Page 97 of Hard Rock Heat

"I can't find my drumstick!" Kaylee wailed, searchingfrantically.

Morris leaned over and pulled out a spare one from a bag near his feet. "I've got more," he toldher.

"You guys don't have to worry," I told them. "I've seen you play, remember?" Five small faces looked up at me. "You were amazing. Everyone here is going to loveyou."

"You think so?" The singer, Anya, said in a smallvoice.

I put my hand to my mouth and pretended to whisper. "Don't tell them, but I think you guys are better than DarkestDays."

The kids all laughed andgiggled.

With some of the tension broken, I handed Morris four folders and asked him to hand them out to his band. He agreed with a silentnod.

I consulted my list to see who wasnext.

"I think we should go see the sponsors," I toldher.

"Um. Faith?" Katherinesaid.

The worry in her voice made me turn around quickly. "What? What isit?"

"I don't think I can lie and tell Damon you're busy this time, because he's right behindyou."

My lungs squeezed. I clutched the pile of folders to mychest.

"Hey." Damon's deep, rich tones came from behind me. "Can wetalk?"

I didn't turn to look athim.

"I'm going to go… do something else," Katherine said slowly. The look in her eyes was hopeful as she backed away withhaste.

"Still giving me the silent treatment?" Damon asked when she was gone and we were alone. "I thought you said you'd only stop speaking to me if I told yoursister."

I finally met his eyes. They were steady, calm, but the lines on his forehead told me he was more upset than he was lettingon.

"Why haven't you?" Iasked.

He shrugged. "I keep wanting to. Every time I see her the words are right there in my mouth, just ready to blurt out." Damon eyed me carefully, gauging my mood. "But I know it would be better coming fromyou."

"I know," I said quietly. I grasped the folders tighter. "I know. You're right. I need to tellher."

Damon ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "If I'm right, then why have you been blowing meoff?"

There was a pause before identical smiles crept across our lips at the innuendo. His eyes were so clear, so bright, yet deep at the same time. That same familiar feeling of falling came over me. It was dizzying.Disorientating.

I was always in over my head when it came to thisman.

I cast my eyes down, gaze fixating on the pointedtoes.

"At first I didn't want to talk to you because I was angry," I admitted. "I couldn't believe you had the audacity to think you could dictate the terms of my relationship with mysister."

"Mm, using big words again." Damon smirked. "Get mad at me somemore."

"I'm not mad at you," I said. "Not now. I just…" I averted my gaze. "I was embarrassed," Imumbled.

Damon frowned. "Embarrassed aboutwhat?"

"The way I reacted." My face grew hot, bright red and flushed. "It was childish, just like you said. After all the times I told you to act like an adult, I go and throw a fit like a little kid throwing atantrum."