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.
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.”
“That makes no sense, but whatever. I need to talk to Damian.”
I peek my head in the limo door. “Damian, start calling and texting all our friends. All the surfers. Girls they hang out with. Anyone and everyone who’s numbers you have that could possibly have been invited to his New Year’s Eve party.”