Falling Star (Combustible Book 2) Read Free

I wish you were my daddy instead of my uncle.”
    Trent wiped at his eyes and hugged Blaze to his side. “Love you, kid.”
    “Love you too.”
    After Metcalf had parked the truck in its bay, they climbed out. Kyle kept Blaze busy while Trent showered and changed clothes. When he returned, he swept Blaze up in his arms and headed across the lot for his own truck.
    “You’re the bravest kid I’ve ever met,” Trent admitted.
    “I was scared.”
    “Yeah, but being brave means you do scary things. You tried to help your mom, even though the fire was roaring.”
    “Mom was getting better. I don’t know why that man came.”
    “Neither do I, but we’ll find out.” Trent set Blaze in the truck and buckled him in before going around to hop in his seat. He turned the key and looked over at his nephew. “What do you want to listen to?”
    “Doesn’t matter.”
    “Ah, come on. Sure it does.”
    “I like your music.”
    Trent hit power and Sam Hunt’s voice came on the stereo for the short trip to the hospital. When they arrived, his parents were in the emergency waiting room. One of the doctor Blake was already talking with them, so Trent set Blaze down in a chair and nudged his shoulder. “We’re going to be here a while.”
    “Hate hospitals,” Blaze muttered.
    “Yup, me too. That’s another thing about being brave. You may hate this place, but you’re here, waiting to hear the scary news.”
    “Guess I am brave.” Blaze gave him a sad smile. “You’re even braver.”
    He snorted. “Most people would call me crazy. Running into burning buildings for a living.”
    “You saved us.”
    Yeah, he probably did. One look and he knew Blaze wouldn’t have left his mother there. Man, he wanted to say a few things to his sister for putting her boy in danger. Yet, he would hold off until he got her side of the story. She’d been doing so much better, or so he thought.
    Once the doctor returned down the hall, his parents approached Trent and Blaze. His mom and dad both seemed older at that moment. “Hey, Blaze. You’re going to stay with us for a while.”
    Blaze sucked in a breath. “Will we visit Mommy?”
    Trent’s mom nodded. “Of course. As much as we can.”
    “Rehab?” Blaze asked. Unfortunately, the child was familiar with the routine. Probably wouldn’t be the last experience either.
    “Yes, honey. We want your mother to get better. She needs help.”
    Blaze’s shoulders slumped.
    Trent leaned over. “You can come stay with me when I don’t have the long shifts.”
    Blaze lit up. “Really?”
    “Anytime, little man.”
     

Chapter 3
     
     
    End of August…
     
    “Raven, this is your dream. I know you need a break, but you can’t walk away from your life,” Sam, Ella’s brother, pleaded for the millionth time.
    “Ella! My damned name is Ella. I’m not Raven anymore.” She slung her backpack over her shoulder. “I know you don’t get it, but I can’t do this anymore. You don’t have to like it, but I’m not scheduled for another movie, and I have no contracts to fulfill. I’m done.”
    Sam shook his head. “You said before, you just needed a break.”
    “Look, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You’ve been a great brother, a better agent, but right now I need to get back to me. The person I lost somewhere along the way. I’m trapped in this house to avoid the media.”
    “You’ve lived with the media for years. Why is this any different?”
    Her jaw clenched. “I was tired of all the shit they made up before. But now—they’re calling me a drunk or an addict who let some asshole take me away, blaming me for being abducted against my will. He held me captive for two days, Sam. Two fucking days. I can’t handle another press conference or interview when they’ve already made up their minds about what happened, and it’s all bullshit. I can’t take it anymore. I’m going back to being Ella, where no one will bother me.”
    He moved closer, taking her