Heather Graham Bundle: The Island / Ghost Walk / Killing Kelly / The Vision

“Watching,” Keith said, eyeing him. “Listening.”

Matt flushed a brilliant shade of red. Then he winced. “I—should have told you.” His shoulders hunched down. “Lee went barhopping with Gerald. I…I wound up with Amanda.”

“And you took her out on the boat?”

Matt hung his head and nodded.

Keith stared out at the water. “Well, did you learn anything?”

“I learned she knows how to spike a drink.”

“So, you think she was prowling around?”

“God, I hope not,” Matt said. Then he shook his head. “Yes, I think so.”

Keith was silent for a minute. He felt Matt shuffle miserably at his side. He looked at him. “Did you say anything to Lee yet?”

“I was too embarrassed to say anything to either of you.”

Keith nodded. “Keep it quiet for now.”

“Now that you know, I feel like I should tell Lee, as well,” he said with self-disgust. “Then I can get my feelings of absolute mortification over with once and for all.”

“Let’s just see how things progress for the time being, all right?” Keith said.

“You’re the boss,” Matt muttered.

Keith stared at him and wondered.

BETH’S SENSE OF PANIC GREW as she searched for Amber out in front, near the driveway, and couldn’t find her. She tried Amber’s cell phone and got voice mail. Just when she was about to panic, Ashley called.

“Ashley?”

“I’m here. Amber’s phone died, and she wants to talk to you.”

“What is it? What’s the matter? Are you all right? Where are you?” Beth demanded as soon as Amber got on the line.

“With Ashley.”

“Are you all right? Is your father all right?”

“Yes.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“Oh, Aunt Beth, you’re not going to believe this.”

“What?”

“Kim broke up with me.”

For several seconds Beth stared at the phone blankly, wondering if she had heard correctly. “I’m sorry, what?”

“It was unbelievable. She was here, having a great night. Then, right before she left, she said that she had to talk to me. We came out here—it was all right, Ashley and Jake were nearby—and she told me that it wasn’t me, it was her. But we had to break up.”

Beth was silent for several long moments. The conversation was definitely startling. She wanted to shout at Amber that she was worried sick about her life and not petty problems, but she couldn’t do that. She tried to focus on what her niece was saying, and that was even more confusing. “Um, was there something more to this relationship than I knew about?” she asked after a moment.

“No,” Amber protested, and then laughed, the sound a little hysterical. “I mean, that’s what makes it so bad. Have you ever heard of a friend breaking up with a friend? Like…don’t even talk to me in the halls at school? I didn’t believe her. I started laughing, at first. But she was serious. I told Ashley after Kim left, and she thinks it’s bizarre, too.”

Beth could still hear the tears in her niece’s voice. “Where’s your father?”

“I don’t know. Oh, Aunt Beth, I know that this is your big party, but…can…can you come out here? Can I go home with you?”

“I’ve been staying at Ashley’s.”

“Can I come to Ashley’s?”

“If it’s all right with her.”

“I can’t go home with Dad tonight. I just can’t try to explain this to him. Oh, Aunt Beth, I don’t believe this. I’m so upset.”

“Honey, I’m right here…where are you?”

“To the left of the canopy.”

“I’m over on the right. I’m coming. We’ll find your dad…actually, he’s not really happy with me right now. I’ll have Jake talk to him. Tell Ashley that we need them to convince your father it’s all right.” She was walking as she talked. She still felt a slight sense of panic, she was so anxious to see Amber. Then, at last, she saw her. She breathed more easily, convinced she was creating demons where there were none.

She hurried over to the bench where Amber and Ashley were sitting. Ashley was looking lost and helpless. She stared at Beth with an I’m-trying-but-I-don’t-really-knowhow-to-handle-this-one look.

Amber looked absolutely stricken.

Beth reached down, pulling Amber into her arms. “We’ll sort it out.”

Amber looked up at her, her cheeks tearstained. She threw her arms around Beth.

“Have you ever heard of such a thing?” she whispered.

“It may be no big deal,” Beth assured her. “She could change her mind tomorrow.” She was trying to give Amber the attention she needed while looking around suspiciously. The three of them seemed to be alone in the driveway. No, they weren’t. She could see the big cop down at the other end of the driveway, lighting a cigarette.

“No, it’s serious, it’s over,” Amber said.

“But, honey, you weren’t dating…you were friends. Friends don’t have to have just one friend. Even if you’re a little off right now…well, it can’t be that bad.”

“It is that bad. It’s humiliating.”

“You have other friends.”

“We have all the same friends.”