Echoes Beneath (The Truth Series Book 2)

by J. A. Owenby

  I slipped into a seat directly behind George; I didn’t see Cassidy and Adalyn. George turned around and scanned my face.

  “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”

  I nodded. “I need to talk, but Xander will be here right after class. He always has an excuse to hurry and leave, and since he’s my ride and we live together, I have to go. I can’t ever talk to you anymore. I miss you.” I bit my lip as tears pooled in my eyes.

  “Hey, I’m here,” he said and patted my hand.

  “Can we cut class? I’ll still need to be outside to meet him at the same time, but maybe we can find an empty classroom?”

  “I know the perfect place,” he said and smiled. He gathered his books, and I followed him out of the classroom. I didn’t really want to miss class, but I needed to talk to someone.

  I followed George down the hallway and into a dark classroom. He turned on the lights and we settled into the empty seats.

  “What’s going on?”

  “I don’t know what to do,” I whispered. “I’m doing something wrong with Xander, and I don’t know what.”

  “Wait, hold on. What do you mean, you’re doing something wrong? Are you cheating on him?” he asked as he leaned toward me, waiting for my answer.

  “God no! That’s not my thing, at all.” I paused as I remembered that thanks to James, Walker’s so-called best friend, I’d already been labeled a cheater once before. “You can’t tell anyone.”

  “Oh, it’s one of those secrets?”

  “It’s Xander. He went out with his friends the other night, which was fine, but he didn’t come home until noon the next day. I never heard from him—he didn’t even bother calling me. When he came back, I was happy that he was okay, but I’d waited all night for him. I was terrified he’d been in a car accident.”

  “That is so not cool,” George muttered. “I don’t give a shit who he is, you don’t deserve that. You’ve been through enough.”

  “It gets worse.”

  George stared at me, his gaze growing more intense.

  “I think he was high when he came home. I’m not positive, but I think he was. I’ve never been around someone using drugs, but his behavior has been . . . different a few times. And”—I paused, trying to collect my thoughts—“at the party we had at the house in January, I caught him snorting coke,” I blurted out.

  “Fuck, are you serious?” George asked as he sat up straight.

  “Very. I saw him snort the line myself. And there’s something else, too. I don’t know who else did any drugs, but several of the guys from the football team were playing cards with him.”

  George leaned back in his chair and shook his head. He sat speechless longer than I’d ever seen before.

  “Say something, please. I don’t know how to fix it. I don’t want to lose him!”

  “Well, first of all, drugs change people or bring out the darkness that’s already inside them. I’ve always liked Xander, but the more he’s around you . . . there’s something that bothers me. I just haven’t been able to put my finger on it. Maybe this is it?”

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bothered you with all this. I’ll get it figured out,” I said. “He’s been nothing but good to me, and he’s the only person who’s ever stood up to Mama. I know he loves me.” I smiled and mentally kicked myself for telling George.

  “Hey, if you want to stay then you know I’ll support you, but keep your eyes open. Maybe he wasn’t high, maybe he was, but you’re the only one who knows what’s going on behind closed doors.”

  I nodded. “Enough about me, how are you? Has Andy called?”

  “No, I guess we just had a great night together,” he said and shrugged.

  “I’m sorry. You’re an amazing guy, and friend. I know you’ll find someone who will love you for you and make you happy.”

  “Thanks, and that goes for you, too.” He reached over and hugged me.

  “Thanks for not calling me Hillbilly anymore,” I said and laughed.

  “You’re so much more.”

  Was I? I didn’t feel like much of anything anymore.

  “Have you seen your mom again?”

  “Oh, geez! I have some explaining to do to Cassidy. Last Friday, Xander walked me to class and said goodbye. Cassidy and I were waiting for Adalyn to show when Xander came running back. I mean, running like he was on the football field again. He’d seen Mama on campus. We had to leave so fast I didn’t even tell Cassidy goodbye. I don’t even know what to say to her.”

  “I took care of it. She did mention it, and how weird it was.”

  “What did you say?”

  “That there was someone you didn’t want to see, and that it wasn’t my story to tell. Believe it or not, even though she wanted to know more, she respected that and dropped it. At least for now. I know you and I are closer than you are to Adalyn and Cassidy, but you can trust them. They would be there for you.”

  “Really? Even with all the craziness I bring with me? I don’t know. I couldn’t take the chance of Mama hurting them. I don’t know what she’d do if they stepped in, and I can’t risk it.”

  “I totally get it, but keep it in the back of your mind.”

  “Shit! Class is almost over,” I said and grabbed my books.

  George and I slipped out of the empty room and walked down the hallway to our door. Within seconds, it opened, and students filed out of the room. George and I fell in line and walked out the front door, where Xander was already waiting.

  Chapter 24

  I glanced at George as we approached Xander.

  “Hey, Xander!” George said. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in a while. How’s it going?”

  “Good,” he said as he reached for my hand. “We’ll have to catch up soon. Maybe another party at the house?” he asked and smiled.

  “I’m always up for a good party.”

  “You ready to go?” Xander asked me.

  I nodded and took his hand.

  “See you later, George,” I said as Xander tugged my arm.

