Falling Star

by Laura DeLuca

  “I’ll take that under advisement.” Drew told him, but then his voice softened. “But I really do want to thank you for all you’ve done. You’ve gone above and beyond the last few days, even after I blew you off for months. I appreciate that.”

  Paulie snorted. “Yeah, well, don’t get used to it. As soon as we’re back in L.A. you can get your assistant to take care of the grunt work.”

  “Can I ask one more favor?” Drew appealed.

  “Shoot.”

  Drew took a slow breath. He had to phrase his next words carefully. “I’d really like to talk to my doctor. Get an idea of when I’ll be released. I want to be sure I’ll have enough time to get back for the movie debut, though I’m hoping it’ll be even sooner.”

  “Can’t blame you for that. Damn depressing being in this place and I ain’t just talking about the hospital. I feel like I’ve been swallowed up in the Bermuda triangle.” Paulie chuckled as he moved closer to the door. “Let me see what I can do about getting them to move things along. As far as I’m concerned, you can heal just as quickly in L.A. as you can here.”

  Paulie waddled out of the room and Drew breathed a sigh of relief. It was about time he had some privacy. This was the first moment he’d had to himself since the accident. With his entourage otherwise engaged, it was the perfect time to call Lainey, but first he really needed to use the facilities before he had to call the nurse to change his sheets.

  Wonder if Catherine would stick around after that one.

  Snickering in spite of himself, Drew flung his legs over the bed. He took things slowly and found he was much more stable than the first time he attempted to stand on his own. His whole body throbbed from the exertion, but using the rolling IV stand as a crutch, he was able to limp his way to the bathroom. After answering nature’s call he took a moment to clean himself up. The reflection that greeted him in the mirror was unfamiliar. One side of his face looked like it had gotten up close and personal with a brick wall. His eyes were red and bloodshot and his lips chapped and cracked. He didn’t feel much like the glamorous Andy Palmer anymore.

  Funny, but I don’t find that disappointing.

  Of course that didn’t mean he wouldn’t like to at least appear presentable on the off chance Lainey had a change of heart and decided to show up for a visit. Hoping to restore some of his humanity, Drew brushed his teeth with toothpaste that tasted like cement and splashed a little water on his face. The cold liquid did nothing to help his complexion, but it did wash away the last of the wooziness the pain meds had caused.

  “Everything okay in there, Mr. Palmer?”

  Drew recognized the sound of the nurse’s voice outside the bathroom door. She’d been so silent, he’d heard no signs of her arrival, but he was glad it was only her. He hoped both Paulie and Catherine would be occupied for a while longer so he could talk to Lainey without spectators. Patting his face dry with a rough towel, Drew called back to the nurse. “I’m cleaning up a bit. I’ll be out in a second.”

  It was her job, but Drew still felt awkward when the middle-aged woman waited for him to emerge from the bathroom. She insisted on helping him back to his bed before going through the whole vital ritual again, checking everything from his heart-rate to his blood pressure. Only this time when she reached for the needle, Drew stopped her before she could insert the medication into the IV.

  “I don’t think I need anything quite so strong,” Drew told her. “Do you have something that will dull the pain without impairing my mind? I don’t like feeling like a zombie.”

  The nurse grinned. “I can probably scrounge up some ibuprofen. Let me run it by the doctor, assuming I can find him.” She leaned in closer and added in a secretive whisper, “I think he’s hiding from your uptight friend.”

  Drew laughed with her. “That doesn’t surprise me. Sometimes I like to hide from him myself. Take your time.”

  The woman beamed at Drew as she wrapped her stethoscope around her neck. “Glad to see one of you Los Angeles folks have some manners. I’ll get right on it. If the pain gets worse we can always switch you back to the stronger stuff, but I don’t blame you for wanting a clear head, especially with those two buddies of yours.”

  Drew thanked the nurse as she wheeled her apparatus away. At least he wasn’t the only one who Paulie and Catherine rubbed the wrong way. He was also glad she’d agreed with him about the medication. He needed to be able to function when he finally got through to Lainey. He couldn’t afford to mess things up again.

