“I don’t have much time to talk, Mom. We’re getting ready to take off for LA.”
“That’s ok. I didn’t call to talk. I called for you to listen.”
Shit.
“I’ve already expressed my displeasure to you about the drinking. I think I made it perfectly clear that I expect that to stop.”
“I know, Mom.”
She was on a roll, proceeding as if he hadn’t even spoken. “Your father and I love you, but I’m sure you understand that the consequences of this DUI are yours to face. Now about you and Avery. Exactly when were you planning to tell me?”
Double shit.
“What do you mean?” he hedged.
“Marcus Thomas Anthony, don’t try that with me. I’m your mother. I don’t need to be there on that tour with you to know everything that’s going on.”
“Alright. Ok, Mom. I broke it off with her.”
“She called her brother last night, you know. Your father and I had to talk Justin down. He wanted to come down there and I quote, ‘kick your egotistical ass.’”
There was a long uncomfortable pause on the line. Marcus ran a hand through his hair before finally speaking. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Mom.”
“Did she give you back Grandma Susan’s ring?”
“No. Not yet, but…”
“Then there’s still hope.”
“No, Mom. It’s over. I know you’re very pro Avery.” Marcus stopped to clear his throat.
“I want the best for both of you,” Rheta responded. “I just don’t understand why you would throw it all away.”
“It’s not open for discussion,” he told her firmly, glancing up as he heard the sound of voices. “I’m sorry, Mom,” he said as Avery walked in accompanied by Trevor, Sam, JR, and Ray. “I’ve gotta go.”
Her gaze met his. She bit down on her lip, her eyes filling before they slid away.
“Where have you guys been?” he growled. Seeing her like this tore at him, knowing it was his fault, and also knowing he couldn’t take care of her anymore. “We were supposed to take off fifteen minutes ago.”
“So what?” JR shrugged. “You need to chill, man.” He dropped down on the couch and pulled Sam onto his lap.
“Sorry, Marcus,” Trevor intervened, setting down his bag. “We ran into a bit of traffic.”
Sam giggled as JR brushed his mustache against the side of her neck.
“Hmm,” she murmured, eyes closing.
“Take that shit in private,” Marcus remarked acidly, looking away to find Avery staring at the couple, sadness swirling in her misty eyes.
“I’m taking the bedroom,” she blurted out to no one in particular. “I need to lie down. I have a headache.”
Avery fell into a shallow sleep for the short flight from San Francisco to LA. When the plane touched down, her eyes opened and her head started to pound, hurting for real this time.
She slipped on her shoes and went back out into the lounge. “Does anyone have any Tylenol?” she asked.
“I do,” Sam answered. “In my purse.” She dug around and pulled out a bottle. She uncapped it and handed a couple to Avery.
“Thanks,” Avery mumbled, taking a seat near the window, avoiding making eye contact with anyone.
“I’ll get you a water,” Trevor said moving to the fridge.
By the time she’d finished the bottle, the portable stairs had been rolled up to the jet. “What’s on the schedule today?” she asked Trevor, watching disinterested as the others gathered their things.
“You’ll have a couple of hours of free time at the hotel, Mr. C. Beverly Hills. Then you have a sound check at the Forum at two, and then I need you back at the venue at eight for the concert.”
“Ok.” Avery stood slowly, head throbbing. Rubbing a hand over her eyes, she moved across the plane to throw her empty bottle into the recycling bin. She ran right into Marcus who apparently had been heading full steam for the exit.
“Oh!” She grabbed onto his upper arms to steady herself.
“Excuse me,” he muttered voice gruff, his taut biceps flexing beneath her hands.
She didn’t move, couldn’t move, savoring the warmth and feel of him. When her gaze finally lifted from where it had stalled out on the center of his chest, she encountered his blue as the Caribbean eyes and fell into them with a splash.
Her grip tightened. She didn’t want to let him go. Not now, not ever.
His hands came up and covered hers.
“Marcus, please,” she pleaded, moistening her lips and moved in closer. “I miss you so much. Talk to me. I know we can work this out.”
He stared at her. A moment passed, and then