Echoes Beneath (The Truth Series Book 2) Read online

  “Walker?”

  “What?” I asked as I snapped to attention.

  “You called out to him during your nightmare.”

  “Ugh, I cannot believe this crap,” I said and rubbed my face. “Yes, his name was Walker.”

  “Okay, so now that you’re actually awake, can I ask you a million questions? I’m confused about a few things.”

  “Sure,” I said and propped myself up on my elbow. I wanted to see his reactions as I told him how screwed up I was.

  “Okay, so your mom drugged you, but why? I mean that’s fucked up times ten, and now I get why it freaked you out when she showed up at your room today. And wait, I thought she still lived in Arkansas. And she has a girlfriend?”

  “George, it’s two o’clock in the morning. I can only handle one question at a time.”

  “Okay. So why did she drug you?”

  “She didn’t want me to date Walker, or anyone for that matter.”

  “How old were you when this happened?”

  “It was a year ago. I was eighteen.”

  “Whoa. How in the hell do you even wrap your mind around that? Your mom did that to you?”

  “Like I said, she’s not well. She . . . she’s convinced I’m possessed by demons.”

  “Dear mother of God!”

  “Seriously? I tell you I thought I was possessed, and you respond with that?”

  “Shit, I’m sorry, but this isn’t your ordinary family drama. And you said she thought you were possessed, not you.”

  “I believed it too. I didn’t know any different until I met Walker and his family. His aunt was the first person to tell me that she was mentally ill.”

  “So, you fell in love with Walker and he told you you’re not possessed by demons and your mom is off her rocker?”

  “Something like that,” I said.

  “Then she found out and drugged you to keep you from dating him?”

  “In a nutshell.”

  “What in the hell happened next?”

  “My best friend, Emma, and her dad helped me move out of Mama’s house and then we got an apartment. I tried to move on, but I started having nightmares, and every time I went somewhere I didn’t know if I would run into Walker, his wife, or Mama.”

  “Wife?” George squealed and bolted upright in the bed.

  “Oh, yeah, after he broke up with me because he thought I cheated on him, he and his ex-fiancée got back together. They got married right before─” my voice hitched at the thought of Susan. “Before his mom passed away from cancer.”

  “I’m going to borrow your words. Holy shit!”

  “I’d applied to college out here, and when I was accepted, I moved. I’d hoped I could get my shit together and start over. So, there it is—my dirty little secret. Promise me you won’t tell anyone. Not Adalyn or Cassidy, not your mom, your brother, or even his cat,” I said and glared at him. “These are my secrets to tell, no one else’s.”

  George shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that to you. I know I tease you, but you’re my best friend, and that’s so messed up. I’d be freaked out too.”

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do,” I said and squeezed my eyes closed. Maybe when I opened them, I’d wake up from this horrible dream. If only.

  “You still love him,” George said.

  There was a light knock on the door. We glanced at each other, and George held his finger up to his mouth, motioning for me not to answer his question.

  “Love who?” Xander asked and poked his head through the door.

  “Hey, did we wake you up? I’m so sorry. I couldn’t sleep, so we were talking,” I said.

  “No, I’ve been up,” Xander said. “I’m gonna get some sleep, so I’ll see you guys later in the morning. There’s plenty of food in the kitchen, so help yourselves when you get up.”

  We waved goodnight as he closed the door behind him. His footsteps echoed down the hallway.

  “Well, that was bad timing,” George whispered.

  “Yeah, it was. He just asked me out, and then he walks into that conversation. I wonder if he heard anything else?” I asked as I bit my lip.

  “I have no idea—I’m still trying to piece all this together. It does make more sense now, though. There were days you seemed so sad it was almost like you were hollow. I know you’ve gotta be homesick on top of everything else, too. I’ll do whatever I can to help you get through this. And maybe you should give me Emma’s phone number . . . ya know, just in case,” George said, giving me a worried look.

  “I hope you’ll never need to call her, but that’s probably a good idea,” I said as I reached for my backpack and wrote her number down for him. “Please don’t share it,” I said as I handed it to him.

  “You have my word,” he said as he slipped it into his pocket.

  “I’m tired again,” I said and lowered my head onto the pillow.

  “Me too. I’ll have more questions tomorrow, but for now, I’ll hold your hand so maybe you won’t have more nightmares.”

  “Thanks, George,” I said and squeezed his hand as I drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 11

  The gray morning light filtered through the curtains, and the rain had slowed to a light drizzle. I slipped out of bed and crept down the stairs and into the kitchen. I found Xander’s coffee and made a pot for everyone. I grabbed a large glass of water and downed it as well. I wasn’t hungover, but I didn’t have time to feel tired or achy, either.

  I glanced at the stove clock: 8:12 a.m. It was two hours later back home. I found Xander’s phone and dialed Emma’s number.

  “Hello?” she said.

  “Emma, it’s Lacey. I need you to call me back at this number,” I said and gave her Xander’s phone number.

  “Okay, I’ll call you right back,” Emma said and hung up.

  I grabbed the phone before it fully rang.

  “Hey, thanks for calling,” I said quietly.

  “Where are you? Are you okay?” Emma asked.

