Page 33 of Extended Bridge

“She was only a few weeks in. There’s no way to know the gender. The only reason I call it a girl is because that’s how Mom refers to my twin.”

My palm covers my gasp. “That’s terrible.”

“Whenever we speak, there is the invariable sentence that begins, ‘If you’d let your sister live’ or, if she’s being more charitable, ‘If your sister were here.’”

How could any mother say such a thing to her only surviving child? Obviously, Bennett’s said she isn’t in her right mind. I can’t process the pain he must carry with him because of her. Without thinking, I crawl the remaining distance and wrap my arms around his broad chest. “I can’t imagine. It wasn’t your fault.”

His arms rise and clamp down over mine. “Like the deaths of your grandmother and Darren weren’t yours.”

Heat seeps into my body, from the front and the back. Both my cheek, pressed against his hard pec, and his arms wound tightly around my back, welcome his comfort. I hope my body comforts him in the same way.

I remember his comment about Darren’s drug use. “Is your mother getting help?”

His chest expands against me. But for being pressed against him, I might not have noticed. “She is.”

“Your father’s gone, right?”

“He died when I was seventeen. A few weeks before I joined UC.”

No wonder I feel a kinship with the lead singer. We’ve both known death. I handle mine by controlling my environment. He chooses to remain an outsider looking in on his life. I squeeze him tighter.

“I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through all this,” I tell him. Still on my knees, I adjust my weight.

He brushes hair away from my cheek. “You’ve had it rougher than anyone else I know.”

I gaze into his green eyes, the color of leaves after a rainstorm. “Except for you.”

“This doesn’t count, you know. You started it.”

My head tilts, my chin brushing against his shoulder. Confusion runs through my veins until it hits me. I pull away, all the while craving his warmth. “I’ll let you off the hook. This time. You still have one hug left.”

His smile carries with it a hint of sadness. “I plan on collecting, but not now.”

Not when we’re so rawI supply. “Do you want to talk any more about all of this?”

He shakes his head. “I’ve had more than enough for now. You?”

“Same.” I rock to my feet and stand. “See you at sound check?”

“Don’t you know it.”

I return to my room, all the while wondering which one of us is looking forward to the evening’s gig more—him for the screaming fans, or me, to watch over my patient.

Or is there a third option I never considered—where we both help the other heal?

Chapter Nine

From 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.”

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