Shattered Heart (The Hart Series) by Ann Stewart, Stephanie Nash Read Free Book Online Page A

me.
    While I twirl my
phone over and over again in my hand, I fight the urge to call him.  I know I’m
doing the right thing by not, but that doesn’t mean I can’t pretend to talk to
him while staring at his pictures in my phone.  I removed the picture of us in
San Diego as my screensaver, but I can’t bring myself to delete it completely. 
Its times like these when I need a reminder, a reminder of happier times. 
    Without words, I
stare at his dimply smile; the smile that makes this all worth it.  So, for now
I continue to fight the urge to call him because I know it would end badly. 
I’d end up pushing him away again after saying something awkward and completely
contradictory.  He has enough to worry about without having to deal with my
inconsistencies. 
    I walk to my
cold, empty bed.  I curl into a ball and soak in my sadness as I clutch my
yellow post it to my chest.  I miss you too, Alex.  More than you’ll ever
know.
     
    Saturday, November 17, 2012
    The shrill ring
of my cell phone is not how I wanted to wake up on my Saturday morning. 
I’d finally fallen asleep somewhere between midnight and four a.m., not really
keeping tabs on the time in between the tears and tossing and turning.  With a
groan, knowing that I haven’t had nearly enough sleep, I am seriously irritated
when I see that it’s only six.  But with the thought that something might be
wrong, I peek over at my phone and nearly have a panic attack when I see a
picture of Bryan flash across my screen.
    “Bryan…is
everything okay?  Is Rachel okay?”  Answering the phone in a panic, it takes a
minute before my breath finally catches up to me.
    “Calm down spaz,
everything’s fine.  But, you do need to wake the hell up.  I’ll be there in
twenty, so rise and shine, E.”
    What the…  “Where in the
world would we go at six in the morning, Bryan?  I’m sleeping, so unless
someone’s dying, don’t you dare come over here.”  Rolling over, I pull my
covers over my head. 
    “If you aren’t
dressed and ready to go by the time I get there, I will drag your ass
out of bed.” 
    “Bry-yan…”  My
last whining plead is discarded with the sound of nothingness when the line
disconnects.  I lie in bed contemplating, trying to argue and stomp my feet,
but realize how useless that would be.  Bryan would end up throwing me over his
shoulder, kicking and screaming if he had to.  But then it hits me.  Maybe he
needs my help with Rachel?  Maybe something is wrong.  No…he would have told
me.  Either way, those powerful thoughts are enough to kick my ass in gear. 
I’d do anything for my sister.  Even deal with her relentless other half.
    Still, it is six
in the morning, so as much as I would love to jump out of bed and be all perky,
I am me and clearly still not a morning person.  I don’t do perky.  Instead, I
pace myself and hesitantly get out of bed and head toward the bathroom to wash
my face and brush my teeth.  After pulling my hair into a messy ponytail, I
dress in some faded blue jeans and plain blue t-shirt. 
    By the time
Bryan arrives, entering through my door with a key I didn’t know he had (thanks
Rach), I’m in the process of putting on my socks and shoes.  His tall bulky
frame casually stands in my doorway wearing a pair of baggy jeans and a graphic
t-shirt. 
    “Thank God
you’re out of bed.  I really didn’t wanna drag you, but I was ready for the
fight.”  And just to prove his point, his stance widens, arms pulled up close
to his chest.  Of course that doesn’t last long before he’s doubled over in a
laughing fit, his auburn hair draped over to cover his face, hiding both of his
reddened cheeks.  “Ready to go?”
    “Where exactly
are we going?  Is Rach here?”
    Grabbing me by
the elbow, he drags me to the front door.  “Nope, it’s just the two of us, lil
sis.  Come on.” 
    “Can we at least
stop for coffee on our way to wherever it is you’re dragging me