“I heard you. I just didn’t think you were serious.” I sigh. “I can’t believe you’d pick going to college over being with me.”

“That’s the same way I feel every time you pick music over me.”

“I never pick music over you!”

“No? If I won’t go with you, are you going to go anyway?” she challenges.

“Yes! Because that’s been our plan.” I raise my voice, completely frustrated by this blindside. “Music is my fucking life. You know that. It’s all I have.”

“You had me.” Lane bites her plump, bottom lip as forces a cry back. “This is the end for us.”

My heart squeezes so hard in my chest that panic starts setting in. “Please, Lane. Don’t do this.”

She kisses my cheek. “Goodbye, Noel.”

My body turns completely numb as she turns and runs away from me. I should pull it together and go after her and force her to understand and try harder at convincing her to come with me, but I can’t move. The idea that Lanie Vance is no longer mine hits me hard and I drop to my knees, shaking uncontrollably. I fist my hair in my hands and allow myself to cry for the loss of the only girl I’ll ever really love.

Acknowledgements

First off, I want to thank you, my dear readers, for embracing this series and loving the men of Black Falcon as much as I do. Words cannot express how much you all mean to me. Love you all!

Emily Snow, Kelli Maine, and Kristen Proby (aka, The Naughty Mafia) this past year with you all has been amazing. Thank you for your love and support. Love you guys hard!

Holly Malgieri you freaking rock my world. Thank you for EVERYTHING you do for me. I couldn’t make it on a daily basis without you. Your encouragement and undying support means so much to me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Jennifer Wolfel thank you for always being in my corner! You are the one person I depend on to give it to me straight. Thank you for your honesty and keeping me on task. Love ya!

Christine Estevez and Ellie (Ellie lovenbooks) thank you for standing by me and my books! It means the world to me. One word…VEGAS! Thanks for joining the Naughty Mafia team!

Aimee Pachoreck thank you for laying it out there for me and pushing me to be better!

Ryn Hughes you kick so much ass, woman! Thank you for working with me through my crazy schedule. I always look forward to your red marks!

My beautiful ladies in Valentine’s Vixen’s Group, you all are the best. You guys always brighten my day and push me to be a better writer. Thank you!

To romance blogging community. Thank you for always supporting me and my books. I can’t tell you how much every share, tweet, post and comment means to me. I read them all and every time I feel giddy. THANK YOU for everything you do. Blogging is not an easy job and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate what you do for indie authors like me. You totally make our world go round.

Last, but never least the two men in my life, my husband and son. Thank you for putting up with me. I love you both more than words can express.