“Not at all. Bruce can you give us a few minutes.”
“No problem. I’m running to get something to eat. Want something?”
“Nah I’m good. You?” He turned his lethal gaze on her.
“No thank you.”
“Cool. You got an hour lover boy.” He playfully hit Marques on the arm, and he headed towards the door.
“Ha ha ha. Don’t make me call Sandi and see who’s the real lover boy here.”
“Ha ha all you want. It doesn’t look like you’re too far behind.” Bruce smiled at her. “It was great seeing you again Brione.” He tipped his head and left them alone.
“Loverboy huh?”
He shook his head laughing. “Please don’t listen to half of what my brothers say.”
He grabbed her hand and walked her to the couch. They sat, and he propped his feet on the table.
“Bruce is your brother too?” She turned to face him.
“Not by blood. But it’s one of those bonds that transcends friendship.”
She nodded her understanding. “I feel the same about Eliana. Are you all ready to leave?”
“I’m making changes to the show. I’ll need every moment of the next three days to prep the band.” He reached for a wayward curl and pushed it behind her ear. “I like seeing your hair curly.”
“Thanks. You’ll probably see it a lot on this tour. Wearing it curly is easier than straightening it.” She had to look away from his intent gaze. Alone in the dimly lit room made sitting next to him on a couch very intimate.
“Why are you sitting all the way over there?” A lazy smile crossed his face as he patted the cushion next to him. She slid a little closer, he gripped her shoulder bringing her against him. She snuggled into his chest. “That’s better.”
“Marques I need to ask a favor of you.”
“Anything.”
“I need to keep my contract with you private.” No one could know about her working with him without risking it getting to her father or worse Stewart.
He remained quiet.
“You understand, don’t you?” She glanced up, the hard edge around his eyes told her he didn’t like her request. She cupped his face.
“Embarrassed to be seen with me?” His voice sounded as if he were joking, but the intensity in his eyes told her differently.
“I’m contending for a job with a major law firm. I don’t want it to affect my chances of getting an associate's position. I’ve worked hard in school, and I can’t let anything ruin my chances.”
“Your secret is safe with me.” The emphasis on secret made her want to take it back. But she couldn’t. One day, when the time was right.
“How’s it feel to be finished with your classes?”
Thankful, he changed subjects. “Amazing. Finals kicked my butt. I can’t believe I’m one semester away from graduating.”
“What made you decide to attend law school? It seems so intense.” She could feel his hands in her hair pulling at random curls.
“It is.” She toyed with the fabric of his shirt. “It was always the plan. I recall my father talking about it for as long as I can remember. To learn to think, discern the cold hard facts, and have the power of life and death with the stroke of a pen.”
“That sounds brutal.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Is your father a lawyer?”
“No, a politician.” She never talked about them. “What about your parents?”
“You don’t know my parents?” His voice rose, she pushed back to see his face.
“Should I?”
“No,” he shrugged, “but it’s rare. You must not follow the music.”
“I don’t have much free time.” She leaned back against his chest.
“Did you know who I was before Eliana suggested you come and work with us?"
“No.”
“That explains a lot.”
“Like what?”
He rested his chin on her head rubbing her arm. “Like how you act normal around me.”
“How do other people act around you?”
“Different. Sitting with you for coffee when we first met was the first time I’d had a normal conversation with someone outside my team.” He air quoted normal, and she sat up.
“That must be odd.”
“It’s all I know.” His legs opened and closed in a gesture she’d often seen from him the more time they spent together.
“What do you mean?”
“My father is Curtis Carter.”
“Of the Sinsations?” She held her breath.
He nodded. “I guess you don’t totally live under a rock.”
She playfully hit his chest, the brick wall beneath felt unshakeable, reminding her of the concert at Coffee Confessions.
“As you can probably imagine, with him as my father I grew up fast and in the limelight. Then after signing my first record deal before my twenty-first birthday, my popularity with the opposite sex increased to an uncontrollable level.”
“I’m sure you didn’t mind that.”
“At first I loved it, what young man wouldn’t. Women young and old clamored for my attention.” A mask of stone covered his features. His voice belied the look of indifference on his face.
“But something changed.”
His eyes searched hers, she was always perceptive. She learned from years of watching her father navigate people and situations. It made her a perfect chameleon blending seamlessly with her surroundings. But it made unearthing her true self difficult. People always seemed to have agendas and ulterior motives.
“It did, and eventually I had to grow up.”
The door opened, Bruce entered with a fast food cup in his hand. “You ready?”
Brione glanced at her watch. How had two hours passed in an instant? She wanted to hear more about his life. She stood to leave.
He stood, circling an arm across her lower back, pulling her near. “Can you stay a little while longer?”
Brione glanced into his eyes. “Sure.”
He glanced over at Bruce who sat with his back to them. He flicked a few buttons, and the sound of music filled the room. When Marques’ eyes found hers again, she knew what was next. His head lowered and his mouth covered hers in a soft probing kiss. He turned them slightly with his back to the booth and transported her to another world as his melodic voice seeped into her pores. She held fist fulls of his shirt as Marques tightened his hold, dropping a hand lower and his large hand gripped her tight.