  So what are you waiting for?

  Drew’s hands trembled as he reached over to grab the phone. His fingers fumbled the numbers so badly it took three attempts to get it right. When it finally rang, he held his breath. His new cell wasn’t a number she’d be familiar with and that could work in his favor if she was avoiding him. But would she answer for an unknown caller?

  One ring. Two. Drew’s fingers clutched the cell so tightly he was amazed he didn’t shatter the screen. He began to wonder if he even had the right number at all, when a timid voice finally answered, completely void of its usual luster, but still recognizable.

  “Hello?”

  “Lainey? It’s me. Drew.”

  There was a gasp and then a long pause. So long Drew feared she might’ve hung up on him. When she finally spoke, it was a controlled monotone completely unlike her normally bubbly voice. “What do you want?”

  She was so cold and detached. Empty. Drew almost preferred the silence. But at least she was listening. That had to mean something. Swallowing back the lump in his throat, Drew charged on. “I’m not sure if you heard, but I was in an accident last night,” he informed her. “I’ve been sort of out of it all day. That’s the only reason I didn’t call sooner.”

  “Yes, I heard.”

  So, Paulie must’ve been telling the truth. Lainey did know about the accident, but hadn’t bothered to check on him. Never mind that now. It’s not like he didn’t deserve it.

  “I was hoping you’d come see me,” Drew implored. “So we could talk things over.”

  Lainey released a long, exasperated breath. “We have nothing to talk about, Drew. I said all I needed to say last night. I’m sorry you got hurt, but the accident doesn’t change how I feel.”

  “I’m not trying to play the sympathy card here,” Drew promised. “And I know I screwed up, but Lainey—”

  “No, Drew, listen,” Lainey interrupted, her voice firm. “I’m glad you’re okay, but the truth is, I don’t want to see you. Go back to Hollywood for your big movie premiere like you planned all along. I wish you and Catherine all the best.”

  “Lainey, I swear Cat is only a friend,” Drew vowed. “Not even that really. She’s someone I had to work with. That’s all.”

  Finally Lainey displayed some emotion, though it was only anger. “I have no idea who you’re trying to fool, but it won’t be me! Not anymore. I’m done listening to your excuses, Drew. Don’t call me again.”

  Then there was only a dial tone. Laying the phone down on the sheets, Drew wondered if he should call the nurse back with that morphine after all. Oblivion had never seemed so desirable.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Lainey stuck her head in the closet, rushing to make a selection since she had less than forty-five minutes until Happy Hour. She flipped through skirts until she found one that actually showed off a little leg. It was a deep forest green with bells suspended from the elastic waist. Next she tore through her drawers, searching for a top that would complement it. She chose a brown camisole embellished with beadwork. Perfect. Still earthy, but somewhat daring, at least by her normal standards. She topped off the ensemble with a pair of knee-high boots and silver combs in her hair. She even added a touch of makeup and earrings along with the star necklace she always wore. Lainey grinned at her reflection in the mirror, even though that smile didn’t quite touch her eyes, especially not when the photo of her and Drew on the roller coaster stared back at her, mocking her with its memories.

&nb
sp; Lainey refused to let it get her down. Some women might spend their days after a bad breakup sobbing into a container of ice cream, but Lainey wasn’t one of them.

  “I’ve got better things to do than sulk,” she told her reflection as she applied a touch of strawberry flavored lip-gloss.

  It was Friday night and she planned to head to Woody’s like it was any other weekend. She’d have a few drinks, dance with her friends, and have a good time if it killed her. It didn’t matter that Drew was probably trying on his tux at that very moment, preparing to escort Catherine down the red carpet the next evening. Lainey had her own life to live and she wasn’t going to spend a moment on regrets.

  “Meow.”

  Misty leapt onto the dresser and let loose a plaintive yowl while Lainey was busy brushing her long locks. The feline nosed her arm a few times, forcing her mistress to give her some attention. Leaning in closer, Lainey scratched Misty behind the ears.

