Love Resolution

Marcus peeled the coated paper off a stick of gum. He scanned the packed room at the Encore Club, the designated meet and greet location on the top level of the arena. The glitterati of Seattle decked out in diamonds and designer watches mixed and mingled with the press and band members from Brutal Strength and Tempest. Drink glasses, the unofficial accessory, adorned the hands of the attendees, and he suspected white powder was probably being liberally dispensed and snorted like appetizers in adjoining bathroom stalls.

Avery stood near the bar, a beautiful unblemished red rose. She far outclassed the lanyard laced butt-kissing dandelions that surrounded her. His gaze raked over her form. He frowned, not approving of her post concert attire. The little black dress barely covered her ass. Sure it made her long legs look sexier than hell, but if she bent over…Well, she better not. Unless it was for him, later on, and in private.

Watching all the men ogling her made him clench his jaw so tight that one of his muscles started to twitch. Then she lifted her glass of sparkling water to her full lips. Holy shit! Instead of sleeves the dress had long slashes, allowing anyone who was watching a scintillating view of the side of her naked breast. Crossing the room, he silently cursed Samantha, whom he suspected was influencing Avery’s clothing choices more and more.

Avery glanced up when he got near. “Marcus.” Her lips curved up, giving him an intimate smile.

“Avery,” he acknowledged.

“Feeling better, now?” she asked uncertainty in her eyes.

“Gentlemen, you’ll have to excuse us,” he said abruptly, pulling her away from the admiring throng. He drew her by the elbow over to a corner of the room, beside a large Love Evolution tour mural, custom painted, a KeyArena logo strategically placed in the upper corner. “What the hell are you wearing?” he growled.

“A black dress.” She glanced down. Her lips pursed. “What’s wrong with it?” she asked him with a note of teasing in her voice, fingers splayed across her chest. “Everything’s covered up.”

“Not from the sides, it isn’t,” he hissed under his breath. “Do not lift your arms any more tonight. I almost had a heart attack a second ago.”

“I like it.” Her chin lifted. “It makes me feel pretty and sexy.”

“Yes it definitely does, but damn it…” He frowned. What was it with her lately? Why was she fighting him so much about what she wore? “I just don’t want anyone else seeing what’s mine.”

“Ok.” She gave a conciliatory smile. “I promise to keep my arms…”

“Avery Jones?” a confident female voice interrupted.

She turned.

“Kimberly Schaffer, Rolling Stone.”

“Nice to meet you.” Her elegant silver cuff bracelet sparkling under the room’s pendant lighting, Avery clasped the hand the lovely brunette offered. She smiled enthusiastically. “I just read your article on Blackberry Smoke and the resurgence of southern rock. It was a brilliant piece.”

“Thanks so much.” The warm smile the reporter wore transformed into a radiant beam.

“For nothing. Right after I read it, I downloaded both their albums. I’m a total fan now.”

“So am I.” Kimberly took her by the elbow and drew her aside without even acknowledging Marcus.

Avery gave him an apologetic glance.

“Do you have time for a couple of quick questions?” Kimberly asked.

“It’s ok, Avery,” Marcus said in response to her questioning look. “I need to speak to Dwight.”

“Alright.” She shifted her attention back to the reporter.

“My sources say you might be leaving Brutal Strength and starting a solo career after this tour. Can you comment on that?”

Marcus hesitated, hoping to catch her response. He knew she had agreed to work on some solo material for Mary, but this was the first time he’d heard that spin on it.

“There’s no truth to that,” Avery replied. “Brutal Strength’s where I belong.”

Good answer, Marcus thought.

“After your performance tonight, no one would fault you if you went out on your own. You made the show.”

Marcus hands were tightly fisted by the time he reached Dwight. The Rolling Stone chick was right, he grimly acknowledged. Avery’s performance had been flawless. She’d been the only one who’d had her shit together. And if she decided to pursue this solo thing on the side, he would give her his full support, as long as it didn’t adversely affect the band.

“Stop frowning, little brother,” Dwight said through a tight smile. “The vultures are watching. They’ll be saying that you’re jealous of your fiancée’s success.”

“That’s bullshit. I am happy for her,” Marcus replied through clenched teeth. “But I’m pissed as hell at the rest of us. We sucked.”

“I agree. Not our best outing for sure, but…” Dwight trailed off, tilting his head as he studied Marcus. His blue eyes narrowed and his tone flattened. “Dammit. You’ve been drinking.”

“Just a couple of beers,” he hedged. And several shots of Crown Royal, but he didn’t mention that.

“Dammit, Marcus!” Dwight grabbed his arm, forcing him to meet his gaze. “Not cool, man.”

“Give me a break, bro. It’s just alcohol. You act like I’m using again,” Marcus said, shrugging out of his grip.

“You shouldn’t even touch the stuff. Not with your history.”

“Marcus. Dwight,” Trevor acknowledged as he walked up. “I’d like you to meet Dan Reed from the Seattle Times and Brenda Davis from KOMO News.”

Pasting a neutral expression on his face, Marcus took a turn after Dwight shaking hands with the local VIP’s.

“Had a little trip up on stage tonight?” Dan needled with raised bushy grey brows.

“It happens.” Marcus frowned. “We could’ve been a little tighter.”

“Yeah, but your opening band was smoking,” Brenda cooed. “Local boys, too.” She looked to Trevor. “Could we get an introduction?”

“Sure.” Trevor met Marcus’ irritated gaze over the blonde’s head. He shrugged before steering the two reporters over to where the Tempest guys had gathered.

“Eff it. I don’t even know why I bothered to come,” Marcus grumbled. Catching Avery’s attention, he jerked a thumb at the door.

She nodded and put a hand on Kimberly’s arm, obviously making her apologies.

“Don’t take this kinda stuff personally, Marcus,” Dwight admonished, tapping a reaffirming hand on Marcus’ shoulder. “It’s not worth getting shit faced over, for sure.”

“It told you it was just a couple of beers. Get off my case,” Marcus dismissed, heading to where Avery awaited near the exit.

“Avery,” Sam called out, stopping them.

“What now?” Marcus rolled his eyes.

“Y’all leaving?”

“Yeah.” Avery gave him a quick glance. “Marcus is ready to go.”

“I thought you were going dancing with us?”

“I’m sorry.” Avery let out a wistful sigh. “I can’t.”

“Go ahead,” Marcus said gruffly. “But I’m staying in. I’m not in the mood.”

“No.” Avery shook her head. “That’s alright. I’ll stay with you.”

“I don’t need a babysitter,” he snapped. “I managed to take care of myself just fine before you came along.”

Avery took a step back, eyes glistening.

“C’mon girl,” Sam encouraged. “Let’s go.”

Marcus softened his tone. “Take Ray with you.”