Filthy Foreign Exchange(57)

“Echo?” my father presses.

“Nothing,” I mumble, and thankfully my mom jumps to the rescue.

“I’m trying to reach Kingston, and I’ll keep doing so,” she finally says, picking up on my inner turmoil. She places a hand on my dad’s arm. “Let’s worry about all that tomorrow, though. Your daughter has a broken arm and a pretty bad concussion. I’d say her rest and recovery are the most important things right now.”

My temples are really throbbing now and my vision is getting blurrier by the second, so as much as I hate it, my mother and I have to come to a silent agreement to let the matter drop for now, allowing my father his misconceptions.

“Of course you’re going to be sore all over for a while, but the doctor says you should be able to come home tomorrow,” she explains to me. “They just want to observe you a little longer because of your concussion.”

The nurse comes in, ready to give me something more for pain, but I shake my head. Damn it, that hurt! I have to remember: Move as little as possible, Echo!

I motion to my water with my eyes this time, and thankfully, Sammy-on-the-spot gets the hint and helps me with another drink before I speak again.

“In a minute,” I tell the nurse, before staring back at my dad. There’s still something more he’s not telling me; I can feel it, despite my foggy state.

“We should leave you to sleep. It’s late,” he announces, then turns to my mom. “Give me a minute with Echo, and I’ll meet you and Sammy in the waiting room in a few.”

Mom tugs on her bottom lip with her teeth. “John, I’d rather not leave her alone overnight.”

“Echo is in the best place for her right now. She’ll be fine. We both know you won’t get a wink of sleep if you stay here, and neither will she. You’ll hover and fret all night.” He turns to Sammy, while my mom leans down and gives me a hug.

“Here’s your phone, honey,” Mom whispers, sneaking it under the covers by my right, good arm. “I don’t think you’re supposed to have it, but someone can say something to me if they have a problem. You need anything, you call.” She kisses my cheek. “Let’s go, Sammy.”

Oh, if looks could kill, my dad would be wheeled straight down to the morgue. But he, of course, thinks it’s funny, and chuckles at her.

Once they’re gone, banished to the waiting room, my dad pulls up a chair to my bedside and sighs, running a hand over his face. He looks exhausted.

“Lemme see if I can answer all the questions I know you still have, in order of importance to you.” He grins. “A man knows his own daughter.

“It wasn’t just a little party. Some guys—Kingston’s buddies—trashed the pavilion. Nothing that can’t be fixed, but enough to be a lot of work, an unnecessary setback, and a huge pain in the ass. I saw two of them run off when I pulled up, but managed to catch three. Turned ‘em over to the police. And unless they rat on who helped them, they’ll be the ones paying for it all. Like I said, Kingston wasn’t there—no sign of his truck, either—but I trust Clay’s word and they were Kingston’s friends, so he’s going home, Echo. Already called his father. If you hear from him, you’ll be sure to let him know I’m looking for him. Understand?”

“Yes, sir,” I scratch out.

“All right, then. Anything I missed?” he asks, while pressing the nurse call button.

“No.” I don’t trust Clay, but Kingston has been MIA all day. So unless he shows his face and tells me himself that he wasn’t responsible, I can’t really say anything else at this point.

“Then it’s my turn. Got a few questions of my own, young lady.”

“Sir?”

“How long has the sleepwalking been going on?”

“For as long as I can remember,” I answer honestly.

“Doctor mentioned sometimes a trigger or trauma can cause it. Any thoughts about that?”

“I’ve always been a worrier, Dad. Any idea where I got that from?” I grin, hoping he accepts it as the loving joke I mean rather than disrespect.

“Will you do me a favor?” He takes my hand and pats it. “Leave all that up to me from now on. You just worry about being the wonderful young woman you are, okay?”

I feel my eyes mist up. It’s the most special moment my father and I have ever shared.

“Okay.”

“And leaving it up to me means telling me, from now on, whenever something’s bothering you that badly. You’re my little girl, and it’s my job to slay your dragons. Give me the chance to do my job, Echo.”

“Promise.”

“Good. Let’s get you doped up and resting then. We’ll be back first thing in the morning.”

My father kisses the top of my head, then stands right as the nurse reenters.

“I love you, Echo. More than anything—except your brothers and your mother,” he says with a chuckle. “I know you want Kingston to stay and you’re afraid Sebastian will have to come home early now, but I need you to trust your old man. I know what’s best.”

“Yes, sir.”

~~~~~

I don’t swallow the pill the nurse gives me. Instead, I hold it between two of my back teeth so it won’t dissolve, and pretend to fall asleep so my dad feels comfortable leaving.