Page 95 of Broken Instrument

She loves me.

Me.

My lungs force me to stop kissing the shit out of her, and I pull away, resting my forehead against hers as we both catch our breath.

“You’re not going anywhere?” I repeat.

She shakes her head.

“No matter what?”

“It’s like I said. You’re stuck with me.”

“Even when I’m broken?” I challenge, waiting for her to deny it. To tell me her love is conditional, and I’m not good enough. Will never be good enough. Because I won’t. Not for a girl like her. A girl who deserves the world but is stuck with my sorry ass. Because I’m not letting her go. Not anymore. Not now that she’s here. With me. For me.

I wrap my arms around her waist and squeeze her tighter, still convinced I’m hallucinating. But I know how she feels when she’s pressed against me. I’ve memorized her curves. Her fruity scent. The way her eyes crinkle behind her glasses when she smiles at me. And right now? I’m witnessing it first hand.

She’s here.

She’s really here.

And she loves me.

With the same smile that’s haunted me for weeks, she cups my cheek again. “We’re all a little broken sometimes, Fen. But I think, if you can forgive me and we stick together, we just might be able to fix each other too.”

I close my eyes and rest my forehead against hers. Again. Like I can’t get close enough. “I love you, Hadley Rutherford.”

“Love you, too, Fender Hayes.” On her tiptoes, she reaches for my mouth and kisses me softly. “Now, go get ‘em, Tiger.”

So I do.

And it’s one hell of a show. A high I’ve never felt before. But when they scream for an encore, I shake my head and rush offstage.

I have a girl to get to. And when I’m with her, it’s a high unlike anything.

It’s even better.

EPILOGUE

HADLEY

“I want to thank everyone for being here tonight, especially my amazing girlfriend, Hadley.” He motions to the side of the stage where I’m currently sitting with Pixie at my feet. “Without her, I wouldn’t be here. She’s saved me so many times. I’m not sure she even understands what I mean when I say I’d be lost without her. I love you, Hadley Rutherford.”

He plays the intro to a new song he’s been working on, and my grin widens as I listen to the lyrics, humming along since I’ve found my own writing mojo likes listening to him play while I work.

Fender and I flew home for a short trip, officially moved in together, and caught another flight to catch up with the rest of his band so we wouldn’t miss any scheduled concerts during the tour.

Things have been perfect. So much so, I was finally able to write “the end” on my latest novel, and my editor loves it. In fact, she said her favorite addition to the story was a certain love interest who thought he was broken but wound up having an excellent character arc. Her words. Not mine.

I’ve decided to open a new pen name, spending my time writing more love stories almost rivaling the one Fender and I found.

Almost.

And Pixie? She’s still Fender’s sidekick, watching over us every minute of every day while refusing to leave either of our sides. Unless his favorite running buddy stops by.

Speaking of Mia, she got accepted into LAU’s nursing program. Even though she still has a lot to work through, including abandonment issues and shitty taste in guys, she’s trying to put herself back together again.

The final note rings throughout the massive stadium, and Fender lifts his arms into the air, his lime-green electric guitar hanging from the strap across his shoulder, and says his goodbyes while the crowd cheers for another encore.

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