Anguished (Crimson Elite 2)

“He’s gone. Sorry, Storm.”

Wiping at my face, I pull the door open and find Tracey standing there.

“Thank you,” I say walking away.

I plan to go home and watch a shit load of When Harry Met Sally.24EchoShe has serious issues, this much I know for sure. Tracey calling to let me know Selena was there is not something I was expecting. And why the fuck do they all feel the need to go to her? My brother, now Selena. Storm clearly wants nothing to do with it until they bring her into it. Just before I arrive at the doors to her building I notice Selena walking out, sunglasses covering her eyes as she struts with her head held high. She should be looking at the ground after what she’s done.

“You get a kick out of torturing me, right? It’s the only explanation I can come up with,” I say. Selena stops walking and turns to face me. Her hand goes to touch my shoulder, but I brush her off.

“I’m going to leave him, for you.”

“You’re insane,” I reply while shaking my head at her crazy words.

“I thought you’d be happy. This way, you can stop playing with the redhead woman and come back to what you know you want.”

Shaking my head firmly, I clench my fists at her stupidity. “I never loved you.” It falls from my lips like I’ve drank truth serum. “I think I was fixated on you because you were all I knew.”

Her sunglasses are now on top of her head as she looks to the ground scanning, then back to me. “You don’t believe that you love me, Echo?” She goes to touch me again, but I push her hand away.

“I don’t, I really don’t. You can go and try to win my brother back. But be aware, I will tell him exactly what you just did here, and whatever you come to say to Storm as well. He likes her you see. Respects her. Something you have completely lost. Now, please do us all a favor, and fuck off.” I look past her to see Storm standing in the lobby area of her building. When she notices my stare, she quickly starts walking away. I watch her disappear into the ladies bathroom. Just as I try to go after her, Selena stops me with her hand on my shoulder.

“You love me, Echo. I’ll give you one more chance, it’s the least I can do.”

I throw her hand off me as I scoff while ignoring her words, and head straight for the woman I do want. She doesn’t answer when I knock—I know it’s because she’s hiding from me in there. I don’t blame her, I was an asshole. A big fucking asshole at that.

Tracey walks in and says, “You should leave, give her more time.”

My hands run through my hair. “I have given her time, more than enough. I didn’t cause this.”

Tracey shakes her head as I look to the closed door.

“You did cause this, now just go.”

I do as she says.

Clearly, Storm wants space and somehow, someway, I have to respect that. Even if it kills me inside to give her that space she craves.“You’re always in a relationship issue, have you noticed that?” Falcon points out as we sit at Darby’s house drinking. We come here at least once a month to just unwind. We aren’t inside his main house, but in a space where he throws parties, and we drink until we can no longer see straight.

“Fuck you,” I throw to him.

“Think about it, at least every week you had an issue with that bitch. Now, you’re still having issues with that bitch even after she left you.” Darby nods but doesn’t say anything. Creed watches his cell.

“I’m not with her.”

“You’re a love addict. That’s what you are,” Falcon says standing, declaring it as if he’s just come up with the word.

“Sit down,” Creed groans.

Falcon does so and looks at me. “You are, though. You crave love. Even if it’s from the wrong woman. It explains why you stayed with that bitch.”

“I thought I loved her. You wouldn’t know what that’s like.” Drinking my beer, he shakes his head at me.

“I don’t need to know, I see it in you enough to turn me off for life.”

“Once you find it though, I’m sure it’s worth it.” We all look at Creed, who isn’t paying us any attention as he continues to stare at his cell.

“She isn’t going to have the baby tonight. Put it down,” Darby tells him.

Finally, he looks up at all of us watching him. “It’s worth it,” is all he says then checks his cell again.

“And what… you think this redhead chick, who doesn’t even want to talk to you, is it?”

I shrug. I don’t really know, all I know is that I want to be around her. All the time. And I don’t get sick of her, which is an even bigger fact for me. I don’t want breaks from Storm, not like I needed with Selena.