He seems equally confused. “You didn’t know?”
“I thought my dad did it. Wow.” I swing my feet. “After all these years, the truth comes out.”
“That I’m not a massive dick?”
“Well,” I nudge him with my shoulder. “I didn’t say that.”
We sit in silence for a few moments, processing the misunderstanding that altered the course of our friendship for three years.
“I missed you,” he says in a quiet voice.
My heart flip-flops. He’s always done this to me. Always. “I missed you, too.”
“Do you think we can be friends again?”
“What happens if Rose comes back?”
The dark, sad look in his eye tells me he doesn’t believe that will be a problem. “Then she’ll have to deal with it.” He tosses his arm around my shoulder and pulls me close. “Because now that you’re back in my life, I’m not planning on losing you again.”
Warmth spreads through my body, not just from his touch but his words. Even so, I’m hesitant; if Rose does come back, then all of this may be gone. And if she doesn’t?
Then being friends may be the last thing on any of our minds.
22
Ozzy
When I come down for breakfast, my mom has the TV turned on. Brice Waller stands in the spot where Rose’s car was abandoned, looking solemn when Janice Hill from Channel Five news holds a microphone to his face and asks, “What does it feel like to have the active water search for your daughter called off?”
“It doesn’t feel great,” he admits, looking tired but distinguished. His campaign button is visible, as always. “I know the rescue team and police, state and local, have done everything possible to find my baby girl.” He grimaces. “But even though the water search is over, we’re not giving up hope.”
“On a professional note, how is this tragedy affecting your campaign?”
The question is rude and inconsiderate, but like always, Brice Waller takes it in stride. “Rose knows how important my commitment to this town i
s to me and the family. She would be devastated if I backed out of the race over something like this. Luckily, I have an amazing staff that can help fill in the gaps right now. Once Rose is home, we’ll dive back in.”
The camera shifts away from Mr. Waller, to Janice. “Such strong dedication to both family and to the community. We wish them luck as this nightmare continues.”
She takes a step over and the camera moves to Chief McMichael.
“Chief, what are your thoughts on searchers locating the charm she’s known to wear around her neck? Do you feel like that’s a sign she was in the water? Or do you feel like that’s a red herring of some kind?”
The Chief straightens his hat—he too looks exhausted. “We’re continuing to process and collect all evidence in the disappearance of Rose Waller. Right now we’re as stumped as anyone else, but until we have proof otherwise, we will consider this a missing persons case. Nothing more.”
“There are a lot of rumors--” Janice starts.
The Chief holds up his hand. “We don’t operate on rumors, Ms. Hill. We work from evidence, and if anyone can come to us with something new, we’re happy to follow up on it. Thank you, I’ve got to go.”
Janice faces the camera. “That’s the latest update on the Rose Waller disappearance, and three days later, police don’t seem to have much more information than they did the day they found her car abandoned on Carter’s Bridge. As always, if you have information for the police, contact them immediately.
Mom presses mute and the news shifts to the weather. She gives me a sympathetic grin. “How you holding up?”
“Okay.” I grab a box of cereal off the counter and pour a heap into a bowl. Milk follows.
“I know this is hard on all of you.” She searches my face. “Have you spoken to Finn?”
Yeah, Mom. We’re in this new club of kids called in to talk to the cops—kids tainted by being currently or formerly friends with Rose Waller. We have a club house where we meet up and get high, oh and by the way, I think I’m falling in love with Kenley Keene even though she’s still hung up on Finn Holloway.