Read Love Rock'ollection: The Brutal Strength Rock Star Trilogy, books 1-3 for Free Online Page B

Can you strum your bass for me, please?” The two brothers burst into laughter, obviously highly amused by each other’s antics.
    JR rolled his eyes. “You guys are such dweebs. Couldn’t you spare poor Avery here?”
    Having lived in an apartment with two guys, Avery was used to this kind of slapstick humor. It usually devolved into potty jokes or body parts in short order. She smiled as the brothers continued their two man comedy act with batting eyes and fake kissing.
    “Someone please, just shoot me now,” JR groaned.
    Still chuckling, Marcus told Avery, “Seriously, we’ve been here a while and have already warmed up. Take whatever time you need to get ready.”
    She nodded and turned to unpack her black Ibanez, plugging it into the Marshall amps. She was slower than usual because her gaze was repeatedly drawn to the brothers as they continued interacting playfully.
    Marcus noticed Avery watching him and Dwight. The young guitarist’s expression seemed almost wistful. He kept twisting around a black band he wore around his wrist. Marcus would bet money that it had belonged to his twin brother. Now that Marcus knew the story, he understood Avery’s emotions better. It was tough to see the kid looking so lost and alone.
    “Do you think…”
    “Just a second.” Marcus raised a hand, cutting Dwight off.
    With a sidelong glance from underneath her long bangs, Avery saw Marcus coming towards her. She immediately tensed.
    “Hey.” He bumped her shoulder and gave her a gentle smile.
    “Hey,” she replied carefully.
    “Stephen told me about your brother,” he informed her softly. “I don’t know what to say, man. But I just wanted you to know that I know, and I feel really sorry for your loss. If something like that happened to Dwight, I’d be wrecked… what I mean is. I’m sorry. I wish…”
    “Thanks,” Avery interrupted, rescuing him from his floundering attempt to comfort her. His concern deeply touched her, though, and she rewarded him with a tremulous smile. She was starting to wonder if this guy was something different than the media made him out to be. Looking down, she made some final adjustments to her tuning and gave him a nod to let him know she was ready.
    Sympathetic blue eyes met hers. “No pressure, Avery. We already know you can play. We just want to run through a couple of tunes, see how we all sound together.” Marcus turned to his drummer. “JR, take us through ‘Streets of Fire’.”
    JR nodded and counted off, “One. Two. Three.” Tapping his sticks together to give the beat, he cued Marcus and Avery.
    The two began the raucous heavy metal song singing together with Avery’s riffs punctuating the lyrics like musical exclamation points. During the chorus, she echoed the last words of each line that Marcus sang.
    When they finished, Dwight nodded at Avery. “Hey kid, you’re pretty good. You did your homework.”
    They played a couple more tunes after that, and to Avery it sounded so good and felt so natural it seemed like they’d all been playing together for years, no one missing a single beat. She even threw in an improvised frenzied solo, her fingers a blur as she tested the limits of her instrument. When she was done, JR gaped at her.
    Dwight threw his brother a look. “Marcus, you way undersold this guy’s talent, bro.” Turning to Avery, Dwight said, “Rockin’!” and gave her a celebratory high five.
    “Yeah, way cool,” JR concurred, reaching over to do the same.
    “Ok, ok.” Marcus’ lips quirked into a smile. “The kid’s a prodigy. But I don’t want him to get a swelled head. Let’s see what he can do with ‘Moon Rising’.”
    After jamming for a couple of hours more, no one had any remaining doubts about Marcus’ choice for their new lead guitarist. Each additional song they played had only further solidified the decision in everyone’s mind.
    Finally, Dwight shook his head. “Enough. I’m worn out. Avery. Dude. You are a total ace.” JR