It's a rowdy affair. Beer keg condensation puddling on the expensive Brazilian cherry floor. Pizza dripping with sauce consumed on the all-white living room furniture.
Vincent hasn't been inside this house since the night of Keatyn's birthday party, and on that night, he didn't really have time to look around. He was on a mission.
Tonight, he's on a different kind of mission. He's sure that Lacy will show up to be with her Matt. What young couple doesn't want to kiss the one they love at midnight?
It's nearly midnight in New York, Vincent knows, based on the big screen television that is turned up almost as loud as the music thumping through the whole house speakers.
"It's almost time for the ball to drop!" one of the surfers yells out, cranking it up higher as Brooklyn turns down the volume on the speakers.
"That means Twisted Dreams should be up!" Brooklyn says. "I may have gotten a little preview from Damian. You guys are gonna love this video! Our favorite little surfer girl is in it!"
Vincent's ears perk up, and he moves to the wall adjacent to where Brooklyn is standing, so he has both a good view of both him and the television.
Before he knows it, Keatyn is on the television smiling directly at him. She's wearing a white mini dress with bold black and chunky rhinestone trim.
An announcer interviews the band, asking them about this song, about the creation of the video, and how they will be airing the world premiere in just a few moments.
Damian, the band's front man and Keatyn's best friend says, "The guys and I love to surf, so this song is about that. Chilling on the beach. Hanging with your friends."
"And that special girl," another member says. This guy he recognizes as the DJ at the club the night they took his Lacy away in a casket.
The reporter grins and puts his microphone in front of Keatyn, who has her hand firmly wrapped around Damian's bicep. "In the video we're about to see, you are that special girl, correct?"
She laughs. "I guess you'll have to see for yourself!"
"Well, on that note, let's roll it! Just for our viewers! The world premiere of Twisted Dreams' new single, 'Meet Me at the Beach.'"
There's a cheap prop ocean and cut-out sun in the background, and no one on the screen but Lacy as the music starts with Sun shining on your face.
The partygoers cheer for her. She's with Damian, pretending to be on a date with him. She's wearing a flirty little dress, much like the one she wore when they had dinner together. Ice cream at our favorite place. Blonde hair blowing in the breeze. Baby, spend your summer days with me.
The scene changes back to the beach, only this time she's wearing a bikini, shorts, and heeled sandals that make her tan legs look even longer.
The partygoers whistle wildly and make lewd comments about her, punching Brooklyn in the shoulder and slapping him on the back. Vincent is trying to watch both, but he's mesmerized by her on the screen, as most of the viewers are. Laying in the sand. Drinking, getting tan. Kissing in these heat waves. Got my Ray-Bans. Laughing, holding hands. Crashin' on the beach for days.
There are flashes of her during the chorus. She's dancing around the band, shimmying against Damian, sitting on the drummer's lap, learning to play the keyboard. I'm thinking 'bout . . .Venice and Malibu. It's only me and only you. She bursts out laughing then covers her eyes, like she's embarrassed. It might be the most adorable thing he's seen her do, right up there with her blowing him a kiss. He wishes he was recording it.
I love it; you're all I really need. It's just her face now, her eyes brighten as she looks at him. It's like she just realized he was across the room from her. A smile breaks across her face. She's happy to see him. Then she kisses her fingers and blows him a kiss, causing his body to heat up quickly, and the guys to say more sexual things about her. Baby, meet me at the beach.
This song, did she write it for the band? It's literally their song. He must acquire the right to use it in the movie soundtrack. Lacy and Vincent meet at the beach. And they will end up there.
Cotton candy, Ferris wheel. Crazy love is what I feel. Blasting out our favorite tunes. Late nights sneaking in your room.
As the video continues, the noise dies down. The crowd is mesmerized by her. There's no mistaking it. Bobby was spot on. The girl lights up the screen in a way her whore mother never could.
Moonlight on the shore. Always wanting more. You light me up like a bonfire. You make me hit the floor. That's what lips are for. Summer nights, we're getting higher. I'm thinking 'bout . . . Venice and Malibu. It's only me and only you. I love it; you're all I really need. Baby, meet me at the beach.
He puts his hands in his pockets, trying to hide his very obvious erection.
When it's just us.
I feel the rush of every ocean wave. And after a kiss, I never imagined it as good as this.
He can practically feel her lips on him.
But as she continues to flirt and flit across the screen going from the surfer girl next door to sexy screen siren, he can't help but allow himself release. No one in this room is paying attention to him.
They are all glued to the screen.
I'm thinking 'bout . . .Venice and Malibu. It's only me and only you. I love it; you're all I really need. Baby, meet me at the beach.
There's a collective sigh from the crowd as the video ends. They all want to see it again, but instead, they go to commercial. Vincent watches Brooklyn closely, notices him checking his watch. Is she coming here after the show? She wouldn't make it for that midnight kiss, but . . . the look on Brooklyn's face surprises him. Most guys would be thrilled with the comments his buddies are making about his hot girlfriend, but he's not. It's upsetting him.
