“YOU WERE RIGHT about the paparazzi,” Avery told Marcus as soon as she stepped out of the private elevator into his apartment. “When I went through the lobby, I could see them all outside.”
Avery didn’t mention what else had happened. She’d run into an overzealous female fan in the lobby. Not satisfied with just an autograph, the woman had propositioned Avery. Very explicitly.
Seriously, could her life get any weirder?
“I’m really sorry, Avery.” He smiled apologetically, shrugging his wide shoulders.
“For what?” This was all on her as far as she was concerned.
“I shouldn’t have gone off the way I did with Besille. My overreaction made him think there was a story where there wasn’t one.” He sighed, raking his fingers through his hair. “That jerk knows how to push my buttons.”
“I don’t know how you deal with it.”
“Obviously, not too well, if yesterday was any indication.” He grimaced. “Like it or not, you’re in the spotlight now.”
“It’s ok.” She wished she could smooth away the lines of concern from his handsome face. “I feel kind of detached from it all. The press doesn’t really know anything about me. They can believe what they want to, I guess.”
“Yeah, you have to keep reminding yourself that it’s all garbage. They assume they know who you are personally because they know about you. I hate having my image defined by them. I’m hoping Beth can work some of her magic on that though.”
“If anyone can, she can. I’m glad she’s on our side.” Avery lifted her chin toward the kitchen. “Hey, you got any coffee? I’m really beat this morning. I need some liquid energy.”
“Way ahead of you.” Marcus nodded and laughed. “I just made a pot. I’ll get you a cup.”
When she was finally seated on the sectional across from him, a blessed mug of caffeine cupped in her hands, she peered up at him from underneath her coppery bangs. “I was wondering if we could try to finish up the songwriting by the end of the week.”
Marcus raised his brows. “In four days?”
“Four and a half if you count today,” she countered with a hopeful smile. “We already have three songs. We just need seven more.” She nudged his foot with her own. “Come on, old man, afraid of a little challenge?” she teased.
While she could probably manage the lyrics on her own, the music would be a real struggle without his help. She held her breath, waiting for his answer.
“Why, Avery?” He studied her with narrowed eyes. “What’s the rush all of a sudden?”
She should have known he wouldn’t make this easy. “I just figured we’re on a roll right now, and that it would be good to get it out of the way. So we can both focus on other things, right?” She finished her rehearsed words in a rush, avoiding his eyes by staring down at the rug.
After several moments of uncomfortable silence she looked up to find him glaring at her.
“What’s this about, really, Ace? Give it to me straight. Skip all the bullshit. You think there’s some truth to that stuff Besille said.” He stood and started pacing, his agitation obvious.
Ok, this day officially sucked. Avery was too punchy and too tired to prolong this. Enough was enough. She sprang up and confronted him, hands balled at her sides. “For a guy who’s usually so observant, you’ve got it all wrong this time.” Her voice reflected her exasperation, and she threw her hands up in the air for emphasis. “Come on Marcus. Please. Seriously? You and I are friends. That’s it.”
Avery shook her head and flopped down on the sectional. She glared at him a minute before she leaned forward to pick up her coffee. She muttered over the rim, “Geez, defensive much?”
Marcus stared at Avery while she watched him, her foot tapping impatiently. The stare-down was on. It continued for several long moments, neither budging.
Marcus was the first to give in. His lip twitched right before he burst out laughing. She shook her head at him which only made him laugh harder.
“Ace, you’re such a trip,” he conceded in a droll tone as he sat beside her.
“Apology accepted,” she muttered. She knew that with Marcus, a guy who liked to be right and who was used to getting his own way that was the closest to one she was ever going to get.
“OK, you wanna get this done?” Marcus patted her shoulder and stood. “Let’s do it. But I still wish I had punched that clown when I had the opportunity.”
FOR A COUPLE of hours they recorded themselves as they plunked around on their instruments in Marcus’ studio.
“Hey, I like that,” Avery decided. “Play it again.”
