Star Struck Read Free Page B

I figure out why she makes me so uncomfortable. The realization smacks me hard in the gut, and I worry I might throw up.  The familiarity of this girl is almost too much. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.  A thousand unwanted memories assault me and I struggle under the weight of them. As she finishes the song I will the thoughts away, and force myself to calm down.
    The minute Star ends the song Ryker peers over at me with that “I told you so” look I hate so much.  "See, didn't I tell you she was amazing, Beckett?"
    "Yeah, she's not bad ," I shoot back. But when I glance back at Star, I see her face fall and then I feel guilty. The comment was more for Ryker’s benefit. Even though I want nothing more than to get rid of this girl who bears a haunting resemblance to my past, I don’t want to be rude. So with a sigh, I grab a piece of sheet music and walk toward Star. "Now let's see how well you harmonize."
    She takes the paper from my fingers, her gaze lingering on my face for a minute. I can see what Ryker sees in her. Her beauty is so natural and pure, very unlike the girls we meet at our show s, which is just another reason I can’t let her join the band. This life will eat her alive.
    I glance around the room. "You guys stay out for this. This is just going to be me and Star." As I walk back to my guitar, I try not to notice the slight flush of Star’s cheeks or the way her eyes li ght up at my words.
    I strum my guitar and start to sing. When I get to the chorus, I can hear Star’s voice mingle with mine.
    You’re just one more thing I can’t have
    Standing just outside my grasp
    But it doesn’t really matter
    Because good things never last
    Our voices blend perfectly, weaving in and out of each other like we were meant to sing together. I shift uncomfortably, pulling the strap of my guitar away from my neck. I feel like I’m being strangled. I just can’t do this. There’s no way this girl can join our band.
    "I'm sorry," I say to her. "I'm just not sure if this is gonna work out. But thanks for stopping by." Then I turn away so I don’t have to see the disappointed look in her eyes. After she races out of the garage, Ryker turns to me with a glare.
    “What?” I dare Ryker to tell me what he’s thinking.
    But he doesn’t respond. Instead, he just shakes his head and takes off after the girl. Man, he really must want to get in that chick’s pants.  The other guys share a disgusted look, causing me to grunt and turn away. It’s not like I meant to hurt the girl’s feelings. The whole thing was Ryker’s fault. He had to know how this would end when he brought her here. I glance up to see Star jump into her vehicle and turn on the engine. As she pulls away from the curb, her gaze locks with mine. Her face brings back another unwelcome recollection, and a wave of emotion crashes over me. As she drives away, I know I did the right thing. I may not have been able to save the girl who meant everything to me once upon a time, but at least I can save this one. Maybe this is some sort of redemption.
    As Ryker stalks back into the garage, I think about what a silly thought that is. Redempt ion isn’t real. We don’t get to right our wrongs that way. If only things were that simple.
    “What’s with you, man?” Ryker towers over me, his eyes dark. “She was amazing, and you totally shot her down. Is your ego really that fragile?”
    Anger sparks. “This has nothing to do with my ego and you know it.” I take a step forward practically bumping Ryker with my chest.
    “Okay, calm down you guys,” Our electric guitar player Pierce says, moving away from his instrument. Both he and our drummer Jimmy head in our direction.
    I back off, nodding to them. “Everything’s fine.” You’d think Jimmy and Pierce would be used to Ryker and me getting into arguments. Ryker is like a brother to me. We’ve been friends since we were kids, and we fight just like siblings.
    “Is it because she’s