Page 61 of Hard Rock Deceit

"Alittle."

"You should rest more." I hesitated, not sure whether to bring up the subject, but powered on, knowing someone had to. "Do you think you should speak to the guys about getting someone to fill inforyou?"

August's eyeswentwide.

"Just for a few shows," I said hurriedly. "Maybe every other city or so. Just to give you some timetorest."

"No."

"If you push yourselftoohard—"

"No," he cut in. "I'mfine."

"But you're not fine. You're not even playing and your shoulder is bothering you. How bad does it get onstage?"

"I canhandleit."

"But you don't have to just handle it. There's nothing wrong with taking astepback—"

"I can't!" He snapped his mouth shut,lookingaway.

"Can't take a step back?" I asked softly. "Can't take abreak?"

He pressed his lipstogether.

"I know you think you have to be perfect all the time,"Isaid.

Hetensed.

And that was it, wasn't it? Talented, genius, perfect August Summers suddenly wasn't so perfect anymore. And he didn't know how tohandleit.

Except to ignore it and keep pushing on as if everythingwasfine.

I scooted closer and pulled August in my arms. He resisted. I pressed a kiss tohishair.

"You're perfect to me,"Isaid.

Slowly, he relaxed and settledagainstme.

"I don't need a replacement,"hesaid.

"No one can replace you," Icorrectedhim.

"I want to continue getting on stage as a member of Darkest Days. I don't want anyone else—" he swallowed hard. "I can keepplaying."

With a heavy heart, I nodded. If his own bandmates hadn't been able to convince him, I doubted I'd beableto.

I just hoped perfect August Summers was right when he said he could keepplaying.

I didn't want this to be the first time he proved himselfwrong.

ChapterEighteen

"You better be nice to her,"Cameron warnedDamon.

"When am I ever not nice?" the twin replied, soundingaffronted.

"You can't tell me you're not already thinking of putting a dead frog in Hope'sbedsheets."