Page 121 of Broken Bridges

“Yes.” I shrugged my shoulder like it was no big deal. But it was. My heart was still in tatters. “I’d thought that about Emilio too. Look how that turned out.”

“He wasn’t your forever. I’m not saying Tia is either. But when I last saw you, you lit up when you talked about her. Your soul ignited. To have that spark for someone is rare. Are you sure it’s over?”

I lowered my chin and nodded. “Yeah, we’re done. It was good while it lasted. But now I’m just gonna focus on the tour. I’ll be fine.” Eventually.

“I’m here for you if you need me.”

“Thanks, man.” I spoke low so we didn’t disturb the congregation. “You and Mateo should move to Cali. You need to get out of this town and be around people who don’t care who you’re fucking.”

Wait. Who was I kidding? LA thrived on gossip and scandal. I’d been prepared to deal with that. Growing up gay, I’d learned not to care what spiteful people said. I’d wanted the world to know I was with Tia. We would’ve been in the headlines for a day or two, then some other celebrity would have claimed the spotlight. But she’d been trolled and bullied and shamed online one too many times, and hadn’t wanted to face the firing squad again. I would’ve been by her side. She’d never have to go through that alone.

“Funny you mention Cali.” Lee straightened his wilting buttonhole carnation, but it re-flopped in the heat. He fiddled and fumbled with it before he gave up and just let it hang. “We’ve seriously considered that option. Mateo and I want to start our new life together. It will be hard to leave the kids, but they’d be excited about summer vacations at the beach.”

“Yeah. It’s nice out there.” But it wasn’t the same without Tia.

Fuck! No more dwelling. I was done. I was over men...and women.

At the reception dinner held at the local golf country club, Lee and I were stuck on the table in the farthest corner from our parents and the bridal table. The venue was nothing like the luxurious wedding places you found in LA; this was much more laid-back and basic. We had the best time drinking, laughing, and meeting some of Blaine’s out-of-town friends. We were loud and turned heads. Fuck ’em. After dinner and speeches, half the guests hit the dance floor.

As music filled the room, my sixteen-year-old cousin, Maggie, rushed up to me and nervously asked for a photo. I couldn’t deny I was humbled and flattered. The second after she took the snap, she beamed an oh-wow smile and typed madly, posting it online. “My friends so don’t believe I’m related to a famous rock star. Now I have proof. Thanks, Lewis. Love you.”

“You’re welcome.” I gave her a quick hug. Some of my family members were cool.

Once Maggie disappeared, six other cousins and friends of Lucy and Blaine’s rushed forward, surrounding me, begging me for photos. This had never happened before at any previous family function. I freaking loved it. Lucy giggled and made her way toward me. She sashayed through my little gathering of groupies and drew me into a small clearing on the dance floor. “Looked like you needed saving.”

“No. I love meeting the fans.” I took her hand and twirled her ’round to dance. We waltzed and swayed from side to side. “But I don’t want to draw attention. This is your day. Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be.” She shook her head. “I had to steal one dance with my famous brother. I always knew you’d be a big rock star one day.”

I chuckled. “It just took a while, didn’t it?”

“Yes. But you deserve it. You’ve worked hard, and never gave up on what you love. That’s cool. Thank you for being here today. I know it’s difficult for you to come home. But having you here means the world to me.”

“I’m glad I made it. You look beautiful and happy.” Her gorgeous dress shimmered in the soft lights. Her smile was full and bright. “I hope you and Blaine have an amazing life together.”

Lucy gazed at Blaine as he talked to some of his friends. “He makes me feel like a princess and that anything is possible. God, I love him. He’s perfect.”

“You don’t deserve anything less.”

“Neither should you.”

“Thanks, Luce.”

Blaine waved at her to join him. Lucy nodded. “I better go. We’ll catch up soon.”

“Absolutely.”

As Lucy swayed her hips and made her way over to Blaine, my head throbbed. Emilio had never made me smile like that. We’d been great friends. We’d had a great relationship and loved each other. But there had been none of that all-consuming passion, love, and fire. The world had never stopped when he walked into the room. But shit. It had with Tia. She’d tipped the earth upside down, set it in a spin, and knocked it off its axis. Fuck.

Sweat broke out on my brow. My heart drummed against my ribs. I glanced out of the huge windows across the fairways, blanketed in evening’s darkness.

The truth slammed into me.

I wasn’t over Tia. Not even close. I wanted to be with her.

Did I have one more fight in me?

Out of nowhere, my ten-year-old niece, Daphne, slammed into me, knocking the breath from my lungs. She grabbed my hands and jumped up and down. “Uncle Lewis, dance with me.”

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