  “How was your class?” Xander asked as we walked across campus.

  My stomach flipped as I wondered if he knew George and I had skipped.

  “Good,” I muttered.

  “What did you discuss?”

  I frowned at his persistence.

  “You know, health isn’t my favorite class, and I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I thought about you most of the time,” I said and beamed up at him. My heart melted as he smiled back.

  “Yeah? I’m okay with that,” he said as we reached his truck.

  He opened the door for me and then slid into the driver’s seat.

  “So, I thought we should go out tonight,” he said. “On a date. I guess with everything that’s happened with your mom, we’ve tried to keep you safe at the house. You probably need to go out and have some fun. What do you think?”

  “Really?” I couldn’t contain the excitement in my voice. For the last few months, I’d gone to school and Xander’s, nowhere else.

  Xander chuckled and reached for my hand.

  * * *

  I spent the afternoon studying, and Xander did the same. He rarely cracked open a book, and yet he still held a 4.0 GPA. He was smart, and he absorbed information without trying. I struggled a little bit and worked my ass off for a B average.

  I glanced at the clock and realized I should get ready for our date. I hopped off the bed and opened the closet. I gasped at the emerald-green, backless dress that was hanging in front of me. I reached for it and looked at the label. It was my size. Xander had bought it for me.

  I couldn’t hide my smile as I grabbed it and ran to our dresser. I found the blue lace bra and G-string I’d saved for a special occasion. He was trying to make things better, and I loved him for that. I wanted to give him a night he’d never forget.

  I went to the guest bedroom, hung the dress in the closet, and walked across the hall to the bathroom. For some reason, I never really used Xander�
��s bathroom. I knew he liked his space, and honestly, I liked not sharing a bathroom.

  I took a long, hot shower, shaved my legs, and deep-conditioned my hair. After I toweled off, I moisturized my skin and dried and curled my hair. I put it in a loose bun, allowing a few soft, curled strands to frame my face. I put on my butterfly necklace and applied my makeup. I finished off with a light dusting of Obsession perfume.

  I cracked the door open and peeked down the hall. I didn’t see Xander, so I made a mad dash into the guest bedroom.

  I removed the plastic cover from the dress and slipped it over my head. It fell right above my knees, and the deep green brought out my eyes.

  I smiled, and for the first time in a while, the smile actually reached my eyes. My stomach fluttered as I realized I was nervous. Xander and I hadn’t gone on many dates. I’d never worn such a beautiful dress before, either. At that moment, I realized I didn’t have shoes other than my Nike tennis shoes and calf-high boots.

  Shit. What was I going to do? I didn’t have any heels. My face fell as I realized our date wasn’t going to happen after all.

  I sighed as I left the room and descended the stairs, staring at my feet. I glanced up to see him waiting for me. My breath caught when I saw him. He looked incredible. His broad shoulders filled out his gray suit jacket, and his dark-green shirt matched my dress.

  “My God, you’re breathtaking,” Xander said as he stood at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes traveled from my face down my body and back again. “I knew that color would be beautiful on you,” he said as he extended his hand and helped me the rest of the way down the stairs.

  “Xander,” I whispered. “Thank you. Thank you so much. It’s beautiful, but . . .”

  “Hold that thought,” he said as he walked into the living room and returned with a pair of black heels. “I didn’t forget.”

  “Oh my God. I love you,” I said, laughing.

  Xander kneeled down and held the shoes as I slipped my feet into them. I was suddenly three inches taller.

  He smiled at me as his eyes did another slow pass of my body. Excitement traveled through me, and I could feel my body responding to him. His hand moved gently up the inside of my leg and met my G-string. He massaged me through the thin material and then stood up.

  “After dinner, babe. Until then, I want you to squirm while you think about me inside you.”

  My entire body flushed with heat as he squeezed my ass and kissed me lightly. He grabbed a black wrap and covered my shoulders with it.

  “You didn’t have to buy all this for me,” I said, blushing at his generosity.

  “I wanted to do something special for you,” he said as he offered me his arm and escorted me out of the house and into the truck.

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  “It’s a surprise,” Xander replied and grinned.

  Xander merged onto the highway, and we headed into Eugene. Half an hour later, we walked into the Excelsior Inn and were seated in a back corner that gave us some privacy. Xander pulled out my chair for me and seated himself across the table. He ordered us drinks as I glanced at the menu.

  “It’s really expensive here. I can’t ask you to spend this kind of money,” I whispered as I put the menu down.

  “Pick up the menu and order whatever you want. I’ve wanted to bring you here for a long time.”

  “Really?” I asked shyly.

  “Really.”

  I returned to the menu and selected a salad, but when the server came, Xander ordered us both steak and lobster.

  “I can’t believe you did that!” I whispered.

  He laughed and took my hand.

  “How are you doing about your mom?”

  His question took me off guard, and I pulled my hand away.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to just spring the question on you, but I haven’t asked lately.”

  “It’s hard,” I said as I took a sip of water and wished it were a rum and Pepsi. “We have a complicated past.”

  “So, you haven’t told me everything?”

  “You know the important parts. I don’t want to relive it over and over, ya know?” I put my glass back down on the table.

