“Griffin? You . . . okay?”His face still blank, he looked over at me. His pale eyes were wider than I’d ever seen. “That . . . was . . . the most . . . disgusting thing . . . I’ve ever seen.”My fear vanished. She was okay. I patted his knee and his expression changed. Peace filled his face. “And the most incredible.”

“Do you still love me?” My breath stopped as Iwaited for his answer. I hoped from his expression and his song that hedid, but I needed to hear him acknowledge it.He sighed and looked over my face. Slowly, he nodded. “You wouldnever believe how much.”

“His eyes were still closed and his body rocked gently to the music, but his face was almost...desolate. His words matched his face, as he sang about how each day was a struggle, and never seeing my face caused him physical pain. He sang that "my face was his light, and he felt drenched in darkness without it." Tears fell freely after I heard that line.”

“Griffin? You ever heard of knocking?”Griffin sniffed and tucked his chin-length hair behind his ears. “We’re family, dude, I don’t need to knock.”I sighed, not sure if Kellan could argue that point or not—not since Griffin had impregnated my sister. He really was family now. Lord help me.”

“« What about tonight’s show?”Griffin immediately remembered where he was. “Fuck!” His eyes bored into mine. “You know our songs. You play for me.”“I can barely strum a guitar!”Griffin patted me on the back as he walked past me. “You’ll do fine. Good luck!”I watched him walk away, wondering if I’d really just become the replacement bassist for the D-Bags »”

“With a look of pride on his face, he pointed at my closed bedroom door. "Did you just fuck him into submission?" He held his knuckles up to me. "Nice.”

“Oh, poor me, I have to make out with a hot superstar. Women fawn over me wherever I go. I have fucktastic hair and an eight pack. Boo-hoo.” Twisting his lips in a look of contempt, he made an obscene gesture over his privates. I couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto my face. He was rude and crude and said things I didn’t want to hear sometimes, but somehow Griffin was also amusing in a comforting sort of way, and I actually did feel better. Lord, help me.”