Page 17 of Extended Bridge (Passionate Beats #2)

Chapter Nine

F rom the backstage wings, my gaze follows Bennett as he makes his way across the stage. Not with his prior running from side to side, but still covering ground at a faster clip than I’d prefer. My lips purse.

“What’s he doing wrong out there?” Luke nudges my side. “He’s looking pretty good from where I stand.”

“He’s pushing it,” I reply without taking my gaze off the lead singer.

“I’m sure he knows his limitations.”

“Bennett’s amped on adrenaline. When he clears the stage, I predict he’s not going to be feeling quite so euphoric.”

Silent, we watch the band perform for another half song. “B’s cut it back quite a bit. My guess is the fans close to the stage think he’s spending more time with them.” Bennett’s arms flap like wings, riling up the crowds. “They’re loving it.”

“I’m probably being too cautious. I don’t want to see him reinjure himself and have to use a cane.” Although I can picture him using a cool one ending with a handle in the shape of Untamed Coaster’s logo. “He’d probably make that look sexy too. ”

Luke chuckles. “Figure that out already?”

As if. The man is sexy personified. “Still, I’d be happy for his rehab not to go backwards.”

“I’m sure B would agree with you on that score. How is our patient coming along?”

“He’s doing most of the exercises without too much problem. Can’t quite do the jumps, but that’s to be expected so soon after the injury.”

“How much longer will he be doing therapy, do you think?”

“The doctor prescribed three months. This time period includes weaning him off from twice a day to once daily, then dropping down to every other day. I’m thinking he’ll be ready to step down to once a day in a week or two.”

“Great. I’m going to need him for interviews and radio shows starting after Philly. When we’re in the City of Brotherly Love, though, I’ve arranged for the whole band to visit Darren’s mother and sister since they declined tickets to the show. Understandable.”

My stomach twists. How bad would it look if I don’t visit the Hilliards? We always put a shiny face on things when Darren was alive, despite the tension between us, but now—especially after the article—I refuse to go near them.

Proceed with caution . I dip my big toe.

“I think I’ll leave the visit to the band.

” At this moment, my phone vibrates. Using the universal symbol for wait a moment, I check the screen to see Ma’s face.

Even though I want to talk with her, since we haven’t had a chance to connect yet, given the overwhelming sound being produced by Untamed Coaster from the stage, I decline the call.

I send her a quick text, saying it’s too loud at the concert and I’ll call her in the morning.

I return my attention to Luke. “Where were we?”

“You were about to tell me the true deal between you and Darren’s family.”

I tip my chin toward the band. Doubt it. “Not much to tell. Darren’s not here any longer and I was his last girlfriend. I’m an easy mark for their ire. ”

“That’s fucked up. You had nothing to do with his death.”

Luke’s the second person to tell me this today.

Not to mention the discussions with my own therapist. Guess if I hear it another hundred times, I may consider the possibility.

But I’m not there yet. I seek comfort in my usual response.

“I was his physical therapist. I should’ve recognized the signs. ”

“Well, I was their manager when it happened. Think I should be on the hook as well?”

I face away from the stage. “What? No. Don’t be silly.”

“By your logic, the entire band should be indicted and put into prison for aiding and abetting.”

I move my body toward the stage again. “That’s dumb.”

“So is blaming yourself. Or letting his family do that to you. Maybe if you get together with them, you can settle the air? Prevent terrible stories like the recent one from coming out?”

I sigh. “His family never liked me, Luke. After all, I was a mere add-on to his glamorous lifestyle. Darren always overlooked it, but I could tell they wanted me gone from his life. When they got their wish, but not in the manner they’d hoped for, let’s just say it was a less-than-amicable break.”

“I didn’t realize things between you were so strained.”

Returning to face the stage, where Bennett’s leaning toward the fans in the front rows, “It’s best if you go without me.”

He rubs his chin. “Perhaps.” Off to the side, Kieron chats with a man who has his back to me. “Chico and Kieron,” the manager notes. “Our longtime guitar tech seems to be working well with the new hire.”

“I remember Chico working with the band.” Taking my time, I observe the pair. “Must be difficult for Kieron to come into an already established unit.”

Luke’s shoulder rises. “It can be. UC tends to form a bond among the band, techs, roadies, and crew. We understand why Chico had to leave now—after all, he’s going to be a father soon—and we’re hoping this transition is smooth. ”

My chin bobs. “Understandable.” My focus switches from Kieron to Bennett, whose stride appears steady. “I know Darren used to think of you all as a huge family.”