Marcus obliged. They tinkered with the melody until it began to have a southern swamp, Lynyrd Skynyrd vibe. He nodded. “Yeah, that’ll work for sure. What do you think of calling this one ‘Fools Gold’? Maybe the lyrics could be a cautionary tale about how material things never satisfy?”
“Sure. Give me a minute.” Avery scribbled in her journal while Marcus continued to work on the melody. Working together, it wasn’t long before they had the song fleshed out. Marcus forwarded an MP3 of it to Dalton.
Avery stood and stretched. “I’m worn out, Marcus.” She yawned. “What time do you want to get together tomorrow?”
“How about nine? If you’re still determined to have this done by Friday, we’ll need to start early.”
She nodded.
“Ok then Ace, we’ll give it a shot.”
“HAVE YOU SEEN it?” Dwight asked, catching Marcus outside the recording room at Black Cat.
“Seen what?” Marcus asked cluelessly. He’d been out of the loop all day long. After Avery left his apartment, he’d been called in by production to do additional vocal filler for “Siren Call.”
“Avery’s performance.” His brother shook his head in disbelief. “He was brilliant, man.”
“What are you talking about?” Marcus asked, now completely confused.
“Avery was on Good Morning America today,” Dwight explained. “Didn’t you know? I would have thought he would have told you.”
“No. He didn’t say a thing.” Marcus’ brow furrowed, wondering why Avery had withheld the information.
“Beth has the full recording of it up in her office if you want to see it.” He patted Marcus on the back. “I’ll catch you later, bro. Lisa is expecting me for dinner.”
“Yeah, ok, sure,” Marcus mumbled, heading up the stairs to Beth’s office.
“Hi, Marcus.” Beth smiled, smoothing her hair as she greeted him. “Come on in. I thought you might show up soon.”
“Why am I always the last one to find out about these things?”
“Well, Avery and I didn’t want to make a big deal about it, especially if it didn’t work out the way we planned.” She shrugged. “That guitarist of yours has got a real feel for PR. If he wasn’t such a good musician, I’d be afraid he’d have my job. See for yourself,” Beth reached for the remote on her desk.
Marcus watched silently, his eyes glued to the screen as Avery fielded a couple of questions about being the new lead guitarist of Brutal Strength like a pro. When the interviewer asked about the Besille rumors, Avery rolled her eyes. “People will say what they’re gonna say. We’ve been so busy working on the new album that I haven’t had time to even think about my love life. Not that I don’t have my eye out for the right girl when she comes along. I’m afraid the days of Marcus being the only chick magnet in the band are over, if you know what I mean. There’s a new hotter guy in BS now.”
“What’d I tell you?” Beth crowed as the screen went blank, “That’s the third time I’ve seen it, and I still love it. He looks really great on camera, doesn’t he?”
Marcus didn’t say anything. He didn’t feel comfortable answering that question.
“We’ve already had thousands of hits and comments on the band’s website from girls who think they are the right one.” She smirked and went on excitedly about how good all the publicity would be for the band. Finally pausing to catch her
breath, she examined him with a raised brow. “Are you even listening, Marcus?”
He dutifully nodded.
“Good. By the way, some guy with a thick accent named Vito called asking about Avery. Said he was a close friend from New York. Did Avery ever mention him to you?”
Marcus gave her a blank look and shook his head.
“Yeah, it seemed a little shady to me. I told him to contact Trevor. Anyway, I’ve got the music video set up to film this Saturday, and I spoke with your mom, too. She said there’s plenty of room at the farm for everyone. So, I’ll see you there, I guess.” Beth laughed. “I think I’m in love with your guitarist.”
“Sounds like you’ll have to take a number,” Marcus quipped drily, refusing to analyze his own confusing feelings about Avery.
AVERY ARRIVED AT Marcus’ apartment early Monday morning bearing gifts, café lattes from Café Artigiano, with double shots. “Hellooo…” she called from the entryway, a little surprised when Marcus wasn’t there to greet her.
