Page 2 of Mended Hearts

I shrug. “I beg to differ. There was already a coin in it.” I point.

I can sense her eyes rolling. Sometimes I wonder how hers haven’t completely flipped upside down from the number of times I caused that action growing up.

“Come on.” She tugs my arm. “Your brother is down here.”

Again, I fall behind, following. As we approach, Dax’s back is to us, and he’s laughing with others around him. I stop short and use the time to take in my baby brother, who is far from a baby now. Seeing him in his dress suit, same as mine, ignites a sense of pride within me. I want to run up and tackle him. Hell, run up and give him an old-fashioned bear hug. But he has to be a head taller than me now. I’m the one who’d be shaken around like a rag doll, not him.

I patiently stand and wait. I shove my hand in my pocket and rub the back of my neck. Nerves are still rampant, now accompanied by excitement, and the patience I was trying to channel has dissipated.

Okay, okay, I’ve waited long enough. We all know I’m who he really wants to see but will never be expecting to. That thought has the taste of regret and guilt all over it.

“Ahem.” I clear my throat and take a step closer. Dax’s eyes shift to mine, and I swear I see every emotion pass through them. The same emotions I feel but keep tightly hidden. He shakes his head, shaking the shock away. His pretty boy smile illuminates his face, and I can’t contain the one spreading across mine.

Commence bear hug. Dax’s long legs and quick strides have him hugging me in no time. Out of reflex, my body stiffens. Embracing is foreign to me, but Dax’s embrace tightens, and the reserve I’ve managed to keep up falters. This is my brother. My brother who could’ve died. The thought alone constricts my airways. I swallow hard, pushing the emotion threatening my eyes back down with it. I’m not going to think about the ‘could haves.’

“Man, you’ve sure grown up.” I keep a hand on his shoulder, fully taking him in, seeing what all has changed. His facial features are sharper, more defined. Bright hazel eyes still filled with wonder and dark golden hair, truly embodying the Golden Boy term of endearment. No more towhead. He’s grown and it makes me want to pinch his cheek and ruffle his hair. But I’d have to reach up to do that.

“Take a picture. It lasts longer.” Dax snickers and I laugh at him using one of his key phrases from our childhood. “But on a serious note,” he starts, placing his hands on my shoulders, almost like he’s fusing me to the ground to keep me from taking off again. “You don’t know how much you being here means to me.” He looks away, pausing. “It means more to me than this award.” His bottom lip quivers slightly, and I nod in agreement.

“I’m being reassigned and didn’t plan on making any pit stops,” I admit. “But when Mom got ahold of me and told me about this award…” I look away for a moment, trying to hide the emotion within. “I couldn’t miss it.”

He smiles. “I love you, too.”

“I’m really sorry about Lincoln. I know how close you both were.” I hate that I couldn’t be here for him during that time. He nods, accepting the condolence.

“I have someone I need to introduce you to.” Dax turns around and pulls a woman to his side when he turns back. “This is Lynsie Fox.” And now, the conversation my mother was having with herself on the car ride makes sense.

“It’s nice to meet you, Dustin.” She smiles, sticking her hand out to shake mine.

I quickly glance at my brother for answers but know this isn’t the time or place I’ll get any. I close my hand around hers and give her a genuine smile. “It’s nice to meet you too, Lynsie.”

With Lynsie attached to his side, I catch up with my brother for a moment. I mainly stand and listen to them as I soak this allin. The distraction is something I’ve needed. I’ve denied myself the interactions and communication with those who know me best; those who love me. I like to say I didn’t choose the life of solitude, it chose me, but I’m beginning to second-guess that idea.

People start to make their way into the room where the ceremony is being held, and we slowly meander in that direction.

“Lynsie,” I hear coming our way, causing Dax and Lynsie to swing around. They chat with the new posse member, and I stand, deep in thought. So many thoughts. I look around, giving curt smiles and nods as people walk by, feeling awkward standing here.

“You look gorgeous, girl.” I hear who I presume to be Lynsie’s friend say and something about the voice feels familiar. I pull my gaze back, right in time for Lynsie and Dax to slightly part from one another, revealing who’s on the other side.

I stop in my tracks, and my body instantly tenses. The idea that I’ve died and gone to heaven truly crosses my mind, but I’m snapped back to reality. Dax turns my way, eyeing me. I close my eyes tight and shake my head. I feel like I’m seeing a mirage—something I want to be real but isn’t. I mean, she can’t be. There’s no way, after so long, we’d finally cross paths.

Nope, not a ghost or a figment of my imagination. I run my hand through my hair, resting it at the crook of my neck. It’s ridiculously hot, and the nerves I felt earlier are child’s play compared to the ones flowing through me now. She hasn’t seen me yet, and I contemplate making a run for it. It’s been thirteen years, and I feel as lost as I did when I realized she was gone. How is that possible?

I can see the questions in Dax’s eyes, much like the ones I have for him, but her attention is now on him. I listen and watch intently.

“Look at you, Dax. You sure clean up nice.” She playfully smacks his cheek. Happiness and jealousy envelop me at once. I clinch my fists together, unsure of what to do with them or these feelings.

“You don’t look so bad yourself, Echo,” Dax replies, glancing back my way.

With a wide smile, she starts to reply, but then her eyes dart past Dax, falling straight on me, and her smile vanishes. My shoulders slightly fall, hating that I caused it. We stare at each other in silence for what feels like forever—a lifetime. I don’t want it to ever end.

“Dustin,” Echo whispers with a hint of disbelief as if she’s now the one seeing a ghost. And I’ve never wanted to equally die and live in the same breath as I do right now.

I unclench my fists, roll my shoulders back, and stare, unable to take my eyes off her. My God, she’s even more beautiful than I remember. And my memory is impeccable. How do you forget every single feature of someone when you dream of them every night of your life? You don’t, and I haven’t. I shove one hand in my pocket and run the other over my face and inwardly curse. I should have shaved. She looks back and forth between Dax and me, piecing it together.

“So y’all are brothers.” It comes out as more of a statement than a question as her voice slightly cracks.

I nod. He nods. We both nod.

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