Page 87 of When Stars Fall

“Seriously, Tommy?” She won’t agree to be anywhere near me. I’ll have to fight dirty to see Haven after this morning.

“It’s not a terrible idea. The publicity will be huge.”

“Which she’ll hate.” Tommy is used to me, someone who loves the press. Ellie has never been a fame whore like that.

“You can insist Haven comes to set. Prove to Ellie you can stay clean and sober. You can do that, can’t you, Wyatt? Be sober?”

“I wasn’t drunk. A couple drinks. I didn’t know Haven was my kid. Ellie dropped me off, and I started to pour them out. Most of them went down the drain. That’s the truth.”

There’s a knock on the hotel door.

“Not sure how much the truth matters anymore, Wyatt, my boy. You’re gonna have to spin this like you’ve never spun anything before. Your drug- and alcohol-filled exploits haven’t exactly been discreet.”

“I realize that.” I cross to check the peephole. “I gotta go.” I hang up and swing the door open in one movement.

“We’re not going to make it.” Calshae enters the room before I invite her in. “Were you drinking? Smells like alcohol in here. Please tell me you and Ellie didn’t get drunk last night and sleep together.”

I raise my eyebrows, at a loss for words.

“Oh, Lord.” She whistles. “Which part of that is true?”

“We were not drinking last night. But I did throw empty minibar bottles at the shower wall.”

“Why?”

“Ellie found them in the trash after I fell asleep last night. Then she left.” The reality of how stupid I was keeps slamming into me. She was here, and we were on the cusp of something, something good. We won’t recover from this. I can feel it in my bones. She’ll keep me away from her, from Haven, and I’ll have to fight tooth and nail for the bare minimum.

“Can you reschedule your flight?” She grabs my carry-on suitcase and deposits it by the door.

“I need to get to LA for Jamal.” My phone is heavy in my hand. Tanvi will understand if I call, just as long as Anna’s still on her bender and not trying to break down her door. “When’s the next flight out?”

“Three hours.” She checks her watch for confirmation. “I’ll have enough time to take you to Ellie’s, for you two to hash it out real quick, then to the airport. The hashing part will need to beunbelievablyquick.” Her dark eyes are sad when they meet mine. “Maybe you shoulda let me have someone clean your room.”

Of course, that might mean I’d have someone selling “Wyatt Burgess on a Bender” stories to the press. Not quite true. Truer than I’d like.

“How many bottles were there?” She peeks into the bathroom and retreats.

“All of them.” I don’t mention the phone call to the front desk to order more in a moment of weakness. Luckily, she doesn’t spend long enough in the bathroom to count the bottles lying around. The number of unbroken plastic ones screw my story right away. “Would you . . .” I clear my throat, gathering my nerve. “Would you consider telling Ellie you never saw me drinking, never smelled any alcohol on me?”

“That’s true.” Calshae gives me a rueful smile. “It’s just . . . I can’t say for sure that youweren’tdrinking. I know you told me you poured them down the drain.” She eyes me. “I’ll bet you’ve learned a thing or two about how to cover your tracks over the years?” Her voice rises at the end.

I’ve brought my A-game to this conversation. My facial expression is going to match these words. I will not crack. She needs to be in my corner or Ellie will never let me near my daughter again. “I understand what’s at stake. I was not drinking.” If she checks my room bill, she’ll catch my lie.

“But you still drink?”

“Not anymore.”

“Poor Ellie.” Calshae chuckles. “How is she ever certain you’re telling the truth? Your ability to sidestep a direct question is astounding.”

“Will you help me or not?” I sigh.

“I’ll help you. You want to be better, but you’re not there yet. You can keep your foot in the door. But you’re going to need a crowbar for Ellie to let you in after this.”

If a crowbar is what I need, I’ll find one. No matter what it takes, I’m wedging myself into Haven’s life, and Ellie’s too.

“I’ll meet you downstairs.” She picks up my bag. “We’re going in the secret entrance to Ellie’s place?”

“Yes. Can you get in touch with her security?” I’m already dialing Yasmeen, my travel agent, to get on a new flight.

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