Shattered: A Salvation Society Novel by Bella Emy (pdf to ebook reader .TXT) 📕

hands and says, “You’re beautiful, Lexi. I love spending time with you, and I’m so grateful you’ve given me a chance to see you.” He pauses, taking a breath and then continues. “But most of all, what I like best about you is your beautiful heart. You’re not one to judge or dismiss me just because I’m not like all the other guys around here.”

Of course he’s not like the other guys. Most of them are assholes, and if I felt he were one, I wouldn’t have agreed to see him outside of school. I wouldn’t have wanted to see him at all.

But he’s been such a sweet guy, and honestly, I can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t kill to be standing right where I am at this moment with him.

“Of course you’re different. You’re not like any of the guys from our school, and that’s a great thing. I love how sweet you are. Most guys are jerks.”

His hands drop, and he looks away just for a second before meeting my gaze once more. Then his hands find mine, and he grabs onto them tightly.

Shaking his head, he says. “I know, but I’m not referring to all that.”

I furrow my brows. “I’m not sure I’m following you then. What do you mean?”

Taking a deep breath, he searches my eyes. “Lexi. I want to give you the world. I haven’t been able to get you off of my mind since the first moment I laid eyes on you, but I don’t even know how to say this. I’m not so well off like so many people in this neighborhood are. My dad and I really struggle to make it through each month and some people treat me differently because of it. But you? You’ve just been real and genuine with me, not having a care in the world about money or how much of it people have.”

“Kalen… I just wa—”

He places his index finger on my lips. “Shush… let me finish, please.”

I swallow thickly. His touch on my lips makes me want to take it into my mouth and kiss and suckle on it. Because the way he makes me feel causes my body to react in ways I never have before.

He moves his finger from my lips and once again takes my hand in his. “I’ve been scared. So scared. I didn’t want you thinking I was a nobody like a lot of people do and run away. And I’m so sorry I have nothing to offer you but myself… no diamond rings, no expensive trips around the world… none of it. I just really like you, Lexi. I like you so much, and I hope you don’t stop talking to me because of all this.”

Now it all makes sense why sometimes when we’d hang out, he would not get ice cream or a soda or anything. He didn’t have the money to waste. I wish I would have known. I’d have no problem getting him something.

He searches my face for something, but I can’t tell what it is. I don’t care if he has a million dollars or a penny. All I care about is him as a person and how he treats me.

“May I?” I ask to see if he’s done speaking so I can let him know how I feel.

Once more, he breathes in deeply, his chest rising and then falling hard. He nods without saying a word this time.

I offer him a small smile, realizing that him telling me what he just did must have been hard for him. Being judged or having people look down on him because he isn’t as fortunate as they are must be tough. Not knowing who your real friends are and whatnot has to be difficult.

“Kalen, the money and all that other stuff? I don’t care about it. I don’t want it.” I search his eyes, hoping he knows I’m serious. “All that stuff doesn’t matter to me. What matters to me is how you feel about me, how you treat me, and right now, I couldn’t ask for anyone better. You’ve been nothing but amazing and sweet and just wonderful to me. And I realize that I’m really starting to like you… a lot.”

A ghost of a smile pulls at the corner of his lips and he visibly relaxes at my words.

He shrugs. “I don’t know. I just want you to know my feelings for you are real and that I would give you the world if I could. I really care about you a lot.” His eyes drop to the ground.

I lift his chin with a finger and wait until his eyes meet mine. “Kalen, all that matters to me is how you treat me and that you care about me.”

Now his smile is back completely. “I really do, Lexi. And I really want to be with you…”

My eyes widen. “Are you asking me what I think you’re asking me?”

He chuckles. “Depends. What are you thinking?”

I giggle. “Are you saying you want to be my man?”

He laughs again. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

I want to squeal. He’s asking me to be his girlfriend, and I can’t imagine this night ending any better than it already is.

“So, what do you say?”

I smile wider than I ever have. “I say… I thought you’d never ask.”

In an instant, his hands grip my waist and he lifts me up into the air. Now I actually do squeal, and as he brings me down, our lips meet, and it’s the best kiss we’ve shared yet.

Correction. This night just got a whole lot better than it was before.

Chapter Thirteen

The bright lights and loud, blaring music fill the warm October evening. It’s a perfect night in Tranquility Creek, and the last month has been the absolute best. Things changed from day to night in an instant, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Kalen has been by my side, and the past couple of weeks, we’ve spent every spare moment together. To say it’s