Page 41 of Extended Bridge

Cognizant of possible eyes and ears lapping up our conversation, I place my index finger over my lips. “Not here.”

Bennett’s face swivels around. Grabbing my hand, he drags me through a door marked “Employees Only.” We walk down a hallway and enter what I presume to be an empty break room since it has a coffee machine, a microwave, vending machines, plus some tables.

He begins, “I don’t want to see the Hilliards. What do I have to say to them? Darren’s no longer with us and I’ve moved on to mackin’ out with his girlfriend?”

“Don’t say it like that.” I realize what he said and stomp my foot. “We’re not ‘mackin’ out’ You were friends”—I stop and correct my descriptor—“bandmates until the day Darren died. You wrote songs together, rode fame all the way to the top, won Grammys for UC. You shared a lot of happy memories. I’m sure they want to reminisce about the good times.”

“I don’t have to be there for that. 007 does.”

“It seems to me it would be cathartic for all of you. Tristan too. He’s never met them before, right?”

“No.”

“How about this? You go eat breakfast, we do PT as the bus takes us down to Philadelphia, and UC can decide as a whole who should go visit the Hilliards.” I run my fingers over a small cocktail paper napkin. “Band members only. I just can’t.”

“This right here is the reason I want you to come. Or we both should stay back.”

“Bennett.” I gaze into his green eyes, willing myself not to get lost. “This visit may help you all heal. The movie took you a long way, I saw it even from the audience. Being back on top also gave you a boost. It’s okay for you to miss a, uh, colleague. I had a very differentrelationship with him and his family. I don’t want to be the reason your good visit goes sour.”

“I could talk you up.”

A small laugh escapes. “I think the less you say about me, the better. My only worry is how you—as a band and singularly—are going to deal with the ‘Black Widow’ headlines.” This right here is the only reason I should accompany him. So we can get to the bottom of it.No.

“If you come with us, you can sort it all out.” He runs a finger down my cheek, causing me to suppress a shudder. “I hear you about the rocky relationship you had with his family. This might be a chance to correct it.”

“To say what? I had a great time with your son, but now that he’s gone, I need to stay close with UC, so I picked the lead singer. But don’t worry, the replacement keyboardist is totally off limits.”

“Wow.” His finger tucks some of my hair behind my ear. I need to put it in a ponytail before our physical therapy session. “Guilt recognizes itself.”

His thoughts about not picking up on Darren’s drug use resurface. I offer a half-smile. “Yeah. Guess it does.”

His eyes close and our foreheads touch. “I understand why you want to stay away. I’ll keep you company.”

His woodsy scent assails my nose. I shake my head, rocking my forehead against his. “No. You have a different relationship with them. Besides,” I pull back, “one of us needs to defend our honor. Defuse the situation the media’s portraying.”

His eyelids raise with a slow pulse. “That we’re together?” He glances downward. “I’m not touching you.”

My eyes widen as I realize only our foreheads are in contact. “And you won’t again.” It takes all my concentration to take a step away from his intoxicating scent. “You straighten them out. I’ll stay behind and work on your next round of therapy.”

“Remember, Jenna, this wasn’t my choice. But I’ll do it for you.”He steps toward me, a wicked glint in his eye. “I think I should get two hugs out of this deal, though.”

I bring my two index fingers together, making the sign of the cross. “Oh no, no, no. One hug. That was our agreement.”

“Your demand,” Bennett corrects. “I can wait to collect.” He disappears down the hallway while I gather my scattered thoughts. How can this man make me forget everything, including my name, without even touching me?

I’m in so much trouble.

Chapter Eleven

Turns out, all of the guys except Tristan left to visit Darren’s mother and sister about thirty minutes ago. I’m in no mood to socialize with Nese or the other crew members or roadies. Nor do I want to talk with Ma or even Court. Better I keep my own bad company.

Inside Bennett’s bus where we did our morning therapy session, I sit then stand. He’s doing so much better than I expected. He’ll probably be able to drop down to one session a day sooner than I had predicted. At least there’s that.

I pace the bus, which isn’t small by any means. It’s not big enough, either. Maybe it’s the fact the guys are visiting Darren’s family, or the reality of touring with UC again, I have a sudden need to talk with my former boyfriend. I slip out of the bus, which is parked in the back of the stadium that will host the concert tonight. Using my all-access pass, I enter backstage and find myself standing on the stage, behind his keyboard.

I stare at the instrument Darren used to adore. In my mind’s eye, I picture him playing in front of a massive crowd. My feet moveforward until I’m so close I can touch the keys. I reach out but my hand falls to my side.

“Darren,” I begin. “I loved you. You drew me into your life and opened my eyes to crazy experiences. I will always remember our time together with wonder.” I lift my arm again, but it lowers. “I’m not sure, though, what I brought into your life except maybe a remembered sense of normalcy. With Bennett, it’s different. He’s been hurt deeply, which I understand more than you know. Because we never talked about my grandmother. You never shared about your addiction either.”

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