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

We both chuckle. When we were younger, we never thought she’d be the first one to get married. Now, after dating her fiancé for just over four years, she’s getting ready to tie the knot.

I dab the corner of my lips with a napkin. “I know what you mean. I always pictured you getting married first.”

Erin furrows her brows. “Me?”

I nod. “Yeah, you. You always had steady boyfriends.”

“Steady, yes. But never trustworthy enough once their true colors shone through. Sean and Malcom turned out to be scum.”

I chuckle. Her exes were definitely that and more. “I’m sorry, girl.”

She shrugs. “Hey, it’s fine. I’m not looking for love right now, and especially not this weekend. I plan for us to have a great time in Starling Paradise… it’s going to be the best!”

My eyes light up. “Yes, I can’t wait!”

She adjusts her bag on her shoulder. “Ready to get the show on the road? Kennedy is anxious to see you.”

I smile. “I’m excited to see her, too.”

“All right, let’s get going then. We’ve got so much to do to get ready for this weekend.”

We both rise from our seats and make our way out of the airport. It feels so good to be home and see my girls once again.

As soon as we step outside and I take in the image of palm trees lining the strip of the sidewalks, the afternoon sun shines on my face. I close my eyes, letting the warm sensation embrace my skin. As it does, a million memories from way back when come bursting into the front of my mind and lazy summer days spent wrapped up in his arms cloud my brain.

Damn, it’s been eight years and I still can’t forget the one boy who so long ago stole my heart.

Chapter Three

“Alexa, it’s so good to have you with us again after so long! How was your trip over, sweetie?” Mrs. Cole takes me into her embrace, welcoming me with a smile.

We have just arrived at Mr. and Mrs. Cole’s home, and we’ll all be going out for dinner soon. Everything is just as I remember it. The same old pictures are hanging in frames on the walls, the same knickknacks lining the fireplace… it’s bringing back so many memories. Even ones that I wish wouldn’t right about now.

I inhale, deeply taking a breath. “Thank you, it was good… only a little bit of turbulence this time. How’s the bride-to-be?” I ask as we part.

“She’s good, aside from the typical freak out session every so often regarding the wedding not going to her standards, but besides that, she’s good and currently just adding some finishing touches to her hair,” Mr. Cole asks, walking into the living room. “How’ve you been, Alexa?”

“Mr. Cole, hi,” I reply as he walks toward me, ever the soldier. That’s one thing I can definitely say about him. He’s always carried himself like a military man, with broad shoulders, standing upright.

He brings me in for a quick embrace, and that’s when I hear Kennedy’s shrill voice coming from the staircase.

“She’s here? Is she here?”

Mr. Cole pulls away and his wife stands beside him, the two of them smiling at me.

“Here she comes,” Mrs. Cole responds.

“Lexi!” Kennedy darts toward me and almost throws us to the ground as her arms wrap around me. “Oh, my God! You’re here! You’re finally here!”

I chuckle to myself. “Hi, Kennedy. It’s so good to see you, too. I’m so happy to be here.” She’s changed so much from the headstrong teenager she used to be back in high school. It’s like she’s an entirely different person. Back then, she was always hanging around with the wrong crowd.

“You guys act like you haven’t seen one another in decades,” Erin walks into the room, finally making her way in from outside.

Everyone shoots her a look as Kennedy loosens her grip on me.

“It’s been at least two or three years, sweetheart,” Mrs. Cole answers, side-eyeing her daughter.

I look back at Kennedy, who still has a hold of my hands in hers and now looks like she’s about to cry tears of joy. “Hey, it’s all good. I’m here, and ready for your big day!” I grip her hands tighter and flash her a dashing smile.

Kennedy’s smile fades. “At least you are.”

She lets go of my hands and spins around, walking toward the couch. As she reaches it, she plops down. I can’t help but look from one person to the next in the room, trying to find some answers.

Mrs. Cole goes to sit next to her daughter while Mr. Cole excuses himself, taking a call in the next room.

Finally, once my eyes land on Erin, she answers my silent concerns. “She’s been freaking out over the wedding for the past two weeks. I think it’s finally dawning on her that she’s going to be a married woman in just a matter of days, and it’s getting to her. No more single and ready to mingle.”

Erin chuckles hard, but her sister doesn’t find her comment the least bit amusing.

“Ugh, it’s not that, Er, and you know it! I love Max!” she says of her fiancé. I’d only met him once before, and he seemed like a great guy.

Kennedy slams her head against her mother’s shoulder, who instantly wraps her arm around her, comforting her. “Shhh, don’t get yourself so upset and worked up, Kennedy.” Mrs. Cole looks up at me and says, “She’s just worried the day she worked so hard for is going to go terribly wrong.”

Kennedy snaps her head up and looks directly at me. “I’m not worried! I’m terrified! There’s a difference. I’ve heard plenty of horror stories from my friends! Everything can go all wrong if one little detail is missing or if something gets mixed up.” Her head goes back down and once again Mrs. Cole resorts to caressing her back.

“Ugh!” Erin roars, stomping across the room and only stopping once she’s standing just inches away from her sister. “Listen,