Page 83 of Extended Bridge

From my position near the floor, more clapping reverberates through my body.

Tristan joins in, “The moral of the story is this—old girlfriend bad, Jenna good, story over.”

“This is why we’re Untamed Coaster,” Bennett’s tenor rings throughout the venue. “‘Cause we’re wild and free, but always look out for our own!”

I glance up to see all five guys with their fists in the air, like they do before they take the stage. A story everyone knows is rooted in their beginnings at the amusement park, thanks to the movie.

The crowd raises their fists into the air, reflecting love back at them.

“I need to get their change of clothes ready. Can you stand?”

Nese’s kind words force me to take stock of my body. I nod and she helps me return upright, steadying me. She hands me something, then leaves to help the band change for the encore.

I only have a few seconds to register I’m holding a new shirt for Bennett before the band enters backstage. In a daze, I roll over the features of the man I love as he approaches me. “How’d we do?”

“Great.”

He grins, opening his arms wide. “In that case, give me some sugar!”

I don’t hesitate. I leap up, wrapping my legs around his trim waist clad in leather. My arms go around his neck. “You all were amazing out there. How did you get Pierce to say what he did?”

“My hands are on your ass and you’re asking me about another guy? First Jeb and now 007—a man could get a complex.”

“As if.”

He studies my face. “You were crying.”

“Happy tears.”

“Those are the only sort allowed from now on.” He gives me a quick kiss. “Seems like I have a gorgeous woman in my arms and thousands of people out there waiting for an encore. Whatever shall I do?”

I giggle as I kiss him. “Give them what they want before giving us what we need.”

“Hell yes.”

He’s kissing me again as Luke yells, “Two minutes!”

“Put me down. I have a new shirt for you.”

“Only for now. I’m not letting you go afterwards.” He lowers me to the floor and strips. I check out his ripped torso, my tongue licking my lower lip. “Stop it now. My leather pants don’t have that much room.”

I step back and hand him the shirt and steal one of his lines. “See you on the flip side.”

I’m rewarded with another quick kiss before he bounds over to meet up with the band, ignoring my yelling at him to walk.

Nese nudges me in the ribs. “Guess things went well?”

“You could say that.” I turn to her. “Thank you for being with me earlier. It meant more than you know.”

“Us girls have to stick together.”

I hug her and whisper, “We sure do!”

After the encore ends, the band returns backstage and is ushered into The Closet to change into street clothes since we’re traveling tonight. I follow them, sad I’m going to have to put my leggings back on.

“Keep the outfit,” Nese tells me. “It looks hot on you. All the band would agree.”

“Are you sure? Doesn’t it belong to the band?”

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