Page 18 of Wylder & the Rising Rockstar
“Is Wylder Anderson giving up?” Julian asked.
“There’s nothing I can do.”
“There’s always something. Come on, give me a hug before I decide not to let you go back because I’ve missed you.”
She hugged him tightly, not knowing when she’d see him again. “Thanks for kidnapping me along the side of the road.”
He laughed. “Anytime, kid.”
She climbed from his car and waved as he drove off. Fishing her keys out of her pocket, she ran toward the front door. But it was already unlocked.
“Hello?” She pushed it open. This was when she really needed her mace. Her parents were never home in the middle of the day. Had someone broken in?
There was no light on in the living room or kitchen, so she moved from room to room, searching. Maybe they’d just forgotten to lock up. She gripped her phone, thinking she should call Julian to come back.
But she didn’t.
Instead, she pushed open the door to the stairwell leading to her favorite room in the entire house. The finished basement with soundproof walls that her dad had set up as a music room for her and Becks.
Taking the steps slowly, her eyes did a sweep of the room, landing on the person who didn’t belong.
He sat on the couch, staring at her, his eyes narrowed.
“What are you doing here, Luke?”
6
Neither Wylder nor Luke said anything as they stared at each other. She was the one who deserved to be mad, to be shocked. So, why did he look like he’d rather be with anyone else?
“What are you doing here?” she repeated. Was this why Becks hadn’t answered her calls? Why her parents were being so weird? She’d thought Becks might know where Luke was, that he’d have talked to him for advice. But it never occurred to her that Becks was actually hiding him from his own brothers.
Or that her parents would help.
Luke crossed his arms over his “I’m Luke. I’m here to rescue you” Star Wars shirt. The actual quote was “I’m Luke Skywalker. I’m here to rescue you.” Of course this dude even got his graphic tees custom made.
“Are you going to say anything?” He was the intruder, down here in her favorite place.
“Who was that guy in the car?”
“What?”
“The one you hugged.” His jaw clenched. “Who was he?”
“Julian? An old friend. Wait, were you spying on me?” So, shehadseen the curtains move. At least she wasn’t going crazy.
“When I hear a car outside, I go look. It’s a part of the whole hiding from the reporters thing. I needed to make sure they hadn’t found me.”
“Yeah? And what about the hiding from your brothers thing? Got an explanation for that?”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
She brushed past him to throw herself on the familiar couch. “Ditto.”
He took slow, measured steps toward her. “If you hurt Logan—”
She cut him off with a laugh. “Now you’re worried about Logan? Newsflash, bucko, it’s not me hurting Logan.” Her eyes held his in accusation before she sighed. “Julian isjusta friend who gave me a ride. He’s been engaged to like the nicest woman on the planet for forever, and he’s one of Becks’ friends.”
“That doesn’t exactly spell good judgment.”
