Page 42 of When Stars Fall

“You should talk to him.”

We talk all the time, and if something was really wrong, Isaac would tell me. Neither of us is any good at keeping secrets. I grab my pill bottle out of my other pocket, and I shake it.Empty. “Did you have any of these?”

She stares at me for a beat before shaking her head.

Going to the en suite, I count the pills out loud as I collect some from the various prescription bottles in the medicine cabinet. Variety is the spice of life. Then I add a few more. Tomorrow, I’ll slow down.

“I’m not policing you,” Ellie says when I come back into the bedroom. “I’m worried. It’s a real thing.”

“I don’t usually count pills. Maybe you can start keeping track for me.”

“How would I ever do that?”

“I counted them out for you just now.”

“That’s bullshit. You probably added pills after you stopped counting.” Ellie turns to the doorway.

I grab her arm. “I love you. I’ll slow down, okay? I’ll slow down.”

“You two lovebirds done fighting?” Isaac appears at the bedroom door. He pushes his phone into his pocket.

“Who are we going out with besides Anna?” I tug Ellie close so I can kiss the top of her head. She can never stay mad at me long.

“Jimmy Walker, Bryson McCoy, and Aman Paul.”

Those names don’t mean anything to Ellie, but I recognize them. “Since when?”

“What?” Isaac laughs. “I’m expanding my social circle.”

“They’re the same dickheads who got Anna in so much trouble the last time. I had to send Kyle to bail her out of fucking jail for disorderly conduct.”

“Nothing like keeping it in the family.” Isaac chuckles. “I’m the brown brother.” He takes out a pack of cigarettes. “Come on, Wyatt. It’s bygones.”

“I’ll come out ’cause you asked me to. But I’m not talking to those jackasses, and I’m keeping Anna the fuck away.”

“You take things too personally. Pop another Perc. I see a sharp edge poking through.” He backs up toward the front of the house. “I’ll meet you in the car.”

I grab my keys off the table.

“Who are those people?” Ellie’s hand is grasped in mine.

“Bad news,” I say. “Nothing good comes from hanging out with them.”

Chapter Seventeen

Wyatt

Present Day

Haven keeps a running commentary during dinner. Who knew a young girl could be so chatty with strangers?

“What do you think, Wyatt?” Haven takes another heaping spoonful of pasta.

The amount of food she’s eating is surprising. She’s a tiny slip of a thing. I’ve tuned out the conversation, and I glance at Ellie for help, but she offers none.

“Sorry, I think my mind wandered,” I admit. “What were you wondering?”

“Kayaking and snorkeling tomorrow after school. There’s a cool reef not far out. Do you want to go with me and, uh, my aunt?” she asks.

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