Page 85 of Mad Love

The day his Nana died.

2.05

When the guys decided to form Phoenix. Also the day he got the massive Phoenix tattoo on his back.

And the last one.

11.25

Our wedding.

That one made me look away, unable to bear the reality that we weren’t married. That Gary had been able to undo what we’d done.

“It’ll always be the day we got married,” Ryan said softly, reading my mind. His warm hand splayed across my lower belly. “And I don’t give a shit if you get pregnant, Mads. I want it all with you.”

“Right now wouldn’t be ideal,” I whispered, wondering how we’d bring a baby into this chaos we were mired in.

“No,” he admitted, “but we’d manage.”

“You always do that,” I marveled. “Always make me feel like it’s going to all work out.”

He reached over and tugged me across the bed to lie on his chest. His arms wound around me, protective and safe. “Because it’s going to all work out. We’re going to have it all, baby.”

I snuggled into his side, listening to his heart beating and letting his vow wrap around my soul.

We would have it all.

But at what cost?

CHAPTER 31

MADDIE

Las Vegas wasn’t as spectacular in the daytime as the movies made it out to be at night. But as we drove through the city limits, I still gaped at the sights. The streets were mostly empty, but it was barely after eight in the morning. We’d driven through the night, and I was sick to death of this SUV.

And a little over the people in the car, if I was being honest.

At least Linc had passed out a few hours ago. I’d been worried that Court or Ryan might’ve actually punched him if he hadn’t stopped singing along to the radio as loud as he could. It didn’t matter what station. He belted out T. Swift as easily as Papa Roach and Coldplay.

I’d brought a loaner laptop from Ash so I could try to catch up on my schoolwork, but I’d mostly slept and watched the country zip by.

Court turned the car into a carport with flashing neon lights and killed the engine before punching Linc awake.

“Motherfucker!” Linc roared, waking up swinging, but Court was already out of the car.

I giggled as Ryan rolled his eyes and opened his door to let us out while a bellhop came to the car with a bright smile and a cart.

“We’ve got it.” Court waved him off as he popped the hatch and pulled out the bags we’d packed. He handed Ryan his and my bags and hurled Linc’s at his head when he stumbled from the car.

Linc caught it. Barely. “You’re grouchy after a road trip.”

“And you’re an annoying asshole,” Court returned.

Linc frowned and came up beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Do you think I’m annoying, Mads?”

I shot him an amused look. “Dude, you’re on your own. I lost part of my hearing when you were singing the falsetto for ‘Respect.’”

He laid a hand over his heart. “Aretha is the queen. She deserved my best interpretation of her classic.”

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