Mr. Rockstar (5 page)

All of a sudden
, Fiona gasped. Isabelle whirled around, afraid something was wrong, but her friend’s eyes were gleaming with delight.
Oh shit
, she thought, knowing exactly what had happened.

“
Wait, wait. Damn! I know where I’ve seen him.” Fiona snapped her fingers. “He’s—”

Isabelle clapped a hand over her friend
’s mouth. “Don’t say it!”

Fiona shook her off.
“You’ve got to be shitting me!” Her eyes bulged.

“
I told you, he’s Ian’s friend.” Isabelle emphasized her statement. “He’s just a friend.”

“
He’s famous! Oh my god, I’ve got to tell Todd,” Fiona stuttered, taking a step. “He’ll freak!”

“
No! You can’t. Please, he’s here as a favor. He doesn’t want everyone to know. Please, you have to promise me you won’t say anything,” Isabelle begged, grabbing her arm.

Fiona pursed her lips.
“I can’t lie to Todd.”

Isabelle took a deep breath.
“I know. Just… wait until after the reception. Marvin isn’t here to perform. He’s here to be my fake boyfriend for a day, okay?”

“
This is because of Preston, isn’t it?” Fiona asked. Clearly her brain was still sharp, even on her wedding day when she ought to be totally distracted.

“
Yes,” Isabelle admitted reluctantly. This was the last thing she wanted to get into with her friend.

“
When this is all over, and I’m back from my honeymoon, you are going to tell me everything.” Fiona narrowed her eyes. “Every last detail. Got it?”

“
Got it.” Isabelle swallowed. “So you won’t say anything?”

“
I won’t. Clearly the man is here incognito, what with the haircut and everything. Which, by the way, doesn’t make him any less hot. How is that even possible?” She waved her arms around her coiffed head. “Besides, who am I to rain on his parade? I’m still all aflutter that he’s here with you.”

Relief made Isabelle
’s legs shaky. “Thank you.”

“
Yeah, well. Details. You can’t tell me he hasn’t kissed you.” Fiona’s tone was way too penetrating.

Isabelle
’s face went hot. “Uh—”

“
Ha! He did! Oh my God, I can’t wait until you tell me everything.” Fiona grinned impishly and hugged her. “You snagged a rock-star!”

****

By the time the reception was nearly over, Marvin was close to losing his shit over Preston and his snide remarks. If he had to listen to one more insulting comment from him about Isabelle, he was definitely going to slug him. Thank God Isabelle had no idea. For the most part, she stuck close to Fiona, helping with her dress and the food and mingling with the guests. He’d escorted her around, smiling politely at a bunch of people he didn’t know. All in all, except for Preston, it was far more pleasant than a number of music industry shindigs he’d had to attend.

At least here no one is pointedly ignoring me, or fawning all over me. Or trying to slip me their
music demos.
He ran a hand through his hair, still getting used to the short style. His neck felt cold. It had been at least a decade since he’d had it trimmed this much. It was worth it though. No one had recognized him. It was a strange feeling after years of being in the spotlight.

I can
’t believe the haircut worked. I should’ve chopped off my hair ages ago.
He sipped at his water, leaning back against one of the planters in the ballroom. The tent was gorgeously lit from inside, and candles glittered on all the tables. Just outside the reception space and dance area, the grounds held a number of formal gardens widening out into more rugged terrain. The sun was just setting, lighting everything with gold. The owners had done a remarkable job with the house and outdoors. And happily, the weather had cooperated. No drenching rain or insane heat, despite the August date.

“
Marvin, I’m almost free to go,” Isabelle said, coming up and leaning against the stone container.

“
Here, hang on. You’ll snag your dress,” he said, about to go fetch his jacket from the back of the chair at their table. He’d taken it off a few hours ago, when the dancing had begun.

“
No, no, it’s fine. I don’t care about the dress,” she said, drooping. “I’m just glad this is almost done.” She smiled wearily up at him. “Thank you so much for coming. I know you had to spend a lot of time by yourself. I wasn’t a very good host, sorry.”

Of all the things for her to worry about.
“I was fine. It was nice, actually, not being recognized. It was relaxing.”
Relaxing except for Preston.

She stared at him skeptically.
“Bringing your brother’s friend to a wedding where you don’t know anyone was relaxing?” She snorted. “You’re delusional.”

He grinned, loving her completely unfiltered responses. He hadn
’t had anyone treat him this normally in a long time.
Well, except for Ian
, he mused.
They’re definitely siblings.
“Trust me, it
was
nice,” he insisted, tucking an arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him. He liked that. He liked making her feel like she could trust him. And then, unexpectedly, her spine tightened. He could feel the tension slide into her body.
Dammit, what now?
he thought, looking around.

