Page 92 of Roaring Fork Rockstar

“Your hand okay?” the guard asked.

“Yeah, I’ll be all right. Sorry, but I don’t remember your name.”

“Pete, and don’t worry about it. You’ve got a lot on your mind right now.” He motioned to my hand. “You gonna be able to play guitar?”

I flexed my fingers, wincing as pain radiated through my knuckles. “Not right at the moment, but soon enough. I gotta tell you, it was worth it.”

“That felt good to watch. The guy seems like a huge asshole,” Pete muttered.

Seconds later, Ben was back. “I told the woman administering the test to make sure it hurt like hell.”

“It’s the same as any blood draw.”

Ben chuckled. “I know, but seeing Remi panic was worth it.”

Pete excused himself, and we moved to a quieter corner of the hallway, away from curious onlookers. Ben ran a hand over his face.

“Did you mean what you said about firing him?” I asked.

“Oh yeah,” he replied without hesitation. “But not until we get the test results. If he’s a match and they need him for the transplant, I want to maintain some leverage.”

I clasped his shoulder, feeling a new respect for the man I’d known all my life. “I can’t thank you enough for this. For bringing him here, for standing up for Luna and Keltie.”

Ben’s expression darkened, guilt flickering across his features. “Don’t thank me. I should have done more when Keltie left the tour. She was the best sound engineer we ever had—truly gifted. Then she was gone, and Remi never gave an explanationas to why.” He shook his head. “I knew something wasn’t right, but I didn’t do a damn thing about it.”

“You’re helping now,” I said, recognizing the weight of regret in his eyes. “That’s what matters.”

“Yeah, well, it’s the least I can do.”

After ten minutes, Remi emerged from the lab, looking every bit as surly as before. The security guard followed behind him, keeping a watchful eye. After Remi stalked past us without a word, Ben said a quick goodbye, then followed him out.

I returned to Luna’s room, my hand throbbing in time with my heartbeat. Despite the pain, a sense of grim satisfaction settled over me. The punch had been worth it—more than worth it—for the things Remi had said about Keltie. Lost in thought, I almost missed the elevator doors opening as I approached. Keltie stepped out, her face creased with worry.

“Holt? I was looking for you.” Her eyes drifted past me, widening as she caught sight of Ben and Remi right outside the entrance. “Is that?—”

“Yeah,” I admitted. “Ben brought Remi in. He took the test.”

Her gaze dropped to my right hand, which I’d been absentmindedly flexing. “What happened?”

“Let’s say I had to knock sense into him.”

Keltie’s eyes widened, and for a moment, I thought she might be upset. Then a small, fierce smile touched her lips. “Good.”

I laughed softly, relieved she understood. “I promise I’ll tell you everything later. How’s Luna?”

Her smile faded, shoulders slumping with the weight of worry. “Not great. She’s asking for you. Dad’s with her, but she keeps saying she needs you to finish the story.”

“Let’s not keep her waiting, then.”

We got on the elevator, and as the doors closed, Keltie wrapped her arms around my waist. I held her close, feeling herexhale shakily against my chest, her body fitting against mine as if it belonged there.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For looking out for us.”

I pressed my lips to the top of her head, breathing her in. “Always, darlin’. Always.”

“I only wish I would’ve seen you hit him.”

Seconds ago, I didn’t think I could laugh, but I did.

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