Love Resolution (Black Cat Records series) (9 page)

Marcus started to follow, but Rheta stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Son, let me talk to her.”

After a moment, Marcus gave a tight nod.

On the cold concrete bench beneath the shadows cast by the surrounding buildings, Avery tensed as Marcus’ mother approached.

“Avery.”

“Don’t,” she said tersely, folding her arms tightly to her chest. “Just leave me alone. Please.”

Rheta pulled her coat closed and sat down on the bench beside her. “You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to.” She gently smoothed a strand of hair away from Avery’s face. “I just want you to know that I’m here for you. We all are.”

With a sob, Avery threw herself into Rheta’s arms, burying her face in her scratchy wool coat.

Rheta stroked her hair. “I think I understand how you feel right now.”

“How can you?” Avery asked, pulling back to look at her.

“My father was an alcoholic, too.”

“I’m sorry. I never knew.”

“I don’t talk about it much. It’s in the past and I’m a private person. But it’s something that never leaves you, as you know. Growing up in that type of environment, I learned to take care of myself. To be self-reliant. Strong.” She gave Avery a soft smile. “Just like you.”

Avery shook her head. “I’m not strong.”

“Yes, you are. We’ve had this conversation before. Most people wouldn’t have come out on the other side of what you’ve experienced and still be warm and caring.”

Avery ducked her head. “Well, I’m not handling the current situation very well though, am I?”

“It’s a lot to take in. Give yourself some time to sort it all out.”

“Ok.” Avery closed her eyes. “But is it wrong that I’m still mad at him?” she whispered.

“No, Avery. That’s normal.”

“I don’t want to talk to him, either. I don’t want to have to feel sorry for him.” She lifted her eyes. “I don’t want him to ever think that what he did was ok.”

“I know. I’ve had to work through similar feelings about my own father.” Rheta paused and squeezed Avery’s cold hand. “Only mine died before I had a chance to talk to him about it. That’s a regret I still have to this day. I wish I’d told him how his drinking made me feel, like I didn’t matter enough for him to stop.” She looked deeply into Avery’s eyes. “You have an opportunity to start a dialogue with him. Going in to see him doesn’t mean that you’re condoning what he did. But I think it’s the first step on a path that leads to healing for you. Your life will be a lot better if you can let go of that big lodestone of bitterness that you’ve been dragging around for all these years.”

Avery shoulders stiffened.

“Unforgiveness is an insidious thing, Avery. It never ends up hurting the other person half as much as the one harboring it. It’s the poisonous pill
you
swallow hoping the other person will die.” Her cell phone pinged and she glanced down, reading the message. “That’s Marcus checking on you. He loves you and he’s worried about you.” She kissed Avery on the cheek. “I love you, too, and I trust you. I have complete confidence that you’ll make the right decision.”

Under the glaring fluorescent lights in the hospital corridor, Avery let go of Marcus’ hand.

“You sure you don’t want me to go in with you?” Marcus asked.

“Yeah.” She swallowed. “I just want to get this over with.”

“Alright.” He brushed his lips across hers and headed to the waiting area. She watched him for a moment, took a deep steadying breath, straightened her spine, and knocked on the door to her father’s hospital room.

“Hey sis,” Justin said in a whisper as he opened the door. “He’s been sleeping.” Justin threaded his arm around her waist and pulled her forward.

“How is he?”

He looked awful, frail and pale against the white hospital sheets. The monitor beeped out the rhythm of his heartbeat. As she watched he shifted slightly, winced in discomfort, and opened his eyes.

Arthur focused on them. His lips lifted in an attempted smile that looked more like a grimace. “I’m sorry,” he began, fumbling for the control to raise the bed.

“Let me help,” Justin insisted, reaching for the panel. The bed rose up so Arthur could sit. “How’s that?”

“Good. Thank you.” Arthur studied Justin and Avery for a moment, and then looked embarrassed. “The doctor spoke to you then?”

“Yeah, Dad,” Justin replied. “Why didn’t you tell us you were sick?”

“I didn’t want you to feel sorry for me… I just…” His raspy voice stumbled to a stop. He glanced around the room. His eyes came to rest on a pitcher sitting on the counter.

“Do you need some water?” Avery asked hesitantly, following the direction of his gaze.

“Yes, please.”

Avery poured some water into a plastic cup, put a straw in it, and brought it over to him. Their hands brushed against one another as she passed it to him. Even just that incidental contact made her flinch. She felt jumpy and uncomfortable around him.

Arthur gave her a sad, knowing glance as he took a couple of small pained sips.

“I want to apologize for all the trouble I’ve caused.” His eyes filled and his voice was raw. “I thought I was doing ok, and I just wanted to see you both one more time before the end.” He sighed. “I didn’t think much beyond that.” He started coughing and his hand went to his throat.

“Dad, you hurting?” Justin asked.

Arthur closed his eyes and nodded.

“I’ll go get a nurse.” He patted his father’s hand. “I’ll be right back.”

Avery watched Justin go before turning back to her dad. Their eyes met and held.

