Collide: Episode Two: A Collide Series, #2

By Nicole Sobon

Even the best of us fall.

One phone call was all it took to disrupt the happiness Gemma Michaels had come to know. Instead of basking in the glow of her newfound romance with Ben, Gemma is forced to watch as her mother fights to overcome her grief, while struggling to deal with her own. When all hope seems lost, Gemma Michaels will find a way to move past her grief and allow herself to be happy.

In the end, love is all that matters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
• Release date: Dec 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781945910470

Nicole Sobon

Nicole Sobon is the author of The Emile Reed Chronicles (Young Adult Science Fiction), the Outbreak duology (Young Adult Dystopian), and various other stories. Her novel, Program 13, was quoted on an episode of Criminal Minds (season 8, episode 13, "Magnum Opus"). She is currently working on Deprogrammed, the second book in the Emile Reed Chronicles, which is set for a late May/early June release. She will also be releasing Collide, a New Adult contemporary romance, in July 2013.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title Page

Collide: | Episode Two | Nicole Sobon

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Catch Up With Collide: Episode One

Stay Tuned for What Happens Next... | Collide: Episode 3...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Collide:

Episode Two

Nicole Sobon

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, places, or events is coincidental and not intended by the author.

If you purchase this book without a cover you should be aware that this book may have been stolen property and reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher. In such case the author has not received any payment for this stripped book.

Collide: Episode Two

Copyright © 2017 Nicole Sobon

All rights reserved.

ISBN Ebook: 978-1-945910-47-0

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Inkspell Publishing

5764 Woodbine

Pinckney, MI 48169

Edited By Rie Langdon

Cover art By Najla Qamber

You can visit us at www.inkspellpublishing.com

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission. The copying, scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law.  Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions, and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO THOSE SUFFERING ALONE.

NEVER GIVE YOUR GRIEF THE POWER TO CONSUME YOU.

Chapter One

Gemma

How had this become my life? I sat in the waiting room, my knees pulled up beneath my chin, trying to make sense of everything taking place around me. But the fact of the matter was all I could think of was my mother. How had I missed the signs? Why wasn’t I able to protect her?

The past few months continued to replay in my thoughts as I sat there, recalling the moment my father had called to tell me the news. My stomach dropped and it was as though my heart had stopped for a few minutes, although I knew that wasn’t actually the case. Everything’s okay, I told myself.

She was fine now. The fact she’d survived should have been enough. My fears should have subsided, but they hadn’t. I’d already lost my brother; I couldn’t bear the thought of losing my mother, too.

A loud buzzing came from inside my pocket. I knew it was probably Ben, but I couldn’t be bothered to answer. I needed time to be by myself, to be inside of my own head, no matter the consequences. I loved him, more than he could possibly know. But my family came first.

You have to sleep eventually, my father said as he took a seat beside me. The waiting room had emptied out in the past hour or so, leaving us alone amid the silence. He handed me a hot cup of coffee and I moved in to lay my head on his shoulder. She’s okay, Gemma. She’s going to be okay. You heard the doctor.

Yes, I heard what the doctor said, but I also know things can change.

And wasn’t that the truth? I’d seen how quickly things had changed with Trey. How his addiction had come back with a vengeance and how quickly it had taken him down for good. It only took a second for something to change forever. One second. A single moment could change everything. So, while everything was okay for the time being, I knew it could change, with the snap of a finger. It was for this reason I wasn’t willing to accept she was out of the clear, just yet.

Well, as much as I’m sure your mother appreciates you spending your nights here, you know as well as I do she would hate to hear you’re not taking care of yourself, love.

I’m fine, Dad. It was a lie and we both knew as much, but it didn’t stop me from saying it aloud. It was easier to pretend than it was to accept how quickly my world had fallen apart, yet again. I promise.

You’re a terrible liar, he said and leaned down to press a quick kiss to my forehead. But seriously, Gemma, go home. Get some sleep. I’ll be by her side. If anything changes, I’ll let you know. You know that.

I reluctantly nodded and reached inside my pocket for my phone. Fifteen missed texts from Molly and five from Ben. I opened Molly’s first, knowing she must have been frantic. She’d been there when I’d received the call. Like her brother, she’d watched as I fell apart; collapsing to the ground as though the wind had been knocked from me. I’d seen the worry in her eyes because she knew. I didn’t need to say a word—she knew.

1:22pm M: Gems, call me, please. I’m worried about you.

3:45pm M: If you don’t call me soon, I swear I’m coming there.

4:17pm M: I lied. I’m sorry, I just don’t know how to help. Tell me?

6:23pm M: I love you, Gems.

A small smile formed on my lips as I quickly typed a response back to her, knowing she wouldn’t stop until I finally did.

I’m okay. I’ll see you tonight, okay? Love you too.

Short and simple. I didn’t need her to know