“Have you known Echo for a long time?” Falcon jumps over to where Echo was sitting next to me and places his hand at the back of my chair before he answers, “School friend. So, forever.” I nod looking back at Echo who’s staring at me then back to the doctor.
“Did you know Mike well, as well?” Only Falcon answers as the other two remain quiet. Creed is currently attached to his cell and only looking up when he needs to.
“You could say that. We know him better than most,” Falcon answers tapping the back of my chair. He leans in close, not as close as Echo gets, but close enough that only those right near me will hear. “Now Selena, on the other hand, we’ve known her just as long and not one good word should be spoken about her. If I were you, I would watch that one.”
I nod my head, I’ve already worked that fact out for myself.
The family walk over. Echo’s looking down as he reaches us. Falcon moves to let him take his seat. His hand slides into mine making my hand feel even smaller compared to his large one. My thumb runs on the outside softly, as I stare waiting to see what the news is, and wondering how hands can be so attractive. Is that even possible?
“Tell me, what did they say?” This time it’s not Falcon who asks, it’s Darby who leans forward in his seat. Looking up Echo’s watching me as I stroke his hand, so it takes him a moment to answer him.
“They’re taking him into recovery. They got the bullet out and everything looks good. He’ll have to stay in here for a few days to make sure he’s okay.” Everyone breathes a sigh of relief at his words. I even pull my hand out of his and envelop him in a hug. He pulls me tight to him, his face in my hair as he leans in breathing me in.
“Stay with me tonight.”
I want to tell him no. That it’s not something we should be doing. We need clear heads before we jump into things again. I need to work out if this is what I even want. If I can put up with everything that comes with being with him.
Will I be worth it?
Will he be worth it?
I’m getting older. I want those things that women my age don’t want—marriage, family, and even the career for now but will happily give up for my children. We still have a long way to go—I don’t even know if we work. How can we be so broken yet somehow want to stick to each other like glue?
Glue doesn’t hold everything together, it’s a BandAid that covers the real problems. I want to sew it back together with all our pieces magically intertwined.
It will take a long time for us to reach that point, and that’s even if I want to.
“You’re about to say, no. Please. Just be with me.”
Eyes are still on me, I can feel them burning through me. Selena has a smug smile on her face as she watches me fight what I already know is going to win, and his friends are watching as well. I almost feel pressured, but that’s silly it’s not what he’s doing at all.
His hand slips back into mine as I nod my head.
“Nothing else, Echo, not yet.” He nods as he stands keeping our hands intertwined.
“You’ll call if you hear anything else?” he asks looking at his parents who both nod.
“Thank you for coming, Storm. It was nice to see you again.”
I lean down and cuddle his mother, who taps my back before I pull away.
“I’ll come back tomorrow with Echo. Is there anything you’d like me to bring?”
I can feel Echo’s eyes on me, but I don’t dare turn to look at him.
“No, sweetheart, we’re fine.”
Behind us, I feel all the boys and know they’re going to walk out with us.
“You aren’t welcome here,” Selena says as we turn to leave. I choose to ignore her, she doesn’t get a say. It’s his parents who are hurting the most.
“Selena, if you choose to continue speaking to Storm the way you do, I’ll throw your ass out myself,” Echo says as we walk past her. She gasps but doesn’t say another word as laughter filters from behind me.
“That bitch has no respect. Hopefully, Mike wakes up and kicks her ass to the curb.”
I turn to see all three smiling at Echo’s words.
“Mike loves her.”
Echo shakes his head. “He doesn’t, he’s just lost in her. She isn’t worth his love.”
All five of us step into the elevator, it’s a tough job being surrounded by men who could make any woman’s panties fly off with just a single look. Echo pulls me so my back is to his front with his arms around my waist. I don’t hold his hands just stand still unsure of what to do. He clearly needs the comfort and I’m trying to give it to him, even though my insides are conflicted right now.