Love Rock'ollection: The Brutal Strength Rock Star Trilogy, books 1-3 (19 page)

Sexy, sexy man. No wonder so many women were crushing on him, including his male slash female guitarist. Queue the background music for “Take a Walk on the Wild Side” already.

Of course, her feelings went way beyond the superficial, no matter how pleasing they obviously were. She’d fallen in love with the man behind the fame and the looks. His sensitive poetic soul, his corny sense of humor, his loyalty, his gentleness, his kindness. All of it.

Avery forced herself to look away from him, turning back to the window until she heard the sound of fabric rustling, and knew he was fully dressed. He still looked great, of course, in a newly donned blue shirt that accentuated his sky blue eyes.

Those eyes narrowed. “You’re not nervous, are you?”

She shook her head. Not anymore. “OK. Maybe, just a little. Those are all
your
fans out there. What if they don’t like me?”

“What’s not to like? You’re gonna be a big hit. Come on, this was your idea.” He nudged her shoulder. “Let’s get some food while we still can. We need to lay low before Beth or Mom find us and start bossing us around.”

AFTER AVERY GOT over her initial bout of nervousness, her effervescent personality quickly won over the fans. Marcus was supportive always seeming to be nearby during the mingling, and somehow the crew filmed the event without being obtrusive, using professional equipment as well as flip cameras for a more intimate feel.

Looking over the video feed, Mary could not have been more pleased with how things were playing out.

“This venue’s sure having a positive effect on Marcus, isn’t it?” Beth commented as she stared in lead singer’s direction.

“I agree,” Mary said quietly. “He’s much more relaxed out here. This was such a great idea.”

After every fan had a chance to chat and get a picture with each band member, Mary called a brief halt to the proceedings in preparation for the concert.

The band headed to the barn to get warmed up. When they were ready, Marcus called them all together. “Ok. Time for a group huddle.” He crooked an arm around Avery, pulling her towards Dwight and JR who were already assembled. “This is our pre-concert ritual,” he whispered.

His warm breath stirred the hair beneath her ear scrambling her brain. Feeling weak in the knees, she leaned into him as they all swayed back and forth together in a close-knit circle, glancing at each other underneath the shelter of their clasped arms. Then Marcus pronounced solemnly like a benediction, “Keep it real, guys.” The huddle ended with each band member giving the other a reassuring squeeze.

Breaking apart, they each headed to their places on the barn’s makeshift stage.

Beth led the fans around to the front and brought the one who had won the privilege of introducing the band up on stage. Baseball cap turned around backward, the enthusiastic teen announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen! From the comfort of the very barn where they first played together as teenagers, I give you the best rock band in all of North America, Brutal Strength!”

The small crowd cheered loudly.

Marcus smiled at Avery, giving a brief nod to signal her to lead them out. Avery strutted forward with her electric guitar on its strap and her fingers flying over the strings as she began playing the opening chords of “Anthem.”

Only a few short weeks ago she had played this song for Marcus when she auditioned. She felt like she had lived a lifetime since then. Her smile turned bittersweet as she glanced over at Marcus. The corners of his lips curved up in response. He stepped up, put his mouth to the microphone and began singing the first verse.

Avery had never seen him perform in front of an audience. Watching the way he connected with them was like witnessing a seduction. His eyes were at half mast, his smile subtle, and his voice was a sexy growl. Leaning over the mic, he tossed his long hair back and forth in time to the fast paced rhythm like it was some kind of frenetic stage prop. She wished, like probably every other female in the audience, that he would direct those breathtaking masculine charms solely at her.

At the chorus, he inclined his head in her direction. Their gazes locked and held. She took her cue and melded her voice with his. A hush came over the mesmerized crowd. JR crashed in next, like a mad man, with an avalanche of drum beats, and then the entire group ended the song on a triple down beat. When the last note died out, the audience roared their approval.

After they quieted down, Marcus steepled his hands together, half bowed, and addressed the crowd. “We are so grateful for you guys. You,” he flashed his bright smile and extended both arms out to the crowd, “are what it’s all about.” He glanced over his shoulder at Avery and Dwight, who were huddled together behind him.

Avery nodded to let him know she was ready, adjusting her wireless hookup on her guitar.

“Let’s hear it for our new lead guitarist, Avery Jones!” The crowd erupted again. Over the din, he shouted, “Avery and I wrote this next song, ‘Brothers’, together. We hope you like it.”

Dwight and Avery faced each other on opposite sides of the stage. Avery started the song, playing the opening riff on her black Ibanez. Dwight smiled at her, and they played the same riff again, this time echoed by Dwight’s bass line. While she reveled in the pounding rhythm reverberating through her body, Marcus began to sing.

Oh lil’ bro, why did you come along?

My life was as perfect as a song

You drive me crazy day and night

Oh tell me now, will our parents be right

Will I ever be precious in your sight?

When he finished, Avery in character as the pesky younger brother, made a face at him, kicked Marcus’ foot, and began to sing the response…

Big brother you are always playing it cool

Great one who always makes every rule

Deep down I want to be just like you

But can’t express this in things I do

Life’s not ready for there to be two

Marcus circled her while she sang, even shaking his finger in her face like he was bossing her. They came together on the same microphone at each chorus, staring into each other’s eyes, moving their heads in time with the rhythm. The fans fed on their obvious chemistry. Avery ended the song with a trilling, high pitched solo which she played with incredible speed.

