Page 93 of Hard Rock Deceit

August stalked through the doors and locked them, shutting me outforgood.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

He wasn'thisnormalself.

That was what I repeated in my head, overandover.

August had taken something, probably a lot of it. He wasn't in his right mind when he said those awfulthings.

It was a small consolation. He'd still said them. He'd still hurt me, using my vulnerability against me. I broke into tears at least twice a day, thinkingaboutit.

But despite my heartache and guilt and anger, the knowledge that August was so far gone he would do such a thing only made me worry forhimmore.

I texted Damon, telling him the broad strokes of what happened. August was on something, his shoulder problem was worse than we thought, he'd shut me out and refused my help. I hoped one of the guys would be able to get through to him. I hoped he'dletthem.

While waiting for news, I threw myself into my work. The tour was over. Although I now had a fat wad of cash to keep me going for a while, it wouldn't last forever. I applied for any job I could, anything even remotely in my field. I kept working on my portfolio, applying for grants, submitting to award programs, uploading to stock photo sites. Working as a photographer meant doing a thousand little things to makeendsmeet.

A few days after my confrontation with August, my mentor Ashford called. A local art gallery wanted to display some of my photos in a show. I was overjoyed, until I learned they wanted me to speak about my inspiration at the opening nightreception.

"I'm not sure how I feel about that," I hedged. "You know I like to keep myself separate frommyart."

"The owners are very well connected in the art community. If you impress them, you'll open a world of possibilities foryourself."

"I'm doing fine onmyown."

"And how many jobs have you secured since getting back?" I could hear the arched eyebrow in hisvoice.

"The tour only ended a couple days ago," Iprotested.

"Take their offer," he said firmly. "Stand up, say some brief words in front of a few dozen people and then you can go right back to hiding away like before. Babysteps."

You did something that scared you and made it through. Babysteps.

August's words came backtome.

Even after everything that had happened, I couldn't forget the lessons he'dtaughtme.

"Okay," I said before I could second guess myself. "Tell them I'lldoit."

Of course, saying yes meant I spent the next few days with my stomach tied in knots. At the very least, it was a distraction from my agonizing over August, over what he'd said, whathe'ddone.

It was upsetting I hadn't heard back from Damon. He said he would keep me up to date. I had to hope no news wasgoodnews.

When I finally heard my phone ding with a text, that knot in my stomach twisted evenfurther.

We can't find him,Damon'stextread.

What do you mean, can't find him?I texted back furiously.He's not alostcat!

He's not at home. No one at the label hasseenhim.

Maybe he's locked himself in his bedroom and is just not answeringthedoor.

No, we broke in and searched the house. Cameron smashed a window witharock.

Drastic, butnecessary.

We're working on tracking him down,Damon reassured me.We'll let you know the minute wefindhim.