He pulled away and rested his forehead on hers. “Or maybe not?”
“Why?” She gripped his shirt tighter.
“I won’t be able to focus knowing you’re this close,” he whispered. His breath matching time with her racing heart.
“All right lover boy. You have a tour starting in three days. These tracks won’t finish themselves. Walk Brione to her car.”
She felt a slight rumble in his chest beneath her hands. She cupped his face and lifted to her tiptoes placing a kiss on his full lips. “See you in a few days.”
Chapter Sixteen
“We have enough music to release a double album.” Bruce laughed. It was almost six in the morning. They spent the entire night in the studio.
It was Bruce’s home away from home. Damian, their in-house real estate developer, had this music studio especially made for him. It was an extension of him, from the equipment to the lighting and the furniture.
Marques' phone vibrated with an incoming text. He smiled hoping it was Brione. He pressed the message button and saw a blast from the past, Sam. Superman had kryptonite. He had Samantha Foster. They once shared a common goal.
Fame.
Marques planned to achieve it with his voice. Sam planned to use her writing. He found it inspiring until her words were used to take him out.
“You ready to explain to me what’s going on?” He flicked a few switches on the board then leaned back in his oversized black leather chair on wheels.
&nbs
p; Marques loved his brothers, but it was Bruce and his wife Sandi that helped him climb out a very dark hole.
“Man, I got so much going on I don’t know where to start.”
“Is this about your woman?”
Marques’ head shot up. “What woman?”
“I’m tired. Not blind.” He grimaced. “Brione.”
He rubbed his weary eyes and walked over to the couch. “Yes and no.”
“Spill it.”
Marques laid back. “I feel this pressure.” He pressed his hands together in the air, trying to animate the compression he felt.
“That is natural. This is your first tour in three years. People are noticing you. You feel you have a lot to prove. But this is your show. You have the goods. Don’t let the expectations of others become your own. This tour sort of popped up. You just need time to adjust to it.”
He was right. “I guess you’re right. And I called Sam.”
“Why?” His brow furrowed.
He shrugged. “I thought it would be nice to get a feature on her blog to spread the word about the tour.”
Bruce remained quiet. He was the glue to their label. The kind that dries clear and you almost missed its presence.
“Baby Bro, why would you open that door? Do you not remember what she did last time?”
“Remember?” He was haunted by her betrayal. He had to be the bigger man and use it to his advantage. Both were equally haunting. He thought she was the one he’d eventually marry. That she would always ride for him. But love was a weak opponent against ambition.
“You don’t need her. Let your talent speak for you. All you need is a mic and that voice. That’s it.” His hand chopped through the air like a sensei.
“Bruce, who gets a third chance? Huh. I refuse to be the celebrity kid that screws up again. So if it means giving Sam a ticket to my concert, I’ll give her, her minions, and anyone else a backstage pass to make this happen.”
“I got your back like for life. But Andrew,” he rolled closer, “you have everything you need. Trust that.”
Marques read the plea in his eyes and part of him knew inviting her was a bad idea.
“How does Brione factor into this? Does she know the history between you two?”
“No. And I plan to keep it that way. Brione and I are just…having fun.”
“Having fun?”
“Yeah.”
“Is she the one that has you all up in your feelings? I can’t recall a time you’ve recorded this much music.”
“Man, she had me running circles around myself. I’ll leave the marrying and happily ever after fantasies to you.” He laughed, although Brione Carter had a pleasant ring to it.
“Marriage is nothing like I expected. It was the best decision of my life.” His eyes glazed over, no doubt with thoughts of Sandra. “I can’t imagine you slowing down, especially now. You’re going on tour. There will be women trying to get you before, after, and during the shows. You’ll have your pick.”
“I know, but I can’t see anyone but her," Marques mumbled rubbing a hand across his short hair, down his gruff face. He turned to Bruce feeling his direct stare. He knew him, better than most people and what he saw must have satisfied his curiosity.
Bruce nodded. “Just know this, if anything goes down, I’ll catch whoever and whatever makes it past your brothers.”
“Thank you, man.” His brothers could not save him this time. They’d done enough. This time he’d prove to them and the world he had lasting power.
“Let’s listen to this once more. I need to get home to my wife.”
Bruce pressed play, and Marques found himself lost. All he needed was an empty stage and his fans with nothing between them but time and music.
He would finally show the industry and world he was more than Curtis Carter’s son. No longer was he ashamed of his name. Call it pride, stubbornness, ambition, lunacy, he would finish this tour and hit the charts.
It had to be perfect.
Chapter Seventeen
Brione sat on the floor in her living room surrounded by clothes. She glanced at her watch and heard the sound of a knock on the front door. She looked out the peephole and opened the door wide.
“Aren’t you the best friend a gal can have?”
