Shattered (St. Austell Series, Book 1) by Joelle Habbaki

Author:Joelle Habbaki [Habbaki, Joelle]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Romance, Fiction
Published: 2021-04-27T00:00:00+00:00

Bright white, round foil balloons peek through the floor, distracting me from my thoughts. Many more appear as Edward climbs the stairs. Each of the balloons is attached to a sparkling strand lit with several small LED lights.

“We’re out here on this boat for a reason,” he announces while setting down the bunch of balloons and spreading out a white plush throw on the floor.

I observe in silent amazement as this enchanting setting unfolds before me.

“My lady.” Edward extends his hand to me.

He helps me down onto the soft surface and sits facing me. The small lights from the balloon strings light our area perfectly and sparkle in his dazzling eyes.

He watches me cautiously as he speaks. “You opening up to me about your brother means a lot. I can tell you two were close.”

“Very.” I nod sadly.

“I know it’s difficult leaving the house where you have so many memories of the two of you. But from what I gather, Jake was way too spirited to be confined to a single room.”

He spreads his arms and looks around adding, “The vast ocean seems a lot more fitting.”

I take in our vast surroundings and his meaningful words. Jake’s energy is bigger than a bedroom in a house. The ocean is definitely a lot more appropriate. I feel my heart open up at the realization.

Edward pulls down a balloon and turns it towards me.

“Jake,” I read my brother’s name out loud. It is printed right there in large black letters.

“It’s time you reconciled sweetness,” he tells me softly.

He pulls two black markers out of his pocket and extends one to me. “This one is for you.”

“It’s got my name on it.” I notice the letters of my name imprinted in white.

“Consider it your personal line to Jake.”

“You get one too?”

“I also have some things to say to him. If you don’t mind…”

I shake my head, smiling, and then it dawns on me… “We’re going to write messages on the blank side?”

“And release them to the heavens above.” He nods.

My eyes water as I look up at all the balloons with Jake’s name on them.

“I feel there’s a lot you’d like to say to him,” he points out.

My heart squeezes at the notion of how much I would love to speak with him. How much I miss him. So much so it hurts my insides when I think about it. A hot tear escapes, followed by several more. I shakily twirl my personalized marker between my fingers.

“You should go first,” he declares, tenderly wiping my tears away.

I sniffle and take the balloon from him. I start with the regret I burst at the seams with whenever I think of Jake:

SORRY FOR OUR FIGHT THAT NIGHT

U R NOT SELFISH

I DIDN’T MEAN IT

My vision blurs and my lips quiver, stifling a sob at the memory of our argument that night and what would end up being my last words to my brother.

“It’s okay sweetness… It’s okay to let yourself feel what you need to feel. It’s not healthy to keep it suppressed.

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