Page 29 of Mended Hearts

He slowly kisses each knuckle.

“Umm.” I shake my head, regaining my senses. He snickers, knowing exactly what he’s doing to me. “Oh yeah, and over there is Pisces.” I use my free hand, pointing in the direction that is northeast of Aquarius the Water Bearer.

“Mmm-hmm.” More kisses. “That’s cool,” he says, not even looking up.

“Yes, it is. Since it is your constellation.” I roll toward him and tickle his side. He squirms against me, trying to push my hand away. “Ha, I found your weak spot.” I laugh, moving my hand around to find more.

Dustin stills as he stops laughing and turns his body to the side to fully face me. “You’re my weak spot, Echo.” My heart completely melts within. He’s mine, too. “What’re your plans once we graduate?” he asks.

“I figured I’d start my career as a housewife,” I tease, raising a brow as I carefully watch his expression. Instead of fear and trepidation taking over, his face is full of approval as he nods with a big smile like I just named the best life goal ever. “I wish,” I admit, rolling my eyes. I quickly cover my mouth, shocked by my own admission. “College and softball are what I’m workingfor.” The answer falls flat as I begin wondering if it’s really my goal, or what’s been pushed on me like I’ve been programmed from the beginning of my life. “How about you?” I return the question.

“Wherever you go.” He leans in, kissing me as his hand wraps around the back of my head, holding my face close to his. “I kinda like the idea of you being a housewife.” He smiles against my lips.

The loud crunching of gravel fills the stillness around us. Our heads jerk up, seeing headlights cascade over the field. And my heart drops to my stomach as dread floods in.

“Echo,” a voice yells. I can hear the padding of feet, making its way to us.

I jump up with Dustin right behind me and watch as Julianna runs through the gate, heading our way.Oh shit.

“We have to go,” she says with urgency, holding her arms out, waving for me.

“What the hell is going on, Julianna?” Dustin asks, stepping in front of me in a protective stance.

“There’s no time to exp?—”

The abrupt stopping on gravel as another car skids to a stop cuts her off. Nausea burns my throat as I realize what she was so desperate to convey.

She mouths, “I’m so sorry,” as she begins retreating backward, keeping her eyes trained on us. Dustin’s body tenses as he keeps his stance in front of me, shielding me from what’s to come.

“Echo Dian Price.” My dad’s voice booms, startling me. My breath hitches and I turn statuesque, unable to move, think, or barely even breathe. His eyes are big, features tight as he makes his way closer, clenched fists at his sides. Dustin’s arm shoots out in front of me to hold me back. My dad scoffs at the gesture, then his gaze falls past us, landing where we had spent the nightlying. A mix of emotions fills his eyes, but anger is the only one that remains. “Get your stuff now.” He seethes.

Tears begin to fall as reality sets in, and I turn to get my stuff.

“No.” Dustin protests, grabbing my hand. He looks at me with such desperation as if he has a way for us to make it out of this unscathed.

But he doesn’t. Nothing can save us from what’s sure to come.

I cradle my hand against his cheek and rub my thumb against his bottom lip. It trembles. “The love I have for you consumes me,” I whisper. He tightly closes his eyes, trying to blink back the tears to no avail.

My father steps in, breaking us apart. “I warned you, but you didn’t listen.” He sticks his finger in Dustin’s chest, and I pray he doesn’t get decked in response. “This is your fault.” The words come out slow and deliberate as he stares at Dustin with rage. It’s almost as if he’s begging him to retaliate, but he doesn’t. Although his fists are clenched and his chest heaves, my guy stands firm; unshakeable. “Come on.” My dad grabs my arm and pulls me with him, leaving my belongings behind.

Halfway to his car, Dustin hollers, “Hey, Pastor.”

My dad stops but doesn’t turn around to acknowledge him.

“I’ll pray for you.”

The grip he has on my arm tightens and I snicker, knowing that guy of mine just hit my dad where it hurts; below the Bible belt. I glance over my shoulder and hold Dustin’s stare, wondering if this will be the last time I ever see the boy I love.

Chapter Twenty

DUSTIN

May 2014

My head falls back and I breathe in the dry air surrounding me. It’s been a month since I last saw her. I wish I could say the same about Brian. But we made it to our first post overseas a couple weeks ago and he’s been up my ass ever since. I suppose it’s not his fault. Besides getting ourselves reacquainted with the heat, we’ve also been taking daily classes, ensuring we’re refreshed on rules of engagement and sensitive sight exploitation as we search buildings—among other things.

I’m trying to embrace the busyness of it all. It’s usually my superpower.

---