Authors: Michelle Mankin
A desire to feel like never before
Always needing so much more
Death is looming, a desire so strong
A song to lure, a drug to belong
Don
’
t be fooled, there
’
s life to adore
CHAPTER 13
As Avery was getting dressed the next morning, the phone rang.
“
Hey, I have a little problem,
”
Trevor said ominously on the other end.
“
What is it?
”
Avery asked, heart fluttering.
“
I
’
ve got a $350,000 check that
’
s burning a hole in my pocket. It needs to be deposited somewhere. It
’
s made out to this awesome guitarist I know, Avery Jones.
”
He chuckled.
“
Maybe you
’
ve heard of her?
”
Trevor had to pull the phone away from his ear as Avery let out an ear piercing scream.
“
Sorry Trevor. That
’
s awesome news. There
’
s a bank just around the corner.
”
Avery arrived at the bank early enough to be the first customer of the morning. She opened
an account
and called Jeff to tell him she had the money to pay Campanella.
“
Oh, Avery, that
’
s great news.
”
“
I hate to ask you, but could you take it to Campanella for me? He already knows you, and you
’
re the only one I can trust to do it.
”
“
Absolutely.
Consider it done. Just send me a little extra cash to buy some disinfectant soap to wash off the scum afterward.
”
She finished up at the bank, making arrangements to have the money electronically transferred to Jeff
’
s account in New York as soon as the funds became available. On the way back to her hotel, she stopped somewhere she had always wanted to shop- the Apple store. Once she had her purchase in hand, she immediately texted Marcus.
Avery: U up yet
bum
?
Marcus: Been up for hours scrub. Sup?
Avery: Bought a new toy today- I want to show u. Biking- Stanley Park?
Marcus: Meet u @ Aquarium parking lot in 30, u got coffee?
Avery: Will run to Caf
é
A. CU soon!
When Avery
’
s taxi dropped her off, Marcus stood on the sidewalk waiting. She smiled when she saw him. Marcus always looked good, but today he was ruggedly handsome in faded jeans, a knit cap like hers, mirrored sunglasses, and a dark leather jacket.
Avery handed him his cup of coffee.
“
Thanks, it
’
s a little chilly for a ride this morning, but I
’
m game if you are. I haven
’
t done this in ages.
”
As they filled out the paperwork to rent bikes, Avery showed him her new toy, an
iTouch
. Marcus raised an eyebrow as she gushed on and on about all it could do.
“
Avery, you realize those have been out for a while now.
”
“
I know, I know, but I
’
ve never had one. I just downloaded Foo Fighters
’
new album,
Wasting Light
. Have you heard it?
”
“
I have, it
’
s a winner. Not seventies though. Are you softening your stance about current music?
”
She punched his arm playfully.
“
I just might have to add Foo Fighters to the exception list!
”
They put on gloves and buttoned up jackets before they hopped on the bikes and headed around the six mile promenade that hugged the coastal peninsula of Stanley Park. They made several stops along the way as they saw things that interested them. When they reached Prospect Point Lookout, they admired the view of Lion
’
s Gate Bridge. The fog hovering over the ocean concealed all but the top of Grouse Mountain.
“
Hey, there
’
s a caf
é
here. Let
’
s go in and warm up,
”
Marcus said, patting his face.
“
Maybe grab a bite to eat. I
’
m starving, and my face is numb.
”
“
Sure. My lips are frozen.
”
Marcus
’
eyes flicked briefly to Avery
’
s full lips.
“
Yeah, your cheeks are red, too.
”
They took seats on opposite sides of a table in front of a window at the back of the caf
é
. It was crowded, but Marcus kept his sunglasses on, and no one bothered them. Avery took off her gloves.
“
Me and my brilliant ideas.
I can barely feel my fingertips,
”
she said, exhaling on her hands and rubbing them together.
Marcus watched her for a moment,
then
blew on his own hands to warm them.
After they ordered, Avery leaned forward.
“
Have you seen the Foo Fighters
’
garage tour video?
”
He shook his head.
“
It
’
s brilliant. You have to see it.
”
She moved into the chair next to him and scooted it over. Pulling her
iTouch
out of her pocket, she gave him one ear bud while taking the other. She scrolled down to the video and pushed play. Marcus put his sunglasses up on his head and leaned closer.
Avery gave Marcus a sideways glance. He appeared to be intently watching the video, but she had seen it before and was distracted by his proximity. Lately, she had become obsessed with thoughts of kissing him, and his lips were within easy kissing distance right now. She would only have to lean in ever so slightly.
