Page 59 of Shy Girls Can’t Date Celebrities (Shy Girls Sweet Romances #6)

Devon awkwardly waves at me. “Is Wyatt here?”

“You’re... You’re...”

He edges toward me, hand on his chest. “I’m Devon. I was Wyatt’s assistant.”

“I know. We were expecting you.” I gesture at the limo. “How...”

“I’ve borrowed it from the Ashworths.”

My chin drops at the statement.

Devon points at the house. “Can we go inside? I don’t want a repeat of those vans showing up.”

Hurriedly, I beckon him to follow. “Sure. Come on in.”

My dad meets us at the door, sizing up Devon as he lets him follow me inside .

“Devon?” Wyatt utters as we enter the living room. “It’s you.”

Devon stumbles backwards. “You remember me?”

Wyatt rubs the side of his head. “A lot of stuff recently came back to me.”

Devon moves in for a hug. “It’s so good to see you, bro.”

Wyatt yanks him into the hug, patting Devon’s back. “Man, you too.”

The boys pull apart and move further into the living room. Wyatt sits beside me on the couch, and Devon perches on the opposite armrest. Dad stands on the other side of the coffee table, surveying the room.

“I gave the twins ice-cream in the back room,” Mom says, returning to the living room. “It was the only way they’d promise not to race in here.”

“Mom, this is Devon,” I introduce.

“My assistant,” Wyatt is quick to add.

“So,” Dad starts off. “Tell us how you got here, and the little show with the police out there.”

“It’s the Ashworths’ limousine,” Devon explains. “I still have some connections. Even if I need to go about things in the most roundabout way.”

Dad folds his arms, getting a read on Devon. “Explain what that means.”

“Right.” Devon nods. “About a year ago, we got a call from someone who worked for Tom Ashworth. Apparently, his daughter Vanessa is a huge fan of Wyatt’s and wanted him to perform at her birthday.

It didn’t work out, but I had some of the emails saved on my personal account.

They had a phone number under the signature. ”

“Wait.” Wyatt pauses, mulling something over. “I had a chance to come back to Victoria Falls, and I didn’t take it?”

“It wasn’t good timing,” Devon says tentatively. “You weren’t in a good headspace. ”

“Oh.” Wyatt sighs. “Yeah, I wouldn’t have wanted to see Josie when I was like that.”

I recoil, hating the idea of Wyatt not wanting to see me.

He reaches for my hand. “Not that I wanted to avoid you. I just felt like a fraud. I wasn’t good enough to be in your life.”

I lace my fingers between his. “Has it gotten through your head yet? You should absolutely be in my life no matter what.”

Wyatt relaxes into a smile. “Yes.”

“So,” Dad continues in drill mode, “you rang up someone who worked for Tom Ashworth? Now you’re riding in one of his limos?”

“There was more discussion than that,” Devon says, keeping his cool.

“I managed to get in contact with someone in a higher position in the company. They heard me out. For one, they were concerned about Wyatt’s security.

Then, when I mentioned him being pushed back into work, they were concerned about what kind of contract he was under. ”

“How did you know he was being pushed back into work?” Dad asks. “Haven’t you been out of the picture?”

“Portia’s assistant, Jenna, filled me in.” Devon then gestures at me. “She and Josie were talking at the hotel, which led Jenna to find me and ask for help.”

“ Ohhh .” Wyatt drags out the word, sitting back on the couch and staring up at the ceiling. “The contract. That’s what the fight was about.”

“What fight?” I ask.

Wyatt sits back, staring at Devon, stunned. “Richmond,” he utters. “It was Richmond.”

Devon nods. “Jenna told me they were told to lie. Telling people he was in Europe the entire time. But we know he came back to set.”

Wyatt’s hands ball into fists and a vein pops in his neck. “After what he did, he then came back with Portia. They forced me back into the recording studio.” Wyatt stands with a grunt. “That jerk!”

“He’s not getting away with it,” Devon says, standing with Wyatt. “ None of them are.”

