Page 23 of Extended Bridge

I nod, watching as Bennett strips off the jacket he was wearing to reveal a plain white tank top beneath. His buff arms make the ladies in the front row squeal. I tamp down the emotions rushing through my body begging to be wrapped in them again.

Never again.

Reset.

“So, what’s your deal? Are you here to do their makeup?”

“What?” I shake my head.

“I was trying to figure out your role here. The only thing I could come up with is makeup. However, other than some guyliner and powder, which comes off within the first ten minutes of them performing, they don’t wear much.”

I remember something Darren said. “A makeup crew is brought in for television and photo shoots. Otherwise, they’d be washed out.”

Nese’s eyes round. “So you are their makeup artist. Sly.”

“Actually, no, I’m not.” I was never warned not to tell the truth, so I go for broke. “I’m Bennett’s physical therapist.”

“Huh.” We watch him work the crowd, seemingly without a worry in the world. “He’s looking strong, so whatever you’re doing, I say keep it up.”

“Thanks.” Because I want to get to know this woman more, perhaps because she’s one of the few women on tour, I ask, “How difficult is it overseeing their image? I would think with five strong-willed men, your job resembles herding cats.”

“Nailed it!” She laughs. “To be honest, they’re not bad. Sometimes I pick out something and a guy’ll mutiny. I try not to take it too personally. I simply made a bad choice for him.”

“Healthy attitude.” I watch Bennett as he does a call and repeat with the audience, swaying in time with the notes. Every time he moves to the right, my breath hitches. I make a mental note to discuss alternative moves with him to better protect his muscle pull.

“Will you tour with us, or are you only here for this show?”

Satisfied Bennett’s out of the danger zone, I focus on my new friend. “I’ll actually be on tour for the first three months, until Bennett’s fully healed.” After which I can go back home and concentrate on building my next two clinics.

“Nice. I’m from Georgia, how about you?”

“New York. Long Island, to be precise.”

“So this was a natural starting point for you.”

“I guess you could say that. How long have you been with UC?”

“This is my first go-round with them.” Her answer tells me why I didn’t meet her before and why she doesn’t know who I am. Or was. To Darren. “I assume you haven’t been with the band before either?”

My stomach plummets. I hope she doesn’t think badly of me, but I can’t see a way out of telling her the truth. I screw up my courage. “Actually, I was with the band a couple of years ago.”

“Oh. Who hurt themself back then?” She blinks several times. “Oh. Oh.” She plays with her hoop earring. Dropping her voice, she asks, “Are you the Black Widow?”

I flinch, then switch the script on the assholes who gave me this name. “While that’s what the media calls me, I prefer Jenna Westfield. I was the physical therapist who helped Darren rehab his wrist—and after he was deemed recovered, we started dating.” I extend my hand.

We shake. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Tears prick my eyeballs. She’s the first person in years to offer me sincere condolences over losing Darren. I swallow. “Thanks.”

On the stage, Bennett roars a guttural note. With fear, I turn to watch what’s going on and am rewarded by seeing him leaning backward with the mic held upright. At least this sound wasn’t borne out of pain. I sag in relief.

“Oh, this is my cue. They’re going to pop backstage for a quick change of clothes before going back out for their encore. I better get into place. It was nice meeting you, Jenna. I look forward to hanging with you.”

“I’d like that.”

She bolts to a table with the band’s change of clothes. A minute later, they bound off the stage. Well, all of them minus Bennett, who takes his steps carefully while stripping off his tank top. His body glistens, begging for my fingers to explore every divot.

To staunch the drool, I focus on the audience before me. They hold up signs I can’t read from here while continuing to celebrate UC. It warms my heart to see them welcomed back after their long break. Darren would be proud.

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