Page 60 of Broken Bridges

Shit. Was he serious? But one thousand people was an excessive crowd for a launch. “Don’t look at them.” I caught his chin and our gazes locked. Oh, yeah. He could look at me any time. “Pick a spot on the far wall. Project any nerves toward it. If you get overwhelmed, shut your eyes and breathe.” I waved at the band. “These guys have your back. Gena’s got you covered on the mixer. And really, you could just stand on stage looking hot as you are, not play one single note, and everyone would fucking love you.”

A small grin inched across his lips. “I’ll try and remember that.”

“And bear in mind...” I threw him a sexy smile. “I’ll be watching you.”

He pinched his brows together and lowered his chin. “Not helping, Tia.”

“Shit. Sorry. No flirting, right?”

He grimaced and swallowed hard. Then he looked at me. A new apprehension shimmered through the silver shards in his eyes. “About that. We need to talk.”

Hadn’t we said everything we needed to say? If he still had concerns, I’d hear him out...later. I didn’t want us to interfere with tonight. He had enough on his plate. I pulled my hand free of his and placed a finger over his lips. “Not now. This is your night. Focus. Enjoy it. Go break a leg. I’ll see you after the show.”

But as I headed toward the door, his gaze burned into my back.

I stole a quick glance over my shoulder and threw him a you’ve-got-this smile.

Flint ambled over to Lewis and handed him a shot. “What was that all about?”

Lewis raised his glass toward me. “Tips on settling the nerves. And wishing us luck.”

“Here’s to that.” Slip joined them, slapping Lewis on the back. “But you’ll be fine. Tonight, we’re back in the game.”

Cole stepped in beside them. They downed their shots and woohooed.

I sucked in a deep breath, filling my lungs to capacity. I was so happy for them. I’d loved and supported my brother and his band since they’d formed. They worked hard and deserved every success.

So did I.

New grit embedded into the pit of my gut. The guys had three days of promo here in LA, then they’d be gone for a month. I’d have time to work on me. I looked forward to exploring my options. But first, their launch. With almost one hundred media representatives coming tonight, I hoped the attention stayed on the band and not the commotion my kiss with Lewis had caused.

I left the dressing room and headed for the foyer. I hobbled past the rows of seating set up for the press conference and joined Sutton and her friend Maddy, who’d flown in for the night, at the bar. Hopefully, in the dim lighting and cordoned off area, surrounded by friends and family, I could avoid the reporters and cameras.

Right on time, security guards opened the venue’s doors. The guests steamed in, checked off their names at the desk, grabbed their lanyards, a drink, and mingled in groups, waiting for the guys’ press junket.

At seven sharp, April got the conference underway and everyone took a seat. When the guests had settled, she gave a quick summary of how the guys had met at the age of nine, lived on the same suburban street in Pasadena, and the successes they’d accomplished to date. Then her tone softened. “But last year, tragedy struck in February with the loss of the band’s bassist, Phil Glover. After some time off, the boys were ready to rebuild. But who would fill Phil’s shoes?... It took many auditions, but finally someone emerged from Brooklyn. With his music career at a crossroad, it was a destined find and perfect match. He brings a wealth of experience and unforeseen talent to the band. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to The Flintlocks—lead singer and guitarist, Flint Glover; drummer, Cole Tanner; lead guitarist, Sebastian ‘Slip’ Lipfield; and the newest member, bassist, Lewis King.”

My heart raced as Flint led the guys into the room. The crowd cheered, whistled, and clapped as the boys posed in front of their logoed backdrop. Photographers jostled to snap shots of them; cameras flashed and flickered. Kara had outdone herself in dressing the guys. They wore coordinated but not matching outfits. Flint rocked a black leather jacket and button-down, Slip wore his token leather vest, Cole’s toned arms bulged in his tight T-shirt, and Lewis stole my breath in black denim that looked like leather.

Hot damn!

Standing at the back of the crowd next to Sutton, I nudged her arm. “They look good.”

“Oh, yeah.” She wriggled and pouted. “I get all hot and flustered just looking at Flint.”

I giggled. She had it bad for Flint.

The press jostled in their seats, waiting for question time. I didn’t miss being in front of the cameras, or doing interviews, or getting dressed up. The stress levels were much lower when the focus wasn’t on me. I liked that. But the night wasn’t over yet. The place was crawling with media hounds.

The band settled onto chairs behind a long cloth-covered table. Lewis took a quick sip from his water and scanned the crowd. He smiled, but his shaky hands gave away his nerves.

April patted the air to quiet the guests and keep the agenda on track. “Guys, congratulations on the new single being released tonight. Flint, what can fans expect from the up-and-coming track and new album?”

“Awesome music.” He flicked his long black hair off his face and smiled a sexy smile. His ice-blue eyes glinted in the bright lights. I pursed my lips to stop myself from laughing. He was such a show pony when he had to be for the band. “Having Lewis come onboard has given us a new edge. We’re excited to release new music. Excited to have signed with Everhide’s EH4 Records. And we’re thrilled to be working with Ashlem Entertainment.”

Cole adjusted his mic. “We can’t wait to hit the road over the next few weeks, visiting cities across the country. We’ll be going to radio stations, appearing on TV talk shows, and performing at shopping malls and clubs. Our schedule is on our website and social accounts. Make sure y’all come see us play.”

I folded my arms and leaned against a pillar at the back of the crowd. Maybe I should quit and go with them. I loved travel. Loved watching them play. No...no, I can’t do that. I needed to sort out my life. Some decisions about my future had to be made sensibly and logically.

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