Dad stands between the boys. “Okay, everyone cool down. Talk this through.”

“Richmond Salinger,” Devon tells Dad. “He’s a Circle 8 manager. He’s the one who got into it with Wyatt and caused his injury.”

My heart stops for a beat too long. I want to stand, but my legs have jellied. “That creep has been on Portia’s case ever since. She never stops working. Then he has the gaul to come back into your life like nothing ever happened? Ugh. I knew I hated that guy.”

“If you’re sure about this,” Dad says to Wyatt, “you should press charges.”

“Mr. Ashworth is prepared to help,” Devon says. “We just need to get over to Ashworth Estate and meet with him.”

Dad nods. “You should do that.”

“Now?” Wyatt and I ask at once.

“They’ve got two suites in the manor, waiting for us,” Devon replies.

Wyatt sits next to me, rubbing his forehead. “Ugh. I can see Richmond’s face, clear as day.”

“I really thought it was Erika,” I mutter.

Wyatt combs his hand through his hair, leaving sweat beads on his forehead.

“Erika and I were butting heads. All I wanted to do was quit. I hate acting. Everyday on set, I f-felt like my soul was being cr-crushed. Any time I mentioned wanting to leave, they’d hang that fr-freaking contract over my head. ”

I rub his back. “I’m sorry.”

“They’d guilt me about all the people who’d lose jobs if I walked out.”

“They’ll all be fine,” Devon says. “If they have to, they’ll replace you with another rising teen star. They’ve done it before. The only people who lose their jobs are those trying to speak out. ”

Wyatt sits forward. “How did you get blamed for my accident?”

“I heard you arguing with Erika, but by the time I got into the trailer, you’d left,” Devon explains. “I thought maybe you’d gone to get something to eat, and then found you in Richmond’s grip. He shoved you hard into one of the heavy duty lighting rigs that hadn’t been properly assembled yet.”

“If you saw what happened, why didn’t you say anything?” Dad questions.

“I was pulled out of there so quickly,” Devon replies. “I didn’t know if Wyatt was conscious or not, walking or not, needing medical treatment or not. They kept me at arms length for hours, until eventually my association with the company was wiped and I was forced off set.”

Dad’s skeptical expression doesn’t budge.

Devon slouches in defeat. “It’s a crummy excuse, I know.

But, they kept Wyatt’s condition a secret for so long.

I didn’t know if there was anything to say.

” Devon fidgets, meeting Wyatt’s gaze. “I thought you wanted me out of the picture. It’d make it easier for you to toe the party line.

You didn’t need me, reminding you of your misery. ”

“I definitely wanted to forget the misery,” Wyatt says quietly. “I remember walking out on Erika and thinking, if I’m stuck here, I want out of my head. Ugh. Man, I think I’d already blacked out before I got into it with Richmond. It’s all such a blur.”

“You remember to keep your psychologist on speed dial,” Mom says anxiously. “This is a lot to process, and you already forced yourself to forget once.”

Wyatt lifts his phone. “I will, Mrs. Bartlett. Thanks.”

“Oh, good,” Devon reacts. “You’ve still got the same phone.”

Wyatt shrugs. “Not that I can do much with it. My eyes still hurt when I read the screen.”

“At least you have access to your money.”

Wyatt blinks at Devon. “I do? ”

Devon gestures at the phone. “Yeah, didn’t they tell you? You can pay with your credit card via an app.”

Wyatt turns to me. “Tell Kylie and Parker I can shout next time we go out.”

“You might not want to blow through your money,” Dad warns. “You’ve got some financial things to work through. Might be a good idea to cap any spending.”

Wyatt nods. “Yes, Mr. Bartlett.”

Devon sits back down, looking at both my mom and dad in awe. “Wow, Wyatt, you’ve got some great adults on your side. This is what you’ve been missing.” Devon smirks at Dad. “Especially you, Mr. Bartlett. I appreciate you giving me the third-degree for Wyatt’s sake.”

