Ignited ✔️

1:25

-EMERY-

Tonight was the annual Fourth of July bonfire down at the beach and I had no idea what to wear. Jenna and I haven't talked or seen each other and she's always the one I would turn to for fashion advice. That was also back when I needed to be a nun because of Reed, he hated if I showed any skin.

I wanted to dress up in something cute because not only was I wanting to rub it in Reed's face, but I wanted to be the center of attention. The center of River's attention.

I desperately wanted him to actually see me and I wanted to dress up the Emery way not the Jenna way, not the Reed way, and definitely not the Pastor John way.

I'm finally able to squeeze into a pair of ripped denim shorts and a white lacy off the shoulder top before I let my blonde hair down in soft curls and apply some light makeup to my face. I slip my feet into an old pair of sandals.

Just as I finish up my look and grab my purse my mom knocks on the door.

"Em? Honey. There's someone here to see you."

"Who is it?"

"He didn't give me a name, he's blonde and really tall"

"Okay I'll be right down mom"

I slip my bag over my shoulder and head towards the living room only to be greeted by Alex.

He turns his attention onto me and his eyes widen.

"Wow Emery. You look amazing, I think River might have finally met his match."

I can't help the smile that overtakes my features. For the first time in a long time I actually felt beautiful. Right now I felt like I could take on the world.

My mom snaps a few pictures of me with tears in her eyes before she bids me well and promised to keep John out of the loop.

Alex and I walk side by side the short distance to the beach.

That was one of my favorite things about Bristol, everything was within walking distance and the beach was just a block from my house.

There was a comfortable silence between the two of us and as much as I enjoy his company, I wasn't to sure on why he cane to pick me up.

As if reading my thoughts Alex speaks up after a drawn out silence.

"River wanted me to escort you to him. He has a big surprise planned out for you and he wanted to make sure it was perfect."

I felt giddy hearing him say that.

As my feet hit the sand I bend over and remove my sandals before stuffing them in my purse. The music was blasting and the fire was already huge, sweaty bodies were grinding against each other by the fire and the scent of booze and hotdogs filled the air.

Alex places his hand on the small of my back before guiding me towards the lighthouse. On our way I stumble over a discarded shoe and bump into a couple that had been making out.

My eyes widen and my heart almost stopped when I saw who it was. I felt Alex wrap his arm around my waist in a protective manner as the couple turned and looked at me.

I couldn't believe this.

"Jenna?"

My best friend looks at me with a guilty expression on her flushed face as she ducks her head and hides behind her long brown hair.

"I'm sorry Emery. I really am."

"Wh- what about Freddy? I thought you guys were at the I love you stage"

"Freddy and I broke up a few months ago"

"What? Why?"

Jenna glances up at me and bites her bottom lip before she steps away from the brown haired boy.

"He came to surprise me and found me with someone else, he broke up with me then and there"

I glance behind her at the boy I had grown up around.

"You were with Reed? This whole time? You guys were together?" I ask dumbfounded.

I couldn't believe them. I didn't think either of them would ever do something like this.

Reed comes up and wraps his arm around Jenna before he looks at me and speaks.

"You started pushing me away Emery. I went to Jenna's house one day just to talk and things just happened"

What a lame excuse.

I scoff and roll my eyes. "I'm not surprised. You both have always thought about yourselves. It didn't once accuse to you that you both were in a relationship? Freddy didn't deserve this, I might have but not him. He's done nothing but love you." I say directed toward Jenna.

She hangs her head in shame and Reed tightens his hold on her.

"I think you should go Em" Reed tells me.

I roll my eyes again and turn my back towards them before starting towards the light house again.

"You okay?" Alex asks after a few steps.

"Yeah I'm fine actually, I'm more upset that Freddy had to catch her than anything. He was such a great guy and he didn't deserve to find out like that. You know he wanted to marry her? After college he was going to take her to Paris because she's always wanted to go, he had been saving up for a ring too"

Alex is silent for a while before he speaks again, changing the subject.

"Listen Emery, I know that you and River have gotten closer the last few weeks, but I want you to be sure that this is something you want and that he's not just a summer fling or a rebound."

I raise my eyebrows at him. That was really odd.

"I can assure you he isn't. I have feelings for him, strong feelings. I know about his past and I'm okay with it. He's never once made me afraid of him or to be around him. I'm not sure how he feels but I could definitely see myself with him in the future."

I take a deep breath as we reach the bottom of the lighthouse, before turning towards Alex and showing him a small smile.

"He makes me happy Alex. I tried so hard to keep myself locked up when it came to him but I couldn't do it. I fell for him, and I fell hard. I know that we haven't known each other very long but he's such a good guy and he has such a good soul. I know he does. And as much as I tried to stop myself I couldn't help but fall in love with him."

Alex looks at me with an intense look in his ocean blue eyes and for the life of me I couldn't understand the meaning behind it.

Alex tears his gaze away from mine and opens the door leading to the stairs that go to the top of the lighthouse.

"This is where I stop, just follow the stairs and meet him at the top"

I smile at him again and fling my arms around his neck before giving him a tight hug.

"Thanks you" I whisper to him.

He hugs me back and quickly releases me. I look at the stairs laid out in front of me and take a deep breath.

"Take the leap Em. It'll be worth it." My dads voice rang out in my head. I close my eyes as I picture him telling me those words.

And when I open them again, I take a step forward and take the leap towards River.

•

The Jenna/Reed bomb???? Was that expected?

I really don't want post this next chapter cause I feel like imma cry, but I need to post it because I need to finish the book 😭

Ugh.....