"They're fantastic, aren't they?" Hope shouted over the music.

I could only nod.

Halfway through the set, the members of Darkest Days put down their instruments. A black piano was rolled out. The lead singer sat down on the bench in front of it. The rest of the band members filed off stage. A beautiful melody replaced the thrashing and screeching of guitars.

As soon as the other members of the band were hidden by the curtain, a throng of assistants gathered around them, shoving towels and bottles of water into their hands.

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't with them.

When the piano song came to a soft close, twins hurried back on stage.

"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 but worry."

I wondered if she meant worried about groupies, and the temptation they invited.

"Ian seems like a really great guy," I reassured her. "He said he wanted to bring you on tour."

"I wish I could, but I have work. At least he's got Damon to look out for him."

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 flawless to me.

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 had smoothed.

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 or tension.

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 only to them.

From their carefree grins and frenzied playing, the bassist and the twins were having the time of their lives.

Whatever had upset August tonight didn't seem to have affected them.

"Did something happen?" I shouted at Hope over the music.

"What do you mean?" she shouted back, not taking her eyes off the stage.

"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't perfect."

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 must have felt.

They finished their last encore song and left with the crowd still cheering and shouting. It seemed their fans couldn't get enough of Darkest Days.

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 had flown by.

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 sad for them.

"Did you enjoy the concert?"

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 the performance.

"You guys put on a great show," I said.

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 shouted for more.

"Are you going back out there?" I asked.

"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 of clothes."

August lifted the hem of his shirt, peeling off the sweat-sticky material. My insides tumbled over on themselves.

He cursed softly and winced with his arms halfway above his head.

"You okay?" I asked.

The drummer paused, glancing my way, then turned his gaze to the floor.

"It's nothing. I'm fine."

"Did you pull a muscle or something?" I guessed.

He met my eyes.

"Yeah."

"You should take it easy out there."

"I'll do whatever it takes to put on my best performance."

He struggled with the shirt, favoring one shoulder. I felt bad watching him.

"Can I help?" I asked.

He gave up and nodded.

With him grimacing and grunting, we managed to lift the shirt over his head.

August's bare chest gleamed with sweat. The exertion of playing had him taking rough breaths. The peaks and valley of his firm abs rippled under the skin.

My mouth went dry. I averted my gaze quickly.

"Do me a favor?" he asked. "Don't tell the others. I don't want them to worry."

I nodded dumbly.

With a gentle hand on my arm, August squeezed his unspoken thanks.

How could I possibly last months on a bus with this man, if this was the way I reacted near him? I'd never been that kind of person, never been so swept up in these kind of feelings before. I hadn't even known it was possible for me to feel this way. I didn't know how to handle it, aside from ignoring it.

But with the warm, grateful look August flashed at me, I had a feeling I wasn't going to be able to ignore these feelings for long.