Letting You Go (Stone Lake 1)

“Don’t you think you’ve done enough, Gavin?” Atticus sneers.

I’m so fucking confused. I know it shows on my face, but I can’t figure out what’s going on here. Luna is looking at me with so much pain that I don’t understand anything.

“Luna—”

“Luna doesn’t want anything to do with you anymore. I hate that you’re my brother. I know you thought it was a game to get Luna to stay the night with you. You thought you would hurt me by using her, but this is low even for you, Gavin. Did you have fun spreading it all over the school that you slept with her? Did you get off on destroying her reputation? You’re lucky the principal is here to save you, or I’d kill you!”

“What in the fuck—” I bark the words, breaking off to lunge at my worthless brother for even thinking I’d do that. I hear Luna cry out as I’m pulled back again—by both the security guard and the principal. Their holds are like vices, and I have no hope of resisting. Still, I don’t turn around, I keep fighting them. “Let me go! Luna, I didn’t do that. You have to believe me,” I yell.

She looks at me, but all I can see are her tears. Atticus pulls her with him, and they turn their backs on me as the principal drags me down the hall toward his office. She doesn’t believe me. I can tell that she doesn’t.

Why should she?

The truth is I’ve been avoiding Luna all day. I had to. It was best for all involved—definitely best for her. At least, that’s what I kept chanting in my head all day. I almost convinced myself too.

But I needed to see her.

I thought I’d only go check on her. I’d see her from a distance and reassure myself she was okay, while getting a brief glance of her. That’s all I was going to do. But, when I got here and saw Larry standing so close to her, watched as he reached out and grabbed her… hurt her… I couldn’t stop myself. I can’t ever seem to control myself when I’m around her. I never thought that staying away from her would be doing more harm than good.

Who would have started those tales?

It sure as hell wasn’t me. When I look over my shoulder, I see my brother looking at me and see the victory in his eyes. There’s my answer.

Fucking Atticus.

Chapter Eleven

Luna

“Are you okay, Luna?” Atticus questions, and I don’t bother answering. I’m not okay. I may never be okay again.

“Of course she’s not okay, dumbass. Your brother has destroyed her,” Jules snaps, pushing Atticus out of the way.

We’re sitting outside on one of the concrete tables the school has placed around the back courtyard. We all congregate here every day for lunch and usually there’s chatter and plenty of laughter. It’s one of the best parts of my day. Now it is definitely one of the worst.

“It’s going to be okay, Luna,” Jules says, petting my hair trying to bring me comfort.

It doesn’t work. She’s lying. It will not be okay. There’s no way that any of this will be okay ever again.

“This is all my fault.”

My heart squeezes inside of my chest.

“It’s not,” I whisper, my voice sounding raw and painful.

“It is. I—”

“You aren’t responsible for Gavin, Attie,” I tell him, and it hurts just saying his name. I close my eyes against the force of that anguish.

“It’s going to be okay,” Jules insists stubbornly. “You were too good for the likes of Gavin Lodge. He doesn’t deserve you,” she says, hugging me and I let her. I put my forehead against hers and cry, taking whatever comfort my bestie can give me, but definitely feeling alone.

“This is my fault,” Atticus says again, and I wish he’d just hush. I wish they’d all leave but Jules. She’s the only one I want to see me when it feels like my world has imploded.

“You’ll get through this, Luna.”

Jules is right. I will get through this, but only because I don’t have a choice.

“He did this because of me,” Atticus mumbles. I force myself to look at him as Jules turns around to face him.

“What are you saying?” Jules asks and Atticus looks at me and I see grief and guilt written on his face. He’s blaming himself and I hate that. This is all my fault, not his.

“Gavin knew I cared about Luna. He knew I…” he breaks off, looking uncomfortable.

“Attie, I don’t—”

“He knew I had feelings for you, Luna. He knew it and he wanted to cause me pain. He always wants to cause me pain. My brother gets pleasure in hurting me. That’s the kind of guy he is. He went after you because he knew that would hurt me like nothing else he could do.”