Free Love Evolution by Michelle Mankin Page B

melancholy feel to the song. ” Exactly what she had wanted. “ It ’ s perfect, Marcus. ”
    After a couple of hours, they were both pleased with the arrangement of the song. Marcus was one of those artists who instinctively knew where to add each additional element to a song, taking it from above average to extraordinary. He called Dalton to let him know to expect another recording, and then arranged to meet with the rest of the band at Black Cat the following afternoon to finalize it.
    Marcus looked at his watch, wincing at the time. “ I ’ ve got an early morning workout with my trainer. He ’ s gonna kick my butt. ”
    Avery bit on her lip to keep from smiling. ‘ Mind, do not go there. ’  
    “ I ’ ll call Ray to take you home. ”
    When he hung up, he grinned and clapped Avery on the back.  “ I can ’ t believe we have two songs for the album already. I am so stoked. ” His expression turning serious, he admitted, “ I feel privileged to have this song on the album, Ace.  And I ’ ve got to say working with you these past few days, collaborating like we have, ” he pointed back and forth between the two of them, “ it ’ s been like a spiritual thing for me. ”
    “ Me, too, ” Avery managed to say, while thinking how very quickly their relationship had become that and so much more to her. 
     
     
     

CHAPTER 11 
     
    Coleman was really torturing Marcus, alternating cardio and weights with little rest between sets.  Stephen had insisted Marcus get a personal trainer after he came back from the Betty Ford Center. Marcus, never having worked out a day in his life, had almost run the other way when he ’ d first been introduced to Larry Coleman. Built like an NFL safety, all six feet of him solid muscle, Coleman was an intimidating dude, the kind who made you feel like you had to go into training just to start working out with him.
    Ok, ok, he was actually really grateful to Stephen for the directive. He had been right about exercise being a healthy stress reliever. It helped Marcus channel his frustration when people inevitably didn ’ t measure up to his high standards. 
    Marcus could barely catch his breath. His arms trembled with exhaustion. Coleman ’ s workouts were a challenge on a good day, next to impossible on a bad one. Today fell into the latter.
    Though physically worn out, his mind still raced. His thoughts kept coming back to the newest member of Brutal Strength. He wasn ’ t sure exactly what it was about Avery that intrigued him. He had meant it about the connection. They both felt the same way about music, that creating it was a compulsion, a passion, and not just a job.
    There was something more, though. Something he couldn ’ t quite identify. Something so totally different from any of his previous friendships, that it puzzled him. Why did he want to be around Avery all the time? And why did he feel this overwhelming desire … to protect him?
    “ Hey Marcus, pay attention. ”
    Marcus swore Coleman had a maniacal gleam in his eye.
    “ You still have five more minutes-plenty of time to do twenty more burpies ! ”
    Marcus groaned, dropped to the ground, and began the set of squat- thrust- pushups. 
    *****
    Later that afternoon, Dalton caught Marcus just as Ray dropped him off at the studio. “ Hey. I just heard ‘ Brothers. ’ Wow! It is wicked good. Queen Mary is salivating all over her royal self. She already has plans in place to release it as a single. ”
    Marcus looked at him with chagrin. “ I haven ’ t even heard the final version. ”
    “ Well come on, dude. Come listen. ” Dalton pulled him into the mixing booth, put the headphones on Marcus ’ head, and started the tape.
    Marcus listened, transfixed. Avery ’ s opening guitar riff was immensely appealing, the lyrics were catchy, and as usual, Dalton ’ s arrangement was nothing short of masterful. Marcus ripped off the headphones, a big grin covering his face. “ Dalton you are a genius!