Letting You Go (Stone Lake 1)

“I know, but I’m going to give her everything I can so that she doesn’t miss Stone Lake.”

“What if what she wants most is for you to stay in Stone Lake with her?” Jules asks.

I frown, unease welling up in my stomach. I would do anything for Luna—absolutely anything. I am scared that I’d even try to stay here, if that’s what would make her happy. Luna is my lifeline, but she could easily become an anchor, holding me down in the one place that I’m desperate to leave far behind. If it comes down to choosing Luna over leaving Stone Lake?

Will I be able to choose?

I haven’t told Luna, but life with my father has only gotten worse. I beat the shit out of him a couple of days ago and last night I woke up to him holding a lighter over my bed, flicking it on and off repeatedly. Atticus was snoring, he didn’t even know. My father didn’t say a word, but I knew what the message meant.

It’s sobering to realize that your father, the man who is responsible for you breathing air would just as soon kill you as to look at you. Sometimes I wonder why he hasn’t yet….

“I can see you’re struggling with that one,” she says, and I look up to see her watching me closely.

“There are things…”

“Yeah, I know. Attie has told me some of it.”

“I didn’t realize you and Atticus were that close.”

“There’s a lot about me that you don’t know, Gav. I’m mysterious like that. Listen, I’m heading over to my girl’s house to get prettied up for the prom. Here’s the key to the front door. I left you a bottle of wine chilling. You’re welcome, by the way,” she adds tossing me the key.

“Thanks, Jules” I say on a laugh, catching it.

Jules is completely different than Luna, but I can see why Luna loves her. Once you get through her walls and bitchiness, she really cares, and she really loves Luna—that much is clear.

“No problem-o. Just make sure you bring enough raincoats to the party. You don’t want to run short of those.”

I roll my eyes, not about to answer that. Jules doesn’t care, she leaves without a backwards glance. I gather all the roses and head upstairs. I need to set the scene here and get in that ridiculous tux for the prom.

I hope Luna is okay with leaving that early….

Chapter Forty Nine

Luna

“Boy, Attie, you clean up nice.”

“Thanks,” he mutters, looking uncomfortable. “I still can’t believe you got my brother to show up to this thing.”

“I’d do anything for Luna,” Gavin says coming back and handing me a glass of punch. I take a drink and curl my nose.

“What is this crap?”

“I’m not sure, but I think it’s straight up pineapple juice and fruit cocktail,” Attie says.

“Gross.”

“Sorry, Babe, I fetch the punch, I don’t make it.”

“It’s good Luna’s at least teaching you to fetch,” Atticus replies, and I see Gavin’s face harden at his brother’s snarky reply.

“Attie—”

“Let it go, Moonbeam. He’s not worth the trouble,” Gavin mutters.

I lean back, my head against his chest and position my head so I can see his face. Gavin gives me a smile and bends down and kisses my forehead.

“Is Attie causing trouble again?” Jules laughs, coming up beside us.

“Just the normal,” Attie replies with a shrug. “Your date finally let you out of his sight?”

“Jealous?”

“Not at all,” Atticus replies drolly.

“Whatever. Where’s Candy Bishop?”

“She’ll be back shortly.”

“I can’t believe you’re dating that whore,” Jules mutters.

“I can’t believe you’re calling her a whore.”

Jules narrows her eyes at him, and I can tell she’s about to light into him, because his hidden meaning was very clear. I don’t know what it is about these two anymore, but they always throw digs at one another.

“Can’t we all just get along?” I mumble.

“No.” Everyone around me says it practically at the same time and I simply hold my head down in defeat which makes Jules laugh.

“Oh, cool it, Luna. You’re just happy because you and Gavin are about to head out together for the whole night.”

I blush. I can’t help it. Gavin’s arm tightens around me.

“Can it, Jules,” he warns, and she rolls her eyes at him.

“Just make sure you clean my house when you’re done having wild virgin monkey sex.” she laughs. “I’m out of here.” She walks off, stumbling slightly.

“She’s drunk,” I tell them. “Maybe I should insist on taking her home.

“I’ll see to her,” Atticus says.

“No, I will. I—”

“I got this, Luna,” Atticus growls and walks away.

“This was not how I envisioned prom,” I mumble at Gavin.

“Told you, Moonbeam, prom is lame.”

“I guess so,” I agree, completely disappointed.

“Of course, I have the prettiest girl here and that pale pink dress you’re wearing is slowly killing me, so I can deal with lame.”

“Killing you?” I laugh as he takes me into his arms.