“Huge and dysfunctional,” he corrects, with a grin. “I’m not sure I would still be here but for how fantastic it is to hang with these guys. The band is tight, and I feel honored to be their brother. Which was cemented when Darren died.” He eyes me with caution.

“The band definitely closed ranks when it happened.”

“Yeah. I can’t imagine going through such, uh, sadness, with any other group of guys.

From that moment onward, we became even tighter.

Some managers would’ve let the band members sort out their feelings alone, but UC invited me into their inner circle.

It was rough going from then to where we are today.

” His chin juts toward the stage. “We pulled through. Even brought Tris into the fold.”

My gaze switches from Bennett at the mic to the band’s new keyboardist. My heart bleeds at watching a new man play keys, but Tristan adds his own flair to their songs in a much more demure way than Darren did. Still effective. “They’re more subdued since Darren?—”

“Yeah.” Luke shifts his weight between his feet. “There’s less laughter now, more true support and love for each other. We’ve been through hell, as have you, and we’ve come out of it closer.”

I absorb what he’s telling me. “So you’re all closer than friends?”

“With the exception of Tris, who’s melding in great, we’re closer than most brothers.”

Not for my sake, I push, “You and Bennett?”

His grin stretches. “The band’s manager and lead singer make quite the pair, don’t you think? He’s my closest friend.”

My heart grows for them. I just need Bennett to understand it. “You’re both lucky.”

We watch UC perform for half a song. “Can you believe it? They’re already gearing up for their encore. Better make sure everything’s ready for them. Catch you later.”

I wave and Luke disappears into the blackness.

How can I help Bennett accept the love from his bandmates and manager?

Get over his feelings of failure toward Darren?

Deal with the awful things his own mother spewed at him?

All the while allowing him to heal all my wounds?

I choke out a laugh. We make quite the pair—ahem, non-couple.

Before the last song’s over, Nese appears with arms overloaded. I spring forward. “Here. Let me help.” I grab the towels from beneath her arm.

“You dry. I’ll dress.”

We’re giggling when the band rushes off the stage, already stripping out of their wet shirts. I pass a towel to Coop, “Here you go.” The guitarist smiles as he opens the towel.

Next up is Tristan. I hand the terrycloth to him. He takes it with an “Appreciate it.”

An already shirtless Río snaps it out of my hand, saying, “Don’t mind if I do.”

The bassist approaches me, eyeing the towel as if I put itching powder on it. I extend my arm toward him. “Here you go.”

Pierce’s gaze bounces between me and the towel, sweat overcoming his dislike of me. “Thanks,” he mumbles. He can’t get out of my space fast enough.

Bennett’s the final member of the band to approach me. Damn man is shirtless and dripping from either the water bottle I caught him dumping over his head or performing under the lights. Or both. I offer him the last towel. “Here you go.”

He licks his lips. It’s all I can do to keep my traitorous body from rubbing all over his wet one, savoring all the ridges of his hard muscles. Opening his arms wide, he says, “Care to help me out?”

“What? No.” I scrunch it up and shove the towel at his ripped midsection. “Dry your own damn self.”

He chuckles and does as instructed, ending by rubbing it over his head so his hair spikes in all directions. Nese walks over and hands him a new shirt, for which he thanks her. The asshat has manners when he wants to use them .

“Enjoying the show?” Bennet slides his clean shirt over his torso, eliminating my view of his muscle-laden chest.

“It’s been amazing,” I admit. “How’s your leg feeling?”

“Pretty good.” He punches his thigh. “Barely any discomfort at all.”

Luke yells, “All right, guys. One minute before you close down fucking Madison Square Garden!”

The other members of UC, except for Pierce, whoop it up. Bennett turns his head and adds, “Hell yes!” In the corner, Darren’s best friend fiddles with his belt.

Seems like my presence isn’t welcomed by the whole band, although I’m not about to intrude on Bennett’s high. I will, however, remind him to watch his injury. “Try not to do too many side-to-side motions.”

The lead singer salutes me. “Yes, boss.”

“B, get your ass over here!”

“Coming!” Full lips blow a kiss in my direction before he takes off to Luke.

“That seemed cozy.” Nese sidles up to my side, still holding the band members’ wet clothing.

I play it off. “It’s only Bennett. You know how he can be.”

Her pixie cut bounces around her head. “I’ve only seen him in action for like a week. Do tell, how can he be?”