Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Sully says something in his ear that I’m unable to hear before clapping him heartily on the shoulder and handing off the microphone. Wolf swings around to pick out a piece of music. He flips through the list on the computer screen before choosing a song and returning to the stage. As soon as the first notes of the guitar riff fill the air, recognition slams into me, making the tiny hairs on my arm prickle with awareness.
Wolf’s attention stays locked on mine as he holds the microphone to his mouth. His tongue darts out to moisten his lips as the instrumental continues and the crowd quiets to a hush. The drums come in, joining the guitar, and adding to the harmony, as he croons the lyrics of ‘Maps’ by Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs just like he used to when we were teenagers.
My heart constricts as I realize he’s pouring out his heart for everyone to witness.
That’s all it takes for tears to prick the backs of my eyes as the crowded bar fades to the background until it’s just the two of us. My heart slams against my ribcage as it fills with so much love that it feels like it’ll burst.
Only now do I realize the gigantic void my life had become without him in it. As if I wasn’t really living. Or breathing. I was walking around in a catatonic state where I didn’t feel anything too deeply.
And now…
All that has been ripped away.
And rebuilt into something stronger.
Lasting.
He continues to hold my gaze as the electric guitars play and the song ends much in the same way it began.
His eyes hold mine captive as he murmurs into the microphone, “No one will ever love you the way I love you, angel.”
It’s only when the thunderous applause erupts around me that I blink back to the present as Wolf passes the mic to Sully. The second he steps off the stage, the crowd swarms, swallowing him up.
When my phone vibrates in my pocket, I fish it out before glancing at the screen.
Made reservations at The Cellar for lunch next week Tuesday. See you then.
The text from Mom is like a gut punch and sends me into freefall.
A thick shudder slides through me.
How could I have forgotten the anniversary of Miles’ death?
I’ve been so wrapped up in Wolf and the financial aid issues I’ve been dealing with that it must have slipped my mind.
I’m jerked out of those thoughts when Wolf slips his arms around me and tugs me close before pressing a kiss against my lips. “That was all for you.”
“Thank you. I loved it.”
When I paste a smile in place, he pulls away just enough to study my face. Concern flickers in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
Sometimes I forget just how well he knows me. After all these years, he still has the uncanny ability to read me with just one look.
I shake my head and up the wattage of my smile, hoping he’ll let the topic drop. The last thing I want to do is ruin what an amazing evening this has turned out to be.
It’s almost a shock when he jerks to his feet and wraps his fingers around my wrist before dragging me out the back door of the bar. Before I can ask any questions, we rush past the bouncer.
“Yeah, I was pretty sure that song was gonna clinch the deal,” Gerry calls after us with a laugh. “Should have bet money on it!”
It’s only when we’re outside and the cold breeze slaps at our cheeks that he jerks to a halt before spinning me around to face him. The noise and music from inside fades to the background as his eyes narrow. “Tell me what’s going on.” His gaze stays pinned to mine. “Because I know something’s not right.”
The steely look of determination in his eyes tells me that he won’t drop the subject until he uncovers the truth.
My shoulders collapse as air leaks from my lungs. “Mom just texted about meeting at a restaurant next Tuesday.”
Emotion flickers in his green depths as grief crashes over his features. “The anniversary.”
It’s not a question. More of a statement.
I nod and press closer to his bigger body, needing his strength.
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately,” he admits.
I draw away just enough to meet his gaze. “You have?”
“I always do this time of year. Mostly, I wonder what life would have been like for your family if I’d died that night instead of him.”
My heart stops before thrashing painfully beneath my breast. “Please don’t ever say that again,” I force out, gut sick he would ponder the possibility.
“Why not? It was my fault.” Anguish fills every line of his features.
With a shake of my head, I dig my fingers into the thick cotton of his sweatshirt before dragging him closer. “It was an accident, Wolf. You loved Miles more than anyone and would have never hurt him on purpose.”