Page 2 of Extended Bridge (Passionate Beats #2)

“The million-dollar question, huh? Bennett wants me to give him physical therapy during the tour. But I have obligations, like working with contractors on our third location and scouting out a fourth. Despite what you told me before, I’m not really in a position to leave these important tasks behind, given the new media landscape. Plus, Ma’s not getting any younger.”

Court laughs. “Your mother’s going to be around forever. She hasn’t aged a bit since I met her!”

I grin at my friend. “You’re right. Gives me hope for my own, long future.” I can see it yawning before me. An image of Bennett with me appears, each one of us holding a child in our arms. I blink it away.

“Maybe filled with a certain tall, green-eyed singer with luscious caramel locks?” Her eyes sparkle.

“Court!” I smack her. “Stop it. I’ve had enough of band members to last me two lifetimes.” My vision notwithstanding.

Her expression becomes serious. “I’m fully aware of what you went through with Darren.

I was there, remember? He swept you off your axis, but you remained your level-headed self who I love.

But, as I told you before, Felipe and I can take care of things here.

You deserve a break from this reality for a while. Get pampered on tour.”

“You don’t know how tours go. I only joined Darren a few times with the band before, and here are my top ten annoying things about touring—smelly bus, long hours, fast food, laundromats, sound checks, groupies, bumpy roads, radio interviews, boy fights, and too much guitar hero.

” I rattle off this list in quick succession.

“Seriously?” She focuses in on my last criticism. “They really play that game? I would think they’d have enough of it in real life.”

I raise my hand. “Word.”

“Jenna.” Her voice lowers. “How are you doing? For real?”

Her concern brings me to tears again. I grab another tissue while I try to get myself under control. After Darren’s death, I haven’t cried more than a few times. All within these past weeks. With Bennett.

“It’s been awful. The reporters are ruthless.” I wave the tissue toward the front door. “They’re here again.”

“I know. If you didn’t notice, I hired security to protect our patients. We’ve got it under control here. It’s you I’m worried about.”

Her simple statement tugs at my heartstrings. “You’re a great friend, Court. Honestly, I have no idea how I’m doing. I’m a mess.”

“Anyone who knows you can’t believe the lies online.”

“Lissa seemed convincing.” The woman Bennett was in love with all those years ago. Who broke him with his best friend. If I could redo that dinner, I’d yank out her damn hair extensions with my bare hands for the damage she’s caused him.

“I have to admit,” Court declares. “Even I was shocked about her accusations. But she’s not a problem for you, right?”

If I weren’t interested in the lead singer, my answer would be a resounding no.

If I didn’t know how he kissed, what his body felt like, or how he tasted, I could shake this off.

But I can’t. “There’s something buried in Bennett that speaks to me,” I confess.

“Despite being at the pinnacle of his career, he’s isolated.

Alone. The worst part? He doesn’t even recognize it. ”

Her tone doesn’t betray the scary truth I just shared with her. Instead, she says, “I want you to live again, Jenna. If that means going back out on tour with the band who brought you to your knees, then I’m all for it. So long as your eyes are wide open. ”

Do I belong with UC? What damage would my presence bring to the band? The better question is what damage would Bennett suffer if I don’t go? He confessed he loved me. Heaven help me, all the damaged parts of him—not the cocky frontman he portrays—draw me to him.

I toss the tissue, watching as it floats downward. “I believe they are.”

“Do you want to start something with their lead singer? Bennett?”

That ship has sailed, but I don’t share this with her.

Even with Darren, I refused to get involved romantically until his therapy was over.

With Bennett, I was powerless to stop myself.

The pull between us is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.

I tried to ignore it but couldn’t resist the depths of his soul calling out to me.

Because this is Court, I tell the truth. “I think so.”

“This is so out of character for you, Jenna. I’m happy. Live out loud, screw the assholes.”

I chuckle at her apt description.

“If this guy floats your boat, you need to see where it leads. Together. Screw all the ethics crap.”

I try to let my head take the lead. “There are rules for a reason.”

“Don’t you know? Rules are meant to be broken.” She stares at me. “I’ve never seen you act this way before about any guy.”

Her words strike a chord. “Well, he is unlike any other man I’ve ever met.” So warm. Caring. Putting up a front to hide deep wounds. “I like him a lot.”

“Exactly what I’ve been waiting for you to admit!” Squealing, she pulls me in for a hug.

When we break apart, another worry pops into my mind. “What about my business, though?”

“Do not worry about At Your Service PT. Felipe and I will deal with the build out.”

Back on firmer footing, I say, “I was thinking of tapping Sylvia to lead the third location. ”

“Sylvia?” Court adjusts her glasses. “I like her, but I’m not sure she’s ready for that much responsibility. What about Greyson?”

“Let me think about him.” I consider her suggestions.

“I don’t know what to do here.” Should I leave these huge details in Court’s hands?

How will my other manager, Felipe, react?

Then there’s Austin, Sylvia, Greyson, and my other therapists.

This is wrong. I sit up. I need to be here directing everything.

Court ignores my posture. “You’re allowed to have a life of your own. Whether it means you travel with Bennett or settle down here with the head librarian, it’ll be okay. You deserve love and happiness.”

Her words sink into my overcluttered mind, and I bring her in for a hug.

Court’s always stuck by me—one of the many reasons I made her the manager of my first clinic.

Not to mention she’s amazing at what she does.

“Thanks. But I don’t know. All this has happened so fast. I probably should stay here. ”

She crosses her legs. “So I guess you’d be fine if this Lissa takes up where she left off with Bennett?”

“What? No way. She’s terrible.” I wiggle in disgust.

She laughs. “That’s what I thought. You’ve got it bad for the lead singer.”

“But it’s not only him, Court. The press would lose their minds if I joined UC on tour. Especially since Bennett’s kept his injury on the down low.” I shudder. “They’ll make up awful stories about how I’m going to kill each one of the band members.”

“They wouldn’t do that, would they?”

I nod. “Worse.” I find it hard to imagine what they’ll concoct, but it was terrible after Darren died. This would be degrees worse. “I can’t see how this is a good idea.”

“Except for the fact you’re half in love with the guy.”

Am I? He did say he loves me, but I’m so confused.

Yes, his soul speaks to me. I want to help him conquer the world again, in his own style.

I want to see him heal the wounds of his past. I want to revel in his happiness.

Plus he’s made me come like no one else, including Darren.

But is this love ? I swipe another tissue. “I’m such a mess.”

Court lets me cry for a few more minutes, lightly tapping my back. “You’ll figure it out, you always do. How much longer is Bennett in town?”

I pull back. “He’s leaving at noon today.

” I glance at the clock. “In an hour.” This realization sets me off again.

My world could return to its controlled way, which should make me feel better than I have since Bennett burst into it.

But it doesn’t. The desire to spend more time with this challenging rock star tweaks my heart.

I want to insert order into his chaos. Introduce him to love and friendship, the latter of which I’m sure he already has in spades but doesn’t know it. The way his mind works intrigues me.

The whole man intrigues me.

Can I do this again?

How can I not?

My shoulders slump. “Court, I want to go with him.”

“Then let’s see what I can do to make this your reality.”