Her Love Came Too Late novel · Chapter 22 of 24

Chapter 22: The Papers

The words were still ringing in the rafters when Elliott found that his legs had started to move.

He had said he would stay in the wings with his coat on.

He had told her that on Wednesday, in a diner, and he had meant it.

He walked out anyway.

The lights were white and hot, and the arena was so loud that he could not hear his own steps.

Fourteen thousand people were on their feet.

Some of them were shouting his name.

Marin stood at the microphone with her guitar hanging from its strap and her hand over her mouth.

He stopped an arm's length from her.

Up close, he saw that she was trembling.

"I said I wouldn't come out unless I decided to," he said.

"I know."

"I decided."

He reached up and took the microphone off its stand.

The crowd went quiet in a rolling wave, from the front rows back.

He had not planned a speech.

He held the microphone in both hands and looked out at the first ten rows.

"My name is Elliott Hartley," he said. "I'm thirty-two."

His voice was rough, and the speakers made it enormous.

"I'm a draftsman. I draw buildings for a living."

He took a breath.

"The firm let me go two weeks ago, because of a website."

A ripple of sound ran through the crowd, low and ashamed.

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