Page 73 of Hard Rock Deceit

When my legswere steady enough for me to walk, we grabbed a couple drinks from the bar and headed back to thelounge.

"Cover your eyes," August said. "Depending how Cameron's game is going, you may end up seeing more of the guys than youcareto."

But it looked like the game of Strip Go Fish was over, and they were onto another game. Cameron waved August over with aflailingarm.

"Check out this game Seth taught us," hecalledout.

A group of them sat in a circle with shot glasses in front of eachofthem.

"You ever heard of Poker Face?" Sethaskedus.

"Like the song?"Isaid.

"It's a drinking game. We each take turns saying outrageous things and anyone who reacts has to takeashot."

"Sounds like a good way to get completely trashed,"Isaid.

"Exactly." Seth mimed shooting his finger at me. "Youin?"

"Of course they're in," Cameron said, not giving us a choice. "Sit your asses down and grab a shotglass."

"Are you sure it's okay to drink?" I asked August. "I normally wouldn't worry if it's one or two beers, but with what happened and all…" I trailed off, not wanting to mention his overdose in front ofeveryoneelse.

Concern lined Damon's face. "That's true. Maybe you should sit thisoneout."

August quirked a smile. "Alcohol's not the problem," he saiddiscreetly.

"I suppose that's true,"Damonsaid.

August was stubborn, but he was also right. Alcohol wasn't his problem. Damon and I still shared a concerned glance. We'd always worry about him, even when he didn't wantusto.

One other member of Cherry Lips sat around the table along with Seth. Cerise, the female lead singer, was a little intimidating. She had the bad ass rocker chick look down to a T. With dark, cherry red hair, a leather pleated skirt, and combat boots, she looked like she could go head to head with any of theguyshere.

But when she spoke, she was surprisinglyfriendly.

"You're the photographer, right?" she asked. "I saw you've also been taking some photos of my band, too. I really appreciate that. We're trying to get our name outthere."

"You're opening for Darkest Days," Cameron said. "Can't get more noticeablethanthat."

"This time next year, we're gonna be the headliners, and you'll be the opening act," she saidconfidently.

"Those are pretty big words," Cameron replied. "You ready to backthemup?"

"You just watch. Seth's going to demolish August on thatstage."

"You have no idea what you're in for," Cameronchuckled.

Once we had our shot glasses and bottles of spirits arranged in front of us, the game began. Seth wentfirst.

"I'm so sure I'm going to win that drum-off, I bet Nathan one thousand dollarsonit."

August tried to choke back a derisive snort, but we allheardit.

"Drink," Seth grinnedathim.

"You're not really betting on winningareyou?"

"Suream."