Breaking Stars - J. Sterling Page 0,83

my house, when every day felt like a promise just because she was a part of it. Now my days felt like a sort of punishment. A well-deserved one, at that.

“Have you even talked to her since she left?”

Her question burned a hole in my gut, and I shuddered at my own cowardice. “No.”

“Don’t you think you should at least apologize?” Celeste’s eyes bored through me, her disappointment as clear as the sun on a cloudless day.

“I should do a lot of things, Celeste. Thanks for the pep talk,” I said sarcastically, sensing myself starting to shut down.

She shook her head. “It’s like I don’t even know who you are anymore. And it’s sad.”

“Why are you on my ass?” I shouted. “Why do you care so much about what I do?”

She inhaled a deep breath before saying, “Because you have no idea how happy you looked these past few weeks. It was like we had the old Tatum back. And I want that for you.”

Her words stung. “What do you think I should do?” I asked.

“I think that for starters, it’s time you had a frank conversation with your mama. Like yesterday,” she said pointedly before getting up and walking toward the door.

“It’s not that easy,” I called out to her.

Celeste stopped in the doorway and turned to pin me with a serious look. “The best things in life aren’t always easy, Tatum. But they’re worth fighting for. I’m scared to death you’ll never get over this thing with Paige if you stay here and give up.” And just like that, she walked out, leaving me in the office alone with my thoughts and her words echoing in my mind.

She was right, which thoroughly pissed me off. I wanted to toss something after her or punch something, but I buried my head in my hands instead. I’d really screwed things up with Paige. Even if I did get my shit together and work on my future, how could I do that and still include her in it?

Paige probably didn’t even want me at this point; she probably hated my guts. But Celeste was right—losing Paige would ruin me if I let it. A girl like that was worth fighting for, and it was time I took a turn in the ring.

The Land of Spectacular Lies

Paige

“Hi, Mom,” I said into my cell phone as I settled onto the couch. I’d slept most of the day away, my mind filled with dreams of a place that suddenly felt achingly far away.

“Hi, honey. How was your night? Did you sleep okay?” she asked, although I half wondered if she already knew the answer.

“Once I finally fell asleep, yeah. Actually, I just woke up not too long ago,” I said, glancing over at the wall clock that read 4:42.

“Well, that’s good. You’re probably mentally exhausted. Do you want me to come over?”

Seeing my mom sounded so appealing, but I needed more time. “I do want to see you, Mom, but not just yet. I need to figure some things out first. You’ve seen all the reports about rehab and stuff?” I squeezed my eyes shut with the ridiculous notion.

She sighed. “There are some paparazzi camped outside the house. They’re relentless. I lost it and yelled at one of them the other day, but they wouldn’t believe me.”

“What happened? What did you say?” Curious, I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees.

“They were asking me all these horrible questions about your battle with drugs and alcohol and suicide. I told them that you simply needed a break, but when they asked me where you were, I couldn’t answer, and so I think I made it all worse. I’m sorry, honey. I was only trying to help.”

She sounded exhausted too. It was one thing for the stories to affect me and my day-to-day life, but when they affected my family, it stung. I hated the way they got dragged into anything that had to do with me. If I lost sleep over anything, it was things like that.

“Mom, you didn’t make anything worse. Don’t worry about it. You know they’re going to say whatever they want to make money. Just don’t talk to them anymore. They aren’t worth your energy.” I tried to believe my own words, but it was easier to give advice than it was to take it.

“Paige, I’ll come over anytime you need me to. Just let me know, okay? I’m dying to see you. Your sister is too,” she added,