Page 21 of California Love Songs (The Davenports, #4)

Chapter Fourteen

D amien and Erin walked a little farther down the beach, silent for a while as he let Erin process that her brother and her best friend had kissed. They passed a couple of moms with small children making sandcastles, and she finally smiled again.

Damien took the opportunity to tell her the rest of the story. “And there’s another thing. There’s this singer I’ve been mentoring.”

Erin looked confused at this change of subject. “You’re mentoring another musician?”

“Don’t look so surprised. Sure I am. Someone gave me a break when I was young and it’s my way of paying it forward, I guess.”

She nodded thoughtfully. Maybe he was redeeming himself in her eyes. “What kind of musician?”

It was easier just to tell her the story. “You remember last year when I did a couple of concerts in New York?”

“Yeah, of course. It was on the news. They both sold out within minutes.”

He felt mildly embarrassed that she remembered that, and he quickly glossed over the comment with the rest of his story.

“Well, I was just walking through Brooklyn, and I randomly went into this coffeehouse for a matcha and there was a singer performing. Her name’s Opal Dahlberg.

She’s amazing. She writes her own stuff and it’s good.

Raw and honest, and her voice just kind of drags you in.

I was at a table in the back. She didn’t know who I was—she didn’t even notice me.

No one did. It was great.” He was always relieved when he could act like a normal person, one who wasn’t famous, wasn’t stalked, wasn’t constantly asked for autographs or selfies.

Not that he minded—his fans kept him doing the thing he loved—but sometimes he wanted to sit quietly in a coffeehouse and listen to somebody else perform.

“When her set finished, I went up and introduced myself.”

Erin chuckled. “I bet she was surprised.”

He nodded, enjoying the memory. “At first, she was kind of stunned. Then she told me she was embarrassed that someone like me would even hear her play. She said I was one of her inspirations. It was nice thinking I was somehow influencing the next generation of musicians. Anyway, she’s just starting out and I’ve been helping her.

She’s got a ton of talent, some great material.

She just needs somebody to help her polish her stuff and get her to the next level. ”

“That’s great,” Erin said, “but I’m not sure how it’s relevant to you kissing my friend.”

“Well, that’s the thing. See, Opal’s coming here. To Carmel-by-the-Sea. So we can work together.”

Erin turned to him once more. “Let me stop you right there. What does Opal look like?”

He felt a little huffy. “I’m not sure that’s relevant. She’s twenty years old. Long blonde hair. Kind of pretty, I guess. Tall and skinny.”

“Might you have a picture of her?” Erin asked.

Once more he was flooded with irritation.

“I don’t know why you’re so concerned about her looks.

It’s her musical abilities that interest me.

” Still, Erin stood there with her hand out, so he had no choice but to dig out his phone and find Opal’s Instagram.

He passed the phone over, and Erin studied her photos.

She even hit Play on one of the videos and listened to a snippet of her latest song.

Finally, she said, “She’s not kind of pretty , Damien. She’s gorgeous. And you’re right, that girl can sing. But if she comes here, young and hot and musically talented, you know what everybody’s going to think, don’t you?”

Irritation cascaded into annoyance. “No, I don’t know what everybody’s going to think. I’m mentoring a talented musician. It wouldn’t matter if she was an ugly guy with bad breath. Talent is talent.”

Erin said, “But she’s not an ugly guy with bad breath. She’s a beautiful young woman. Does she have a boyfriend?”

Damien shrugged. “I have no idea. Our relationship is professional. We don’t talk about things like that. All I know is that one day she’ll be the next Taylor Swift.” A tingle of certainty told him he was mentoring a young talent who’d hit the big time. He was sure of it.

Erin sighed. “How long is she going to be here?”

“I don’t know—as long as it takes. A few weeks, maybe.”

“And where is she staying?”

“Well, it’s not like she’s got the money for a fancy hotel. She’s staying at my place, in the guest cottage. That way, she’ll have her own space.”

