Page 68 of Hard Rock Deceit

The place was packed with people drinking, chatting, and dancing — or to be more accurate, grinding and groping eachother.

Someone jostled me as I stood in the entrance. I stumbled forward, nearly hitting a tall woman in front of me. August caught me before I could cause a domino effect. He wrapped his arm around me, keeping others from bumpingintome.

"How are we going to find anyone?" I shouted inhisear.

"Lookup."

Following his finger, I saw a crowd of people in what looked to be a private room overlooking the dance floor, many of whom had brightly colored hair and alternativehairstyles.

Squeezing through the throng of bodies, avoiding feet and elbows, we ascended the stairs to the second floor and made our way to thelounge.

The party had started without us. No one thought to ask wherewe'dbeen.

I recognized some members of the opening band, but most of the people were strangers. Cameron and Damon were laughing with them and slapping them on the back. They could have been old friends, or they could have been random people they'd invited up from the dancefloor.

"Cameron does love a party,"Augustsaid.

I spotted Hope waving to us from across the room. She and Ian had situated themselves in a corner with some leather seating. They sat so close to one another she could have been sitting inhislap.

I didn't want to intrude on their privacy, since they no doubt wanted some alone time, but August saw her waving and guided me over. He kept his arm around my waist even as weapproached.

I hoped Ian would take the flush of my cheeks as just from the heat of the club. August could have had his arm around me for a number of reasons. To keep me from tripping in my heels, to keep us from getting separated in thecrowd.

I hoped he didn't read too much into it. When August and I told the guys, I didn't want it to be in a loud, busy club full of strangers. What if Ian disapproved and got upset? I didn't want an audienceforthat.

Because I wanted their approval, and badly, but I wasn't sure I'd get it. Not if they were still mad that I'd kept part of August's secretfromthem.

Nervously, I took a seat across from the pair. August sat beside me, sharing a love seat. That wasn't too suspicious,wasit?

"Did your cab get lost?" Hope asked innocently, although I detected a mischievous glint in her eyes. "It took you a while togethere."

"Cameron sucks at directions," was allAugustsaid.

I waited for her to say something about my messy hair — it was thoroughly disheveled thanks to August — but shedidn't.

"I forgot to say earlier, it's good to see you looking so well," Hope told August. "You should take better care of yourself. Don't work yourself intoexhaustion."

So Ian had lied to Hope about what really happened. I supposed it was for August's sake. He wouldn't want the truth gettingaround.

"The guys have been keeping a close eye on me," August replied wryly. "Making sure I don'toverdoit."

"I hope they aren't giving you too muchtrouble."

"No more thanusual."

This whole time Ian had been studiously avoiding my gaze, paying attention to Hope and August only. I supposed he really was still upsetwithme.

Hope took notice, glancing between me and her boyfriend, a frown on her face as she sensed the tensionbetweenus.

Before she could comment, Damon appeared atherside.

"I'm getting myself another drink," he said. "Anyone want anything?Cassie?Hope?"

Ian and Hope both look startled, no doubt because he'd included Hope in the offer without agrimace.

"Maybe another rum and Coke?" Hope gave him an almost relievedsmile.

"I'll come get a drink with you," I told Damon. "August, what can Igetyou?"