Page 40 of Broken Bridges

“Good. It needed a shake-up.” But not like the one Tia had injected into my system. That I could’ve done without. I was sure it was just a side effect from all the hype and tension I’d felt since my first audition, being selected and my eagerness to join the band.

Slip came down the aisle and thrust beers into our hands. He slid into the seat opposite us. Cole flopped into the one beside him. Slip raised his bottle. “Here’s to our album blowing up the charts. We’re going to kick some ass.”

“Cheers to that.” I chinked my bottle against theirs. I hoped this was the last big move I ever made.

After the long flight, the late afternoon drive into the Hollywood Hills made my head spin. We passed multimillion-dollar mansions, fancy wrought-iron gates and manicured hedges and trees trimmed to perfection. But when we entered through the security gates and stopped outside Cole’s two-story house, it was like I’d landed on a different planet. Flint’s and Kyle’s places had been flash, but Cole’s was insane.

My pulse quickened as I stared at the frosted-glass front door. Would Tia be here? She should be at work. If the charge between us was still alive, I wouldn’t be living here long. But surely, after weeks apart, it would’ve died. I had too many other issues around settling into a new city, meeting milestones and preparing for promo to worry about without throwing her into the mix.

Cole and I helped the driver unload our suitcases, and my guitars and gear from the van’s trailer, and we stacked everything inside the foyer. My entire life fit into three large suitcases and two small equipment trunks. I may not have had many possessions, but from my clothing to my music gear, what I had was top-notch.

Sucking in a deep breath, I followed Cole into the huge living room with its towering atrium. Panoramic windows gave way to amazing views down a narrow canyon and across to LA in the distance. The city stretched as far as I could see to the southeast. I’d lived in tiny apartments or cramped houses all my life and had seen some fine homes, but Cole’s exuded immaculate Hollywood luxury and style. I dropped my laptop bag on the modular sofa and stepped toward the windows. “Nice joint.”

Yep. I could handle living under this roof for the next year. I couldn’t believe I was in LA.

“We’ve done okay for ourselves.” Cole shrugged his shoulder as he stepped in beside me and tucked his hands into his baseball jacket pockets. I loved that the guys were down-to-earth and not over-the-top arrogant dickheads about their money and success. Cole opened the sliding door that led out onto the entertainment area, complete with a huge infinity lap pool and outdoor kitchen. “We were lucky to buy houses before the real estate boom. Want a quick tour?”

“Sure.”

After showing me around outside, he led me back through the open dining area and waved half-heartedly at the games room and gym on the other side of the kitchen before he led me in the opposite direction, down a long hallway, past the home theater, music studio, office, and guest bedroom, and into the six-car garage. Only three cars filled the space.

Holy shit!

Cole pointed at the cars. “I mainly drive the Lambo SUV. But feel free to use the Corvette anytime. Wait.” He slapped my arm with the back of his hand. “Can you drive?”

“Yes.” I chuckled. “Just because it’s not a common thing to do in New York doesn’t mean I can’t.” I’d used Emilio’s car back home. If I stayed in LA, I’d buy one eventually, but I wanted to be more secure in the band and settled before I made any big purchases.

“Oh...good.”

“What about the Merc?” I scanned the slick red Mercedes SL Roadster, glistening beneath the bright lights.

“That’s Tia’s. She loved it so much she had it shipped from Chicago. She can’t drive yet, so a town car picks her up every day to take her to the studio.”

“She’s not handling being hurt well, is she?”

“No.” Heaviness weighed down his tone. “She’s not herself. Now we’re here for a while, I hope to change that. She used to be so outgoing...no...totally wild. I’m sure once her leg’s better, she’ll be fine.” He slapped me on the shoulder as we ambled back through the house. “You two get along well.”

“Yeah. We do.” Too well.

After the tour upstairs, I settled into my new room. Cole had allocated me the one right next door to Tia’s as it was the biggest and had its own bathroom. I didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but shit...right next to her? I’d hear her. Feel her. Just catching the scent of her perfume when Cole had shown me the inside of her room had tortured my senses. What was wrong with me?

I liked Tia. We had fun. But was I into her? Surely not. No.

Having a shower didn’t ease the mounting tension twisting between my shoulder blades. Neither did dinner and a few beers. As I grabbed two fresh Buds from the fridge, I glanced at my watch for the tenth time since arriving at the house, then toward the front door. I flopped back on the sofa next to Cole and handed him a bottle. “Tia works late.”

“I have no idea what a normal day is for her.” He cracked the top off his beer and took a sip. “Doubt it would be any more insane than what we do.”

“True.”

At nine o’clock, she fell through the door.

All my resolve and reassurance that the spark between us was nothing but a crazed notion went up in a puff of smoke. I could almost see the invisible threads drawing me too her. Shit!

“Hey.” She dropped her purse by the staircase and hugged Cole...then me. “Welcome to your new home.”

Her gorgeous arms lingered around me for two seconds too long. Hmm. Lord, give me strength! I wanted to bury my nose beneath her earlobe, let her long hair brush my face, breathe her in until I was drunk. Crap. This has to stop. Stop now. I needed to find the nearest gay bar and get my queer back. Quick! “Thanks, Tia. It’s great to finally be here.”

Tia hobbled into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. “I’m sorry I’m home late. It’s been a really long day. My leg is killing me. I’ve eaten and need an early night. Can we catch up tomorrow?”

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