Erin turned on him. “Are you kidding me? I might as well write an article for the front page. International rock star Damien Davenport shacks up with his latest love. ”

His insides chilled at the very idea. Not that Erin would ever betray him like that, obviously, but some paparazzi, some media hound, would see him and Opal together and make trouble. It wouldn’t affect him too much, but it wouldn’t do Opal’s career any good.

Worst of all, what would Crystal think? What had she thought, up there on the hiking trail, when he’d so cluelessly told her his plans?

He suddenly felt bad. He hadn’t thought through bringing Opal to his hometown.

“What am I supposed to do? I guess I could ask Mom and Dad to put her up.” He didn’t much like that idea, and he was pretty sure Opal would hate it.

He’d promised her her own space and peace and quiet to put her head down and work.

His family was great, but the Davenport household wasn’t exactly known for being quiet and peaceful.

Erin shook her head. “You can’t do that.

Mom’s already busy planning Mila’s wedding, and no twenty-year-old wants to stay with your family.

” She thought for a moment and then, looking a little bashful, said, “I have a better plan. My apartment’s just sitting there empty.

I’m spending most of my time at Jay’s place now. ”

He wasn’t at all surprised to hear that Erin and Jay were practically living together at his amazing home, but it still felt strange that his little sister was settling down.

Especially with Jay—a match he hadn’t exactly approved of at first. Erin was probably feeling the same way about him and Crystal.

But the fact that she’d offer up her apartment to help smooth over this Opal situation made him so thankful for her that he slung an arm around her shoulders.

“That’s a great solution, Erin. I can’t thank you enough. And obviously, I’ll pay the rent on your apartment.”

She shook her head. “Don’t you see that would just make it worse? No. She’s welcome to stay as my guest. If she’s as good as you say she is, I’ll even do a profile piece on her in the Sea Shell .”

He began to feel excited now. “That would be great, sis. Okay. She’s coming in tomorrow. Does that give you enough time to move out?”

Erin laughed. “You don’t mess around, do you? Once you’ve decided on something, it’s all systems go.”

He held up his hands. To a certain extent, Erin was right.

He usually knew what he wanted and went after it.

But he hadn’t forgotten that the real reason he’d wanted to see Erin this morning was to figure out what to do about Crystal—not what to do about Opal.

On the first subject, he was still riddled with confusion.

He realized his thoughts had drifted once more in Crystal’s direction when Erin said, “I always keep my place clean and tidy. I’ll just make some space in the closet and drawers for her. It’s really no problem.”

He hugged his sister again.

He seriously hoped there would be no problems ahead.

As he and Erin walked the beach, Damien started to feel better.

It was pretty hard to hold on to stress and anxiety when dogs were running around on the beach, kicking up sand, rolling over, turning in circles, running after each other, catching balls, racing into the water, and then begging for more.

The surfers were out, riding the waves. Kids were building sandcastles, and he had the good advice of a beloved sister.

And he’d just spent the entire time talking about himself.

“So, you’re not spending too much time at your own house, huh?”

She glanced at him, looking both a bit embarrassed and also pretty pleased with herself. “I’m not,” she admitted.

How had he missed that his little sister had completely grown up, when he’d been so busy thinking she needed protection? “And it’s going well with Jay? He treats you well?”

Her eyes were full of emotion when she looked up at him. “Damien, I’ve never been so happy. I didn’t know I could be this happy.”

Damien smiled. “I’m so glad.”

Then Erin laughed a little, softly and quietly, almost to herself.

“Sure, Jay drives me crazy sometimes. He can be pretty brash and pushy, but… I don’t know, he’s making me stand up for myself a little more.

He helps me focus and vocalize the things I want or need.

I think he’s been good for me, like I’ve been good for him.

” She paused to think. “Maybe that’s what makes a great relationship.

Not someone who’s exactly like you, but who’s different from you and appreciates who you are.

The person who sees the best version of yourself and brings out that side.

