Page 36 of California Love Songs
He began the walk back to his parents’ home, running through the options to take his mind off Crystal. He’d written that new song overnight, making him creatively spent for the day. His body was too tired for a run, and besides which, he didn’t want to be alone with his own thoughts. The images that kept coming back were all of Crystal, of them together, and he felt confused and frustrated.
Back at the family home, he took Buster off the leash and watched, smiling, as he happily bounded around the house to let everyone know he was home. Damien found his mom in the kitchen, grading papers.
She smiled at him and then checked her watch. “Did you have a good time with Erin? You’ve been gone for ages.”
“Yeah, it was great.” He paused. “After she left, I stayed and talked with Jay. He’s a good guy.”
His mom kept her face neutral, but he could tell she was surprised—happily surprised. “It’s good you two are getting on again. He’s part of the family now.”
It felt strange to hear his mom say that, but all the same, he realized it was true. Erin and Jay were so happy that he’d put money on Erin being the next Davenport to get married. He smiled to himself. Maybe she’d even beat Mila to the altar.
To his mom, he said, “Where are Dad and Finn? I was hoping to spend some time with them, too.”
“They’re at the new building site,” she replied. “I’m sure they’d love a visit. You never get to see them at work.”
“They’re working? On a Sunday?”
She shrugged. “It’s a rush job, a friend of your dad’s, so he didn’t want to say no.”
Damien figured heading to a work site was even better. Maybe he could even help out. There was nothing like manual labor to focus the mind. His mom gave him the address.
He stopped at home and changed into grubby jeans and a flannel shirt, grabbed one of his favorite ball caps, put on dark glasses, and dug out the steel-toed boots from the back of his closet—boots he hadn’t worn in years. When was the last time he’d been on one of his dad’s building sites? It had certainly been a while. Maybe Damien wasn’t the best builder in the world, but he could drive in a nail, mostly straight.
His dad and Finn were working on an extension to one of the Arts and Crafts houses in the main part of town. As he parked outside, he immediately saw how beautiful the place was and how well they’d designed the extension to blend seamlessly with the original structure. According to his mom, it was going to be a bigger kitchen and a playroom for the couple’s recently born twins.
Damien stepped out of the car and found Finn and his dad busy at work out back. He inhaled the familiar scent of sawdust and listened to the distinctive music of saws and hammers. Already, he felt his focus shifting.
Finn spotted him first and climbed down from the ladder, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Damien, what’s up?”
His dad turned off the saw, raising his eyebrows. Something must be up if his musician son surprised him with a visit to a building site. But Damien didn’t want to tell them his problems. He knew he’d just get teased.
Instead, he said, “Give me a damn hammer and some nails. I need to work out some frustration.”
Finn raised his hands, spreading his fingers dramatically. “But you’re a musician. Aren’t those fingers the moneymakers?”
Damien just stared at his brother. “You want to see what else my moneymakers can do?” He shook a fist, playfully, though his irritation was real. He could be as down-to-earth as his builder brother.
“Whoa, back off,” Finn said with a laugh.
Howie walked over, clapping Damien on the back. “We can definitely use your help, son. Thanks for dropping by. Here’s what I need you to do.”
As his dad talked, Damien realized it wasn’t exactly the most important job on the site, but it was better than nothing. Howie measured and cut pieces for the screening boards, then Damien numbered and positioned them correctly around the floor. It wasn’t the hammering and banging he’d wanted, but he found some peace in the simple process. It felt good just to be with his brother and his dad, doing something mindless. It also kept him away from his phone, preventing him from accidentally crossing over from overzealous friend to stalker…
At the end of the workday, Damien followed his dad and brother back to the Davenport home. Only when they arrived and he was safely parked did Damien allow himself to look at his phone. Nothing. He followed Finn and his dad into the backyard, and as Howie popped open a beer, he offered Damien one of the ginger sodas everyone knew he loved.
But Damien shook his head. “No, give me a beer.”
His dad looked surprised. “I thought your body was a temple. If you don’t want a soda, I’m sure we’ve got some spring water somewhere.”
Damien shook his head again. His dad immediately got it; he popped open another beer and handed it over. Damien gave his dad a nod of thanks and tipped his head back, gulping down the cold beer. It felt good. Seriously good. Maybe he should allow himself a few more pleasures. And then of course his mind went straight to Crystal, to the pleasure that she could give him. He shook his head as if to banish those sexy thoughts.
Finn studied him curiously. “Is this about a woman?”
Inwardly, Damien groaned—was he really that transparent?—but he kept his face neutral. “I’m just drinking a beer. Why would it be about a woman?”
Finn nodded knowingly. “It’s definitely a woman.”
Damien let out a sigh. They might not be as sympathetic or understanding as Erin, but at least his dad and Finn were men. He decided to take a chance on them. “I’ve never gone after a girl and been rejected. I don’t know my next move.”
