Love Resolution (Black Cat Records series)

by Michelle Mankin

  “Isn’t that what fathers are for?” His face turned up. “Happy Birthday, Kat.”

  Marcus came up behind her and put his arms around her shoulders. “You sneak,” she said teasingly, turning her head to look back at him. “When did you arrange all of this?”

  “I’ve had it planned for a while.” He grinned. “Beth helped me set up the private charter.”

  “Thank you.” She leaned her head back against his shoulder. He lowered his head to kiss her. “I’ll thank you, better, later,” she whispered.

  “I’ll hold you to that,” he said softly before he swung back around to face the group. “Ok, family,” he waved at Trevor who was walking toward them. “Trevor’s gonna escort you to your seats. Avery and I have to do the meet and greet for an hour after the concert, but then we’ll meet up again at the restaurant around eleven thirty.” He took her hand. “Let’s get this show on the road, Ace.”

  “Hey Boss,” Ray said with a frown. “A winter storm warning’s been posted. Weather service is expecting near blizzard conditions around the time you’re planning to leave for the party. You might want to cut out earlier.”

  “I’m so proud of you, Ace.” Marcus shot her a smile which she returned. “You were phenomenal tonight.” She’d been quintessential Avery, only more so. More brilliant. More confident. More everything. In skinny jeans and an ivory crushed silk camisole top with black leather and silver bracelets dripping up and down her arms, she was beautiful. She’d played her new EVH Frankenstein over her head, out in front, and every other way in between. She’d owned the stage, rocking and shaking that sexy body of hers to every song.

  If he hadn’t already been madly in love with her, he would have fallen hard after watching her perform tonight, as did the sold out audience.

  “You weren’t too bad yourself.” She scooted to the middle seat, away from the cold draft leaking in from the SUV’s door. Snuggling closer to Marcus, she laid her head against his chest. “I love the way you really got into it when I did my solo part in ‘Moon Rising’. I played off of that.”

  “Yeah?” He felt her nod against his chest. “The energy from the crowd was incredible. MTV picked a great one to tape. We really rocked it.”

  “How long has it been?” she asked with an impatient sigh as she looked out the window.

  “Two blocks in thirty minutes,” Ray replied from the front seat. “Good thing the rest of them left early. If they don’t get a snowplow out soon, we’re gonna be stuck here all night.”

  The usually packed city streets and sidewalks were nearly deserted. Everything was covered in a thick blanket of white. The city that never sleeps seemed eerily quiet and hushed, the warnings to stay indoors having obviously been heeded. Snowdrifts a foot and a half high covered the walkways on either side. Visibility was poor, nearly white out conditions.

  Suddenly a deep scraping sound emanated from behind their vehicle. Marcus swung his head around.

  “Finally,” Ray exclaimed, turning the wheel as soon as the snowplow passed, pulling their vehicle in behind it. Soon, they started making real progress, leaving the midtown area behind.

  Avery started to fidget in her seat as the time continued to drag on. Marcus sensed her impatience. As soon as they turned off Broadway and onto Third Avenue in Murray Hill, she turned to him with a look of wonder on her face. “What restaurant did you say we were going to?”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Khiloni’s?”

  He nodded.

  She squealed. “Will Sangeeta be there?”

  “Yes, of course,” he said triumphantly. “And your old roommate, Jeff, and Cole and Taylor, the bassist and drummer from your old band. Did I forget anyone?”

  “I can’t believe you did all this.” She shook her head. “Did I tell you today how much I love you?” she asked, climbing onto his lap, straddling him, and kissing him with abandon.

  “A couple of times,” he mumbled around her lips, “but keep on telling me. I like it.”

  They entered Khiloni’s restaurant brushing wet snowflakes out of each other’s hair. Marcus helped her off with her coat and moved to check it while Avery inhaled deeply the mouthwatering aroma of toasted cumin seeds wafting to her nose. It brought such good memories from her time working in that very kitchen. As she looked around, she realized nothing had changed in her absence. The same deep ruby covered walls, the same bead and brass accents interspersed throughout the large room, and the same thirty tables draped with crisp white cloths all seemed to have been awaiting her return.

