Love Rock'ollection: The Brutal Strength Rock Star Trilogy, books 1-3 (72 page)

He wrinkled his nose, the rank aroma in the cell befitting the shithole his life had become in the last twenty four hours.

“Marcus.”

“Dwight.” His head snapped up at the welcome sound of his brother’s voice. He rose and crossed to him shoes catching on the sticky floor. A uniformed officer with a large ring of keys accompanied Dwight. “How is she?”

“She’s gonna be ok. They’ve been monitoring her overnight at the hospital because of the concussion, and they had to put invisible stitches in to close the laceration on her forehead. The doctor said she’s lucky that it wasn’t a whole lot worse.”

“Thank God.” Marcus closed his eyes and let out a broken breath.

“What the hell were you thinking? You were lucky, too. You could have both been killed,” Dwight hissed in his ear as he exited the cell door the officer had opened.

“I wasn’t.” Self-loathing coated his words.

“Your bail has been posted. Come with me,” the officer instructed, stepping around the brothers and leading them down the long corridor.

“You’ve got to get some help,” Dwight insisted, pulling him in for a quick, hard hug. “You can’t do this shit anymore. I can’t take it.”

Marcus nodded mutely. Emotionally exhausted, he had nothing left in him to return the hug or acknowledge the plea.

After completing the paperwork and agreeing to a court hearing in thirty days, they were sent to the release desk to collect Marcus’ personal belongings. Taking the bulging manila envelope from the clerk, Marcus shook the contents out onto the counter. Wallet, keys and watch slid out with a thump before a silver bracelet flecked with dried blood followed, clanging musically against the tile. He stilled, bowed his head, and covered it up with his hand.

“Let’s go,” Dwight said giving him a worried glance.

Outside on the city sidewalk, before Marcus could even take a single breath of fresh air after the most horrible night of his life, he heard them yelling his name.

Shit.

A pack of reporters descended, shoving microphones in his face. He ducked his head and hurried toward a black Suburban that had pulled up and double parked near the curb. Dwight opened the door and Marcus slid into the back seat.

Effing Vultures.

He glanced at the man who was driving. He was a stranger.
Ray must be with Avery at the hospital. Good.
That’s where he ought to be, and that’s how it was going to be from now on.

“Mom and Dad know?”

“Who doesn’t? It’s all over the news. You, Avery, Bryan Jackson. This is a huge cluster.” His usually affable brother looked totally frazzled, reddish blond hair awry and blue eyes bloodshot. “I’ll take you over to see Avery first. Then you’re on your own to face this shit storm. I really don’t know whose madder, Mom or Mary. But you’re gonna have to deal with them both.”

He nodded. He’d expected no less. “I’m not going to the hospital,” Marcus said quietly.

“Why the hell not?” Dwight asked incredulously.

“She wouldn’t want me there.”

“Yes, she does. She’s been pretty out of it but she’s been calling for you.”

“It’s better if I don’t.” Marcus turned away and stared out the window.

“What kinda crap is this?” His eyes narrowed on Marcus’ face “Did you hit your head, too? What the hell is going on with you and Avery?”

Marcus was quiet for a long time. “She could have died, Dwight, and I would have been responsible.” He was sure his expression revealed the turmoil he felt inside. “I totally fucked up. Nothing I say or do can make it right. And I’m not going to go over to the hospital and make this an even bigger ordeal for her than it already is.”

“I don’t get it.” Dwight scratched his head in obvious consternation. He pulled out his cell. “You’ve got to call her at least.”

“No.” Marcus covered up his brother’s hand. “I don’t.”

Dwight studied his face. “She’ll forgive you, you know.”

Marcus wished she wouldn’t. He didn’t deserve it.

AVERY WOKE, EARS ringing, forehead throbbing as if someone was whacking a hammer repeatedly against her skull. Opening her eyes had been like lifting a weighted garage door manually without the assistance of the pulley mechanism.

She was in a hospital room, the heart monitor beeping beside her. The first person she saw was Ray, standing alone in the corner, staring down at his phone. He must have noticed her moving because his eyes shifted in her direction.

“You’re awake.” He smiled softly and came closer, stopping on the left side of her bed. He glanced at someone on the other side.

Carefully, she turned her head and saw familiar chestnut curls and grey eyes.

“How are you feeling?” Sam asked softly, squeezing her hand.

“Like my head just got split open,” Avery admitted truthfully. “What happened?”

“You were in a car accident.” Sam’s eyes narrowed. “You have a concussion, and a pretty nasty cut on your forehead.”

Avery winced, reaching up in exploration.

“You don’t have to go back to the doctor to get the stitches out. They’re the invisible under the skin kind that dissolve on their own,” Sam reassured her. “They also told us they think the scar will fade in time.”

“Where’s Marcus?” She remembered seeing the other car, but not the impact. Her throat tightened with trepidation. “Is he ok?”

Sam and Ray were quiet. She watched them exchange a glance.

It was Sam who answered. “He’s alright, Avery, but he was arrested at the scene. He’s been charged with driving while intoxicated.”

“He’s in jail?” Avery’s mouth dropped open.

“Yeah. Dwight left here a couple hours ago to bail him out.”

Avery stared at Sam in stunned silence.

“It’s been a long night,” Sam continued empathetically. “I’m so glad you’re ok. That it wasn’t worse.” She leaned over and kissed the top of Avery’s head. “I’ll tell the nurse you’re awake and see if you can have some pain medicine.”