“Be there in a sec, Avery,” he called his voice carrying from the bedroom. “Running a little late. I worked out with Coleman again today.” As he strode down the hall toward her, his long hair still wet from the shower, Avery found herself staring. Her mouth went dry tracking the tiny trails of water that slid down the masculine planes of his face and soaked into the collar of his Vancouver Canuck’s t-shirt.
“Hey, cool. Thanks.” Unaware of her fixation Marcus pried one of the to-go cups from her hand.
He seems to be in an unusually good mood, she noted. Must be post workout endorphins. Not me. I need more caffeine.
Distracted by his physique, she took too big of a sip, sputtering as the hot coffee burned her mouth.
“You ok?” Marcus inquired looking concerned.
“Yeah, yeah, it just went down the wrong way.” She forced a smile.
“Ok, well if you’re sure you’re alright, let’s get to it.” Marcus headed to his studio. Avery followed him resolutely. The sooner they finished the better. At least that’s what she told herself.
THEY WORKED INCESSANTLY and productively over the next few days. For Avery, time rushed relentlessly forward like the waters of a spring flood, toward the moment that she would have to tell Marcus the truth.
Working with him in close proximity, day after day, hour after hour, with the deadline looming over her head was difficult. She found it hard to concentrate on the task at hand. She spent just as much time committing the things she would miss about him to memory as she did working on the lyrics. The deep timbre of his laughter. The way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. The scent of the woodsy bath soap and aftershave he favored.
Periodically, Marcus would catch Avery looking at him with a wistful expression. He knew it wasn’t just his imagination. He recognized that some subtle change had occurred in their relationship. Avery was uncharacteristically reserved and distant. The youthful exuberance and optimism Marcus found so appealing had all but vanished.
His clunky attempts to lighten things up were largely unsuccessful. That was Avery’s forte, not his. And the closer they got to finishing the album, the more somber his guitarist’s mood seemed to become.
PLOWING AHEAD DESPITE the inner turmoil neither realized the other shared, they were almost finished with the album by Thursday morning. Marcus was working on finalizing “B Jezebel,” a discordant, clearly autobiographical tune, judging from the venom in his lyrics.
“Not all women are like that, Marcus,” Avery said softly as she read over his shoulder.
“You’re young Ace.” Marcus turned to give her a wry look. “Just wait. You’ll find out. Love’s all a game to them. Women think differently than men.”
The bitterness he clearly felt toward the opposite sex reminded Avery why she had undertaken this disguise in the first place. She asked him if Veronica had inspired the subject matter for the song.
He nodded.
“Did you love her?”
“I believed I did at the time.”
Lucky girl, Avery thought.
“But now, I’m not so sure. I was on my own a lot then. Dwight had just met Lisa.” He stared down at the fretboard of his guitar. “I don’t know. Tell me again, why are we talking about all this sentimental crap? I never even talk to Dwight about this kind of stuff.”
“Yeah, well, it’s for the album. Consider us even now. I never told anyone what happened to me when I was a kid, either.”
“That’s way different though, Ace.” He gave her a gentle smile. “Ok, I admit physical attraction was definitely a big part of it with V. You’ve probably seen pictures of her.” Using both hands he made the universal gesture for a woman with large breasts. “She’s definitely hot. The thing about it is, even though I was stoned most of the time, I can’t remember us ever talking to each other. I don’t think we had anything in common except for the drugs.” He shook his head and shrugged.
They were having all sorts of trouble with “Love Evolution.” As the title song, it had to set the mood for the entire album. They wanted the lyrics to be about the transformative power of love. How love changes gradually over time from a simple attraction to a deeper, more complex form. “Marcus, do you believe that kind of love is possible?” Avery mused out loud.
“It better be, Ace. I definitely don’t want to end up like some of those seventies rockers you find so fascinating, sixty years old and still chasing after groupies young enough to be their children.”