  Avery had only a moment to take it all in when Sangeeta approached her. The middle aged woman had her long black glossy hair pulled back with fancy decorative combs and wore a beautifully embroidered grey and lime sarong along with her usual friendly smile. Without preamble, she pressed a mug of rooibos tea into Avery’s hands and popped a savory cardamom pastry into her mouth. “You look beautiful as always, but you’re way too thin,” she chided in a disapproving tone. “You need to eat.”

  Avery hugged her with one hand while holding the tea with the other and chewing the delicious flaky treat.

  Jeff, her tall lanky ex-roommate came over and kissed the top of her head. “Kick-ass show,” he congratulated.

  “You were there?” she asked blowing across the mug before taking a sip of her favorite tea.

  “Wouldn’t have missed it. We were all there in the front row. Didn’t you see us?”

  She shook her head. “I guess I must have been too keyed up.”

  “When we gonna see you up on big stage like your sister?” Jeff asked Justin, fist bumping him.

  “Soon as I convince her this drug free stuff is gonna stick. Right, sis?”

  Avery nodded.

  “It’s weird to be back, isn’t it?” Justin observed as Jeff drifted off to refill his plate.

  “Yeah,” Avery admitted. “It’s different than I thought it would be. Sure, I miss it, but it doesn’t feel like home anymore.” She shrugged. “Wherever Marcus is, that’s my place now. And I gotta say I really love Vancouver.”

  “It’s a beautiful city,” her father commented as he joined them. “The island’s especially scenic.” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Can I talk to you for a minute, Kat?”

  “Alright.” She followed him to an empty table, frowning when she noticed how slow he moved and how out of breath he seemed.

  After they were seated, his somber green eyes met hers. “I’ve been meaning to give you this for a long time.” He reached into his inside coat pocket and pulled out a red leather bound diary, the old fashioned type with a delicate brass lock on the spine.

  Her mom’s diary.

  Avery’s breath caught. Her entire body started to tremble.

  “I thought it fitting that I give it to you today.” He placed it on the table and slid it across to her.

  Avery’s eyes filled. Her heart tight and aching, she reached for the precious link to her mom. She cracked it open, hands reverentially smoothing across the first page…

  We all have only a limited time on this earth. Some longer. Some shorter. I have decided to look at what lies ahead as a blessing rather than a curse. Instead of pulling up my hood to keep out the rain, I’m taking off my jacket and removing anything that hinders me from living life to the fullest. Instead of cowering in fear, I’m choosing to look beyond this diagnosis, anticipating a glimpse of something good. Hoping…Maybe there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Maybe there will be a rainbow at the end of this storm. Maybe I will get a miracle and maybe I won’t. But my choice is to be better not bitter.

  You have your whole life in front of you. My hope is that you realize early on that there is value in adversity. That our perspective paints the world around us for good or for ill. I pray that any pain you experience makes you stronger and causes you to hold on more tightly to those you love.

  “Thank you,” she whispered, tears wetting her face as she closed the diary and hugged it to her chest.
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  “I was supposed to give it to you on your sixteenth birthday. The day she also wanted me to give Jus her engagement ring for his future bride. Instead…” His voice fractured and he looked down, gripping the edge of the table, the back of his hands so translucent the blue veins stood out. “Well, you know what happened. I got drunk. I hurt you…I hurt all of us.” His gaze lifted, eyes filled with regret. “Her passing broke my heart, Kat,” he admitted after a moment, voice deepened with emotion. “No that’s not exactly right. It was more like a part of me died when she did. When you have that kind of love for someone…when they know everything about you, the good and the bad…and still love you…You never get over it.”

  Avery could certainly understand that. That’s how she felt about Marcus. Being without him was not an experience she ever wanted to repeat.

  “You go on…eventually, but not as the same person you were before. The man I was with Trisha…I had to finally let him go. I couldn’t be him anymore.” Tears rolled down his lined cheeks. He blotted them with a napkin. “I’m sorry it took you and your brother leaving for me to sober up and figure that out.”

