So here’s the truth I never said
A promise I can’t forget
For you I’d move the stars…
The song fadesout and the audience explodes. It’s an unbelievable reception, considering it’s their first time ever hearing it, but I don’t give a damn. I don’t pay them any mind at all. Because Felicity is walking toward me. Closing the distance between us with purposeful strides, her face a beautiful mask of determination.
I barely have time to spin my guitar around to my back before she slams into me, a jarring impact. My arms go around her, dragging her closer as she rocks up onto her tip-toes and slides her hands deep into my hair. When she lifts her face to mine, scant inches away, I can see every single golden fleck in her bottomless eyes.
“You’re mine,” she breathes, making my heart swell to bursting. “And I’m yours, Ryder.Fuckthe rest.”
I’m so stunned to hear a swear come out of her mouth — the only one I’ve ever heard her use — I’m pretty sure I gape at her. At least, until she leans in, laughing, and presses her lips to mine in a kiss so sweet, so pure, sorealand soright, it takes everything in me not to break down, right there in the middle of the stage, with the whole world watching.
Mine.
She’s mine.
Fucking finally.
I can hardly see straight, let alone listen to the cheers and catcalls that reverberate far outside the reaches of this stadium, as the news breaks on social media and sweeps across the world like an indomitable flood.
Did you hear about Wildwood?
Ryder and Felicity…
They’re back.
Chapter Twenty-Three
felicity
We holdhands as we walk to the end of the pit platform, unable to let go even for a moment. The crowd hasn’t stopped screaming since Ryder’s song faded out, since our lips tangled together in a kiss that made all the pain and heartbreak of the past few months worth it, ten times over.
My whole body shakes as we take our places in the center of the platform. Not back to back, like we usually do — face to face, eyes locked, breathing to the same tempo, every beat of our hearts in perfect sync.
“I don’t know if I can sing, right now,” I whisper tremulously as the first notes ofFadedstart to drift around us.
“Of course you can, baby.” His grin grabs hold of my heart and doesn’t let go. “I’m right here with you.”
His words are enough to ground me. To center me.
We never look away from each other as we belt out our biggest hit, the whole stadium joining in as we reach the chorus.
Sure it’s sad, but it isn’t complicated
You’re my only memory that never faded…
In that moment,with music in my soul and stars in my eyes, I know, no matter what, the words I spoke to him were true.
I am his and he is mine.
Come what may.
Because for him — for us — I’d do anything.
Even rearrange the goddamned constellations.
* * *