Falling Star (Combustible Book 2) (32 page)

“Hey,” Ryan said, stepping in front of him, “before you go find her, you should really think about what you just did. Did she tell you why she left Hollywood?”

“Reporters always assuming shit.”

“And what did you just do?”

He pressed at his eyes. “Why the hell didn’t she say something?”

“When one of those assholes gets in your face, if you respond with anything, they usually find a way to twist your words and use it against you. She learned to be silent years ago. It’s the only way to deal with that scum. When you start throwing shit at her, why would it be any different?”

“I just need to talk to her.” He slipped past them both, toward his truck and started dialing.

The first time, her phone rang twice before going to voicemail. The next three calls went straight there.

Desperate, he looked back at the house to find Ryan locking up and O’Neil standing next to him. “Ryan, O’Neil, I’m sorry. I know you have no reason to trust me, but if you talk to her, tell her to call. Please.”

Ryan returned an expression full of pity. “I’m willing to bet it’s going to take her time to listen. She trusted you, and you broke it by doing exactly what everyone does to her.”

“And that’s why I need to make this right.”

O’Neil shook his head. “Did someone spiral out of control because of drugs or alcohol?”

He nodded. “My father, my sister. And today we put out a fire at the same meth house where I dragged my sister out a few years back. Shit… I know better. She looked so broken, and then I saw the glass.”

“We’ll talk to her,” Ryan promised. “It’s probably going to take time. If you care about her, and it seems you do, just have patience.”

Trent asked for Ryan’s phone. “I’ll put my number in there so you can get in touch with me.”

Ryan handed over the phone. “I hope you haven’t fucked up too much. She really loves you.”

“I love her so damned much it scares me to death to think I might have lost her already.”

Ryan patted his shoulder. “I’ll talk to you soon, one way or another. Maybe we can help. But if you ever pull this shit again…”

O’Neil finished, “I’m going to beat your ass so hard you’ll wish you never laid eyes on her.”

“Don’t blame you there.” Once he was back home, he sent a text.

Ella, please, I was wrong. It will never happen again. I love you.

He didn’t expect a response. Not yet. He needed to find a better way to get through to her, to make her understand.

Chapter 38

Lakeridge Inn was quiet and comfortable enough, but Ella’s emotions were on empty… and she felt like a fool. She should have told Ryan
hell no
to the wine instead of shutting down. She knew Trent had issues with the stuff, and after what he’d told her about Tina and his father, she really couldn’t blame him.

Still, that didn’t give him the right to assume she was an alcoholic, or turning to drinking. He hadn’t asked, just accused. Bastard didn’t even find out if she was all right after she told him Logan had been in her house, in her bedroom, while she was in the damned tub, naked and vulnerable.

Tears filled her eyes all over again. He’d sent a dozen texts. So had Mila. If she called Mila, she’d only tell Trent what was going on, and where to find her. She wasn’t ready to face him.

Her heart ached too bad to listen to a thousand excuses. Ella was terrified she’d take him back and he’d break her open all over again. She needed time to build her courage before talking to him. Once, she could forgive, but a second time would shatter her already fragile heart. Before she could talk to him, she needed to know she had the strength to walk away if he jumped to similar conclusions in the future.

Someone knocked on her door and she covered her head, wishing everyone would leave her alone.

“Angel, it’s me,” Ryan called.

She swung her legs off the bed and made her way to the door. “Tell me you didn’t have pity on that asshole.”

“Shit,” Ryan muttered. “Yeah, but he’s not here.”

She looked out the peephole and opened the door for Ryan.

“I shouldn’t have given you the wine. I didn’t think you’d drink it, but I hoped it might ease your nerves.”

“No. There’s nothing wrong with having a lousy glass of wine. Not that I drank the damned thing. Trent shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions and called me a drunk,” Ella muttered, turning to flop down on her bed.

Ryan opened the connecting door to the next room and Shannon appeared on the other side. “Hey, kid. Trent knows he fucked up.”

“Don’t even speak his name right now. I can’t. If I hear him apologize, I’ll forgive him. Then, when he does it again, he’ll break my damned heart.”

