I laughed. "Got it."
"I wish he'd left the island, done something else," Ben continued. "But Dillon says when he figures out what else he wants to do, he'll go. Sometimes, I envy how unstressed he is."
"I think getting high has a lot to do with that," I said dryly.
"Probably." A car pulled up to the curb, and I started. "This is my ride. It was nice to see you, Ben."
"I'm sure we'll see each other again before you go."
"I hope so."
I opened the car door, then paused. "Do you think Gage is a bad choice for Kelsey?"
"I wouldn't presume to tell anyone what to do. Frankly, I'm not surprised Gage and Kelsey got together. They're the perfect match—a star athlete and a supermodel. Obviously, Kelsey loves him," Ben added, with an edge to his voice. "She loves him, right?"
"I don't think she'd be marrying him otherwise."
"I guess not. I'll see you around, Willow."
As Ben left, I got into the car, thinking about what both Dillon and Ben had said. Their knowledge of Gage was ten years old. They could be completely wrong now.
A niggling doubt pricked at the back of my mind.
What if they weren't wrong? What if Kelsey was making a big mistake?
I could try to talk to her again, but it was her life, and I knew very little about her relationship with Gage. I had to trust that Kelsey knew the man she was going to marry.
Melanie's Diary–June 28th
Ben and I won a sailing race today. It was so cool. There were about a dozen boats competing. I was supposed to race with Drake and my dad, but my father went on one of his walkabouts, and Drake got sucked into some story he's pitching to the newspaper and bailed on me. So, Ben and Dillon reluctantly agreed to come with me, and we came in first place.
It felt amazing. The wind was fierce. We practically flew across the water. And the best part is that we beat the Chadwick brothers: Preston, Gage and Carter.
It's the first time the Chadwicks haven't won that race in like three years. Gage blamed Carter for the loss. He said he moved too slow. I don't think Carter was too thrilled about Gage's comment. He looked like he wanted to punch him.
Ben and Dillon thought their fight was hilarious. They love it when the Chadwick brothers turn on each other. I don't think they like any of them too much, although they spend a lot of time with those boys. That's the thing about living on the island. Even if you don't like some of the rich kids, they still make your life more interesting when they're in town.
Anyway, I'm a winner, and I don't care why the Chadwicks think they lost. It's not like Dillon was moving fast. He basically just came along for the ride because this race required a three-person crew. Ben and I did all the work. I didn't actually know that Ben could sail that well. The last few years, he has gotten into heavy partying, and he's never out on the water.
Sometimes I worry about Ben. I worry about Dillon, too. They're fun-loving guys, but they both suffered losses when they were young. Ben was ten when his mom died. Dillon was only four when he lost his mother. Then his dad took off, and he ended up living with an uncle who seemed pretty mean. I think that's why Ben and Dillon became such close friends. It's probably also why they don't like the Chadwicks, who have the perfect family. Sometimes those beautiful families at Chambers' Point are really annoying.
Anyway, we all had a good time. Sheriff Ryan, my parents, and Ben and Dillon all met up for pizza later. We put our trophy in the middle of the table. The sheriff was cool. He likes to tell stories and be the center of attention, but that's okay. My dad is so quiet. Sometimes, it's nice to go out with people who talk more.
Maybe I can convince Ben to sail again. It would be a lot better for him than all the partying. I'm sure he won't listen to me, though. But he should. I know he'd be happier if he did.
Gotta go. I want to call Willow before it gets too late. We're going to hike up to the summit tomorrow. We should be able to get some amazing pictures. Willow will probably complain about the long hike. She's not really into hiking, but she'll do anything to get the perfect shot. In the end, it will be worth it.
Chapter Seven
When I got back to the house, it was after nine. I'd spent more time wandering around town than I'd realized. The lights were on and as I let myself in, I heard a clash of voices coming from the living room.
I peeked in and saw my parents with the Chadwicks and the Connellys. The men were gathered by the bar, the women seated on the couch and love seat in front of the fireplace.
I didn't feel like making conversation, so I headed into the kitchen to see what I could find to eat. The refrigerator was packed with healthy snacks, plenty of veggies, and leftovers from lunch, but I felt like something more decadent.
I walked into the adjacent large pantry and found the sweets I was looking for. While my mother was always watching her weight, my dad still had his stash of candy in the back corner. As I poked through the large variety bag, I heard people come into the kitchen.
Before I could make my presence known, I heard my mother say, "Drake is out to ruin Kelsey's wedding. He's probably the one who broke the sculpture."
"There's no way Drake got into the house with no one seeing him," Sean Chadwick said.
"Then he paid the caterer to do it."
"Why would he?"
"He wants to shake us all up. Brooklyn said that Drake thinks one of us knows something about Melanie's disappearance, and he's going to find out what it is."
I was surprised that Brooklyn had expressed that concern to my mother. She must be more worried than she'd let on to me.
"There's nothing to find out, Monica," Sean said, a firm note in his voice.
"Are you sure?"
I stiffened. How could my mother even ask that question?
"Am I sure? Hell, yes, I'm sure," he retorted.
"Don't snap at me."
"Then don't be stupid."
I was shocked by their words. I'd never heard them talk that way to each other before. It was the way my mom talked to my dad, or my dad talked to my mom. But Sean and my mother? Where had the boundaries of politeness gone?
"I'm not being stupid, Sean. I am never stupid. I am the one who is thinking ahead," my mother continued. "I need to protect Kelsey. I'm going to speak to Drake's mother tomorrow. I'll tell Sylvie that he's not welcome and if he tries to come to the wedding, security will escort him out. I don't think they'll want that to happen. I'll also make sure she knows we won't be patronizing the restaurant in the future if she allows her son to ruin the wedding."
"I don't think you should involve Sylvie. You'll make this bigger than it is. Besides, didn't I hear that Kelsey invited him to the wedding?"
"She's so naïve. She just wants to let bygones be bygones. But I cannot go along with that. Nor can I stand by and do nothing."
"Don't talk to Sylvie. She can't control Drake, and it will just upset her."
"Why do you care if she's upset?" my mother asked sharply.
"She's a nice woman who lost her daughter a long time ago. I have compassion."