Page 97 of Broken Rules
I gently squeeze Evie when she leans further into me, then looks at her as she walks toward her father. “Dad—”
“Oh, Evie,” he breathes, embracing her and kissing her temple. “I’m sorry—I'm so sorry, sweetheart. Please, forgive me for those awful words that never should’ve been a thought in my mind. I have no excuse for my carelessness, but never will I disrespect you again. That I promise you.”
Evie nods into his chest, sniffling, then she walks quickly toward Gin and hugs her tight. She looks up at the ceiling blinking back her tears, and closes her eyes while stroking her daughter’s hair as if she believed this moment would never come. Walking closer, Marco takes hold of Gin’s hand, both her and Evie still wary. A flawed moment, far from perfection, but it’s a step in a better direction for everyone.
When our eyes connect, the weight of the world is no longer behind hers, allowing that mask she held onto to slip away, the real Evie here to stay—I see her once my wife smiles, still feeling that pluck, our melody loud and clear.
Love at first sight is far from bullshit.
THE END
EPILOGUE
I shake my hands, rubbing them together as I wait for the announcer to call me on stage.
Why am I nervous?
I’ve been a performer for half my life, but this moment feels different, and I don’t want to mess up. Taking another peek from behind the dark curtains, I instantly regret my decision when the company owner looks my way, and my stomach churns. “Get a hold of yourself, Evie.”
A deep chuckle sounds from behind me, and goosebumps rise on my skin when warm arms wrap around my waist, my nerves instantly dissipating. “Just do your thing, Peaches.”
“Hm, you’re late,” I say, my high ponytail braid falling past my shoulder when I tilt my neck from Lennox’s kiss.
“With good reason.” Spinning around, I get lost in my husband’s eyes until my name is called. “Show them what you got.”
I breathe as Lennox adjusts the cross straps on my matching backless white sports bra and shorts, giving me a love tap on my ass before I walk out onto the stage. Four people are sitting at a table lined with papers, and I’m sure a bunch of aerialists have already auditioned for the part.
“Mrs. Hunter?”
“Yes.”
“Whenever you’re ready.”
The silks are red. Of all colors, it had to be Vivid? All eyes are on me as my palms shake—can they see straight through me? What if someone at the table had been to Vivid and watched me perform on stage nude, inside the box?
Just fly, Evie.
Leaning with one leg forward and my right hand on the silks, I bend backward when the songEarned Itplays, extending my leg to wrap around the silks and start my climb. The longer I’m up here, the less anxious I feel, working my routine like the dozens of times I practiced at home, yet all it takes is one misstep, losing my footing that ruins all chances of winning over this audition. I gasp, barely landing on my feet as gravity takes me, and I bury my face in the silks. Instead of pushing on, I stride off stage, not one glance at the table, because there’s no point in continuing.
Chewing on my bottom lip, I pace the floor, and Lennox comes toward me. “Evie…”
“Can we go, please?”
“Is the audition over? That didn’t take long.”
“I fell.”
Lennox draws me into him, and I breathe heavily into his chest. “I’m sorry, baby. There could still be a chance you’d get the job.”
“No.” I shake my head, looking up at him. “If falling’s not the reason they don’t pick me, it’s giving up that’ll do it.”
“Don’t beat yourself up over it. If they don’t pick you, there will be other opportunities. Okay?”
Only so much his words can do to ease my disappointment, so I just nod. His gaze stays on mine as he takes hold of my cheeks and presses a kiss to my lips, and I smile.
“I’m going to get my stuff. I’ll meet you at the car.”
“I don’t mind waiting for you out here.”
