Page 29 of Sinner's Vow

So, instead of the grief I’ve allowed myself to be swallowed by for so long, I let gratitude fill up every inch of my being. I smile as I look out at these people singing these songs I helped to write. I hold my hands out to them, and they reach back, and for that hour and a half, we’re all connected. We’re all just human, brought together by the music that’s made my life complete until a month and a half ago.

As I look back when the introduction for Promises To You begins, and I see Kennedy step out on stage, I know that now, now my life is complete.

Because this woman came into my life, and she set me free.

So as I sing the words to our duet, I smile. I take her hands. I pull her close, touching my forehead to hers, and I sing those words, those promises.

And as she smiles back, I know, I’ll do anything for this woman.

It’s the best show of the tour. I know it without question. Madrid will go down in my memory as the show where I got it all back. Everything I’ve ever loved, everything that I’ve ever hoped for.

And when the show is over and the road techs start packing everything up, my brother pulls me into his arms.

“I’m really sorry I didn’t know, that I couldn’t be there for you,” he says. “I knew you were dealing with some shit, but I’ve been so wrapped up in my own world, with Mia…”

I shake my head, squeezing my brother tighter. “You’re living your own life. I’m just happy for you. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you. Thanks for not strangling me in the meantime.”

Tyler just chuckles and slaps my back. “Go be with your bride. It’s pretty damn obvious you two knew what you were doing that night in Vegas.”

I smile as I look back at my brother and then search for Kennedy.

I find her there, standing with Mia and Sophia. She beams at me, and my chest feels so full I think I’m going to suffocate from happiness.

“Noah, that was…” she says as I stand in front of her and reach for her hands. “You were incredible tonight.”

I smile, buoyed up by her compliments. I bend, finding her lips, letting her fill up every bit of me. “Want to get out of here?”

She smiles against my lips and nods.

“So, is there going to be a real honeymoon after this tour?” Mia asks. No surprise, she’s beaming brighter than any person in the world. My brother’s girlfriend is a ball of red sunshine.

Kennedy and I look at each other at the same time, our eyes locking with slight panic.

We’d agreed, weeks ago, that when this tour was over, that we would get a divorce.

Just the thought makes me want to throw up. It makes me break out in a cold sweat. It makes panicked emotion tear at the backs of my eyes.

“Let’s go,” I say, ignoring Mia’s question. Because I desperately need to be alone with my wife.

Kennedy just nods, and I take her hand, heading to the back, where there is a car waiting.

The second the door is closed and the driver takes off in the direction of the hotel, I grip Kennedy’s waist, pulling her into my lap. She settles with a knee on either side of my hips and her hands come to the back of my neck. My own hands slide up her back, slipping under her shirt.

With a heavy, loaded look in her eyes, Kennedy leans down and presses her lips to mine. I sigh into her mouth, tasting her, feeling her warmth.

I could spend the rest of my life kissing this woman. I could spend the rest of my life protecting her and worshiping her for saving me.

“Kennedy, I don’t want a divorce when the tour is over,” I breathe into her mouth. I shake my head as my throat grows tight. “I don’t want one ever. I made a vow to you, and I want to spend the rest of my life keeping it.”

Kennedy backs up just slightly so she can look down into my eyes. She evaluates my words as she looks at me. Emotion fills her face, but I see brightness in her eyes. “You mean that?”

“With every fucking fiber in me,” I confess, completely desperate for her to understand just how much I mean the promise.

She smiles, letting out a little breathy laugh and blinks. “I don’t want a divorce, either. Not at all. I…I just want you, Noah.”

How? How is it possible to be this happy, to feel this right? How is it possible that I found this woman, the woman who is perfect for me, on a random night in Las Vegas, and took the risk, marrying her the same night we met?

How did I ever get so damn lucky?

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