Page 13 of Hard Rock Deceit
The twins and bassist grinned at each other as their chests heaved with labored breaths. I looked around for August. He'd left the stage with the others, but he wasn'twiththem.
When the piano song came to a soft close, twins hurried back onstage.
"This is my favorite part," Hope said. "Ian and Damon do this cool dueling guitar solo thing. It's really fun to watch them play around on stage without the other guys there." Hope's cheery expression turned somber. "I'm really going to miss him," she said wistfully. "This is the first tour they've been on since we started dating. We haven't been apart for more than a few days up until now." She smiled weakly. "They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Still, I can't help butworry."
I wondered if she meant worried about groupies, and the temptation theyinvited.
"Ian seems like a really great guy," I reassured her. "He said he wanted to bring youontour."
"I wish I could, but I have work. At least he's got Damon to look outforhim."
The twins were still on stage when I caught sight of August again. He was talking with a roadie. The man handed over something to August, who took it and fisted it tight in his hand. Lines peppered August's brow. He nodded once. I wondered if something had gone wrong. Darkest Days' performance had seemed flawlesstome.
August made his way back, a frown on his face and looking lost in thought. By the time he'd met up with the others, that twist of his lips and furrow of his brow hadsmoothed.
The three of them went back on stage and the concert continued. This time, when I studied the band members, I made sure to look for any signs of worry ortension.
The lead singer's expression didn't change much, always looking out at the audience as if something, or someone, had captured his full attention and he was singing onlytothem.
From their carefree grins and frenzied playing, the bassist and the twins were having the time of theirlives.
Whatever had upset August tonight didn't seem to haveaffectedthem.
"Did something happen?" I shouted at Hope over themusic.
"What do you mean?" she shouted back, not taking her eyes off thestage.
"August looked upset. Or worried. Or…something."
"I think some of the lighting was off. Don't worry about it. August's always been a little uptight. He hates it when things aren'tperfect."
I continued watching the concert. By the time it ended, I was at once both invigorated and exhausted from watching the frantic energy of the band on stage. I couldn't image how they musthavefelt.
They finished their last encore song and left with the crowd still cheering and shouting. It seemed their fans couldn't get enough ofDarkestDays.
And I was beginning to understand why. There was something thrilling about seeing this band on stage. Their talent was undeniable, each member a master of his own instrument, but the way they performed, the way they pulled the audience in, was impressive in itself. Even I wasn't immune. The two and a half hour concert hadflownby.
Hope rushed into Ian's arms again the moment he was off stage and out of sight of the audience. He pressed his face into her hair as she clung to him. August had said the band had to get on the bus as soon as the concert was over. Instead of feeling uncomfortable at the PDA, I only felt sadforthem.
"Did you enjoy theconcert?"
August appeared at my side. His shirt clung to his chest with sweat, well-defined abs peeking through the black mesh. My heartbeat quickened. I lifted my eyes to his face before I could be caught staring. From his heavy breathing and flushed face, I could tell he was still pumped up from theperformance.
"You guys put on a great show,"Isaid.
He nodded absently, taking the compliment without demurring. August's eyes slid to the stage. Those ice blue eyes were slightly glazed over, as if his mind was elsewhere, maybe still back on the stage. Even though the crew had begun packing up, the crowd still shoutedformore.
"Are you going back out there?" Iasked.
"No. Although we love to do extra encores, this concert's over. We've got to get on the road soon. I need to go gather the guys and get a change ofclothes."
August lifted the hem of his shirt, peeling off the sweat-sticky material. My insides tumbled over onthemselves.
He cursed softly and winced with his arms halfway abovehishead.
"You okay?" Iasked.
The drummer paused, glancing my way, then turned his gaze to thefloor.
