Page 25 of Extended Bridge (Passionate Beats #2)

Chapter Thirteen

S everal days pass. The guys do their pre-show ritual and then they run onstage, with Bennett taking his time, due to his injury.

He’s doing well with his therapy—I can’t believe he pushed to keep his afternoon sessions this week.

Tomorrow, though, I’m insisting he drops down to one.

It’ll fit better with his schedule anyway, since doing skater leaps on a moving bus is no joke.

Once they’re performing, I return to the green room and call Ma. We keep missing each other, so I’m hopeful tonight will be a different story. I’m happy when she picks up. “You’re a hard one to reach.”

Her laughter floats through the receiver. “Takes one to know one. How’s life on the road?”

“Good. It’s challenging being with everyone again, but there are new faces. The band’s doing well. In fact, they’re giving a concert as we speak.” I hold my cell out toward the stage.

“They sound good. How’s Darren’s replacement doing?”

“Tristan Lambert is his name. He’s a really nice guy. Super talented. I like him a lot, and it seems the band does too.”

“Good to hear. So, how does being on tour with this version of UC differ from before?”

“It is different, Ma, to be sure. You know how Darren was always cracking jokes and ready to try something new at the drop of the hat?”

She laughs. “Hard to forget.”

“Well, that vibe’s no longer here. The guys are less, I don’t know, rowdy. But they’re still very much into their music, which is all that matters.”

“Sounds like they grew up.”

I let Ma’s observation sink in. “You may be right. Although Río is still loud with an oversized personality.” They all follow Bennett’s quieter lead, even if he doesn’t believe me.

“How are you doing, Sweet Pea? Keeping your head amongst all the rock stars?”

More like losing it to the lead singer. Though I’m not going to share this with Ma—I need to ease her into our growing relationship.

“I’m doing my best. Bennett’s PT is going well and we’re dropping down to once a day.

” To deter her inevitable questions, I focus on the new additions.

“The tour has different crew members than I remember. I’ve made a good friend, who’s their stylist, Nese. ”

“That’s nice. Does she know your track record with the band?”

“With all the press, it would be impossible for her not to know. She’s cool about it. I’m hoping to spend more time with her to see how she picks out different outfits for the guys that all work together.”

“Sounds like a big job.”

“It is.” I move the discussion to the various crew members and roadies and their jobs, hoping to avoid anything about Bennett. Or Darren. Or my recent revelations about him. They’re too raw for me to share, even with my mother.

“Well, it’s getting late, so I should go. It was wonderful to hear your voice and not only in voicemail.”

After we click off, I return backstage and watch the crew bringing UC to life.

Sound, lighting, staging, Kieron doing his guitar tech work on his own now that Chico’s gone.

All of the members working in concert with the five men performing.

It takes a village. I wonder how many in the audience realize. ..or care?

Bennett sings the final note to “Make Me Feel It” and the audience screams their appreciation. He drops the mic to his side, then stretches his arms wide as if asking each person in the crowd to give him a hug. Soaking up their adoration.

Am I ready to be with this man? While Darren was many things, he never was the face of the band. One that women from four to eighty-four want. Am I cut out for this type of lifestyle?

“Damn. Every time they perform, they sound better.”

I glance to my left, where Nese now stands. “They sure do. Their clothes don’t hurt, either.”

She blows on her knuckles. “Glad to have a hand in their continued rise.”

We both laugh. “So tell me, Oh Guru,” I tease, “how do you dress each guy to their own style, yet make the whole look that good?”

She points at the stage. “What do you see out there?”

My gaze snags on the lead singer, standing with his back to Coop, who’s making love to his guitar.

“Well, Bennett’s wearing his signature black leather pants, with a T-shirt over top that has some sort of geometric print on it, with his bracelets, rings, and his ever-present UC pendant on a necklace.

Coop has on a pair of ripped jeans and white T-shirt under an open button-down, boots, sunglasses, and his hoop earrings.

I can see a flash of his UC necklace at the top of his chest.”

“Nice description of their outfits.” Nese leans closer to me.

“Let me tell you what I see. I see the leader of the band, UC’s singer, capturing everyone’s attention because of the sexy leather cuddling his muscular legs.

He’s highlighting the guitarist, whose ripped jeans catch the light ‘just so’ to expose his thigh to the audience, teasing them with the possibility of what could be. ”

“Oh wow. You dress them to seduce the audience.”

