Fractured Hearts (The Shattered Halo #4)

Prologue

MAVERICK

My hands shake as I button up my black shirt. Taking a deep breath, I look at myself in the full-length mirror on the back of my bedroom door.

“This is too fancy,” I mumble to myself while quickly changing out of the gray slacks and putting jeans on instead. I’m overthinking this. I always do. But how could I not? I get to see my boyfriend perform with his band.

In the woods.

To a group of high schoolers.

But still.

I’ve wanted Ezra Irons for years. Ever since I bumped into him in the halls of our middle school.

Literally. My books went flying, and so did I.

My eyes burned with tears, and my cheeks flamed with embarrassment.

I was already a nerdy, quiet kid. I didn’t need this kind of attention.

But then the cutest boy with the sweetest smile appeared in front of me, offering me his hand and an apology for not looking where he was going.

Ever since then, I’ve harbored a secret flame for him.

We became friends, but that was as much as I was brave enough to pursue for a long time.

He was a year older than me and so much cooler.

I never understood why he wanted to be friends with me.

Then we went off to college. I would be lying if I said I didn’t pick the same school as him because I secretly hoped for more.

But Ezra was straight. At least, that’s what I thought until he kissed me one night after we watched a movie in my dorm room.

I was a goner the moment his lips touched mine.

We were inseparable after that. I got up the nerve to ask him to be my boyfriend four months ago.

Although we were exclusive long before that.

I just wanted the comfort and security of the label.

Tonight, we’re going to tell everyone we’re together.

I get to be Ezra’s boyfriend in public. No more hiding in our dorm rooms or sneaking kisses in empty hallways.

Not everyone will be happy for us, I know that.

There’s still so much hate surrounding same-sex couples, but it’s worth enduring that to love Ezra.

“Maverick!”

I sigh and square my shoulders at my mother’s shrill voice.

“Maverick!” she calls again.

“I’m coming!” I yell back. With one last glance in the mirror, I head downstairs.

I find my parents sitting in the front room.

My dad is sitting with one leg crossed over the other, reading something on his phone.

He’s in a gray suit, as always. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him wear anything other than a suit.

My mom is sipping Malort. She loves the stuff, and I snuck some once when I was on break from college.

It tastes like sweaty socks and regret. Her hair is in the same style as always, some sort of twist thing that makes it look like she has a beehive on her head.

My parents are very predictable. Which means I know exactly what this conversation is going to be about.

“You’re going to hang out with high school children tonight?” my mom says with her nose scrunching up like she smells something gross.

“Technically, they’re not in high school anymore.”

“Maverick,” my dad reprimands.

“Ezra is playing there tonight,” I explain, my voice soft. I made the mistake of telling them that Ezra was more than a friend, hoping they would be happy for me. I should’ve known better. They’ve never been quiet about their distaste for anyone that isn’t straight.

My parents exchange a glance, saying something without words that I’m probably better off not understanding.

Looking around the room, waiting for whatever I was called down here for, I take in the stuffy atmosphere.

There isn’t a speck of dust on the mantle or end tables.

The dark wood furniture and wine-red rug are supposed to make it feel warm, but the hard black couches and silver lamps make it feel like a medieval dungeon.

This room makes me feel suffocated. This house, even with all its space, makes me feel suffocated.

“Your mother and I are having dinner with the Griffins,” my dad says, his attention back on his phone.

Callahan and Bellamy Griffin are going to be at the show tonight, so Dad must be talking about their parents. I didn’t know they even knew each other.

“Okay,” I say, unsure what they want from me. Mom lifts her brow, telling me that wasn’t the right answer. “I hope you have a good time,” I say quickly. Mom nods, like the answer was good enough.

“Don’t do anything to embarrass us tonight. You are a Wolfe and need to behave as such,” my dad says, leveling me with a glare that tells me there will be consequences if I mess up.

“I will,” I promise, taking it for the dismissal it was and walking away. I have the urge to run out the door, but I know if I do, I’ll be called back for a lecture about acting like a child.

“Oh, and Maverick? I set up a date for you with Marcy Fellows. Her grandfather was a congressman.” I stiffen at my mom’s words, my hand still on the door handle, one foot already out the door.

I take a deep breath and leave, slamming the door behind me.

Running to my car, I know I’ll regret my exit later, but I can’t let them ruin tonight for me.

My dad wants me to marry someone who benefits the family, either in power or money.

Ideally both. My happiness is apparently not a benefit.

My mom, like the good wife she is, sets up the dates for him after vetting the families.

It makes me wonder if my parent’s marriage was arranged.

It would make sense. They don’t seem to like each other most days.

They don’t seem to like me most days. Is that what my future is going to be?

Stuck in an unhappy marriage and resenting my children for being born?

