by W. J. May
“Excuse me,” replied Veronica, putting her hands on her hips. “We’re your best friends. You have to tell us!”
She hesitated, wanting to share the news, but her friends had big mouths. “I can’t. Look, I’ll tell you tomorrow. I just don’t want to blow my chances tonight.”
“Blow your chances? He’s not married or anything, is he?” asked Taylor.
“Please,” replied Melody, rolling her eyes. “I’m not into married guys. I just can’t tell you who it is because I promised not to say anything.”
“That’s just weird,” said Veronica.
“If you knew who it was, you wouldn’t think so,” she replied with a sly smile.
“Are you going to be okay? I feel uncomfortable taking off like this and not knowing exactly what’s up,” said Taylor.
Melody dug into her Louis Vuitton purse and took out a small bottle of perfume. She spritzed some into the air and then stepped into the fruity mist. “Don’t worry about me. Everything is totally cool.”
Veronica studied her face. “He’s not some freak, is he? You know him pretty well?”
Melody smiled. “Of course, and he’s not a freak. Chill out, guys.”
Veronica sighed. “We’re just worried about you.”
Melody zipped up her purse. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine. Take off and get some breakfast.” She winked. “While I go and get me some dessert.”
Veronica laughed. “Girl, I hear that. Next time get some for me, too. I haven’t had sex since Jerome and I broke up last summer.”
“We know,” said Taylor. “You complain about it at least twice a day.”
“You would too if it wasn’t for the ‘Jack Hammer’,” she replied.
“Speaking of… maybe I should meet up with Ricky,” said Taylor, biting her lower lip.
“Oh, hell no,” replied Veronica. “I’m not going to be the only one not getting some tonight.”
Taylor laughed. “Fine. I’m sure the food will be more satisfying than thirty seconds of Ricky anyway.”
“Especially if you order the cheesecake again,” said Melody. “Remember how much you loved it?”
“Mm… that’s right. Well, call us tomorrow,” said Taylor, dropping her phone into her satchel. “And give us the dirt.”
“You know it,” she replied, hugging her. Melody turned to Veronica and hugged her as well. “I’ll fill you both in on all the steamy details.”
“You’d better. But not before noon,” said Taylor. “I’m going to hold you to it.”
After Veronica and Taylor left, Melody glanced at her reflection one more time.
This time, Slade, you sexy bastard, she thought, you’re going to make me sing. All night long…
Chapter One
Chelsey
“Chelsey, wake up.”
I opened my eyes and groaned when I looked at the alarm clock. “Mom, I have two more hours to sleep, and I was up late studying. What the heck?”
She switched on the light and stepped closer to my bed. “Sorry, honey,” she replied, looking grim. “I wasn’t sure if this could wait.”
I rubbed my left eye. “If what could wait?”
She pulled her light blue robe in tighter. “Your Aunt Jody called,” she said. “Melody didn’t come home last night.”
Now that woke me up. “What?” I asked, sitting up.
She sat down on the edge of my bed. “I guess she went out with Taylor and Veronica around eight o’clock last night. That was the last time Jody saw her. She’s just going nuts now and doesn’t know what to do. Have you talked to Melody recently?”
I shook my head. “No. Not since her grad party.”
The truth was that my cousin and I didn’t always see eye-to-eye. In fact, ever since we graduated last June from high school, we’d barely been on speaking terms. I figured it was because she was still pissed at me after I’d given her crap about sneaking shots of tequila at her graduation party. Afterwards, she’d puked her brains out, but it hadn’t changed how annoyed she’d been at me. I guess that ratting her out hadn’t really helped either. The only reason I’d blown the whistle was because my aunt had backed me into a corner when she’d noticed that her bottle of Patron was missing. I wasn’t very good at lying, and she’d known that.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” I said, thinking about all of the other times Melody had pulled stuff. “I mean, she’s eighteen now anyway. She probably crashed at Taylor’s or Veronica’s.” After getting wasted, I wanted to say, but held back.
“Nope. Jody called them. They haven’t seen her since last night.”
I yawned. “Well, where did they go?”
My mom pushed her dark bangs to the side. “They went to over to Shore Lake to go watch some rock band play.”
That was surprising. Although Shore Lake was a tourist spot, it wasn’t exactly known for concerts or live bands. “Where?”
“I think the place was called Nightshade or something. Anyway, they said she’d told them that someone else was giving her a ride home.”
I’d heard of Club Nightshade, which was in the next town over, but had never actually been there. A lot of kids in school had raved about the place. Some of them had even snuck in with fake I.D.’s when it wasn’t Teen-Night. Supposedly, you could get anything in that place if you knew who to talk to – drugs, alcohol, even… sex. “I didn’t know they had bands playing there. I thought it was all hip-hop from the radio.”
“I guess not.” She raised her eyebrows. “Have you been to that place?”
I rolled my eyes. “No. It’s definitely not my scene. Besides, who has time for clubs when I barely have enough time for homework and studying?” I was a freshman at U.M.T. and my life was filled with studying, homework, and more studying. I barely had time to sleep or eat.
