He looked into Alex’s bedroom, cautiously surveying the scene.
“Oh, it’syou,” Alex said, looking relieved as she yanked on her tank top straps. “Did you get the stuff?”
“Yes,” Sam said as she shook the bag, several bottles rattling together. Isaac reached in to pull out a bottle of something clear with a picture of a watermelon on it. “You’ll like this one. It’s sweet. Goes down easy.” His voice was deep.
Alex’s eyes lit up. “Well then, it’s perfect for me.”
Cassandra and I giggled at the joke, but Sam’s face didn’t change as she took the bottle from Isaac, slipping it back into her bag.
“By the way,” Sam said in her melodic voice. “We’re coming with you, since I already told Mom and Dad that we’re the ones taking you guys to the ‘movies and dinner.’”
Alex crossed her arms, pushing up her breasts. Isaac’s eyes flicked to them for a second before he looked away.
“Why do you want to come?” she asked.
Sam raised an eyebrow, looking a little amused at Alex’s reaction. “You expected me to just buy the liquor andnotgo?”
“Technically Isaac bought it,” Alex pointed out, nodding in his direction. He grinned. “You’re only twenty.”
Sam rolled her eyes, exchanging a look with her boyfriend. “This was my turf before it was yours, Alex. I still know people here and I want Isaac to see where we used to party. Besides, this is the only way you’re going. It’s us or nothing.”
Alex rolled her eyes. “Fine, but I’m not paying you for the bottles then.”
“Whatever floats your boat.” Sam looked smug as she took Isaac’s hand and left the room. Alex headed to the bathroom, while Cassandra and I gathered our stuff.
Cassandra sighed. “Well, this should be great. Victoria is mad at Alex, and Alex is mad at Victoria and Sam.”
“At least this way, they’ll probably ignore us all night and we can do what we want,” I said, shrugging.
Cassandra weighed this for a second. “This might actually be fun then.”
We were giggling as we followed the older sisters into the living room, where Mr. and Mrs. Hopely sat watching TV.
“You’re all going to the movie?” Mrs. Hopely asked, curled up on the couch. She looked like Cassandra, beautiful, only more wrinkled.
“A late one,” Sam said quickly. “We might go to the one in Palm Beach Gardens so we can eat somewhere nicer before.” Mr. Hopely nodded in appreciation. They always preferred the ritzier areas.
“Isaac’s driving?” he asked. Mr. Hopely always seemed to prefer it when Will drove too.
“Yes,” Sam replied.
“I’ll get you my credit card,” Mrs. Hopely said, leaving the room to grab her wallet. As she did, Alex and Sam whispered something to each other. I tried not to eavesdrop and instead turned away. When I did, I found Mr. Hopely staring at me, taking in my outfit. Just like Cass, I had thrown on a sweatshirt. But there was no hiding how short my jean skirt was. His eyes lingered on the hemline and I felt instantly self-conscious. His eyes met mine for the briefest second and I couldn’t read what was there. Was it judgment? He shifted slightly on the couch, still holding my gaze.
“Here’s the card!” Mrs. Hopely trailed into the room and interrupted the silence. Mr. Hopely looked away from me immediately. His wife handed the card to Sam. “Have a great time!”
“We will,” Sam assured her. Mr. Hopely said nothing but gave my skirt one more look. The five of us headed out the front door, ready to leave. Victoria scampered out behind us, just before the door closed. Her eyes were puffy and red.
14
I sat in my SUV in the driveway of our house, ignoring the reporters on the other side of the fence yelling at me. After my conversation with Kayleigh, I knew I was on the right track, and that I would have to face the Hopely sisters next. It felt like pulling teeth as I opened my phone and typed out a message to Cassandra. It was our first contact in almost seven years, and ironically it was happening while I was back in our hometown, instead of in the city where we both now lived.
Cass, it’s Rose. I know you hate me but I need to talk to you. It’s about Hazel. She’s missing. Please call me?
I sent it before I could change my mind. While I waited for a response, I tried to cyberstalk Victoria. I knew she was still living in South Florida, but it was time to learn more. Her Instagram account was public but she had blocked me years ago, so I quickly made a burner account to view it.
I scrolled through her page, noting that she was the exact brand of generic girl I had expected. Her feed was entirely composed of pictures of her doing Pilates in matching sets, her recently started real estate career, her labradoodle. I had to scroll back years before I found a picture of her and Cassandra, and I didn’t see any of Sam. No photos of her parents.
But then I noticed the very familiar setting in many of her photos. She was at her parents’ house in almost every one. Including the most recent post, dated yesterday. Which meant she must have moved back home. Meaning shewas living in the house right behind me and was potentially there now. Meaning she had also lived right behind Hazel for some time.