This time the applause included even the jaded technical crew. Mary, who was at the control board in the back, stood up and gave Marcus a double thumbs up. He had never seen her smile so wide. Marcus called the rest of the band forward. They threw their arms around one another’s shoulders and took a group bow. Afterward, a security detail surrounded them and led them back to the house.

“That’s a wrap, people,” Beth said coming up on stage, speaking into the microphone. She directed the fans and crew to meet at the front gate where buses were lined up and waiting to shuttle them back to the Vancouver ferry.

Several chaotic hours later, Beth dragged herself into the kitchen where Marcus’ parents, the band, and Mary had all gathered to eat leftovers. She flopped wearily down into a chair next to Mary. Rheta brought her a plate of food, which she accepted gratefully.

“Whew. Just saw off the last of them. Everyone accounted for and checked off the list.” She rested her chin on her hands. “What’s next, Mary?”

Mary gazed around the table, her light brown eyes bright with obvious admiration. “You guys killed it tonight. We have tons of usable raw footage. It’s just going to be a matter of picking out the best. I should have something ready by the time you get back to Vancouver on Monday.”

Sitting back down beside her husband and younger son, Rheta listened to the discussion about the upcoming plans for the band. She looked up when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“We’ll see you tomorrow, Mom.” Dwight kissed her softly on the cheek. “Lisa and I are heading to bed.”

“Goodnight, son. Goodnight, Lisa. See you in the morning.”

As the couple left, Rheta caught Marcus staring at Avery, whose head was bowed down over his plate of uneaten food. It wasn’t the first time, either, she noted mentally.

Marcus, seeming to sense his mother’s scrutiny, averted his gaze.

Avery stood up with her plate and crossed to the kitchen counter. She scraped off her food, rinsed her dish in the sink, and loaded it in the dishwasher. When she turned around Marcus was busy talking to Mary. She rubbed her pounding forehead and closed her eyes.

When she reopened them, Rheta was watching her with obvious concern. Avery pressed her trembling lips together, but was unable to hide the emotion that brimmed in her eyes. She just needed to get to bed already. Tomorrow would be whatever it would be.

Avery waved at Rheta and mouthed, “goodnight,” before sliding silently out of the room.

Shortly afterward, Marcus headed up the stairs and down the hall to Avery’s room. Reaching the door, he heard the sound of her acoustic being strummed and recognized the melody for “Love Evolution.” He knocked softly, and the music stopped. “It’s me, Avery. Can I come in?”

Avery glanced over at her reflection in the dresser mirror. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her face was streaked with tears. Desperate to enjoy her last day with Marcus, she had been successful holding it together, until now. She swallowed several times to clear her throat before answering. “Sorry Marcus. I’m beat. See you tomorrow, ok?”

“Ok, Ace.” Marcus rested his open palm on the closed door and hesitated. He knew something was wrong. Watching Avery throughout the evening, he’d noticed how withdrawn his guitarist had been. And since the concert, Avery hadn’t really spoken with anyone and hadn’t eaten anything at dinner, either.

Marcus had just made up his mind to press the issue when JR passed him in the hall and gave him a funny look.

“Night, dude,” JR said.

“Night,” Marcus replied, turning slowly away from Avery’s door.

“THEY’RE AT IT awfully early,” Don commented to Dwight over his cup of coffee. From their position at the farmhouse table, they could hear Avery and Marcus down in the basement playing their guitars and singing.

“Those two are peas in a pod,” Dwight commented. “They both live and breathe music. I’d really thought we were finished as a band when Marcus went into rehab and Keith left. But with Avery, I’m beginning to think we might be better than we were before. He and Marcus are cranking out song after song like it’s easy for them. I don’t think either of them knows how to shut it off. We probably have enough material now for two albums.”

“Son, I’ve gotta ask you.” Don set his coffee cup down and rubbed his neck. “Do you think there’s something going on between the two of them? I mean, the way they are together, it’s almost like they’re flirting…”

Dwight sputtered, almost choking on his coffee. “You’re kidding me, right?” His dad continued to stare at him without saying a word. Dwight shook his head, covering his dad’s hand with his own. “This is Marcus we’re talking about Dad.”

Don persisted, “Has he dated anyone-anyone at all, since Veronica?”

“No, but…” Dwight hesitated thinking it over for a moment. Marcus hadn’t dated at all. And his dad was right about Marcus and Avery. They did spend a lot of time together. If he didn’t know his brother so well, he might speculate, too. “No, Dad,” he told him, voice firm. “It’s not like that. They
are
really close I’ll admit. I just think Marcus sees him as a younger brother, someone to take under his wing and take care of, you know?”

“I hope you’re right, son. Marcus’ life has been complicated enough up to this point.”

The sounds of a heated discussion drifted up from downstairs. A short moment later they heard the sound of hurried footsteps clattering up the stairs.

“Avery, get back here! This isn’t finished!” Marcus shouted just as Avery suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs, looking frazzled. She dashed wordlessly through the kitchen and out the screen door. Marcus barreled after, his expression dark. Taken aback, Dwight mutely pointed in the direction Avery had gone.