Ryan plopped down beside her and scooted his arm under her shoulder. “I hear ya, but he’s had a rough day and knows he put his foot in his mouth.”

She shot off the bed and paced away. “He broke me open because he thinks I’m like his sister. I’ve never given him a reason to go there.”

“And if he can prove he knows where he went wrong, and that he won’t do it again?”

“Then I’ll figure it out, but right now I can’t deal with him. I don’t have the strength.”

“Do you love him?”

She blinked back tears and nodded.

“Then give him a chance to prove it.”

“I will, but not tonight. I hurt too much to face him yet.”

“Still having nightmares?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Ella, does he make you happy?”

She slid down the wall and covered her face. “Stop, Ryan. I can’t do this tonight. I’m not ready to talk. I need to think.”

“All right. Just knock if you want to talk.” Ryan crouched down and kissed her head. “Don’t suffer alone.”

Shannon added, “We’re both here and want to help.”

“Thanks. How long do you think it will take to set up the rest of the security system? I don’t want to stay in a hotel. I like my home.”

Shannon answered, “Tomorrow. Top of the line. No hacking, no splicing. This bastard isn’t going to get back in when I’m done with it.”

“Thank you. For coming out, for taking care of me. But right now I just want to sleep.”

“No dinner?” Ryan tried.

“No appetite. I can order room service later if I need it.”

Ryan hugged her. “Okay. Good night.”

Chapter 39

She never came home. Trent kept a vigil, sitting in the living room watching all night long. He never saw anyone come or go from her house. Ella wouldn’t answer the phone, wouldn’t text. This was his damned fault, not hers. But he needed a chance, just one damned chance, to fix his fuck up.

At daybreak, he got ready for a run, praying to God he’d see her, even if she had Ryan and O’Neil with her. Exhausted, and disgusted with himself, he returned home after not seeing a soul on the run.

Mila met him at the end of her driveway. “Where is she?” she demanded.

He shook his head, his heart twisting tighter. The thought of her leaving for good threatened to break him. “I don’t know.”

Fury burned in her eyes. “She won’t even talk to me. What the hell did you do?”

“Fuck, I messed up. I read the situation wrong and blew up.”

“How?” she asked in a low, deadly voice.

“I said shit I shouldn’t have. I know better, but after yesterday… damn it… I couldn’t stop my head from putting her in Tina’s shoes.”

Mila’s hands clenched into fists as fury laced her tone. “Why?”

“Logan had been in her room. Left flowers while she was in the bath. She didn’t tell me. I got there while Ryan and some security guy were there checking out her system. She had a glass of wine in her hand, and I assumed the worst.”

“Instead of comforting her, you what? Accused her of being drunk? You jumped
that far
to conclusions, just like the reporters. That’s just great.”

He threw his hands up and his voice broke as tears burned his eyes. “I said I fucked up. I need to figure out how to fix it.”

Mila shook her head and walked away.

“Mila, please. What do I do?”

“Depends on how bad you hurt her. I need to see if I can get her to talk to me. She’s probably worried I’ll take your side.”

“I’m sorry. Mila, I’ll fix this.”

“Not sure you can.” Her dark hair swished as she walked away.

Another nail was driven through his heart as he turned and trudged back to his house.

Kyle caught up with him at his door. “Mila’s worried. I’ll talk to her.”

Trent shook his head. “I’m worried too, but Ella’s with friends. I can’t imagine she’ll stay away from Mila forever. Me—she’ll probably never speak to me again.”

“Don’t give up. You’ll figure this out.”

“I fucking hope so. I can’t let it end this way. I love her, and I tore her apart with the fucked up shit I said.”

“What did you say?”

“I saw the wineglass and assumed she’d let two strange men get her drunk. The fact that fucking stalker was in her house didn’t even register I was so pissed she was drinking—but she wasn’t. The glass was nearly full, some was spilled on the floor. I just—fuck that house yesterday, that was the same meth lab I dragged Tina from after Randy died. My head was screwed all to hell, and I broke her trust with the shit I spewed.

Kyle rubbed his neck, shaking his head. “Can’t say I blame her from shutting you out. I get it, I feel for you, but how do you make up for that?”

Trent wiped at his face. “Don’t have a clue, but I need to figure it out.”