  She leaned across the table and covered his frail cold hand with her own. “I’m sorry…Dad.”

  As if afraid to hope, his expression guarded, his gaze shifted from their hands to her face.

  Avery couldn’t excuse what he had done to her and Justin. She’d never forget, but she could forgive. That was the harder choice, but the one that was right for her. Rheta, Ray, and her mom were right. Life was too precious and too short to taint with bitterness. “No more regrets,” she said softly, expression imploring. “I want us to make a new start right now. I’m ready to move forward. I’m ready to give you that chance you wanted.”

  Her dad let out a long shaky breath.

  “Excuse me guys. I hate to interrupt.” Marcus smiled gently, placing his hands on her shoulders. “But it’s time to blow out the candles and cut the cake. It’s eleven fifty-five. It won’t be your birthday much longer.”

  Avery squeezed her dad’s hand before standing. “Come join us.”

  “I couldn’t.”

  “I want you to,” she insisted, tucking the journal under her arm and helping him rise.

  They moved to the head of the table where Justin waited, a white frosted guitar cake with red lettering flickering festively with twenty candles. Taking her place beside her brother, Avery laid her head on his shoulder. She sighed contentedly and her heart warmed as he dropped a soft kiss into her hair. She looked out at everyone gathered around.

  Her gaze paused on Sam and JR. They were standing so close that there was no visible space between them. JR flashed her a white grin and then Sam’s beautiful, twinkling grey eyes met hers. Both women were back with the men they loved. A moment of shared happiness passed between the two friends.

  To the right of the newly engaged couple, Don Anthony stood behind Rheta, arms wrapped around her shoulders. Beside his parents, Dwight held onto his wife’s hand, her other hand rested on the new life growing inside of her. The Anthony’s were such a blessing, a family for her when she’d thought she had none.

  After the obligatory ‘Happy Birthday’ was sung by all, she and Justin blew out the candles. Rocking back on her heels, her brother on one side, her father on the other, the family she had lost was now regained. Joy bubbled out of her heart and into a wide smile. Marcus caught and returned it, his blue eyes sparkling back at her.

  Beaming, Avery began to cut the cake, placing the slices on small glass dessert plates while Justin and Marcus helped pass them out.

  When the last person had been served, she and Marcus slipped into a booth in the back, scooting together on the same side. Surrounded by the soft sounds of conversation and forks ringing against glass plates, she glanced at Marcus out of the corner of her eye. Though she didn’t always agree with his approach, she knew that he loved her and that he would go to any lengths to protect her. That was just the way he was wired. He had vowed never to let her go. Her fingers wrapped around his. She would never let him if he tried.

  “You checking me out?” he joked, giving her his full dimpled grin.

  “Maybe.” Her answering smile was distracted as her gaze drifted over to her father. He was so much thinner than he’d been before they left Vancouver.

  “It’ll be alright,” Marcus whispered, following the direction of her gaze. His lips brushed her cheek before his piercing blue eyes looked deeply into hers. “Whatever happens. Any storm, Avery.”

  He slid his hand behind her head and pulled it to his chest. She could hear his heart beating strong and steady beneath her ear. “I know now that it’s not weakness to rely on someone else.” His deep voice rumbled. “It’s a sign that you’ve got a good thing. A priceless thing. Something worth holding on tight to. Something you never ever let go.”

  Her sentiments exactly. He stroked her hair and she relaxed into his warm comforting arms.

  “Any storm,” he repeated. “I’ll always be there. You can lean on me.”

  Some time later

  “Avery, you home?” Marcus called out as soon as he stepped off the elevator into the apartment, the mouthwatering aroma of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies assailing him. Baking lessons with Ray’s mom had been going well.

  “In the back,” she yelled in response.

  He strode down the hall, stopping in the doorway to the master bath and stared at her.

  She was bent over at the waist, wearing pajama short-shorts and a tank with no bra. Some view, he thought. Her wet auburn hair, much longer now, hung down like a crimson curtain.

