Page 66 of Love is a Lyric
But she’d always worried it was too late for Quinn.
Until now. Because her harsh, strong, sometimes-wicked sister was crying. “I miss you, Piper.”
Piper hiccupped back a sob. “You could have called.”
“I didn’t think you wanted to hear from me.”
She hadn’t. And she had. “I’m so sorry, Quinny.” For everything. Letting Quinn steal her songs and get them to this unrecognizable place. Kissing Ben.
Falling for him.
“Are you okay?” It wasn’t what Piper expected her to ask. “The paparazzi can be vicious.”
Piper scooted from the bed and walked to the window to look out on the empty street. They hadn’t yet found where Ben’s parents lived. “I think so. I don’t care what they say about me, but I don’t want it to hurt the band.”
“It won’t. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you. The label wants Ben back in L.A. They think we need to show a united front. Conner is coming too. If we’re together, the media will eventually forget all about this episode.”
Episode.
That was why Quinn wanted to talk to her. Not to check on her. Not to ask what was going on between her and Ben—she didn’t care.
“You want me to convince him.” It wasn’t a question, and Piper’s voice lost all emotion.
Well, she’d gotten what she wanted. Her sister needed her.
“I knew you’d understand, Piper. I’m going to put Mel back on. Talk later.”
Piper breathed deeply as she kept herself from hurling the phone against the wall. “Mel, I’m going to strangle her one of these days.”
“Get in line.” Melanie sighed. “But she’s right. We need Ben here. It does no one any good for him to still be in Ohio. Please, get him on a plane.”
“I love you, Mel, but I don’t work forFateany longer. I am here as a friend to Ben. I will put him on the first plane to L.A. once he’s ready to return and not a moment sooner. Please, stop calling me to fix his life. Until I start working for Drew, I am officially a free agent, and this free agent will always do what’s best for Ben Evans.” She slammed her thumb on the end button and threw her phone down onto the pillow.
She wanted to scream, to rage, but that wouldn’t do anyone any good.
The doorbell rang, but she didn’t move. When it rang again, she remembered what day it was. Julia and Jonathan were probably at church.
And Ben was most likely still asleep after last night.
She dragged herself from the bed, not bothering to change out of the oversized hockey t-shirt that once belonged to Chase and short shorts. After going to bed with wet hair, the strands twisted around her face. She reached behind her head to free the rest of them from the haphazard bun.
The steps creaked as she ran down, and someone pounded on the door.
“Open up, Ben.”
Piper knew that voice, but what was he doing here in Ohio?
She pulled open the door, her heart freezing in her chest. Four larger-than-life superstars stood on the front stoop.
Drew grinned when he saw her. “There’s my assistant!” His eyes skimmed her pajamas and ridiculous hair. “Wild night?” He pushed by her into the house with a wink. “After that pic of you and Ben, I assume it was.”
Piper’s mouth flapped open and closed as she stared at the other three. Noah Clarke, the British rocker shot her a smirk. “Going to let us in, love?”
Jo Jackson, Noah’s just-as-famous drummer pushed him aside. “Apparently she’s Ben’s love.” The scowl didn’t leave her face as she followed Drew inside, leaving Piper to stare at the lone stranger.
But he wasn’t a stranger. She thought of Ben’s description of the mysterious rocker, the musical savant who didn’t let fans see his appearance. She knew it in her gut this was Dax Nelson, the man she’d idolized for years.
He smiled shyly, adjusting a backpack slung over one shoulder. “Hello.”
