Page 60 of In the Stars

“Being a celebrity has it’s perks,” he jokes lightly.

“True indeed,” Dad says.

We sit down, and we’re silent for a few beats. All of ushave so much on our minds but can’t seem to spit out the words.

Clearing his throat, Dad asks Wesley, “How are you doing with your recovery? Can’t be easy.”

I hiss at his blunt question. Dad has always been that way, but I wish he hadn’t brought it up at all. It’s like Wesley can’t go a day without people speculating on his recovery.

But Wes doesn’t seem to mind. “It’s going well. I’ve been keeping busy, seeing my sponsor. Staying away from my triggers.”

“I take it your mom’s remains and house are triggers?”

I freeze and look at Wesley’s confused face. Fuck, I forgot to ask him what he wanted me to do with them.

When he came over the night he sang the song to Lana’s Melody, we were supposed to discuss the house and Suzette’s ashes. But after the song and after he told me he loved me, all thoughts slipped from my mind.

I wish I had remembered that night. Even though we’re separated from other diners, this is a conversation we should have had at home.

Wesley pulls his lips in and looks down at the table. “You have her…ashes?”

“I do,” I say, and take his hand. He grips mine tightly. “I meant to ask you last week, but…it slipped my mind. I’m sorry.”

He gazes up at me for a few beats, then a slow smile spreads across his face “Last week. When I came over?”

“Yeah.”

“You forgot because I said I loved you?” I grin shyly and nod. “I guess that’s a good enough reason.” He exhales in a huff and sits back. “What can I do with them?Withher? I vowed to have nothing to do with her when I left this shithole. What are my options?”

I shrug. “You can throw them in the trash like you told me to.” He smirks. “There’s a reason I didn’t get rid of her remains while you were in rehab.” As delicately as I can, I say, “I wanted to make sure you were thinking clearly before I made a decision.”

He pulls my hand to his mouth and kisses the back. “Thank you.” He looks at Dad. “You know people that can demolish a house, right?”

“One of my old colleagues has a son that owns a construction and demolition company. I’ll get his number for you, and you can reach out.”

“Thanks. I didn’t think I’d have anything else to do with her. Now that she’s dead, I wanna be free.” He runs his hand through his hair. “I need to call my sponsor and talk to him.” He peeks up at us. “Things like this are triggering, but thankfully, my first thought is to call Jared, not grab drugs or liquor to numb the pain.”

“That’s good, son. Very proud of you.”

“Me too,” I add. I lean over and kiss him quickly. I’ll never get tired of kissing him.

The server brings our food out, and we dig in, talking about anything other than Suzette’s ashes. Though Wesley joins us in conversation, I know his mind is elsewhere. I hate that his mother is dead, and she’s still causing him trauma.

After the check is brought and the server asks for a photo with Wesley, we head out. When we step outside, Wesley walks us to my car. He has a pensive look on his face, his eyes troubled.

When we stop by the driver’s side door, Wesley gets mydad’s attention before he can round the hood. Dad walks back over with a puzzled look but stands beside me. Wes takes a deep breath and pushes a trembling hand into his hair. “Can I…can I leave the remains in the house when it gets demolished? Or fucking dump her ashes in there before it gets torn down?”

My eyebrows shoot up my forehead. I mean, it’s better than me sending her on a one-way ticket to hell like his initial request.

Dad frowns, but he nods. “I don’t see why not. No one has to be privy to what you do in the house before it’s destroyed.”

“I’ll have someone clean her shit out and then I’ll do it. Will you two be with me when it happens? I asked my bandmates too, but it would mean a lot if all my family was there.”

“Of course, son,” Dad says and holds his hand out to Wesley, who shakes it.

I hug him close, feeling him shudder against me. “You know I’ll be there. Anything for you, Wes.”

He kisses my cheek. Then he walks away, his head down, and his shoulders hunched. Hopefully, he can get in touch with his sponsor and unburden himself of the trigger of figuring out what to do with his mom.

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