“
Oh no,” she muttered, frowning at the dance floor.

Marvin followed her gaze. Preston was in the middle of the
space, blocking the other dancers and gesturing drunkenly at Isabelle. It figured.

“
You can leave now, right? Didn’t Fiona and Todd take off a half-hour ago?” he asked.

She nodded.
“Yeah. It’s time to book it out of here.”

He felt a moment
’s regret that he didn’t get to dance with her, but he squashed it.
Better to slip out than cause a scene
, he told himself as he urged her toward their table. They didn’t make it. As soon as he shrugged his jacket back on, Preston was next to them, face red.

“
You!” He pointed dramatically at Marvin. “You brought Isabelle here under false pretenses!” The skinny blonde who’d come with him tugged ineffectually on his sleeve.

“
Preston, let it go,” she said, shooting Marvin an apologetic look.

Marvin frowned. What the hell was the man talking about?

“Preston, you’re drunk. And I’m leaving.” Isabelle picked up her purse.

“
Do you know who he is?” Preston shouted drunkenly.

Aw, fuck
, Marvin winced internally. The recognition and hero-worship in the blonde woman’s eyes hanging on Preston’s arm told him the whole story. Who had recognized him? He surreptitiously pulled out his phone, texting Charlie an S.O.S.

Isabelle
froze like a deer in the headlights. “I know exactly who he is and it’s none of your business. He’s
my
date. You don’t have a say in my life anymore, Preston, remember? I thought I’d made that perfectly clear when I threw you and Tonya out over a month ago.”

Her voice was cold and cutting. Clearly she
’d had it with her ex. Marvin hoped the idiot would take the hint and fuck off. He eyed the man’s face.
Yeah, not gonna happen.
He steeled himself for the shit that was about to hit the fan. “We should probably get the hell out of here,” he murmured to Isabelle.

She nodded and turned toward the door, but not fast enough.

“He’s Vin Clementine. Slumming it with the plebes,” Preston said, loud enough to be heard over the music. His face was red and blotchy. “And probably fucking my ex-girlfriend. He’s just using you, Isabelle.”

“
Shit,” Isabelle muttered.

Marvin agreed.
“You’ve had too much to drink, man. Go walk it off. We’re leaving,” he said, trying to diffuse the situation. People were turning to them, sensing a confrontation. He could tell a bunch of them had heard Preston identify him by the way they were staring at him. Dammit.

“
I can’t believe you let someone like that touch you, Isabelle,” Preston said. The blonde on his arm stepped away, frowning.

Good for her
, Marvin thought.

“
For the last time, it’s none of your business. You cheated on me. We broke up. End of story,” Isabelle said quietly. “Let’s just go, Marvin.”

He nodded, gathering up the shawl she
’d worn over her dress. “You bet, Belle.” She smiled briefly at him. He smiled back, and that was when all hell broke loose.

Chapter Five

Isabelle didn
’t understand what had happened until after Marvin’s head snapped back. The sound of flesh hitting flesh was so foreign, she had no idea what was going on. She stared at Marvin, confused, and then when Preston’s fist came at them again, he shoved her behind him protectively.

“
Oh my God,” she said, shocked, but then Marvin’s hand stopped Preston’s clenched hand in midair, like something out of the movies. She couldn’t actually comprehend how strong he had to be in order to do that. The music suddenly cut off, adding to the weirdness.

“
You really don’t want to do that again,” he said grimly. The side of his cheekbone had a shallow cut on it from Preston’s college ring. Isabelle stared as drops of blood started to well up.

Preston ripped his arm away and swung again.
“You don’t get to touch her,” he declared, like some sort of medieval idiot.

Preston
’s movements were so slow and clumsy, Isabelle actually had time to hear Marvin sigh in exasperation, and then he shifted his weight, knocking Preston’s arm to the side again. “Last chance,” he warned. A flashbulb went off in their faces, adding to the surrealism of the moment.

“
Fuck you,” Preston said, lunging.

“
Unbelievable,” Marvin muttered under his breath, and then he was all coiled energy and violence. He blocked Preston’s swing again and Preston growled, grappling for him, but Marvin stepped back, avoiding his fists. “You don’t want to do this.”

Preston didn
’t answer, but his face got even redder. He shoved Tonya away when she tried to grab his arm. “Preston, stop,” she said, but he ignored her.

“
What are you doing?” Isabelle finally managed to unglue her tongue. “Are you insane?”

