“There is a rumor that Easton got you pregnant and you are so desperate for him that you said if he wouldn’t be with you, you’d you know—” London leaned in and whispered, “get an abortion.”
I gasped and stumbled back. I felt like I just got slapped in the face. My heart shattered. Tears sprung to my eyes, and I tossed my books down, turned my head to the fleeting Easton Moore, and stomped my way down the hall. I hated him so much. Why couldn’t he just leave me alone?
I wished I never met him.
“Easton!” I yelled at the top of my lungs to get his attention.
“No, don’t, Luna!” London tried to stop me, but I pulled out of her grasp and ran down the hall. Easton turned around with a cocky knowing smile, and I shoved his chest.
“What the hell is your problem? Why can’t you just leave me alone?”
“What is it, Luna?” His eyes sparkled with mischief and lies. “You come to get you more?” He laughed while his jock friends slapped his back. There was no remorse in his eyes, and I knew that nothing I said would make a difference.
“I’d never sleep with you, Easton. Ever. I don’t know what game you’re playing at, but I am not pregnant.”
“You made sure of that, didn’t you?” one of the jocks scoffed, hinting that I already had the abortion.
“You’re going to let this happen? You’re going to let them talk about me like that?” I didn’t want to cry, but I felt my eyes getting ready to burst and overflow. “What the hell happened to you, Easton? The guy that used to care about me couldn’t care less. What did I ever do to you?”
I saw it. The split second of him feeling guilty. He felt bad, but as soon as it came, it was gone, replaced with a smug smile. “You wish I cared about you like that. You already miss me, don’t you?”
“I couldn’t miss you less, Easton. That’s the truth. Tell them I’m not pregnant. Tell them we have never been together. Tell them!” I shoved his chest again, and he laughed, faking fear as he lifted his hands.
“Why would I lie about that? You practically threw yourself at me.”
My mouth fell open as I watched him turn around and head toward the gym with his friends, leaving me with tears running down my face. What was worse was that I knew I could never hate Easton.
And I hated myself for it.
“Back the fuck away!” a loud voice bellowed, and I recognize it anywhere. It was Ethan, the second oldest Moore brother. “Take my word for it assholes, my brother is full of shit and is as much of a virgin as any of you. He is a lying sack.” People started to disperse, but I was left in the middle of the hall, my arms wrapped around my stomach, and London and Oliver flanking my sides.
Ethan cupped my face and brushed away my tears. “Hey, you okay, Luna?”
I shook my head, doing my best not to break down and sob. I wanted to be stronger, but I had no idea how the guy I married under an oak tree could be so cruel to me. Ethan grabbed my backpack off the ground and wrapped his arm through the strap.
The rest of the brothers were always so nice to me. “Come on, let’s get you out of here. We can skip class and go get one of those milkshakes you love so much from Kathy’s.”
“No, I don’t want to run away,” I said. “I don’t want him to win.”
“He already has, Luna. Everyone believes him. I’m sorry my brother is an ass. You still have the rest of us Moore’s. I’ll be by your side,” he said. Over the years, while Easton and I were friends, I got close with the other brothers too, and they kind of became a second family. I loved them to pieces. I just hated that I loved Easton the most.
“You might get thrown under the rumor mill if you hang out with me.”
“I’m alright with that. We know the truth, Luna. That’s what matters.” Ethan wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Come on, let's skip and have a good day. This place can suck it.”
I laughed from the crude language and wiped my face. “Okay, but can we go play putt-putt too?”
“Can we? I’m going to kick your butt in putt-putt,” Ethan grinned as he held the door open for me. The fresh air felt amazing against my red, wet cheeks. I took a deep breath and smiled. He was right. I needed this.
“We are coming too,” London said, dragging Oliver behind her as we made our way to Ethan’s truck.
As I climbed into Ethan’s truck, I saw Easton outside with his friends throwing the football. He watched, never taking his eyes off me, and for the first time, I was the one to rip my eyes away.
I was done with Easton Moore.
Forever and ever.
That oak could burn to the ground for all I cared.