Free Love Rock'ollection: The Brutal Strength Rock Star Trilogy, books 1-3 by Michelle Mankin Page B

really want to hear about your song.”
    Once Avery had the warm mug in her hands, they moved back into the living room and sat down across from each other. Avery’s knee started bouncing up and down. Marcus looked pointedly at her. “Hey, stop that,” he ordered. “Don’t be nervous. I’m sure it’s good, so don’t worry. If it’s not something I think is right for the album, trust me, I’ll tell you. Let’s always be honest with each other. I’ve got more than enough people around who blow smoke up my ass.”
    Inwardly Avery cringed. More and more her deception was tangling her up in knots, but she just gave him a nod. She was in too deep to turn back now. She unpacked her guitar and pulled out her journal, flipping through the worn pages.
    “Can I see that?” Marcus asked.
    She nodded and passed it to him for closer inspection.
    He was quiet for a while examining the pages. “Pretty impressive. You draw too?”
    “Just a little,” she shrugged, taking the journal back when he offered. Her emerald eyes connected with his. “I’m nervous about whether or not you’ll like the song. Justin told me it was too sappy to use.”
    “Let me be the judge of that, Avery. Maybe it was just too emotional of a thing for him to deal with.”
    “Maybe you’re right,” she conceded, laying her notebook on the glass coffee table and pulling her guitar onto her lap. “He also said the chord progression is too simple and sounds too much like Aerosmith’s ‘Dream On’…” She trailed off as she started playing the sweet melody, singing the words with her voice lowered to a whisper…
     
    Ages since I saw your face
    My tears fill the empty space
    Details that I can’t recall
    Afraid I’m gonna lose them all
     
    Mom, while memories fade, your songs reveal
    Our love remains, my heart will heal
     
    A box of music I keep close
    For when I need your presence most
    Mystery it holds for me
    What’s inside brings clarity
     
    Mom, while memories fade, your songs reveal
    Our love remains, my heart will heal
     
    Though I sing each out of my despair
    Deep inside I know you’re there
    Words unlock each memory
    Your warmth, your smile returns to me
     
    Silence filled the apartment when she finished. Avery shifted around self-consciously on the sectional, anxious to find out what Marcus thought.
    Marcus exhaled slowly and said in an awed whisper, “Whoa… I could really feel the longing and sadness in the lyrics. Avery, I have to tell you songs like that are the reason I do what I do.”
    She nodded, knowing exactly what he meant.
    “And you have to be the one to sing it on the album.”
    “Oh, no, no, no.” She shook her head reluctantly, always uncomfortable being the center of attention on stage. Justin had never pushed her to do anything more than backup vocals, and that’s the way she liked it.
    “Listen,” he said, putting his hands firmly on her shoulders for emphasis. “I can’t even sing in that key. Besides, you’ve got to know you have a great voice, Ace.”
    She grinned, pleased by the compliment, and the fact that their relationship had apparently progressed to the nickname stage.
    “I am more than happy, being the prima donna I am,” he continued, dimple peeking out, “to sing lead most of the time, but this is your song, for your mom, ok?” He sat back, seeming to be waiting for her to agree.
    She closed her eyes for a moment, hesitant. But she wanted to do this to honor her mother’s memory, and Marcus believed she was capable of doing it. Reopening her eyes, Avery nodded in agreement.
    “The song’s great as it is, but …” He stood up and motioned for her to follow. “Bring your stuff. I want to show you something.”
    Avery followed him down the hall to the studio, her lids lowering appreciatively as her gaze slid down from his broad shoulders to his longs legs. She found herself utterly captivated by the view of his back side.
    Her cheeks warmed. The man sure looked great in his