Love Rock'ollection: The Brutal Strength Rock Star Trilogy, books 1-3

by Michelle Mankin

  The ride up seemed to take an eternity, but when the elevator opened the scene that greeted her caught her completely off guard. She’d never imagined he wouldn’t be alone.

  “Who is that?” the blonde demanded, pointing toward the elevator and scooting off his lap.

  Marcus stumbled clumsily to his feet, and turned around. “Avery,” he whispered.

  All the color drained from Avery’s face, and her breath got stuck in her lungs. Her crushed heart felt like it stopped beating as her crestfallen gaze slid back and forth between Marcus’ bare chest and the woman’s lipstick smeared face.

  She gently placed Marcus’ guitar case down on the foyer floor. “You forgot this,” she managed to say swallowing back the threat of tears. “Sorry to interrupt.” Quickly turning on her heel, she hurried back to the elevator. As soon as the door closed, Avery fell back against the elevator wall and slid to the floor, covering her face with her hands.

  Marcus knew that he couldn’t keep up the pretense any longer, that he couldn’t do this anymore. Seeing Avery again had doused whatever dwindling interest he had in the blonde. He felt instantly unpleasantly sober. He turned back around to face her, eyes hooded, hair falling forward, shadowing his face. “Sorry. This just isn’t working for me.” All he wanted now was her to pick up her stuff and get out.

  Once she located her purse, he herded her unceremoniously toward the elevator. “I’ll have my driver meet you in the lobby. He’ll take you wherever you need to go.” He breathed a heavy sigh of relief when she was finally gone. A wave of nausea washed over him. He wished he had a do over switch for the whole wretched day.

  AVERY SAW RAY when she exited the elevator. She waved him off.

  “Avery, let me take you home. It’s wet out.” He frowned at her, but looked down as his cell phone buzzed.

  “No, thanks, Ray. I’m ok. I want to walk.” As she set out on foot, it started to rain. She chided herself for building such a stupid little fantasy world around Marcus and herself. The idea that somehow the two of them could have worked things out with a fairy tale ending was a joke.

  In a daze, Avery walked, watching intermittent fat drops of rain fall and splash one by one like sparkling crowns onto the dark pavement beneath her feet. Halfway back, the rain started pouring down in sheets, and by the time she got to her hotel, she was soaked to the skin and freezing.

  Shivering, she let herself into her room. She went straight to the bathroom to shed her saturated clothing. Angrily, she kicked the piles of wet heavy clothing aside, tears dropping steadily down her cheeks. She swiped them away and stepped into the shower. Plunging her head under the steaming hot water, Avery pounded her fists on the shower tile in frustration. She had really blown it. She was disgusted with herself, with him, with the whole situation. She tipped her face up under the spray and prayed for the strength to see the thing through to its inglorious end.

  AT BLACK CAT Records the next morning, Avery paced back and forth, brimming with nervous energy as she waited for Dwight and JR. She’d stayed up all night finishing the lyrics for “Love Evolution.”

  Hopefully, Marcus would be too hung over to show up. Even though she knew she had no right to, she’d felt acutely betrayed when she’d seen him with that woman. There was no way she’d be able to focus and get through her part of the vocals with him in the room.

  “You and Marcus missed a great Thanksgiving meal,” Dwight informed her when he and JR arrived. He looked frustrated. “What’s going on with the two of you anyway?”

  “Um, we kind of had a disagreement.” Avery stared down at the floor. “I’m really not sure if he wants me to stay in the group anymore.”

  “Bullshit. Let me call him right now, Avery. I’ll straighten this out,” Dwight insisted pulling out this cell.

  “No, Dwight.” She laid her hand on his arm. “Don’t. Not right now, he…” She trailed off.

  “Why the hell not?” he asked, studying her face. “He’s not doing drugs again is he?”

  “No. No, I don’t think so.” Though his place had reeked of booze and cigarettes, she hadn’t noticed any drug paraphernalia. “Listen, please don’t tell him I said anything. Things are bad enough between the two of us… I just want to lay down this last track. We’ve been struggling with it, but I was able to finish it last night.” She handed the music to Dwight. Picking up her Ibanez from the stand, she strapped it on.

