~Echo's point of view~
Today is the Richards anniversary party. I haven't seen Blaze Kane since Wednesday; It doesn't hurt my feelings any. I did think that he would have filed for an annulment already, but he hasn't. I'm not going to. I'm just weird like that. He will have to make that move I will not. I will just leave it the way it is.
I know that I will have someone to talk to tonight. Rick is coming with Jade. He gave her the weekend off. He also said that she would be working no more weekends because he doesn't. She was happy about it. I don't blame her. She deserves everything that is happening for her. So does Kelsey. Now we just have to work on Mickey.
My phone beeps.
~Text conversation~
Blaze Kane: "You're riding with me to the party."
Echo: "Good to hear from you, Blaze Kane. Thank you for telling me what I am going to do."
~End conversation~
I finish doing my hair. My hair is the best physical feature I have. It goes to the bottom of my butt cheeks, making it a pain in the ass to do anything with it. I won't cut it, though. I love my hair. One last look in the mirror, and I head downstairs. As I hit the last step, I see Blaze Kane leaning on the counter.
I can't tell if he's tired or if he has a lot on his mind. He locks eyes with me as I walk entirely into the room. He doesn't say anything; he just stares.
Everyone is here. Only three of us know that he and I are married. It needs to stay that way too. We need to talk to work this out and get the proper paperwork filed.
Rick: "Damn, Echo. you picked the shortest dress you have, didn't you?"
Echo: "I bought this dress specifically for tonight."
Rick: "I hope you didn't pay a lot. It's missing some material."
I laugh.
Rick: "How many single men are going to be at this party, Jade?"
Jade: "I don't know. Just the children or grandchildren of their friends."
Rick: "Go change Echo."
Blaze Kane: "No. Keep it on. I got Echo tonight, Rick. No one will get a chance with her."
What's up his ass tonight? I'm not changing no matter what. I like this dress, and I'm comfortable in it. It was also expensive, so I am going to get my money's worth out of it.
Kelsea: "We need to go, or we will be late."
Blaze Kane: "Echo and I are taking my car."
Jade: "The rest of us can take Rick's SUV. We're all coming back here after."
Kelsea: "Works for me."
Blaze Kane: "We will be right behind you guys. I need to have a quick talk with Echo."
Rick: "Don't be a dick to her."
Blaze Kane: "I'm not going to be."
Kelsea and Rick both hug me, and they all leave. Blaze Kane is off today. Why would we need to talk?
Blaze Kane: "Do you want to stay with me tonight? You'd probably get more sleep at my place."
He's right. This place will be a fuck fest all night; His place is the best option.
Echo: "Yeah. Let me go grab a bag. I'll be quick."
Blaze Kane: "Ok."
I go up as quick as I can. I throw in a tank top PJ set and t-shirt and joggers for a lazy Sunday. I quickly throw in my personal items then head back downstairs.
Staying at his place will give me the chance to talk about the annulment with him. It won't be tonight but tomorrow when we get up.
Blaze Kane: "Ready?"
Echo: "Yep."
We rode in silence. I broke it.
Echo: "This actually works out better."
Blaze Kane: "What?"
Echo: "You coming later. They think Kelsea did all this. They think you're still in Tennessee."
Blaze Kane: "They do. I didn't think about that."
Echo: " You're going to give your dad a heart attack."
Blaze Kane: "Shit. They will know when they see Spencer."
My phone beeps.
~Text conversation~
Kelsea: "Mom asked where you were. I told her you were driving yourself. Spencer is waiting for you two."
Echo: "We were just talking about that."
Kelsea: "Spencer reminded me. What did my brother want?"
Echo: "I'm going to stay at their place since Rick and Spencer are staying at ours."
Kelsea: "Sounds good. See ya in a bit."
~End conversation~
Echo: "Spencer is waiting in the car."
Blaze Kane: "That was Kelsea?"
Echo: "It was."
Blaze Kane: "Have you heard from Chad at all?"
Echo: "Not since Tuesday. He called right before I went to sleep."
Nothing else was said after that. We get to the Train Depot. We both get out, and we find Spencer.
Blaze Kane: "You go in first. Find Kelsea and tell her to get our parents closer to the door."
Echo: "Ok."
I scan the room and find Kelsea. I make my way to her; I tap her on the shoulder. She turns towards me.
Kelsea: "Everything ok?"
Echo: "Yes. Blaze Kane said to find your parents and bring them close to the door."
Kelsea: "Ok."
I spot Jerry, so I go get him. Kelsea found Monica. I step back from them. I wanted to get it on video. Blaze Kane was gone two years.
They stand there just talking when the door came open, and he walked in Spencer's way behind him.
