Page 101 of Extended Bridge

The fact Bennett’s standing up for me, even in the face of all the crap Lissa dumped on his lap, makes my heart flip. Despite the whirlwind swirling, I have faith that nothing will come between us.

Luke gets to his feet and paces around the room like a cornered tiger. “Coop, Río, and Tris are on your side. Have to give it to you straight, though, 007 and the Hilliards are less likely to come to your defense.”

Bennett moves the ice pack on his thigh. “007 participated last night.”

Was that only last night? My shoulders lower. “Has Darren’s mother said anything else to the press?”

“No,” the manager assures me. Then takes it away. “I have almost zero faith she’ll stay quiet in the face of Lissa’s interview.” He checkshis phone. “Right on time, Francis and Logan reached out to her for her opinion.”

No need to read it.

Luke’s pacing accelerates.

Bennett’s phone blares an Eminem song. He picks it up, silences it, and tosses it onto the coffee table. In response to my angled head, he says, “Mom.”

Could this day get any worse?

“I’m going to call the PR team to strategize. Maybe reach out to Jeremy Davis again. He’s written good articles about UC in the past. For the love of God, do not leave this room.” He takes a step toward the door. “And don’t call in to any shows, podcasts, or reporter friends. Got it, B?”

“Not going anywhere,” he grumbles.

When Luke focuses on me, I raise my hands and nod. Satisfied, he stalks out of the room.

Bennett opens his arms wide. I can’t resist his invitation and crawl into his embrace, careful not to disturb the ice pack or reinjure his pulled muscle. With my head on his upper pecs and his chin on top of my head, he says, “We’ll figure this out.”

I don’t want to say this, but I feel the need to offer. “I should go home. The clinics are suffering because I’m not there.”

“No. They’re being targeted because you’re mine.” He tugs me tight. “Doesn’t matter where you are, no one can change this fact.”

I let his confidence buoy my flagging spirits. “I’m causing you problems with the band. Pierce won’t talk with you.”

“He was talking last night. He’ll get over it.” He shrugs. “Or we’ll hire a new bassist. You’re the most important person in my life.”

His first admission causes warmth to spread throughout my chest. The last one, though, not so much. “That’s not right. The band needs its bassist. You need him,” Pierce seemed to be getting over my imaginary role in his best friend’s death last night. Then there’s Darren’s mother, who equally hates me—although that’s nothing new. AndMichelle’s vendetta against me back home. Add Lissa to the toxic brew, and we’re sinking fast.

“I need you more.”

Not wanting to continue this endless cycle without an off-ramp, I remove the ice from this thigh and suggest he check out the muscle pull. He gets to his feet and begins to do an abbreviated version of our exercises.

I follow him. “Does anything hurt?”

“No.” He even tries full-blown skater leaps. “Okay, these hurt.”

“They’re more advanced. So long as the others don’t bother you, I think you’ll be fine. Why don’t you take a shower?”

“Join me?” He holds out his hand.

“As inviting as that sounds, I better reach out to Court. I need to make sure the clinics are all right.”

He frowns. “Why don’t you turn it over to UC’s PR team? They’re professionals—I bet they can fix things for you without breaking a sweat.”

My hands fist on my hips. “It’s my business, Bennett. I can handle this.”

“All I’m saying is why bother? Take advantage of the team around me. That’s what they’re here for.”

“I’m not in the band,” I remind him, emphasizing my point by poking his chest. “UC retains them—of which I’m not a part. If no one else, Pierce will tell you that.”

He steps backward. “Sheesh, I’m only trying to help you.”

---