Page 17 of Girl Like Me

“Sit.” He orders, pointing to the bed. “I don’t know if you remember but my name is Echo. As for information, I don’t know how much I can tell you without putting you at more risk. Do you know what your father does?” I nod and shrug my shoulders at the same time. I may not know the specifics but I have a decent idea anyway.

“Well I work for his brother, your uncle. We had a thing, it was very casual since you’re too young for me. Your boyfriend wasn’t happy when he found out.”

I roll my eyes. “Ugh, he is a dick from what I can tell anyway.”

“Real dick. He told me to stay away from you or else, then you vanished after telling me you didn’t want me anymore. Honestly I figured the dick convinced you to stay away.”

“Maybe he did, I’m not really sure. I went to a psych hospital for months but all I remember is waking up with no memory and trying to piece together what happened. I was hoping…”

“That I was a thug and the one who beat you up?”

“Maybe. It beats thinking that it could have been my family or boyfriend, but I don’t know.” I sigh, irritated that this just isn’t getting me any closer to the answers I need.

“I doubt it would be your father, he wants to kill me for touching you and that was the appeal for both of us. You wanted his attention and I like pissing people off and so does your uncle. But he loves you like crazy, they both do.”

“I wish I knew why I went to the psych hospital.” I place my head in my hands.

“Around the time you vanished there were some turf wars so to speak and your family had a few casualties. You may not have been able to cope with that.”

“Who died?” I ask, dread lacing my tone.

“Your brother.” He says and I look at him as if he is crazy.

“Carter?”

“No, Milo. You two were close but he didn’t get along with your parents. I still doubt your father would have had him killed though.”

“And how would I find my uncle?” I ask as Echo takes a seat beside me.

“The same way people find your father, they don’t.” He laughs but I don’t get it.

“Men like them find you. But I will tell him you want to talk.”

“Thanks Echo, at least I have some more pieces to add to the other shards that have been thrown at me.”

“You’re welcome. You seem different by the way, in a good way of course.”

“I am. I refuse to be that girl anymore. Now I need to go check on my friend, she is with some guy named Mossy and hope she is okay.” He stands and holds out his hand to help me up.

“She’sin good hands, Mossy is good people. If you ever need anything just holler. I will always have a soft spot for you, once you turn eighteen if you want to start where we left off you know where to find me.”

“Thanks, but I’m happy with what’s waiting for me at home.” His face drops as he turns heading for the door.

“Not that douche?” He asks,opening the bedroom door.

“No way. I plan to ditch that idiot as soon as I figure out what the hell happened to me.” I brush his shoulder as I walk past him and out the door.

“Good, you deserve good things B.” He walks me outside where there is a standoff happening. I race over to Chloe who has her finger pointed at Chev, even though she looks a bit wobbly on her feet, she is standing her ground. There is no way she had enough time to get herself white girl wasted.

“You!” Chev seethes pointing at me. “How could you leave her alone to get wasted?”

“She isn’t my keeper.” She slurs. Mossy grabs her by the waist and steadies her. “And neither isss you, you didn’t want me!”

“Just let me take you home.” Chev pleads. I can see he is being sincere for once. “And you stay the hell away from her or else!” He throws at me. Echo steps up, blocking his view of me. Him and Chev are now chest to chest.

“I suggest you change your tone and step down.” Echo spits. “B is my people and if you have an issue with her, you have an issue with me.”

“Fine, but if she hurts my sister, we will have problems.” Both guys share one last glare and back down. I race around Echo and pull Chloe away. She grabs a half empty bottle of vodka sitting on the ground and laughs at herself when she almost trips us both over. That explains how she got herself wasted so fast.

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