Page 114 of When Stars Fall

“This isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with people like Priya Sidana.” He cracks open one eye and then the other.

“Jamal?”

“And me and Anna when we were kids. They came knocking. My parents said the right things. Appeared to understand they screwed up. Promised to be better. A situation, one of many, where it helps to be famous.” He sandwiches my hand between his two bigger ones. “Trust me. I realize I’ve screwed up with Anna. This willneverhappen again.”

“I’m not blaming you.”

“You should.I do. If I’d done something more about Anna and Jamal, we might not be here.”

Earlier I’d had the same thought, but I’m not laying his sister’s choices at his feet. I run my free hand across his shoulders.

He kisses the back of my other hand, which is still clasped between his. “When I got to the trailer and saw Haven lying there, unconscious, my heart, Ellie. I thought it would fall out of my chest and die beside her. I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

“Knock, knock,” Priya says from the doorway. We turn to look at her. “I have a few questions for both of you and then I think I’ll have everything I need.”

Wyatt wraps one arm around my waist, his other hand in mine. “Have at it,” he says.

Priya perches on one of the chairs across from us. The duct tape repairs on her plastic seat crunch as she settles. Scanning her notes, she then looks up at us, a nervous tilt to her mouth. Her pen is poised to start writing. “So, either of you can answer and then we’ll go from there, okay?”

We both nod. Wyatt does most of the talking. He’s never more charming than when he’s trying to get out of something. Even when the pile of trouble he stumbles into isn’t his, he has two methods of dealing with conflict: he’ll either brawl his way out or turn on his razzle-dazzle star power. Sitting beside him, I have a front-row seat; he’s at full wattage. He anticipates each question, an answer at the ready. He said he’s done this before with people like her, but I can’t help wondering how many times. None of the questions trip him. He’s smooth, confident, filled with the best answers. Was this how he learned to talk his way in or out of things? Wasthishis childhood?

“Well.” Priya stands. “I’m satisfied you understand what happened here today. Haven’s a very lucky girl. The outcome could have been much worse.” She stuffs her papers into her bag and then hesitates. “I wish you both a lot of luck sorting out your sister, Mr. Burgess. Seems like you’ve turned your life around.”

His grin is grave and bashful, as though her compliment means something. “Thank you, Priya. It’s been a pleasure talking to someone who understands the struggles and the path to wellness.”

Yeah, ’cause it’s such a pleasure to be on the cusp of being called a bad parent. Probably better he did most of the talking in the last half hour. I may have gotten surly.

When she swishes out the door, Wyatt embraces me, and my cheek rests on his chest. “Let’s go see Haven.”

“Thank you.” I stare up at him.

“Christ, Ellie. You don’t have to thank me. I’m the reason we’re here.”

“You’re not. I understand why you think that, but you’re not. We have to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. To any of the kids.”

He steps away from me and thrusts his hands in his pockets. The gum rattles around. He’s focused on something over my head, not meeting my eyes. “Are you sure about me, about us? I wouldn’t blame you if you’ve changed your mind.”

“Wyatt, I’m pregnant with your baby.” Although he doesn’t say it, our past hangs in the air between us. Being pregnant didn’t stop me the last time.

“No. I want to be with you. I want us to be a family.” Tears pool, blurring my vision. He tugs me to him again. “But I need us all to be safe.”

“Tell me what you want me to do, Ellie, and I’ll do it.”

And so I do.

Chapter Forty-Three

Wyatt

Present Day

The crew brought us a round table and put it in Ellie’s trailer. It’s a tight squeeze. Ellie or her manager should have insisted on a bigger trailer in her contract. God knows they would have given it.

The table set-up won’t satisfy Camila. Cramped. Too tight. When the arrangement spells conflict, conflict comes. Wouldn’t matter how spacious we made Ellie’s trailer. Conflict is coming.

My focus strays to the spot where Haven’s tiny body lay, half dead. Over and over, the scene flashes in my memory. Facing Anna in here isn’t going to be fun, but being here is a good reminder of what’s at stake.

No kids are allowed in Ellie’s trailer because the powdered fentanyl Anna’s been peddling could be anywhere. Camila had a cleaning crew scrub everything from top to bottom while we were at the hospital, but I’m not taking any chances.

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