Hollywood Enigma: Hollywood Name Game Book 5

by Alexa Aston

  Nothing sounded right, either ringing hollow or lacking in sincerity. He gave up trying to plan what he would say and decided an impromptu speech from the heart would be the only way to go.

  One where Wynn told Scarlett he loved her.

  Nothing else mattered. Nothing.

  He pulled up to the curb and killed the engine, getting out quickly. If he delayed, he might lose his courage. What had to be said would probably tumble out but at least she would know how he felt and how he’d bungled everything.

  Wynn rang the doorbell and waited. When Scarlett didn’t answer, he rang it again. After two minutes, he decided either she wasn’t home or she’d looked out and seen it was him and decided to stay behind closed doors.

  Taking out his phone, Wynn started to call her and stopped. He slipped his cell back into his pocket. He couldn’t apologize, much less declare his love, over the phone. Scarlett deserved a face-to-face conversation, one he hoped would end in forgiveness and a kiss that would stop traffic.

  He returned to his car and sat for two hours. Scarlett never appeared. He would have to leave. As much as he wanted to stay, he’d promised Del he’d attend Rob’s exhibition tonight. Wynn needed to get home to shower and change. Traffic would already be a nightmare, as it was. He’d arranged to pick up Cady on the way and had to factor that in, as well.

  Reluctantly, he started the car and drove home. He stripped off his clothes and jumped into the shower. It felt good after sitting in the hot car so long. He browsed through his closet, looking for something appropriate to wear to the gallery. It surprised him that he was nervous to meet Rob. Wynn wanted to make a good impression on Del’s boyfriend. Who knew? They might be welcoming Rob Delgado into their family at some point.

  Wynn texted Cady when he was two minutes away and she was waiting for him at the gate outside her apartment. His jaw dropped as she climbed into the car.

  “You look spectacular!” he exclaimed. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen his sister in a dress. It had to be before the car accident that took her leg.

  The deep purple cocktail dress struck her just above the knees and rested slightly off her shoulders. Cady’s shapely right calf reminded him of the gymnast she’d once been. Her prosthetic left leg, the silver metal shining in the sun coming through the windshield, was something he’d never seen since she always wore pants or jeans.

  “I decided I’m tired of hiding who I am from the world,” Cady told him. “I wore a skirt to class the other day. Then a pair of capris. Sure, some people stared but I had several ask me about it. Not in a creepy, driving by an accident way but because they were really interested in my story.”

  Wynn saw the blush creep across her cheeks.

  “One was an army vet who’d lost his own leg.” She paused. “We have a date tomorrow night.”

  Wynn squeezed her hand. “Good for you.”

  “I’ve never been comfortable dating because of letting a guy know what happened. Doug is different. He’s been there himself. I know he won’t judge me.”

  “I hope the date goes well.”

  “Me, too.”

  They arrived at the gallery and Wynn gave his keys to the valet. He accompanied Cady inside. A large crowd mingled, wine glasses in hand.

  Wynn spotted Del and waved. His brother came over, his eyes shining with excitement. Normally, Del was incredibly low-key. The look on his face tonight told Wynn how much Rob had brought Del out of his shell.

  “Hey, guys,” Del greeted them. “Come look at Rob’s work. He’s busy schmoozing. I’ll snag him in a few minutes and introduce you.”

  His brother led them around the gallery, pointing out small intricacies in several of the works hanging on the walls.

  “You sound really knowledgeable,” Cady said. “When did you learn so much about art?”

  Del laughed. “When I got interested in Rob. I’m actually parroting him. I don’t always see what he tells me about but I enjoy listening to him talk about his work.”

  They came to a painting with vivid, bold colors. It was in an abstract style but Wynn could tell it was a woman. A strong, brave woman who met the world head on with determination. One who would never back down from any challenge. It reminded him of Scarlett.

  Wynn had to have it.

  “I see some paintings are marked as sold,” he said. “How do you purchase one?”

  Del frowned. “You don’t have to buy anything, Wynn. Rob will like you no matter what.”

  “You don’t understand. I have to have this one. Everything about it screams that it’s Scarlett.”

