Love Resolution

After the encore, Avery rushed back out on stage to gather up the roses that had now become routine at the end of every show. When she came back off, she ran into Trevor. “Do you know where Marcus is?” she asked breathlessly.

“He lit out of here right after the encore. I heard him tell Dwight he was going back to the hotel.”

“Ok.” Her brow furrowed. Though he hadn’t specifically said they’d go back over to the hotel together she had hoped that they would. “Can you call up one of the drivers? I need to go there, too.”

“Sure, but don’t forget you’ve got a meet and greet.”

“I know. I know,” she snapped. “Humphrey’s at eleven. I’ll get my fake smile ready.”

Trevor’s eyebrows rose above the rim of his glasses.

“I’m sorry.” Quick tears brimmed in her eyes, nerves jangling. “I’m sorry I was short. It’s just…” She shrugged. “I’ll be there,” she said, with a heavy sigh.

Hurrying back through the maze of cinderblock corridors, dodging people and equipment, she finally reached the parking garage and ducked into a waiting SUV with tinted windows.

“Miss Jones,” the tour driver greeted her before swiveling around.

“Evening, David,” she mumbled distractedly, leaning back in her seat and rubbing her bare arms. She hadn’t even bothered to shower or change. Her silk top was damp with sweat. Catching a sudden chill, she fiddled with the temperature controls in the back seat while the vehicle weaved in and out of the concert traffic around the waterfront. She took in a deep breath when they finally pulled into the front driveway of the Shelter Island hotel.

Avery thanked the driver, slid out of the backseat, and slammed the door before hastening through the lobby. She was barely cognizant of the quick stares of recognition from the people that she passed.

Quick, purposeful steps brought her to Marcus’ door at the end of the hall. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess. She tried to steady her nerves by running her fingers through her hair to smooth out the tangles.

Ok. She was ready. She rapped on the door, took a deep breath, and waited. Thinking her knock had been too tentative to be heard, she lifted her hand to try again. Suddenly, the door opened.

“Avery.” Marcus dipped his head in acknowledgment, one hand holding the door open, the other holding up the towel that was draped around his narrow waist. “What are you doing here?”

“We’re supposed to talk. Don’t you remember?”

“Uh, yeah, but maybe now’s not the best time.”

“Who is it, Marcus?” a woman’s voice inquired from inside the room.

Avery felt her veins turn to ice as a platinum blonde appeared behind Marcus, her hair wet and dripping into the collar of a hotel robe.

“You didn’t tell me it was going to be a threesome.” She pouted while Avery stood stricken, held hostage by the horrible drama unfolding before her.

Avery blinked her eyes shut. “No!” Her mind tried to flee from the truth while her heart sought to barricade itself behind useless denials. Her eyes reopening, she swayed, struggling to find footing in the face of her worst fears realized.

Everything came into sharp focus in a blinding rush. The water droplets glistening on the black lettering of Marcus’ shoulder tat, the sound of her ragged breath, the erratic pounding of her shattered heart.

“Avery,” Marcus called and reached out to catch her, fingers curling around her upper arms.

“Don’t touch me!” It made her sick for his hands to be on her after they’d just been all over that woman. “Damn you!” Fury galvanized her frozen body into motion. She shrugged out of his grasp. “I loved you. Why would you do this to me?”

The man looking back at her was a total stranger, his face an impenetrable mask.

I’m always here for you. No matter what.

Those words of his had been lies. She’d been played for a fool. All the confidences they’d shared obviously meant nothing to him. Had any of it mattered? She felt naked and exposed, completely vulnerable. A low mournful moan escaped her lips. Hot tears of mortification burned her eyes. “I hate you,” she whispered, ripped the engagement ring off her finger, and threw it at his feet.

She didn’t stop to watch it land. She had to get out of there before she broke down completely.

Now.

Tears sheeted over her eyes, blinding her. She stumbled back down the narrow hotel corridor, through the debris of her obliterated hopes and dreams.

When she finally reached the lobby, she ran to the glass door and threw it open. Sucking in a deep breath of the cold night air, shivering, she wrapped her arms tightly around herself, struggling to think.

“Avery?”

She turned.

“What’s happened?” Ray exclaimed after looking at her face.

She shook her head. “I need to get out of here.”

“Ok. Alright, Avery.” He spoke in a soothing tone, as if she were a frightened animal ready to bolt. “I’ll drive you wherever you want to go.”

“No.” She rubbed the back of her hand across her wet eyes. “I need some time to think. By myself. Alone.”

“You know I can’t let you do that. It’s not safe. And in the state you’re in, I don’t think it would be a very good idea.”

“That’s too bad, Ray,” she said defiantly, “because that’s what I’m gonna do.” She marched to the first taxi in the cue, opened the door, and climbed in. Leaning forward, she told the driver where she wanted to go.

When she sat back, Ray was standing at the side window. She rolled it down.

“Don’t do this,” Ray pleaded, his hand resting on the bottom frame of the window as if he could somehow prevent the car from leaving.

“I have to.” She turned over his hand and placed her cell phone in it.

“Good bye, Ray.”