The Follower Kate Doughty (general ebook reader .txt) 📖

as she’s finishing the last of her unappealing hospital dinner, she finds something.

A Norton public school directory. And there, under PTA, is Nancy Andrews.

She feels a jolt of excitement as she dials the number, but it’s been disconnected.

Three phone calls and several on-hold sessions later, Cecily finds herself dialing a number that’s not disconnected. The phone rings and rings into emptiness. Just when she’s convinced that she’s going to go to voicemail, a shaky voice picks up.

“Hello?”

Cecily tucks the phone to her chin, trying her best to muffle the noises of the hospital around her.

“H-hello? Mrs. Andrews?”

“Who is this?”

“This is—Cecily. Cecily Cole.”

The voice on the other end sucks in a breath. Mrs. Andrews knows who she is. Cecily speaks again, fast, before she can hang up on her. “I—I live in the Tremont house. Your old house. Maybe you’ve seen—maybe you’ve been on social media—”

“You’re on Instagram,” Mrs. Andrews cuts her off. “I know. I hope you aren’t recording this call.”

“No, of course I’m not.” She doesn’t sound happy, but Cecily has no choice but to continue. “I wanted to ask you about—about Evan—”

“Listen,” Mrs. Andrews snaps. “This might all be a joke to you, some fun supernatural story, but my son is dead. I don’t want to be part of your—your internet sensationalism.”

“No—it’s not that. We think that—”

“I ask that you respect the privacy of me and my family in this time,” Mrs. Andrews says, her voice suddenly flat. “I do not give you permission to post this online. Do not call this number again.”

She hangs up.

Cecily drops the phone into her lap. She sits like that for a long time. She does not move. She does not cry. She only sits in a darkened hospital room as the endless flood of staff and patients swirl around her, replaying the sound of Mrs. Andrews’s panicked voice over and over in her head.

CHAPTER 20

Amber

Amber stares at the photo she’s about to post. She flicks her fingers to boot up Photoshop, but she finds herself thinking of Jada. She exits the photo-manipulation software and turns back to the picture. It’s of her and Rudy, sitting on the hardwood with their backs against a wall covered in paint swatches.

It’ll be the first photo they’ve posted that has referenced the renovation since Cecily got hurt. Rudy hovers behind her. “Amber, it’ll be fine.”

The caption reads: We know things have been tough lately, and we can’t thank you enough for your support. Thank you so much for sticking by the Cole family. There’s a big surprise coming your way! Hint: These walls aren’t the only thing changing color.

Amber hates the idea of mentioning the renovation again, but they have to tease the hair-color video as well as the upcoming wall color, which are both sponsored. There’s so much riding on this post—and so much that could go wrong.

Mrs. Cole had wanted Amber to post the photo as it was: a carbon copy of the post they’d planned for Cecily. But Amber wasn’t Cecily. And maybe, for the first time in a long time, she thought that might be a good thing. Amber hadn’t posted carbon copies of Cecily’s things before, so why start now? She thinks back to their previous sponsored posts and amends the caption.

And today, I’m wearing crop tops. That’s right: In this post—and every post I do from now on—I’ll be breaking at least one plus-size fashion and beauty rule. Which one should I do next? #LoveEveryBody #NotYourBeautyStandard

She posts the picture.

The likes and comments roll in, but Amber doesn’t stay to check the engagement. She shoves her phone into her pocket, afraid of what she might see. Who she might see online. Besides, they have things to do today.

“Ready to head out?”

Rudy nods.

Amber follows him into the Range Rover and they pull off into the hazy summer morning. Rudy had suggested they go out to pick up the hair products today, to take a break from the renovation and get out of the house. But first, they stop to pick up Bella and Jada downtown. They had both jumped at the offer to join her and Rudy on their adventure to Ulta for more hair dye products. Amber finds herself getting nervous as they near Jada’s house.

She’s been thinking about asking Jada to be her girlfriend, but she worries about what will happen when her family moves. Amber pushes the thoughts aside. Jada is the first person in a long time who she’s wanted to date. The first person who is into her for her, and not just for her fame.

Then why is she so nervous at the idea of asking her to be her girlfriend?

They pull up to the house and Amber swallows her jitters.

Bella and Jada pile into the car, and before their seat belts are even fastened, Bella starts with the questions.

“How is she? Has she gotten my messages? Did you tell her I’ve been asking for her?”

Amber turns toward the back and gives Bella a reassuring smile. “She’s okay. Nothing new to report, really. She appreciates the support. She just . . . needs some time.”

“You guys are so nice,” Bella sighs. “If people knew you in real life, they wouldn’t say such mean things online.”

“Bella,” Jada says, a warning tone in her voice.

Rudy and Amber exchange a look. They had made a vow to not do any searches for negative comments about their family and Cecily’s accident. They were making a concerted effort to focus on what was really important—making money to finish the renovation and to help Cecily. But what is Bella talking about? Amber feels like she needs to know.

“What things?” she asks, trying to keep her voice even.

“That you’re faking for views and sympathy money,” Bella says. “There are tons of conspiracy theories out there about how you guys are just doing this for attention. It’s really sick.”

In the silence that follows, Bella lets out a shaky breath. “You knew about that, right?”

Amber nods. There’s no point in making Bella feel