Avery - Rocking Her World Always: A Best Friend Little Sister’s Romance

D ont take this the wrong way Cole but when was the last time you got fucked? Devon asked, easing my new Porsche on the Los Angeles freeway. Being my personal assistant had a few perks. Keep in mind, Im not asking as one of your star-struck groupies but as your friend.

I cant imagine the right way to take a question like that. I mused, staring at the late freeway gridlock before us. I hoped it wouldnt be like this all the way to the airport. A pleasant breeze from the open windows stirred the air in my Coupe.

I hadnt even driven this car except down my driveway. These days I didnt drive much. I missed that freedom, but honestly, I had so little free time it wasnt worth keeping my license up. And my manager worried that if I got into an accident, suing the lead singer of The Charmers was a lawyers wet dream.

All Im trying to say is, if you cant remember the last time you got laid, thats not a good sign. Devon crammed another stick of gum into his mouth. He was trying to stop smoking, and it wasnt going well, hence all the gum chewing.

Theres more to life than getting laid, I said, wishing Id gone for the cars convertible model. Feeling the fresh air rushing by me might help lift my mood. Not that there was much fresh air in LA or that we were moving enough to generate a breeze.

Sure, theres death, taxes, and the ever-present LA Freeway traffic but none of that is worth living for, Devon argued.

I didnt want to admit it, but he was right.

Besides, doesnt being a rock god exempt you from this kind of real-life crap? Devon persisted. Babysitting your friends little sister. He shuddered theatrically then flipped off the driver behind us for tailgating us.

Drop it, Dev. My tone shut down his babble. Even though he was one of my personal assistants, he was also a friend. And I didnt have many of those these days. Success made any kind of real relationship pretty damn difficult if not impossible.

Calling me a rock god was laying it on a bit thick, but it didnt change the fact that I was heading to the airport to pick up Alaina. And if I was a rock god, I wasnt a happy one.

As lead vocalist for The Charmers, our recent release hit every billboard chart, our upcoming tour was sold out, and we had advertisers begging us for endorsements. Our managers were thrilled. Judging by my house, cars, bank account, and career opportunities, my music career was successful. Id worked my ass off to turn this dream into my reality. But I was beginning to wonder if it really was worth it.

I glanced in the passenger visor mirror. My reflection showed my shaggy brown curls which needed a haircut, and my beard could use a trim. A stylist could come out and take care of that for me later this week at the house.

I was glad for my dark sunglasses, they hid my blue eyes which now sported dark circles under them. I looked hung over when in fact I was stone cold sober. I avoided drugs and too much alcohol because Id seen my fellow performers fall like dominoes because of them.

The result, however, was that at twenty-seven-years old I lived like a monk.

I should see a doctor, maybe Im sick. I flipped the visor mirror closed.

Devon snapped his gum then glanced over at me. Nah man, what you need is to get laid. That cures everything.

No lie there, but that wasnt going to be happening anytime soon with Alaina around. Plus, Id been jerking off with my hand so much, I should slap a ring on myself. Being on the road months on end meant a relationship was trying at best. Casual sex wasnt my thing because I didnt like wondering what was going to wind up in the tabloids because of my name. It turned out money could buy pretty much everything, except trust.

So whats she like? He asked.

Alaina?

No, your Mom. Devon flashed me his cheesy trademark grin which was getting him a few acting auditions but no real roles besides playing the dead body in crime dramas. Of course, Alaina.

She just graduated college in Vermont, and she wants to work out here.

Actress or model? Devon perked up. Whats she look like? I could show her around.

I havent seen her since Rays wedding five years ago. She looked like a teenage girl. Besides, shes staying with me to avoid the likes of you.

Devon tapped his chest with one hand like he was hurt. Hey man, Im just trying to help.

Keep your hands on the wheel. I sipped my coffee trying to get some strength from it. I missed this, just regular talk with someone who didnt want something from me.

I dreaded each sign speeding me closer to Los Angeles International Airport. I didnt want a house guest even to help out Ray. But hed been my best friend growing up. Before I hit puberty Ray was the only thing that prevented me from getting beat up daily in middle school. Now back in New York, his wife needed to be in the hospital until their first baby arrived. It wasnt too much to ask to get his kid sister settled out here.

Ray believed in me when no one else did. Sure I was exhausted, but I could do this for him.

Besides how much trouble could it be to get Alaina settled in her own place?

I yawned. My body wasnt sure what time zone it was in after coming back from Singapore a few days before. That was the glamorous truth of my life on the road.

A teenage girl is really going to put a cramp in your style. Is she a fan? Devon snapped his gum.

Shes not a teenager, shes a college graduate. I have no idea what kind of music she likes. I didnt know much about Alaina. At Rays wedding, Id only talked to her briefly trying to cheer her up through her tears. Some boy had dumped her and she was sure he was the love of her life. I remember the only way I could get her to stop crying was to ask about her horse. She showed me a sketch pad full of drawings which she carried around everywhere. I remember her being a talented artist.

Hey, maybe she could spend the week horseback riding? That would keep her out of my hair. I pulled out my phone and texted another assistant asking for a list of the best places to ride in the area.

The more I thought about it, this could be the answer to my problem. Hell, Id buy her a horse if it kept her busy until Ray arrived, then he could do the apartment hunting with her.

I sent a follow-up to my assistant inquiring about buying a horse for her as well.

If all went as planned, Alaina could be packed off to an exclusive dude ranch tomorrow. For the first time since talking to Ray last night, the knot of anxiety in my chest eased. By the time Devon dropped me off at baggage claim, I had tried to reassure myself. I was able to entertain stadium-size crowds, surely one recent college graduate would be no problem.

But still, something nagged at me.

Ray specifically asked me to take care of her myself. I was trying to follow his wishes, but I didnt relish running the gauntlet of paparazzi floating around LAX. I pulled a baseball cap low over my eyes. I wore a tee shirt, faded jeans, and boots, pretty much standard regular LA guy attire. I hoped the casual clothing would help avoid attention. I kept my eyes down trying not to meet any curious gazes.