Page 38 of Summer’s Echo

Echo

Maxell and I pulled into my parents’ driveway a little after six o’clock in the evening. After leaving Summer earlier, I’d picked him up to ride with me to the camp so I could get her car. He had a lot of questions, and I wasn’t in the mood to answer a single one.

“Okay, this is my last question, and hopefully, your grumpy ass will answer it,” Max said, just as he was about to slip into the driver’s seat of my car while I climbed into Summer’s. I raised an irritated brow, silently urging him to hurry the hell up.

“Are you gonna give her space, or are you all in?” he asked.

I eyed him warily because, damn, that was a good question.

The logical part of me knew she needed space after what could only be described as the most catastrophic event in her life to date.

She had a lot of things to figure out, to fix, and giving her time made sense.

But I also knew me. And I knew that I couldn’t walk away.

“I’m all in,” I said, nodding as my eyes wandered toward our hidden place behind the trees. “I can’t go another ten-plus years…shit, ten days without her.”

Maxell’s grin stretched wide. “My nigga. That’s what I wanted to hear.”

The quiet drive back alone was the reprieve I needed.

I had no clue what was in store for us. I was leaving for LA in a few days, and God knows I wanted Summer with me.

But I knew Summer all too well. She was probably lying in that tiny yellow bedroom, letting guilt swallow her whole.

Guilt for ending her relationship. Guilt for choosing herself.

And if I knew anything about Summer, that guilt would cloud every decision she needed to make, including being with me.

After Maxell picked up his car, I sent Summer a text.

Me: Hey.

Sun : Hey.

Me: You good?

Sun: Taking a nap.

Me: Ok. I’ll bring your car in about an hour. That cool?

Sun: Yeah. Thanks, E.

Me: Anytime. You need anything?

Sun: No. See you later.

I walked into what I thought was an empty house, until Sadie bounced out of the kitchen, a bowl of popcorn in her hands.

“Hey, brother,” she greeted, all smiles until she caught sight of my expression. Her face dropped. “What’s wrong?”

I moved toward her slowly, reaching into the bowl for a handful of popcorn. “Summer,” I muttered before heading to the kitchen.

Sadie let out an exaggerated sigh. “Get over it, brother. She’s married now.”

Leaning on the kitchen island, I dragged a hand down my face. “But she’s not.”

Sadie paused mid-chew, staring at me like I’d lost my damn mind. I didn’t even give her time to voice the obvious question written all over her face.

“Summer called off her wedding,” I said, nodding as I lifted a brow, mirroring her shock. “Before I even got to the church, Brooke called me. Summer never showed up to her hair appointment. She wasn’t at her condo. Wasn’t answering calls.”

Sadie’s eyes widened. “Wow.” She dragged out the word, her mouth falling open in exaggerated shock. “I bet Ms. Teresa was losing her mind.”

I nodded. “Low-key…I was too. I just didn’t think she’d do something like that. There had to be something wrong.” I exhaled, remembering the weight in my chest, the gnawing feeling that something bigger was happening. “But then I asked myself: Where would she go to clear her head?”

At the same time, Sadie and I said, “Quest.” I nodded.

“You went to get her,” she said, more a statement than a question.

I nodded. “I was the only one who could.” My voice was quieter now, the memories of last night and this morning replaying in my mind.

Sadie’s hands shot up, motioning for me to hurry up and reveal the rest of the story. “And? What happened?”

“And…I brought her here,” I said, shrugging. “Since the house was empty, it was the best place for her to continue to hide. I called her parents. I assume they called him. And I just…” I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “Took care of her.”

Sadie’s brows lifted with suspicion, then she squinted. “Echo Honor Abara…” she started slowly. I already knew where this was going. “Y’all didn’t have pity sex, did you?”

I coughed, nearly choking on the popcorn. “No, girl! But damn, I wanted to.” I shook my head, exhaling as the taste of Summer’s kiss, soft and warm, and sweet as sin simmered on my lips. “But I told her.”

“Told her what? The condensed version or—”

“I told her everything,” I cut in before she could finish.

“That I love her. That seeing her a few months ago sealed it for me. That she’s it for me.

The only one.” I dropped my head, forehead resting on my arms, the quiet tension of it all pressing down.

“I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore, Didi. ”

“Yes, you do,” she said without hesitation.

I lifted my head just enough to see her determined expression.

“You’ve spent so many years convincing yourself that the two of you were just an unfinished chapter that would never be complete.

