Letting You Go (Stone Lake 1)

“The thing is cut so low in the back that every time you walk, I know it’s going to dip down and flash that cute little beauty mark above your ass.”

“Is that why you keep walking behind me?”

“Well, I do that so no one else can see that ass but me, but if I can see that mark for myself? That’s just a bonus.”

“What do you say we head out early and you can have an up close and personal encounter with said mark?” I ask, ignoring the heat on my face.

“You sure?”

“Definitely.”

“What about the chances of your mom calling and finding out you’re not where you’re supposed to be?”

I try to keep the sadness out of my expression, and I give Gavin a small smile, that feels more bitter than anything.

“When I left, she was sleeping off a bottle of wine. I think we’re safe.”

“I’m sorry, Moonbeam.”

“It is what it is,” I tell him, hating that my life has changed so drastically.

“Then, let’s leave and maybe I can make some of it better.”

“You always make everything better, Gavin. Always.”

He leans down and kisses, me taking my hand in his and we walk toward the exit. I’m nervous as a cat, but I’m excited too.

Tonight is the night.

Tonight I will finally make love to Gavin.

Chapter Fifty

Atticus

“Your date seems to be getting awful close to Meghan Flint.”

“They’re just dancing, Attie,” Jules responds, downing the rest of her drink.

“What are you drinking?”

“Just punch.”

“Yeah, right. If that’s punch, then I’m the King of England.”

“If that’s true, then England is doo…” she breaks off to hiccup. “…oomed.”

I reach over and take her drink.

“Hey give that back,” she cries.

“It’s empty,” I remind her.

“Oh. I’ll have to get another one,” she says with a sigh looking around.

“You need to lay off of it. You’re wasted, Jules.”

“So? What does it matter? You don’t care, neither does Darren. My parents sure as hell don’t care. About the only person that’s ever gave a damn about me is Luna and she’s too busy all up in Gavin’s ass to worry about me.”

“Poor little rich girl,” I snarl, sick of Jules’ attitude. She has it made and doesn’t even appreciate it.

“Fuck you, Atticus,” she seethes, but it would carry more conviction if she wasn’t drunk off her ass and her head wasn’t lolling to the front at an odd angle. I think I even see drool leaking from the side of her mouth.

“You’re such a bitch. You have it made. You’re all poor pitiful me and why? Because your parents set you up in a killer house with a pool, pay your bills, buy you a car, and give you your own fucking credit card? You’re pathetic.”

“You don’t know anything about my life!” she yells standing up, but she doesn’t quite make it because her dress gets tangled up in her chair and she falls back down.

“I know you have it made. You’re just feeling sorry for yourself because your parents are never around to dote attention on you, like the princess you try to pretend you are.”

“Fuck you. You don’t know what it’s like if no one cares if you live or die!”

“Maybe they would care if you weren’t such a whore who only cared about herself.”

“I care, I’d do anything for Luna.”

“Is that why you let Gavin and Luna use your house tonight? You’re disgusting. You’re only trying to turn her into a whore just like you.”

“Are you jealous, Attie? Poor Atticus Lodge, always wanting to make the high school’s most popular girl fall in love with you. But she’ll never see you as more than a faithful dog she can pat on the head and praise sometimes.” She reaches out her hand like she’s going to touch me, and I step back. “Good dog,” she slurs.

“Fuck you, Jules.”

“Go chase your own tail, little puppy. Your brother is getting the homecoming queen’s cherry tonight and once that’s done, you’ll cease to exist for her, even as a pet.”

“You’re a mean drunk, Jules.”

“Just leave me alone, Attie. I don’t want to play with you tonight. You’re not even that good in bed. Your dick is so tiny I barely can feel it inside of me.” She snorts and covers her mouth as she hiccups.

I walk away from her. She disgusts me. She’s the reason Luna is growing away from me.

It’s all her fault. Her and my fucking brother.

Chapter Fifty One

Gavin

I let us in Jules’ house and lock the door behind us. We changed our clothes at a gas station and Luna grabbed a water, but she has barely spoken since. I’m afraid she’s changing her mind…

“Alone at last,” she says, turning around to smile at me.

“Are you having second thoughts, Moonbeam?”

“No… I’m just…”

“Just what?” I ask her, closing the small distance between us and taking her in my arms, holding her so she can feel me. I need her to know that I’m here, and I’ll always be here for her.