  His mouth went dry.

  “How’d the interview go?” She flipped off the blow dryer and straightened, staring back at him with those expressive emerald eyes.

  “Alright,” he replied, leaning back against the doorframe and giving her the smolder.

  She gave him a skeptical look.

  “It was the same sad song. They wanted to rehash old history. Asked how I can be contemplating going on a European tour with Tempest given your history with its lead guitarist.”

  She frowned.

  Marcus shrugged. He wasn’t at all worried this time. He and Avery were in a strong place now, and Jackson, well, he had a handful of his own issues. Served the guy right. Reaching back between his shoulder blades, he pulled off his shirt.

  She was staring at him.

  Hell yeah. This never got old. He dropped his shirt on the floor and waited.

  She sashayed over, bent down, and picked up the shirt. “The floor is not a laundry hamper, Marcus Anthony,” she scolded, hips swaying as she stepping around him.

  His arms flashed out. He grabbed her around the waist and threw her over his shoulder, taking advantage of her position to slap her playfully on the ass.

  “Stop your complaining, woman.” He carried her into the bedroom and tossed her down on the bed so hard she bounced.

  “They ask you anything else?” She laughed and scuttled backward, gaze fixated on his hands as he unbuttoned his jeans.

  “About your solo career.”

  “Oh, yeah?” she asked helping him out by holding her arms up so he could yank the tank top over her head. “What’d you say to that?”

  “I said what I always say…” He turned her hand over and kissed the inside of her wrist right on the spot where her mother’s name was tattooed across a scrolling musical staff. “That you can do anything you set your mind to do…you just can’t do it without me.”

  COMING WINTER 2013

  Book Four

  of

  The Black Cat Records Series

  A throbbing headache brought Bryan out of his bunk at four in the morning. His mouth as dry as cotton, he gingerly placed his bare feet on the freezing cold floor of the tour bus and made his way to the front. Tylenol and a bottled water were the object of his quest. He pushed the button to open the pocket door and immediately saw her sitting at the banquette.

  Lace.

>   When had she come on board? It must have been in New York, but he hadn’t heard her. Granted he’d been preoccupied with the twins. He tried to remember if he’d seen War at the meet and greet. He hadn’t. He must’ve been with her. The familiar burn seared the inside of his chest like acid.

  She turned. Whiskey colored eyes, honey blond hair, same captivating face, except she was way too thin. Always way too thin. Her cheek bones stuck out, her complexion was pale, even her wide lips seemed drained of their usual color.

  “Bryan.”

  That breathy voice of hers shot right to his groin. Even hung over and recently satiated his dick came right to attention. Clamoring after what it could never have. What he could never have.

  War’s girlfriend.

  “Lace,” he made a show of running his gaze over her gaunt form. War’s t-shirt hung down to mid-thigh on her. She brought her bare legs closer together and gave him a darting sidelong glance. So what if he was shirtless, jeans half buttoned. He wasn’t gonna cover up for her.

  She stared straight ahead and licked her lips. “Nipple ring’s new.”

  “Yeah, nice of you to notice. Scoot over.” He flopped down on the two-seater bench beside her. “You get on in New York?”

  She put her hands in her lap and stared at them. “Yeah.”

  My husband: I couldn’t have done it without you (wink)

  To my readers: More Avery & Marcus because you asked, xx& oo’s

  To my beautiful betas, your help and encouragement was priceless:

  Lisa Pantano Kane @ http://www.threechicksandtheirbooks.com/

  Michelle Warren

  Lisa Paul @ http://lisasreads.com/ check out her soon to be released novel, Thursday Nights

  Kim Box Person @ http://shhmomsreading.com/

  And Lisa Kinzel

  To my proof reader eye LoVe ewe:

  Hazeline Paddock-Ng

  To my editor extraordinaire, the closer: Diane Klein, MD…without her we would have had-- bouncing chestnut girls and drinking while intoxicated, lol!

  To my advance readers: Your enthusiasm is my fuel: