Hated (Rock Star Trilogy) by Mercy Amare Read Free Book Online Page B

aired in three weeks.” She stops talking for a minute, and I hear her soft sobs. “He kicked me out of the house. He doesn’t want anything to do with me. I don’t have anywhere to go. Demi’s Mom is letting me stay there tonight, but I can’t stay here forever. I don’t have any other family, and I don’t know who else to call. Please, call me back. I… Tell Stephan that I’m sorry.”
    The voicemail comes to an end, and the person behind me honks. I realize that the light is green. I take off, but my hand is shaking as I drive.
    I dial the number back.
    “Scarlett?” Mona answers after the second ring.
    “Yeah, it’s me…” I don’t know what to say.
    “I guess you got my voice mail.” She’s scared, and I can hear it in her voice… But more than scared, she’s hurt. The only dad she’s ever known kicked her out. DNA doesn’t matter to her. I guess it does to him. It makes me sick that the past eighteen years meant nothing to him.
    “I’m so sorry — about your Dad.” Sorry is such a lame word. Especially when you’re apologizing for something that is completely out of your control. But I know what I can do. “You’re welcome to come here and stay with me.”
    “In LA?”
    “Yes.”
    There is a short pause. “Does Stephan mind?”
    Mona is hurting. And I’m pretty sure Stephan won’t mind — you know, eventually. So, I lie. “No, of course not. He’s the one who suggested you come stay here.”
    “Really?” She sounds surprised. “Are you sure you don’t mind? I wouldn’t be in the way. I would be at school during the day anyway…”
    “It’s fine,” I promise her. I truly hope that it’s a promise I can keep. “Just fly out here tomorrow. Text me your flight schedule, and I’ll have Stephan come pick you up from the airport.”
    “Oh. You’re not coming?” She sounds a little disappointed.
    “I can’t. I am recording a song for my new album tomorrow.”
    “Okay.” Her voice is timid, and I’m not used to it. She’s usually so in control of her emotions. That, or she’s usually better at faking. “And Scarlett, thank you.”
    Wow.
    I don’t think I’ve ever heard Mona say the words thank you before. I could definitely get used to nice Mona.
    “You’re welcome.” I hang up my phone as I pull up to my house. I take a deep breath before getting out of the car.
    How in the world am I supposed to break the news to Stephan ?

    9:33 PM
    My life is crazy.

    Stephan is asleep when I get home. I am just going to let him sleep, but when I climb into bed beside him he wakes up.
    “Hey,” he greets me in a groggy voice. “I guess I fell asleep waiting for you. I need to get used to California time.”
    “Sorry I’m so late,” I apologize. “But I am happy to say that I am officially finished.”
    “That’s great news.” He looks excited.
    “Don’t be too excited. Tomorrow and Thursday I have to be in the studio. Alec and I are going to record our duet. And then Friday, we are flying to New York. I have some TV interviews to promote the documentary and the new single.” I sigh, and lay my head back on the pillow. “My life is crazy .”
    Stephan smiles at this. “I can help relieve some stress.”
    That is exactly what I need.
    But.
    First — I have to tell him about Mona.
    “I have one more thing.” I decide to just blurt it out. Procrastinating isn’t going to make the subject any easier to approach. “Mona is coming to live with us… Here…”
    He sits up, and looks at me. “What?”
    “Mona’s dad found out that he’s not her biological father. So she’s coming to live with us here, because she has nowhere else to go,” I explain. “And I kind of told her it was your idea for her to come here. Also you need to pick her up from the airport.”
    “It was definitely not my idea. Seriously, Scarlett… Why?” He doesn’t look mad. Just frustrated.
    “Because she’s your sister — your family . She has nowhere else to go. I think it’s a