I became the man I never wanted to be.
The road is rough and the journey’s near done
(Neverstorm)
What I wouldn’t give to take back what I’ve done.
This storm called life blacks out the rays of the sun.
Don’t you understand you were the only one?
His stare lifted and he lazily scanned the front row.
I averted my eyes, sure he wouldn’t recognize me, yet not wanting to take a chance, just in case.
Viktor and Angela hugged one another, and she snuggled into his side.
I leaned against the railing, praying Paxton and his band didn’t have a long set to play.
When I heard another quick break in the lyrics, I snuck a glance to the stage, my curiosity warring with the anger simmering in my blood.
My heart flipped.
Paxton had apparently been staring at me the entire time, because his unblinking ocean-blue eyes met mine and trapped me as surely as if he’d held my body in place.
‘That last night with you was the crest of my life
(Neverstorm)
Your love slid into my soul like the edge of a knife.
Oh Wendy Darling Baby you will never believe
How shattered and alone my heart will always be.
The road is bumpy and the journey forlorn
(Neverstorm)
If I could hold you in my arms I would be reborn.
Please Wendy Darling Baby I just want to be free
If I could do it all again then I would never leave.
(Neverstorm)
There wasn’t enough air in the spaces between my body and everyone else. I clutched my chest, needing to tear my stare from his, yet some sick part of me couldn’t.
So much emotion welled inside of me, from sorrow and shame, excitement, pride at seeing him on stage, to fury and pain at his abandonment.
He gripped the microphone stand with both hands, the rest of the band finishing the song.
Raucous applause exploded, yet Paxton continued to watch me with something like regret on his face.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Angela asked, nudging me with her elbow. “Do you know him?”
With an extreme effort of will, I made myself turn to my friend, still feeling Paxton’s stare on my skin. “No, not anymore.”