“I’m sorry to be such a bother, Kat. Justin told me you had a big sponsor dinner tonight.”

She nodded.

“I hope I didn’t ruin it.”

“No.” She took a deep breath. “It was winding down.” She fiddled with the cuff on her blouse. She didn’t know who to be when she was around him. An awkward silence filled the room.

“You’ve grown into a beautiful woman. Just like your mom.”

Avery’s eyes watered with emotion. She looked away. “Thanks,” she muttered.

“I bet you’re excited about going out on this tour,” he offered.

She shrugged. She wasn’t buying it. “You don’t want to hear about my stuff. You’re sick, Arthur. You need to rest.”

“I care about everything that’s going on with you, Kat.” His eyes glistened. “I’ve missed out on so much already.”

“Well, that was your choice, wasn’t it?” she accused, peeling the lid back on her anger. “What do you really want from me?”

“I just want a chance.”

“A chance,” she scoffed. “A chance for what?”

“A chance to show you that I’ve changed. A chance to get to know you again. A chance to prove to you how sorry I am that I failed you as a father.”

“Did you really expect me to just say yes, to forget everything, and take you back with open arms just because you’re sick?”

“No. I didn’t expect that. Forgetting the past is something I don’t think either one of us can ever do. And no, I didn’t expect you to let me back into your life because I’m sick. I wasn’t even going to tell you. But I have to admit that if it’s pity that gets you to let me back into your life. I’ll take it. I’m desperate.”

“I’m sorry.” She stared at the floor. “I just can’t do that.”

He didn’t say anything. When she looked back up she saw that he was crying. “I understand,” he whispered. “Really I do.”

Shit.
Her gaze fell to the floor. Twisting her hands together, her eyes filled, too.

“Rest your eyes.” Marcus tucked Avery’s head into his chest, holding her close.

She sighed and he felt her shoulders relax as she snuggled into his side.

He ran his long fingers through the silky coppery strands of her hair. He glanced in the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of the Vancouver skyline as they crossed the Granville Bridge and left downtown behind. His muscles ached from all the tension. Unease trickled down his spine.

Ray met his gaze in the mirror. “Is she ok?” he whispered.

“Yeah,” Marcus replied, kissing the top of her head. “You know Avery. Life keeps throwing her curveballs, but she keeps on swinging.”

Ray nodded soberly.

By the time they crossed Thirty-Third Street, her breathing had evened out. Marcus’ flattened lips turned down into a frown. The entire evening had been an emotional drain. The downtime he had anticipated at the apartment had been spent at the hospital. They’d barely had time to pick up their bags on the way to the airport.

Worry gnawed at his insides and his hand tightened possessively on her hip. Their idyllic interlude in Vancouver was over. He’d been dreading this for weeks. Soon they would be out on the road. Exposed. Any mistakes or missteps were sure to be magnified. The pressure on their relationship would be immense. Avery would have tons of guys throwing themselves at her. Better guys. He was forced to confront the very real possibility that he might lose her.

He took in a deep breath. The familiar scent of her coconut shampoo flooded his senses and helped to ease his anxiety.

“My mom made the two of you some of Avery’s favorite oatmeal cookies,” Ray said interrupting his troubled thoughts.

“That’s very kind of her. I’m sure we’ll enjoy them. Give her our thanks, would you?”

“Sure, Boss.” Ray turned his attention back to the road. “Mom also wanted me to mention that she’s praying for you both.”

“Thanks,” he replied.
We’re definitely gonna need it.

Ray pulled the Mercedes into a restricted area of the airport next to a large metal hanger for Sunset Air. His gaze flicked back at Marcus. “I’ll get your bags unloaded and up to the plane.”

Marcus nodded, and shifted his body to wake Avery. “We’re here,” he said softly and kissed the side of her mouth.

“Hmmm,” she replied sleepily, snuggling closer.

“Ace,” he said more firmly.

“What?” she grumbled, opening her eyes.

“It’s time to board the plane,” Marcus informed her gently. Avery was always a little grouchy when she first woke up.

“Ok.” She rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms over her head.

Marcus’ gaze dropped to her chest as her shirt stretched tightly across her breasts. He groaned as his body inconveniently hardened in a rush.

Avery looked at him, the sides of her mouth curving up seductively. She threw a knee over his lap and gathered the front of his blue t-shirt into her hands before molding her soft lips to his.

Heat spread out in every direction of his body.
Forget convenience
. This was how it was gonna be the whole damn tour. He was gonna have to take it where he could get it. He subtly increased the pressure between their lips to open her mouth so he could taste her. Greedily, he traced the contours of her mouth, feeling her shortened breath against his lips. He moved his hands up and under her shirt. Suddenly, there was a knock on the back window, startling them both. They broke apart, chests heaving.

“Dammit!” Marcus cursed, tugging her shirt back into place.

“Save it for the honeymoon, guys,” Dwight said chuckling. “The pilot’s ready to take off.”

Marcus opened the door and reached back for Avery’s hand. Her cheeks were flushed as he helped her get out of the car.