Page 105 of Hard Rock Deceit
That was just the physical, though. His full recovery was long from over. He still had bi-weekly meetings with his addictions therapist, along with group therapy once a week. Because of everything he went through, it wasn't going to be easy. But he was working on it, and we were all there for him. It would take time, and it would take strength, but we believed in him. Most of all, he believed inhimself.
"Seth is going to be disappointed," Cameron said. "We don't need him on drumsanymore."
"Seth is going to be just fine." The drummer from Cherry Lips appeared behind us with a grin. "It was amazing getting to fill in for someone like August Summers, but there's no way I would leave Cherry Lips for the rest of you losers." Sethsmirked.
"You mean Cerise would have had your balls if you tried to leave," Cameronretorted.
Seth winced. "Yeah.That,too."
More of August's friends came to greet him and give their well wishes. I surveyed the room, looking for one person inparticular.
Ashford stood with a drink in his hand near the far end of the living room. He wasn't speaking with anyone, but he didn't seem to mind. He was eyeing the wild-haired and alternatively dressed crowd gathered around August with askepticallook.
"I didn't know if you'd show up," I told him as Iapproached.
He raised his glass in greeting. "I have to meet this young man of yours in person,don'tI?"
"You've alreadymethim."
"You two weren't together then. And if I'd known he was going to hit on you on the job, I would have said no to the whole thing." Ashford's lips threatened to twist into a frown. He took a sip of his drink. "But I've done my research. He seems like a fine young man. Professional. Accomplished. Even if he did come on to an impressionable young girl, barely out of school, who was also workingunderhim."
"You make it sound gross," I protested. "He's a perfectgentleman."
Ashford grumbled. "Let him introduce himself properly andwe'llsee."
I caught August's eye and gestured him to come over. His gaze flicked to Ashford. My mentor's back stiffened. August nodded at me to show he'd gotten themessage.
With a promise to return, August left his crowd of well-wishers and made his way over to us. He immediately held out his hand to Ashford with an easysmile.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Professor Ashford," August said in smooth tones. "Thank you for coming to thisgathering."
They shook hands a moment too long. Ashford scrutinized August, who looked backcalmly.
"Glad to see you're in good health," Ashford said. "I heard from Cassie you've had a rough go of itrecently."
The official story was, August's shoulder had been hurt during his fall on stage, and he needed surgery to fix it. No mention of drugs or him being kicked out oftheband.
"Cassie's been a great help to me," August said. "She's been by my side the whole way." He gave me a loving, heart-stopping smile. "I couldn't have done itwithouther."
I fought to keep my composure and not fall into a swoon in front of Ashford. August still had that affect on me, even after severalmonths.
"Cassie's a remarkable young woman," Ashford agreed. "I've known her for a long time. She deserves only the bestinlife."
"August, it looks like Cerise wants to say hello," I interrupted before Ashford could say anything too embarrassing. "You should gosayhi."
With a parting handshake, August said his goodbyes to Ashford. When it was only the two of us, I turned to my mentor. Ashford had become a sort of father figure to me, and his opinion meantalot.
"I approve,"hesaid.
I let out abreath.
"Now that I've checked him out, I'm less worried about you." Ashford gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to take off. I'm the oldest person here by half a century," hejoked.
With Ashford gone, and August still ensconced in conversation with his friends, I grabbed a drink. Scanning the room, I saw Hope standing in a corner, looking awkward and out of place. Iheadedover.
"Has Ian abandoned you?" Iaskedher.
She gave me aconfusedlook.
