Echoes Beneath (The Truth Series Book 2)

by J. A. Owenby

  “Gotta run, Hillbilly. I’ll see you tonight,” he said, and then he took off in the other direction.

  Chapter 4

  I waved at the dorm mom, Mrs. Walters, as I walked into the building. I’d heard a few older girls mention that they were closer to her than their own moms. My Southern manners reared up as I realized that I hadn’t introduced myself yet.

  I approached the front desk in the dorm lobby and waited for her to hang up the phone.

  “Hi, hon, what can I do for you?” Mrs. Walters asked, her blue eyes dancing.

  “Oh, I—I was just going to introduce myself,” I said and cleared my throat. “I’m Lacey and I just moved here from Arkansas.”

  “Wow, you came all this way to be an Oregon Duck, huh?” Mrs. Walters asked, grinning.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I said, smiling.

  “Well, get settled in and let me know if you need anything, and I mean anything. Stay with your friends if you’re out at night, and make sure you have your ID on you at all times.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I said.

  “Oh, and one more thing,” she said and reached behind the desk. She produced a card and handed it to me. “If you’re out at night alone, call this number, and someone will pick you up and bring you to your dorm room. Don’t ever walk around alone late at night.”

  “Really? That’s pretty cool.”

  “We take campus security very seriously here.”

  “Thank you. I need to go study, but it was nice meeting you.”

  “Same to you,” Mrs. Walters said with a slight wave.

  I reached my room and opened the door. Tossing my books onto the other bed, I crossed the small room to check my answering machine. A red number two blinked at me. I smiled as I pushed the play button.

  “Lacey, it’s Emma. I haven’t talked to you in a week and I can’t deal with it anymore, so call me as soon as you can. I’ll be home tonight.”

  I pushed the erase button and listened to the second message.

  “Is it her?” a faraway voice asked, and then the message ended. My mouth dropped open.

  “No,” I whispered as I played the message again. I recognized the voice, and a shiver shot through me as I listened one more time. It couldn’t be. I rubbed my face and reminded myself to breathe. There was no mistaking her voice in the background. Mama had managed to track me down, which meant that either Patsy or Krissy had found my phone number.

  “Shit,” I yelled and slapped my hand on the desk. I’d naively thought she wouldn’t be able to track me down, but no matter how far away I was, she found me. I didn’t know what it meant or if she would call again, but I didn’t want anything to do with her.

  Fear rose to the surface as I crawled into my bed and huddled in the corner. I pulled my blankets around me and tried to stop trembling, but my mind had taken a dark turn. All I could think about were the days I’d spent drugged and locked in Mama’s room. I’d lost Walker and everything else that had been important to me.

  I bit my lip hard enough that it almost bled. At least it gave me something else to think about. I stared at the phone and then remembered that Emma had also called me.

  I crawled across my bed, grabbed the phone, dialed her number, and prayed she would answer.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Emma, it’s Lacey.”

  “Lacey! Oh, my gosh, how are you? What’s Oregon like? Have you met anyone there yet? What’s your dorm like? I miss you!”

  I smiled as I waited for her to settle down. As I heard the excitement in her voice, my fear dwindled into the background.

  “I’m okay. I’m homesick right now, but I think it’s because everything is so new.”

  “Is it really different?”

  “You have no idea. But I’ve met a few people, and I started classes today.”

  “Was it weird not starting in August?”

  “Yeah, but school goes later in the year to make up for it. It isn’t hot here, either, which is nice. I have to wear a jacket most of the time.”

  “Tell me who you’ve met,” Emma said. I could picture her face filled with excitement.

  “Well, I met a guy named George today. I have him in history and sociology. He’s interesting . . . I also met a couple of girls, Cassidy and Adalyn, who are in the same sociology class. I’m gonna meet up with them later tonight—they’re in the same dorm as me. They seem really nice. Nicer than George, anyway.”

  “Is he mean?”

  “No, I don’t think so, but he calls me Hillbilly and makes fun of my accent.”

