Starstruck - Book Three Read Online Free PDF

days I really missed the simplicity of my life back in Iowa. I
missed the anonymity. I missed being able to go out on dates without paparazzi
cameras in our faces and fans begging for autographs.
     
    I settled in on the sofa in the family room and wrapped
myself in a soft, creamy Merino wool blanket and let the tears fall as I waited
for Hudson to return. I hoped that we could salvage our last few hours together
before he left for two weeks, but that would be up to him. He called all the
shots. He always did.
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER 6
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    I woke up on the couch a few hours later, my eyes swollen
from crying. I must have cried myself to sleep. The house was still quiet.
Hudson was still gone. I wanted to call him, but I wasn’t sure if he’d even
answer. I’d never seen him so angry before, and I had no idea where he went.
     
    I’d fallen asleep with my hands clutching my phone to my
chest, just in case he called, but I awoke with not a single text message or
missed call. According to the clock, he’d been gone three hours now. Those were
three hours we should’ve been spending together.
     
    Hudson had mentioned before that he’d be willing to fly
Piper out to stay with me while he was gone. I missed her so much. I never
realized how much of a security blanket she was for me back home.
     
    My fingers hovered above her name in my phone as I
hesitated. I hadn’t spoken to her since I was home the weekend before, and we
didn’t leave things on the best of terms. Realizing I had nothing to lose, I
called her anyway.
     
    “Hello,” she answered.
     
    My heart skipped a beat. Piper answering my call was a good
sign.
     
    “Hey!” I said. I tried to act like nothing was wrong.
Sometimes that worked with her.
     
    “What’s up?” she asked. I could sense a little discordance
in her voice, but I ignored it.
     
    “I didn’t get to say goodbye to you,” I said.
     
    “Yeah, I know,” she replied. Her tone was flat, and I could
tell she was hurt.
     
    “So I was wondering if you wanted to come out here next
weekend and stay with me?” I asked, fingers crossed that she’d take me up on
it. “Hudson said he’d fly you out here to keep me company while he’s gone. I
really want to show you around. You’d love it here.”
     
    She was silent.
     
    “Free vacation!” I added. “All expenses paid.”
     
    “For how long?” she asked, breaking her silence.
     
    “As long as you want,” I replied.
     
    Her tone seemed to improve. “I guess I could do that.”
     
    “Really?” I squealed. I couldn’t contain my excitement. I
wanted to bring a piece of home out there so badly.
     
    “Yes, really,” she laughed. “I just have to check with my
boss and get the days off, but I should be able to make it work.”
     
    “Yay!” I squealed again. “I cannot wait, Piper. You’re going
to love it so much you won’t want to leave.”
     
    “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Piper teased. I could tell she was
secretly excited but didn’t want to admit it to me just yet.
     
    “How are things?” I asked, changing the subject.
     
    “Same old,” she replied. “I saw your latest, uh, tabloid
mishap.”
     
    “You did?” I asked.
     
    “So Ava Fox cornered you in a store and gave you a piece of
her mind?” Piper asked. “What was that like?”
     
    “Do you really believe everything you read?” I asked. “She
fed that story to the press. I know she did because she left out all the parts
where I sassed back to her and put her in her place. She’s crazy, Piper.
Truly.”
     
    “The article seemed believable,” she said. “I’m glad I
asked.”
     
    “Of course. They all seem believable,” I sighed. “That’s why
they sell so many of those stories.”
     
    I heard the sound of the garage door and the gentle purr of
Hudson’s car pulling in.
     
    “Piper,” I said. “I have to let you go. Text me the dates
you want and we’ll get the tickets