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

had character and integrity. He didn’t care if anyone agreed with him, or not. He’s the one who showed me what it means to be a man…to stick up for what you believe…to protect your friends and the person you love most in the world. Will was everything I wanted to be. I’m gonna do my best to live up to the bar he set. I love you, man.” Tyler can’t contain it any longer and the sobs come again. I slide over and wrap my arms around him like he did for me that night in the Asheville vineyard.
    “Shh…shh…” I hold him tight and stroke his hair. “It’s ok…it’s ok…”
    “Layla, do you want to say anything?” Caroline asks after Ty has pulled himself together.
    “Yes,” I answer. Breathe. Just Breathe . “Will was the bright light at the end of a very long, very dark tunnel I had been in. A tunnel I never thought I’d get out of. He was everything you have all said, and more. Despite his upbringing Will was capable of this immense and immeasurable love. He taught me how to be loved and that I didn’t have to be so strong all the time. He taught me how to trust again. He gave me things I thought I’d never have. Things like peace and comfort and assurance. I loved him more than I thought one person could love another and I will never stop loving him.”
    The others slide next to Tyler and me and we sit crying together until all that’s left is the silence of night. We’ve given Will what he deserved: a memorial that spoke to who he really was, not some ideal that his father wanted to portray. For us, Will’s memory will live on in the truths we have spoken tonight, and that’s all that really matters.
    “Thank you so much. I didn’t think I was going to be able to do this, but I’m glad I did it. It was the memorial Will deserved,” I say quietly, not wanting to disturb the peacefulness.
    “It was also the closure you needed, Layla.” Caroline rubs soft circles on my back.
    “Yeah…I guess it was,” I say.
    I don’t tell them about the ring or about how even though Will is dead, there’s something in me that just can’t let go of him yet. There’s a reason he made sure I had that ring and I’ve got to find out what it is.
    I made Luke promise that we would leave the day after the memorial – there’s no way I can stick around this town with all its haunting memories – but when Caroline walks me out to the rental car I can’t help but feel a twinge of regret in the decision.
    “I really don’t want to say goodbye to you again,” I tell her.
    “I know. I don’t either. But we’re both going back to school, so that should keep us occupied, right?” she says as she throws her arms around my neck.
    “Yes, lots to keep us busy.” I haven’t told her about the situation with Marcus, which, after Will, is the thing currently occupying my mind – that and the fact that Luke has taken his fatherly duties to DEFCON 1. “Let’s not get too busy to stay in touch, ok? You’re a sister to me, Caroline. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have you.” I hold her tightly, not wanting to let go.
    “I love you, too, Layla.” Caroline hugs me fiercely and we have to force ourselves apart when Claire says we absolutely have to leave. “Text me when you land, ok?”
    “Ok. I’ll miss you.” I force a smile and make myself get into the car.

Chapter 6
     
    I don’t know how, but I actually made it through a whole month of classes after Will’s memorial. It’s amazing what one can accomplish on autopilot. The few friends I’m making were not oblivious to my demeanor and showed the proper amount of concern when I told them that a dear friend had passed away. Had I told them it was my boyfriend, my love, my soul mate, it would have been a catastrophic case of sympathy, which I don’t want or need. I suppose it’s actually been really good that I’ve had school. If not for the busyness of classes and homework, I’m not sure where I’d be.
    Walking into the house