Page 82 of Hard Rock Sin

"I just don't want Noah—"

"I said it's cool," he interrupted. Cameron wrapped an arm around my waist and tugged me to his side. "It'll be our little secret for now."

I wanted to feel relief, but my heart sank instead. Those were the same words Cameron used when he talked about his parents. About how they didn't want anyone to know about him.

But this was a completely different situation. I wasn't embarrassed of Cameron. This was for his own good. Until I could figure out a way to tell Noah about us… until I could figure out a way to make sure Noah didn't freak out…

I mused on that thought on the drive to the party. Cameron held my hand in the backseat of the taxi, brushing his thumb against the back of my hand. That small touch was a comfort. Maybe Cameron really wasn't upset.

I hoped.

When we arrived at the venue, I saw Jen had rented out the intimate back room of a tiny venue just for the group of us. It would have fit fifty comfortably. As it was, about half that number jumped out to surprise me with streamers, banners, and whistleblowers the moment I walked in.

"Welcome home!" the group cheered.

"You're only supposed to jump out when it's a surprise party," I said with a laugh.

"But it's more fun this way." Cameron smirked at my side, keeping a few feet between us. He must have known what they had planned.

With the floor covered with confetti and streamers, Noah and Jen immediately pulled me into a dual hug.

"Thank you for putting this whole thing together," I told her.

"I'm sorry it took this long," Jen said. "But, well…" she gestured to the crowd behind her. "As you can see, lots of schedules to work around."

"Let me guess," I said, taking in the greater than normal amount of black leather, black mesh, black eyeliner, and black nail polish. "They're all in rock bands?"

"Notallof them," Jen stressed. "Half are significant others or friends."

I took a head count, trying to see if I recognized anyone. One guy with blond waves falling over his forehead and talking very loudly looked vaguely familiar, but the rest were all unknowns to me.

"I want to see August and the twins," I said. "It's been way too long." I hadn't seen them when I scanned the room.

"Over there." Jen pointed behind me.

I turned to find the three of them coming out of a side door. The twins held a chocolate cake with a lit sparkler between their hands. August held a dark purple gift bag, complete with tissue paper and bow.

"Welcome home, Lily." August's low tones were as familiar as the soft look in his ice blue eyes.

"You better eat this now or I'm going to eat it for you." One of the twins lifted the cake to his face and mimed taking a huge bite.

August placed the bag in my hands. "I hope you like it."

I gingerly pushed away the tissue paper to uncover the gift.

Inside was a picture frame with a photo of all of us, taken backstage at the very last concert I'd been to before moving away.

The guys all looked so much younger, their youthful energy apparent even through the camera's lens. They were softer and boyish, with punk and emo haircuts. I was young, too, and much shorter. I hadn't hit my growth spurt yet.

August's hand was on my shoulder. Noah had me tugged against his side. Damon and Ian were both making faces behind my back. Cameron was giving me bunny ears.

My heart melted a little, both at the memory and at the gesture.

"You guys…" Tears sprang to the back of my eyes.

"Aw, is little Lily Hart getting sappy on us?" the other twin teased. "What happened to our bad ass troublemaker?"

"I was never a troublemaker," I retorted with a teary laugh. "That was all you two."