Page 69 of Mended Hearts

I laughed, catching him off guard. “You’ve raised him? All you have been in Dylan’s life is a backdrop. I’ve been a married single mother for the last thirteen years. I never gave him your last name because you”—I point a finger at him—“haven’t earned that privilege.”

I should have expected it, but my guard was down. Before I could deflect, his hand slammed against my face with the loudest slap I’d ever heard. I dropped the items in my hands as I instinctively reached for my face. Heat, as if his hand was molten lava, engulfed the side of my face. I expected his demeanor to change, that it in that moment it would’ve clicked what he had done, but that didn’t happen. I turned to run, but his hand wrapped around my bicep like a vice, pulling me back with such force I fell to the ground. In horror, I stared up at the man hovering over me, wondering what his next move would be. And what mine would be.

Before I had time to react, a loud crack sound filled the room. Brian fell to the ground with a thud, half groaning, half crying as he held his knee.

“Don’t you ever touch my mom again,” Dylan yelled, holding the metal bat up in the air like he was going to make it rain metal all over Brian.

I jumped to my feet and put my hand on the bat to keep him from swinging. “That’s enough, son.” I smiled, reassuring him. Dylan backed up but kept his grip tight on his bat as a precaution.

“Then I quickly grabbed all the items to Dustin’s shrine, and we got the hell out of Dodge. And that’s how we ended up here.” I glance up at Lynsie, half expecting her to be asleep with how quiet she’s been. She sniffles, wiping away a stray tear.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” She leans in, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“It’s—”

“No.” She pulls away just enough to rest her forehead against mine. “It’s not okay.”

THE BUZZING OF my phone awakens me. The buzzing ends before I can get up and I decide against moving. I almost drift back asleep before the buzzing starts again. This time it’s louder and doesn’t stop. Lynsie stirs and I realize her phone is going off too and I begin to wonder if we’re under some type of weather warning. We look at each other, both still half asleep, then grab our phones off the table.

Seeing his name on my phone screen has me wanting to do anything but answer. I’d rather chuck my phone than talk to him. But something must be wrong for us both to be receivingcalls at this hour. My mind goes to Dustin. And without hesitation, I hit the green button.

“Brian, what?—”

“Echo, something happened.” That’s not Brian’s voice on the other end of the line. It’s Dustin.

Chapter Forty-Seven

DUSTIN

Isit in the waiting room, hunched over with my head hanging low. My body begs for sleep. Thankfully, it’s trained to go without. But everyone has their limits, and I feel like my body is tired of me pushing mine. No one here will give me any updates since I’m not immediate family and the closest immediate family he has should be about halfway here by now. I stand up, deciding I need to stretch my legs and find myself a heavy dose of caffeine. After that long drive, I didn’t plan on being stuck sitting in a hospital for God knows how long.

I could just leave and start my trek back home, but I’m not a piece of shit. I didn’t leave Brian stranded on enemy ground, and I’m damn sure not going to do so now. While I’m still angry as hell at him for putting his hands on Echo, I want to see him get help…but from a distance. A very far away distance.

After walking around the hospital five times, familiarizing myself with every bathroom area, coffee station, exit route, and location of the cafeteria, I make my way back to the waiting area. Echo stands at the counter, looking how I left her—hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun, sweatpants tucked into Ugg boots with an oversized hoodie on. I turn around to see Dax walkin the automatic door and relief washes over me, realizing he drove her here.

I meet him halfway and give him a bear hug. The events of the last ten hours have really shaken me up. “Thanks, man, for coming.”

“Of course, bro.” He asks what happened as we make our way to the seating area. I open my mouth to begin telling him, but his eyes get huge as he looks past me.

“What did you do?” Echo screams, pushing on my shoulder from behind. I turn to face her and my heart damn near cracks. The side of her face is still puffy and slightly red. What looks to be the beginnings of a black eye forming. Her arms hang at her sides with her hands fisted. “Brian was alive and well when we left him. What did you do?” she demands.

“Mrs. Williams,” the nurse hollers, breaking through the tension.

Echo stares at me momentarily before dropping her shoulders and unclenching her fists. I hope she can see in my eyes what I try to convey. Without another word, she turns her back to me and follows the nurse.

“How was the drive?” I ask, sitting down next to Dax.

“Uhm.” He rubs his hands on the tops of his thighs. “It was pretty somber. Not gonna lie. It took me back to when I drove back home with Lynsie for Lincoln’s funeral.”

Guilt and regret begin to settle in, making me wish I had just driven home and picked Echo up myself instead of putting the burden on my brother.

The automatic doors open, and my body instantly stiffens as Echo’s parents walk in. I knew this day would come, but I had hoped it’d be on my terms and not thrown at me without warning. They glance over as they walk past us. Mr. Price makes eye contact with me, holding my gaze. His eyes widenas recognition sets in, but the worry for his daughter and Brian overpowers it.

“You don’t have to stay,” I tell Dax.

“Nah, bro, I’m not leaving you to the wolves.” He bumps his shoulder into mine. “But how about we get out of here for a bit and go grab some breakfast.”

“Food sounds good.”

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