Page 34 of Roaring Fork Rockstar (Roaring Fork Ranch #3)

HOLT

L una’s tiny face contorted with pain as the nurse adjusted her IV line.

Her skin had taken on a grayish hue beneath the fever flush, and dark circles shadowed her eyes.

This round of chemo hit her harder than the first. While I’d expected it to be rough, watching her little body fight against the medication meant to save her tore me apart in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

For hours, I watched the chemicals drip into her veins, silently praying they would kill the cancer cells without destroying her spirit.

Each time she clutched her stomach, I wanted to rip the lines out and take her and Keltie somewhere far away from the pain and anguish they were facing.

Nothing in my life—not my father’s abuse, not the trust’s manipulation, not even losing my shot with CB Rice—had prepared me for the helplessness of watching someone I loved suffer while I could do nothing to stop it.

Keltie hadn’t left Luna’s side since the treatment began, her own face etched with exhaustion and worry. Victor stood at the foot of the bed, arms crossed, the same anguish I felt mirrored on his face.

The hospital room seemed too small, too sterile, the beeping machines a constant reminder of what was at stake.

I rested my hand on Keltie’s shoulder. “Can I get you anything?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m fine. Thanks.” The dark circles under her eyes told a different story, but I knew better than to push.

Luna’s whimper broke the silence, and Keltie stroked her daughter’s forehead. Her tenderness made my chest ache.

“It hurts, Mommy,” Luna whispered, her eyes fluttering open, their usual brightness dimmed.

“I know, baby,” Keltie murmured, her voice steady despite the fear I knew was churning inside her. “The medicine is working, but sometimes, it makes you feel worse before you feel better. Remember how the doctors talked about that?”

“Yes.” Luna’s small hand clutched Bunny against her chest. The stuffed animal looked almost as worn as she did.

“Remember what happened with Sparkles,” I said, kneeling beside her so we were at eye level. The hospital bed made her look even smaller, more vulnerable. “And remember what happened next in the story?”

Luna’s lips curved in a small smile despite her discomfort. Faint as it was, it felt like a victory. “Shimmer brought her special berries that made her feel stronger.”

“That’s right,” I said, relieved to see that spark of imagination still alive in her eyes. I reached out to touch her cheek. Her skin felt hot beneath my fingers.

Luna’s eyelids drooped. “Will you finish the story later?”

“I promise, Unicorn Girl.”

My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I stepped away from the bed to check it. Ben’s name flashed on the screen with a text that made my blood run cold.

At hospital with Remi. He wants to talk with Keltie before agreeing to test. Where are you?

My jaw clenched. Of course that asshole would have conditions. Even to potentially save the life of his own child, he couldn’t do the right thing.

I glanced at Keltie, who had climbed onto the bed to hold Luna as another wave of nausea hit.

Her focus was entirely on comforting her daughter, whispering reassurances as Luna trembled.

There was no way I’d tell her Remi was here now.

She needed to focus on her daughter, who was struggling enough already.

And truthfully, I wasn’t sure I could stop myself from dragging Remi out by his designer collar if he upset Keltie while Luna was this sick.

“I’m going to step out and look for Dr. Patel,” I said, steeling the anger in my voice.

Keltie nodded without looking up. Victor caught my eye from across the room, his gaze sharp and questioning. The older man had an uncanny ability to sense when something was off. I gave a slight shake of my head, hoping he’d understand now wasn’t the time.

“I won’t be long,” I promised.

In the hallway, I texted Ben to say I was on my way down, then headed toward the elevator.

My mind raced through what to say to Remi.

I’d never liked the guy from the moment I joined the band, but now, knowing what he’d done to Keltie—abandoning her when she was pregnant, calling her a liar—the thought of facing him made my blood boil.

As the manager, he usually stayed behind the scenes, but when he did appear, his arrogance filled the room. He’d been dismissive toward me until the moment Ben announced I was joining the band. Then his attitude had shifted to surface-level friendliness that never reached his eyes.

