Page 47 of Summer's Echo
Sadie smiled. “I love you, too. And I’m proud of you, brother.” She pulled me in for a hug, and for a moment, I let myself lean into it, into the comfort only a sister could offer. When she pulled back, her expression turned expectant. “So…now what?”
I shrugged, exhaling a slow breath because that question had been haunting me for the past twenty-four hours. Then, finally, I gave the only answer that ever made sense. “Now, I go get my Sunshine.”
I decided to enjoy dinner with my sister before taking Summer her car. By the time I pulled into the Knights’ driveway, the house was dark except for a dim glow from the living room. Summer probably hadn’t moved much since our last text exchange, either deep in sleep, lost in thought—or both. I could only imagine the emotional toll her conversation with Deshawn had taken. He looked like he was ready to spit bullets when he saw her, but when his eyes landed on me? That man was murderous. And honestly, I couldn’t blame him.
I stepped out of the car, nerves creeping in like this was my first time meeting her family. Back in high school, I spent so much time at this house that Ms. Teresa would set a plate for me on Sunday nights without even asking. Now? I felt like the guy who’d messed with their daughter’s head…again. I opted to knock instead of ringing the doorbell. A few seconds later, the door swung open, revealing Summer’s brother, OJ. I didn’t know him as well as her sisters. By the time I met Summer, he was already out of the house, living in another city. Still, I knew enough to recognize that defensive expression on his face—the same one his father wore when he wasn’t giving much away.
“She’s still asleep,” OJ said flatly, making it clear that this was my cue to hand over the car keys and be on my way.
I nodded, pocketing my hands. He must have thought that meant I was leaving. He had no idea. I would sit on the edge of her bed and watch her sleep until she woke up, just like I used to.
“Come on in, Echo,” Mr. Knight called from the couch.
OJ hesitated for a second before stepping aside to let me in. Both Knight men studied me as I entered. They were not angry, exactly, just…uncertain. Like they were questioning my motives as they tried to piece together what the hell was going on. This was about to be interesting.
“Summer should be up soon,” Mr. Knight said, pushing up from his seat on the couch, “but until then, let’s talk.” He turned off the television and started toward the four-season sunroom before stopping at the fridge. “You want a beer?” He grabbed one for himself and handed another to his son.
“Yes, sir. Thank you.” I trailed them into the room as he flicked on the light and queued up the same basketball game on the mounted TV.
They sat on the couch. I took the chair. And just like that, I found myself in another situation I wasn’t entirely prepared for.
“Who you going for?” OJ asked, staring at the TV.
I followed his sightline, only now realizing who was playing—the Celtics against the Bulls. “The Bulls,” I said easily. “Chicago was the first place I could call home.”
OJ scoffed. “What? You’re not rooting for the hometown kid?” He was, of course, talking about Jayson Tatum.
I laughed, shaking my head. “Yeah, when they’re not playing the Bulls.” I took a sip of my beer.
“Figured you’d be a Lakers fan with how long you’ve been in LA,” Mr. Knight said.
“Nah, never that.” A brief silence settled over the room, the kind that made me wonder if this was just casual conversation or a quiet warning.
Then, without looking away from the game, OJ said, “Baby girl is hurting.” The words were calm, but they hit like a punch. “What happened yesterday was a clear sign that she hasn’t been happy.”
Mr. Knight sighed, shaking his head. “Just settling.”
A slow breath pushed through my nose as I nodded, knowing that was true. OJ finally turned toward me, not attempting to hide the sharp lines in his face. “I know y’all’s history is complicated, but if you’re here to add more to her plate, this conversation is about to go real different.” His words hung between us, the tension thickening.
“That’s not why I’m here at all,” I said, my voice even with sincerity. “I came to St. Louis knowing my heart would be broken. I came to see her get married, to support my friend.” I shook my head. “I ain’t on no bullshit when it comes to Summer.” I glanced at Mr. Knight, catching myself. “Excuse me, sir. No disrespect.”
Mr. Knight offered an understanding nod. “None taken,” he simply stated.
OJ didn’t blink. “Summer is vulnerable right now. Don’t confuse this situation by letting her run to you just because she doesn’t know where else to go.”
I leaned forward slightly, my elbows resting on my knees. “Summer and I haven’t really known each other as adults. But the Summer I remember? She doesn’t run unless she knows exactly where she wants to land.”
They didn’t know what I knew. While they saw yesterday as a hasty decision, I knew it wasn’t. Yeah, Summer was hurting, but she wasn’t lost. She wasn’t looking for a distraction. What they didn’t realize was that we had finally stopped lying to ourselves.
OJ was still watching me, still measuring my words. “Again…your past is complicated. I don’t think she ever recovered from that.” A beat of silence stretched between us. Peeling back the layers of our past meant exposing wounds. Some still healing, some still raw.
“I don’t believe either of us will ever recover alone,” I said, my voice firm but calm. “We have to face it—the good, the bad, the ugly. All of it.” I shrugged. “It’s really as simple as that.” Then I met both of their gazes, my voice dropping lower. “But real talk, man to man?” I let the words settle. “I’m not losing her again.”
OJ continued to watch me carefully, searching for cracks in my resolve. Mr. Knight examined me, too, but something in his face shifted, softened—just slightly. Finally, he spoke. “Echo, can I ask you a question?”
I nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“How did you know where she was?” he asked, lifting a curious brow.
