Troubled Waters (The Lake Trilogy, Book 2) (12 page)

Will holds me for a long time in the tightest embrace. This is my sweet spot, the place I know that I’m loved, accepted, taken care of. If I ever doubt that, all I have to do is find myself here and it will all become clear again.

Will and I spend the rest of the evening in the Great Room watching TV, catching up on episodes we’ve missed, going back to the first season of new shows we’ve recently started watching.
Gosh, what did people do before DVR and Netflix?

It’s just the type of relaxed time that calms my heart and brings me back into the blissful place of normalcy that we have existed in since Marcus’ location was discovered and his every move monitored. But even though we live in this normalcy, I can’t ignore that it exists because of Luke’s protective team. I wonder how long it’ll be like this. Will Furtick ever enter a room without me thinking he’s there to deliver devastating news? How long will Furtick be a part of our family? In all honesty, I’ve come to love Furtick so much that I hope he never leaves.

I push this uneasiness aside because I’m fully aware that the alternatives are not an option. I couldn’t live in fear of not knowing where Marcus is, but worse than that, I couldn’t live without Will. So I will do whatever it is I need to do to make sure Will and I live a long and happy life together.

I wake up and realize I’m still on the couch, covered by a blanket, alone. I’m not cradled in Will’s arms, nestled in my favorite place as I was before I fell asleep. I stretch and squirm, and as I turn on my side I see a mass of blankets stretched out on the floor next to me. There he is, my love, always the gentleman. He asked Luke’s permission the only time we literally slept together on the couch on prom night. Since this was not a prearranged event, he did the honorable thing and tore himself away to sleep next to, but not with, me. I sigh at his perpetual sweetness a little too loudly and he stirs.

“Good morning, sunshine,” I say. As the words leave my mouth I’m keenly aware that I did not brush my teeth last night. I quickly pull the blanket up enough to cover my mouth and nose so as not to send him back into an unconscious state with my morning breath. “How’s your back from sleeping in the floor? That was very sweet of you.”

He takes his turn to stretch and squirm and smiles as he rubs his eyes. “Morning, babe. Don’t worry about me. I’m great. Being here with you first thing makes any discomfort more than worth it.” He reaches up and moves the blanket from my face so he can give my chin a tug. “I will, however, need to go home to shower and change. I’ve got a great day planned for us.”

“You do?” I say with a huge grin.

“Yes! It’s been far too long since I’ve treated you like the princess you are, so I’m going to remedy that today.” He smiles and raises an eyebrow and I know I needn’t try to ask questions because not a one will be answered.

“Just tell me what to wear and I’m there!” I say sitting up. My stomach growls loudly and we both laugh. “I guess I should eat something, huh? Oh, where’s your mom?”

“She went home last night. She’s enjoying her independence. She loves coming and going as she pleases. She’s good about telling me where she is though. She knows I worry,” he says with a smile.

“Yes, I can understand that. I’m glad she’s embracing her freedom.”

With that we make our way to the kitchen where Claire is whipping up some pancakes. After thoroughly stuffing ourselves Will goes home for a shower and I head upstairs for mine.

I’m excited about spending some real time with him today, even though I know Furtick will be close behind. We never have any private time unless we’re on the dock or have a mostly empty house to ourselves, which is close to never. It’s very similar to the way life was back home.

I let the water rush over me and my mind wanders, thinking only about all things Will. My heart skips a beat and my stomach flips the more I think about every kiss, every touch he has gifted me with. I would have already given myself completely to Will were he not so honorable. I’m amazed at his restraint, but I appreciate it, really. I’ve just recently come into this world where my feelings are considered, and I’m free to express them, so sometimes I’m not sure how to show my own restraint. Will knows that and would never take advantage of me. My virtue being one of his top priorities is one of the things I love so much about him.

Will said to dress for being outdoors, so I dress casually in jeans and a sweater set and comfortable, yet cute, shoes. I’ve just finished pulling part of my hair back when my phone buzzes letting me know I either have new emails or texts. I’m hoping there’s an email there from Caroline spilling the beans about her new boyfriend, or confirming their visit, but when I pull up the text I see that it is from Marcus.

             
M. Reynolds: I’m growing impatient, Layla.

             
M. Reynolds: I’ve made all the arrangements I need to here. I expect to have
              your undivided attention when I return.

Heart attack.
What do I do? Do I respond? Do I ignore him?
No. I do the only thing there is to do. I rush downstairs to tell Luke and Furtick. With each step I’m praying that Will isn’t there yet. I don’t want him to know, not yet at least. I don’t want whatever he has planned today to be ruined. He’s so excited about it. I just couldn’t do that do him. It’s not like I’m keeping it from him. I am going to tell him…just not right away.

There’s no sign of Will yet so I start calling for Luke and Furtick. It doesn’t take long for them to appear at the ready.

“He texted me,” I say extending my phone out for them both to see. Furtick snatches it from my hand and he and Luke review the messages. Furtick pulls his phone out and as he’s walking away I can hear that he’s talking with Taylor.

“That’s it, you’re not leaving the house except to go to classes,” Luke says firmly.

“Will and I have plans today…” I begin.

“I’m sorry, Layla, but you and Will can spend the day here. I can’t risk something happening to you. I won’t lose you.” Luke embraces me showing both his vulnerability and steadfastness. Every time Luke says something like that or looks at me with desperate eyes I know that he’s thinking of Penny. Defending Claire and me is like breathing for Luke. I would never take that away from him, but I can’t live like this.

“Taylor and Cline still have eyes on Mr. Reynolds and his sister, so he hasn’t left Charlotte yet. There’s no way to know when he’ll make his move. He’ll most likely drive, but we’re monitoring all flights just in case.” Furtick is typing furiously away at my phone.

“What are you doing? You’re not replying to him, are you?” I’m totally freaked out right now.

“No, not at all. I’m syncing our phones. Any emails, messages or calls you receive, I’ll have access to them,” he replies as he hands my phone back to me.

“I get personal stuff on there!” I protest, immediately regretting my whiney tone.

“You could get a personal text from the President but it won’t matter. I only care about the communication you receive from Mr. Reynolds. You’ve got to take this seriously, Layla.” Furtick’s eyes are set on me. This is the first time he’s called me by my given name. This is turning personal for him. Perhaps he finally sees us as the family that I see him.

“Ok…sorry,” I say sheepishly. I forget sometimes just how hard everyone is working to keep me safe. I feel bad that I’ve disrespected that with my whining. Furtick gives me his signature wink and I know it’s ok.

“Uncle Luke, about today…Marcus isn’t anywhere near here…and I just really need this time with Will. I need to have time with Will where
all this
isn’t happening,” I say waving my phone in the air. “Wasn’t that the point of everything all of you did? So Will and I could have a life together? Being sequestered to the house is not living.” I pause, studying my uncle’s face, praying that he hears how desperate I am to have just one normal day with Will. “Please. I won’t refuse Furtick’s follow.” I look at Luke with desperate eyes, hoping he sees how important this is to me. I don’t want my day with Will to be tainted. I want it to be the perfect day he’s planned it to be.

Luke stares at me for a long time. I can see the wheels turning behind his eyes and know that there is so much more at stake for him here. He lost Penny so tragically. There was nothing he could do to stop her death, but now that I’m here he’ll be damned if he doesn’t do everything he can to make sure I don’t go anywhere. I love him for this. It’s the protection I had from my father until the second he died. It’s the protection I missed during my time with Gram and Gramps.

There’s a knock at the door. It’s the same quick knock Will gives just before he opens the door to the house that has become just as much his home as it is ours. Will’s arrival is the ding on the proverbial timer forcing Luke to make a decision. He looks to Furtick who gives him a slight nod indicating that he’ll be just as much my shadow today as he is every other day.

“Ok…but, I don’t care that Marcus is still in Charlotte…Furtick
has
to follow as usual.” I hug him and tell him thank you over and over again. “I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you, Layla. I love you so much,” he whispers.

“I love you too. I could never fully thank you for all you’ve done for me.”

Luke looks at me and I have to fight back tears. I am so overwhelmed by the enormity of his love. There was a time I thought being loved the way my father loved me was over. But right now, being here in Luke’s arms, I feel like my heart could burst.

I have just enough time to get to a bathroom and pull myself together before Will sees me in my upset state. When I emerge he’s in the kitchen waiting patiently for me, handsome as ever.

“Hey babe, you look beautiful,” he says kissing my cheek.

“Thank you. You’re always so sweet. I’m ready for Will and Layla’s Day of Fun! Our shadow will be with us, but it’s still going to be a great day. I promise.” I say.

“No worries. I’m on board with whatever is best in keeping you safe.”

Will takes my hand and leads me to the front of the house and to his car. He gets me settled in the front seat and as I watch him cross in front of the car I flashback to our first date. He rakes his fingers through his hair and I feel the same warmth come over as I did that night. His very presence elicits a feeling in me that I never knew existed. To say I love Will seems like such a subpar expression. What I feel for Will is so much deeper. I would
give
anything,
do
anything for him. I would sacrifice my life to be with him, and there is nothing that could ever change that.

“I found out about this place from your friend Finn. The real blooming months aren’t until January through April, but Finn said it’s still really beautiful. He’s a pretty cool guy,” Will says pulling into the Maclay Gardens State park. “Oh, and, uh, I’m not worried about Finn.” So he’s found out Finn plays for the other team. I wonder if Finn harmlessly flirted with him and the thought of that makes me giggle.

“This is lovely. Thank you, Will!” I kiss him as I exit the car and he closes the door behind me. We find the brick path and Will takes my hand as we walk. It feels so good, normal, to be here with him like this. “How is your mom? She doesn’t talk much,” I ask, working to make normal conversation. Will is much better at normal conversation than I am, but I’m learning.

“She’s good. She’s feeling a weird mix of emotions. She loves school, and she’s getting used to the weather here,” he chuckles. “Oddly enough she misses my dad. She’s broken down with me a few times, and sometimes I hear her crying at night.”

“Oh, Will. I guess I never thought of that.” I give his hand a little squeeze.

“She feels bad sometimes that we left the way we did. It takes a lot of conversation to remind her of what our life was like with him, and what our life is like now. After over a decade of training by him, it’s going to take some time for her to find herself again.”

“I can imagine,” I say.

Will’s gait slows a bit and his face betrays him.

“What is it, Will?”

“If I asked you…what my dad was like…at the funeral…would you tell me?” he asks.

“Um…I’m not sure you want my input. My interpretation of your father’s demeanor at…on that day is a bit jaded. But…I’ll tell you if you’d like,” I say.

“Yes, please,” he says quietly. He doesn’t look at me. He just continues to walk slowly, holding my hand. It’s almost as if he’s forcing himself to know for sure what he’s suspected his whole life: that his father couldn’t have cared less about him and his mother.

I’m hesitant. I don’t really know how to tell Will his father’s eulogy was riddled with lies and misrepresentations. I want to be honest with him but I don’t want to hurt him. But since we’ve promised not to hold back our thoughts or feelings, I’ll tell him what he wants to know.

“Well, I never saw him cry, which bothered me a lot. Tyler let me squeeze his hand when I felt upset. Needless to say he had to ice his hand by the end of the service.” We both smile knowing what an incredible friend Tyler had been. “He talked about what a
fine
wife and mother your mom was, always helping others. This was probably the most accurate thing he said.”

“What did he say about me?” Will’s quiet tone makes my heart sad. This is something he must have been thinking about for a long time. If my parent’s lost me the way Mr. Meyer
lost
Will, my father would have had to be committed. They never would have made it through a funeral. Will doesn’t have this assurance. Nothing in his life told him his father truly loved him. I can’t imagine what that would feel like.