My mind spins. That’s what he’s worried about? That Alpine Lake has some dangerousequipment?
“Again, we are cooperating with the local authorities, but we want you to be aware of what we are dealing with as we continue to get ready for the campers, who are arriving tomorrow, no matter what.” The room is silent as everyone tries to digest this information and what it means for the day—the summer.
But all I can think iswho?The word forms in my mouth and before I can ask, Mellie speaks.
“The boy’s name was Heller McConnell.”
CHAPTER 18
Then
Heller disappeared from my life as quickly as he thundered through it.
Maybedisappearedisn’t right. He didn’t vanish. He continued being Roxwood’s golden boy. Sitting at Dylan’s bedside and holding fundraisers for his physical therapy. He walked through the halls like he always had, with his head held high and his backpack slung low.
He didn’t ignore my texts. Not at first. After the NDA, he told me to “wait for things to blow over.” He said he was sorry, that things would go back to normal soon.
But they never did.
Instead, I became Goldie Easton, the girl who ruined Dylan Adler’s chances of playing hockey, of changing his lot in life. I took away his dream. I was Heller’s ex, a mistake he had made. A lapse in judgment. And he continued to be the captain of the hockey team, the guy who held up the state trophy and yelled, “This one’s for Dylan!”
For the rest of the year, I watched him from afar, waiting for him to realize what he had done. I couldn’t stop believing that one day he would fix everything. Because no matter what he did, how far he drifted, how many lines he crossed, I couldn’t deny the truth. I still loved Heller.
CHAPTER 19
Now
It’s almost as if the entire room sighs with relief.
“Shit,” someone says, breaking the silence. “That sucks.”
“At least he wasn’t an Alpine Laker,” someone else mutters.
Their words shock me, but I can’t think straight enough to respond. My mind swims with so many questions. Heller is dead.
I spin around, looking to Mom and Dad. They’ll have answers. They must know something—anything—else. But Stu signals for them to approach for a senior staff meeting. Imogen tugs on my sweatshirt.
“Hey, you okay?” she asks. There’s still a little sleep crusted in the corners of her eyes, and she looks concerned, her hand wrapped around my forearm. “That’s the guy from yesterday, right? Talking to Ava?”
I nod, the only motion I can manage.
“Yeesh,” Imogen says. “Must have been drunk on that boat or something. I’m so sorry you knew him.”
Her words slice through the air, hovering between us.Knew him.
I did. At least, at one point.
I thought we’d have more time. I thought we’d come back to each other. I thought, one day, I’d open my front door and find himthere with an apology and a heavy heart. I thought he’d come clean and clear my name. I thought he’d smile and whisper in my ear,Finally. I thought he still loved me. I thought... I thought we’d have more time.
“Goldie?” Imogen leans in.
I focus on her face, worried and puckered. “What?”
“I said do you want to get ready for the waterfront? Stu dismissed us.”
“Oh,” I say. “Yeah.” I follow her out the swinging door and she loops her arm in mine.
“Geez,” she says. “I can’t believe it. Someonedeadat Alpine Lake. Do you think they’re gonna tell the kids when they get here? Oh my god, are they going to alert the parents?”