  “What? I never noticed you had an accent,” Emma said.

  “Me neither, but I guess I do, and I need to ditch it if I’m majoring in communications.”

  “Well, I hope he stops calling you Hillbilly.”

  “Yeah, we’ll see. What about you? How are your classes? How are your parents doing?” I asked.

  “We’re good. My new roommate, Lisa, moved in this past weekend. It’s so strange not having you here.” She sighed.

  “I know. I got lucky and I have a room to myself, but what’s a real trip is that all the girls run around naked here. The showers are down the hall, so they streak everywhere they go. I am so not used to that.”

  “That would be different, for sure,” Emma said, laughing.

  I grew quiet and debated whether or not to tell her about the voicemail.

  “. . . Lacey Anne, I know you, and something’s up. So, spill.”

  “You can tell that over the phone?”

  “Yup. Now what’s up?”

  “Mama called me,” I whispered.

  “What? Are you serious? Are you sure it was her?”

  “Yeah. I’m not sure who actually called, but I could clearly hear Mama asking if it was my voice on the answering machine. She was in the background, and then they hung up.”

  “That was all they said?” Emma asked in disbelief. “Shoot! I wish I were there. I know that must’ve ruffled your feathers. After everything she did to you, to hear her voice again . . .”

  “Yeah, to say the least. I hope she doesn’t call back.”

  “Do you promise you’ll tell me if she does? I know you, and you won’t wanna tell me for some dumb reason, like you don’t want to worry me or something. Promise me.”

  I paused for a moment and debated if I would really tell her if Mama called me again. I wasn’t sure; I didn’t know if I’d want to worry her or not. But if I didn’t promise her, she’d never let me get off the phone.

  “Okay, I promise,” I said.

  “Alright then. If it becomes a problem, we’ll figure something out. You don’t have to go through this alone, never again. You got that?”

  “Yeah,” I said and smiled. “I need to go, though. I wanna keep my phone bill low enough to call whenever I want to.”

  “Don’t you worry. I’ll call you in a few days, okay?”

  “Sounds good. Thanks, Emma.”

  “Nothing to thank me for. We’re family, real family. I love ya.”

  “Love you too,” I said.

  I held the phone until I heard the click of Emma hanging up. I felt a lot calmer after talking to her. I sighed and replaced the receiver in the cradle.

  Chapter 5

  On the days it wasn’t raining, the sunsets in the Pacific Northwest were different than I’d ever seen. The sky would burst into bright pinks, oranges, and reds, but it seemed like they were only there for a second. The moment you blinked, they were gone and the sky was dark.

  I felt like a little kid exploring. Everything fascinated me, from the green grass in September to the crystal-clear sky and crisp air.

  Not only had my first day of classes gone better than I’d expected, but I also hadn’t thought about Walker all day—until Mama had called. A chill shot through me as I thought about the message. All the memories rushed back, and I swallowed the lump in my throat as I realized I’d met him almost a year ago.

  I sighed as I stood up, walked to the window, and look
ed out at campus. I moved here to start over. Mama wasn’t here, and I was safe no matter how scared I felt. I pushed the memories away and glanced at the clock. I had an hour to study before George stopped by, and I needed the distraction.

  I turned my desk lamp on, got comfortable on my bed, and opened my history book. The next thing I knew, I was peeling my eyes open as someone knocked on my door.

  The clock said 9:04 p.m., and I hurried to open the door. George pushed past me and into my room.

  “Come in,” I said, slightly sarcastically, as I tried to smooth my hair down with my hands.

  “Ooooooh, honey,” he said with a hint of disapproval in his voice.

  “What?”

  “Someone’s getting adjusted to the time difference. Grab a brush, and you should also get rid of those raccoon eyes before we get started, Hillbilly,” he said as he nodded toward my mirror.

  “George, please stop calling me Hillbilly,” I groaned as I ran the brush through my thick hair.

