Page 87 of Hard Rock Deceit

Pinpricks of tears threatened to gather at the back of my eyes. I blinked rapidly, keeping thematbay.

This was going to be a long threeweeks.

ChapterTwenty-Five

"Cameron!"

A tall, dark haired girl threw herself at the bassist. He caught her and swung her around as they laughed together. Noah grumbled next to me, but after being around him for months, I could detect a hint of a smile threatening to tilt up the corners ofhislips.

As the other band members were greeted by their loved ones, I stood awkwardly near the front of the tour bus. We were finally back home. The guys were greeted with a warm welcome. I hung back and watched the hugs and kisses and tearsfromafar.

Hope spotted me. She detached herself from Ian and ran up, surprising me with abighug.

"Cassie! I'm so glad you made it back in one piece. Good to see the guys didn't driveyoumad."

"They weren't as bad asallthat."

"Maybe they're maturing?" Her eyes sparkled as she glanced back at her boyfriend. Ian had his brother in a headlock. Damon punched him in the ribs, hard enough to make him wince and let go. "Maybe not," Hopelaughed.

"I bet you're happy to have him back home,"Isaid.

"Very much so." The sparkle in her eyes faded. "And what about you? Are you glad to be home? It must have sucked to finish the tour without August." She shook her head, tsking with her tongue. "We always told that boy he's going to work himself into an earlygrave."

"Right."

Hopeeyedme.

"Can I ask you something?" She leaned forward. "It wasn't really exhaustion,wasit?"

Startled, I glanced at Damon, as if he held all the answers. He'd come up with the official coverstory.

"Um."

"I knew it!" Hope pursed her lipstogether.

"Please don't say anything," I said. "It's August's personalbusiness."

I was positive he wouldn't want the whole story gettingaround.

Hopenodded.

"Of course. I won't ask what really happened. But… is he going tobeokay?"

"I hope so," I saidquietly.

Her eyes turned soft and understanding. She pulled me into anotherbriefhug.

"If you ever need anything, we're here for you. Me and Ian, and evenDamon."

"I do need one thing. Do you have August's address? I have a bag of things he forgot onthebus."

I didn't explain why none of the guys were bringing it instead of me. Hope didn't ask, just texted me the address withanod.

"I never said thank you,"shesaid.

"Forwhat?"

"You talked Damon into being nicer to me,didn'tyou?"