Page 23 of Echoes of Us

I never thought I would want Teagan to come back.

Chapter 25

Teagan

The ride to Sean’s is pretty quiet. When he picked me up, he started to ask, “What happened, T? You sounded…”, His head whirls toward me, “What in the hell is that smell?”

“Do not ask any questions, just drive!” I scream. He goes totally silent for the remainder of the drive. I feel bad for taking my anger out on him, but he knows it isn’t directed at him. I see him look at me from the corner of his eye, his gaze landing on the wet stains covering my clothes. With the smell, it is not hard to guess what happened.

As we pull up to Sean’s house, the garage is open, and the guys are setting up the instruments. Sean is in a band with a few guys from school, well… his school now. Zeke, Brody, and Dane have been in a band with Sean and me since we were in eighth grade. Zeke is lead vocals and plays acoustic guitar, Brody plays the drums, Dane plays the bass and Sean plays lead guitar and does backup vocals. I used to play the keyboard. Brody and Dane are both tall, lanky guys with red hair. Honestly, most people think they are related when they are out together. They always play along to mess with people. Zeke is short, a bit rounder, and has bleach-blond hair.

Sean and I walk into the garage as the guys all start to crowd around me with big smiles and a million questions. “Hey T! We missed ya bud!” “Dude, what are you wearing? Is that a skirt?” “Are there hot girls at your school?” “What the hell is that smell, you reek!” “Does everyone drive a Beamer?” “How is the cafeteria food?”

“GUYS!” Sean yells. “Leave her alone and let her sit you douchebags.”

The guys relent, shrugging and going back to set up. Except Brody, he never knows when to stop pushing buttons. “So, T, are you here to cry in the corner or are you going to come back and play keys?” All of them freeze and turn to me.

“Sorry my mom dying has inconvenienced the band, asshat.” I reply.

He shrugs and turns to pull his drumsticks out of his backpack. “What do you guys wanna start with today? Covers or the original stuff.? I kinda just feel like jamming tonight.” The guys all shrug and nod in agreement. They are really a talkative group, huh?

I spend the next few hours listening to the guys play my favorite classic rock songs. Occasionally, I feel the urge to join in on the keys, but I’m not ready yet. After they finish the final song, Zeke announces he needs a snack. “Sean you got any food in there?” He starts for the door but pauses, “Your dad isn’t back yet, is he?”

“Nah, man. I haven’t seen him in over a month and yeah, I got some pizza rolls in the freezer we can heat up,” Sean replies.

Everyone else starts to put their instruments in the cases and unplug the equipment. I stand and stretch. Sean walks by me and smiles, likely heading to shut the garage when I hear him ask, “Uhh…can I help you, man?”

A familiar voice answers, “I am here for Teagan.” I spin around.

Oh shit. Ethan Briggs is standing in the driveway with an extremely annoyed, but relieved face when his eyes land on me. I feel a bit bad that I didn’t let them know I was okay, but it was quickly squashed. “In the car. Now,” he demands.

“Hey man, if she doesn’t want to come with you, she doesn’t have to,” Sean says, stepping between us. I put my hand on his shoulder and pull him back.

“It’s fine Sean. That’s the guy I live with.” I walk past them both toward the Mercedes. I don’t look back at any of the guys because I know they would also try to stop me if they thought for a second that I wasn’t okay.

Ethan gets into the car and whirls on me. “You will not come to this house again. Do you know who lives here?”

“You can’t stop me from hanging out with my best friend and yes, but he’s never around so… what does it matter to you?” I snap back.

“Teagan. You will not come back to this house. Owen Mason is a very dangerous man. I cannot let you back here. If I catch you here again, I will have the police come get you to ensure your safety.”

“How did you even know where I was?” I snap again.

“I am a Mercer County judge. When Emmaline came home without you and told us Gabe saw you get into a truck near the football field, I called in a favor to the Sheriff to check the school cameras and run the plate. He wanted to come get you when he found out whose house it was, but I insisted on coming instead,” he said flatly.

I don’t say another word. I feel both violated and weirdly touched, but I would never admit that. My mom loved me, but she was never really in the right state of mind to worry about where I was or what I was doing. I have never had someone go through all of that trouble over me.

We drove in silence, pulling into the driveway about thirty minutes later. The garage door opens, and he pulls in. “Straight to the dining room table, please,” he says and exits the car.

I sit for a moment, bracing myself to see Emmaline before I go inside. I have tried all night to avoid thinking about what happened to me after school. I have never felt so dehumanized or humiliated in my life. I knew princess didn’t want me living here, but for her to do something so cruel was a shock.

I don’t care about getting in trouble, I just don’t want to see her.

Chapter 26

Emmaline

It has been impossible not to make frequent eye contact with my mom across the table. We have been sitting here for at least two hours in total silence since Dad left to get Teagan. I wasn’t brave enough to tell them the whole truth about what happened, so I just told them we argued, and she bolted. I did tell them that I went after her, but it was too late. It didn’t help. I also let them know that Gabe saw her get into a red truck and that it was probably the same red truck I saw her leaving in that night at the church.

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