Page 52 of When Stars Fall

Chapter Twenty-One

Ellie

Present Day

Haven’s laughter floats through the house as I drop my keys and purse on the island. Nikki, under protest, picked up Wyatt and Haven so they could do their kayaking and snorkeling right after school. She could also be a little more flexible in her stance toward Wyatt. She sees the risk in letting them get to know each other, and I’m starting to witness the reward.

I walk out to the back patio, which overlooks the black, rocky cliff and the route to the water. I can’t see any of them, so I wander the narrow path, careful not to slip on the wet stones. Someone’s walked this route a few times already. As soon as I emerge onto the beach and outcrop of rocks, Nikki, Wyatt, and Haven are visible in their snorkel gear. They’re treading water by the coral with their masks propped on their foreheads.

I put my hands on my hips. Wyatt is treading water. That’s a new skill. They haven’t noticed me yet. “Honey, I’m home. What’s for dinner?”

Wyatt catches sight of me first, and his grin causes my heart to drum in my chest. He always used to look at me that way—as though I was the only person in the universe worth noticing.

“We’re pressing buttons,” Nikki yells back.

Our shorthand for ordering takeout. I check my watch. My session with the drama club students at the high school ran over. If kids have questions, I stay until they’re answered. Usually they’re about acting terms, ways to break in, or experiences I’ve had on movie sets. A lot of the curiosity centered on Wyatt today: his addictions, our film together, whether he’s truly better now . . . Exhausting and awkward. I don’t enjoy lying, but I’m protective of my privacy when secrets can be sold. None of them knew Wyatt was on the island, so Calshae and the hotel have done a good job there.

Haven’s bedtime is approaching. Someone needs to order dinner and that might as well be me. Before I can start up the hill again, Wyatt waves.

“Ellie!” His enthusiasm reminds me of Haven. “Watch!” He swims toward me in a ragged but improved front crawl. Treading water and now swimming better. What’d he do? Spend the day watching YouTube clips and teaching himself?

When he’s close enough to shore to get his feet under him, he stands, and the water rushes down his toned chest. I have a hard time making eye contact with the rest of the view on display.

When I land on his face, he’s grinning. “Impressive?” His eyes, almost the color of the shallow water, sparkle.

Impressive on so many levels. “What did you do today?”

“I learned to swim.” He puffs out his chest.

“You taught yourself?”

He chuckles. “Nope. I tried to convince Calshae to take me to your school. She stopped me from doing something stupid by teaching me to swim.”

“Calshae, huh?” My heart squeezes at the picture he’s painted. “She must be a hell of a teacher.”

“I’m that good?” His pleased grin widens, and he gestures over his shoulder. “Haven couldn’t get over how much better I was. And this eggbeater thing for treading water—man, so hard.”

Another soft laugh escapes me. The emotions running through me are jumbled together. “Calshae taught you eggbeater?”

“No, Haven did. I was sure I was going to die. But once you get the motion, it’s not so bad. Still stupidly hard, but better than drowning.”

The bitter and the sweet mix in me. We could have been a family for ten years if he’d gotten help. Haven would have had this relationship.

But he’s here now. He’s here.

Tears prick the backs of my eyes, and I focus on the distant houses while I collect myself. I shouldn’t be crying over Haven teaching him the eggbeater or over one of my ex–best friends coming to my rescue.

Wyatt is now in front of me, and water trickles from his hair and along his body. “Ellie?” His voice is soft, curious. “Hey.” He rubs my arm.

Somehow, he’s come closer while I’ve been lost in thought. “Hey, Ellie. Are you okay? Did you have a rough day? Were those little shits at the high school mean to you?”

I choke out a laugh. A tear falls, and I wipe it away. “No, no. I’m okay. It was a good day.”

“You sure? I’ll go to that high school tomorrow and kick ass.” His voice is deep and brimming with the old caring I remember so well. “If someone’s hurt you, Ellie . . .”

We loved each other once, so much. Something on my face makes his brow furrow more. I take a deep, shuddering breath and shove my feelings down. We can’t go back, so we have to find a way forward.

“I’m okay, Wyatt.” This time there’s firmness behind my words. “I’ll order food, change, and come for a quick swim.”

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