Page 131 of Broken Bridges

“You can fuck later.” Cole grinned as he stood. He stepped over to us and gave me a big hug. “I love you. I just want to see you happy.”

“I am.”

He turned to Lewis and threw him a cocky smile. “While I don’t want to think about you banging my sister...or hear it, for that matter...if you ever need tips on how to please a woman, us three guys can help you out.”

Lewis’s eyes glinted as he rubbed the tip of his chin. “I seem to be managing in that department. Tia has been a good teacher.”

Slip laughed and joined us, slapping Lewis on the shoulder. “Has she pulled out the handcuffs yet?”

“Wait. What?” Cole’s eyes widened. “How do you know she has cuffs?” He spun back to me. His eyebrows raised. “Do you?”

I shrugged, unashamed of my toys. “Yes. Slip was with me when I bought them a couple years ago for Christmas.”

“It doesn’t surprise me you two went to an adult shop.” Flint scooted over to the bar to help Sutton pour the drinks. He jutted his chin at Lewis. “Are you sure you want to be with Tia? Do you want to back out now before you can’t escape?”

“Nope.” Sexy, hot love sparkled in Lewis’s eyes as he took my hand and led me over to the bar. “I’ve had my fair share of wild sex. I was gay, not naive.”

Was.

Not anymore.

I loved that he was mine.

“Good thing you’re not clueless or you’d get a fucking shock, hanging out with us.” Flint grabbed the bottle of bourbon and cracked the lid. He waggled a finger at Cole and Slip. “These two make Mötley Crüe look tame.”

I’d witnessed some of the shit Flint had done in the past. He wasn’t innocent either. Laughing, I slipped onto one of the stools. Lewis, Cole and Slip stood beside me as Flint handed us shots across the bar; bourbon for Lewis and me, vodka for everyone else.

As we readied ourselves to swallow our drinks, Lewis slipped his hand down my back and tugged on the hemline of my shirt. When our gazes met, my hunger for him spiked.

Oh yeah. One or two drinks, then we were out of there.

Cole raised his glass. “To more music, fun, and wicked times ahead.”

Flint hooked one arm around Sutton and held up his vodka in his other hand. “To love, happiness, and family.”

“Love you.” Sutton kissed his cheek. “But don’t go too wild on tour without me.”

“Sutt.” I grabbed my bourbon. “I’ll be on crew. I’ll keep an eye on him.”

“You’re joining us?” Slip’s face lit up. “Fucking awesome.”

“I have a lot to learn but I can’t wait.” I’d spend a couple weeks with Duke and Chloe on the festival circuit, defer school for a year, and see what happened when we got home from the tour. I loved my study; I wasn’t going to rule it out. But being with the band, my family, was where I belonged.

“To new beginnings.” Flint raised his glass higher. “We’ve survived a crazy year. We’ve recorded and released an album. We’ve had two top-ten hits. The third single drops next month. Rehearsals for our first global tour start next week. How incredible is that?” His tone had sailed higher and higher, but then he dialed it down. “We may have lost Phil, and I miss him every fucking day, but we have gained a new brother. Lewis, we can’t wait to tour with you. Write new music with you. And have a fuck-load of fun. You are, without a doubt, a Flintlock.” His softened gaze drifted to me. “Tia, you are home. You belong with us. Always have. Always will.”

God, I loved these guys. I splayed my hand over my chest. “Thank you, Flint. I won’t let you down. Cheers.”

Around these people, I didn’t have to hide my injury, cover up my scars, or pretend to be someone I’m not. They loved me for being me.

I’d found my true place in life.

Everyone chinked glasses, and we downed our shots.

Lewis clutched onto the back of my shirt and nuzzled my hair, near my ear. He whispered, “We need to get out of here.”

I swallowed hard. The air between us began to sizzle.

And spark.

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