Page 161 of One Last Chance

He’d ride the plains, a lone cowboy through,

With a past so dark, he couldn’t undo.”

“Wow,” said Axel. “I’d forgotten how sad that was.”

“You have to keep listening. It’s got a happy ending,” Oaken said. He grinned, such a magazine cover. “Besides, you helped me write it.”

“I’m not that sad?—”

“Whatever. You’re the one who bared his soul on national television,” said Shep, coming over, holding a piece of garlic bread. “That story about the Coast Guard rescue?—”

“Failed rescue.”

“You rescued an entire family,” Flynn said.

“Except the dad.”

“Axel—” Moose started, by the grill.

Axel held up a hand. “I know. I know. I’m not invincible. I can’t rescue everyone. And for the record, it doesn’t haunt me.” He looked at Flynn. “Anymore.”

She smiled at him, then looked at Oaken. “How about the rest of that song?”

Such a nice guy—so different from the social media about him. Then again, he’d recently had some positive vibes on the internet, what with his newest single, the show, and an appearance he’d made at some teenage fan’s birthday party a month ago. The video of him dipping his girlfriend, Boo, in a kiss had gone viral. Boo now sat cross-legged on the sofa, grinning at him.

He lit into the chorus.

“But when he laid eyes on sweet Blossom,

A beauty that could save him, he began to understand,

He must rise up, though his soul’s weighed down.

For the woman he loves, he’ll wear the hero’s crown.”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Axel said. “I really don’t think you should say I helped you write that song.”

“I don’t know. I like it,” Flynn said.

“He’ll get a big head.” Shep finished off his garlic bread.

“See?” Axel pointed to him. “What he said.”

“Steaks are off the grill and setting up,” Moose said. “Grab plates.”

They got up, Oaken putting his guitar away, and Boo grabbing his hand. Shep stepped up behind London, and she had to be blind not to see the way he looked at her. But London seemed if not oblivious, then at least not biting.

Axel slipped his hand into Flynn’s and pulled her away, around the back of the house, into the shadows and hues of twilight. He backed her up against the house, braced his hands on either side of her shoulders.

She put her hands on his amazing chest, caught in the sweet sizzle of his gaze on hers. “What are you doing?”

“Reminding myself of my happy ending.” Then he leaned in and kissed her. Sweetly, possessively, perfectly.

And she kissed him back, just as perfectly.

“C’mon, you two! Dinner is getting cold!” Moose’s voice, raised around the corner.

She pushed Axel away, and he shook his head, grinning. They sat down at Moose’s long wooden outside table. Boo had lit candles, and the steaks glistened on a plate next to grilled garlic bread, a salad, and some fried potatoes.

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