  “Okay. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

  “Thanks,” I said. I hoped he would let it go.

  We spent the rest of the meal talking about his upcoming graduation and where he wanted to apply for jobs. I also wanted to work over the summer, meet more people, and get my own car. Xander had been amazing about driving me everywhere, but I couldn’t sit at home and wait for him all day, either. I didn’t care if Mama was around or not. I would just buy some pepper spray and keep it on my keychain.

  Chapter 25

  Two hours later, Xander paid the check and escorted me back to the truck.

  The rain had started, and it pattered against the windshield as we drove home. I scooted along the truck’s bench seat to be closer to him. His free hand slipped underneath my dress and caressed my thigh. I reached over, unbuttoned and unzipped his slacks, and took him in my hand. He adjusted himself in his seat as I rubbed him. I realized we were being risky while driving, but the idea excited me.

  He moaned as I moved my hand up and down the length of him. The harder he got, the more I was ready for him to pull over.

  “Oh yeah, babe. That feels good. We’re almost home,” he said and smiled. I grinned as I unbuckled my seatbelt and took him into my mouth.

  “Fuck!”

  He pulled into the driveway and parked the truck. He grabbed the back of my head, slid in and out of my mouth, and then lifted my head and brought his mouth to mine.

  His hands ran up my legs and then lifted my dress over my head. I shivered against the cold as he paused for a moment and then lifted me onto his lap. I smiled as I straddled him.

  “Shit, babe. I haven’t seen you wear this blue bra-and-panty set before. I’m gonna come just looking at you.”

  That familiar flush ran up my neck and my face.

  His hand ran down my stomach and slipped under my G-string, moving it out of the way.

  “So fucking ready for me,” he whispered.

  He grabbed my hips and entered me. I leaned into him and propped my hands against the back of the seat as he rocked me, our rhythm in sync and steady.

  Xander unhooked my bra and slid it off. My nipples hardened against the cold. He took my breast into his mouth. My fingers wound through his hair, pulling him closer.

  “You feel so good. Don’t stop.”

  I whimpered when he lifted me off him. For a moment, I panicked that we were about to have a replay of that awful night, but he slipped my G-string off and threw it onto the floorboard.

  “What are you doing?” I giggled as he opened the truck door and got out. “It’s pouring rain out there and it’s cold.”

  He pulled on my leg as he brought me to the edge of the seat.

  “I want you in the rain,” he said. “You can use my jacket.”

  He removed his suit jacket and covered my shoulders as he picked me up and placed me on the hood of the truck. The rain had slowed to a soft sprinkle, and I laid back on the hood as it chilled my skin. The only thing I was still wearing were my black high heels, but the expression on his face told me that was all he wanted. I parted my legs and welcomed him.

  He traced kisses down my stomach and nipped at the inside of my thighs. I moaned as his tongue caressed my clit and he slid his finger inside me. My back arched off the truck as I wrapped my legs around his neck. I couldn’t hold back and released within a few short minutes, but I knew my Xander, and it wasn’t over yet.

  He smiled and lifted me off the truck, turned me around, and bent me over the hood.

  “Oh yeah. Nothing like my girl in heels in the rain,” he said as he entered me slowly.

  I threw my head back and moaned as he maintained a slow rhythm. One of his hands held my hip for leverage as the other slipped between my legs and massaged my clit. I move
d against him, wanting him to pick up the pace, but he refused.

  “Slow and steady until you’re begging me to fuck you harder.”

  I moaned as he kept true to his word and I begged for more.

  “Please, baby. Harder. I need you.”

  He took hold of my hair, pulled my head back, and ran his other hand over my breast and up my neck. His fingers tightened slightly around my throat.

  “Tell me again, babe.”

  “I need you.”

  His fingers tightened more as he picked up the pace.

  “Say it. Say you want me to fuck you harder.”

  “Harder,” I whispered.

  “Not until you say it.”

  “Oh God, Xander. Please, baby, please fuck me as hard as you can.”

  His hand tightened even more as he pounded into me.

  “That’s it. Now I’ll give you what you want,” he panted.

  I gasped for air, but I grew more excited as I felt him inside me. Black dots danced across my vision as I released with him.

  Xander chuckled as he planted light kisses down my bare back. My fingernails dug into the palm of my hand as I tried to catch my breath.

  “You’re sexy as hell against my truck with those heels on,” he whispered as he pulled out of me.

  I turned to face him and smiled.

  “That was crazy. I’ve never done anything like that before. What if someone had shown up?” I asked, my eyes widening at the thought.

  “Then they would have gotten one hell of a show,” he said and laughed.

  He grabbed his jacket off the truck and tossed it around me as we hurried into the house.

  “Why don’t you go shower and I’ll get your clothes out of the truck,” he said.

  “Okay,” I said and hurried up the stairs to get under the hot spray of the shower.

  Chapter 26

  It was almost midnight when we crawled into bed.

  Xander wrapped his arms around me as I snuggled back into his chest. I smiled as my thoughts returned to our adventure on the truck. I loved exploring new things with him almost as much as I loved him.

  “Lacey, can I tell you something?” he whispered in my ear.