Maybe I’m talking a lot of garbage, but that’s how I feel.

I love him and I know he loves me and it’s everything. ”

Damien felt his breath catch. The person who sees the best version of yourself and brings out that side.

He thought about Crystal and how she’d been such a big part of his life, even when they hadn’t been in the same city, even when they hadn’t been in the same country. They had always found a way to stay connected. He couldn’t imagine his life without her.

I love him and I know he loves me and it’s everything.

When his mind lingered on the word love , the last cloud cleared.

He loved Crystal.

He loved the friend who always had his back, who knew his deepest secrets as he knew hers.

All these years he’d been happy with her in the friend zone.

And now he’d kissed her. Was she finally moving out of the friend zone?

And if she was, what did that mean for him, for her, for the relationship he treasured?

All he knew for certain was that he had a lot of thinking to do, because there was no way he could continue on this path unless he was absolutely sure of what he wanted and had some idea of what Crystal wanted too.

Because as spine-tingling as that kiss had been, outside of his family, his friendship with Crystal was possibly the most important relationship in his life.

He couldn’t do anything to damage it. He wouldn’t. And so he was faced with a dilemma.

He realized he hadn’t said anything for a while and when he finally emerged from his ruminations, he saw that he and Erin were almost at Jay’s house, which overlooked the ocean.

Before Damien knew what was happening, the man himself came out.

There was no missing Jay. He was big and moved faster than other people, with the huge determination that never left him.

On days when he hadn’t spent the night awake, Damien had a lot of energy, but Jay was in a whole different league.

As the man barreled toward them, he caught a glimpse of his sister’s face. That’s what love looks like. And then he glanced at Jay as he neared and got a clear look at Erin. Yep, that’s definitely what love looks like.

Damien had to look away. Their connection was so intimate, so intense.

He felt a little sorry that he didn’t have that himself.

Maybe it was time. Maybe he was ready, after all these years of playing sold-out concerts around the world and having pretty much everything he wanted with the snap of his fingers.

He envied this thing that so many people around him seemed to have and which he’d never yet experienced.

A real partner. The kind of love that lasted a lifetime.

Jay approached them and immediately slung an arm around Erin’s shoulders. He nodded to Damien. “How’s it going, bro?”

Damien nodded back. He still wasn’t used to seeing Jay and Erin together, but at least now he understood it. “Good,” he replied, although the true answer was: Mixed up.

Erin grabbed her phone from her pocket. “I just got a text from Crystal,” she said, sending a significant glance at Damien.

He was about to say, “Don’t tell her you saw me.” But this was Erin. She would never betray a confidence. So he kept his mouth shut, and simply nodded.

Erin said, “I’m going to head over to her place. Why don’t you two hang out for a while?”

Jay glanced over her head at Damien with a fake tough-guy expression. “Well, that depends on whether you’re going to try and beat me up again.”

Damien had to chuckle. “I admit I was a little overprotective of my sister.” Then he said to Erin, “Are you absolutely sure he treats you right?”

She nodded, amusement dancing in her eyes. “I am absolutely convinced he treats me right. In fact, he couldn’t treat me any better if he tried. Which he does. Frequently.”

Damien pretended to give it some thought, then grinned at Jay. “Then I won’t try to beat you up.” He raised a finger. “But if you ever hurt her…” He left the rest of the sentence hanging.

Jay raised his eyebrows. “Fair. And same goes. I don’t care if you’re her brother. If you ever hurt her, you’ll be hearing from me.”

Erin shook her head at the two of them, but Damien could tell she was pleased that they’d agreed to spend some time together. “I’ll leave you two to play testosterone Ping-Pong. I’ve got to go.”

They walked up to Jay’s house, where Erin got into her car.

As they waved goodbye, Jay said, “I think we’ve got some sort of weird plant-based green tea thing I could make you.”

Damien raised an eyebrow and then laughed. It was time he got to know Jay better—for his sister’s sake.