Page 95 of Hard Rock Heat

I hadn't spoken a single word to Damon since that night he'd followed me to my dad'splace.

Every day, I woke up with dread in my chest, wondering when Damon was finally going to tell Hope. Wondering when I'd get that call from her. Wondering when she'd insist on seeing Dad. So far,nothing.

But every time I thought about contacting Damon, my stomach twisted. I'd stormed out on him. I'd threatened him with silent treatment. I'd slammed the car door in hisface.

Ihadacted like a child. It was embarrassing. I didn't like that Damon had seen that side ofme.

But he'd made his own threat, too. I couldn't believe he thought he knew what was best for me. What was best for myfamily.

Still, although I hated to admit it, a part of me deep down knew Damon wasright.

I had to tell mysister.

Somehow.

I closed my eyes and set the folders down with a thump. Katherine looked to me,startled.

"You know Faith, if you ever need to talk…" She left the offer openended.

"I'm fine," I said. "But thank you." I picked up the folders and shuffled them around a few times. "I think these are in order. Let's go hand them out. Who's on the top of thelist?"

She examined the first folder in her hand. "Looks like Jessie from that youthcenter."

Katherine and I were in the back offices of the stadium to take care of the admin stuff first. We'd hired a staffing company to do the physical set up and take down on the field, thank god. I didn't want to be the one putting up tents and tables in my Diana Six heels. Not to mention, the music label had hired a team to construct an entire stage in the middle of thefield.

That was where we found Jessie, setting up a booth for The Impact Youth Center to promote their services. There was a handsome young man by her side with startling blue eyes. I recognized him as one of the guests at August's welcome home party. The one who threatened to punchDamon.

My gut churned at the memory. Damon had been flirting with the guy's sister. I'd been so pissed off. So hurt. I'd tried to runaway.

Just like I did whenever anything gottough.

But Damon had followed me. He'dpersisted.

Just like he was persistingnow.

"Hey Faith!" Jessie greeted me with a cheery smile. She turned to the man at her side. Her eyes immediately softened as she looked up at him. "This is my boyfriendGael."

He looked down at her adoringly before greeting me. "Nice to meet you.Faith?"

Inodded.

"You're the one who—" Gael cut himself off with awince.

I folded my arms over my chest. "I'm the one whowhat?"

"Uh…" Gael turned blue, pleading eyes toJessie.

"It's just that Damon's been a mopey, angsty bastard lately and we all figured you're the reason for it," Jessie said matter-of-factly.

I clenched myjaw.

"Gael Moreau!" Katherine blurted out, saving me from having to respond. "You're the bassist of CherryLips!"

Gael turned his gaze toward Katherine. "That's right, gorgeous. You a fan?" Hewinked.

"You were on tour with Darkest Days," she said. "Your drummer went up against August Summers. Wow. Getting to open for a band like Darkest Days… You guys are solucky."

Katherine's eyes went distant and shiny. The disgruntled look that passed over Gael's face was almost comical. She was clearly more of a fan of Damon's band than of Gael'sband.