Love Resolution - By Michelle Mankin Page 0,89

there soon, though. The acoustics are a little unusual. I’ll feel better after we do a thorough sound check.”

Avery was a bundle of nerves and had been the whole time they’d rehearsed. She couldn’t believe she was actually here. Even Wimberley Stadium didn’t stand out as a more prestigious venue in her estimation. This was where she had always dreamed of playing from the moment she first picked up a guitar.

She stared up at the concave ceiling and then out at the rows and rows of empty seats. Twenty thousand fans would be here soon. Thinking about all the famous acts that had played here before her had her feeling even more intimidated.

Zeppelin.

The Stones.

The Beatles.

Her beloved Van Halen.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm down. She might need longer than the moment Marcus had allotted to her while he went to get changed. Moving to the edge of the stage, she sat down, dangling her legs over the side. She swung them back and forth, running through the set list in her mind.

“Can I join you?”

“Sure, Ray.” Avery patted the space next to her, watching as he got settled. “Some view, huh?”

He nodded. “I don’t know how you do it. I would be a nervous wreck standing on a stage in front of this many people.”

“Oh I get nervous,” she admitted. “Pretty nervous right now in fact. But I’ll be alright when it’s showtime. Instincts kinda take over and all that.” Her brow furrowed. “Did you get nervous in Kuwait?”

“You bet. But I was well trained, well equipped, and had a good team around me…like you here in the Garden. And then those instincts kick in, right?”

“Yeah.” She turned her head and smiled softly at him.

“I wanted to give you your birthday gift before the party if that’s ok?” He reached in his jacket pocket.

“Oh, Ray. You didn’t have to get me anything.”

“I wanted to. It’s nothing big or expensive. I’ve had it for a while now. It reminded me of the talk we had in Seattle, you know about life and choices.”

“I remember.”

He handed her a wide black leather bracelet with the words “Always Look Forward” stitched in silver.

“I love it.” Tears touched her eyes. She picked up his hand where it lay between them on the stage and squeezed. “Thanks. I’ll think of you and what you told me every time I wear it.”

He smiled.

“Hey, Avery. Ray,” Sam shouted, waving at them from the lighting board.

She waved back, her nerves completely forgotten now.

Sam gave them a thumbs up. Ray stood and patted her on the shoulder. “See you after the show,” he said.

Avery gave herself a few minutes longer, and then told herself it was time. She pushed up from the stage. When she turned, he was standing there.

“Hey.” Bryan’s hands went to her shoulders.

“Hey.” She glanced down at her feet, suddenly feeling jittery again. Her stomach pitched precariously.

“Your text said we needed to talk.” Bryan’s eyes narrowed as he studied her face. “You and Marcus got back together, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I’m sorry.” Her eyes misted in response to the hurt in his.

“I should’ve known how things would end up for us. War tried to warn me.” He stuck a hand in his jeans pocket and pulled out a crumpled cigarette pack. He put one between his lips and dug out a lighter.

Silently, Avery watched him light up, not knowing what else to say. She wanted to tell him that she hoped they could still be friends, but that would sound incredibly cliché and wasn’t likely to be welcomed.

“I wanna go ahead and give you this.” He held out a silver necklace with a flaming guitar pendant on a thick chain.

“It’s lovely.” She took it and turned it over in her hands, sniffing as warm tears fell from her eyes. “It’s from King Baby, isn’t it?” She glanced up at him, blinking through her tears. “Their stuff’s expensive. It’s not right that I accept it. Not now.”

The tip of his cigarette glowed as he took a drag. His grey green eyes fixed on hers for a long moment. “I want you to have it,” he insisted, stepping close and taking the necklace from her hand. Cigarette balanced between his first and second finger, he stretched the chain open between his thumbs and placed it over her head. The pendant dropped down between her breasts, feeling cold against her warm skin.

“I wish you luck, Red. I really do.” He stepped back and his gaze rose to meet hers