Page 16 of Heart Sick Hate

I swear I still hear her screams haunting these walls.

Haunting me.

4

Echo

“She doesn’t eat redmeat.”

I’m not sure what annoys me more, the fact that Rhett can’t remember the simplest things about his girlfriend, or that Crew felt the need to point it out.

It’s no secret Crew isn’t happy I’m dating his brother. He teases me constantly, but when Rhett is around, he’s meaner. There’s underlying brotherly tension between the two of them I’ve never understood. I don’t know whether it’s their competitive natures or something else, but my getting in the middle didn’t help the situation.

Not like I have a choice as our fathers sit planning my wedding.

“Sorry Echo, I forgot about the steak.” Rhett frowns, not offering me something different to eat.

Instead, he returns to his conversation, and I’m thankful I’m not hungry anyway.

On my right, I feel my dad’s eyes on me, like they’ve been all night. The shimmer that once resided in the blue has dulled these past few years, and his gray hair is thinning at the crown. Every year ticks a few off him and worry ages his face even more in this moment.

I force a smile and wish it was enough to convince him I’m okay with this. I need to be okay with this. Max Kingsley might be a terrible human being, but he helped save my father’s life. He got him a heart and funded his treatments. We owe them for all they’ve done for us, and I don’t back out of my obligations.

Rhett sees a future at my father’s church with me at his side, and at least we’re friends, so it will be tolerable. It’s not like I need love anyway. That’s for other people.

“I’m going to use the restroom.” I push my chair out and excuse myself.

If I have to continue listening to them plan my wedding, I’m going to scream so loud the sound will embed in the walls.

But when I make it to the doorway, I almost run into Crew, who is circling back into the room, tucking his phone in his pocket. He smirks, stepping aside for me.

“I’m taking off.” He waves at the room.

“Already?” Max asks.

“Shit to do.”

His dad grumbles before returning to his conversation with mine, and I try to slip down the hallway before Crew can catch up, but he’s too quick. The devil in orbit, always watching his prey.

“Leaving so soon.” I roll my eyes as he matches my pace. “I’d say I’m disappointed, but we both know I’d be lying.”

Crew chuckles, pressing close to my side in the narrow hall that leads to the main part of the house. He leans in so his breath tickles the hair on the top of my head as he flicks my ponytail with his hand.

“Try not to miss me too much.” His fingers barely graze my arm and goosebumps skitter to the surface.

“I never do.” If anything, with Crew gone, tonight will finally be tolerable. “Where are you running off to anyway? One of your my-dick-is-bigger-than-yours fights? Or is your nose still recovering?”

I smirk, my gaze darting up at him and his broken nose. I should feel bad, and if he wasn’t Crew Kingsley, I might. But he wears it like he’s proud of the fact that he let me punch him.

“I don’t need to beat the shit out of someone to know I’ve got the bigger dick. Wanna see what you’re imagining with your fingers inside you at night?”

“I can promise you I’m not.”

He winks. “Sure thing, Goldie.”

“You’re disgusting.”

“And you’re a prude.”

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