~Blaze Kane's point of view~
Echo has been gone for four days. Rick knows where she is. He said to give her time to sort herself out. I needed time to figure my stuff out too. The incident with Chad made me realize that I care about Echo more than I thought, and that confused me.
I went back as far as I could in my mind to find anything at all that she did to make me feel the way I did. Then it hit me. I am six years older than her. When I was seventeen, I looked at her one day and thought, wow, she's beautiful. Then I realized I was seventeen, and she was eleven.
I pushed it so far out of my mind and did so by being extremely cruel to her. I just stuck with that. I had been gone for two years when I saw her in the club that night. I was actually going to talk to her that night. Then Chad interrupted, and I saw the way she looked at him. So, I went back to dick mode.
I won't say that after we got married, I acted appropriately because I didn't. I've continued to treat her like shit. You can believe in front of my parents she is the love of my life. She plays the part well. Our interactions at my parents were something I started to look forward to.
I lashed out when she said she was pregnant because I knew it wasn't mine. I thought she was continuing to see Chad. Then I read the text he sent her. I was angry but not at her. I wanted to rip his head off. I knew that would hurt her even more, especially with her having his kid.
I was already feeling like shit because I treated her the way I did. I also did it at her job, where I know her coworkers heard. So now they think that she is probably a ho that cheated on her husband and got pregnant. The seed was already planted when we got married. As the shit ran through my head, I felt even worse. She is a good girl. She works her ass off and has always gone out of her way to be kind to me even when I treated her like shit.
The three of us were about to go in the house when dumb ass yelled Kelsea's name. I went after him, and Spencer stopped me. I would have beaten the shit out of him. When Rick showed up, and he started saying shit. I knew I'd kill him if I got my hands on him.
Then I remember she was having his baby. It's her choice on what she wants to do. I know her well enough to know she's going to keep it. I don't know if she will tell him or not. I wanted to talk to her about it. She is my wife, regardless my parents are going to think it's mine, and I am not going to tell them any different.
In the two weeks she was here; I got used to her being at the house. I may not have seen a lot of her, but I knew she was here, and she was safe. I don't like not knowing where she is. It's been weighing on my mind; I have gone to work still. Kelsey said Rick told her not to come in. I get she needs time. She's having a kid and married to a monster in her eyes.
Rick checks in daily. I know he hasn't seen her, but she texts him every day to let him know she is ok. He worries about her being pregnant and alone. I have the same worry. Especially when she was sleeping as much as she was, she has never lived alone, and I don't like that she is by herself now.
I'm going to text her.
~Text conversation~
Blaze Kane: "Are you ok?"
Echo: "I'm fine. I'll be just fine on my own."
~End conversation~
I let it go from there. She has my number if she wants to reach out. She has all of our numbers. It's on her. I will let her have her space. Maybe one day, when she gets her stuff straight in her head, she and I can sit and talk.
~Echo's point of view~
I have been in this room for six days now. I would say it's been lonely, but that would be a lie. It does get lonely at night, and I am uncomfortable alone here at night. Rick comes after Jade leaves for work. He has been training Ellis to take over. He fired Ian because of the bet. So, he is working at the club until he teaches Ellis everything.
I stay awake at night, and when he comes in the mornings, we sleep. He texts me all night to make sure that I am ok. I was surprised that Blaze Kane reached out. I was kind of rude to him when he did. Rick was here when he did. Still, nothing but his fondling me has happened between us. He hasn't even tried.
I hear the door beep, which means he is here. He always brings breakfast. We eat and then sleep. That is how it has been for the last six days. Jade has no clue because she's at work, and if she texts or calls, he responds, and if he doesn't, he tells her he's sleeping.
Rick: "Good morning, Beautiful."
Echo: "Morning."
Rick: "How are you feeling?"
Echo: "Morning sickness should be done."
Rick: "How did you hide it?"
Echo: "I normally had a ten-minute window. If not, I held it off until I got to work."
He comes to the bed with food. We eat in silence. Once we're done, I grab everything and clean up. He had already stripped to his boxers and was lying down when I got back to the bed. He was on his side. I lay down and face him. He reaches his hand out and places it on my cheek. He runs his thumb across it.
