Broken Lyrics (Book 3 of the Black Heart Series)

Twenty-One

Bree

I was going to be okay.

This was just a little blip in my in my life. It would soon pass and these reporters would go away.

They'll get bored and move on to someone more interesting...

I peeked out the window for the hundredth time in the past five days...

"They'll eventually give up." Davis had come to update me on the goings on at the bar.

And with my fiancé.

I had barricaded myself in my home, since the news had come out.

Asher had left that day, and I hadn't seen him since. I hadn't heard from anyone but Jason either, since I kind of removed myself from my cell phone and, the only reason why I heard from Jason, was because he'd come by to check on me a few times.

"It's not looking like it'll happen any time soon," I sighed, "Can't I have them arrested for squatting?"

"Technically, they're on the sidewalk, which is public property, so no." He smiled dryly, "They've been staked out at the bar too. I had to hire a couple bouncers."

"What would I do without you?"

"Please, I haven't done much of anything that you wouldn't have done." He shrugged.

"I think I need to give you a raise..." I smiled up at him.

"I'm already your management. I couldn't go any higher." He chuckled, "Where has tall dark and steamy gone?"

"If you mean Asher, he's in California, dealing with his newfound porn career." I wanted to smash something, but there was nothing left.

"Okay, so these reporters are definitely after you, but why are YOU holding out here?"

"What am I supposed to do, Davis?"

"I don't know, beautiful," He smiled sadly, sitting next to me, "I've always seen you face obstacles head on. If someone said that you couldn't do something, you not only showed them that you could, but you showed them that you could do so much better than they thought. If someone gave you a hard time, you'd flip out and pull a crazy lady on them. This is all new territory with you."

"For some reason, you're hiding..." He sighed, "Why, sweets?"

"He has this effect on me, Davis..." I told him, "I don't know how to explain it, but even after all these years, it's still there... Just... A pull... Something that, through all the craziness, I still want..."

I stood and began to pace, "I saw a glimpse of Declan's father, the night we... You know... And I know he's still in there..."

"And it scares you?" He asked thoughtfully.

"My past scares me... His past terrifies me... And I don't want it to hurt Declan's future," I sighed again, "But, even after all of these years... I still want him... I want MY Asher..."

"So, it's the audience?" He asked.

I scoffed, "The nosy, snooping pricks! They're judging me... Judging my past, my present, my daughter's future... All based on Asher..."

"You know, one major thing you taught me?" He stood, coming over to hug me, "It's not out there, if you don't pay attention to it."

"I'm not paying attention to any of this gossip." I grumbled.

"Oh, darling, I can tell..." He chuckled, looking at the busted TV, my sledgehammer was still on the floor next to it.

Along with the cell phone that I had smashed into the hardwood floor.