  Dwight picked up his bass, still apparently reluctant to drop the subject. He shrugged at JR, who had settled down behind his drum kit. Reading over the lyrics, Dwight looked at her quizzically. “It’s a beautiful song, Avery, but it’s a duet between a man and woman. How are you and my brother going to pull that off?”

  “Yeah. About that.” Stepping back, she unzipped her hoodie, revealing a form fitting t-shirt sans ace bandage.

  “What the hell!” JR exclaimed, eyes bugging out as they lingered on her curves. He whistled appreciatively.

  “Holy crap!” Dwight shouted at the same time grabbing a fistful of hair like his brother was apt to do. “Does Marcus know? Is this what you guys were arguing about?”

  “No, he doesn’t know. I… It’s complicated. I planned to explain everything this weekend but Marcus… he left before I could. Now with us leaving for LA tonight, and the Grammy concert tomorrow, I figure I better wait till after.”

  “Hell, yeah,” Dwight agreed. “Because he’s gonna totally freak.” He frowned. “You’re right. I seriously would be surprised if he keeps you in the group…” He trailed off, understanding dawning in his eyes. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah,” she nodded. “And I know I am so screwed.”

  “Maybe it won’t be that bad.” Dwight sighed, putting his arms around her.

  JR came over, sharing the hug. “It’ll be ok, kid,” he assured her.

  “You think?” she asked, eyebrow arched in disbelief.

  “No, probably not.” JR snorted. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re still the best thing that’s ever happened to this band.” He glanced at Dwight for confirmation.

  Dwight nodded. “If we can do anything to help, we’ll do it.”

  “Thanks, guys. I just want to tell him myself. I appreciate the support, the kind words. It’s more than I deserve after this stunt. But I’m not getting my hopes up. I’m pretty sure I know how it’ll go down.”

  Now that he knew everything, Dwight doubted things were quite as dire as Avery seemed to believe. He had seen how his brother looked at her. Now it all made sense. No wonder his mom had been so circumspect after she and Avery talked. Avery had clearly made some dumb decisions, but Dwight liked her and believed her heart was in the right place. He only hoped that after she apologized his pig-headed brother would have enough sense to forgive her.

  “Hey, kid. Come on. Snap out of it,” Dwight told her. “Let’s get this beautiful ballad recorded.”

  “Yeah, lets,” JR agreed, taking his place behind the drums again.

  “Thanks, guys,” Avery said, forcing a cheerful smile.

  It took a few tries for them to catch on to the rhythm, and for her to settle down to get the vocals just right. But when they’d finished, Avery felt like a huge burden had been lifted off her shoulders. All Marcus had to do was overlay his vocals. Then the song and album would be complete. She was glad she had been able to express how she felt about him through the lyrics. Music had always been the shared language between their two souls. Sure the band would still have to find another guitarist to take on tour, but she could at least sleep at night knowing she’d done all she could to give the situation some closure.

  MARCUS DRAGGED INTO the studio around noon, bloodshot eyes covered by mirrored sunglasses, hair pulled back in a rubber band, wincing at every loud sound. He wouldn’t have shown up at all if Mary hadn’t insisted he sign off on the “Brothers” video before the band flew to LA for the Grammy nomination concert. It had been a horrible night. Worshipping the porcelain god for most of
it, he had only managed a couple of hours sleep.

  He sat alone in the dark viewing room, sunglasses up on his head. The video was fantastic. It really made the members of BS appear approachable, like the guys next door. Avery fit in seamlessly, a definite asset to the group.

  Marcus couldn’t keep his eyes off Avery in the video. He really needed to do something about this obsession. Just hadn’t figured out what, yet. If Avery was going to work out long term Marcus would have to keep a safe distance between them. He couldn’t keep trying to solve the kid’s problems. And whatever the hell had freaked Avery out so bad about that phone call was going to have to stay his own damn business. Definitely there would be no more sightseeing or hanging out together. From here on out, Marcus planned to keep their relationship strictly professional. After the events of this weekend, he was sure Avery preferred it that way, too.