” She leaned forward. “But now you have a chance to finish the book.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “That was corny as hell.”

Sadie smirked, popping another piece of popcorn into her mouth. “Yeah, but you felt that, though.”

I laughed, but my thoughts were a tangled web of hope and the ache of impending heartbreak. “What if we mess up again? What if we’re just not meant to be…holding on to a past we can’t change?”

Sadie didn’t rush to answer. She let me sit in the mess of my own doubt.

Then, she said, “Then at least you finally tried.” I exhaled, rubbing a hand over my jaw as my thoughts raced.

“Look, you’ve loved that girl since you were kids.

And yeah, maybe timing was never on your side.

Maybe people got in the way. But now? The only thing standing between you and Summer… is you and Summer .”

I let her words sink in, the truth of them settling somewhere deep. Shaking my head, I kissed her temple. “When did you grow up on me?”

She smirked. “According to Mum? I’ve always been grown.” We both chuckled, but her eyes turned serious again. “But, for real, Echo…love isn’t easy. It takes work, it takes risk. But deciding if she’s worth it? That part shouldn’t be hard.”

I sighed, the pressure in my chest shifting, lighter now. “I love you, Didi. And thank you.” I lifted a fist. She bumped it, then licked her tongue out at me.

Sadie smiled. “I love you, too. And I’m proud of you, brother.” She pulled me in for a hug, and for a moment, I let myself lean into it, into the comfort only a sister could offer. When she pulled back, her expression turned expectant. “So…now what?”

I shrugged, exhaling a slow breath because that question had been haunting me for the past twenty-four hours. Then, finally, I gave the only answer that ever made sense. “Now, I go get my Sunshine.”

I decided to enjoy dinner with my sister before taking Summer her car.

By the time I pulled into the Knights’ driveway, the house was dark except for a dim glow from the living room.

Summer probably hadn’t moved much since our last text exchange, either deep in sleep, lost in thought—or both.

I could only imagine the emotional toll her conversation with Deshawn had taken.

He looked like he was ready to spit bullets when he saw her, but when his eyes landed on me?

That man was murderous. And honestly, I couldn’t blame him.

I stepped out of the car, nerves creeping in like this was my first time meeting her family.

Back in high school, I spent so much time at this house that Ms. Teresa would set a plate for me on Sunday nights without even asking.

Now? I felt like the guy who’d messed with their daughter’s head…

again. I opted to knock instead of ringing the doorbell.

A few seconds later, the door swung open, revealing Summer’s brother, OJ.

I didn’t know him as well as her sisters.

By the time I met Summer, he was already out of the house, living in another city.

Still, I knew enough to recognize that defensive expression on his face—the same one his father wore when he wasn’t giving much away.

“She’s still asleep,” OJ said flatly, making it clear that this was my cue to hand over the car keys and be on my way.

I nodded, pocketing my hands. He must have thought that meant I was leaving. He had no idea. I would sit on the edge of her bed and watch her sleep until she woke up, just like I used to.

“Come on in, Echo,” Mr. Knight called from the couch.

OJ hesitated for a second before stepping aside to let me in. Both Knight men studied me as I entered. They were not angry, exactly, just…uncertain. Like they were questioning my motives as they tried to piece together what the hell was going on. This was about to be interesting.

“Summer should be up soon,” Mr. Knight said, pushing up from his seat on the couch, “but until then, let’s talk.” He turned off the television and started toward the four-season sunroom before stopping at the fridge. “You want a beer?” He grabbed one for himself and handed another to his son.

“Yes, sir. Thank you.” I trailed them into the room as he flicked on the light and queued up the same basketball game on the mounted TV.

They sat on the couch. I took the chair. And just like that, I found myself in another situation I wasn’t entirely prepared for.

“Who you going for?” OJ asked, staring at the TV.

I followed his sightline, only now realizing who was playing—the Celtics against the Bulls. “The Bulls,” I said easily. “Chicago was the first place I could call home.”

OJ scoffed. “What? You’re not rooting for the hometown kid?” He was, of course, talking about Jayson Tatum.

I laughed, shaking my head. “Yeah, when they’re not playing the Bulls.” I took a sip of my beer.

“Figured you’d be a Lakers fan with how long you’ve been in LA,” Mr. Knight said.

“Nah, never that.” A brief silence settled over the room, the kind that made me wonder if this was just casual conversation or a quiet warning.