“
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You were never any good in bed, anyway,” he said to her meanly. “And now here you are, screwing around with
that
.” He gestured to Marvin. “I’m glad we broke up.”

“
Jesus, Preston,” Isabelle said, not so much stunned as disgusted. “You’re not even making any sense.”

Marvin cursed as yet more light
bulbs flashed. “You might want to move back, Isabelle,” he said quietly. “He’s drunk and stupid and itching for a fight.”

She nodded.
“I’m so sorry, Marvin.”

“
Not your fault,” he said quietly. He didn’t take his eyes off Preston.

“
I can’t believe I ever dated him.” Shame filled her. She’d known he was an asshole, but she had no idea he was this unstable.
Why did I ever let him touch me?
She swallowed, completely nauseated.
This is on me. I should have known better…
Her train of thought trailed off as Preston lunged again. Marvin blocked his fist one last time, then blam! He took him out with a single punch to the face. Preston landed on the floor, howling. Blood spurted all over the hardwood.

“
Shit,” Marvin said, sounding disgusted. “I think I broke his nose.”

“
He’ll live,” Isabelle said shortly, still angry with herself. Someone had rushed in with a couple of napkins. Preston was still yelling, but the sound was muffled now. More flashbulbs went off and then one of Preston’s friends was there, talking him into letting them put ice on his nose.

“
Time to go,” Marvin said tightly. He curled his fingers around her elbow.

Isabelle pressed her lips together.
“This is going to be all over the news, isn’t it?”

Marvin nodded.
“I’m sorry.” He kissed her on the head in apology.

She snorted.
“
You’re
sorry? I’m the one who’s sorry. I can’t believe he punched you!” She let him pull her over to one of the tables. She sat down, still frustrated and angry and confused. Her head felt weird, too. Martin waved over a waiter and asked for some water. Isabelle put her face in her hands. How had it come to this? She wasn’t sure how much time had passed before the lightheaded feeling faded.

“You okay now?” Marvin asked, gently.

She nodded. “I just want to go home.”

“I am one-hundred percent behind that,” he said, standing up. He offered her his hand. Just as she let him pull her up, a cop walked up to them.

“Sir, can you come with me?”

Isabelle stopped short.
“Marvin?” Her heart began to pound again as worry for Marvin surged through her.
Just my luck. I got my date arrested at my best friend’s wedding
, she told herself, feeling sick all over again.

“It’s okay, Isabelle.” Marvin r
an a hand down her arm soothingly, then turned to the trooper. “No problem, officer. Lead the way.”

Isabelle
’s heart sank.
This just keeps getting better
, she thought sarcastically. Where did the cop even come from? It wasn’t like they were right next door to a police station. “Marvin didn’t do anything wrong.”

The officer nodded.
“I know. I already talked to a few people about it. I was driving home when the call came over the radio.” He grimaced and walked them to a semi-private alcove near the kitchen. “I just need to know if you want to press charges?” he asked Marvin.

Isabelle glanced back
into the ballroom. Another officer was questioning Preston who was still gesturing belligerently at them, one hand holding a towel to his face. She sighed.

“
No, no, it’s fine. I’d like to just put this all behind me,” Marvin said immediately. Blood welled from the cut on his face. Isabelle dug a tissue out of her purse and handed it to him. He smiled and blotted at his cheek. A bruise was beginning to show. Fury shot through her all over again. She couldn’t believe Preston had punched him!

The officer nodded.
“Eyewitnesses say,” he glanced down at his notepad, “Preston Cary confronted you?”

Marvin nodded.
“Yeah. I tried to talk him down, but—” He shrugged.

“
Yeah, I heard about that, too. Have you been drinking at all tonight?”

“
No. I think I may have had a half a glass of champagne for the toast, but that’s it.”

Isabelle
’s eyebrows lifted. He hadn’t had anything to drink at all?

Marvin sent her a small smile.
“I wanted to be able to drive you home.”

She couldn
’t help smiling back at him.

“
When did you meet Mr. Cary?” the officer asked.

“
Last night, at the rehearsal dinner,” Marvin answered promptly.

“
Do you have any idea why he confronted you?”

“
Yeah,” Isabelle burst out. “Because he’s crazy! I can’t even believe he did that. My God.” She thought about how she’d chased him and Tonya out of her apartment with her iron skillet. “He drinks
way
too much. Marvin is twice his size. He should have realized that before he started yelling.”

The officer coughed, obviously hiding a chuckle.
“He’s your ex-boyfriend, Miss—?”