“Damn straight. Haven’t you heard that sex sells?” Her big laugh punctuates her description .

I take in the rest of the band’s attire.

Río plays drums sans shirt as usual—from this vantage point he could be naked, although I do remember gym shorts underneath.

Pierce’s muscular arms bulge out of the tight shirt tucked into his jeans held up with Darren’s studded belt.

Even Tristan’s boy-next-door vibe is amped up by the multiple necklaces around his neck.

“You’re a genius.”

Her white teeth beam at me. “Not a genius. Only accentuating what I have to work with and subliminally projecting it forward.”

We watch the show for a while. Nese tags my shoulder with hers. “So, anything more to share with your UC bestie about you and the sexy green-eyed beast onstage?”

My gaze travels to Bennett. The leather pants mold against his body, outlining every part of his musculature.

Perhaps they’re not the best choice after all?

Shaking my head, I notice he’s highlighting Pierce on bass.

While I know he doesn’t like the spotlight, Bennett’s forcing him to interact, and I have to admit he’s doing a great job.

Nese nudges me again.

“Huh?” I turn my head. “Do you think the pants are too tight on him?”

She bursts out laughing. “I ask you how things are developing between you two and your response is to ask about his pants ?”

Heat rises up my neck. My palm covers my wayward mouth. “I’m sorry. You were fishing for information about me and Bennett?”

“Not anymore, girlie. Your response said it all.”

Crap. “Please keep it between us.”

“Don’t worry. And, no. The leather encases his body to perfection but not in a lewd way. Your man is hot. With a capital H-O-T.”

Is he my man? “I’m not sure he’s mine though, Nese. Look at him out there. That’s a different man from the one I know doing physical therapy. He’s enticing everyone in the crowd to either be him or jump him.” My finger taps my lips. “I don’t know this man.”

Her pixie cut flows around her head. “He’s donned his public mask. The one he wears whenever he’s onstage. I’m betting around you he drops it altogether. Then he’s only Bennett.”

I let her description sink in. Part of me is thrilled that she thinks he’s himself around me. Another part feels sad that he has to hide behind a mask at all. Although, I do remember watching him put his mask on before a gig. “Do you wear a mask in public?”

“No. Then again, I’m not hounded by the paparazzi and don’t have my every move scrutinized.” Her whole body turns to mine. “Tell me, are you the same woman in front of reporters as you are right now?”

I remember the hordes of photographers hounding me at my clinic or my house.

“Well, no. Because they don’t deserve to know what’s going on in my life.

You do.” I consider what I’ve said. “So, you’re basically saying Bennett’s had to learn how to protect himself and the way he does it is with this mask. ”

“Precisely.”

If he weren’t performing in front of thousands at this very moment, I would give him the biggest hug. “That sounds terrible.”

“But necessary. He has to protect himself. They all do.”

“Makes me glad to be a physical therapist.”

“I hear you. I’ll style them all day long, but don’t put me out in front of the cameras. No thank you.” The music takes us away. When the song ends, she asks, “Are you going to come out with us tonight?”

“I’m not sure. It’s been a long day.” She’s given me so much to consider. “I’d like to get some quality sleep tonight.” So long as I stay on my bus and away from the man hamming it up in front of thousands of people.

“Well, think about it. I, for one, would love to party with you. You haven’t joined us in a while.

Besides, I’m sure he would too.” Her chin juts toward Bennett.

“Well, I’d better get their encore clothes ready for their change.

See you in a bit.” She disappears behind black curtains that always are backstage.

My mind runs over what I’ve learned tonight. Bennett’s mask. Nese’s costumes. I’m finally freed from any bonds to Darren—am I ready to dive back into an even deeper pool?

The band finishes their set and rushes backstage, stripping off their clothes. Bennett searches for me, his face beaming when he finds me in the corner. Naked from the waist up, he stalks toward me.

Preventing a disgusting, wet hug, I hold up a towel between us that Nese gave to me and shove it against his glistening chest. For good measure, I rub my palms over his pecs. Can’t deny the excitement that pulses from his body, deep into mine.

“A guy could get used to this treatment.” He steps back and rubs the towel over his back, all the while grinning at me.

I notice his smile reaches his eyes, which appear softer. This is the true Bennett—he’s dropped the mask. I reach over and trace my fingers over his necklace, stopping at the UC pendant. “Your good omen.”

“You’re my lucky charm.”

His words embrace me.