  Del relaxed. “Let’s go see the gallery manager.”

  Wynn bought the painting and arranged to have it delivered to his Malibu house. If Scarlett refused to take him back, he would still have a reminder of the woman he loved.

  They spoke to Rob briefly since he was being pulled in a dozen directions. After the exhibition closed at nine and the last guest was eased out the door, the manager brought out champagne for them to toast Rob’s success. All but two paintings had been purchased, which was remarkable, according to Rob.

  “I couldn’t have dreamed of a better opening.” The painter gazed at Del with love as he slipped an arm around Del’s shoulders. “Your brother has been a true inspiration to me. Not just a muse but as a cheerleader, urging me on, pushing me to try new things and bring ideas to life. He’s my rock.”

  Rob kissed Del and Wynn winked at Cady.

  They made plans to come to Wynn’s house Sunday afternoon for a cookout. He hoped by then that Scarlett would be in attendance. He and Cady left the gallery and he told her if things went well with Doug tomorrow night, the army vet was also invited.

  “Not so fast, Wynn,” Cady cautioned him. “It’s just a first date.”

  “I’m not forcing you to ask him. Just if you enjoy the date and feel comfortable with him. You know whoever you eventually wind up with is going to have to pass the brothers’ test.”

  “I know,” she said softly. “Same for you. I hope Scarlett will be there.”

  “I do, too.”

  “Back to your place?” he asked.

  “Yes. If I’m going to be out tomorrow night and at your place Sunday afternoon, I need to put in some study time tonight.”

  Wynn drove back to her apartment, insisting on pulling through the gates so he could see that she made it safely inside. Cady waved and he backed out, exiting the parking lot and turning right in order to head to Scarlett’s house again. Determination filled him. Enough time had already passed. Hopefully, she would give him a chance to make his case.

  He began slowing for the red light ahead and then it changed, so he accelerated. As he reached the middle of the intersection, a blinding light enveloped him. Before he could glance to his left, a vehicle slammed into him. Wynn’s head snapped back and then fell forward, colliding with the steering wheel. He sensed his car spinning.

  Then all went dark.

  CHAPTER 24

  Scarlett awoke, the vivid dream that startled her awake quickly fading. She heard voices and remembered she’d stayed over at Keely’s since it had grown late. She reached for her phone on the nightstand and recalled she’d left it charging in the kitchen. Glancing at the clock adorning the guest room wall, she saw it was almost six and guessed Mac had come in from his all-night shoot. Tossing back the covers, she decided to go say hello to him before he fell into bed.

  She opened her door and went to the den. The moment she entered the room, conversation ceased. Mac looked at her, a pained expression on his face. Tears streamed down Keely’s face. Immediately, Scarlett thought Keely had miscarried.

  Mac took a step toward her. “Scarlett, you need to sit down.”

  She glanced from him to Keely. “It’s not the baby?” she asked, confused.

  “No, the baby’s fine,” Keely assured her.

  “Then . . . what . . .” Her voice trailed off as Mac gently guided her to the sofa. He took the seat next to her while Keely
perched on the arm beside her, her hand rubbing Scarlett’s back.

  “There’s been an accident,” Mac began.

  “Rhett?” she asked, worried that he’d tried to do too much. Or worse—that another stalker had attacked him.

  “Not Rhett,” he assured her. “It’s Wynn. He was in a car accident,” Mac explained.

  Nausea flipped her stomach upside down. Bile rose and threatened to erupt. Scarlett forced it back down. Mac said was. Did that mean Wynn was dead? Please, God, no. She couldn’t bear it.

  Keely took her hand. “A drunk driver ran a red light last night. He struck Wynn’s car. He’s in the hospital.”

  “I’ve got to go. I’ve got to be there.” Her eyes brimmed with tears. “How do you know?” she demanded.

  “I heard a news report on my way home,” Mac said gently. “Go get dressed. We’ll take you to the hospital.”

  Like a zombie, Scarlett wandered back to the bedroom. She went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face as reality set in.

  Wynn was hurt. He could be dying. He could be gone by the time she got there.