She stood up. “Well, maybe she met a boy…”
I smirked. “That’s what I’m thinking.” Plus, she had a reputation. She went through more guys than I did paper.
“Well, I just wish she’d answer her mom’s phone calls and texts.”
I decided to lay it on the table for her. “Mom, look, I’m going to be honest – Melody is a major partier. Heck, I know for a fact that last night wasn’t Teen-Night at that place. So, she would have had to have gotten in with a fake I.D. She probably drank and then went home with some horny jerk.”
She scowled. “Well, that certainly doesn’t make me feel any better.”
“Sorry, but even you know that I’m probably right. Did her friends say who was taking her home?”
“No. She wouldn’t say; said it was a secret, but that she’d tell them later.”
I frowned. “Hmm… that’s kind of weird.”
“I know. Taylor seems to think that it might have been one of the guys in the band. I guess she has a crush on the singer, and had been trying to get his attention the entire night.”
“It probably worked,” I said. Melody had to be the prettiest girl in Beaver Creek. With her blond hair, curves, and dazzling smile, she’d always been popular with the guys in school. If she set her sights on someone at the club, chances were that they’d be putty in her hands.
“Boys in bands are trouble,” she replied. “Obviously, this just proves it.”
“She’s not exactly an angel either, mom. She’s probably in bed with him right now.”
“Chelsey!”
I shrugged. “What? You know it’s true.”
She sighed. “I know. I just don’t want to think about your cousin having sex.”
I crawled back under my covers. “I know, but I wouldn’t worry too much about Melody, mom. If she was crushing on the singer, chances are she’s with him and not thinking about Aunt Jody right now.”
“You’re probably right. She is eighteen.”
I yawned again. “Just go back to bed, mom. I’m sure she’ll be home in a couple of hours, puking and getting bawled out by Aunt Jody.”
Chuckling, she touched my shoulder. “I’m j
ust glad that you’re responsible and don’t give me or your father problems like that.”
I closed my eyes and smiled. “You’re welcome. Now let me sleep so I can get on with my humdrum life.”
“It’s not humdrum,” she protested. “You’re preparing for the future.”
I opened up one eye. “Mom, it’s boring. All I do is take tests and study, so that I can take more tests. It’s kind of lame.”
“You really think so? I don’t know, I’d love to go back to my college years,” she replied wistfully. “It’s where I met your father, you know.”
I’d heard the story many times. My mom had played hard-to-get and my dad had pursued her relentlessly, until she’d finally agreed to go out with him. Five years later, they eloped in Hawaii, after she became pregnant with me. “I know.”
“Just hang in there, Chelsey. We’re proud of you and it’s going to pay off someday. Plus, if you’re going to be a Forensic Investigator, your life will eventually be anything but plain and boring.”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
“Well, I’ll let you get back to bed,” she said, squeezing my foot through the blanket.
“Make sure I’m up before seven,” I called out as she walked out of my bedroom.
She turned around. “I will. I won’t be able to sleep until I hear from Jody.”
After she closed my bedroom door, I thought about Melody. Growing up, we’d been close, even though she had always been a little bossy. Even at a young age, she’d always known exactly what she’d wanted and used everything she could to get her way. Chances were, my cousin had gotten her way again tonight, and was getting her freak on with that singer she’d been lusting after. I had to admit, part of me was a little envious.
Chapter Two
Chelsey
When my alarm went off a couple of hours later, I dragged myself out of bed and took a hot shower. Wiping the steam from the mirror, I glanced at my reflection – pale skin, long auburn hair, and hazel eyes. I thought I was pretty average, except for the fact that I was barely five-feet and had a hard time finding shoes that fit, because my feet were so small. I wore a size three and had a heck of a time shopping for shoes that didn’t light up or feature a pink pony.
After I slipped on a blue Henley and khakis, I grabbed a brush and pulled my hair up into a ponytail. When I was finished in the bathroom, I grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs to the kitchen.
“Good morning,” said my mom, who was sitting at the counter, drinking coffee behind her laptop.
“Morning,” I said, opening up the refrigerator. I cleared my throat. “Heard anything from Aunt Jody yet?”
“She hasn’t heard from your cousin yet.”
I pulled the orange juice out and glanced at her. There were shadows under her eyes and she looked worn out. She’d obviously been up the entire night. “Well, it’s still pretty early.”
She removed her reading glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Yeah, I know.”
“Don’t worry, she’ll show up,” I said, pouring myself a glass of juice.
“I hope so. You know, it’s dangerous out there in the world, especially for women. A guy could slip something into your drink, follow you home, rape –”
“Yes, I know,” I cut in. I knew I was being snippy, but I’d already heard it many times before. My mom was a court reporter, and after hearing so many horrible cases, she was a little paranoid. “You don’t have to tell me. I’m one of the last people you need to worry about.”
She reached over the counter and squeezed my hand. “Chelsey,” she said, staring into my eyes. “I’ll always worry about you. I’m your mother and you’re a pretty girl. There are a lot of bad people in this world.” She sighed. “I just want you to be safe.”
