Page 100 of Hard Rock Heat

That made me laugh, which was probably hisaim.

Damon sat me down in a plastic waiting room chair and walked a few paces away to call Hope. His words were hushed and murmured, so I couldn't hear what he was tellingher.

After the phone call me came back to sit next to me. He took my hand again. We waitedsilently.

My sister arrived twenty minutes later. She rushed into the waiting room with Ian at her side. She stopped abruptly when she saw us there. Hope stared at me for a moment, her face unreadable. I cringed back when our eyesmet.

Her gaze went soft. She knelt in front of me and wrapped me in a warm hug, her arms around my neck. I let out a shuddering breath and buried my face in her long, messyhair.

"I'm sorry," I choked out before she could sayanything.

"You dummy," she said softly. "What were you thinking, keeping this fromme?"

"I didn't want you to gethurt."

She shocked her head ruefully. "Do I have to give you the same speech my boyfriend gave yourboyfriend?"

"He's not my—" I began toprotest.

I stopped. Was Damon my boyfriend? That was what he'd told Dad. But then we'd gotten into that fight andnow…

I glanced at him. Damon and Ian were giving each other looks, communicating silently. They both had frowns on their face, looking exasperated at eachother.

"I guess all twins do that, huh?" Hope mused. She turned her attention back to me. "Damon told me most of the story, but I want to hear it from you. Dad's been sick for awhile?"

"Not sick, really. Just… non-functional. I've been trying to take care of him. But it's been hard," I admitted. "And now, the doctor said Dad's going to need so much careand—"

"Faith." My sister stopped me with a sharp look. "You don't have to do this alone. We'll hiresomeone."

"Don't you think I've thought of that?" I asked. "Personal support workers are expensive. Dad hasn't worked in years. You've been stuck doing unpaid internships since you left school. I'm only an Events Specialist, not even a manager. There's no money left over after his mortgage and our rentand…"

She flicked my forehead with herfinger.

I frowned, rubbing the spot. "What was thatfor?"

"Did you forget who I'm dating?" Hope nodded toward Ian, who was still staring silently at his brother. He and Damon weren't still frowning at each other, at least. "Ian has more money than he knows what to dowith."

"I'm not takinghis—"

"And I've got my own job now," she continued, speaking over my objections. "I'm working at Darkest Days' label. Entertainment companies pay pretty well, when you're working with a famous band likethem."

"You shouldn't have to be worrying about all this," Isaid.

"Neither should you," she countered. Hope sighed and brought our foreheads together. "Why are you so stubborn?" she askedgently.

"That's what I'm always wondering," Damon said, joining the conversation. "Someone need to keep her from working herself todeath."

"And why do I have a feeling you're going to be the one to do just that?" Hopeteased.

Damon grinned. He threw his arm around my shoulder and pressed a wet, sloppy kiss to mycheek.

"Gross." I made a face of disgust and pretended to wipe the kiss away, but secretly I was pleased at the public display ofaffection.

Having sex in public was one thing. Showing tender affection, especially in front of his brother, wasanother.

Maybe he really was myboyfriend.

"So you agree?" Hope asked me. "No more shouldering all this on your own. No more enabling him. We get someone to take over watching over Dad. You don't need to run his life anymore.Okay?"