  And he’d never know they’d made a baby.

  She choked back the tears and told herself to snap out of it. Quickly, she dressed. By the time she returned to the kitchen, Keely was also ready.

  “Mac’s in the car.”

  Scarlett nodded and picked up her purse. She spotted her phone and lifted it from the wireless charger, dropping it into her purse. They went outside and got into Mac’s truck. Her eyes met his in the rearview mirror.

  “Mac, you’ve been up all night,” she said. “You should stay home and get some rest.”

  He turned around and glared at her. “You think I could sleep when I know how you’re hurting? Just shut up, Scarlett,” he growled as he backed out of the driveway.

  Keely glanced over her shoulder to check on her. Scarlett nodded that she was okay. She hadn’t taken offense at Mac’s words. She would’ve responded the same way. As they drove, she took out her phone, wondering if she should text Rhett and Cassie and let them know. She saw she had over a dozen text messages and quickly scrolled through them. They all came from Wynn’s phone and were from his sister.

  She also had a voicemail from Cady and listened to it.

  Scarlett, it’s Cady Youngblood, Wynn’s sister. I’ve texted you. Please. I know you and Wynn argued but he needs you. He’s fighting for his life, Scarlett. Please, please come.

  Her hands shaking, Scarlett tapped the phone to call Cady back. She answered on the first ring.

  “Hello?”

  “Cady, it’s Scarlett. I just got your messages. I’m on my way.”

  A muffled sob escaped. Scarlett remained quiet. Keely turned and looked at her with concern.

  Finally, Cady said, “Hurry,” and ended the call.

  Scarlett took a deep breath. “It sounds bad,” she said.

  She wanted to text her family but it was barely six o’clock. Seven in Phoenix, so she shot Carreen a text that said Wynn had been in an accident and asked her sister to pray for him. After that, she turned off her phone and dumped it inside her purse.

  They reached Cedars-Sinai. Mac parked and he and Keely flanked her as they hurried past the vultures gathered outside the entrance. The paparazzi shouted questions at her but everything was a blur. She let Mac and Keely push her along until they reached the elevator. She told him what floor Cady had texted and the room number. From the messages, she’d learned Wynn was in intensive care with possible neurological damage.

  The floor was quiet as they departed the elevator. A nurse met them and asked what patient they were here to see. When Scarlett said Wynn Gallagher, the nurse began shaking her head and ordered them back onto the elevator.

  Before Scarlett could protest, a voice said, “It’s okay.”

  She saw a young woman in her mid-twenties, wearing a beautiful purple dress, a prosthetic leg sticking out from under it. It could only be Cady. Scarlett broke away and ran to her, embracing her tightly.

  “Thank you for calling me,” she said fervently.

  “Come with me. Your friends will have to wait.” Cady spoke to the nurse and returned to Scarlett. “She’ll take care of them.”

  Scarlett looked at Keely and Mac. Keely blew Scarlett a kiss and Mac gave her a thumbs up as Cady tugged on her. Scarlett hurried down the corridor. A man with Wynn’s height and eye color but not his rugged build was slumped against a wall. He heard them coming and opened his eyes.

  Stepping toward her, he said, “I’m Del.”

  She hugged him.

  “Tell me how he is. What happened. When I can see him.”

  Del swallowed. “A drunk driver T-boned him. Ran a red light and crashed into the driver’s side. I’ve repped some personal injury cases that were similar. A side crash is the most devastating kind of car wreck. They kill more people than head-on collisions. It’s because the side of a car doesn’t have safety features like airbags and bumpers and so a driver is pretty much unprotected.”

  Scarlett clasped her hands tightly in front of her.

  “I was going to get coffee,” Cady said. “Can I get you a cup, Scarlett?”

  She almost said yes and then remembered the baby. Her prenatal vitamins were still in her purse. “No, thanks. If you could bring me a bottled water, I’d appreciate it.”

  “Sure.” Cady walked away.