  “Don’t worry, I’m fine. It’s sorta weird, but I had a date last night.”

  “And you spent the night already?” she asked. Her voice held a note of disapproval.

  “Not like that, Emma. I was all ready to go out with him, but then Mama showed up at my dorm room.”

  “What?” Emma screeched. “Your Mama as in Crazy Mama? What in the world, Lacey?”

  “I know. Needless to say, it wasn’t going well, and then Xander showed up to take me out. If he hadn’t come right then, I’m not sure what would’ve happened. Anyway, Xander invited George and me over, and we stayed in his guest rooms. He was super sweet.”

  “Pack your stuff. If she’s in Eugene, you need to come home. I’ll kick Lisa out, and you can have your old room back.”

  There was nothing funny about the situation, but I laughed.

  “You can’t kick Lisa out, and I’m not coming home, either. I’m surrounded by people all the time here. I’ll be okay.”

  “I don’t like the sound of this at all.”

  “Me neither, but I can’t run forever,” I said and sighed. “Let’s talk about something else. What’s going on with you?”

  Emma filled me in on her nursing classes and family, and we agreed to talk in a few days. I hung up the phone and grabbed a few one-dollar bills from the pocket of my jeans. I placed them next to the stove and put the salt-and-pepper shakers on top of them. I wanted to make sure to pay the phone bill, even if Emma had called me right back.

  I poured a cup of coffee and curled up in Xander’s wingback chair next to the window.

  “Did you sleep better?” George asked as he joined me in the living room.

  “Yeah. Thank you for keeping me company last night. There’s coffee if you want some.” I nodded toward the kitchen.

  “Thanks, I think I’m gonna need it. It was a long night,” he said as he patted his rumpled hair and made his way into the kitchen. He rejoined me in the living room with a cup of steaming coffee.
/>   “I’m not going to call you Hillbilly anymore. You’ve been through enough without me making things worse. Besides, you’re not a hillbilly. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without shoes,” he said and smiled over his cup before he took a sip.

  “Thanks,” I said, shaking my head and grinning.

  “There’s more to your story, isn’t there?”

  “You heard the highlights, but there was a lot of stuff in the middle, too.”

  “I’m sorry you had to go through that. And I won’t lie—after you told me all that stuff last night, I’m really worried.”

  “So is Emma. I called her this morning, and she wants me to come back to Arkansas since Mama is out here now. But I can’t. I like Eugene, and I can’t keep running, right?”

  “Mmm, I would. I wouldn’t want to be in the same city with her, or even the same state.”

  “Is it crazy that some days I miss her?”

  “No, not really. I mean, she is your mom, and it’s not supposed to be like this.”

  I nodded and sipped at my coffee.

  “Do you have a picture?”

  “Of who? Mama?”

  “Walker. I want to see the guy who shattered your heart.”

  “I do, in my dorm room. I have a box with Susan’s obituary and some pictures. I’ll show you sometime.”

  “Morning,” Xander said as he leaned on the door frame between the living room and kitchen.

  “Hi,” I said and smiled. George shot me a look and wiggled his eyebrows.

  “Damn, he looks good, even in the morning,” George muttered under his breath.

  I stifled a giggle as Xander sat on the love seat and propped his feet up on the coffee table.

  “Thank you again for letting us stay here last night,” I said.

  “You bet,” Xander replied as he ran his hand through his hair.

  “I’ll need to go back to the dorm today—would you be able to give me a ride back?”

  “Will you be okay by yourself?” Xander asked as concern spread across his face.

  “George will stay with me. I’ll be alright,” I replied. I wasn’t about to tell him that George was leaving tomorrow to go to Mexico for the rest of Christmas break. I didn’t want him to think I was a charity case.

  “I’ll give you my phone number in case you need to come over again.”

  “Thank you, that means a lot to me.”

  “And me,” George chimed in. “If she’s with you, I’ll know she’s safe,” George said and shot me a look out of the corner of his eye.

  Xander glanced at George and then back at me.

  “Wait a minute, I have to ask. Are you in danger?”

  I glared at George for giving up too much information. I knew we’d had a long night, but he had to be more careful.

  “I don’t know. I’m not gonna lie to you—I really don’t know.” I sighed as I leaned my head back against the chair and stared out the window.

  If I were honest with myself, I’d admit that anytime Mama was around, I was at risk of being in danger. But who wanted to admit something like that about their parent?

  “I won’t push you, but if you need a safe place to stay, or if you’re ever in trouble, I’m here. I want to help,” he said.

  I stared at him for a moment and searched my tired brain for something to say. I’d talked with Xander a total of four times now, and he was offering me a place to stay.

  “Thank you, but I’m sure it’ll be okay.”

  “Promise me you’ll call me if you need to.”

  I paused for a moment and nodded.

  “Why don’t you take a shower and then I’ll take you guys back to the dorm in a little while?” Xander stood up.

  “Okay,” I agreed and took the last sip of my coffee.

  George hopped off the couch and left Xander and me alone in the living room as he headed upstairs.

  “So, I’m serious. About calling me, I mean,” he said.

