Page 81 of Hard Rock Deceit

"Out," Noah said. "I'm sorry August. Damon is right. If you hurt yourself, we'll never forgiveourselves."

August satsilent.

"Ian?" Damonasked.

"I—" Ian looked vaguely sick, expression pale, eyes wide. "Damon…"

His twin nodded, as if he knew exactly what his brother wassaying.

"Cameron?" Damonasked.

"We can't just kick him out," Cameron said. "It'sAugust."

"That's two yes, two no," Damon said briskly. He turned to me. "Cassie."

My heart jumped to my throat. Eyes wide, I shook my head at Damon, asking him not to do this. He looked sympathetic, but continuedspeaking.

"You're thedecidingvote."

"I'm not in the band," I said immediately. "I don't getavote."

"You're the only other one of us who saw through August's bullshit. You know what it's like to see him collapse and end up in a hospital. You know what's atstake."

My throat felt tight. I could barely breathe. Nervous energy flooded my system, making my whole bodyquake.

I knew what was best forAugust.

I also knew he wouldn't forgive meforit.

I turned my pleading eyestohim.

"I'm sorry," I said. "But I can't let you continue hurtingyourself."

August sat frozen on the sofa. His jaw was set, his eyes focused on an empty point in thedistance.

"That's it, then," Damon said. He was now the one who sounded vaguely sick. I didn't know if he thought it would actually come to this. "The tour continues without you. We'll get Seth to fill in like we discussed before. He knows all our songsalready."

"And what the fuck am I supposedtodo?"

Despite the expletive, August's face was expressionless, his voice bone-chillingly cold. Dread filled my chest. I'd never heard August thisbiting.

"You rest." Damon said. "You stop playing for a while. Give your shoulder some time to get better. Stop pushing yourself. After the tour… we'll figure out what todothen."

August let out a bitterlaugh.

"Right. After the tour. And what happens when we need to go back into the studio to record our next album? You going to keep me sidelined forthat,too?"

"If weneedto."

"Sothat'sit?"

"Yes," Damon said simply. "That'sit."

August stared him down. Damon stared back. The others couldn'tlookaway.

August noddedstiffly.

"Fine. You want me gone?I'mgone."