  After she turned the corner, Del said, “She’s having a hard time with this. Wynn had just dropped her off and Cady feels as if she should’ve been in the car with him. On top of that, she was in a brutal car accident years ago. Our parents both died and Cady lost her leg. Seeing Wynn lying in a hospital bed is bringing it all back to her.”

  “Be frank, Del. I need to know everything,” she urged.

  “His left arm is broken and the left knee severely bruised. No pins or rods needed, thank goodness. Two ribs on that side are also broken. His chest and head hit the steering wheel with a lot of force, so they’re both severely bruised. Some lacerations on his left cheek from the glass that shattered.” Del paused. “He hasn’t regained consciousness, though. What we’re worried most about is TBI.”

  “Traumatic brain injury,” Scarlett said, knowing it varied widely in severity.

  Del glanced over her shoulder and said, “He can help explain it.”

  Scarlett turned as a reed-thin doctor in his mid-forties joined them and Del said, “This is Dr. Thomas. He’s Wynn’s neurologist.”

  Immediately, she told the physician, “I’m Scarlett Corrigan, Wynn’s fiancée.” She knew claiming that wouldn’t give her the same legal status as a family member but, at the same time, it would make Dr. Thomas more sympathetic and he’d possibly share more information with her.

  They shook hands and she said, “Del says there’s a possibility of TBI. Please, tell me everything about Wynn’s condition.”

  “The neck absorbs the majority of force in a car crash because the head remains static. That stretches the neck’s muscles and ligaments beyond where they should go as the head finally pitches forward and back. The most common name for that is whiplash. We’ve secured Mr. Gallagher’s neck as a precaution since he’s unconscious and can’t tell us about any neck pain.

  “His head slammed against the steering wheel, causing a concussion—a blow to the head which changes the way a brain usually works. A concussion is common in side impact car crashes. The blunt force trauma swiftly paralyzes all senses as the brain bruises. A mild one will cause confusion and disrupt thinking for about a quarter of an hour. A moderate one lasts longer and causes memory loss.”

  “Wynn’s concussion is more severe, though,” Scarlett said.

  The physician nodded. “Mr. Gallagher is unconscious. He will experience memory loss upon waking and will have trouble moving and thinking when he does. It’s all a part of the stretching and swelling in his brain.”

  “Are there other symptoms?” she asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.


  “There can be,” the doctor said. “Headaches, fatigue, and blurred vision are the most common. Right now, we have an ice pack secured to his head to alleviate the swelling. Since he was brought straight from the scene of the accident and treated immediately, the chance of permanent brain damage is slight.”

  He touched her elbow. “Mr. Gallagher’s prognosis is good, Ms. Corrigan. We’ll know more once he’s awake. He may not remember events or even people he met recently but I’m sure he’ll know his fiancée.” Dr. Thomas smiled. “Let me exam him and then you can come in.”

  The doctor entered Wynn’s room.

  They had only known each other two months. What if Wynn didn’t recognize her?

  How could she tell him she loved him—much less let him know about their baby?

  Cady returned with coffee for Del and water for Scarlett. She accepted the bottle and dug through her purse, leaving the vitamins inside it as she opened the bottle and extracted one. She didn’t want either Del or Cady to know she was pregnant. Not before Wynn knew.

  Dr. Thomas exited the hospital room. “No change. His vital signs are strong. You’re welcome to sit with him. If he awakens, call for a nurse so they can notify me.”

  “Thank you, Doctor,” Del said.

  “I’m going to go for a walk,” Cady announced. “I’ll go crazy sitting there.”

  “I’ll text you if he wakes up,” Del promised and looked to Scarlett. “Ready?”

  She nodded, her throat thick with unshed tears. Del pushed open the door and she walked in.

  Nothing could have prepared her for what Wynn looked like.

  His arm was in a cast. A thick neck brace immobilized his neck. The ice pack that Dr. Thomas mentioned enveloped his head. He was bare to the waist, his chest a mass of mottled bruises. Both eyes were blackened and his face was swollen. Scarlett blinked back tears. Crying wouldn’t resolve anything. If Wynn awakened, she didn’t want the first thing he saw was her sobbing. The time for tears might come later. For now, she needed to be strong.