Dad nods. “He’s been mistreated by Hollywood-types long enough.”

“If only my parents cared as much,” Wyatt mutters.

Devon folds his arms uncomfortably. “Things are still not good?”

Wyatt’s jaw rocks. “I signed eh-emancipation papers.”

Devon goes pale. “You didn’t.”

Wyatt recoils. “Huh?”

“I can’t believe they talked you into it.” Anger swells in Devon. “You didn’t want to cut ties with your parents, but Circle 8 knows how to fan the flames between underaged talent and their parents.”

Wyatt tilts his head. “I didn’t want to sign the papers? Are you sure about that?”

“Does it feel right to you to cut off your parents?” Devon asks.

“Well, no, but they’re not the same people I remember.”

Devon gestures at Wyatt. “Do you remember becoming famous? Of course, they seemed different. They’re used to having finer things. Dang it. They used your memory loss against you.”

“No, my parents...”

“Your parents are scared of losing you,” Devon says firmly.

“They always have been. But they push you into work because they think it’ll make you happy.

Erika and the others drove the wedge, telling them that you’ll cut them out if they don’t encourage you to keep working. ” Devon sighs. “Ugh. It’s such a mess.”

Wyatt winces, rubbing his temples. “My head hurts. I don’t know what to believe.”

Dad moves beside Wyatt, patting his shoulder. “You should go to Ashworth Estate and hear Tom Ashworth out. At least, when it comes to contracts and the like, he has the expertise to clean up this mess. You’ve got your doctors and us to help clean up the emotional side of the mess.”

Wyatt smiles and pats Dad’s hand. “Thanks.”

Mom moves closer and leans down to hug Wyatt. “You’ll be okay. Somehow, things will work out.”

Mom and Dad move aside, and Wyatt scoops me into a hug. He sighs against the nape of my neck, and I melt into him, rubbing a circle on his back.

“How do you feel, remembering the day of the accident?” I whisper.

Wyatt sighs again, and the forlorn tone tells me all I need to know.

When we pull out of the hug, Devon nudges toward the front door. “Are you ready to go?”

“Is it possible to say no and yes at the same time?” Wyatt asks, standing up.

Devon nods. “I’ve had that feeling since they forced me away from you.”

I stand, gripping Wyatt’s hand. “I can go with you.”

“No, you can’t,” Dad cuts in.

I stamp my foot, turning in his direction.

“I’m sorry,” Dad says matter-of-factly, “but I’m not risking your safety again. I need you home right now.”

“I’m not disappearing from Wyatt’s life,” I argue .

“I’m not saying you have to,” Dad says, linking arms with Mom. “But, right now, I don’t want you being part of Wyatt figuring out his next step. I’m not letting this management company use you as a pawn, an excuse, or a scapegoat. You’re staying here.”

Wyatt squeezes my hand and kisses my cheek. “They’re right, Joze. You gotta stay here.”

“But...”

“I’ll call you,” Wyatt’s quick to say. “I won’t leave you out of the loop.”

I pout. “Don’t forget me.”

Wyatt grins. “I definitely won’t forget you.”

Devon and Wyatt leave for the limousine. The driver came to our door, asking to collect Wyatt’s things. It feels so final, seeing Wyatt’s duffle, guitar, and walking cane being taken away.

“It’ll be okay, Josie,” Mom says, pulling me into a side-hug as the limo pulls away. “I mean that.”

I lean into her. “For you to be saying that, you really must believe it.”

Mom smiles. “I do. Now, don’t fixate on Wyatt all night.”

I slouch. “How can I not?”

“He’s at Ashworth Estate,” Dad replies, “the safest place in the mountains.”

“He’s back in opulence, and I’m kept away from him again.”

“You know why he couldn’t stay.”

I nod. “I know. It wasn’t safe.”

“For any of us,” Dad says. “I won’t put my family in harm’s way.”

I lean into his hug. “I’m really annoyed, but I love you, Dad.”

His belly jiggles in a laugh. “Love you too, Josie-posey.”