Love Rock'ollection: The Brutal Strength Rock Star Trilogy, books 1-3 (90 page)

“I wish you luck, Red. I really do.” He stepped back and his gaze rose to meet hers again.

“Thank you,” she whispered, letting out a shaky sigh, watching him as he walked away.

“WHAT’S WRONG, ACE?” Marcus asked as soon as she walked into the dressing room

“Nothing,” she answered, fingering the pendant without thinking.

“Where’d you get that?” Marcus eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“Bryan gave it to me.”

“Oh, hell no,” he fumed. “I guess I need to go have a word with him. Let him know where things stand.”

“He knows.” She put a reassuring hand on Marcus’ arm. “I told him,” she said quietly. “The necklace was a birthday present. A goodbye gift.”

“You have any regrets?” Marcus stilled, body taut.

“No, Marcus. No. Not a one. Not with us at least.” Avery stepped close, hands on his chest. “With him, yes. I shouldn’t have taken from him more than I was willing to give.” She tilted her head to the side. “Let me wear it for tonight. He was a good friend when I desperately needed one.”

“Then wear it.” Marcus’ lips flattened. “For this one night. But you need to hurry and get dressed. We’re on a tight schedule.” He turned toward the door. “I’ve got a surprise of my own that trumps guitar necklaces,” he muttered. “I’ll send Nina in. I want you out of this room in twenty minutes tops.”

AVERY HAD HURRIED to get dressed, not wanting to press her luck with Marcus after he’d been so understanding about the necklace. Ok maybe not understanding. Tolerant, anyway. Nina helped her to get ready in record time.

A slew of surprises greeted her as soon as she pulled open the dressing room door. She froze, brows high, her heart pounding with joy, her gaze taking in the beaming faces of those gathered out in the hall.

“Happy Birthday, sis,” Justin broke apart from the group and hugged her tightly. “Love you.”

“Happy Birthday to you, too,” she managed, totally overwhelmed. “How did you get here? And when?”

“Marcus arranged a charter,” Don informed her, his arm around Rheta. “I think we got in around the same time you did.”

“Sweet.” She smiled brightly. “Lisa, are you supposed to be flying?” she asked with concern.

“The doctor says it’s ok for now.” She smiled patting her small bump.

“I’m so glad to see all of you,” Avery told them. “It feels like it’s been forever.”

Everyone started to talk at once. Hugs and well wishes were exchanged. Then Avery noticed her father, looking frail and lost standing in the background.

“Hey,” she said walking over to him. “How are you feeling?”

“A little better now that I know I’m on the transplant list. How are things with you?”

“Much better. Marcus and I are back together, you know.”

“Yes. I’ve heard.”

She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I wanted to thank you for all the encouragement you’ve given me.”

“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.