Rick: "You're so beautiful."
Echo: "Thank you."
Rick: "I don't regret my child, but I do sometimes wish I could take that day back. I want this Echo. I want you and me; I know we can't. I do appreciate the time you do let me spend with you."
Echo: "Always. I will come back to work when you do. I don't want to be there with them without you."
Rick: "I understand. You do know I am still paying you, right?"
Echo: "I do. My bank notified me of my payroll deposit last Friday. You don't have to do that."
Rick: "Yes, I do."
He leans in and kisses me. He pulls away quickly.
Rick: "I'm sorry."
Echo: "I'm just sorry you stopped."
Rick: "Really?"
Echo: "Mmhmm."
It's been getting harder and harder not to know what it should feel like, especially when his hands are on my body. He leans in and kisses me again. This time he steals my breath. When he breaks it, I turn my back to him. He snuggles against me; I can feel his hardness on my butt. I push back on him.
His hand goes to my hip. I grab and move it to my crotch. He rubs me through the shorts I have on. I want him, but I don't want to say the words. I want to feel what it is supposed to feel like. I want to feel it with someone I trust. There is not a man I trust more than Rick.
Rick: "Tell me to stop, Sweetheart. If you don't, this is going to escalate."
Echo: "I don't want you to stop."
Rick: "Do you know what you're saying?"
Echo: "I do."
He places a kiss on my shoulder as his hand goes under my shorts and panties. His fingers find my clit, and he circles it. The feeling is incredible.
Echo: "Mmm."
I turn to my back when I do that, I feel his palm against my clit, and he slides a finger into me.
Rick: "You're so wet."
Echo: "I told you I wanted you."
He kisses me as he enters a second finger. It's not long before I feel a funny feeling. I moan into his mouth as the sensation goes through my body.
Rick: "Fucking incredible."
He pulls at my shorts. I left my hips and slid them off; He immediately places his head between my legs. I feel his tongue on my clit. He sucks and licks. I feel the sensation again, but I need more.
Echo: "Rick, I need you. I need all of you."
He stops and hovers hims over me.
Rick: "Are you sure?"
Echo: "Yes."
He moves long enough to remove his underwear. He hovers himself back over me then leans to kiss me. As he does, he uses a hand to guide himself into me. I move to give him room.
Rick: "Mmm."
This feels different. He takes his time as he moves in me. I pick up on it and move my hips to match him. The feeling was incredible.
Echo: "Oh my."
He goes a little hard.
Rick: "Mmm, my god Echo. Your incredible."
Echo: "This feels amazing."
I keep moving my hips, and he keeps moving inside of me. It seems to last forever then I finally feel the feeling again.
Echo: "Rick..."
Rick: "Oh my Echo...mmm."
I feel myself go as he did. He leans and kisses me as we both finish. He lays down beside me and pulls me to him. I wait as long as I can to go to the bathroom. I do get up and go, then lay back down. He pulls me to him, and we both drift off to sleep.
We wake up to his alarm going off. He jumps in the shower. When he is done, he comes over and kisses me.
Rick: "I have to go."
Echo: "I have to get ready to. It's Wednesday. I won't do that to Blaze Kane."
Rick: "I wouldn't want you to."
He kisses me again then leaves. I shower and get ready. I then head to the other side of town to Blaze Kane's parent's house. He and I get there at the same time. I get out, and he rushes to me. He wraps his arms around me and hugs me tighter than he ever has.
Blaze Kane: "I didn't think you would come."
Echo: "It's not you. You didn't do anything. This is all me."
Blaze Kane: "I want you to come home, Echo. I worry about you out there."
Echo: "I am having another man's baby Blaze Kane."
Blaze Kane: "I don't care. The night you left, I was going to talk to you. You left before I could."
Jerry: "Y'all going to come in or stand out here all night?"
We both look and towards the porch.
Blaze Kane: "We really need to talk, Echo."
Echo: "We will."
