Chapter 4
Chapter Four
DUSTIN
September 2000
I t’s been a month since Echo came into my life, and for the most part, we’ve been inseparable. Whatever this pull is between us, it feels natural. I’ve enjoyed getting to know her yet feel as if I’ve known her my whole life. I’m having to put real effort into not rushing this thing between us. I don’t want to chance scaring her off or getting on her dad’s bad side.
The bell rings, and I dart out of class in hopes of catching Echo before she takes off for practice. I wouldn’t say she’s kissing the coach’s ass by going above and beyond anyone else on the team, but she definitely wants to be noticed. The girls’ team only plays spring ball, but her coach has a knack for offering an alternative practice in the fall for those who don’t play other sports. Echo is taking full advantage of it. I have a slight feeling the pressure she receives at home brings out the overachiever in her. I can’t even imagine being a preacher’s offspring. It’s hard enough being the offspring of normal people.
“Whatcha got going on today after practice?” I sidle up to her, resisting the urge to pull her into my arms.
She slams her locker door and huffs. “A youth rally.”
“You sound angry about it.” I would laugh, but I can tell by her tight facial features and the way she shoves her book into her backpack that Echo is annoyed. I don’t want to add to it.
She flings her backpack over her shoulder and stands silent, looking off to the side like she’s deep in thought.
“It’s just…” She pauses, and I grab her hands, encouraging her to continue. I want her to feel safe with me—to be able to tell me anything and everything. “Have you ever felt like nothing you do is good enough? And just get tired of trying to be this person everyone around you expects you to be?”
“Yeah, I do.” I cup her chin, forcing her to hold my gaze. Staring into her chocolate eyes damn near puts me in a trance. And the way she looks into mine—like she can see right through me and the bullshit walls I’ve been known to put up—has me shaking my head to regain my thoughts. “Not trying to downplay what you’re feeling, but I believe a lot of us suffer what you’re going through. And it’s going to get worse before it gets better. They only have until we graduate to ingrain their values into us.”
Echo snickers. “I just don’t feel like they’re leaving my life choices up for option. It’s never been ‘here you go, decide what would be best.’ No, it’s always been laid out with no choice whatsoever. I want me to be my own person, but they want me to be this Jesus-praising robot.”
“I have a proposition for you,” I request, sparking instant interest in Echo’s eyes. They sparkle with curiosity, and I love that I provoke it. My heart thumps harder against my chest, and I chance glancing at her lips. Her pouty, pink lips look incredibly soft and kissable. I look forward to the day when I finally feel them against mine.
“When you are with me, be one hundred percent you.”
“I am,” she starts.
“I know we both have our own issues at home, and I don’t want us to use each other as an escape, but I think the beauty about us is how real we’ve been with one another since day one.”
Echo nods, biting her lip, making me want to taste it even more.
“We only have a good seven months left before we can blow this joint. The possibilities will be endless. We can make all the mistakes we want.”
Her smile falters, and she lifts her brow, questioning me.
“Fine. Not intentional mistakes.” I laugh. “Is that better?”
She grins and shrugs her shoulders.
“My point is, do what you gotta do to keep the parentals happy. And then”—I place my hand against her cheek and rub my thumb along her cheekbone—“come to me, and I’ll do whatever I need to do to make you happy.” I slide my hand down to her neck and lightly wrap my fingers around the back of it, pulling her face into mine. So close I can feel her breaths dance across my lips as they escape her mouth. I lean my forehead against hers and take in that feeling longer than I should. “Deal?” I ask as I peel my eyes away from her lips.
She looks up at me, and I see an adoration I’ve never seen before. She nods, repeating, “Deal.”
“Good. Now let’s get our asses to practice.”
“Shit!” Echo shrieks.
I laugh because I’m pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve heard her cuss. I pull her bag off her shoulder and toss it over mine.
I expect Echo to drop me like a hot potato as soon as we make it to the girls’ locker room. But she doesn’t. She slowly pulls her bag off my arm. As she watches the bag; I watch her.
“What do you have going on after practice?” she inquires.
“No plans. Why, what’s up?”
“Any chance you’d do me a favor?” she asks, looking down at the ground, kicking at the grass.
“Will I be spending time with you?”
Her head snaps back up, and a shy grin tugs at the corner of her mouth. Her answer doesn’t determine mine. The truth is, no matter what it is, I’ll do it.
“Of course.” She nods, giving me a full smile that makes my heart stop and I vow to do whatever she asks if it earns me that beautiful smile of hers.
“Then it wouldn’t be a favor. It’d be an honor.” I fake bow.
She laughs and calls me dumb before rushing into the locker room.
Yeah, she likes me.
I HAVE NEVER been to a youth rally before, but I’d use any and every excuse to hang out with Echo outside of school. Her parents don’t make it easy. It’s not like I’m a bad kid or one they should be wary of, but I have a feeling I could be the president’s son, and I still wouldn’t be good enough for their daughter.