  “I will when you lose the accent. You are gonna melt hearts, though,” he said as he scanned me up and down.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Well, even though you sound like a Hillbilly, you’re gorgeous. Those green eyes will get you into any club, not to mention that ass. Turn around and let me see.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes! Now chop chop,” he said as he clapped his hands together.

  I spun around on one foot as quickly as I could and giggled. There was no way I was going to display my butt for him. He could continue to check out Professor Scott’s ass.

  “Oh, dear,” George said and rested his head in his hands.

  I grinned as my attempt to irritate him worked. That’s what he got for asking.

  “Should we get started?” I asked.

  “We should. Why don’t you tell me about where you’re from?”

  I frowned, not sure how that would help me lose my Southern accent. But he’d find out anyway if we became friends.

  “I was born in Little Rock and raised in Hot Springs. I went to community college for a year, and now, here I am.”

  “That’s the most boring story I’ve ever heard, which means there is way more to it,” he said. He sat on the bed opposite of mine and leaned against the wall.

  “Well, as a proper Southern girl, I don’t divulge my secrets to strangers.” There was no way in hell I would tell him about Mama. He’d never talk to me again.

  “Who is he?”

  “What?” I asked and frowned. I walked to my desk, grabbed a hair tie, and pulled my hair back. I wasn’t ready to talk about any of this. I’d just met George a few hours ago.

  “Okay, you don’t have to tell me. Yet,” George said.

  I turned to face him. “What about you? I know you’re from Oregon, but do you have family here?”

  “Yup, my parents, two sisters, and my brother are right here in Eugene.”

  “If your family is here, why do you live in the dorms?”

  “First of all, I have a full scholarship. Second, my house is way too crowded. And you’d be surprised by how many sophomores still live on campus. Rent is really expensive unless you want to live in a house with twelve people. And hell, that’s not much different than a dorm anyway. I don’t have a car, either, so campus is where I’m at.”

  “That makes sense. I wouldn’t know where else to live anyway. Have you ever left Oregon?”

  “I’ve only been up and down the West Coast from California to Washington, but that’s it. I plan on moving to New York after graduation, though. I’d love to meet a gorgeous hunk from the East Coast,” he said, grinning.

  “Oooh, that sounds fun. Tell me more about New York,” I said and sat on my bed.

  “I have a cousin who lives there, so I have a place to stay. It’s all of seven hundred square feet, but I figure if I’ve lived in a dorm room for a while it can’t be much different, right?”

  “I wouldn’t think so,” I replied.

  George rolled his eyes. “We have a lot of work to do if you want to get rid of your accent.”

  “Well, shit,” I muttered.

  “Oh my God, I’ve never heard anyone draw out the word shit like that,” he said, laughing. “Say it fast so there’s no drawl in it. Shit, not sheeyit.”

  “Shit!” I said it as fast as I could.

  “It’s okay, Lacey. We’ll work on it. Just try to talk faster, and don’t spread your words out. Try to clip them for a little while—maybe that’ll work.”

  “What if I can’t lose my accent? Hell, I didn’t even know I had one,” I said and bit my lip.

  “Well, you can always make money as a nude model for the art department,” George said, snickering.

  A knock on my door stopped me before I could make a rude response.

  It was Adalyn and Cassidy. “Hi! Come on in,” I said, holding the door open for them.

  “Hi!” they said as they joined us in my room.

  Adalyn towered over Cassidy by at least a foot. They were both gorgeous, but they were opposites in appearance. Cassidy’s platinum-blond hair flowed down her back and accentuated her big blue eyes. Adalyn’s straight, brown hair hung in a carefree bob, and her athletic frame gave the impression that she could eat anything she wanted to and never gain an ounce.

  “Hey, George,” Adalyn said as she plopped down next to him on the bed. “Sorry we’re late. Cassidy and I were talking to Ms. Walters. She’s the best dorm mom ever.”

  “I just met her this afternoon. She seems really nice,” I said.

  “Yeah, she’s the go-to person here, for sure,” Adalyn said. George and Cassidy nodded in agreement.

