Derek broke my heart when he left without a good-bye.

Shattered and spiraling, I’m finding my footing when my rebellious rockstar barrels back into my life, upending the progress I’ve made.

Derek’s apologetic and regretful. Worried and sincere.

He’s everywhere, all at once, trying to prove that there’s a happily-ever-after waiting for us.

He’s wrong.

I’m too resentful for forgiveness or second chances. But, gah, do I still want him.

As I set the parameters of our new arrangement, Derek slowly scales the walls I’ve erected.

Hope begins to glimmer and our future looks brighter when a secret from his past rips him wide open, exposing truths neither of us is prepared to handle. 

Turns out, it’s going to take more than understanding and forgiveness to save what we started.