  AS THE CHARTERED Lear jet gained altitude, Avery could feel Marcus’ gaze boring holes into her back. She wondered if he thought she’d ratted him out about the previous night. Not that it would have been necessary, she thought. Anyone could tell that Marcus was unmistakably hung over.

  Dwight had confronted him prior to takeoff, and he’d been predictably hostile and defensive. Their terse exchange had ended abruptly with Marcus telling Dwight in less than polite terms to mind his own business. Marcus had stomped onto the plane and crashed on one of the back seats.

  Avery and JR had exchanged worried glances, taken their own seats, popped in ear buds, and pulled magazines up over their faces.

  As soon as they leveled off, Marcus grabbed a beer from the fridge, chugging it, and then let out a loud protracted belch.

  Dwight turned around and told him, “Oh, grow up, Marcus.” The tension remained high the entire flight.

  The ride over to the Nokia Theatre from the airport featured more of the same. Marcus sat on the opposite end of the limo from Avery remaining in full sulk mode.

  When they arrived at the venue, the planet-sized personality that was Miss V had just finished her own rehearsal. As the band entered the backstage area, the buxom beauty rushed over.

  “Marcus! Marcus!” Squealing, she flung herself into his arms, nearly knocking his mirrored sunglasses off his face. “Hello, gorgeous,” she cooed. “I’ve missed you so.”

  For a moment, Marcus was speechless. ‘Amazing,’ he thought. She was such a piece of work. Did she really expect him to pick up right where they had left off? She acted as if the last six months had never happened. On the other hand, maybe she was just the tonic he needed to get his mind off Avery. So far, booze and bleach blonde bimbos had failed to do the trick.

  “I’ve missed you, too, V,” he murmured invoking the low sultry voice that used to drive her wild. He dipped her back over his arm, and brushed his lips across her exposed neck.

  V giggled.

  Dwight rolled his eyes and groaned his disapproval.

  “Hey, babe. Who’s this?” Veronica asked breathlessly as she straightened, tilting her head in Avery’s direction.

  “That’s just our new guitarist, Avery Jones,” he replied offhandedly.

  Veronica stepped out of Marcus’ embrace. She swayed her hips as she crossed to Avery. She curled her manicured fingers around Avery’s arm. “I know who you are, honey. I saw you on Good Morning, America.” She tossed her long, jet-black hair over her shoulder. Looking flirtatiously up at Avery from under her false eyelashes, V said in a voice so soft only Avery could hear, “If you’re still looking for the right girl, I’d love to try out for the part.”

  ‘Um, no way,’ Avery thought, wanting to puke. But aware that Marcus was watching, she took a deliberate step back, swallowed her bile, and forced a polite, “Nice to meet you, too, Veronica,” from her lips.

  “We need to set up. We’re next,” Dwight told Marcus.

  Veronica pecked her former lover on the cheek, and sauntered away.

  The band took the stage and did a rushed run through of “Brothers.” It did not go well at all. Everyone was out of sync. The musical synergy, the tightness they normally had as a group, was missing. Avery and Marcus ran into each other because they were avoiding eye contact, and JR dropped his drumsticks. At the end, Dwight cursed under his breath and drew Marcus aside.

  From a distance, Avery couldn’t hear everything that was said, but she did hear her name and Veronica’s name mentioned. Marcus shook his head a couple of times and glanced over at her while Dwight’s voice continued to escalate.

  JR interrupted Avery’s attempted eavesdropping. “Hey kid, you ok?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”

  “I just didn’t want you to worry about anything really happening between V and Marcus. My cousin’s just a big flirt.”

  Avery wasn’t so sure. “What did happen between them?” she asked.

  “They dated for a while, at least until Marcus got her a tryout at Time Warner. After that, she broke it off to focus on her career, or so she said. But less than a week later, she was seeing someone else. V’s a player. She loves the limelight. She loves attention. She doesn’t love him. She never did. I’m sure Marcus understands that now.”