He does something he has never done before, ever not even in from of his parents. He pulls me to him and kisses me. Not just a peck. His tongue asks for entrance, and I allow it. It's hands down the best kiss I have ever had.
Jerry: "Ok, Lovebirds, break it up."
He pulls away reluctantly. I am thoroughly confused; We are both touchy-feely here. Hands-on legs, holding hands, kisses on cheek. Nothing like that ever. He grabs my hand and pulls me towards the house.
Each visit, Jerry looks worse and worse. His on lightly tanned skin now a ghostly white. His eyes are sunken in, and he has lost a considerable amount of weight. He walks a little slower, and his speech just as slow. My heart breaks for him and Monica. My heart breaks for his kids.
We get in the house, and I go help Monica in the kitchen. Blaze Kane and his dad stay in the living room. It's like this every Wednesday. After dinner, Blaze Kane and I clean up. We sit and talk for a bit, then head home.
Monica: "Are you feeling ok, Echo?"
I give her a light smile.
Echo: "I'm fine."
Monica: "Something is different. You look tired, but you look happy. You haven't had that look in a while. I thought you and Blaze Kane were having trouble."
Echo: "I won't lie and say it's been perfect, but what marriage is."
Monica: "It takes work, Echo. Nothing worth having ever comes easy."
Blaze Kane comes into the kitchen. He comes to me, places his hand on my hip, and kisses the side of my head. This is not uncommon; this happens here a lot.
Blaze Kane: "Can we talk for just a few minutes, Echo?"
Echo: "Sure."
I follow him down to his dad's office.
Blaze: "We definitely need to talk more, especially about the baby. That's why I wanted to talk to you, though. I would like to tell my parents. I'll take responsibility after. My dad needs to hear something good. He doesn't have much longer."
Echo: "That is what you lost your shit on me over Blaze Kane. In the hour we have been here, you have confused me more than I ever thought possible."
Blaze Kane: "I think I am just as confused. I do know that I want my parents to think this child is mine. Again, we will need to talk about that. I need you to come home for that. We don't need to get into that here. I just need to do this."
Echo: "What if one of your sisters slips up and says something?"
Blaze Kane: "If they were going to say anything at all, they would have already blown this marriage up. They don't want to hurt our parents either."
Echo: "That is up to you. I don't want you throwing this in my face later. I have been adamant that I need to tell Chad. If you take this on, it's on you, and you can never throw it in my face."
Blaze Kane: "I understand that. I know what I'm doing. I have never given you any reason to do so but trust me, please."
Echo: "Ok."
He kisses my cheek, and we head back out. He goes back to the living room with his dad, and I go back to the kitchen with Monica.
Monica: "Are you two ok?"
Echo: "Oddly, we're better than we have ever been."
Monica: "I would assume that is why you seem different. It's not, though. I know you Echo; something is going on. The last month Jerry and I have talked about how lost you have looked. Today is a total three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turn."
Echo: "I am just in a good place in my head. I have had a lot on my mind. I needed to work it all out; I am chipping it away one piece at a time. I know that I lost myself; I am trying to find myself again. I am working on that. You have enough to worry about. Don't worry about me. I'll be just fine."
Monica: "Answer one question for me."
Echo: "What's that?"
Monica: "How did you and Blaze Kane end up together?"
Echo: "It just happened."
Monica: "Do you regret it?"
Echo: "No, I don't. This experience has changed my life. Some good and some bad, but I had to have it all happen to get to where I am right now. Right now, I am good. I can build from there."
Monica: "With Blaze Kane?"
Echo: "What do you mean?"
Monica: "Jerry can't see it, but I can. I know that you two are married. I believe that. I know you two aren't together; I know the way he has treated you. You two would have had to work miracles to actually make a marriage work."
Echo: "We are working on it."
Blake Kane: "Working on what?"
Monica: "Nothing, Son. Just a little mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chat. Go get your dad. Dinner is ready."
I quickly set the table then help her carry everything over. As soon as we sit down, Blaze Kane squeezed my thigh under the table. That isn't uncommon here either. We were halfway through eating when Blaze Kane starts talking.
Blaze Kane: "Echo and I need to tell you two something."
