Page 47 of Hard Rock Deceit

"What about your shoulder?" Damon asked. "If you're in pain, how can you play? I hate to say it, but should we start considering abackupplan?"

Panic hitAugust'seyes.

"It's fine," he said quickly. "I'll adjust. I'm sure whatever the doctor gives me will help. I can start getting massages, resting more during our breaks. Taking it easy like you guys always say Ishould."

"Taking it easy? I never thought I'd hear those words from August Summers. Now I know you must be on drugs," Camerondrawled.

August and Ian laughed. Noah's lips tiltedupward.

Concerned still lined Damon's brow. He wasn't asconvinced.

But August hadpromised.

It wouldn't be easy, but I'd be thereforhim.

As upset as I was that he'd lied, I wanted to help in any way I could. August had been helping me, supporting me,encouragingme.

Now it was my turn tosupporthim.

ChapterFifteen

Ishould have been focusedon the glowing screen in front of me. Hundreds of photos still needed sorting and editing. I'd been behind in my work ever sinceAugust…

I closed my eyes against the bright lights of mylaptop.

…Ever since August's fall, which was what we'd begun to call theincident.

Opening my eyes, I snuck a quick glance at the front of the bus. The guys were alternatively watching a movie and checking theirphones.

Cameron grinned almost wickedly as he texted. I didn't want to know what he was saying to his girlfriend. I assumed it was dirty. Ian typed rapidly, his thumbs moving at a blur. Noah spoke into his phone in low tones. The soft curve of his lips, almost a smile, was the closest to a pleasant expression I'd seen on him so far. Damon's eyes were on the TV, expression eager as he watched a deadly carchase.

But every so often, their eyes would wander toAugust.

The drummer sat on a sofa, leaning back into a corner, one arm draped over the back. His relaxed posture made him look at peace. His head was buried in a book, the same book I'd seen him reading on the first day of the tour. Either he didn't notice the guys staring at him, or he was pretending not tonotice.

After what happened, we all agreed to watch overAugust.

It was an odd feeling, keeping an eye on the person who usually kept an eye on everyone else. I wondered how odd it must have felt for August, to be under the watchful eye of all hisfriends.

It wasn't that we didn't trust him. He told us he was done with the drugs and we believed him. Or, we wanted to believe him. We all knew it wasn't that easy. But maybe for August it was. He never failed when he put his mind to something. If anyone could do it, it wouldbehim.

The bus pulled into a parking lot. We were in front of a large grocerystore.

"Time to stock up." Cameron stuffed his phone in his pocket and hopped up from the sofa. "We ran out of nacho chips and beer days ago. I don't know how I'm supposed to livelikethis."

"You could at least eat a banana or an apple once in a while," Ian said. "It won'tkillyou."

"Hey, you can get potassium poisoning from too many bananas. It's totally possible tooverdoseon—"

Every froze as Cameron realized what he'djustsaid.

"Sorry," hecringed.

"It's cool." August waved his hand in the air dismissively. "We can't tiptoe around the subject. Not with the way you guys are watching me like I'll go off the deep end anyminute."

"We just want to be sure you're okay,"Iansaid.

"I'm doing fine. I'd tell you if Iwasn't."