“
Isabelle Reeves. And yes. I broke up with him over a month ago when I caught him cheating on me.” She didn’t have a damn thing to hide. Marvin ran a hand down her back comfortingly.

The officer snapped his notepad shut.
“Okay, I don’t see any reason to detain you any longer, Mr. Clementine.” His eyes twinkled, telling Isabelle that he knew exactly who Marvin was. “Thanks for your cooperation.”

“
That’s it?” Isabelle asked, not believing it was that easy.

The cop shrugged.
“Mr. Clementine isn’t pressing charges. Mr. Cary can’t press charges, given his obvious inebriation and the eyewitness reports that he began the altercation. No one was seriously injured.” He ran a hand down his face. “Also, I’d like to get home before my dinner gets cold.”

Marvin laughed.
“I hear you.”

The officer nodded and shook Marvin
’s hand. “I really enjoyed your last album.”

“
Thank you.” Marvin smiled easily. “I’m glad.”

“
Take care. Don’t drive too fast getting your girl home,” the cop said teasingly as he walked away.

Isabelle flushed.
“He thinks I’m your girlfriend.”

“
Everyone
thinks you’re my girlfriend.”

She pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Not everyone. Just the people at the wedding. Thank God Fiona and Todd already left. I would’ve hated to ruin their reception with this.”

Marvin tugged on her elbow to get her walking.
“Not just the people at the wedding, Belle.”

She stopped short, just before the doors. She could hear
the crowd whispering behind them. “What are you talking about?”

He looked back, an ironic expression on his face. A couple more flashes went off.
“This is the era of connectivity. And everyone has a smartphone.”

Isabelle
’s gut clenched. “Oh crap.”

He opened the door for her.
“Exactly.”

She stepped out. Ch
arlie was waiting just outside. He took a good look at Marvin’s face. “Jesus, what the hell happened?”

“
Isabelle’s crazy ex-boyfriend got in a hit,” Marvin replied.

Charlie frowned.
“You should have let me come inside.”

Marvin waved off his bodyguard
’s concern. “The man is half my weight, soaking wet. I was fine.”

“
Even so.” Charlie wasn’t giving up.

“
Look, I’m fine. It’s just a small scratch.” Marvin started walking toward Isabelle’s car. “I’m going to drive her home. You can go on back to the hotel.”

“
Like hell I will,” Charlie retorted, following them.

“
Charlie, seriously—” Marvin began, but his friend interrupted.

“
I saw all the phones. Fans are going to be coming out of the woodwork.” When they reached Isabelle’s car, the big man crossed his arms over his chest.

Marvin shook his head.
“I’m driving Isabelle home, Charlie.”

“
And I’ll follow you.”

Isabelle was still chewing over Marvin
’s prediction that their photos would be all over the internet, and she only caught the last part of their argument. “Wait, what? You’re driving me home?”

Marvin held out his hand.
“I need the keys.”

“
I can get myself home,” she said, stubbornly. As if she was going to subject him to more, after everything that happened!

“
Isabelle,” he said, eyes serious. “You had at least two or three glasses of champagne.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but he held up a finger.
“And I know you’re not drunk, but I’d feel a lot better if you’d let me drive you. Please?”

Her mouth snapped shut. He was just so damn endearing.
“Okay.”

He lifted his brows
and held out a hand.

“
Oh, yeah, the keys,” she blurted, opening her purse.

“
I’ll follow you,” Charlie said again.

Marvin sighed.
“Fine.”

Isabelle closed her fingers around her keychain and pulled it out.
“It won’t be long,” she assured Charlie.

He and Marvin exchanged a look she couldn
’t interpret, and then Marvin unlocked her car. “Here you go,” he said, opening the passenger side.

She slid in and Marvin walked around to the driver
’s side. He grinned as Charlie said something, then opened the door and started the car.

A half-hour later, they were at her apartment. Luckily, no one had followed them from the wedding and no fans or photographers had shown up, either. “See? You were worried about nothing,” she told him as she unlocked her apartment door. “No one recognized you.” He’d parked in her spot at the back of the complex and Charlie had pulled in next to her car, settling in with a crossword puzzle this time. She supposed he must be used to waiting in cars in his profession. Marvin didn’t seem concerned, exchanging a friendly wave with him before escorting her inside her building.

“
If you say so,” Marvin replied, his tone skeptical.

She shoved open her door.
“I say so.”

When she looked back at him, his eyes were twinkling.
“Oh for God’s sake, stop laughing at me.” She held open the door in clear invitation. The least she could do after all he’d done for her this weekend was offer him a drink and clean out the cut on his cheekbone.

“
I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing
with
you,” he said, closing the door behind him.