  I stood up and crossed my arms in front of me self-consciously. Xander walked around the coffee table and closed the gap between us.

  “You’re welcome here anytime,” he said as he reached out and tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear.

  “Thank you,” I whispered. “I really appreciate it.”

  Xander held my gaze and then leaned forward and gently brushed his lips against mine. He pulled back and ran his thumb across my lips and cheek.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as he dipped his head and kissed me again. My lips parted as I welcomed the warmth of his mouth.

  He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer. I ran my hands up his arms and lingered on his muscular biceps. Heat spread through me. A deep yearning that I’d locked away since I was with Walker resurfaced as Xander kissed me.

  I sighed as he pulled away.

  “How about a redo of our date?” he asked and smiled softly.

  “I’d like that.”

  “Tonight then? I’ll pick you up at seven?”

  “That sounds perfect,” I replied, grinning.

  Xander leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. Then his hands slipped away from my waist and he walked away into the kitchen. A moment later, I heard him on the phone and decided it was a good time for a shower. I made my way upstairs and glanced at the clock on the nightstand next to the bed. It was already noon, which meant I only had seven more hours until Xander picked me up. My stomach fluttered with excitement as I grabbed my clean clothes and walked across the hall and into the bathroom. I’d forgotten what it felt like to have privacy.

  I poked my head around the shower curtain as I heard the bathroom door open and close. I’d been thinking about Xander and I hadn’t locked the door behind me. I should’ve known better; George never knocked, and he had no issue with talking to me no matter where I was.

  “What the hell, George?” I asked as I adjusted the curtain. I didn’t care if my body did anything for him or not; I didn’t want him to see me.

  “Well, I figured we could talk here and not get interrupted. I have questions.”

  “For God’s sake, let me take one shower in peace. You know what the dorms are like.”

  “If you’re worried I want to see your lady parts, you need to chill out. You know they won’t do a damned thing for me,” he said.

  “Out!” I demanded and pointed toward the door. “Your questions can wait.”

  He stood up and huffed as he walked out of the bathroom.

  I rinsed the conditioner from my hair and laughed. I wished Emma could meet George. They’d get along really well—they were both always full of questions.

  Chapter 12

  Xander loaded our stuff in the truck, and we all slid into the front seat. I wrapped my arms around myself as Xander blasted the heater. I’d been so distracted with Mama earlier that I’d left my coat in my dorm room.

  “I don’t get it,” I said. “It’s warmer here in the winter than it is back in Arkansas, but I’m still freezing all the time.”

  “It’s the rain,” Xander said.

  “Once you get wet and that wind whips through you, it’s over—you’re cold until summer,” George said as he pulled his coat tighter around him.

  “My coat’s in the backseat if you can reach it,” Xander said.

  I turned and strained to get it, finally managing to pull it toward me. I smiled as I snuggled into his coat and warmed up.

  “Thanks,” I said and beamed at him.

  George elbowed me in the ribs and raised his eyebrow at me. He probably had tons of questions about Xander now, too.

  “George, are you hanging out with Lacey tonight?” Xander asked.

  “Hell yeah. I’m not leaving her until I have to,” George said.

  “Well, I’m going to take her out, so she might not be back until late.”

  “Ah, the missed date from last night,” George replied. “Well, you two go have fun. I’ll hang out at my parent’s house for a while since Cassidy and Adalyn are in Port
land for winter break.”

  “Yeah, the dorms will be pretty empty,” I said. I bit my lip as I remembered Mama and Patsy cornering me in my room.

  “I’m leaving for Mexico tomorrow, too,” George added. “I won’t see you for the rest of the break.”

  “That is totally unacceptable,” I said and stuck my lip out. “What am I gonna do without you, especially now?” I leaned my head back and closed my eyes at the thought of everyone being gone except me.

  “Wait. You’re going to be gone the rest of the break? Lacey, you didn’t tell me that,” Xander said with a hint of surprise in his voice.

  “Didn’t think I had to,” I retorted.

  “That’s not what I meant. If there’s no one with you and the dorms are nearly empty, then I’m worried.”

  “I’m alright,” I muttered. I frowned at George. I didn’t want Xander to think of me as a train wreck he had to take care of. I’d figure something out.

  We pulled into the parking lot in front of my dorm. I’d never seen so many available spaces before, and Xander parked his truck close to the front door.

  He grabbed our backpacks, locked the truck doors, and reached for my hand.

  “I’ll walk you up,” he said and squeezed my hand.

  I nodded as George and I followed him up the sidewalk and into the dorm, which felt abandoned. I wondered if anyone would be here over the break. As I walked down the hallway and into the elevator, my stomach churned with uneasiness. If the dorms were this quiet, was Xander right? Was I safe here? Would Mama show up again, or would she leave me alone now that I’d told her I didn’t want to see her? If she did show up again, how would I protect myself?

  “You okay?” Xander asked softly as the elevator pinged, announcing that we were on my floor. I nodded as the doors whooshed open. The sound of our footsteps echoed through the hall.

  We stopped at my door. I dug into the pocket of my jeans for my key, but then I noticed that the door wasn’t quite shut all the way. I pushed it open and gasped as we walked in.