When the elevator doors slid open, Ben and Remi stood several feet away.

The contrast between them struck me immediately—Ben’s concerned expression versus Remi’s irritated scowl, as if being asked to help save a child’s life was an inconvenience to his busy schedule.

Ben had thrown on jeans and a flannel shirt, looking rushed but composed.

Remi wore designer clothes and sunglasses pushed up on his head, his entire appearance screaming self-importance.

“Holt,” Ben said, stepping forward to shake my hand, his grip firm and grounding. His eyes held genuine concern. “How’s Luna?”

“Not great,” I replied, keeping my voice low. “This round is hitting her hard. She’s really sick. The nausea’s been terrible, and her fever keeps spiking.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Liv sends her best. She wanted to come, but she’s with Caden at the doctor—just a cold, nothing serious.”

Remi stood behind Ben, arms crossed over his chest, shifting his weight impatiently. “So where’s Keltie? I need to talk to her.”

The tone in his voice raised my hackles. I took a deep breath, reminding myself we were in a hospital and Luna needed him to cooperate. “She’s with Luna, who’s very ill. She’s not leaving her daughter’s side.”

Remi’s mouth tightened. “I didn’t drive all the way here to be put off. I need to speak with her directly.”

I squared my shoulders. “I said no, Remi, and I meant it.”

“I’m not doing any bloody test without talking to her first,” he declared, his chin jutting out. “I have conditions.”

“Conditions?” Ben echoed, turning to face him. The disbelief in his voice matched my own. “You have conditions for potentially saving a child’s life?”

Remi’s expression hardened. “I’ve been blindsided enough by this situation. Before I agree to a test, I need to know for sure the kid is even mine.”

Ben’s eyes opened as wide as mine did. “What are you suggesting?” he asked.

“A paternity test. I need proof that kid is mine. For all I know, she screwed every guy in the band.”

Remi’s casual cruelty, his blatant disrespect for Keltie and Luna—at that moment, I saw red. Ben took a step forward, fury etched across his face too, but my fist connected with Remi’s jaw first. The impact sent him stumbling backward, his hand flying to his face.

The sensation of knuckles meeting bone shot up my arm, a burst of pain that I barely registered through the surge of adrenaline.

A woman nearby shrieked, and several heads turned in our direction. Remi straightened, looking ready to lunge at me, a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth. His eyes burned with anger, but Ben grabbed his arm.

“You fucking hit me!” Remi shouted, drawing more attention.

Hospital security approached fast, led by a guy I recognized from high school. He’d grown into his lanky frame, now filling out the security uniform with broad shoulders.

“What’s going on here?” he asked, his eyes widening as he recognized Ben. “Holy shit, you’re Ben Rice!”

Ben cleared his throat. “Sorry about the disturbance. My friend here”—he nodded toward me—“had a justified reaction to some extremely inappropriate comments about a sick child.”

The guard’s eyes shifted from Ben to me. “Wait. Are you Holt Wheaton? Damn, man, I hardly recognized you. Heard you were playing with CB Rice now. My wife and I have tickets to your Valentine’s show.”

I flexed my stinging hand, feeling the skin pull tight across my knuckles. “Thanks for the support.”

The guy, whose name I still couldn’t remember, looked at Remi, who was holding his jaw, murder in his eyes. “Want me to escort this one out?”

“No,” Ben said firmly. “We need him—unfortunately. He’s here to take a bone marrow test for a child who needs a transplant.”

The guy’s expression changed immediately, understanding dawning. “Luna Marquez? My daughter’s in her class at school and talks about her all the time. Tell her they all miss her. She’s a great kid.”

A rush of warmth filled my chest at the mention of the sweetest, most precious little girl I’d ever met. She’d touched so many lives in her short time in Crested Butte.

Ben stepped closer to Remi, his voice low and cold, but carrying enough that I could hear every word. “You have two choices. Take the test right now, or I fire you on the spot. And I’ll make damn sure everyone in the industry knows exactly why. You’ll never work with another band again.”

