Page 46 of Hard Rock Deceit

"You knew this whole time and you didn't say anything?" he seethed. "What the hell is wrongwithyou?"

"I didn't know," I insisted. "I just figureditout."

"You said you helped him with his shoulder." Ian frowned. "Why didn't you tellanyone?"

"He—" I flicked my gaze to August. "—He asked me to keep it from you. He didn't want you toworry."

"Why the hell would you keep a secret like that?" Cameron asked. "Don't you think we had a right to know our friend washurting?"

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. Cameron was right. I should have told someone. This whole thing could have beenavoided.

"He made mepromise."

"You don't go making stupid promises like that when someone's in trouble!" Cameronexploded.

"Cam." Damon barked. "Layoff."

Cameron turned murderous eyes to Damon, opening his mouth to speak. Damon held up his hand, cutting him off. He turned to me, eyes mournful, but full ofunderstanding.

"We all know what it's like to keep secrets we shouldn't," Damon said, speaking to theothers.

They fell silent, absorbing his words. August had been sitting quietly this whole time. Noah broke thesilence.

"How often?" heasked.

"I'm not an addict," August repliedimmediately.

"How.Often?"

"Only once in a while. My shoulder's always been a bit strained since the car accident. Touring and performing every night just makes it a bit worse. It's not a big deal. It's like taking a Tylenol orsomething."

"Are you fucking kidding?" Cameron said. "You're abusingdrugs!"

"Like you can talk," August finally snapped. "We all know what goes on at yourparties."

"Forfun!" Cameron shouted back. "Like having a drink. No one at my parties get so fucked up they pass out andalmostdie."

"Cameron." Noah spoke quietly. "Don'tyell."

"Yelling's the only way to get through hisstubbornhead."

"It's not a big deal,"Augustsaid.

"You not seeing why it's a big dealisa big deal," Ianinsisted.

"I'll stop,"Augustsaid.

The others stared at him. A small glimmer of hope lit up Ian's eyes. Some of the anger left Cameron's expression, his facesoftening.

"It's not that easy," Noah saiddoubtfully.

"Sure it is," August said easily. "I only did it once in a while. I told you. I'm not addicted. I'll stick to Tylenol 3 or whatever. Something legal. I'll only take what the doctor tells me to." He cracked a small smile. "No more scoring fromroadies."

We all knew Noah was right. It was never that easy. But we all wanted to believe it. We wanted to believe August when he said it wasn't a problem. We wanted to believe everything would go back tonormal.

"This still doesn't make up for the fact that you lied to us," Cameronwarned.

"I'm sorry," August said, his tone earnest, sincere. "I should have told you guys. I really didn't think it was that big ofadeal."