Page 34 of Extended Bridge

“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. Howisour 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?—”

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