Monica looks at me.
Jerry: "Are you two ok?"
Blaze Kane: "We are. Echo is pregnant."
Jerry: "Really?"
Echo: "Yes. I am right at eight weeks now."
Monica and I lock eyes. I think she gets why we got married now. Even though it isn't his, she doesn't know that. I can tell she realizes that we got married because I am pregnant. It's not true, but she can think that. I will not throw either of them under the bus.
They ask normal questions after that. Once we were done, Monica jumps in to help and sends Blaze Kane out to the living room with his dad. I know she is going to ask questions, and I am going to have to lie. I am going to have to talk to Blaze Kane, so he keeps the story and tells his sisters.
Monica: "How did it happen?"
Echo: "We met up at the club Jade worked out. Alcohol was involved, and here we are."
Monica: "That clears up a lot. I understand now."
Echo: "Now you see why I said we're working in it."
Monica: "I do. At least he did the right thing and married you."
Echo: "That he did."
We finish the dishes then go to the living room. I sit next to Blaze Kane. His hand goes to my thigh. It's crazy that I am noticing everything after he kissed me. It doesn't mean shit. As soon as we leave, I am going back to the hotel, and he is going to his townhouse.
We talk about Jerry's health. He admitted it's getting worse. I hate to see him go through this. Monica said we're doing a family dinner Sunday to tell the girls. It's time. He doesn't have much time left at all. All of this will be over then.
Blake Kane: "We should go, Echo. I have to work in the morning."
Echo: "Ok."
We hug his parents and leave. We both go to our cars in silence. When I get to my car, Blaze Kane stops.
Blake Kane: "Where have you been staying?"
Echo: "A motel on the beach."
Blaze Kane: "Could we possibly go there and talk?'
Echo: "We can. I need to tell you something anyway."
Blaze Kane: "Ok."
He kisses me quickly then goes to his car.
Blaze Kane: "I will follow you."
Echo: "Ok."
It takes us fifteen minutes to get to the motel; It's nowhere fancy. I like it. I don't know if Rick has anything in the room, so I have a plan.
Echo: "Let's go sit on the beach."
Blaze Kane: "That works for me."
I grab a blanket from the trunk of my car, and we go to the beach. We spread it out and sit. I love the ocean at night; It's peaceful.
Echo: "I lied to your mom."
Blaze Kane: "I lied to both of my parents."
Echo: "She thinks we got drunk and ended up in bed. You married me because I am pregnant. You might want to fill your sisters in."
Blaze Kane: "Why can't we do it together?"
Echo: "We can. Just let me know."
Blaze Kane: "I will."
He takes a deep breath.
Blaze Kane: "I know I freaked out. I'm sorry. I have also treated you like shit; I am working on all of that. I have been trying to be a better man; I was doing well with it until this. I want to start over."
Echo: "There is too much to start over Blaze Kane. We aren't even friends."
Blaze Kane: "Can I tell you something, and you not judge me for it?"
Echo: "Depends on what it is."
He laughs.
Blaze Kane: "That's fair. I'm going to tell you anyway."
Echo: "I knew you would."
Blaze Kane: "I know why I have treated you like shit. I am working on that. I can't take back what has happened in the past. The night I saw you at the club, I wasn't going to be rude to you. I was actually just going to have a conversation with you. Chad ruined it. I reverted back to the rudeness I was accustomed to."
Echo: "What were you going to talk to me about?"
Blaze Kane: "It had been two years. I just wanted to catch up."
I'm confused. He is confusing the shit out of me today.
Echo: "Oh."
Blaze Kane: "I know this hasn't been easy. I know I have made it hard. I know that I have now made your job hard. I am deeply sorry that I have made your life hard. When the shit went down with Chad, I realized that I care about you, Echo. I thought it was just that I didn't like Chad. It's not that. I don't like him, but it's also that I am jealous of him. He had you, and I never even had the chance."
Echo: "What are you saying?"
Blaze Kane: "That when I was seventeen, my thoughts of you were very wrong. So, I forced it out of my mind by turning it into anger towards you. All of that came back to me when you left. I remember the feeling I had all those years ago and realized I want to feel that again. I realize that you may never get there. We may never get there. I want to try; We can't try with you here. Come home. Let me try to prove myself to you."