“I know. I get it, mom,” I said as she released my hand. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful that you worry about me. But, I’m not Melody, okay? I’m responsible and certainly not stupid.”
“You don’t have to be stupid to be a victim,” she replied. “But making the right decisions can certainly help lessen your chance of becoming one.”
I put my glass into the sink and picked up my backpack. “That’s why you don’t have to worry about me. I always make the right decisions.”
“Right,” she said, her hazel eyes sparkling. “Joking aside, I am very proud of you, honey. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”
“I will,” I replied as I walked out of the kitchen. “See you when I get home.”
“Bye, honey.”
***
The day seemed to drag, and by the time I was finished with my biology class, I couldn’t wait to get home. It was Friday and I had a weekend to do four days of homework, but I was used to it and didn’t really care. I was going to take a night off and go to a movie with a friend of mine, Susan. I hadn’t seen her in over two weeks, my brain was mush, and I desperately needed some time away from all things “school.”
“Hey,” I said, walking into the house. I dropped my backpack next to the front door.
Both of my parents looked up and I could tell from their expressions that something was wrong.
“What is it?” I asked, surprised that my dad was home so early. Being a bankruptcy lawyer, I never saw him walk in the door earlier than seven.
“Your cousin is still missing,” he said, putting an arm around my mom’s shoulder. “She hasn’t returned anyone’s calls and Jody is frantic.”
I frowned. “Where is Aunt Jody?”
My mom, who was also clearly upset, looked up. “She’s at home. Grandma is with her.”
“Oh.”
Sighing, she stood up and stretched her arms above her head. “Your dad and I are heading over there, too, pretty soon. Would you like to come with?”
“Uh, sure,” I replied. “I have to call Susan, though. We were going to see a movie tonight, but I’ll definitely cancel.”
“No, don’t cancel,” she said. “You should still go with her. You haven’t gotten out in a while and a movie would be good. Besides, we don’t even know for sure if she’s really missing.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, still thinking that Melody was just being Melody – selfish and irresponsible.
“Your mother is right,” said my dad, running a hand through his short hair, which was the same color as mine. “This might be nothing to worry about. Chances are that she’ll walk through her front door any minute.”
I glanced at my mother again. “Are you sure? I don’t have to go.”
“Yes. We’ll call you if there really is a problem,” replied my mom.
“Okay,” I replied, a little relieved. I really didn’t want to be there when Melody got home and was hollered at. She’d probably blame me for her getting into trouble.
Dad looked at his watch. “We should get going. There’s a hockey game I’d like to watch at four. If we’re lucky, we’ll make it there before the game starts.”
My mom’s eyes widened. “Richard!”
He grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, Mary. Hey, it gives me something to do while you guys wait for her to come home.”
“And if she doesn’t?” asked my mom, folding her arms across her chest.
“I know, I’ll TiVo it,” he said, walking toward the stairs leading to the family room.
My mom smirked and shook her head. “I don’t know what he’d do without cable,” she replied, turning back to me.
“No doubt.”
“There’s some leftover lasagna from last night in the refrigerator,” she said, picking up her purse from the coffee table. “Unless you’re going to grab a bite to eat before the movie?”
“No. We’ll just eat popcorn.”
“Okay.” She opened up the closet and took out her camel-colored Uggs. “I’ll text you when she comes home, or,” she frowned, “if we find out that she really is missing.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine. It’s Melody, mom.”
“I know.” She zipped up her boots and then walked ov
er to me. “Have fun at the movies,” she said, kissing the top of my head.
“I will. Look at you in those heeled boots,” I grinned. “You must be five-two now.”
My lack of height came from my mother.
“You think so?” she replied, staring down at them.
My dad walked back upstairs. “Oh, I like those, Mary,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows. “Are they new?”
“No, I just never wear them.”
“They’re cute,” I said.
“Cute? They’re sexy. You can wear them in the bed any time you want,” he teased.
“Oh, my God,” I groaned. “You’re gross.”
He laughed and grabbed his car keys from the credenza. “Lock the door when you leave, Pumpkin.”
“I will.”
He turned to me and his face became serious. “Watch yourselves. I’m pretty sure this thing with Melody is nothing to be concerned about, but you and Susan are both good-looking, young girls and… well, there are monsters out there.”
“Yes,” I replied, trying not to roll my eyes. As far as I was concerned, both of them were way too overprotective.
He put his hands on my shoulders and squeezed. “Honey, I know you’re tired of the same old spiel, but you know, being a prosecutor I’ve come face-to-face with some real dirt-bags. The absolute scum of the earth. The worst part is that there are so many out there who have yet to be caught.” His forehead wrinkled. “I just worry about you.”
“Oh, I’ll be fine,” I replied, smiling up at him. “You know me.”
He released my shoulders. “I know I’d beat the living tar out of anyone who ever hurt you. Anyway, just always be aware of your surroundings and make sure you never run out of gas again.”
I shuddered, remembering that freaky night. “I guarantee that will never happen again.”
He chuckled. “I bet.”