Avery stared at his lips and sighed. Marcus turned his head to look at her. Guiltily, she drew her gaze away from his mouth. Had he noticed she
’
d been staring?
“
Could you turn it up, Ace?
”
he asked.
She thought,
‘
If I turn
it up
any higher I
’
ll spontaneously combust.
’
When she glanced down to scroll up the volume, his breath fanned over the back of her neck like a warm caress. Heat pooled to the center of her body, and her cheeks flushed. Avery immediately pulled the ear bud out of her ear and shoved the
iTouch
into Marcus
’
open hand. He gave her a questioning look. Slapping her hands over her red cheeks, she jumped up and blurted out,
“
I have to go to the bathroom.
”
Luckily, it was a single stall restroom. She dashed in and locked the door. Leaning over the sink, she gripped the counter while her heart hammered in her chest.
“
Holy Cow,
”
she exhaled shakily. She scrubbed both hands over her head, causing her short hair to stick up all over.
‘
Avery, calm down,
’
she ordered herself.
‘
Breathe in, breathe out.
’
When her pulse slowed down to a post-marathon level, she splashed cold water over her face and ran her wet hands through her hair to smooth it down.
She wondered what Marcus thought of her sudden departure.
Marcus had watched Avery until he turned the corner out of sight, video completely forgotten. He wondered what was up. He
’
d been having trouble concentrating anyway. Sitting there, that close together, he
’
d gotten a big nose full of that tropically scented shampoo Avery favored. Why the hell would he even notice such a thing?
He glanced up, startled out of his thoughts as the waitress arrived with the hot tea and sandwiches they
’
d ordered, Avery in her wake.
Taking a seat, Avery picked up the mug and blew over the rim of the steaming beverage. She avoided eye contact with Marcus, needing another minute to collect her thoughts. Staring out the window at the park grounds, she scrambled for something to say, for some neutral topic to discuss.
“
Here
’
s your
iTouch
back,
”
Marcus told her, sliding the
iTouch
across the table.
She picked it up, slid it into her pocket, and peered over at him.
“
Hey, I practically gave you my whole life
’
s story yesterday, but I don
’
t know much about you.
”
“
My life
’
s pretty much an open book. What would you like to know?
”
“
I don
’
t know. Tell me about your family. Is Dwight your only sibling?
”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Did you grow up here in Vancouver?
”
It seemed like getting him to respond with more than one word answers was going to be a difficult task.
“
No, on Vancouver Island.
My parents still live there. They run a bed and breakfast slash water buffalo farm in Duncan.
”
“
Oh, cool. What do you do with water buffalo?
”
she asked, genuinely curious.
“
You use the milk to make yogurt and cheese. You know that mozzarella you liked so much at Granville Island Market? It
’
s one of ours.
”
“
Wow!
”
She was impressed. Putting her chin in her hands, she raised one eyebrow.
“
Did you have to milk them?
”
“
Hell, yeah.
Dwight and I both.
”
She laughed.
“
I can
’
t imagine. You and Dwight as farm boys, that I
’
d like to see!
”
Marcus sat back.
“
That could be arranged. You should come to the farm this weekend. We
’
re all heading to the island for Thanksgiving. You could fly out with Dwight and me.
”
He pulled out his cell phone.
“
Thanksgiving?
But it
’
s only October.
”
“
Canadians celebrate it earlier, the second Monday of this month,
”
he explained.
“
We have plenty of room at the house. The B and B
shuts
down for the holiday. My mom would love it. She
’
s been dying to meet you. Everything closes down here in the city, too. You might as well. Say yes.
”
“
Ok. Ok. If you get your mom
’
s approval, I would love to come.
”
“
Cool.
”
He selected recent calls off his phone log. His mom or dad called every day since rehab to check on him.
“
Hey, mom
…
Yeah, I
’
m fine
…
Yes, I
’
m still coming
…
No, I
’
m not pushing myself too hard
…
No, mom. No, the songwriting
’
s going great
…
Hey, can I get a word in edgewise? Thanks, mom. Listen- I wanted to bring Avery over to stay with us for the holiday. Would that be alright with you? I know, I told him that. Ok, see you then. Thanks. Perfect. Love you, too. Bye.
”
“
See, told you.
Done,
”
he concluded, like he was the winning lawyer in a court case. He glanced outside, then back at Avery.
“
Now that we
’
re warm and fueled up, do you think we can make the rest of the circuit?
”