She shook her head, thinking that scenario was unlikely for him. She felt certain he would settle down when the right woman came along, but it made her chest hurt thinking about it.
“I think it’s possible, Avery.” His tone turned serious. “My parents have that kind of love. They’ve been married forty years. They’ve had their ups and downs, sure, but my dad always says love is a journey, not a destination.” He glanced over at her, “How about you?”
Avery stopped scribbling in her journal. She lifted her head, green eyes warming as she studied him, committing to memory every nuance and expression of the man she’d come to love. “I hope so, Marcus.” Rolling her pencil between her hands, she frowned as she looked away. “I really hope so.”
FRIDAY MORNING ARRIVED with a fog blanketing the downtown area. Avery stepped out onto her balcony, willing the low clouds to disappear. In spite of the circumstances, she was looking forward to meeting Marcus’ parents.
Fortunately, as the morning progressed, the sun began to peek out from behind the grey veil. And by the time Marcus called to let her know they’d arrived to pick her up, the fog had completely burned off.
Avery flung a backpack full of clothes over her shoulder, picked up her guitar case, and headed down to the lobby. She said hello to Ray as she came around the front of car, thumping the open window on the passenger side where Marcus sat resting his elbow.
Her emerald eyes were bright with excitement when she jumped in the backseat with Dwight for the short drive a couple of blocks downhill to the Harbour Air seaplane terminal. “I can’t believe I’m finally going to fly in a seaplane,” she exclaimed, squirming around on the seat cushion full of nervous energy.
Marcus twisted around, glancing at them with amusement in his eyes as he raised a dark brow. “Sushi, synthesizers, seaplanes. What more is left to teach my young apprentice?”
“Whatever, sensei.” Avery rolled her eyes and reached forward to push his shoulder.
At the dock, they stored the luggage away in the pontoons of the plane, except for their instruments which they brought aboard the cramped twelve-seat cabin.
Marcus suggested that Avery take the seat at the front next to the pilot. Apprehensive when they first took off, she quickly succumbed to the spectacular panoramic views the perch afforded.
Marcus leaned forward and shouted over the engine noise, “On the way back, we’ll get great views of Stanley Park and the Lion’s Gate Bridge.”
The twenty minute flight took them over the I
nside Passage between the mainland of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. On the smooth ocean surface below, they observed cargo ships, several sailboats, and the British Columbia ferry which would transport the production crew and fans for the video the following day.
“Whoa dude!” Avery exuberantly hollered as they bounced softly a couple of times on their landing in Nanaimo Harbor. The baggage handler unloaded their luggage out onto the dock. When they exited the small terminal, they were greeted warmly by Marcus’ parents and Dwight’s wife, Lisa.
“We brought the minivan so all of us could fit,” Marcus’ dad informed them before embracing each of his boys.
Avery stood back, watching the happy family reunion.
Marcus’ dad slapped both his boys on the back once more before stepping toward her. “And you must be Avery. I’ve heard a lot about you. Aren’t you a spiffy dresser? Boys, this one might be too cool for the old van.”
Avery smiled. His corny humor and his sparkling blue eyes were all Marcus, but his features and frame were more like Dwight.
“I’m Don.” He extended his hand to her. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
When she reached out to clasp his hand, Don caught her by surprise when he pulled her in for a real hug, nearly as exuberant as the ones he’d given Marcus and Dwight. Touched, she returned it warmly. She’d almost forgotten what it was like to be around a loving family.
“I’m willing to tone down my coolness level, if it means these two geeks,” she gestured to Dwight and Marcus, “won’t feel so awkward.”
Her bandmates bumped her shoulders playfully.
Marcus’s mom came forward wearing an easy smile. She was a tall, stunning woman with auburn hair, who could easily have passed for someone twenty years younger. She gave Avery a kiss on the cheek. “Welcome to Vancouver Island. I’m Rheta Anthony. We are so glad you could come.”
Love Rock'ollection: The Brutal Strength Rock Star Trilogy, books 1-3 Page 11
