’t find the words to respond. He takes that as an invitation to continue.
“I just want to have a well-rounded life experience. I think we need to open our marriage. We will both be able to get that experience while still having each other.”
My world as I know it comes crumbling down around me.
“I love you, Hadley, but I need this freedom for us to work.” His voice is quiet, but firm.
The only way to keep my husband is to allow him to sleep with other people?
What. The. Fuck?
Chapter Two
HADLEY
Four months later
