Broken kingdom

 “Seriously,” Cole continues as more people pile inside the venue. “The dude has an arm that’s pure fire—” His jaw drops as he focuses on something behind me. “Holy shit.”

Grabbing Sawyer’s hand, Cole runs over to some tall blond guy wearing a Saint’s jersey. His arm is draped around a curvy redhead.

“Holy fucking shit,” Cole yells, and I swear his voice cracks. “You’re Asher Holden.”

Smiling, the guy whispers something into the redhead’s ear before he removes his arm and shakes my brother’s hand. “Hey, how are you? I take it you’re a Saint’s fan?”

Cole looks like he’s going to pass out. “More like a fan of you. Dude, you’re my favorite football player in the world.” He gestures to Sawyer. “I was just telling my fiancé how you’re the GOAT and the most skillful football player to ever step on the field.”

Jace and I exchange a humorous glance.

“Yup,” Sawyer says dryly. “He talks about you all the time.”

Not stopping for a breath, Cole continues hammering on. “I’m sorry about what went down at Duke’s Heart. They did you dirty, man.”

Shrugging, Asher puts his arm around the redhead again. “Yeah, but it all worked out for the best in the end.” He gestures to the stage. “Have a good night. I’m go

Not taking the hint, Cole says, “Can I buy you a drink? It would be awesome if I could ask you a few questions and get your advice about a few things.”

For a moment I think Asher’s going to decline—because let’s face it, Cole is acting like a crazy fanboy right now—but to my surprise he says, “My boyfriend will be on stage any minute and I really want to watch him perform, but come find me after the show, okay?”

Cole shakes his hand so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t fall off. “Sweet. Talk to you after the show.”

Cole turns back to us when Asher walks off. “I can’t believe my favorite football player is here tonight.”

Sawyer rolls her eyes and smiles. “Fu

Jace smirks. “Not to mention…a lot older.”

Cole’s about to respond, but the lights in the venue dim and the stage illuminates.

A minute later, some guy with glasses and a mohawk strides out and takes a seat at the piano.

He clears his throat before speaking into the microphone. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming out tonight. I also want to give a very special thank you to my manager Dylan Taylor for setting up this awesome gig.”

Sawyer, Cole, and I start cheering as Landon points to Dylan who’s standing in the front row next to Asher and the redhead.

Jace cups his hand over his mouth. “Yeah, baby!”

Landon waits for the applause to die down before addressing the crowd again. “I’m go

The entire venue erupts in cheers.

Landon smirks. “I wrote this one with my new friend, Oakley. The dude is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met...and that’s saying something.”

Everyone laughs…except me.

Because my heart is too busy trying to pound its way out of my chest.

Landon’s fingers hover over the piano keys. “Anyway, this one is for anyone who’s ever loved someone so much it hurt.”

A soft, melodic sound fills the air, siphoning everyone’s attention.

My skin breaks out in goose bumps and I stand there utterly transfixed as Landon begins to sing.

 

Our love wasn't for show because I died for you in secret.

But I'd still do anything for you...if only you'd mean it.

Because you showed me things I can't see with anyone else.

Now, look at this mess you made me.

 

But you know damn well.

That for you I would break myself.

Just to make you whole again.

 

And if wishes came true, it would be me and you forever.

Because some things you just can't live without.

 

So I will never stop trying.

I'll never stop fighting for you and me.

I'll never stop chasing you down.

Even when you want me to walk away and leave.

 

I can’t move—hell, I can’t even breathe.

The melody is beautiful…but it’s the lyrics that have my chest caving in.

He wrote those words for me.

Blood rushes in my ears and everything around me ceases to exist when I notice Oakley making his way through the crowd…heading straight for me.

There’s vulnerability swirling in his eyes—no doubt because he just exposed his entire soul to the world—but there’s also an unmistakable confidence seeping from him as his strides eat up the space between us.

A moment later, he’s standing in front of me, looking at me like I’m the most important person in the room.

He’s the first to speak. “If you tell me to let you go so you can move on and be happy with someone else...I will.” His expression turns hollow, as if the thought of me being with anyone else would destroy him. “It will hurt like hell, but I can do that for you…if it’s what you really want.”

He moves closer, so close my heart stops beating altogether.

So close, the only thing I can breathe, see, and feel is him.

“But if any part of you still wants me—despite how much I’ve hurt you and how much I’ve fucked things up—then I’ll never stop fighting for you. Because I’m in love with you—”

He doesn’t get a chance to finish that sentence because I crash my mouth against his.

There are times in your life when you realize you’re stuck at a fork in the road and the decision you make will change your life forever.

I think my mom was stuck at the very same fork when she met my dad. And even though she loved her children…she chose wrong.

Because she didn’t follow her heart and choose love—which is why she spent the rest of her life searching for it.

She chose security instead.

She chose the easy road filled with less obstacles along the way.

I don't want to make the same mistakes she did.

I want to take chances, chase my dreams, and live life to the fullest.

And I want to do all those things with the man I love beside me.

Oakley isn’t perfect…but he’s perfect for me.

And the thought of pushing him out of my life for good isn’t a decision my heart can live with.

I want the hard and unconventional road—the one that won’t always be easy…but will always be worth it.

Because it leads to him.

A low, growly sound escapes Oakley as his hands find the curve of my waist and he tugs me against him. “I love you, Bianca.”

Rising on my tiptoes, I kiss him again. “I love you, too.”

So much it hurts sometimes.

His fingers trail down my neck, sending shivers along my skin. “Good. Because you’re it for me, baby girl.” His hands roam lower, and he squeezes my ass like he owns it. “There will never be anyone else. Just you.”

As much as I love hearing his sweet declarations, there’s something else I want even more right now.

Pressing myself against the very prominent bulge tenting his jeans, I flick his earlobe with my tongue. “Prove it.”

The slow, sexy smile he gives me sends a rush of heat to my core. “I mean, I had a whole speech pla

He grabs my wrist and pulls me through the crowd.

We stop at the first room we come across. The bathroom.