Dare to Rock (21 page)

He liked to work on his music or meet with the contractor for the apartment next door in the afternoons, and that’s when Avery dragged Rick around town to get sponsors for the prom she had planned. Life went on, and work didn’t suffer.

And when she and Grey wanted to go out for a meal, they would duck out of his parking garage, alternating between her BMW and Rick’s unobtrusive black sedan, so they could go somewhere for lunch or dinner unnoticed. They drove an hour beyond Miami and found fun places where they could walk the beach and be alone. She wondered if it was possible that, with time, the curiosity about Grey and the other band members would disappear completely. While reminding herself that a week hardly set a precedent, she’d begun to feel more than a sliver of hope.

Hope was a dangerous thing, but she couldn’t contain hers, not when she was experiencing a level of happiness as an adult that she’d always thought was beyond her. And she wanted to hold on to it for all she was worth.

A few days later, Lola called early one morning, asking Avery if she’d like to meet for lunch. Avery had woken up with a migraine headache and wasn’t up to driving, but she was curious about what Lola wanted, so she had invited her over instead.

She hadn’t seen the other woman since the awkward night at Lola and Rep’s house, and Grey hadn’t mentioned her. He was at a meeting with Chloe Mandrake, lead singer of the punk rock band Night Madness, about Grey writing a song and collaborating for their next album.

When Avery had asked him about whether or not he needed a manager, he’d said he’d rather use his lawyer to deal with contracts if things reached that point. Meanwhile, he seemed excited about the opportunity, and to her surprise, Avery was too. She didn’t want to hold him back in his career, and she didn’t want him to feel like he couldn’t move forward because of her anxiety or fears. She wanted to believe in them, and she was
trying
as promised.

Which didn’t mean she wasn’t intimidated by the fact Grey was hanging out with the punk rock princess who was definitely sexy and hot with her tattoos, heavy makeup, and curvy body. She was. And she knew Chloe lived in L.A., and she’d be foolish not to think Grey would need to travel sometimes in order to work with her and the band. But he came home to her at night. And she was
trying
.

Lola arrived, dressed in a short, short miniskirt, bright red ankle-high cowboy-style boots, and a cropped top over a bandeau. And Avery reminded herself once again, Grey came home to
her
. And she was trying.

“I really appreciate you letting me come over,” the other woman said.

“I was surprised to hear from you.”

Lola took a seat across from Avery on the outside patio. Good thing she was in a single chair, surrounded by white wrought iron tables, and not on the lounger where Avery and Grey had consummated their new relationship agreement. Avery chose that seat for herself.

She pulled a pillow over her lap and tucked one knee beneath her, attempting unsuccessfully not to think about
that
day with Grey. She flushed with heat at the memory of how she’d been naked on the terrace, her boobs and ass out for the world to see. Not the world, since nobody had a view here, but it had sure felt that way. She hadn’t cared.

After the way her father had ignored all that was important in Avery’s life and even Avery herself that day, all she’d wanted was Grey. Because he looked at her like she mattered. He touched her like she was his reason for being, and she knew if she dropped her walls, she’d admit she felt the same way.

She’d needed him then, wanting everything Grey had to offer her, too much to worry about propriety or being naked outdoors.

“Avery? Are you okay? Your cheeks are red,” Lola said, bringing her out of her fantasies.

“Just the headache,” she murmured, although in reality the headache was much better.

“Do you want to sit inside where it’s cooler?” Lola offered.

“Maybe in a little while. I’m okay for now, thanks.”

Lola nodded. “So, I guess you’re wondering why I called?”

Avery managed a nod despite the mild pounding in her head.

“To apologize. I would have called you sooner, but I know you had a lot going on with the paps and the other issues. I just … I was looking out for a friend, and I did it the wrong way.”

To the other woman’s credit, she looked genuinely contrite. And from what Avery knew of Grey, he wouldn’t pick a best friend who wasn’t a good person.

“I have older brothers who can’t manage to butt out of my life. And a sister who would do the same given the opportunity, so I get it. You’re his family, and I want you to know I respect that.”

Lola blinked, and Avery wondered if she was choked up. “You have no idea how relieved I am,” Lola said, her voice cracking, confirming Avery’s suspicions.

Avery leaned forward and met the other woman’s gaze. “I won’t hurt him without breaking my own heart in the process. I know that’s not everything you want to hear, but it’s the best I can do.”

“Nobody’s perfect, especially me.” Lola met her gaze, and Avery believed an understanding had been reached. “So how is the prom planning going? Grey told me all about it.”

Avery smiled, pleased Lola asked about her pet project. She’d been on the phone all week and met with so many different people, changing up the basic idea. She was excited to share it with Lola.

“It’s great. We decided to copy the model at Memorial Sloan Kettering Children’s Hospital in New York. Instead of teenagers only, we’re doing a party for all the kids in the cancer wing of the hospital. It’s a combination pediatric and teen prom, so everyone has something to look forward to.”

Lola smiled. “That’s so amazing. I really admire your dedication.”

“I …” Avery cleared her throat and decided to just say why she’d researched other hospitals and changed her plans. “I donated bone marrow to my half sister when I was nine. I know what it would have meant to her to have something fun on the horizon. Young or old, girls love to dress up, right? And the boys … well, they’ll deal.”

“I love the idea. I really do. And so will the kids.”

“I hope so because I had to call shops all over Miami who cater to all different ages, boys and girls, to get dresses and clothes. It’s been a huge undertaking, but I’m thrilled. The hospital finally gave the official okay yesterday.” She’d met with Dr. McCann, and he’d been so impressed with the amount of sponsorships he’d agreed on the spot.

“Anything I can do to help?” Lola asked.