  “I know what you’re thinking. You think this is all a big act. Well, I’ll let you in on a secret,” she whispered near the cat’s ear. “That’s exactly what it is, but at least this time I know my lines. I feel like the last few months I was stuck in a movie and I was the only one without a screenplay.”

  Apparently Misty wasn’t overly impressed with her analogy. Flicking her tail, the cat jumped down from the dresser, knocking over a jewelry box and several bottles of lotion before landing gracefully on her feet and prancing away like nothing ever happened. Lainey sighed and leaned down to salvage the mess of tangled necklaces and spilled creams. While she was still bent over, a piece of paper fluttered to the floor at her feet. She couldn’t recall leaving anything like that on the dresser. Curious, she picked it up and unfolded it. What she read made her heart skip a few beats.

  “Oh my ... it can’t be.”

  Lainey had to grip the wood for support as her gaze scanned the page. Thankfully, she was already on the floor, so when her legs wobbled she sat Indian style, ignoring the draft that traveled up her skirt and along her bare legs. Lainey must’ve read the letter at least twenty times before she was convinced it wasn’t a hallucination. Could it really be true that a literary agent had read her manuscript and liked it—liked it enough to offer representation? She’d never even worked up the courage to send out a query letter. But Drew had taken the initiative for her and now she’d been offered a contract that could be a one way ticket to total dream fulfillment. And it was all because of Drew.

  How do I handle that?

  The terrible ache she’d tried so hard to hold at bay tackled her with a vengeance. She breathed deeply to ward off the tears that threatened to spill. She’d sworn she was finished crying after a night of weeping with her coven sisters around a bonfire at Sharon’s house, wineglasses in hand. She’d accepted things were over with Drew. This night was her first real step to moving on. Now the letter Lainey clutched against her chest shattered all those strong-willed intentions. No matter what else had happened, Drew must’ve cared about her to take the time to scout out the perfect agent. Would he really do all that for a fling, a plaything as Catherine had insinuated? Why had she been so willing to believe the actress over Drew? Why hadn’t she at least given him a chance to tell his side of the story?

  I have to talk to him.

  That quickly, the decision was made. Lainey dragged herself to her feet and raced frantically to the living room. She found her bulky handbag and dumped the contents all over the couch. She didn’t have time to waste shuffling through the odds and ends. Pushing aside brushes and bubble gum wrappers, Lainey made a desperate grab for her cellphone. She hadn’t turned it on since her last disastrous call from Drew, but now she switched on the power, pulled up the address book, and hit the speed-dial button in three seconds flat. Then she waited hopefully, toying with the ends of her hair while she listened for Drew’s cheerful hello. But she never got to hear his voice or even the sound of the automated ring. Instead, a computerized message buzzed in her ear.

  “We’re sorry. The number you are trying to reach has been disconnected.”

  “Damn it.”

  Lainey rarely swore, but this situation warranted it. Certain she must’ve hit the wrong button on the speed dial, she tried again manually. She was lucky she had a good memory and could recollect all the numbers including the area code. Nevertheless, once she punched in the familiar digits, the same message started to play.

  “We’re sorry— “

  Lainey didn’t bother listening to the whole spiel for a second time. Instead, she disconnected and tried again ... and again. Every attempt yielded the same result. Her eyes burned with unshed tears as she tossed the useless phone onto the sofa, not even bothering to fish it out when it sunk between the cushions.

  “Think Lainey, think.”

  Sitting down, Lainey rested her head in her hands. She had no clue why Drew’s number had been disconnected. When his last call came from an unknown phone, she’d assumed he’d used the landline at the hospital. The truth was, she probably wouldn’t have answered the call at all if she’d known it was Drew. It had been a hard conversation to get through, but now she berated herself for failing to ask for an alternate number when she’d had the chance. Even if Drew was still at the hospital, trying to reach him there would be fruitless. No one would patch her through to his room. Andy Palmer was off limits to the general public, and to the hospital staff Lainey was no different than any other randy groupie.

