Love Rock'ollection: The Brutal Strength Rock Star Trilogy, books 1-3 (27 page)

“MARCUS,” HIS MOM called. He froze in the farmhouse entryway. He knew that tone well. “Come in here a sec. I want to talk to you.

He slid into one of the chairs in front of her desk at the b&b pretty sure he knew what was coming. Frankly, he had been lucky to have avoided it this long.

“How much longer are you planning on moping around here?”

“Mom,” he started.

“Don’t Mom me, Marcus William Anthony. Don’t you think this has gone on long enough? I think it’s past time for you to pick yourself up by your bootstraps and get on with your life.”

“You’re right, Mom.”

She nodded curtly. Immediate agreement was the only acceptable answer when she got like this. “Your dad and I have talked. We both saw with our own eyes how happy you were out here with Avery. That’s what we both want most for you, Son. To be happy again.”

“I know that.”

“Your sensitivity is what makes your music so special. But it’s also what isolates you from people. Being a celebrity doesn’t help either. I think it freaks you out that Avery scaled those walls you’ve erected around yourself so easily. No matter how you might want to convince yourself otherwise.”

“I’m not…”

“I’m not finished. I want you to hear me out.” He scooted back in his seat, and she dipped her chin. “I know how black and white you see the world. Lies and deception are bad. I agree wholeheartedly. But in this case I think the reasons she did what she did are understandable. I think if you examine your heart instead of ignoring it, you’ll agree with me.”

She was right, and as always her insight into his psyche put him completely on the spot.

“Believe me, I get you. It’s not easy for me to show affection, either. Though I’ve always tried to let you and Dwight know by my actions how much I love you. It’s crystal clear to me how much you still care for Avery, whatever clothes she happens to be wearing. I’m not here to defend her. I won’t tell you what you should do. But I think you do need to ask yourself which is more important, being happy or being right.”

“YOU WERE AT the farm over a week. That’s antisocial even for you,” Dwight told Marcus when he encountered him in the hall outside the Black Cat Records break room.

“I haven’t been very much fun to be around lately,” Marcus replied. “Mom kicked me out. Told me to quit hiding, and gave me the old ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps’ speech.”

“Ouch.” Dwight winced. “Sorry, man.” He had been in contact with his mom all along. In fact, they had talked the night before. Everyone agreed it was past time to give Marcus a nudge in the right direction.

“What have you and JR been doing?” Marcus asked, interrupting Dwight’s thoughts.

“Oh, not much. Just counting the money coming in. The publicity’s making us rich.”

Marcus’ attention wandered toward the break room where he noticed the crowd of people gathered around the monitor. “What’s everyone watching that’s so interesting?” He pushed his way inside, looking up at the wall mounted display.

What he saw made it difficult for him to breathe. Avery’s image filled the screen, her fingers assaulting the strings of her guitar with a vengeance. Combative guitar riffs exploded out of the break room’s sound system.

She looked amazing, her jeans and t-shirt exquisitely hugging her curves. Hell, even dressed as a guy, she had been way too pretty. He’d been an idiot not to have figured it out. Something in her beautiful emerald eyes looked different, though, and her smile was a pale caricature of the one he had come to know.

Marcus wasn’t familiar with the song, and wondered how she had gotten around her contract restrictions to do the video.

Marcus tensed, forgetting that insignificant detail for a moment when the camera pulled back for a wide shot. Avery was facing Chris Alex, acting like she was really into him as their fingers flew over their respective fretboards. Were they an item now? And who gave her approval to perform in his freaking video?

His blood started to boil as Dwight came over and stood beside him. Leaning in, his brother explained. “Chris is in the Black Cat portfolio now. Mary insisted that Avery do the video to help promote his new album. But I can tell by your expression that you didn’t know, and that you’re a little upset. I find that odd because I thought you were done with her. Anyhow, I thought you’d given your approval for her to work with another band.”

Marcus shook his head, but his gaze remained locked on the monitor, and his jaw suddenly dropped.
Holy effing crap!
Cat calls and appreciative whistles rained down all around him. He stared at the screen. He couldn’t have looked away even if he wanted to because his Avery was climbing up out of a swimming pool, dripping wet, brushing back her hair, and barely dressed in a tiny red bikini.

Marcus was totally transfixed, his hands burning thinking about how many times he had been so close to her and that sexy body.

Dwight glanced sidelong at him, his amused smile framing his lips. “Mary Timmons mentioned she had a little something in the works for you. She said, ‘If eye candy is what Marcus thinks a woman guitarist is for, then eye candy she shall be.’ Dwight chuckled. “You ok, bro?”

Marcus didn’t answer. He couldn’t.

“You look a little shook up. Want me to nab some oxygen?”

Marcus blinked, snapping out of his trance to growl at the onlookers. “Don’t you guys have something better to do!” He didn’t like the other guys ogling Avery. He couldn’t believe her. What had possessed her to agree to wear that skimpy suit? Might as well be naked. Not that there was anything left to the imagination with the way it clung to her body. Someone needed to have a serious talk with her. Did no one around her love or care enough about her enough to tell her she was being exploited?

As the crowd dispersed, Marcus began pacing back and forth. “What is she thinking, Dwight? I mean, come on!” He swore under his breath. “And did you see the way Chris was looking at her?”

“You’re jealous.” Dwight shook his head. “Admit it. Seems obvious to me that Mary Timmons set the whole thing up knowing you’d react this way.”

