Page 115 of Broken Bridges

Wait. What?

“Hold on a sec,” Cole interjected. “This is about Tia.”

“Yes...but no, Cole.” Flint threw him a fiery glare. “This is about everyone. We’ve suffered enough after losing Phil. Family sticks together. We’ll work through this. We’re not going to stop people from being together anymore. We’re not going to make any more stupid mistakes. We’ve all made too many and have all been hurt. Lewis stays.”

My breath shuddered in my chest. Tears prickled the back of my eyes. I’d never had anyone fight for me before. Not ever. I’d been so used to people shunning me, kicking me out...disowning me. I’d expected the same from these guys. I’d never had someone care for me so much.

I’d given my heart and soul to this band. Loved them. Flint was right. I had to stop making mistakes too, and trust them more. I deserved to stay. “You mean that?”

“Yes.” Flint nodded. “We’re musicians. Causing emotional havoc and heartache is what we do.” He stepped over to me and place his hands on my shoulder. “On that first plane ride from New York, I said I’d have your back. Before the album launch, when I suspected you were seeing Tia, I said that there was nothing you could say or do that would change the way I feel about you. I meant every word.” He flicked his head toward Cole and Slip. “So do these guys. Cole’s a little overheated right now, but he’ll calm down. He’s a softy at heart. He’s just pissed he was the last to know.” Flint gave me a little shake. “I’m not going to lose anyone else I care about. You were one of us from the moment you played in that audition. You’re a Flintlock. Trust me. Trust the guys. So unpack your shit. You’re not going anywhere.”

Overwhelmed, I flung my arms around Flint and gave him a heartfelt hug. He’d become a true friend. The best lead singer anyone could ask for. “Thank you.” As I stepped back from him, I shook my head. “Women...who needs ’em, right?”

Cole gave me an icy glare. Steam still came out of his ears.

I hated seeing him upset. “Cole, I’m so sorry I messed up with Tia. If you want, to make things easier, I’ll move out. I’ll give you and Tia your space.”

He winced, then nodded. “Stop fucking apologizing. But so Tia doesn’t leave...that might be best.”

What? Tia is leaving because of me? Fuck. “Where’s she going?”

“Just to Duke’s”

Oh...Thank God!

“Come stay with me,” Slip added. “My house renos are nearly finished. All that’s left is the kitchen and that’s supposed to be installed next week. Everything else is done.”

My head wobbled in some form of nod. “Thanks, man. That would be great.”

Slip had stripped most of his huge old house back to the bare frame and rebuilt the entire thing into a sleek modern home with a touch of Balinese finesse. I’d never owned a house; I’d only rented in Boston or lived with Pop. The possibility of putting permanent roots down here in LA after the tour was a new dream that had sprouted. Every day it had grown stronger and stronger. I’d wanted that to come to fruition. Another reason not to fuck up again. “After tour, I’ll find somewhere to live. Promise.”

“Deal.” Slip rose to his feet. A fresh, wicked glint shimmered in his dark brown eyes as he wrung his hands together. “So, boys? When someone fucks us up, are we going to keep the tradition alive?”

“What tradition?” I asked.

Slip grinned, big and wide. “No girl...or guy...will ever tear us apart. So let’s get drunk. Drown our sorrows. Write some wicked songs. Move the fuck on.”

Now that sounded like a good plan. “I’m down with that.”

“Always.” Flint patted and clutched my shoulder. “I’ll grab the bourbon and vodka.”

As Flint headed for the door, Cole lurched off the desk and blocked his path. “Um, Flint? When you get back...” Cole’s gaze burned into me like a branding rod. Yeah, it was going to take a while for him to forgive me. I’d do everything in my power to make things right. He was a good guy—a bit messed up like the rest of us, but I’d never blindside him again.

Deep grooves furrowed his brow as he rubbed the back of his head. “You need to hear the song Lewis played before. It was awesome. Tops that ‘broken heart’ shit you write.”

What? But I winced. “You heard that?”

Cole dipped his chin. “Every word.”

“Fuck.” I stepped over to the sofas and sank onto one of the seats. Some things blew me away. These three guys were often on that list.

“Can’t wait.” Flint slapped Cole on the arm, then headed for the door. “I’ll be back.”

Cole headed over to join me. He clipped me on the back of the head, hard. I’d deserved that. I was surprised the guy hadn’t decked me. But the night was still young. “That song was awesome. Own that. Let’s play around with it and record what you sang.”

Not all was forgiven, but at least we’d taken a step in the right direction. “Get a few drinks into me and I’d be happy to.”

I did have a family.

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