Monica: "Jerry, look!"
Jerry turns to where she pointed. Blaze Kane cracks a smile. Jerry lost it as his feet moved him towards Blaze Kane; the two men hug. Jerry steps away and lets Monica have a turn.
I stop the video at that point.
Monica: "Who all knew you were home?"
Blaze Kane: "All the girls."
Jerry: "Speaking of girls, we're missing one. Where is Echo?"
I move from where I was and walk up to them. Mickey lost her parents too. So when the girls, they mean all four of us.
Monica: "There she is. Let's go sit and talk. Blaze Kane and Spencer can catch us all up on everything."
Blaze Kane and Kelsea had made sure they had a table big enough for all of us when they paid. I suddenly feel uncertain around them. It's the first time in twenty-two years.
I find myself seated between Blaze Kane and Mickey. Kelsea was next to Spencer and Jade with Rick. He catches my eyes and nods his head to Blaze Kane. I knew he was asking if I was ok, so I nod.
They all talk, and I just listen. I don't mind it. Mickey and I are used to it. They will get to us eventually. They always do.
A few hours, a couple of drinks later for Kelsea and Jade, Rick was driving.
Monica: "I need my children to settle down before too long. I need grandbabies in my life."
Jade: "I'm not sure I want any, Mom. That's something Rick and I haven't talked about yet."
Kelsea: "Don't look at me. Spencer and I just got together."
Jerry: "You're with Spencer?"
Kelsea: "I am."
Jerry: "I am so proud of both of you. You and Jade both have good men. Now we just have to work on the other three."
Blaze Kane: "I'm good."
Echo: "Me too."
Mickey: "Me three. Don't rush us were still a work in progress."
Kelsea laughs and snorts. She's past tipsy.
Kelsea: "Blaze Kane and Echo aren't work in progress. They are closer to having babies than any of us. They are married."
Rick: "To who?"
She laughs and snorts again.
Kelsea: "Each other."
Oh shit. This is about to get real messy real quick. I'm not sure Blaze Kane wanted anyone to know. I damn sure didn't want Rick to know.
Jerry: "Is that true, Blaze Kane?"
He gives me a look.
Echo: "She's your sister."
Blaze Kane: "Yeah, it's true."
The whole table got real quiet.
My phone vibrates.
~Text conversation~
Rick: "I'm going to fucking kill him."
Echo: "It's not what you think. Kelsea is drunk. We are married, but it's going to end Monday morning."
Rick: "What the fuck were you thinking?"
Echo: "It's not even like that."
~End conversation~
Monica: "It's not a joke?"
Kelsea: "Nope. I was there. I watched it happen."
Jerry: "Blaze Kane, is this for real? I don't want to hear from anyone else."
Blaze Kane: "Yes, dad. We are married, and it's legal."
Jerry: "This is the best damn news I've heard in months."
Monica: "Family dinner at our house tomorrow. I want everyone there."
It was let go from there, which means it will be dealt with at family dinner tomorrow. I was thankful that it changed to something different.
Echo: "I'm sorry, Blaze Kane."
Blaze Kane: "You have nothing to apologize for. I am going to murder my sister."
After that, everyone got pulled in different directions. Word got around that Blaze Kane and I were married. People I knew and didn't know came up congratulating me. I wondered if Blaze Kane was getting the same thing.
I see Rick across the room, and he makes a beeline for me. I take a deep breath because I know he's about to let loose on me.
Rick: "We need to talk."
Echo: "No, we don't. I told you we're filling for an annulment Monday."
Rick: "Why did it happen in the first place?"
Echo: "Kelsea and I played a game. She played the same one with Blaze Kane, and we both ended up at the government center, and here we are. It's being handled."
Rick: "Handling it would have been filing the paperwork the next day."
Echo: "I have it handled, Rick. Please let me take care of this. You are my family, but so are they."
Rick: "If you need help with anything at all, please let me know."
Echo: "I will. I promise."
Rick: "Can you answer one question?"
Echo: "Of course."
Rick: "Did they force you?"
Echo: "No. I did it willingly."
Rick shakes his head. I know he won't understand why I did it, but it's done. I will take care of it. He kisses my cheek and walks away; I find a quiet corner by myself. That is always where I feel the most comfortable.
My phone rings. I see Chad's name on the screen, and I let it ring. I don't want to talk to him, nor do I have the patients to talk to him. I sit there for a while, just watching the happiness around me, knowing that in my heart, Chad stole all that away from me. It doesn't matter how cruel Blaze Kane is to me. What Chad did will forever remain in my mind forever scar me.
