Page 158 of Ever With Me

Maddie ran, her bare feet stinging against the pavement. “Brooks! Brooks, stop!”

Brooks slowed as he reached the front sidewalk and turned to look over his shoulder at her.

“Brooks! Please don’t go. Please,” she called out.

She didn’t care that anyone who might be on Main Street would hear. Or see her running, barefoot, in her pajamas, with swollen eyes and tears on her face.

She didn’t care if she looked pathetic.

Brooks turned toward her, just slightly, his hand lowering the guitar case to the ground slowly. His expression was tortured, his face filled with grief.

Then a flash went off.

Two flashes.

Three.

The damn paparazzi were already waiting for him.

Whatever momentary hesitation had come over him vanished. Brooks turned and headed straight for an awaiting black sedan.

“Brooks, no,” she cried out as he climbed in, and the sedan swiftly pulled away from the curb.

Then he was gone.

Maddie sank to her knees. She covered her face with her hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

Oh, Brooks.

Please...no.

Why can’t there be any other option? This isn’t fair. He wants to be with me.

She heard more camera flashes, then strong arms enveloped her.

“Get the fuck out of here!” Naomi yelled toward the paparazzi, her arms tight around Maddie. “Out! Before I call the cops for trespassing.” She pulled Maddie against her chest, cradling her head. “Come on, sweetie, we have to get up. Get away from the bloodhounds.”

“I don’t care,” Maddie sobbed, her shoulders shaking. “He was blackmailed, Naomi. He’s leaving because he won’t risk me getting hurt.”

Why is there no other way to be together?

Naomi shielded her with her arms and body, and Maddie felt her sister’s tears splash onto her neck as she drew a shaking breath.

Thank God for Naomi.

Thank God she’s here.

Then Maddie drew a hard sniffle, desperately in need of a tissue. “We can go inside,” she managed.

“It’s over with us, Maddie. It has to be. I won’t risk you.”

Brooks wasn’t coming back.

44

BROOKS

The momentthe sedan pulled away from the curb, tears stung Brooks’s eyes.

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