  IN THE PRIVACY of the limo on the way to the hotel, Stephen laid into all of them. “You guys stunk it up. You do realize you will be seen by millions of people? We’re going to have to do another run through. Lucky for you, I was able to secure us another rehearsal slot, but it’s first thing in the morning, so no late nights for any of you. Marcus and Avery, whatever’s going on between the two of you, figure it out as soon as we get checked in. It’s a distraction BS can’t afford right now.”

  Avery and Marcus glanced at each other briefly and nodded.

  When they pulled around to the front of the Ritz, the limo driver had to show identification to pass through the barricade LAPD had erected around the perimeter. Fans swarmed around the vehicle trying to see in through the tinted glass as they passed by.

  Avery shook her head. This is insane, she thought.

  Dwight glanced over at her. “Hey Avery, there are almost as many fan signs out there for you as there are for Marcus,” he teased.

  Inside the posh hotel, Stephen checked in the group and gave each of them their room keys. He gave Marcus and Avery a pointed look but didn’t say anything more.

  Marcus put his sunglasses up on his head. “I’m gonna put my stuff in my room. Then I’ll come to yours,” he told Avery before heading down the corridor.

  “Sure. All right,” Avery replied, but he was already gone. She was just getting ready to insert her card in the slot when JR came by.

  “Hey, Avery.”

  “Hey, JR. What’s up? Wanna come in?”

  “Yeah, sure.” JR moved into the room and held out his phone. “Veronica wants to know if you wanna meet up with us for drinks down in the bar in a bit.”

  “Sorry I can’t, Marcus and I have plans…” She stopped when she heard the knock, and went to answer the door.

  Marcus stood in the hall his eyes meeting JR’s over Avery’s head. “What’s going on?” He lifted his head in acknowledgement of his drummer, brushing past Avery as he entered the room.

  “Oh, not much,” JR replied, waving his cell. “I was just showing Avery a text message from Veronica. She asked the two of us to drinks later. Avery turned us down, said you guys have plans.” He turned to leave. “Let me know if you change your mind, Avery.”

  When the door clicked shut, Avery turned to look at Marcus. His expression was guarded. She could understand why he felt the need to put distance between them, physically and emotionally. He had to be wigged out after what happened between them on Vancouver Island. Maybe she should just go ahead and tell him now. “Marcus, about what happened at your parent’s place…”

  “Nothing happened,” he interrupted her curtly. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. When he opened them, his look was sharp. “Never bring that up again, Avery. Ever.”

  “Ok,” she whispered, shaking her head. “What do y
ou want me to do then, Marcus?” When he didn’t respond, she groaned in frustration. “What can I do to make things better? Just tell me, and I’ll do it.”

  “You really want to help, Avery?”

  She nodded.

  “Then go meet JR and V for drinks. Tell her I’m interested in getting back together. Then tell me what she says. Ok?”

  Could this get any worse? She already had the image of him with that blonde burned into her brain. Now, he wanted her to play matchmaker for him with that tramp who obviously wanted to play with both of them? It was like death by a thousand cuts. Oh, joy. “Alright,” she managed. “I’ll text JR right now.”

  Avery: Change of plans. Can meet with you and V. Where and what time?

  JR: Great. 7 – club lounge, cu.

  “Ok, all set.” Avery raised questioning eyes to Marcus, “Are we good now?”

  “Sure, Ace.” He hesitated almost as if he was having second thoughts when he reached the door.

  She held her breath, hoping he’d change his mind, let her explain, tell her to forget about V, but he did none of those things.

  “I’ll see you in the morning,” he said instead.

  “I TOLD YOU I want Pellegrino! You know how I feel about this domestic crap!” Veronica screeched at her personal assistant, Manny, a prudish middle aged man with a handle bar mustache and a receding hairline.

  He cringed while she made a big production of pouring the offending beverage down the sink.

  “Manny, sometimes I think that you wake up in a new world every single day.”

  “Yes Miss V. Sorry Miss V,” he groveled. “I’ll get you some Pellegrino immediately.” As he scurried out of V’s palatial presidential hotel suite, he passed her stylist, Marie.