Hours pass, and people start to leave. Rick comes my way again. He doesn't look happy. I don't feel like being yelled at again. I am just in the mood to tell him off. I may regret but I will. As he gets closer, I build up the courage. When he gets to me, he extends his hand to me. He had keys dangling off of them.
Rick: "Take these."
Echo: "What are they?"
Rick: "Your husband's car keys. It would be best if you drove home. He is three sheets to the wind. I really hope you are planning on filing that paperwork. He is over there talking to one of my girls. Apparently, she is the daughter of one of the Richards friends. So, take the keys and come with me. I will help you get him to the car."
Echo: "Ok."
I follow him over to where Blaze Kane was. The girl he was talking to is the one girl in the whole club that I can't stand. She comes from money and thinks her shit doesn't stink. Yet, she strips for money just to piss her parents off.
Echo: "Blaze Kane, are you ready to go home?"
Destiny: "He's mine tonight, Sweetheart."
Rick: "I don't think so, Destiny. Go find someone else. He is off-limits."
Destiny: "Says who?"
Blaze Kane: "Me. She's my wife."
Destiny: "Echo Davis is your wife?"'
He hiccups.
Blaze Kane: "Yep. She can't stand me, though, so there's that."
Rick: "That's enough, Blaze Kane. Let's go."
Blaze Kane: "You'd have a better chance of you fucking my wife than me, Rick. You should have chosen her over Jade."
Tears burn my eyes. I know he's drunk. I know he doesn't like me. I don't like him. I have to get him home safely; I feel obligated as his sister's best friend.
Echo: "Let's go, Blaze Kane."
Rick: "Do you want me to drive you home?"
Echo: "No, you have your own you have to get home."
Rick: "Spencer is sober."
Echo: "I got this. I chose this, so I'll deal with it."
Blaze Kane: "You didn't choose me. Kelsea did. Us being married is Kelsea's fault."
Echo: "Just help me get him to the car."
Blaze Kane: "I can walk."
Rick: "I know you can. I am making sure Echo gets there, ok."
Blaze Kane: "YOU THINK I CAN'T PROTECT HER?"
Rick: "I didn't say that. Let's go your causing a scene."
And he had. People were staring. I don't think they were until he screamed; I grab his hand and pull him towards the door. Rick follows behind us. His car was at the very end of the parking lot. It seemed to take forever to get there. When we do, I unlock the car, and Rick opens the door.
Echo: "Get in, Blaze Kane."
He stumbles and hits his head, getting in. Once he is in, Rick shuts his door.
Rick: "Text me when you get home. I wish you hadn't agreed to stay with him."
Echo: "I had to. I need to talk to him tomorrow."
Rick: "I'll see you, tomorrow Sweetheart. Drive safe."
Echo: "I will."
He hugs me then I get in and put my seatbelt on. Rick watches as we pull out. Were out of the parking lot when I feel Blaze Kane's hand on my leg.
Blaze Kane: "I bet I'm better in bed than he is."
Echo: "Maybe so. I'll never know how either of you is in bed. I don't want either of you."
Blaze Kane: "Because you want Chad, don't you? You want that low-life piece of shit."
I fight the tears. His words and his hands are saying two very different things.
Echo: "No Blaze Kane. I don't want him. I don't want any man."
Blaze Kane: "Destiny is available. She swings both ways."
Echo: "I don't."
Blaze Kane: "That would be hot as fuck."
I don't respond. It gets quiet. I would think he was asleep, but his hand is inching closer to my area. I put my hand on his and push it back. I wish our complex weren't so far away. It seems to be taking forever.
We stop at a red light, and he leans over kisses the side of my neck. I don't say anything. We are in a car. He continually touches me as I drive us home. When I park the car and get out, I inhale and a deep breath and let it out, building the courage to get him from the car to the house. I go to his side of the car and open the door.
Echo: "Let's go."
He tries to get out but struggles, so I help him get out. He somehow grabbed the top of my dress and pulled it down, exposing my breast.
Blaze Kane: "Fucking incredible."
I fix my dress after I have him standing. I hold his hand, pulling him towards the door. As I unlock the door, he slides his hand under my dress. I get the door open and have him go in first. I go in and pull the door closed behind me. He was on me so quick I could think straight. His mouth was on mine, and his hands were roaming my body.
Blaze Kane: "I want you Echo."
I push him away.
Echo: "Go to bed, Blaze Kane."
Blaze Kane: "Come with me."
Echo: "No."
He lays down on the couch. Next thing I know, I hear him snoring. I lock the door and go to my room. I text Rick and let him know we made it home. I don't sleep. I lay awake listening for him to wake up. I didn't want him to open the door and wander off somewhere.
~New Characters~
Monica Richards
Jerry Richards
~Non-Essential~
Destiny