Page 62 of Hard Rock Deceit
"I'm not that immature," Damon protested. "At worst, it would be alivefrog."
Cameronsnorted.
Ian was on his way back from the airport after picking up his girlfriend, and was due any minute. The others had taken to warning Damon to be on his bestbehavior.
"Just don't be a dick to her,"Noahsaid.
"Like you can talk," Damonretorted.
"That's different," Cameron said. "Noah's a dick toeveryone."
Before the lead singer could defend himself, the hotel suite door opened and in walked Ian with his arm around Hope's waist. From their messed hair, flushed cheeks, and red lips, I had to assume there had been some making out on the elevator, and possibly even somegroping.
Ian's face was alight with a wide smile. It was a great improvement on the wounded eyes and concerned looks he'd been throwing August's way ever sincehisfall.
"Hey gorgeous," Cameron grinned at Hope and gave her a tight squeeze. "How are thingsbackhome?"
"Lily's doing fine," she replied, answering his unspoken question. "She wishes she could be here, but with school andeverything…"
Cameron's wide grin faltered, expression turning glum, before he plastered the smilebackon.
"You know what they say, absence makes the heart growfonder."
He tried to sound chipper, but couldn't hide the dejection in hisvoice.
"She did give me something to give to you." Hope pulled out an envelope from her purse and handed it over. "It's one of her sketches. Lily said not to open it inpublic."
Cameron's eyes lit up with naughty mischief. "So it's tasteful nudes?Ilike."
Noah grumbled from where he sat on an armchair in the corner. Cameron smirkedathim.
"It's nice to see you again, Hope," August said before the two of them could getgoing.
"Good to see you, too." Her smile didn't waver, no concern or worry in her tone. I had to wonder if Ian kept from her what happened withAugust.
"Yeah, it's good to see you again," Damon said. "How was yourflight?"
Everyone in the room stared at Damon. Ian looked taken aback. Hope's eyes went wide with shock, before a pleased, bright smile crossedherlips.
"The flight was good. Short." She looked around the room, meeting everyone's eyes with a questioning look. No one explained Damon's politeness. "I hope I'm not intruding too much by joining you guys for afewdays."
"Nah, it's cool," Damon said with a careless shrug. "I'm sure Cassie will appreciate the company. Might get tiring, being around all thistestosterone."
That bright smile turnedtome.
"Cassie! How are you enjoying tour life so far? Have the guys driven youinsaneyet?"
"Not yet." Hope really did seem like a sweet girl. "Maybe give it a few moreweeks."
Cameron continued to pepper Hope with questions about back home, no doubt wanting more details about how his girlfriend wasfaring.
I eyed Damon. He looked vaguely unsettled, like something was itching underhisskin.
Ian was glancing at his brother quizzically, as if trying to figure him out. Hope asked Ian a question, drawing his attention back to her with a dotingsmile.
Damon saw me staring at him. He raised aneyebrow.
What?He mouthedsilently.