Echo: "Can I think about it? I have made some terrible decisions when I rush into things."
Blaze Kane: "Absolutely. I am going to head home. I do have to work in the morning."
Echo: "I know you do."
He kisses my forehead and leaves. I sit there until I hear my phone ring. I look at the screen, and it's Rick.
~~Phone conversation~~
Echo: "Hello?"
Rick: "Hey, Sweetheart. How was dinner?"
Echo: "Interesting. We need to talk."
Rick: "Ok."
Echo: "What happened today can never happen again. You are with Jade, and I am married to Blaze Kane."
Rick: "I understand. I am not disappointed. We both needed it. We both know it doesn't need to happen again. I will continue to have my fun with you at work."
Echo: "I'm good with that. I think I am going to go home."
Rick: "Did something happen at dinner?"
Echo: "No. I don't sleep unless you are here. I can't continue you to rely on you to sleep."
Rick: "There is more to it. I know you Echo."
Echo: "Blaze Kane told his parents the baby was his."
Rick: "You want to play the part of a family?"
Echo: "No. He and I had a decent conversation. I think I want to see if we can live together without issues. If not, I will find my own place."
Rick: "I understand. I called to let you know I am going back to work Monday."
Echo: "I will be there too."
Rick: "I was hoping you would say that. I still want time with you."
Echo: "We will have what we had. It can't go further anymore."
Rick: "I'm good with that, I'll miss you in the morning."
Echo: "Why?"
Rick: "Because you aren't going to be there."
Echo: "I will be home by myself. They all work."
Rick: "You are correct."
Echo: "Why can't you come?"
Rick: "Do you still want me to?"
Echo: "Yes."
Echo: "I will come back too."
Rick: "Then I'll be there."
Echo: "Ok."
Rick: "Go home and get some sleep, Sweetheart. I will see you in the morning."
Echo: "Good night."
Rick: "Night."
~End conversation~
I go to the room and pack all of my stuff. I didn't find anything of Rick's. Before I leave, I call Blaze Kane.
~Phone conversation~
Blaze Kane: "Hello?"
Echo: "Hey."
Blaze Kane: "What's up?"
Echo: "I'm coming home."
Blaze Kane: "Tonight?"
Echo: "Yes."
Blaze Kane: "What about your room?"
Echo: "I have been paying daily."
Blaze Kane: "I'll be waiting. Be careful."
~End conversation~
I drive across town to the complex. I hope I am not making a mistake. I don't know what will happen. I did what I did with Rick because I trusted him, and I know that he will still be in my life.
I won't lie and say I don't find Blaze Kane attractive. I always have thought he was cute. That day with Chad, I was highly attracted to Blaze Kane. I won't say that it will go anywhere. I am just hoping that we can live together without issues.
The door was unlocked, so I go in. I find Blaze Kane on the couch with his eyes closed. He had his earbuds in. He opens his eyes when I touch his leg.
Blaze Kane: "Hey."
Echo: "Hey, you could have gone to bed. I could have let myself in."
Blaze Kane: "I know I could have. I didn't want to."
Echo: "Why?"
Blaze Kane: "I wanted to make sure you really came."
Echo: "I'm not in the habit of lying. I seem to only do it when your parents are around."
Blaze Kane: "Are you saying I am a bad influence?"
Echo: "Yes, you are. Go to bed. I'll see you when you get home tomorrow."
He sits up then stands up. He pulls me to him and hugs me. He kisses my forehead as he pulls away.
Blaze Kane: "I promise you I'll be better, Echo."
Echo: "That's all I ask."
He goes upstairs. I go to my room and threw all my dirty stuff in a pile and put the clean away. I go across the hall and shower, dry, my hair and lay down. I fell asleep and was sleeping well until I heard my door open. I know who it is; I can tell by the movements. He climbs in my bed and pulls me to him.
Echo: "Goodnight, Blaze Kane."
Blaze Kane: "Goodnight."