Page 2 of California Love Songs
This is what he was born to do, she thought, a mixture of pride and longing twisting in her chest.
Damien opened his eyes, scanning the audience before turning to where she was standing. For a brief moment, his gaze met hers, and he flashed her a brilliant smile. Then he was gone again, swept up in the music as he led the band into their finale, leaving Crystal to wonder if she’d imagined that fleeting connection.
The final notes of Steel and Shadow’s set faded away, replaced by more applause and cheers. Crystal’s heart swelled with pride as she watched Damien take a sweeping bow, those long, stray curls falling over his face. Her eyes never left him, drinking in every detail—the way his chest heaved with exertion, the triumphant grin spreading across his features, the glint of his black Fender catching the stage lights.
After the band set down their instruments backstage, all jacked up on adrenaline and the wild reaction of the audience, they joined the crowd in the auditorium. Damien was immediately swarmed by fans and well-wishers, their excited chatter filling the air. Crystal hung back, clipboard still clutched to her chest like a shield even though the show was over. She watched as he laughed and joked. He suddenly felt light years away from her, all their earlier easy intimacy gone.
Just as she was considering slipping away to check on the crew, Damien’s eyes found hers over the crowd. He said something to the group around him and made his way toward her, his magnetic grin still in place.
“Crystal!” he called, pulling her into a quick, one-armed hug. “I couldn’t have done it without you. You know that, right?”
She laughed, hoping he couldn’t feel how fast her heart was pounding beneath her Crew T-shirt. “Pretty sure you did all the hard work up there.”
Damien shook his head, his expression softening. “Nah, you’re the real MVP. Keeping everything running smoothly, handling all the details…” He made a flourishing air guitar gesture. “You’re like… the perfect bass line. Holding everything together, even if people don’t always notice.”
Crystal felt her cheeks warm at the praise. “That’s what friends are for, right?” she echoed.
A stunning blonde in ripped jeans and a crop top sauntered up to Damien, wrapping her arms possessively around his waist. Crystal tried not to let her smile drop. Melody. His girlfriend.
“You were incredible, babe,” Melody said into his ear, loud enough for Crystal to hear.
Damien squeezed her shoulder. “Thanks, Mel. It felt great.”
Crystal’s stomach twisted as Melody pulled Damien into a passionate kiss. His hands tangled in her hair, their bodies pressed close. The intensity of their embrace made Crystal’s cheeks turn an even deeper pink, a mixture of embarrassment and longing coursing through her.
When they finally broke apart, both slightly breathless, Crystal forced herself to admire Melody’s confidence. The way she claimed what she wanted without hesitation. Something Crystal could never do, at least not when it came to Damien.
To no one’s surprise, Steel and Shadow won Battle of the Bands and once more the band took center stage to play a final song. Crystal found herself stepping out of her role as event organizer and clapping and whistling along with the rest of the audience. Even the other bands seemed happy.
When the applause finally died down and the band trooped offstage, Damien’s voice snapped her out of her dreamlike state. “Hey, Crys? Could you do me a huge favor?”
Crystal’s heart leapt. “Of course! What do you need?”
He held out a soda can—the one she’d given him, now empty, and flashed that disarming smile. “Mind tossing this in recycling for me? I promised the guys we’d grab a quick bite to celebrate.”
“Oh.” Crystal’s hopes deflated, but she plastered on a bright smile. “No problem at all.”
“You’re the best,” Damien said, already turning back to the crowd. He scanned the sweaty throng of people and then grinned. He’d spotted Melody.
As Crystal watched them leave, arm in arm, she clutched the soda can to her chest. It was still warm from Damien’s hand.
Crystal’s fingers trembled slightly as she tossed the can into the recycling bin. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. Now or never.
“Damien, wait!” she called, her voice carrying across the emptying auditorium.
He turned, eyebrows raised in question. “What’s up?”
Crystal hurried over, her heart pounding. “I, um, I was wondering…” She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear, willing her voice to stay steady. “Would your band consider playing at my sixteenth birthday party? My mom said she’d pay you.”
Damien’s face lit up. “Seriously? That’d be awesome!” He glanced at the rest of the band, who looked pretty happy. “Our first paid gig,” the drummer said, raising his fist in triumph.
“When is it?” Damien asked her.
Of course he wouldn’t know when her birthday was. Why would he?
“Two weeks from Saturday,” Crystal replied, her excitement building. “I know it’s short notice, but?—”
“No worries.” Damien grinned. “We’ll make it work. It’s not every day my favorite roadie turns sixteen.”
