Page 1 of California Love Songs
Prologue
Monterey High School, fifteen years ago…
The ticking of the auditorium clock echoed like a metronome counting down to disaster. It was finally the night of Battle of the Bands—the event the whole school had been waiting for—especially Crystal Lopez, who was looking forward to watching one band above all the others.
Except there was a problem. A big one. The lead singer hadn’t shown up yet.
Principal Hargrove’s polished loafers squeaked on the linoleum as he paced, his gaze darting between his watch and the empty stage. The crowd’s murmurs swelled, punctuated by worried whispers. “Where’s Damien?”
Crystal’s clipboard trembled slightly in her hands as she scanned the set list for the hundredth time. She took a deep breath, inhaling the auditorium’s pervasive scent of floor polish and gym socks, and tried to rise above the infectious nervous energy onstage. Her voice remained steady as she addressed the fidgeting members of Steel and Shadow. They were the headliners and the crowd was getting restless.
The drummer tapped his sticks nervously. “What if he doesn’t show? We can’t go on without him.”
Crystal flashed her most reassuring smile, though her stomach churned. “He’ll be here. Damien always shows.”
The cold soda can grew warm in her sweating hand as she waited. She pictured Damien’s intense gray-green eyes, imagining the apology that would surely dance in them when he arrived. If he arrived.
Principal Hargrove’s clipped tone interrupted her reverie. Addressing the band, he said, “If Mr. Davenport doesn’t grace us with his presence in one minute, you will forfeit your spot. Punctuality is important. The rock ’n’ roll mentality has no place at school.”
Crystal’s diplomatic instincts kicked in. “I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation. Damien’s really excited about performing. I know he’ll be here.”
The members of Steel and Shadow huddled near the edge of the stage, their instruments clutched like lifelines. The bassist, Alex, cleared his throat. “Maybe we should work out a backup plan? I mean, I could try to sing. I know the words?—”
“No way,” Jake cut in, shaking his head vehemently. “Damien’s our front man. Without him, we’re just… Shadow.”
Steel and Shadow, reduced to mere echoes without their charismatic and talented lead. The importance of their impending performance seemed to press down on them, a weight almost as tangible as their instruments.
And then the auditorium doors burst open with a thunderous bang. A hush fell over the crowd as a figure strode in, backlit by the hallway lights like some rock and roll messiah.
Damien Davenport had arrived.
He moved with a fluid grace, each step purposeful and charged with energy. His long, dark, curly hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, a few rebellious strands framing his face. The lights caught the silver glint of his earring and the subtle sheen of his black leather jacket. He gripped his guitar in one hand, holding it against the side of his body like armor.
As he strode down the aisle, all eyes were on him. Whispers erupted in his wake, a wave of excitement rippling through the crowd. Damien’s presence seemed to fill the entire auditorium, his charisma palpable. The mood shifted into one of exquisite anticipation.
Damien’s eyes locked on Crystal as he approached the stage, his stride lengthening. As he reached her, a sheepish grin spread across his face, transforming his rock-star persona into something more boyish and endearing.
Without a word, she handed him the can of soda, pressing the metal into his hand. Their fingers brushed for a moment, and Crystal felt a familiar spark of electricity. “Thought you might need this,” she said softly. “Can’t have our lead singer getting dehydrated before the big show.”
Damien’s eyes softened, gratitude evident in his gaze. “What would I do without you?” he asked, his voice low and sincere.
Crystal felt her heart skip a beat, even as she maintained her outward composure. She had known Damien for so long, had been there through his every up and down, and knew he saw her as someone he could rely on. She was his kid sister Erin’s best friend, after all. But oh, how she wanted to be more, so much more. She watched his lips as he took a long swig of the soda.
“That’s what friends are for,” she replied, her tone light despite the weight of unspoken feelings behind her words.
As the principal’s voice boomed through the auditorium announcing Steel and Shadow’s performance, Damien straightened his shoulders and a fire ignited in his eyes. With a small nod to the band, he strode to center stage, each step exuding confidence and purpose.
The moment Damien stopped in front of the mic stand, the energy in the room pulsed. He grabbed the microphone, his presence magnetic. “Are you ready to rock?” he called, his voice a perfect blend of gravel and silk.
The high school auditorium roared in response and Damien grinned, turning to look at his bandmates. His expression said: Let’s do this. Time to give the audience what they’ve been waiting for.
As the first chords rang out, Crystal felt her breath catch. She’d seen him perform countless times, but this… this was different.
Damien’s voice soared, raw and passionate, as he launched into their opening song. His body moved with the rhythm, every gesture an extension of the music. Crystal was mesmerized, watching his fingers dance across the fretboard of his guitar.
From the wings, she lost herself in his music. On stage, Damien was one with his guitar, one with his band. One with his audience. Steel and Shadow played both popular and unexpected covers and then they played a song Damien had written. As the melody kicked in, something shifted in the crowd. They fell quiet, spellbound.
Crystal couldn’t believe how good his song was. How good he was. Goosebumps rose on her arms and Crystal knew she was in the presence of something seismic. When the last note sounded, the audience burst into crazy applause.