Avery would never impose on one of Grey’s friends for an in-person appearance, but since Lola was asking … “Would you mind signing pictures or something for the kids? We could put them in the goodie/giveaway bags for the end of the night.”

Lola’s expression lit up at the idea. “I’d love to. Let me see what I can get my hands on. Text me the date, and I’ll make sure you have things in time.”

Avery clapped her hands in excitement, just imagining the kids’ expressions to have something signed by Lola Corbin.

They chatted for a little while longer before Lola rose to her feet. “I’m going to let you rest now, but thanks for seeing me. And for accepting my apology.”

Avery waved away her words. “It’s in the past.”

“Good. I hope we can try dinner, the four of us, again?”

“I’d like that.”

Avery walked Lola back into the apartment just as Grey stepped inside. From the expression on his face, either his meeting hadn’t gone well … or something else was very wrong.

Chapter Eleven

G
rey should have known Simon wouldn’t go away quietly. Instead he’d been sidetracked by how good things had been. With the paparazzi focused on the breakup of a Hollywood super couple, they’d left Tangled Royal, Grey Kingston, and his old flame alone. Whoever had broken into Avery’s apartment building and vandalized her front door had disappeared. He and Avery were getting to know each other again, and things were almost perfect. Which meant he should have known to watch his back.

Grey’s meeting with Chloe Mandrake hadn’t gone as expected. Not in any imaginable way. And though he knew he should have cooled off before heading home, he also knew he could only take out his anger in the gym, on a punching bag. He hadn’t expected to find Lola here with Avery, but considering this had to do with his ex-manager, Lola needed the information to make her own decisions on what to do with the man.

“What’s wrong?” Avery asked the second she saw him. Yeah, she read him well, and he was grateful for it.

“I can go,” Lola offered.

Grey shook his head. “You need to hear this.”

“What is it?” Lola asked.

Avery watched him with a concerned expression.

He blew out a sharp breath. “I just met with Chloe Mandrake. She’d already contacted me about collaborating on a song for her next album based on the work I did with Alden Mills.”

“That’s really cool!” Lola said, her eyes lighting up. “You two would rock it.”

“Not jealous?” Grey asked, grateful for the moment to put aside his fury. He playfully nudged her with his elbow, and she grinned.

“No. I know I’m your true band sister.”

Avery laughed. “None of this explains what has you so upset.”

“Chloe said she didn’t know if she could go forward with the collaboration. She said the reason she wanted to do it in the first place was because I co-wrote with Alden Mills.” He shoved his hands into his slacks pockets. “But Simon told her that wasn’t the truth. That Mills did the writing and took me along just to take advantage of my popularity and audience.” Grey’s stomach was still twisted into angry knots over the accusation.

“That bastard,” Lola said, digging through her bag and pulling out her phone.

“What are you doing?” Grey asked.

“Calling him and giving him a piece of my mind!”

“Slow down!” Grey reached for the phone and placed it on the table.

Lola huffed at him. “You expect me to do nothing?”

“I expect you to let me handle it.”

“Did Chloe believe him?” Avery asked.

He shrugged. “She wants to believe me, but she’s on a tight deadline, and working with me if I can’t hack it is a risk.”

Avery came up beside him and wrapped an arm around his waist in an obvious attempt to calm him. He tucked her into him, grateful for her support and for Lola’s, even if she was, as usual, impulsive in her defense.

“What are you going to do?” Lola asked.

“Mills’ widow is the only one who was there during our sessions. Other than Simon,” he muttered. “She’s well aware of what Alden was and wasn’t capable of when we worked together. I called the last number I had for Mills, and it’s been disconnected.”

Lola swore.

He glanced at Avery. “I called your brother on the way home and hired his firm to find Mills’ widow.”

“I hope he didn’t give you a hassle first.”

“No. He takes work and security seriously,” Grey assured her. And he had. For all the shit Tyler gave him over Avery, he was damned good at his job and didn’t joke around.

“And I left a message for my lawyer. I want to find out what constitutes slander, because I’m not letting Simon get away with this bullshit.”

Avery squeezed him tighter, and he drew strength from knowing she had his back and wasn’t running.

Lola groaned. “Well, whatever you need, I’m here. And you can bet I’m firing his ass too.”

Grey held up one hand. “Not yet. I don’t want to piss him off even more. I let him go and he retaliated. Let me see what my options are first. Just don’t sign anything new with him.”

Lola narrowed her gaze, her pout strong, but she nodded in agreement. “Don’t worry. I won’t.” She snatched her phone. “Call me if you need me.” She strode out the door, shutting it behind her.

Once they were alone, Avery pulled out of his arms and met his gaze. “I can’t believe Simon would undermine you like that. After all those years together?”

“He was always a slimy bastard, but he was our slimy bastard.” He paused, then said, “Do I want to know what you and Lola were doing here together?” he asked.

“She apologized in person for her behavior when we met. She was really being nice. She’s donating signed goodies for the hospital prom. Don’t worry about me and Lola. You have enough stress right now. And speaking of stress … why don’t you come into the bedroom and let me work on your tension,” she said, her voice getting husky.

Before he could process her tone or intent, she stepped in front of him and reached for the button on his pants. He’d dressed up for this meeting, wanting to make a good impression on Chloe, punk rocker or not, and the pants slid easily to the floor.

Avery pulled his boxer briefs down, her nails raking down his thighs as she dropped to her knees in front of him. “Holy hell,” he muttered.

She wrapped her fingers around his thick cock, and her tongue darted out as she took a small, tentative lick. The combination of her warm breath, soft tongue, and the fact that this was his Avery had heat and arousal spiraling through him.

He locked his knees to remain upright and glanced into her face. A sexy smile teased her lips before she opened her mouth and took him inside.