Collide: Episode Four: The Collide Series, #4

By Nicole Sobon

Engagement? Check.

Stable relationships? Check.

Family drama? Check.

For the first time in what feels like forever, Gemma and Ben are in a good place. He's got a good job, and she's finally able to focus on writing that book she's always wanted to write. Even better? They're on their way to finally making it official as they begin to plan their nuptials.

Unfortunately, though, life is never without its complications and there will be plenty of bumps along the way to "I do."

What's a wedding without some family drama?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
• Release date: Dec 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393595809

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

Collide:

Episode Four

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 Four

Copyright © 2019 Nicole Sobon

All rights reserved.

ISBN Ebook: 978-1-949931-39-6

––––––––

Inkspell Publishing

207 Moonglow Circle #101

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

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.

Chapter One

Gemma

For the first time in a while, life seemed to be going great, which, of course, meant things would only go to Hell sooner or later. Still, I was truly, genuinely happy and for a while, I hadn’t thought being happy would be possible. There were plenty of things I was good at, but overcoming grief? Yeah, that had always been tricky for me, although I was rather positive my anxiety only helped to worsen matters. The two together were like a ticking time bomb, eager to take me down on a minute’s notice. But thankfully, I had Ben and he helped to keep me level-headed when I gave into my insecurities and fears—which happened to be quite a bit, honestly. But even when my anxiety reared its head, I couldn’t deny I’d finally reached a good place.

Earth to Gemma? Ben leaned in and lay his arm over my shoulder. Are you choosing to ignore the topic at hand? Or did you zone out again?

I turned to face him and immediately blushed. I knew what he’d asked, and yeah, I was trying to avoid answering him, but in the process, I’d kind of zoned out of it. Both? I said with a shrug. You know my answer. That hasn’t changed.

So then what’s the issue?

There wasn’t one...was what I should have said. But instead, I chose to play it off, despite knowing he’d call my bluff. The idea of standing before a large group of people to declare my love for you is beyond terrifying, I answered. I love you, but I’m not sure I can endure it.

I’m never going to be able to talk you out of the courthouse idea, am I? Ben tried to conceal his disappointment but failed miserably. It wasn’t as though he wanted the big wedding for him; in fact, he’d been totally on board with heading to the courthouse, until we’d told his mother our plan. We’d only been engaged for a few weeks by then and she’d insisted we work with her on planning the ceremony—much to Ben’s twin sister Molly’s dismay, of course—but as Ben had explained to her, we weren’t looking to do anything big and flashy.

That’s nonsense, she’d proclaimed. Of course you’re going to have a traditional ceremony. It’s about more than the two of you. It’s about bringing together the families and allowing them to celebrate your love, Benjamin!

And they can’t do celebrate our love in a small reception at a park? he’d asked honestly. I fail to see the need to go against Gemma’s wishes simply to please the family.

The moment my name left his lips, Ben’s mother turned her focus toward me. As she’d seen it, her son wasn’t the one fighting her wishes—I was—and she’d see to it she’d win in the long run. Well then, I believe Gemma and I need to spend some time together then. Right, dear?

Ever since then, I’d attempted to completely erase any wedding thoughts from my mind, only to have to hear about it from either Ben or Molly—who’d become a staple at our place in the year since I’d moved in with him. Go figure. While Ben made it clear he was only trying to shut his mother up, Molly was adamant she got to plan some sort of ceremony for us. Truth be told, as much as I wanted to commit myself to Ben, getting married was slowly becoming less and less appealing. It felt as though everyone had their views of how we needed to go about things; but no one seemed to give a damn as to what we wanted.

Why can’t we do something small—for just us? And then throw a massive party after? I finally asked, having realized he was still awaiting a response. This way everyone gets what they want, and I don’t have to worry about being the center of attention at a massive ceremony I’m sure I’d fumble through anyway.

Ben rolled his eyes and pulled me in as close as possible. He pressed a light kiss to the top of my head before and clasped my hand between his. I’m sorry if I’m being an ass about all of this. You know I would never try and make you do something you don’t want to, so I’ll fix this, okay? Give me a couple of days and I’ll talk to my mom. Maybe I can reason with her. As to Molly, though? That’s your problem, I’m afraid.

Yeah, well, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to tame your sister; however, I’d appreciate you talking to your mom. Actually, appreciate would be putting it lightly, I thought to myself.

While the woman was his mother, she terrified the hell out of me and I made it a point to avoid one-on-one time with her as much as possible—something that had become a bit more difficult since we’d gotten unofficially engaged. The thing was, I knew his mom wasn’t necessarily a terrible person, as she did love her children; I just couldn’t comprehend her treatment of said children—more specifically, Molly—and feared I’d allow my anger to overcome me. And given she was set to become my mother-in-law? I was sure giving in to my frustrations wouldn’t benefit either of us.

Ben ran his fingers through my hair as