Page 48 of Hard Rock Deceit

"Would you really?" Damon muttered. He shook his head and spoke out loud. "I'm heading in to get somethingcaffeinated."

"Anyone else?" Cameron asked. "Ian,Noah?"

Cameron purposely didn't look at me as he said it. Neither did Ian or Noah. They had been chilly to me ever since August checked out of the hospital. Cameronespecially.

"You coming?" Damon called back toAugust.

"I'llstayhere."

Damon paused, staringathim.

"I'm staying, too," I said, meeting Damon's eyes. "I don't need anythingrightnow."

Damon had been the only one not to give me the cold shoulder. He'd said in the hospital that they'd all kept their fair share of secrets. Maybe he didn't feel he could judge me for keepingAugust's.

I wondered what Damon'ssecretwas.

The twin studied me carefully for a minute. He gave meanod.

"Cool. Berightback."

August craned his head around, watching me click away on the mouse,feigningwork.

"You don't need to babysit me,"hesaid.

At least he sounded amused, notannoyed.

"It's not babysitting," I countered. "It's moralsupport."

August stood and approached me, wrapping his arms around me frombehind.

"Thank you for being so understanding. For not beingupset."

"I amupset."

I whirled around in the swivel chair to face him. Soft blue eyes, clear and bright, gazed into mine, waiting patiently. As if expecting me to finally blow up. I fought to keep my expression smooth, to keep my brow fromfurrowing.

"You lied to me," I said calmly, suppressing the scream that was clawing its way out of my throat. "You made me lie toeveryoneelse."

August cast his eyes down and nodded. "You're right. It wasn't fair of me to ask thatofyou."

"But getting mad at you and shouting won't fixanything."

"It might make you feel better. Call me a stubborn idiot likeCameron."

"You're a stubbornidiot."

The corner of his mouth twitched. "Now say it again, but put some firebehindit."

"Don't sound so amused. You're lucky I'm not throwing things at your head and shoutingobscenities."

"You should. It's better to letitout."

"I don't want to be mad at you. Right now, I just wanttohelp."

A teasing smile played on his lips. "You can help by giving me amassage."

"You just want me to put my handsonyou."