Troubled Waters (The Lake Trilogy, Book 2) by AnnaLisa Grant Read Free Book Online

respected her for that.
    “William was a brilliant young man with a bright future ahead of him. He had recently made some difficult changes so he could focus on what was really important in life, having just finalized his registration for classes at Princeton. He was strong-willed and stubborn…like his father. Perhaps that’s why we butted heads so much. But William was a special young man. I loved my son and I will miss him and his mother very much.”
    Gregory Meyer’s farce of a eulogy is cold and emotionless. It makes me sick to hear him say he respected his wife and loved his son. He doesn’t know the first thing about love and respect. If he did he would never have done to us what he did, and right now I wouldn’t be staring at an urn filled with the ashes of the only man I’ll ever love. I watch him saunter back to his seat like he’s walking back from the buffet at the country club and Tyler’s hand takes a big hit to its circulation.
    I look at the two urns placed decoratively on a table in the front of the room. All that’s left of him is ash. I won’t even be able to look at his body one more time to say goodbye. Goodbye. I wish I had held him longer, kissed him more passionately. Now it’s too late. I’ll never hear his voice, feel his arms around me, or his lips against mine again. I’ll spend the rest of my life hoping I didn’t waste a single second with him, and wondering what our life together might have been like if his father had allowed Will to love whoever he wanted.
    An odd thought strikes me as I consider Will’s mother: Will is lucky. It’s a terrible thought, but it’s true. Will lost his mother but he will never have to endure the pain that accompanies that loss. He won’t go through his life feeling like a part of him is missing, living with the regrets of wasted time and senseless arguments. He can rest in peace having died next to the only other person in the world who loved him more than I did.
    We walk through the receiving line to give our obligatory condolences to Mr. Meyer, not that he wants or needs them. He’s probably glad they’re out of his way. Now he can go on and be seen in the community as the grieving widower, mourning the loss not only of his wife but of his son as well. I politely shake his hand – even though it makes my skin crawl – and wonder how long until his new bit of stuff comes around to be Mrs. Meyer number five.
    “Thank you, Layla. Believe it, or not, I’m sorry for you as well. We disagreed on your place in Will’s life, but I know how you felt about him. I know it’s a terrible loss for you.” He almost sounds sincere, but I know that’s not possible since sincerity comes from the heart, which Gregory Meyer does not possess.
    “Thank you, Mr. Meyer,” I force myself to say cordially.
    “You can come back to Davidson now, you know. Since your relationship with Will is no longer an issue, you and your aunt and uncle are welcome back.” He says it as if granting us permission, which I suppose he is. After all, he does unofficially own this town.
    Luke steps in before I say or do something I’ll regret. “That won’t be necessary, Greg. We’re all set up down there. And, well, you’ll understand why I don’t think our working relationship will withstand recent events.” Luke extends his hand, “We’re very sorry for your loss.”
    I step outside for some fresh air and stand across the street from the Village Green. I stare out, recalling that day over a year ago when I first met Will. Who would have thought that the boy I ran into that hot summer night would have changed my life so dramatically? I’m a better person because of him. I’m suddenly aware and afraid of what my life will be like without him. A world without Will Meyer is a tragedy and I’m not sure how I will exist in it.
    “There’s a reception at the Meyer’s. Are you interested in going?” Claire asks softly as she puts her arm around my shoulder.
    “No.