Page 43 of Extended Bridge

Tristan nods. “So if some other guy wanted to sweep you off your feet, you’d be open?”

Is he hitting on me? “Well, it wouldn’t be against any ethical rules.”

“I know. I wasn’t asking for myself,” he hurries to clarify. “I’ve heard things around the crew and wanted to see if I could help you out before things got out of hand.”

My feet stop. This man, whom I’ve only barely met, is incredible. “You’re looking out for me?”

He shrugs. “You’re practically family. Wanted to make sure nothing bad happens to you.”

The fact he’s taking a big brother protector role over me makes tears tickle the back of my eyes. Again. Only a couple of days into the tour and I’m turning into a watering pot. I blink several times. “You have to be the sweetest man I’ve ever met.”

His hands return to his back pockets. “Momma raised me right.”

“She sure did.” After a few steps, I add, “If you could dissuade anyone from pursuing me, that would be most appreciated. I’m not here to find a man.”Bennett checks all my boxes.“It was a hard decision for me to come tour with UC again, but the fact the doctor prescribed Bennett’s therapy tipped the balance. I’ve been working with him since his injury and want to see him back to one hundred percent.”

“I applaud you, Jenna. Stepping back into this world after everything that happened with Darren.”

“Yeah, well. The same could be said about you. Here you are, actually replacing him on the keys. I admire you, Tristan.”

“It’s been a long road, but I do finally feel as if we’re jelling together as a band.”

“I know.” I grin. “I saw the movie.”

“It’s all out there, thanks to Quinn Walker. You remind me of her. Smart, talented, and you don’t take any shit.” He pauses. “Stuff.”

“I try not to.” Don’t know how successful I am, however, given the way the media’s calling me Black Widow. “Are things really as relaxed among you and the band as you make it seem?”

“Mostly,” he replies. “Our struggles nowadays are about business and music things. I feel as if I’ve been accepted into UC by the original members. I make sure not to rock the boat.”

“I get it. Please do me a favor, though. Be yourself in all your Mr. Polite glory. Don’t let the rest of them take that away from you.”

His white teeth glint in the sunlight. I follow their rays to his ears, where holes for earrings rest. I’ve never seen earrings in them. “You have pierced ears?”

Fingers cover both ears. “Yeah. I like how they look, but they’re Coop’s thing.”

“So? Nese’s eyebrow is pierced.”

“Well, true.”

“All the guys have tattoos, some more than others. I bet there are piercings you don’t know about.” Nor do I want to find out.

“I don’t want to encroach on Coop.”

He doesn’t elaborate and I don’t push. He’ll come clean with the guys when he’s ready. Why he’s hiding this piece of himself baffles me, but it’s his secret to share. Guess he takes polite to a whole new level.

A black limo pulls into the parking lot. “Looks like they’re back.”

I straighten my shoulders. I hope Darren’s mother didn’t badmouth me from here to kingdom come, but Darren’s support from the stage buoys me. Walking and chatting with Tristan was a wonderful diversion, but now that they’re back, my stomach churns with the unknown.

When the doors open, Luke leads the group out of the vehicle. Pierce is the first to say anything, and it’s directed at Tristan. “Hey there. Want to play some hoops?” He points to the back, toward the roadies’ buses.

“Sure thing.” Under his breath, he asks, “Will you be all right?”

Tristan’s concern for me overshadows the ruckus in my stomach. “I will, Mr. Polite. Go, have a great time.” He takes a step away. “Wait!” He looks at me and I kiss his cheek. “Thanks for a great afternoon.”

His hand covers where I bussed him. “Any time.” He jogs to meet up with Pierce, Coop, and Río.

Luke and Bennett are in deep conversation by the entrance to the lead singer’s bus. Instead of intruding, I aim my feet toward my own bus. I could use some alone time to process before our late afternoon therapy session.

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