  Bang. Bang. Bang.

  Lainey lifted her head to the sound of the rattling doorframe. Before she could even get up to answer it, the noise repeated, followed by the exasperated voice of Elisa. “Hey, Lainey, are you ready?”

  “Coming!”

  Lainey pulled herself from the sofa and checked the clock. She’d completely lost track of time, but luckily she’d finished getting dressed before she got distracted. Still, she must’ve appeared disheveled because Elisa’s forehead creased with concern when she pulled open the door.

  “Whoa. You look like you’re about to hurl.”

  “No, I’m fine.” Lainey shook her head, leaving Elisa in the entranceway while she raced back to toss all her necessities into her handbag. As an afterthought, she grabbed the letter and shoved that in her purse as well. “Where’s Erin?” she demanded as she slammed the door closed behind them.

  Elisa folded her arms. “In the car. We waited for you for ten minutes before she sent me up to check on you.”

  “And Sharon?”

  “She’ll be meeting up with us later,” Elisa explained. “She had a craft show today and was just wrapping things up when I last spoke with her. Now, do you want to stop with the small talk and tell me what’s going on with you? I can tell something’s up.”

  “Nothing.” Lainey fibbed and then instantly experienced guilt pangs. “Nothing I want to talk about right now anyway. Maybe once we’re all together and I’ve had a few drinks in me I’ll change my mind.”

  Elisa didn’t push the subject and Lainey was glad. She wasn’t sure her friends would really understand why one simple letter overrode everything else that had happened. They didn’t know what it was like to be a struggling artist attempting to break out. Even Sharon with her clay work had never lacked confidence or doubted herself, at least not that Lainey was aware of. Lainey, on the other hand, had always been terrified of rejection. Drew understood that, and he had torn down the walls she hadn’t been able to scale on her own.

  “Do you think Erin will mind if we make a quick stop along the way.”

  Elisa shrugged. “Not like the bar is gonna go anywhere.”

  “Good.” Lainey slung her handbag over her shoulder. “Then let’s get out of here.”

  Once everything was locked up, Elisa had a hard time keeping pace as Lainey darted down the hallway to the elevators. On the way down, she kept hitting the buttons repeatedly, knowing full well her impatience wouldn’t make the slow ride any quicker. She just needed to take her aggression out on something.


  When they finally reached the lobby, it was deserted. Even the security guard had called it a night, and the paparazzi had long since vanished. Once Catherine arrived in town, Lainey had become old news, completely forgotten in light of the super-couple’s reunion. If any of the reporters still lingered under the boardwalk or hid with binoculars on the deck of the closed motel across the street, she wasn’t going to worry about them. All of a sudden, the only thing that mattered was finding Drew.

  “I need you to drive me to Drew’s townhouse,” Lainey ordered as soon as she pulled open the passenger door of Erin’s silver SUV.

  Erin huffed. “Nice to see you too.”

  When Lainey climbed into the front seat, Elisa wasn’t too happy either. “Hey, I was riding shotgun.”

  “Please, girls.” Lainey took a deep breath and counted to ten. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I need to see Drew. I know there’s only a slim chance he’s still in town, but there’s something I have to say to him and it’s really important.”

  Elisa snorted. “When you left the hospital in tears two days ago, you swore you were done with that slime ball for good.”

  “I know.” Lainey sighed. “And I’m still incredibly pissed at him for lying to me, but something’s changed. Something big. I’m not saying it’ll magically heal all our problems, but it earns him a chance to really explain himself ... assuming he still wants to.”

  “All right,” Erin relented. “I’ll take you.”

  Lainey smiled. She could always count on her BFF. “Thank you, Erin. I—”

  “Wait.” Erin held up a finger to silence her. “I still want to make it clear that I stand with Elisa on this. I was all for explanations before that bitch showed up, but now ... well, I don’t want to see you get hurt again ... or belittled. You’re better than that. But if this is something you feel you need to do, then I’m one-hundred percent behind you. Let’s do it.”