Page 63 of The Last Dance

‘So, you two don’t have secret phone calls and exchange texts that Henry knows nothing about?’

She starts to speak but shakes her head before starting again. ‘OK, so we might do that, but Iwilltell him. Nothing happened last night between Matthew and I besides what you saw. But I know even that was wrong. I was caught up in the moment.’

‘You let them talk shit about him, Karmen. What am I supposed to think about that? Do you do it too?’

‘No.’ She shakes her head quickly.

I want to believe her, because I don’t think she’s really that evil. I’m just not sure. Even when I convinced myself that I hated Henry, I’ve never talked that way about him. Not out loud at least. I could never do that to him.

‘And… I shouldn’t have said anything about your sister. You’re right. I do not know the situation you all were in. It wasn’t my place to speak about it. I’m sorry.’

I silently stare at her, wondering what exactly it is that she wants from me. Despite her apology, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is her way of hoping that maybe I won’t tell Henry and him never finding out. That will never happen. Especially after his whole ‘not wanting to keep things from me anymore’ line this morning. If he doesn’t know the next time I see him, I’ll tell him. I have to.

‘I want to tell Henry what happened and my history with Matthew, but it’s a little hard to do that when he disappears for days on end.’

I can’t tell her I saw him this morning. If anything, that will only make this a whole lot worse. I especially can’t let on that I know he wants to end things for a reason that is probably not Matthew.

‘I’m sorry. I don’t know where he is.’ Not a lie. I don’t know where he is. I only know where he was. But if I had to guess, I’d bet Ben knows. I’d also guess Karmen doesn’t know how to directly contact Ben or Claire except through either Henry or me. And for once I’m gonna go with Claire’s diehard rule of it’s not my truth to tell.

‘Yeah, he’s not answering my calls either, so I figured you’d already told him.’

I shake my head. ‘I didn’t. I told you I’d give you a chance and that’s what I’ll do.’

‘So, none of you know where he is? I’d call Ben or Claire, but I don’t have their numbers.’

My phone rings in my bag and I scramble to pull it out before missing the call. I look to Karmen, who only stares back at me.

‘Sorry, I have to take this. Stay or go, I don’t care, but whatever else you have to say will have to wait until I’m done here.’

She nods, leaning back in her chair. Obviously, she’s not done talking.

I frown over at her. ‘Hello?’ I answer, turning away from Karmen’s stare.

‘Is this Ambri?’

‘It is.’

‘Oh, good. I was afraid I’d get your name wrong. This is Taylor Pearson. My mom called and said you wanted to do an interview for your website?’

Taylor Pearson. Allison is her mom. I had no idea Allison even had children, let alone one old enough to be center stage of a singing competition.

‘Allison is your mom!’

‘Yeah.’

‘How old are you, Taylor?’

‘Seventeen.’

I pull a pen and paper from my bag to jot down everything she says.

‘Wow. It’s so impressive that you’ve made it so far in this process so young. How are things going?’

‘Stressful.’ Taylor lets out a nervous laugh. ‘Everyone here is so talented. Like,sotalented.’

‘You must be too if you’ve made it this far?’

‘I guess so,’ she says hesitantly, as if not wanting to jinx the conversation.

---