Marcus frowned. Mary wasn’t the only one who had his number. He remembered the unexpected detour Ray had taken on the way over...

“Why aren’t you taking Burrard? It’d be much faster.” He’d pointed out.

“Avery’s a friend.” Ray’s eyes had met his in the mirror. “You didn’t see her that night after she saw you with that woman from Glowball. She was devastated. She loves you, boss. Don’t throw that away.”

And then he’d seen her. The red hair was unmistakable and those curves were breathtaking. She had stopped to speak to a man with a dog and a cardboard sign on the sidewalk. He’d seen the kindness in her expression as she genuinely listened to whatever the man had been saying and in that instant he knew.

It was like the world kept going on for everyone else in the city, but for him it stopped. She was the one. He would give anything to regain the privilege to walk alongside her.

Mary, his mother, his driver, and his brother. Were they all involved in this little conspiracy?

“Really, Marcus.” Dwight pinned him with a look. “Why do you care so much? You dumped her, after all.”

Marcus scowled. “Everybody’s on her side, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, pretty much. I gotta tell you Marcus, sometimes I don’t understand what’s going on inside that thick skull of yours. Avery’s different. She’s not some media hungry bitch like Veronica. Real boneheaded move dating that one in the first place. Never knew what you saw in her, besides the obvious. She even hit on me when you were dating.”

Surprise flickered briefly across Marcus face.

“Believe it. And don’t even get me started on that love song Avery wrote for you. Damn Marcus, that’s some heavy shit.”

“Wait a minute. What love song?” Marcus asked.

“Avery finished the lyrics for ‘
Love Evolution
’. You really need to hear it if you haven’t. All that’s missing is your vocal track.”

Starting to go into full panic mode, Marcus said softly, “I screwed up, didn’t I?”

“Hell, yes.”

He gave Dwight a wry look. “It’s ironic, really. I mean, after all the searching…And now that I found her, I let her get away.” Marcus hadn’t slept worth a damn the whole week. He had missed her, missed everything about her. Even the quirky things like how she was a troll until she got her caffeine in the morning. The way she got all fidgety when she was nervous. Even the fact that she didn’t put up with his crap and rolled her eyes at all his sad jokes.

Dwight rested his hands firmly on Marcus’ shoulders. “Sounds like you might be in love, little brother.”

“I do love her, Dwight. But I’m scared to death that I’ve missed my chance with her.”

“The way I see it there’s only one real impediment in your way.”

“Only one, huh? What’s that?”

“Chris Alex,” Dwight teased.

“What? He’s old enough to be her father!”

“Not quite, but he’s a
little
older than you.” He shrugged. “I wouldn’t worry, except for the fact that Avery seems to have a thing for tortured, talented
older
men.” Dwight raised an eyebrow at Marcus and nudged his shoulder.

“Stop it, Dwight. Quit yanking my chain! I’m worked up enough as it is.” He let out a frustrated sigh. “Help me get her back, man!”

“I thought you’d never ask. The first thing we need to do is make some phone calls.”

THIS ISN’T WORKING
, Avery thought, as she shimmied into the short silver iridescent dress. It wasn’t her at all. It was way too flashy. She also didn’t want to give Chris Alex any encouragement. So far the subtle approach hadn’t been working. Avery could tell that he was used to having his way with women, with his killer smile and penetrating brown eyes. He seemed determined to be more than just a friend.

Tonight wasn’t going to help. Mary Timmons had insisted that Avery accompany Chris to some sort of music event at the Commodore. The swanky art deco ballroom had a reputation as a can’t miss romantic hot spot. People, including Chris and the tabloids, were bound to get ideas. Pictures of the two together would certainly generate buzz. All part of Mary’s publicity scheme to jump start Alex’s career.

Avery sighed as a text alerted her that her escort had arrived with the limo. She looked in the mirror one last time, trying to adjust the low cut back so it didn’t show too much skin. She reminded herself one more time how much she owed Timmons after everything that had happened.

Chris whistled as she exited the Sutton and greeted her warmly holding open the door to the limo so she could get in first. Once she was settled, he climbed in beside her on the forward facing rear seat.

“How you doing, kid?”

“Alright I guess.” She nibbled on her lip. “I feel stupid in this dress though.”

“You look fantastic.”

“Thanks, it’s just not me, Chris.” She swiveled so she could look at his face. “This whole thing isn’t me. I don’t want you to think just…”

“I know.” He put a finger over her lips. “I can see it in your eyes. You’re still hung up on him and don’t want me to get the wrong idea, right?”

She nodded.

“Good to know. I can’t use the usual, ‘Hello I’m Chris Alex’ technique and play my guitar and expect you to fall into my arms, either. Right?”

She smiled and shook her head.

“Ok.” He brushed his knuckles down her cheek. “Noted. I’m not giving up, though. I’m willing to work harder. But now that we got that out of the way, why don’t we just try to have fun. Who knows you spend a little more time with me and you just might change your mind.”

“Thanks.” She picked up his hand from the seat and squeezed it. “That’s not going to happen, but you’ve been a good friend. I’m sure if I was anyone else I would fall for that smile of yours in a heartbeat.”

The flashes lit up the night as soon as their limo pulled up to the Commodore. Mary hadn’t been kidding. There was a
ton
of press. Chris seemed to revel in the attention. He’d been a big star once and was obviously interested in becoming one again. He stopped to sign autographs and exchanged banter with the paparazzi.