Page 72 of Extended Bridge

Pierce looks like he was forced to eat raw egg whites, his face having taken on a green pallor. While the guys continue to hash out the statement, he pushes away from the table. Without a word, he spins on his heel and stalks out of the room.

Around me, all talking and good humor plummets. If he isn’t on board, this won’t work. And I’ll be the person who broke up the band for real.

Bennett jumps to his feet. “I’ll go knock some sense into him,” he vows.

No, don’t do it.This has to be his decision, not one forced on him. I can’t be the one to voice these thoughts, however.

Tristan stops Bennett. “No. You’ll only exacerbate the situation. I’ll go.” He slams back whatever’s in his glass and follows Pierce out the door.

“He’ll come around,” Coop declares.

I don’t think so. He looked ready to explode and puke at the same time.

“He will,” Luke agrees. “In the meantime, let’s finish the statement.” He looks at me. “Don’t worry. This will work out, I promise. Now, B, what are you going to say about Lissa?”

Still standing, Bennett begins his story about his ex leaving him for his best friend Curtiss back in high school. All the while, he walks behind his band members, touching their backs as if to thank them for being there with him. For him—and me. This is the most touchy-feely I’ve ever seen him with his bandmates. I need to make him see how they’re coalescing around him.

“She told me she was ‘saving it’”—he uses air quotes together with his tongue sticking out—“for marriage. I was a freaking horny teenager, and her declaration was like showing red to a bull, but I was a stupid fool and agreed to hold off. So, we didn’t have sex back then, and now she’s claiming I never got over her.” His eyes roll.

“This Lissa is a bitch,” Río says when Bennett finishes sharing their sordid history. “I wonder what Curtiss”—he hisses the last syllable like a snake—“does now? He’s probably some balding dud who sells used cars.”

His description makes my cheeks half inflate. Having his support means a lot. Having all their support does, with the glaring exception of Pierce.

“So that’s Lissa,” Coop concludes. “We’ve also got Jenna figured out. The only missing link is UC apparently being broken up by this slip of a woman with truly amazing hands.” He manages to get it out before laughing, which sets off the rest of the table.

“Yeah,” Río holds his sides. “She’s like our blonde Yoko Ono. Who, by the way, got a bad rap.”

Luke agrees. “No argument here. But I don’t think you should share your opinion with the world. Why don’t you stick to the fact that you guys aren’t going anywhere?”

The two remaining band members agree.

While I appreciate all they’re doing, without Pierce, it’s going to be for naught. The only other cherry on the top that’s missing is Darren’s family. At least they’re “unavailable for comment.”

Yet another knock sounds on the front door. Assuming it’s Tristan, I rush to answer it only to see a server from the hotel wheeling in food. “Guys,” I announce, “your third dinner is here.”

“All right!” Río stalks toward the trolley as if he hasn’t eaten in years. Addressing the beautiful woman unloading the tray, he says, “Let me help you.”

I find Bennett and nod toward the gorgeous server. He shrugs, then blows me a kiss. After sampling the number of women he has, Ineed to trust he’s ready to settle down. With me. It’s the latter point that blows my mind.

Río escorts the server to the front door while I take in the buffet of amazing foods awaiting us. Coop and Luke don’t hesitate to pick up plates and start piling them high. I take another small sip of my wine and check the time. Four o’clock.In the morning.How is this my life?

Around the table, Darren’s overdose is discussed in brief terms. I’m dismissed as a possible accomplice without any thought. Then, conversation turns toward the upcoming leg of the US tour, ticket sales, possible new merch to add to the store, Darren’s scholarship program. Even new material.

The band operates differently from most others I’ve heard about, since they write their songs as a group. No one is the designated chief lyricist, nobody takes the lead on music. They bounce ideas off each other in between scrambled eggs, French toast, and paninis.

For the life of me, I can’t help but think of them as a family. Coming together to fight off a threat. Supporting each other...including me.

Except Pierce. He doesn’t want anything to do with the intruder—the black sheep of the family. If he can’t agree to make the statement, it’ll fall flat.

I’ll be back to square one.

I need to brace myself for this possibility. No matter how much I love Bennett and he loves me, without the approval from the entire band, it won’t work.

I’ll have to leave.

I pray it doesn’t end this way.

Chapter Eighteen

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