Page 53 of Mended Hearts

She nods and I wonder if she’s ever dealt with a drunk person in her life.

I go to open the door, and it swings open.

“Mom,” Brian exclaims, standing in the entryway freshly showered and shaved. Things I wasn’t sure he still knew how todo. He throws his arms around her. “I’ve missed you.” He looks up at me and smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

Jekyll, is that you?

No, Hyde. It’s always Hyde.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

DUSTIN

Taking my morning walk, I stop dead in my tracks. She’s here.

“Echo,” I whisper in disbelief.

She slowly lifts her head, and her eyes go wide with realization.

“Dustin.” She all but runs to the end of the walkway, stopping herself from embracing me—like something’s holding her back from doing so. I can think of one thing in particular. With mere inches between us, she looks up, entrancing me with her brown eyes. “You’re here.”

“I’m here,” I repeat, unsure of how to react with her so close.

“You’re alive.” She steps back and begins assessing the damage.

“Yes, I’m alive.” I might be alive on the outside, but I’m just a shell. Her hand brushes across my face. I shiver at her touch. She begins tracing the new scars, working her hand down my neck. The first tear falls as her hand begins to tremble down my arm, reaching where it now ends. Instinct sets in and I begin to pull away.

“No,” she says, throwing her arms around me. I do the same, cradling her head to my chest. “You’re alive. That’s all that matters.”

I want to argue, to disagree that it’s not all that matters, but I also want to keep her in my arms for as long as possible. I don’t know what’s going on, but she’s here for a reason and I plan to be whatever she needs. Because standing here, holding her, is the most alive I’ve felt in years. But all too soon, it ends as she begins pulling away. No matter the duration, it’d always be too soon.

“Did you just come to hang out on the porch?” I tease.

She laughs and it’s the most glorious sound in the world.

“No, I’m waiting for my mom to remind me what the code to the lockbox is so I can get in.”

“Oh, well, you don’t need that. I can get you in.” I jog off to the side and make quick work of the pesky gate door. I slide her bedroom window open and crawl in. It’s always been my way into this house.

“Tada,” I say, opening the door. “It’s magic.”

She laughs, walking past me. “Thanks, Houdini.”

I want to reply that she’s the one who disappeared, but I sense now isn’t the time to joke about our past.

“I’m just going to go back here for a bit.” She points toward the hall. “I’ll be back out soon.”

I count to ten and push off the wall as soon as I hear the door shut. More than anything, I want to rush to her side and hold her while she sorts through her emotions. But the bare minimum, I’m going to sit on the porch and be here when she comes back out. I lean my head back and daydream about when times were simpler. Times when I only had to navigate her controlling father, not a husband. Maybe I should have just saved myself instead of making it my mission to keep him alive. I’d still have my career, my hand, and probably could’ve won back the girl. Now the odds are more heavily stacked against me.

As long as she’s happy. That’s all that matters. But is she?

Lynsie pulls up, slams her car door, and jogs my way.

“Where is she?”

“Hi to you, too,” I say, pointing at the house.

“Please tell me you didn’t leave her in there alone.” She runs up the steps.

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