Page 86 of Hard Rock Heat

"By one fucking minute!" Ian protested, his mouth twisting inannoyance.

Hope nudged me in the shoulder with a grin. It was the exact same conversation we'd had ourselves over the years. It must have been a universal twinthing.

Ian punched his brother in the shoulder. "Thank you for looking out forme."

Damon punched him back. He winced and flexed his fingers. His knuckles were cut up. "I haven't been in a fight like that in a while. I'mrusty."

"It's late," Ian said. "We still need to talk about this, but for now you should go home and let Faith patch youup."

Damon pulled his brother into one last hug. "You know I loveyou."

Ian returned the hug. "I love you, too." He pulled back with a grin. "Even when you are a fuckingidiot."

A sentiment I knew all toowell.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Damon wasquiet on the drive back to his place. I put up with the silence for a while before the tension got tome.

"Are you mad at me?" Iasked.

He didn't pretend not to understand what for. "Alittle."

"Oh."

"You really shouldn't have called Ian without tellingme."

I nodded. "I know. Ioverstepped."

Damon went silent for few minutes before speaking. "I know you were only trying tohelp."

"Everything worked out for the best in the end," I saidtentatively.

"It did," Damon agreed. "But it might nothave."

I stared at my hands, clasped in mylap.

Damon reached over and took one of my hands in his. "I forgiveyou."

Relief blossomed in my chest. I hated the thought of Damon being upset with me. Usually it was me being upset withhim.

Now that I knew how much it sucked, I'd have to try and be more patient with him, moreforgiving.

When we got to his place I went straight to the bathroom and looked under the sink for a first aidkit.

"Go sit." I pointed to one of kitchenchairs.

"I'm really okay," he said, but he obeyednonetheless.

"You're bloody andbruised."

"Only alittle."

"You should have been less reckless," I scolded. "What if you'd really hurt your hands? What if you'd broken something and it hurt your ability to playguitar?"

The alarmed expression on Damon's face told me the thought hadn't even crossed his mind. "Shit."

"Shit is right," I nodded. "Next time you want to get into a fight with someone, use yourwords."