Star Struck Read Free

performance.
    "I'm sorry." Beckett frowns at me , and my stomach sinks. "I'm just not sure if this is gonna work out. But thanks for stopping by."
    I struggle to stand up, my legs rubbery. As I push away from the keyboard with shaky fingers , my knees soften and I fear I'll fall over. I feel like an idiot; like I've made a complete fool of myself. Without saying a word, I pick up my purse, stalk out of the garage and race to my car.
    "Wait! Star!" Ryker calls out, his footsteps pounding behind me.
    I whip around. Ryker jogs in my direction. From over his shoulder I can see the other band members watching from the open garage. Well, everyone except for Beckett. He's kneeling on the ground, fidgeting with a string on his guitar.
    "Why did you even invite me here?" I ask angrily. "Clearly Beckett isn't interested in having a backup singer."
    "Look, I'm reallly sorry about how Beckett acted in there." Ryker runs a hand over his perfectly styled hair.
    I soften a little at his words. He's not the person I'm mad at anyway. "It's not your fault. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to try out." I unlock the door to my car and reach for the handle.
    "Just give it time. I know Beckett will come around."
    I shake my head. "No, I don't think that's going to happen."
    "We've been talking about how badly we need another singer for awhile, and everyone thought you did a great job."
    I snort. "Well, everyone except for Beckett , and he is the lead singer and the band is named after him. So, I think it's a safe bet that you're new backup singer won't be me." I tug open the door and slide inside. "See ya later, Ryker." Before he can stop me, I slam the door shut and turn on the engine.
    Ryker gives me a sad wave, and turns away. As I pull away from the curb I see him walking back to the garage with sagging shoulders. Feeling eyes on me, I gaze into the garage and see Beckett staring directly into my eyes. I shiver from the intensity of his gaze. The look he gives me causes my heart to arrest. He looks like he's sad to see me go, but I know that's not possible. He's the one who practically threw me out. Facing forward, I force myself to just forget about the whole thing. Sure Beckett is hot, but he's a total jerk. Nothing is ever going to happen between us. In fact, I hope I never even see him again. Angry, I press harder on the gas and tear down the street. I'm grateful that I don't have to drive far before the campus comes into view.
    I turn the corner and head toward the parking lot, anger still simmering through my veins. After parking in my usual spot, I turn off the car and bolt out into the cold night. I fling my purse over my shoulder and hug myself as I run toward the dorms, my heels clicking on the pavement. 
    When I step inside my dorm room I find Lola sitting cross legged on her bed, an open notebook in her lap. She's bent over it scrawling in it with a black pen. Her head jerks up when I slam the door closed. She pushes her hair out of her face, and smiles. "So, are you officially a member of Beckett?"
    I shake my head, too mad to speak. Flinging my purse on my bed, I slump down onto it as well. The mattress slumps beneath my weight.
    "What happened?" Lola slides the notebook off her lap and sits forward, allowing her legs to dangle off the side of the bed. She's wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt but she still looks stylish somehow.
    I groan in frustration, running a hand over my face. "Beckett happened."
    "Uh-oh." Lola purses her shiny red lips. "Was sexy rocker boy scared you're gonna steal his spotlight?"
    "What?" I crease my forehead in confusion.
    "Oh, come on. I saw the guy. He thinks he's God's gift to music. I'm sure once he heard how super talented you are he got scared. He doesn't need his backup singer to upstage him."
    As sweet as Lola's words are, they don't ring true. "No, trust me, he didn't seem very impressed with me."
    "I'm still going with my theory."
    "That's why I love you so much." I smile. "You should have