Remi’s face paled beneath his well-crafted stubble. “You wouldn’t.”

“Try me,” Ben replied, his posture rigid with anger.

“After what you said about her mother? I absolutely would. Don’t forget who brought CB Rice to national attention.

The contacts are mine, Remi. The relationships are mine.

Cross me on this, and you’ll quickly find out how thoroughly I can end your career. ”

The standoff lasted several seconds as tension crackled between them. I’d never seen Ben like this—using his influence as a weapon. This was a side of him that explained how he’d risen to the top of a cutthroat industry.

Finally, Remi’s shoulders slumped. “Fine. Where do I go for the fucking test?”

I pointed down the hall. “Lab’s that way.”

“I’ll walk with you,” said Ben.

“Your hand okay?” the guard asked.

“Yeah, I’ll be all right. Sorry, but I don’t remember your name.”

“Pete, and don’t worry about it. You’ve got a lot on your mind right now.” He motioned to my hand. “You gonna be able to play guitar?”

I flexed my fingers, wincing as pain radiated through my knuckles. “Not right at the moment, but soon enough. I gotta tell you, it was worth it.”

“That felt good to watch. The guy seems like a huge asshole,” Pete muttered.

Seconds later, Ben was back. “I told the woman administering the test to make sure it hurt like hell.”

“It’s the same as any blood draw.”

Ben chuckled. “I know, but seeing Remi panic was worth it.”

Pete excused himself, and we moved to a quieter corner of the hallway, away from curious onlookers. Ben ran a hand over his face.

“Did you mean what you said about firing him?” I asked.

“Oh yeah,” he replied without hesitation. “But not until we get the test results. If he’s a match and they need him for the transplant, I want to maintain some leverage.”

I clasped his shoulder, feeling a new respect for the man I’d known all my life. “I can’t thank you enough for this. For bringing him here, for standing up for Luna and Keltie.”

Ben’s expression darkened, guilt flickering across his features.

“Don’t thank me. I should have done more when Keltie left the tour.

She was the best sound engineer we ever had—truly gifted.

Then she was gone, and Remi never gave an explanation as to why.

” He shook his head. “I knew something wasn’t right, but I didn’t do a damn thing about it. ”

“You’re helping now,” I said, recognizing the weight of regret in his eyes. “That’s what matters.”

“Yeah, well, it’s the least I can do.”

After ten minutes, Remi emerged from the lab, looking every bit as surly as before. The security guard followed behind him, keeping a watchful eye. After Remi stalked past us without a word, Ben said a quick goodbye, then followed him out.

I returned to Luna’s room, my hand throbbing in time with my heartbeat.

Despite the pain, a sense of grim satisfaction settled over me.

The punch had been worth it—more than worth it—for the things Remi had said about Keltie.

Lost in thought, I almost missed the elevator doors opening as I approached.

Keltie stepped out, her face creased with worry.

“Holt? I was looking for you.” Her eyes drifted past me, widening as she caught sight of Ben and Remi right outside the entrance. “Is that?—”

“Yeah,” I admitted. “Ben brought Remi in. He took the test.”

Her gaze dropped to my right hand, which I’d been absentmindedly flexing. “What happened?”

“Let’s say I had to knock sense into him.”

Keltie’s eyes widened, and for a moment, I thought she might be upset. Then a small, fierce smile touched her lips. “Good.”

I laughed softly, relieved she understood. “I promise I’ll tell you everything later. How’s Luna?”

Her smile faded, shoulders slumping with the weight of worry. “Not great. She’s asking for you. Dad’s with her, but she keeps saying she needs you to finish the story.”

“Let’s not keep her waiting, then.”

We got on the elevator, and as the doors closed, Keltie wrapped her arms around my waist. I held her close, feeling her exhale shakily against my chest, her body fitting against mine as if it belonged there.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For looking out for us.”

I pressed my lips to the top of her head, breathing her in. “Always, darlin’. Always.”

“I only wish I would’ve seen you hit him.”

Seconds ago, I didn’t think I could laugh, but I did.