Love Rock'ollection: The Brutal Strength Rock Star Trilogy, books 1-3 (24 page)

Justin thought for a moment. “Let’s try Trevor.”

A short phone call to the twins’ agent’s office yielded more useful information. “His secretary says he’s only taking messages until he gets back from LA. Justin, he must be here in town for the Grammy nomination concert,” Antonia informed him excitedly. “I read about it in the paper. Most of the artists are staying at the Ritz. Traffic’s being rerouted around the whole LA Live entertainment complex tonight because of it. I bet if you go over to the hotel, you can talk to him in person.”

“I’m on it.” Justin grabbed his car keys. “Trevor Barnes is in for one hell of a surprise when he sees me.”

‘
WELCOME TO
SURREAL City
,’ Avery thought, as she waited to go on amid the sights and sounds backstage at the Nokia Theatre. The night was young, but she’d already seen enough celebrities to make her eyeballs spin. She’d watched flawless performances by pop icons Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, and she’d stared slack jawed and tongue tied as rock ‘n roll legends Robert Plant and Pete Townshend casually strolled right by her. And now she was about to take the stage as a member of one of the biggest acts of them all.

Though Avery was an internal wreck, Mary had certainly made sure she looked as if she belonged. Each band member had endured a marathon primping session at her behest. Avery was outfitted in her preppy best, in monochrome with her trademark newsboy cap. Next to her, JR grinned ear to ear, shirtless. Dwight was handsomely attired in a black button down with silver accessories, but Marcus outshined them all in his black leather pants and boots offset by a white t-shirt. Every sculpted inch of him plus his confident attitude screamed quintessential rock god.

Avery tried not to stare, but he was very distracting. Especially since she knew him so well. Knew that there was another side to him. A sensitive and less confident side. That just made him more real and appealing to her. She loved both sides of him, and just a few days ago, she could have enjoyed these moments together as friends. But now, he seemed closed off and unreachable.

She peeked out at the audience, all seven-thousand of them, mostly fans but also other recording artists, producers, executives, and media. Suddenly, she felt lightheaded. “Oh crap, I think I’m gonna be sick,” she warned to no one in particular spinning around and bolting for the nearest bathroom.

“Look out, we’ve got a runner,” JR commented drily.

“I was afraid that might happen,” Dwight muttered.

“I’ll get him,” Marcus told them before jogging after their bolting guitarist. He leaned against the wall and waited for Avery to reemerge.

Lucky for Avery, the men’s restroom had been empty. But when she came out with a wet paper towel over her lips, Marcus was there.

Noting the pallor and the panic in Avery’s eyes, he tried hard not to smile. “You ok Ace?”

“I’m sorry, Marcus. I can’t do this,” Avery stated emphatically, her right leg working rhythmically like a convulsion. “Did you see all those people out there? Eddie Van Halen is in the first row! Eddie freakin’ Van Halen!” If she was looking for sympathy, she found only mirth sparkling in his blue eyes. The turd. He thought this was funny. “Don’t mock me, you cretin!” She kicked his steel-toed boot. “Ouch,” she grimaced as the pain shot straight up her calf.

Marcus’ grin only got wider. He began to laugh.

And just like that, in an instant, Avery’s fear was forgotten. His genuine smile and the sound of his easy laughter warmed her top to bottom. She crossed her arms over her flattened chest and peered up at him. Tapping her foot, pretending impatience, she raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to stop.

Marcus wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, and his expression turned serious. He reached out about to put his hands on Avery’s shoulders, the way he might have before, but pulled back at the last moment. “Sorry, Ace. I couldn’t help it. You had yourself really worked up there. And I’m not the least bit worried. I know you’re ready, and I know you’re not gonna let us down. BS needs you out there. You belong on that stage. You’re gonna slay ‘em. So let’s go.” He didn’t wait for a reply, as if he had no doubt Avery would follow.

Just before going on stage, Marcus called everyone over for the group huddle. Glances were exchanged again from beneath clasped arms, Avery’s gaze lingering on Marcus long after he turned away. She had a hollow feeling in the pit of her recently emptied stomach and knew that this performance with him might very well be her last.

The large theatre was quiet, just a low hum of voices awaiting the final act. A stage hand wielding an iPad walked over to them and gave them the word. “You’re up next.”

They filed out and took their respective places on the darkened stage while the audience watching at home on their televisions saw only a commercial. Positioned forward toward the edge of the stage and wound as tightly as a coiled spring, Avery clutched her guitar neck and waited. When the blinding stage lights came up, all that tension was released, and she channeled all the energy into one of the best performances of her young life.

The whole group pulled out all the stops. JR’s spinning sticks never touched the ground. Even Dwight hammed it up as he laid out his groove. But what really sparked the crowd was the chemistry that she and Marcus managed to capture, at least this one last time. Every cue he set down she picked up, every vocal phrase he left hanging she completed.