“If I hear anything, I’ll share. Just don’t tell Mila.”

Trent managed a smile. “Thanks, but don’t do anything to get in trouble with Mila. I’ll find a way. I have to.”

“Mila doesn’t know Tina’s whole story, or your father’s. She’ll listen to me, maybe she’ll help.”

“What I’ve seen doesn’t excuse my actions. I accused Ella of turning to alcohol. She’d never given me a reason to even think that. This is all fucked up. I’ve never even seen her drink.”

“Mila will understand. We’ll get through to her, then to Ella.”

“Go back home to your wife. I need a shower, then I want to check if Ella went to the shop today. I just want to see her, even if she won’t talk to me yet.”

“Good luck, man.” Kyle jogged back to his house.

* * * *

Ella sat in her office, alone. She’d sent Ryan and Shannon to get food. The press corps had shown back up, so she had music blasting out front, in an effort to drown out anything they said, or shouted.

She sat back and dialed Mila.

The phone barely rang once. “Ella?”

“Yeah, I should have called sooner. I didn’t know what to say.”

“You had me so worried.”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t deal with Trent and wasn’t sure you wouldn’t try to convince me to listen to him.”

“Tell me what happened yesterday. He said Logan was in your house. Really?”

“He caught that detail?” She snorted. “He was more fixated on the glass of wine in my hand. And no amount of what he’s gone through excuses the things he said to me.”

“Talk to me. Start at the beginning.”

“Promise you won’t take his side.”

“I’m on yours, Ella. Always. I promise I won’t try to sway you.”

Ella told her everything. Before she finished, Ryan and Shannon stood at the entrance to her office. Ryan grabbed several tissues and took them to her.

“Where are you?”

“Mon Armoire. Opening is soon. Got to finish getting ready.”

“Want my help?”

“Ryan is here with a guy from the security firm. They’re installing a new system here and at the house. Apparently Logan hacked into the one at home and rerouted it. He probably has more video. I can’t even think about what he’s doing with it. I can’t let my mind wander to what everyone thinks. I keep shutting it out. I feel so broken.”

“Ella, let me come out.”

“How about when I go home tonight? You can meet Ryan.”

“Sure. Please don’t shut me out because my husband’s friend fucked up.”

“I won’t.”

“If you need to talk, call.”

“Okay, but I have Dr. Eisman’s number if I need her too. And Ryan and O’Neil are here. I’ll see you tonight.”

“See you then.” Mila ended the call.

Ella took the tissues, wiping at her tear-streaked face.

“You miss him,” Ryan said softly.

“I can’t deny I love him. And I’ll talk to him when I’m ready.”

“That feeling won’t go away in a few days, Ella. And you live across the street from him. Don’t torture yourself.”

“Why don’t you guys go back to my house and put the finishing touches on the system there?”

“We’re not leaving,” O’Neil said. “Not without you.”

Ryan shrugged. “I’ll stop. I just feel sorry for the guy. It’s obvious he loves you. Hell, I could see it in the way he made love to you.”

“Oh my God! Tell me you didn’t watch that?”

O’Neil smirked. “Couldn’t help it. I meant to just see what sites it was on, but then the video started and you two… mesmerizing.”

Ryan nodded. “We didn’t watch it all, but what you two share is special. And last night, after you left, he realized he’d fucked up. He was a mess. Give the man a chance.”

Ella stood, shaking her head. “That’s not fair. I can’t be with a man who makes assumptions about me without the facts.” She brushed past Ryan and headed for the boxes of clothing.

Ryan sighed. “How are you coping with the crews outside?”

“I don’t hear them.” She started going through the merchandise and met Ryan’s gaze. “I know you worry about me, but you’re here, and not leaving. So help a girl out.”

“Fine, you win.” Ryan joined her while Shannon went back to work on the security system.

* * * *

Trent walked up the steps to his parent’s house, dreading the impending conversations. Both with his parents, and the one he needed to have with Tina.

He knocked on the door and Tina answered. “You look like hell.”

“Feel like hell. Can we talk?”

She nodded. “Sure. Though Mom wants to talk to you too. She’s worried about Ella. That sex tape…” Tina shook her head. “How the hell did that happen?”