It’s been two weeks since my heart shredded to a thousand pieces in an NYC hotel room. I’ve cried. I’ve been angry. And boy have I been sad, but time passes. The world doesn’t stop for a broken dream, and neither does the tour. I could have quit my PA job working for Trent. With my new trust fund allowance, I could pretty much go anywhere. But I don’t want to be alone. I can’t lose the only things I have left.

I’ve pushed through the pain, thrown myself into my work, and spent extra time getting to know my sister. The loss of Leighton, and his betrayal, doesn’t hurt any less, but I refuse to let it define me. If I’ve learned anything since leaving Destin, it’s that I’m capable of more.

Tonight the guys play a packed house in New Orleans. Another sold-out crowd. It’s an amazing performance, but their new drummer isn’t as good as Leighton, and each time I watch the show I miss him all over again. We explored the city earlier, and I’m exhausted. My feet ache and all I want is to fall asleep. Dressed in my pajamas and curled up on one of the recliners, I watch as Lexi, Trent, Sean, and Austin finish getting ready to go out.

“We’ll be back in three hours. Text me if you need anything.” My sister slides her cell into her purse.

I wave her off. “Go. I’ll be fine.”

“You sure?” She asks me this numerous times a day. I’m not okay, but I’m surviving.

“Have a fun time.” I force a smile I don’t feel and wave as she leaves with the guys. All but one.

Austin puts his arm around my shoulder and squeezes into the chair with me. “Come out with us tonight.”

He is relentless in his attempts to get me to join them after the shows, even though I reject his offer every time. “I’d rather stay here.”

“Opal.” He draws out my name.

“I’m not in the mood. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” He squeezes my shoulder and blows out a long breath. “This sucks. I hate seeing you this way.”

“Yeah, well, if you know of any tricks for getting over a man you thought you loved but discovered was only using you . . .”

He perks up with that, his eyes full of mischief. “I do, actually.”

“Yeah?” I let loose a chuckle.

“Fucking. And I volunteer my body at your disposal.” A few months ago his teasing would have excited me, but now it does nothing.

I scrunch up my nose. “That doesn’t sound appealing at all. I’m sorry.”

He heaves another sigh. “I understand. It’s okay, you know? We can’t help who we love. Sometimes getting hurt is inevitable.” His words strike a truth in my soul.

I turn so I can meet his gaze. “Have you ever been in love?”

“God, no!” His brows shoot up toward his hairline. He laughs, but it doesn’t hold much humor. “And I hope I never am. You make it look miserable.” He means it as a joke. He doesn’t ignore or shy away from my pain, which I normally appreciate. But tonight my eyes well with tears.

“Shit. That was supposed to make you laugh.” He tugs me closer. “Come here.”

I bury my face in his chest and allow the sobs to break through. I’ve been holding it in, all of it, and it comes gushing out in the form of snot, ugly cries, and falling tears. “I’m sorry. I just keep crying. I can’t stop.”

“I’ve got you.” He strokes my hair and holds me close, not caring at all that I’m crying all over his shirt.

“Aren’t you going out?”

“Eh, the whores of New Orleans will have to wait. I’ve got a more important place to be.”

I sniffle and wipe my face, pulling back to meet his gaze. “Thank you.”

“We’re family. It’s what we do.” And if there’s any bright side to the pain that comes with my broken heart, it’s knowing I’m not alone. Not anymore. Not ever.

I lay my head on his chest and listen to the steady beat of his heart. It reminds me I’m still here, even though my mind feels numb. “You know the crazy thing? I still love him. I don’t want to. But I do.”

“You love hard. Best way to be.” He smooths down my hair. It’s comforting. Something Grams would have done.

“Doesn’t feel like it right now,” I say. Austin’s become my best friend, and he allows me to be honest in a way I can’t with everyone else. He doesn’t judge. Just accepts.

He drops a kiss to the top of my head. “I know, baby girl. I know.”