Rocked Down & Out (Rocked #11) by Clara Bayard

conspicuous. We moved as fast as possible, me clearing the way and him following stiffly.
    We made it to the exit, where one of the band's security guards was blocking the door.
    "Hey, Clay," Matthew said, trying to sound normal. "Can you see about a car back to the hotel for me?"
    The man shook his head. "Of course, but you're gonna want to wait a few. Pack of vultures outside." He glanced at me. "No offense."
    "None taken," I muttered.
    Clay pointed to another door. "If you just need some quiet, that room's empty. Go hang there and I'll come get you ASAP."
    Matthew clenched his fists, but smiled. "Great, thanks."
    We went through the door and it turned out to be some kind of staff breakroom. I got Matthew situated on a chair and handed him a bottle of water. "Do you want a pain pill?"
    He shook his head. "I'll be fine, promise."
    "Okay." I reached down and realized my bag wasn't on my shoulder. "Shit, I left my stuff back in the VIP. Will you be all right for a minute while I go get it?"
    "Of course."
    I pushed his hair out of his eyes and left, moving as fast as I could without running. It took a few minutes to shove my way through the crowd again, find my purse and get back. I had my hand on the doorknob when Rick's voice boomed from behind me.
    "Where the fuck is Matthew?"
    I whirled around, frowning. "He's in here, why?"
    "Because he's my best friend, that's why. You just got here, don't get attitude with me."
    "Whatever." I opened the door and gasped.
    Matthew was slumped on the floor next to a trash can, moaning softly. I ran over as the sharp stench of vomit hit my nose. "What happened?"
    "Tried to grab a snack," he muttered without looking at me.
    "What the fuck?" Rick asked, stomping over and shoving me out of the way. "Dude, you're a mess."
    Matthew blinked a few times before speaking. "Too much booze, I guess."
    Rick shot a look at me over his shoulder. "You're the worst fucking liar. Ellie, what's going on here?"
    My eyes flitted back and forth between them, totally conflicted. Matthew's weak gaze was begging me to go along with his lie, but I could see the worry on Rick's face.
    I opened my mouth still unsure what would come out. "He's in pain, Rick."
    "Why?" He looked at Matthew, suspiciously. "What aren't you telling me?"
    Matthew shook his head. "Nothing." He winced, every movement clearly agony.
    I couldn't keep it inside anymore. I knew he'd be mad, but I was terrified. When he'd told me about the pain I had no idea how bad it was. "It isn't nothing." I looked at Rick and blurted out everything, careful to not let my gaze drift to Matthew's face.
    "Motherfucker," Rick said once I was finished. He pointed a finger at Matthew. "Don't you move, shit for brains." He strode out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
    Only once we were alone could I stand to look at Matthew. He wouldn't meet my gaze. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "But this is a lot more serious than you told me. You're not okay."
    His hazel eyes finally shifted to me. "You don't know what you've done, Ellie."
    "What I had to. I'm scared."
    We sat there on the floor staring at each other for who knows how long. And then, like a tornado, Rick blew back in, this time with Becca, Julia, the security guy Clay, and Red in tow. They helped Matthew up and held a low conversation I couldn't hear. Rick and Red walked out the door with Matthew between them.
    "Rick told us what happened," Becca told me when they were gone. "You did the right thing."
    I nodded. "Is he going to be okay?"
    "We don't know. But I've called a doctor to come to the hotel, he's meeting us there. You go with Julia and Clay, I'll stay here and get things settled.
    "Okay." I followed the others out to a waiting car, and saw another pulling out of the lot ahead of us, I assumed with Matthew in it. I felt terrible for breaking his confidence, but I was happy he was going to see a doctor in person.
    When we got back to the hotel they wouldn't let me go upstairs. Julia,