As soon as the door clicked closed, Avery turned her head toward Ray. “I’m sorry. I should have listened to you,” she whispered. “But Marcus was so mad and I was afraid…” She trailed off, tears pricking her eyes as she remembered their conversation. “It doesn’t really matter.” She stared at her hands, and panic suddenly seized her limbs. Where was it? She couldn’t remember taking it off.

“Looking for this?” Ray asked, holding up her engagement ring.

“Yes.” She gulped in a welcome breath.

“They took it off in the ER.” He patted his blazer pocket. “I’ve got your necklace in here, too. If there was anything else, I don’t have it.”

“A bracelet, but it’s just costume jewelry.” She took the ring from him. “This is the only important thing.” She slid it on. “How long was I out?”

“You’ve been in and out for the past six hours. The nurses have been doing neurological checks all night because of the concussion.”

“My head really hurts.” She looked him in the eye. “Why isn’t Marcus here?”

“I don’t know.” Ray’s expression was troubled.

“Can I borrow your phone?”

“I already tried to call him.”

“Please.” She reached out her hand. “Let me try.”

Sighing, he handed it to her. She quickly scrolled to Marcus’ number. The call went directly to voicemail. She bit down hard on her lip, but it didn’t stop the tears. She sucked in a couple of uneven breaths and tried Dwight’s number. Same thing. She dropped the phone on the bed. Eventually, she looked up at Ray.

He shook his head.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered.

“Don’t give up on him Avery. He takes things harder than most.” Ray took a step forward and she grabbed onto his arm, holding on tightly with both of hers. For a long moment neither said a word.

“Why don’t you try his parents?” Ray suggested, gently withdrawing his arm.

Sam returned with the nurse. She checked Avery’s vital signs, and then asked, “How much is your pain now on a scale of one to ten?”

“About a twelve.”

“You’re due for some pain medication.” The nurse patted her hand. “I’ll be right back, Ms. Jones.”

“Thank you.” Avery gave her a weak smile and turned to Sam after the nurse left. “You look exhausted. Why don’t you go back to the hotel and get some rest?”

“I’m ok.” She pursed her lips. “Don’t even try that martyr stuff on me, Avery Jones. I’m your friend and just like Ray I’m staying with you till you’re discharged.”

“Thanks guys.” Avery swallowed back a fresh batch of tears.

“For nothing,” Sam returned. “Whatcha doing with the phone?”

“Oh, I’m gonna call Marcus’ parents.”

“Well, don’t stop on my account. I was going to make a coffee run and I need to update everyone in the waiting room. Tell them you’re awake and all.” She paused on the way out. “How do you feel about having visitors?”

Avery shook her head.

“Right. No, problem. I’ll be back soon then.”

Avery picked up the phone and scrolled to the number.

“Hello, Ray,” Rheta answered the phone on the first ring. “How is she doing? Is there any change?”

“It’s me,” Avery whispered softly. Hearing the concern in Rheta’s voice made her throat tighten.

“Avery,” Rheta breathed. “Just a minute. Let me tell the others…Don, Justin, Arthur, Avery’s on the phone,” Avery heard her yell through the muffled receiver. “How are you? We’ve been so worried.”

“My head hurts. Other than that, I’m ok, I guess.”

The connection was quiet for a moment. “I’m sure Marcus told you that I gave him a piece of my mind. I can’t imagine what he was thinking. I’m just so grateful it wasn’t any worse.”

“You’ve talked to him?”

“Well, yes, of course. Haven’t you?”

“No. Not since before the accident.”

A longer silence. “Well, I’m sure he’ll be there any minute.”

Avery didn’t respond. She was beginning to wonder if he was going to come at all. “Can I speak with Justin please?”

“Sure. He’s right here.”

“Sis,” Justin began. “What happened?”

She blinked back tears. “Oh, Justin...it was awful.”

“There are conflicting reports in the news. Was he intoxicated?”

“Yes,” she admitted.

“I’m coming down there,” he insisted.

“No, Justin. I’m sure they’re gonna release me soon.”

“Sis, I love you, but I gotta tell you, I wanna kick his sorry ass.” She could hear him take a deep breath. “Here. Talk to Dad. I need to cool off.”

“Kat?” Arthur asked tentatively.

“Hey.”

“Are you ok?”

“I don’t really know.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, my head’s starting to feel a little better, but…” eyes filling, she trailed off. “Did you ever have doubts about whether you and Mom were meant for each other?”

“No. Never,” he replied carefully. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” she said noncommittally.

“Does this have something to do with those pictures of you dancing with that other guy?”

She didn’t answer.

“People say things in the heat of the moment that they regret later. I’m betting that’s the case with him. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Kat. It’s the same way that I looked at your mom.”

I hope he’s right
, she thought.

MARCUS GRIPPED THE armrests on the 727’s window seat.

He watched Avery climb slowly out of the back seat of the sedan and step gingerly out onto the tarmac. Pain contorted her features. He sighed, conflicting emotions at war in his mind. He hardly noticed Sam climbing out from the opposite side of the car, hand over her eyes against the setting sun, as she ran into JR’s waiting arms.

After they separated, JR walked over to Avery and embraced her. He must have said something to her because she nodded and tilted her face up toward the plane.

Marcus eased away from the window even though he knew it was unlikely she had seen him.

He swallowed.

He didn’t want to do this. Not yet.

It was too soon. For him… Not soon enough for her sake.

He wished he could wind everything backward. To before the wreck. Before the dance. Before it had all come undone. Who was he kidding? A do over wouldn’t change the fact that he was all wrong for her.

“She’s here,” Dwight said, stopping in the doorway and giving Marcus a severe look.