Page 35 of Extended Bridge

“Yeah.” Luke shifts his weight between his feet. “There’s less laughter now, more true support and love for each other. We’ve been through hell, as have you, and we’ve come out of it closer.”

I absorb what he’s telling me. “So you’re all closer than friends?”

“With the exception of Tris, who’s melding in great, we’re closer than most brothers.”

Not for my sake, I push, “You and Bennett?”

His grin stretches. “The band’s manager and lead singer make quite the pair, don’t you think? He’s my closest friend.”

My heart grows for them. I just need Bennett to understand it. “You’re both lucky.”

We watch UC perform for half a song. “Can you believe it? They’re already gearing up for their encore. Better make sure everything’s ready for them. Catch you later.”

I wave and Luke disappears into the blackness. How can I helpBennett accept the love from his bandmates and manager? Get over his feelings of failure toward Darren? Deal with the awful things his own mother spewed at him? All the while allowing him to heal all my wounds? I choke out a laugh. We make quite the pair—ahem, non-couple.

Before the last song’s over, Nese appears with arms overloaded. I spring forward. “Here. Let me help.” I grab the towels from beneath her arm.

“You dry. I’ll dress.”

We’re giggling when the band rushes off the stage, already stripping out of their wet shirts. I pass a towel to Coop, “Here you go.” The guitarist smiles as he opens the towel.

Next up is Tristan. I hand the terrycloth to him. He takes it with an “Appreciate it.”

An already shirtless Río snaps it out of my hand, saying, “Don’t mind if I do.”

The bassist approaches me, eyeing the towel as if I put itching powder on it. I extend my arm toward him. “Here you go.”

Pierce’s gaze bounces between me and the towel, sweat overcoming his dislike of me. “Thanks,” he mumbles. He can’t get out of my space fast enough.

Bennett’s the final member of the band to approach me. Damn man is shirtless and dripping from either the water bottle I caught him dumping over his head or performing under the lights. Or both. I offer him the last towel. “Here you go.”

He licks his lips. It’s all I can do to keep my traitorous body from rubbing all over his wet one, savoring all the ridges of his hard muscles. Opening his arms wide, he says, “Care to help me out?”

“What? No.” I scrunch it up and shove the towel at his ripped midsection. “Dry your own damn self.”

He chuckles and does as instructed, ending by rubbing it over his head so his hair spikes in all directions. Nese walks over and hands him a new shirt, for which he thanks her. The asshat has manners when he wants to use them.

“Enjoying the show?” Bennet slides his clean shirt over his torso, eliminating my view of his muscle-laden chest.

“It’s been amazing,” I admit. “How’s your leg feeling?”

“Pretty good.” He punches his thigh. “Barely any discomfort at all.”

Luke yells, “All right, guys. One minute before you close down fucking Madison Square Garden!”

The other members of UC, except for Pierce, whoop it up. Bennett turns his head and adds, “Hell yes!” In the corner, Darren’s best friend fiddles with his belt.

Seems like my presence isn’t welcomed by the whole band, although I’m not about to intrude on Bennett’s high. I will, however, remind him to watch his injury. “Try not to do too many side-to-side motions.”

The lead singer salutes me. “Yes, boss.”

“B, get your ass over here!”

“Coming!” Full lips blow a kiss in my direction before he takes off to Luke.

“That seemed cozy.” Nese sidles up to my side, still holding the band members’ wet clothing.

I play it off. “It’s only Bennett. You know how he can be.”

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