Around us, the room fills with the sound of chewing. Sarah tears through her portion with shaking hands. Emma eats with grease slick across her fingers. Jared stuffs pieces into his mouth so quickly he barely chews.
Miles’ hand starts to lower toward the plate.
Then his eyes flick to me.
I shake my head once.
“Don’t.”
He looks back at the food. His jaw tightens. His stomach growls loud enough for me to hear.
Miles drags in a breath and shoves the plate away.
He leans back in his chair and closes his eyes, fists tightening against his thighs like he needs them there to stop himself.
Elliot lifts his glass.
“To fun and games,” he then turns his eyes directly on me. “And Brooke… I’m so glad you could join us for dinner. You took those darts like a champ.”
The others barely react. They are too busy eating. Too hungry to notice the smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
I glare at him, silent.
My back still aches from where the darts hit. My wrist throbs like the bones are splintering all over again. Blood sticks to my skin under the dress. And now I’m supposed to sit here, like this is dinner. Like this is normal.
I don’t touch the food. I don’t speak. I just stare at Elliot and hold my glare, refusing to let him see what I am really feeling.
Elliot claps softly. “Is everyone enjoying their meal?”
He checks an imaginary watch. “And look at that—it’s Wednesday. You know what that means.”
Sophie grabs a remote and turns on the TV mounted on the wall. The news clicks on. A headline stretches across the bottom in bold white letters:
MISSING COLLEGE STUDENT BETH JENNER STILL UNACCOUNTED FOR.
“The search continues tonight for missing college student Beth Jenner,” the news anchor says, her voice calm as she looks into the camera. “Authorities say Jenner disappeared earlier last week under circumstances that remain unclear.”
I hear Sarah inhale sharply beside me.
A photograph of Beth appears on the television screen.
“Oh look, Sarah,” Elliot says pleasantly. “It’s Beth.”
The anchor continues, glancing briefly down at her notes. “Investigators say Jenner was last seen with her boyfriend, Chris, who has also not been located. Both individuals remain unaccounted for as the investigation continues.”
Sarah’s hand freezes halfway to her mouth.
Another photo appears beside Beth’s.
“Police are now confirming that Beth Jenner’s sister, Sarah Jenner, is also missing,” the anchor says. “Sarah was last spotted on Saturday. Authoritieshave not released additional details but say they are working to determine whether the disappearances may be connected.”
The words SARAH JENNER — ALSO MISSING appear across the bottom of the screen.
Sarah’s face crumples.
Elliot tilts his head as he watches her reaction.
“Look at you. Basically a celebrity, huh.”