No. It won’t be because I won’t let it. Ezra is my future. I know that deep in my soul. Just like I know tonight is going to change everything for us.

“You need to pack. The semester starts next week.”

I look up from my quickly cooling breakfast. My mom stands in front of me with a concerned look on her face.

She’s been overly kind since Ezra went missing.

When I got the call from Belle letting me know that Ezra had been declared dead, she held me as I cried.

She’s been the mom I wished I had, and I hate it.

I shouldn’t have to have my heart ripped from my chest for my mother to hug me.

I nod, more in acknowledgement that she spoke than in agreement, but she smiles and digs back into her grapefruit. I don’t know if I can go back to the place that holds so many memories of me and Ezra. I can’t stay here either. I don’t know what to do.

“Why is Malikai Irons walking to our front door?” my dad asks, folding the newspaper he was reading and looking out the dining room window. I turn around in time to see Kai climb the front steps.

“I don’t know. I’ll see what he wants.” Pushing my chair out, I walk as quickly as I dare to the front door, opening it right before he pushes the doorbell.

“Hey,” Kai says, stepping back as I step outside with him, shutting the door behind me.

“Has there been an update?” I ask, failing to keep the hope out of my voice. Kai’s eyes hold a sadness that I know reflect back at him from my own. He shakes his head and looks down at his feet.

I just watch him. I know it’s strange and probably makes him uncomfortable, but I can’t help it.

I look at the hair that’s the same color as Ezra’s, but it’s longer.

The blue eyes that should be identical are harder.

Their facial structure is the same, but somehow the identical twins aren’t identical to me.

I stare at Kai every time we interact, trying to pull out the pieces of him that are Ezra.

But he isn’t Ezra. Ezra is gone.

“If this is about the band again,” I start.

Kai has been texting me about joining his band, recording an album, and then going on tour with them.

It all sounds like a fantasy come true. Except they need me to play bass.

They need me to replace Ezra. I can’t do that.

Kai doesn’t understand. He thinks Ezra and I are just friends.

We never got the chance to tell everyone about our relationship, and as dumb as it may sound, I’m going to stick to the plan and tell them together.

Ezra isn’t dead. He can’t be. It’s something I refuse to accept.

“I was at Cal’s house last night. I overheard his mom talking about your parents setting you up on dates.

She wants to do that for Cal, but he’s leaving, so she can’t.

You can leave too.” Kai lifts his head, his blue eyes burning into me, saying so much more than his words.

He’s offering me an escape. He can’t stay in this town either.

“I can’t replace him,” I whisper.

“So don’t. Be Maverick. No one is asking you to be Ezra.”

I sigh and look up at the sky. It’s cloudy today, the rain should start at any minute. I swear it’s rained most of the summer. Like the sky is just as sad about Ezra as I am.

“The song they want us for was written by Belle and Ez. Without you, this is dead in the water and Ezra’s work dies with it,” Kai says, not looking even a little sorry for the guilt trip.

He glances over my shoulder and frowns. I follow his line of sight and see my dad watching the whole exchange from his seat at the table.

“I think we all need to get away from here,” Kai says. He was there plenty of times when I hung out with Ezra at school and has overheard enough conversations to know how controlling my parents are. So his comment was less than subtle.

I glance back at my dad and see he’s back to reading the newspaper.

He won’t approve. Neither will my mom. I’m supposed to go to law school after I graduate.

I’m supposed to marry some girl my parents pick and have children while running for a political office I don’t care about.

My breathing quickens and my heart races.

I can’t do it.

I can’t be what they want me to be without sacrificing what I have left of myself.

“When do we leave?”

Kai smirks. It’s not a full smile. I don’t think he’s capable of doing that anymore.

“The label is sending a limo tomorrow. We’re meeting on our street, but I can have them come get you first.”

I shake my head. “Can you come get me and pretend we’re moving into the dorms early? I’ll tell my parents I’m riding with you. Otherwise, they’re going to try to stop me.”

“You got it. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I watch Kai as he quickly makes his way back to his car, trying to escape the raindrops that have just started to fall.

Walking back into the house, I’m stopped by my mom the moment I get to the base of the stairs.

“What was that about?” she asks.

“Kai offered me a ride back to the dorms. He’s leaving in the morning, though, so I need to go pack.”

“He drove over here for that?” she asks, folding her arms and watching me.

“I haven’t been answering his texts.” I say, watching as my mom searches my expression for a lie. It’s not a lie. I haven’t been answering anyone.

She nods, uncrossing her arms. “Best get to it then.”

I take the stairs two at a time, knowing she’s watching me and I look too eager. But I have to get out of here.

If Ezra can’t live out his dreams right now, I’ll do it for him. I’ll keep them safe for him until we find him. Just like I’ll keep his heart safe. I just hope he’s keeping mine safe. Wherever he is.