Among the Echoes(45)

"We’re leaving," he announces.

"What?"

"You’re right. We can’t stay here if he is going to be coming and going. We need to hit the road. I’ve already let everyone know it’s time." He turns to look at me. "I mean, that’s what you want, right?" I swallow past the lump in my throat and give him a silent nod. No, it is absolutely not what I want, but it’s the smart decision. "I’ll get the ball rolling. Seven days max and we’ll be heading somewhere new. You’ll need a new name, so start thinking." He pushes to his feet and strides to my door. "That is, unless you decide you want to take a chance with Andrews. You say the word and I’ll make it happen."

"I can’t even begin to tell you how bad you are at this. He’s going to get us both killed," I respond.

"Maybe," he says entirely too nonchalantly. "But maybe we are already gone. Maybe he’ll just save you." His voice is alarmingly sad.

I quickly flip over, trying to figure out what the hell he is talking about, but I can hear his bedroom door close before I even have a chance to ask.





Two days later…





It’s official. I have crossed the line. I’ve somehow turned into a stalker.

I haven’t spoken to Riley again since I literally ran into her in the breezeway, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t seen her. I’ve seen her plenty as she comes and goes to and from work. Okay, this is definitely not my finest hour.

Sure, I came back to Ohio looking for a getaway. But mainly I came back looking for Riley. I can’t figure out what she is hiding or, better yet, why is she hiding so desperately from me. That fact just doesn’t sit well with me. None of this does. My lifestyle sucks, but it’s nothing that can’t change. I’ve wanted to escape the spotlight for a long time now. It’s not like I’d be giving anything up by slipping into oblivion.

I have nothing left to prove. I haven’t needed the money in a long time. If it weren’t for the fact that I love the sport, I probably would have retired from boxing as soon as I won the title for the first time. I can honestly say that I don’t know that I will ever return to the ring, and that has nothing to do with a beautiful woman who wants absolutely nothing to do with me and everything to do with the fact that I think I’m finally done. It’s a liberating decision in and of itself.

Now, I just have to figure out what the hell I want to do with the rest of my life. The good news is I have a whole month to not think about it. I flip on my iPod and head over to my couch for a night of solitude.

"You son of a bitch!" I hear shouted from outside my apartment. I recognize Riley’s voice and immediately rush to the door, readying myself for whoever she is screaming at.

Just as I pull it open, a box sails past my head. It’s quickly followed by a bouquet of flowers that hits me directly in my chest.

"Jesus, what the hell is wrong with you?" I brush the stray petals off my shirt.

"Stop sending me crap!"

"You’re welcome?"

"I’m not thanking you," she says in the bitchiest tone I’ve ever heard outside of LA.

I can’t help but laugh at her. "So I’ve gathered." I smirk, and she narrows her eyes. "I can also see that your eyes are still brown, so apparently I haven’t gotten the right prescription yet. I’ll try again next week." I shrug and pick up the box off the ground.

"Call your little assistant or whoever you have sending me this shit and make them stop. I don’t want it. Damn it, Slate. I don’t want anything from you."

I toss the box back at her feet. "I don’t have an assistant. Well, I do, but I don’t even know her name. I sure as hell don’t have her out shopping for you. That’s my handwriting on that box. Now, if you just gave me your damn prescription, I’d stop sending you random contacts."

"Whatever. We’re moving, so send away. Maybe the next tenant has poor vision and your stupid contacts will finally get put to use."

"Where the hell are you going?" I step forward, fully expecting her to retreat. But she stands her ground and even squares her shoulders.

Her attitude and fearlessness makes my cock stir to life. Even with her bitch face, Riley is still beautiful. I’ve missed her so f*cking much. It’s absolutely absurd, but looking at her now makes it all so rational.