Page 67 of When Stars Fall

“It’s true? What the hell is this?” His TV booms in the background. He’s a compulsive TMZ consumer. Good for his business, I suppose.

“What I’ve been missing out on for ten years.”

“This is why she avoided you for all this time? Canceled meetings, missed movie premieres, not coming to the Oscars?”

“Yes. Yeah, Haven’s the reason.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I need the number for the best family attorney on the island. Can you get me that?”

There’s a long pause on the phone. “You just found out. Isn’t it a little quick to be going for the jugular?”

“Get me the information. I don’t need a lecture.”

“Should I be calling Camila?”

“No. No. I’m fine. But Ellie’s not keeping my kid away from me anymore either. I want to understand what rights I have. And if she doesn’t play nice, I want the path to custody.”

“Wyatt.”

“Precaution. That’s all.”

“You went there to get Ellie back. Don’t blow your life to shit when you could have what you’ve wanted for years.”

“You’re right. I should have had this years ago.” There’s a knock on my door, and I purse my lips in annoyance. “I’ve got to go. It’s going to be a fucking gong show here today.”

“Do you want me to send people to help you manage the crisis?”

“No, I leave in the morning. Anna’s run off again. I’ve got to get back to Jamal.” I take a deep breath when I realize how complicated my life has gotten with one revelation. “No idea what I’m going to do.”

Tommy chuckles. “Well, the studio’d be pretty happy if you got Ellie on board with your next project. Kathleen Kirkton backed out.”

“We’re not quite there yet,” I say. “I’m having a hard time looking at her. Not sure I’m that good of an actor.”

“You are. So is she. If you want me to ask about a switch, give me a call.”

“Sure, Tommy.” Sarcasm drips from my voice. “Top of my list right now. Get me that lawyer’s name.” I hang up the phone without waiting for his reply and stride to the door. Whoever is there, they’re persistent.

Calshae is framed in the view from the peephole. Stepping back, I stare at the door for a minute. She knew. I’m sure of it. I open the door, but I don’t speak. On my way to a chair, I gather my thoughts for the millionth time since TMZ made me a father. After I sink into one, I stare at her blankly.

Her steps are cautious, and she peers around the room as though she expected a hurricane. Her breath leaves in a whoosh, and her shoulders fall. “I was worried about having to clean this place up.”

My disgust at her, at Ellie, at every other fucking person who was aware of my daughter’s parentage before me rises to the surface. “You knew, didn’t you?”

Calshae freezes. “I did.”

“For how long? Does every person on this damned island know?”

Her lips quirk up, but her expression isn’t a happy one. “A lot of people do. The island is tight. We’re good secret keepers. Were. Not so much anymore. Though if whoever spilled the secret gets found out by Ellie’s parents, they’ll regret doing it. Everyone and their aunt signed an NDA when Haven was born. Her mom sealed the birth certificate.”

“I’m sure whoever leaked it is rich now and won’t care.” I drag my stress ball out of my pocket and examine it for a minute. “How do I get the minibar restocked?”

“Why?” Her eyes widen.

“I poured the bottles into the drain last night in a fit of rage. Now my rage wants to drink.” I shrug.

“Don’t see how getting drunk would be helpful.”

“Don’t see how waiting ten years to tell me I’m a father is helpful, but it happened.” Every time I remember what she did, I want to explode or take a pill to dull the edge. I don’t want tofeelthis way. Been a long time since I’ve felt something I couldn’t face.

“I can imagine the news is a lot to process.” Calshae perches on the chair opposite me.

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