Page 107 of Hard To Leave

Brogan and I had a love. A great love. The kind you wrote songs about, but every song has an ending. And just because our song ended, it didn’t mean our story had ended with it.

He set the glass back down, and I placed my hand on top of his. “I will always love you.”

He winked. “I know, and the feeling is mutual.”

“What about Sienna?”

He blew out a breath and stretched out his long legs. “We’re over.”

My lips turned down into a frown. “Is it because of me and Tanner?”

“Yes,” he said, folding his hand underneath mine. “But not for the reasons you think. This whole experience has helped me figure out what I really want out of life. And I don’t think what I’m looking for I will be able to find with her. Our public life is too crazy, and I’m looking for a little bit more calm and balance. Not to mention, I need to get through this tour and focus on my son. It’s for the best anyways. She’s a great girl, and I wish her well, but I need to make a fresh start. You know, start over.”

My heart broke for him. “I’m so sorry.”

He withdrew his hand and narrowed his eyes. “I swear to God if you say that one more time, I’m going to find the ugliest picture of you I can and post it on my Instagram. Keep in mind I have millions of followers.”

I laughed. “You wouldn’t.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Try me.”

I held up my hands. “Fine, you win.”

“I also wanted to talk to you about something.” He leaned forward, chewing on his bottom lip. “I would like to take Tanner on a little vacation. Just the two of us. I could show him where I live in Tennessee, and a buddy of mine has a cabin up in the Smokey Mountains. I thought it would be good for both of us to get away from all this and just let things happen naturally.” When I didn’t say anything, he mistook my silence the wrong way. “I mean, as long as you’re okay with it,” he added.

“I’m more than okay. I think it’s a great idea.”

He leaned back, looking relieved. “Thank you.”

“You both have a lot of time to make up for. You never have to worry about me interfering. You’re a great dad. We are both very lucky to have you in our lives.

He drummed his hand along his knee. “What are you going to do with all your free time?”

There was a familiar pain in my chest. It wasn’t that I was afraid to be alone, it was that the man I loved was still out there. I had found him, and he let me go. I didn’t want to be alone when I could be with him.

I contemplated my options. I could find a way to move on, or I could find a way to win him back. Show him that we belong together. I had an idea floating around in my head, but could it work?

I stood up and started pacing the living room. Brogan watched me with interest.

“I need a favor.”

“Anything,” he said.

“Do you happen to have a copy of your schedule in your phone?”

He furrowed his eyebrows together as I explained to him what I wanted to do. As soon as I finished, I was so excited that I didn’t notice the frown on his face.

My smile fell instantly. “You think I’m crazy?”

“I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“Too late for that.”

His eyes softened with concern. “Are you sure you want to put yourself through this?”

“Yes,” I said instantly. There was no question in my mind.

He scrubbed his hands down his face and scratched the side of his jaw. He took a good minute to think it over. He was the only one who could help me pull it off.

“Okay,” he finally said. “Tomorrow after the party, I’ll help you get your guy back.” He winced, causing me to laugh and throw my arms around him.

For the first time in weeks, I could finally take a deep breath.