Page 202 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
“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.
