Page 35 of Where is Amber? (Before Us)

My mouth fell open, and I stared at him, slack-jawed. After everything I’d just said, he was more concerned about his career? I closed my eyes, opened them again slowly, and looked around the people standing outside on the balcony. I wasn’t the only one disgusted by what I’d seen inside. I could see how uncomfortable some of the guests were out here, their eyes flashing when a noise poured from inside the open doors, and eyes closing as moral responsibilities were chained. Showing any of that to those enjoying the unspeakable inside was career suicide for them. Yes, this was a party, but it was also an elite social network of people in the film and music industries where you could make things happen. Where you could get drunk and build a connection with someone who could get you considered for a dream role or a recording contract you would never have managed to make otherwise. I could see Noah’s point for a moment, and I could understand his selfishness while those people possibly suffered inside. When I had nothing to gain or lose by being here, it made it easy for me to throw caution to the wind and call the police while hoping every last one of the people participating in the whole shit scene burned in Hell, but I couldn’t do that to Noah.

“Okay,” I said, doing my best to relax my face and not scowl at him. “I see it from where you’re standing.”

Noah relaxed and leaned forward, pressing his forehead against mine.

“Just don’t make me go back in there, please.”

“We can go back upstairs or stay out here. Whatever you think would work best for you.”

“Out here.”

“But…” Noah nodded, his eyes flashing back to the house. I understood and pressed my hand over his heart that was hammering so hard, I was surprised I couldn’t see it.

“I know you have to network, so I’ll get myself a bottle of water and maybe head own to the beach for a walk or find someone to talk to out here.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“You want me to get you a drink?”

“From in there? No.”

Noah rubbed my back for a moment then stepped away, pushing his hands into his pockets as he shook his head and spun on his heel to walk away. I guess I’d turned out to be quite the disappointment, not able to hang with these elitists who thought they were above the law and could do anything they wanted.

I walked the length of the large patio balcony and watched a few people swim in the pool before their play turned into something more, and I left them with the privacy they probably didn’t even want. I eventually found a million steps carved into the cliff that led to the beach below, and I started down them. By the time I was halfway, I’d taken off my heels and walked the rest barefoot, happy about my decision when my toes finally landed in the sand. It was chilled and damp, but just what I’d needed to clear my head of the scene above. Even down by the ocean with the waves crashing, I could hear the music pulsing into the night from the house overhead. I could see the lights flashing in different hues, the briney air making them linger farther out than average.

I took in a deep breath, trying to clear my head for a minute, and screeched when I saw a figure step out of the shadows to my right.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” he said, his voice and exotic accent familiar enough to trigger something in my head. I had no idea who it was, but I recognized that voice from somewhere. I just couldn’t put my finger on where.

“It’s okay. I just didn’t expect anyone to be down here.”

“It’s a trip best made sober. Those stairs would be killers to anyone even a little drunk.”

I glanced at the stairs and followed them up to the house. He was right; they were steep and uneven, and anyone with even a slight lack of coordination would find themselves at the bottom with a broken neck. “You’re not wrong.”

“I’m Frankie,” he said, stepping forward and offering me his hand. I took it politely and shook.

“Amber.”

“A lot to take up there.”

“It is, and I’m considering calling a friend to come and get me.”

“You came alone?”

“No. I came with my boyfriend, and he needs to be here. I don’t. How about you?”

“Here with my boss.”

“So, you can’t leave.”

“I can’t leave,” he echoed with a sardonic laugh.

I gathered my short train in my arms and lowered myself to the sand, freezing in a crouch when Frankie told me to stop. He rushed toward me, pulling off his jacket and laying it in the sand below me. “You don’t want to ruin your pretty dress.”

I gratefully accepted his offer and sat on his jacket, shifting to the side to give him room if he felt the need to join me, but he kept his distance and sat in the sand a little way away. Even in the muted light, I could see the ink that covered his neck, the shadows of even more under his crisp white shirt as they lined his arms and chest. Frankie ran both of his hands over his short hair and dropped his forearms on his knees, glancing over at me.

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