Page 35 of Rock On

Now that the guys were all involved in serious relationships, suddenly everything was changing, and it was slowly becoming clear I hadn’t treated Harley as well as I should have.

Hell, I hadn’t treated her well at all.

And I regretted that more than anything else in my life.

I finished my cigarette and put it out in the ashtray on the little table.

I was considering using some kind of nicotine patch while I was here, figuring there was no time like the present to get healthy, but I had very little that made me happy right now, so it seemed unfair to give up one of the few things that did.

Harley and I had both been smokers once upon a time, but I would have bet my last dollar she’d quit when she found out she was pregnant. If I knew her, and I did, she hadn’t started up again afterward, either.

I really needed to stop thinking about her.

I’d thought of almost nothing else since that night at the cemetery, and it was starting to get on my nerves.

Group therapy for those of us dealing with grief started in a few minutes, so I grabbed my crutches and hobbled out to the elevator. Technically, I didn’t need them, but the physical therapist said if I wanted to be ready for the tour in eight weeks, I needed to protect the knee at all costs, so I was using them anyway.

I’d been told different therapists moderated the group sessions each time, and Allisha was doing it today, so I was looking forward to it. Most of the others in the group were dealing with the loss of a spouse, but my relationship with Carter was special because we’d been both friends and business associates. The success of Onyx Knight took everything to another level, and everyone had been far more sympathetic than I’d anticipated. I’d been pleasantly surprised that no one seemed interested in my rockstar status, which was a nice change.

It was a small group, just six of us, and everyone waved as I entered the room.

“Hey, Tom.” A middle-aged movie producer named Quinn Bonham gave me a grin and I smiled back.

“Hey, man. Did you watch the Cowboys Monday night?” It had come up that he was a football fan and the team had been featured on Monday Night Football on TV last night.

“What a shit show.” He shook his head. “We lost our kicker. They’re saying he’s out for the season.”

I nodded. “I know. Tough break.”

“Don’t lie. You’re happy they lost.”

I laughed. “Kinda, but I didn’t want to shit on your already shitty parade.”

“Ah, I’m used to it.”

“Hello, everyone.” Allisha came in carrying a notebook and a mug of something. “Sorry I’m late. It’s been a busy day.”

“Yeah, we keep you on your toes,” I quipped, making everyone laugh.

“That you do.” She smiled and glanced up as there was movement in the doorway. “We have a new addition to the group today. Come on in, Harley.”

My head whipped around so fast I nearly broke something.

What in the ever-loving fuck was Harley doing here?

Had Allisha somehow orchestrated this?

I turned back to Allisha accusingly, but she was nodding at Harley, who obviously hadn’t seen me yet.

The rest of the group was calling out friendly greetings and Harley had a smile on her face until she made it to the empty chair next to Allisha. We sat in a small circle in this group, and my back had been to her until now.

Harley was just about to sit down when she spotted me, and she froze.

Our eyes locked and her mouth fell open.

She immediately straightened up and shook her head, looking from me to Allisha and back again.

“I don’t…” Words seemed to be failing her as she stood there.

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