Page 1 of Broken Promises

prologue

WILLA

7 YEARS AGO

I’m not an outdoor girl.I hate the leaves and mud sticking to my shoes. I don’t enjoy the smell of the forest or whatever Belle is going on about. I’d much rather be reading a book or binge watching a period drama on Netflix.

“How long do we have to stay?” Kai asks. Our band just played in front of my high school graduating class and a few alumni. Shattered Halo is going to be big, according to Callahan. That man is a dreamer, though. Kai is more realistic and is as big of a fan of these parties in the woods as I am.

“I have no idea. I lost Cal immediately. You pissed Belle off, and she wandered away an hour ago, and I don’t know where your reflection is.”

Kai snorts. He and Ezra are identical twins, but they’re easy to tell apart by how they wear their hair. Kai likes messy where Ezra prefers a close and neat cut. Their personalities are opposite too. “I’ll go look for Ez, and we can give you a ride home. Cal knows he’s responsible for his sister.”

I shrug as he walks away, completely ignoring my comment about pissing Belle off earlier. I take out my phone to check thetime and smile at the missed call. I hit the name to call them back immediately.

“Hey Princess. How did the show go?” Declan’s soothing voice makes me smile even wider.

“It was great. Totally won over a bunch of slightly drunk high school kids.”

Declan laughs, and I can picture the way his green eyes flash in amusement. “Don’t undersell yourself. A female drummer is badass.”

Declan and I have been friends since our parents picked spots next to each other at the campground when I was six and he was eight. We spent two weeks together every summer, and they’re still my most cherished memories.

“Cal sang ‘Fortunate Son’,” I tell him.

“Was it better than the video you sent me last week?”

“I think it was worse,” I admit, earning me another laugh. Cal is a great singer, but he keeps trying to put his own spin on that song and it just isn’t working out for him. “How’s being a big hockey star?” Declan signed with the San Diego Barracudas right out of high school. He’s currently on the second line as the right wingman. Which means this is the second summer in a row I won’t see him.

“I’ll miss you, you know,” he says, hearing the words I didn’t want to speak. He’s always been good at that.

“You’ll be too busy with all your model girlfriends and insane parties,” I say, deflecting so I don’t have to deal with my feelings.

“I’m never too busy for you, Princess. I’ll always take your call.”

“I know,” I say and sigh. “Everything is changing, and I still don’t even know what I want to major in. How am I supposed to know what I want to do for the rest of forever?”

“Figure it out as you go. Whatever you choose to do, you’re going to be amazing.”

“Says the guy that’s been a hockey golden boy since the moment he put skates on,” I mutter, but Declan hears me and laughs.

“I fell a lot. I just got back up.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“It is,” he says. He pauses for a moment before speaking again. “So, what are you going to do?”

“Get back up.”

“That’s my girl.” That comment has me smiling like an idiot, but I can’t stop. No one believes in me like Declan does.

“Willa. I can’t find Ezra,” Kai says. I turn to him and frown. He looks worried.

“I have to go,” I tell Declan.

“I’ll call you soon, Princess.” He hangs up and usually I would pout alone for a few minutes, but Kai grabs my hand and pulls me back to where most of the party is happening.

“I’m sure he’s around, Kai,” I say, searching the crowd. It’s not easy considering I’m all of five foot two.

---