“I’d have to agree. You’re lucky to have me.” Eliana smiled as Brione kissed her cheek. She locked the door and moved around Eliana to clear a path through her folded laundry.
“How’s packing going?” She sat the pizza boxes on the coffee table.
“I have my work bags ready and now to finish packing my clothes.” She quickly scanned her list and the four piles of clothes before her. She placed two in the laundry basket to take to her room and designated the other two for storing in the suitcase. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until the smell of the pizza hit her nose.
“Let me grab some plates and napkins.” Brione went into the kitchen. She washed and dried her hands then pulled down two plates. “Want a drink? I don’t have much. I didn’t want to leave my refrigerator full of food.”
“What are my choices?” Eliana peered into the kitchen heading to the half bathroom.
“Coke, bottled water, and juice boxes.”
“I’ll take a juice box. I haven’t had those in years.” Brione laughed. She kept juice boxes, fruit snacks, and all of Kayla’s favorites on hand. It helped with the longing. Stacking the juices on top of the plates she tucked the roll of paper towels under her arm meeting Eliana back in the living room.
“How many slices do you want?”
Brione glanced into the box, inside was their favorite loaded veggies with extra cheese and pepperoni. “Give me three.” She propped the juice boxes up and tore two paper towels each.
Brione sat on the floor and watched Eliana drop pizza on their plates. They moved like old times. They met freshman year as roommates and lived together until everything changed her junior year.
“How is Kayla?”
“She’s growing up so fast. You should see her.” Brione took a large bite of the pizza and reached for her cellphone showing Eliana the most recent picture she nabbed off Mrs. Bradley’s Instagram page.
“Are things any better for you guys?”
She shook her head. “Not really.”
“I don’t know how you do it.” Picking a mushroom off her slice she leaned back against the chair.
“I take it one day at a time.” A lone tear rolled down her cheek, and she let it. She could talk about Kayla to Eliana. “That’s why I asked you over tonight.”
Eliana lowered her pizza and pushed a white straw into the juice box. “Man this is sweet.”
“Straight sugar. That’s why kids love them.” She smiled at Eliana’s bunched expression.
“What’s up?”
“I have a plan to get her back.”
“Who back?” Eliana’s surprise showed.
“Kayla. For good.”
“How?”
Brione reached for her notebook and walked Eliana through her plan. “Once I finish this tour with Marques I plan to offer Stewart $50,000.”
“Brione, I don’t understand. Why do you have to buy back your daughter? You’re almost a lawyer. You know lawyers. Take his ass to court and get custody.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Why not? Isn’t that the point of family courts.” She dropped pizza crust on her plate and dusted the crumbs off her fingers. “I’ve always given you space on this but what hold does this man have over you? How can you let your child live with him and his parents while they pretend you don’t exist?”
Brione looked away from her inquisitive stare. Her questions were valid. But how much could she share without putting Eliana in danger too. Brione picked at the pepperoni on her pizza.
“It will be between us," Eliana added.
“I met Stewart in junior high. Our fathers worked together and often held functions at our house. Dinner parties, fundraisers, and social events. We all were
required to attend. My mother, brother, and I were his accessories. People had to see my father as a dependable family man.” She rolled her eyes and took a bite of pizza. “Anyway, Stewart and I became friends. He was the ‘it’ boy, and I was the weird girl eating my lunch in the library.”
“That’s why you’re kicking law school’s butt.” She held up her juice box for a toast.
Brione touched their boxes and continued. “Hanging out with him helped me come out of my shell. I made more friends. Eventually, we started hanging out outside of our fathers’ business functions. Our parents encouraged it. We went to parties, homecoming, prom, football games. Stewart was my first kiss. My first boyfriend. My first everything.” She leaned back.
“What happened?”
“College happened. I met you and made new friends. I slowly started seeing the world without my parents manipulating the truth. I experienced a world on my own, and I slowly saw a different side of him.” She used a paper towel to wipe the glass table. “When I tried to break it off my father prohibited it.”
“Prohibited?” Her head snapped back.
“Exactly. I didn’t pay it much mind then, but now I wish I had.” Brione tossed her pizza crust in the box and closed the lid. “My dad asked me to return home for an election event our junior year. They wanted to show us all polished up for pictures. He wanted all of us there including Stewart.”
It was hard telling this story. Her heart raced like a runaway train. How could she explain it without shame lingering over her head like a dark cloud? She felt foolish and naive. So she did what she always did, covered for them.
“We arrived at the gala, and I was ambushed. Stewart had an engagement ring. My parents were there, his parents were there. They announced it before hundreds of people including most of Texas’ elected officials. I stood there with a fake smile plastered on my face. And…” She took a deep breath. “I said yes. I accepted his proposal. Next thing I know, they were toasting to us and merging into a great Texas power family.” What happened later that night she’d take to her grave.
“Wait, so you’re engaged to Stewart?” Her eyebrows shot up.
“To him, yes. To me, no.”
Rockstar Secrets (Forbidden Chords Book 1) Page 8