There aren’t very many kids in the youth group as is, so we only have to take one church van to the rally. Dave, the youth pastor, has Echo and me wait until the other kids fill in the back first. I roll my eyes at the fact that we can’t even choose where we sit for the forty-five-minute ride.
Echo steps in close to me, presses her mouth near my ear, and says, “Sorry.”
I glance at her while grabbing her hand and give it a reassuring squeeze before releasing it. This isn’t her fault. I don’t want her to feel bad about something she can’t control. Thankfully, after we climb in, Jacob shows up. He’s more on the hefty side, so when he scoots in next to Echo, he pushes her tightly into my side. I inwardly smile, enjoying the closeness.
When we arrive at the church, I’m amazed at how packed the parking lot is with vans and buses from other churches. Do kids really hang out at church on a Friday night? This concept is foreign to me, but I’m curious to see why. I mean, I know my reasoning behind it, but it’s not Jesus. We walk in and the place seems electric. I can feel the excitement as I watch all the different kids mingle, laughing and smiling, full of absolute happiness. We make our way into the sanctuary and sit in the mid-section of the pews. It starts with a singer on stage, getting everyone hyped up as the music begins to play.
“We want everyone on their feet,” they yell. “Now jump.” And on command, everyone around me starts jumping.
“Come on.” Echo urges as she smiles, jumping up and down with the crowd. I finally let go of all my reserves and join in. I don’t know the song, but I can clap to the beat of the music. Three songs in and my legs are slightly sore, and my arms are over me clapping. I didn’t know I was going to get a second workout. They slow the music down, urging us to praise our Lord. I watch as those around me do. I’ve yet to really form a relationship with God, so I’m unsure how all of this works. So instead of standing and praising with raised hands, I sit down and bow my head. I decide this is a good time to talk to God; something I’ve never done before.
They close out the service with prayer, asking if anyone would like to make Jesus their Lord and Savior. Prompted by a tug in my heart and a feeling I can’t explain, I step out of the pew and make my way down the aisle. There are young adults waiting near the stage for anyone needing prayer. I walk toward the short, dark-skinned male closest to me, still unsure of what I’m doing or supposed to do. The man steps in closer, and leans in near my ear, asking me for my name.
“All right, Dustin. Are you ready to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and ask Him to come live in your heart?”
I’m unsure of what any of it means, but I tell him yes. His voice is deep but full of kindness. He keeps his hands on my arms as he begins praying, lifting me up. He then recites the sinner’s prayer, having me repeat after him. I open my eyes and smile at the gentlemen standing in front of me. His eyes are bright, and his smile is wide. He clasps my hand and then brings himself in, giving me a bro hug.
“Thanks, man,” I say as we pull apart, feeling lighter.
I make my way back to the pew where Echo is gushing at me. She pulls me in, giving me a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you,” she whispers in my ear before pulling away. Surprise washes over me as she grabs my hand, holding it for whoever to see. And by whoever, I mean her youth pastor who takes notice of it. We make our way back to the van, and thankfully, the seating arrangement remains the same for the ride home. Except this time, since it’s dark, Echo and I hold hands the entire time.
Once we arrive back, Dave pulls us to the side. “Listen,” he says with one hand on his hip, the other hand rubbing over his short brown hair. “I’m in a peculiar situation.” He eyes us, mainly Echo, looking for understanding. “More like under strict orders.” He sighs.
“My dad,” Echo mumbles, looking down in defeat.
“Yeah,” he admits. “I don’t make the rules, and I also don’t want to get fired. So just make sure you watch the closeness when in my vicinity.”
“Do you have any advice?” I ask, not wanting to accept the obvious.
“Umm.” Dave blows out a breath. “Maybe a formal introduction with Pastor Price. Maybe if you were to introduce Dustin to your father, it’d allow him to let some of his defenses down.” He offers.
“Yeah, right.” Echo laughs, looking my way. I slowly shrug and hold her gaze, pleading with her. “But at this point, I’m willing to try anything.”
“Also, what do you think about playing drums for the youth worship team?” Dave asks, directing his attention to me. I scrunch my brows, confused about why he’d even ask. He continues, “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you drumming your fingers on everything.” He raises a brow, then adds, “And maybe it’ll help win the pops over.” His eyes dart to Echo, meeting her big eyes as if he’s just had the best idea ever.
“Yes, that would be perfect.” She turns to me, grabs my hands, and intently holds my gaze, her eyes pleading with me to give in. The gesture is unnecessary. I will never have the power to tell her no. Plus, if this helps get on her father’s good side, I’d be stupid not to do it.
“I’m in,” I say.
Echo jumps with excitement and gives me a hug. The things I’d do for this girl. I’m starting to believe I’d go to the end of the world for her.