Page 55 of Extended Bridge

“The radio station did this up right,” she notes. “The club is jumping, the fans seem nice, and the drinks are off the hook.”

Her gaze drifts toward UC, mine follows suit. Bennett’s now talking with the sole female radio DJ. Figures. “I remember back in the day. Darren used to drive their partying. Luke tried to get them to ease up but lost nine times out of ten.”

“I can’t imagine. This time around, things seem a bit more buttoned up. Take Tristan, for example. He’s chatting with the group over there,” using her drink Nese points to the cluster of fans who were all over Bennett a few minutes ago. “Seems like a civilizedconversation. Río, on the other hand.” She drink-points to him. “He looks about ready to do body shots at any second.”

I laugh at her description. “You’re pretty spot on.”

As if on cue, the bunch with Río call for the server, who reappears a few minutes later with a tray of shots. Instead of sucking the liquid off various body parts, however, they all do them the normal way, much to my relief. Not sure Río would agree.

One of the male DJs claps his hands and announces the event is over. Fans hug band members good night, and then most of them leave. It takes the DJs a few tries, but they manage to wrangle all of their guests out of the VIP area, leaving the band and crew.

“What happens next?”

Nese downs the rest of her drink. “The band goes into the main club to choose their evening’s entertainment. If they haven’t selected a fan or two already.”

“But they all left?”

“Oh, you have so much to learn. They may have exited because the DJs ordered them out, but if a guy, say Río, told them to wait by the doors, you can bet your sexy butt they’re waiting.”

“That’s so...” I search for the proper word. “Skeevy.”

“You were with the band a couple of years ago. I can’t imagine they’ve changed too much.”

My time with Darren was limited, and we never stayed at these types of things a minute longer than need be. Were they like this before? I remember enjoying a couple of drinks with a crowd but then Darren would spirit me away to his hotel room or the bus and we’d have our own private party.

A memory niggles at the back of my mind—the night I first met Bennett was at a bar. We talked aboutThe Godfathermovies. Plenty of fans milled around, but not this sort of organized meat market. Still, I do remember Darren talking about all the women the band took to their bunks. He told me he was happy not to be part of that scene any longer.

How does Bennett feel about all this?

I crane my neck, looking for him. Nese leans over, “He’s talking with the bouncer.”

My gaze jumps to the bouncer where Bennett stands. They seem to be in a deep conversation. “I wonder what they’re talking about?”

Nese grabs me by the shoulders. “Listen. I know you’ve denied you two are together, but I’m not buying it. The Bennett I’ve heard of would be talking with the bouncer to select his evening’s entertainment, if you get my drift. If, as I suspect, you’ve changed him, he’s asking the bouncer for the fastest exit route.”

I watch as the bouncer pulls something out of his back pocket. “I’m going to tell Bennett I’m here. Have a good night.”

“I knew it!” Nese’s smile conveys pure happiness. “Enjoy!”

As I approach, Bennett signs a paper and hands it back to the bouncer. “Tell your daughter she has a great father.”

An autograph. He was signing an autograph. I tap Bennett’s shoulder, causing him to jump. “Hi.”

He swings around to face me, his professional mask firmly in place. The second he recognizes me, it hits the floor. “You came!”

He owes Court one. “I did.”

With an “excuse me,” to the bouncer, he takes my arm. “Did you enjoy tonight’s concert?”

“What’s not to like? You guys are great, and you didn’t do anything to endanger your recovery.”

One eyebrow raises. “That’s all you saw?”

“No,” I admit. “I also saw a hardworking man drawing thousands into his world, where nothing matters except the next note. You were the master out there.”

“Wow. I was hoping you’d say you liked how I sang. But I’ll take your review over those by Jeremy Davis any day.” He kisses my hand. “I need a drink.”

We’re on our way to the bar when a server approaches with a martini glass on her tray. Her eyes eat him up. “Thought you might like this.”

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