  “So, did you hear who’s having a house party tonight?” Cassidy asked George.

  “A party? It’s Monday night. Who parties on a Monday?” I asked.

  All three of them stared at me.

  “Who doesn’t party on a Monday is more like it,” Adalyn answered and smiled. “It’s okay, Cassidy was from a small town too. We’ll get you all settled in by the end of the week.”

  “I don’t drink, so I’m not sure a party sounds like a lot of fun,” I said.

  “Are you sure?” George asked. “Xander Koffman has a house now, and he’s throwing the first party tonight.”

  “Xander? I met a guy named Xander on the airplane.”

  “Blond, brown eyes, and so damned hot he makes you squirm?” Cassidy asked.

  I laughed at Cassidy’s description, but it was accurate. “Ya know, I didn’t get his last name, but he had blond hair almost down to his shoulders, and he said he was a senior.”

  “That’s him,” George and Adalyn replied at the same time.

  “You forgot to mention that ass, girl,” George said as he elbowed Adalyn and fanned himself.

  I giggled. “So, he’s a big deal?”

  “He’s the star quarterback for the Ducks,” Cassidy replied. “The only reason we can crash this party is because my cousin plays football with him—he gave me the address. It only takes about thirty minutes before they’re too drunk to notice that we’re not upperclassmen anyway,” she said, grinning.

  I chewed on my bottom lip and pondered whether or not I was interested. The last party I’d gone to had ended with Walker breaking my heart. I intended to move on, but I wasn’t sure if a party was the way to do it. I laughed softly to myself. Why did I assume I’d even meet someone?

  “You guys are great, but I can’t go tonight.”

  “Well, have it your way,” Cassidy said as she stood up to leave. “We’ll be sure to let you know all the juicy details you missed!” She motioned for the others to follow.

  “Bye,” they said as they closed the door behind them. And just like that, I was left standing in my dorm room alone, with no friends.

  “Shit, shit, shit,” I said over and over, as fast as I could.

  Chapter 6

  December had arrived, and I was a little surprised that I’d managed to attend the U of O for
three months and not go to a party. It wasn’t that it hadn’t crossed my mind, but I’d moved two thousand miles away to start over, and parties weren’t at the top of my list. I’d grown closer to George and the girls, but I still had a hole inside me that wouldn’t go away.

  I’d had two more phone calls, but no one said anything; they just hung up. My night terrors escalated after the calls. I often woke myself up screaming, and I puked in my trash can more often than I wanted to think about. I couldn’t tell anyone but Emma, and it was different than if she were here.

  I considered asking George if he would stay with me, but I was worried that if I had a nightmare, I’d never hear the end of it. Or, even worse, he would demand to know what had me so upset. How do you tell someone you’re so scared of your own mother that she still haunts you from practically across the country?

  * * *

  George rarely knocked; this time was no different as he closed the door behind him and crawled into bed with me.

  “Hi, George. You’re in my bed,” I said, not moving from my position on my stomach.

  “Yup, and it’s as uncomfortable as mine. You know, I keep telling you to lock your door,” he said.

  “Yeah,” I muttered.

  “That’s it? You’re not gonna tell me that back home you didn’t have to lock your door because you lived in the country, and yada yada yada?”

  I attempted a half-hearted smile as he rolled over onto his side.

  “Such sad eyes, Hillbilly,” he said. “What’s wrong?”

  I put my face in my pillow so I didn’t have to look at him. George had a peculiar way of seeing past my facade.

  “Nothing. I’m just a little homesick, that’s all,” I said and faced him again.

  “You know what you need, Hillbilly? You need a night out. We need to get you liquored up and go dancing!” George said as he smacked me on the ass.

  I glared at him as I tried to hide my smile.

  “I have a name,” I said and propped myself up on my elbow.

  “I know you do, Lacey Beaumont. And with that sweet Southern accent of yours, the boys are gonna fall all over you. And right after that, they’re gonna melt into puddles once they see your green eyes. Girl, you’ll have them wrapped around your little finger.”