Star Struck Read Online Free PDF Page A

club.”
    His hand circles around my wrist. “Wait, Star. You didn’t give me an answer.”
    I turn around slowly, my skin searing from his touch. “You didn’t ask me a question.”
    “ Oh, I thought I made myself clear. Are you in or not?”
    “In what?” I ask, totally confused.
    “The band.” He looks dumbfounded.
    My heart skips a beat at his words. I want to say yes in a heartbeat, but I know I can’t. Not after what he’s put me through. “I’m not sure I want to anymore.”
    The look of shock on his face is one I wish I could photograph. “Okay, I guess I deserve that. But come on, I saw the look in your eyes when we sang together. You love this.”
    I feel my resolve slipping. “Fine. I’ll think about it.” Before he can say another word, I scurry off the stage and head toward Lola. She is still sitting at the same table, only now Ryker inhabits my seat. He is leaning over the table on his elbows, and Lola is inclining her body close to his as they talk. 
    Lola’s head pops up when I approach. “Whoa, what was that all about?”
    I feel my cheeks warming again.  “I don’t know. It was crazy, right?”
    “Not that crazy,” Ryker interjects. “You two are great together.”
    “What are you talking about?” I ask, defensively.
    Ryker’s eyes widen. “Just that your voices blend well together.”
    My shoulders soften, the tension in them dissipating. I feel like an idiot. Of course he was talking about us being great together musically. Why had I thought he meant something else? Lola purses her lips, giving me a funny look. I can tell she’s surprised by my volatile reaction too.
    “What was Beckett talking to you about just now?” Lola asks.
    “About joining the band.” Despite my best efforts, my lips push upward into a smile.
    “Cool,” Ryker says with a grin. “I’m so glad you’re joining us.”
    “Who said I was?” I cock an eyebrow. “I told him I had to think about it.”
    “Good for you , girl.” Lola holds up her hand exposing her palm, and I give her a high five.
    “But you’re going to say yes, right?” Ryker looks perplexed.
    I shrug. “Maybe.”
    “Man, Beckett’s gonna be pissed.” Ryker stands, running a hand through his hair. “He never apologizes. Ever.”
    “He still didn’t,” I explain.
    “Oh.” Ryker bites his lip. “Well, for what it’s worth, I really I hope you consider it. You’d make a great addition.”
    I nod. “I’ll let you know.”
    Ryker smiles at Lola. “And I’ll see you later.”
    Lola’s cheeks turn pink as he saunters off. I nudge her in the shoulder. “What was that about?”
    “Nothing.”
    “That was not nothing. I can see it all over your face.”
    “Okay.” Lola stands up, her face flushed. “I may have given him my phone number, and he may have asked me out, but I’m not one to gossip.”
    I laugh. “That’s great, Lola. You two are cute together.”
    “Yeah, so are you and Beckett.”  She elbows me in the side, a teasing gleam in her eye.
    Swallowing hard, I scour the room looking for him. When I spot him in the arms of some platinum blond, my stomach tightens. Oh, well. It’s not like anything is ever going to happen between us anyway.

4
    Beckett
     
    I don’t know what possessed me to invite Star up on stage. It’s just that when I saw her sitting in the crowd staring up at me with those large innocent eyes I acted without thinking. I felt bad about our last encounter and wanted to make it up to her. Besides, I figured if she’s going to be in our band now I should probably make amends.
    As she makes her way up to the stage, I take in her outfit. She wears skinny jeans and a tight top, and for the first time I notice how nic e her body is. Her sandals tap on the slick stage as she walks tentatively toward me. Her hair is sleek against her face and her lips shine under the bright lights. When her eyes meet mine, I can’t help myself. My flirtatious side comes out to play and I motion her