The commercial break is over, and Keatyn is on stage with the announcer and Damian Moran. The New Year's countdown begins, the ball drops, and Damian looks into her eyes.
"3! 2! 1! Happy New Year!" they yell as confetti and glitter drop from the ceiling.
Vincent watches Brooklyn carefully and notices his eyes go wide with shock when Damian grabs her around the waist, dips her back dramatically, and kisses her.
He grabs a bottle of alcohol and makes his way outside, clearly upset.
But what Vincent sees next doesn't surprise him. Keatyn comes up laughing. If the kiss were an epic, movie-type kiss, like the kind that will happen in their movie, she wouldn't have come up laughing. She would have gazed into his eyes as they shared a special moment.
Vincent knows she's acting.
As he watches Brooklyn sit in the sand and take a swig, it's clear that he doesn't.
Matt is still in love with Lacy.
He could take Matt tonight, easily, but unfortunately the location for the shoot is still not quite ready. He needs a few more days.
He notices that there's a cell phone lying on the counter next to the spot vacated by Brooklyn. Well, well.
This could be fun, he thinks as he texts her.
B: Had I known you were partying with Damian tonight, I would have joined the fun. Loved the video.
I reply.
Me: Happy New Year, B!! I'm glad you liked the video. We had a lot of fun making it.
B: You know, the camera loves you. But, then, I always said you have a very expressive face.
I drop my phone in a panic, instantly knowing that I'm talking to Vincent and not B.
Aiden sees the look on my face. "What's wrong?"
Damian picks up my phone. "That doesn't sound like something Brook would say."
I bury my hands in my palms, trying to drown out their voices so I can think straight.
"You're right, he wouldn't say that. I think Vincent has his phone." I turn toward Cooper. "Will you please call Garrett and find out who is on B's security detail tonight and where the hell he is?"
Cooper starts dialing.
Aiden touches my arm sweetly, but I pull away, my hands shaking. "I. Need. My. Phone."
"You're not thinking of replying, are you?" Damian asks.
I try to grab my phone from him, but he puts it behind his back.
"Damian, don't mess with me!"
"Keatyn, you need to think this through. Couldn't he track you?"
"I have a number with a Georgia area code and billing address. I'm in a moving car. He already knows I'm in New York. Give me my phone. Now!"
"Give her the phone," Aiden says to Damian in a commanding tone, causing Damian to immediately comply.
Me: What's up, Vincent?
B: What are you talking about? This is Brooklyn Wright's phone. By the way, I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year. This is our year.
I look at Aiden, who I know is reading along with me. "Sick," he says. Then he reads the text out loud.
"What are you going to say back?" Riley asks.
I notice a grim look on Cooper's face as he says, "I'll put her on speaker."
"Garrett!? Where is he?" I yell.
"He's in Malibu," Garrett replies through the speaker. "He had a New Year's Eve party at his house. Refused security."
"But, Garrett! I told you . . ."
"Let me finish. After the rose incident, you expressly told me not to listen to either Brooklyn or his dad regarding their security, so I had a team outside the home."
"Front or back?"
"Front. That's where everyone entered the party."
"Fuck," I mutter. "Call them, Garrett. Tell them to enter the house-by force, if necessary-and find Brooklyn! What about Vincent? Aren't there supposed to be two teams on him?"
"He went to a New Year's Eve party at a mansion in Bel-Air. They couldn't follow him through the gates, so they are waiting for his car to come back out."
"So, in other words, you have no idea where either of them are?!" I look up at Cooper. "Tell the driver to stop the car. I have to get out."
I feel trapped.
Claustrophobic.
Sick.
When the car stops, I quickly get out.
Please let Brooklyn be okay.
Maybe he dropped his phone earlier today.
Maybe he left it on the beach when he surfed. He always does that.
I start walking up the sidewalk randomly, but then see a cute brownstone.
One with steps that I plop down on.
I have to calm down and focus. Focus on getting information from Vincent.
It's a few hours later before she replies.
But worth the wait.
He needs to let her know that no one she loves will be safe unless she comes back home.
Unless she does their movie. But there is more to the text than that. Depending on how things go, it could also be used as evidence.
Against Matt.
Me: Why do you have Brooklyn's phone?
B: I keep telling you. This is your beloved B, who has a lovely home that is perfect for a party. It was the perfect place to watch your video. I wasn't thrilled with all the comments my friends were making about you, but I guess that comes with the territory of dating someone famous.
Me: We aren't dating anymore. If you were really B, you'd know that. We've been over for a long time.
B: You're just playing hard to get. But know this. I want you back. And no one you love will be safe until we're together. By the way, how's Grandma?
Cooper sits down next to me. "Garrett just called back. Keep in mind, it's just past midnight in California, but they couldn't find Brooklyn anywhere in the house and no one seemed to know where he is. His father apparently isn't in town."
"Do you know about what happened to my grandma?"
"Yes."
I hand him my phone. "Read the texts. Screen shot them. Text them to Garrett. See if there's anything he can do, legally."
"There isn't, Keatyn. He keeps saying he's B. You aren't going to be able to prove otherwise."
"B would never threaten me."
"If he was the jealous boyfriend, he might."