As the band exited to a standing ovation, Avery was still feeling a little jittery from the nonstop adrenaline surge. She jumped when her agent pulled her aside. “What is it, Trevor?” she asked, noting the intense expression on his face.

He pulled her in closer and leaned his head down so his voice wouldn’t carry. “Jeff called my office and wanted to know what to do with the money we wired him.”

“What do you mean? Crap! He was supposed to pay off Campanella!” she exclaimed.

“That might be a little difficult to do, kid.” He smiled letting her in on the joke. “Considering the fact that he was arrested today.”

“Righteous,” Avery breathed, smiling free and easy for the first time since Campanella had burned her arm. Her days of worrying about mobsters lurking around every dark corner were finally over. Divine justice had been served. Maybe this was a sign that things wouldn’t go as badly as she feared when she told Marcus the truth tonight. She could certainly hope.

Trevor crooked his arm around Avery as they rejoined the band.

All the members of BS stayed together during the post-concert meet and greet with the VIP’s. Stephen kept the introductions coming, including a succession of movie executives and video game moguls who were interested in buying the rights to use BS’s songs.

Avery tried several times to speak to Marcus alone. She wanted to tell him the truth and get it over with. Her stomach was in knots. Though the buffet tables were laden with all sorts of tantalizing food, she didn’t dare touch any of it.

After an hour of small talk and smoozing, things finally began to wind down. She spotted Marcus alone over near one of the melting ice sculptures, talking on his cell. When he finished the call, she asked, “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure, Ace. What’s up?” He pocketed his cell.

“I really need to tell you something, but I can’t do it here. Can we go somewhere private to talk?”

“I’m sorry, Avery. Can’t it wait until morning? That was Veronica on the phone. I told her I was on my way over to her party.”

“Sure,” Avery replied dully. “That’s great. No problem.”

Why not prolong the agony even further?

“GOOD EVENING, MR. JONES,” the doorman greeted Justin warmly as he entered the Ritz Carlton at the street level.

That was weird
, Justin thought, wondering how in the world the guy knew his name.
Guess he mistook me for someone else.
Jones was a common enough last name after all.

He went straight to the elevator, taking it up to the twenty-third floor lobby. Passing through the modern minimalistic inspired space, he’d almost reached the front desk when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Spinning around, he was surprised to find himself face to face with a vaguely familiar and exceptionally beautiful woman.

“How’d you get here so fast, honey?” she slurred, wobbling unsteadily on stiletto heels, judging by the heavy alcohol fumes she was breathing he imagined he could get drunk just standing next to her.

“You look really yummy tonight, baby.” She gave him a seductive look through her lashes.

He suddenly realized who she was.
Veronica Martinez. Miss V. Wow!
“Especially now that you’ve changed outfits,” she continued. “I never been a big fan of the metro look.” She touched his arm suggestively. His jaw dropped. She was definitely coming on to him. “Come on upstairs with me. I’d love to have you help me kick off my after-party. We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other better one on one before everyone arrives, if you know what I mean.” Her lips curved into a wanton smile. She leaned in closer pressing her boobs into him, blew into his ear, and then kissed his neck with her moistened lips.

‘
Hot damn!
’ Justin thought. Everything else could wait. He wasn’t about to turn down what she was offering. “Sure, baby,” he agreed, sliding his arm around her tiny waist as they got on the elevator together.

Once she had guitarist inside her suite, V could not have been more pleased. Avery had seemed reluctant and timid before, but not anymore. The handsome red head was eager and bold now. He knew his way around a woman’s body that much was obvious. And he was definitely ready to find new uses for those talented hands.

This was absolutely perfect. Just how she’d planned it. A love triangle with two musicians in the same band. She couldn’t ask for any better publicity than that. Hopefully, Marcus would show up soon.

V cracked open her secret stash, the real good stuff, wanting to make sure the BS guitarist had another reason to stick around. They were both flying high and feeling invincible as the guests began to arrive for the party.

MARCUS WAS REMEMBERING the look of disappointment on Avery’s face earlier. He’d actually changed his mind and gone back to hear him out, but he’d already left. Then he’d been held up by a broken escalator that required security to reroute all the VIP’s the long way around to the hotel. But he was finally at Veronica’s suite now.

He paused inside the doorway, acknowledging V’s personal assistant, who manned his post looking sullen. He felt uneasy as he surveyed the dimly lit scene, frowning at the rampant drugs and debauchery that was so open and commonplace at these parties. He didn’t feel right being there, and he was just about to turn around and leave when he spotted something across the room that completely blew his mind.

Avery and V in a clench, lips locked on each other.
What the hell?
He felt a sharp stab of betrayal. He unfortunately knew V’s ethics or lack thereof, but Avery’s underhandedness had him baffled and angry.

He started to close the distance between them when V’s hulking bodyguard and her scrawny assistant blocked his path. “Out of my effing way!” he roared.