Page 95 of The Devastation You Reap

“What does that even mean, Lee?”

“It doesn’t matter.” She studies me for a beat before saying something that makes my world momentarily fall out from beneath me.

“That’s good because I don’t think Macie would be overly impressed with you being here holding my sister’s hand and wiping her tears.”

All the air rushes from my lungs.

“How do you—”

“Letty spent the afternoon with your girl.”

“Fucking hell,” I moan, running my fingers through my hair and pulling it back from my face.

“Did you know you’re in the dog house? You’ve barely even made her yours and you’ve fucked it up.”

“Don’t beat around the bush, Peyton.”

“Why should I? I’m on Macie’s side here.”

“H-how… You don’t even know her.”

“Maybe not. But Letty does. And let’s just say that girl code is a real thing.”

“You know, there’s a very good reason why I haven’t told any of you about her yet.”

“Oh we know. But unfortunately for you, we can play the game too.”

“Game? What are you talking about?”

She takes a step toward me, her eyes hard and holding a warning. “If you’re fucking her around, then you need to walk away now.”

“Who said I’m fucking around?”

“No one but we all know you better than you think we do, and something is going on with you. Your past that everyone pussyfoots around, Brett—” A shudder rips through me at just hearing his name on her lips. “Now Macie? You don’t do serious, Leon, so what’s going on?”

“What do you know about what I do and don’t do? You haven’t been here for almost six years. You don’t get to stand there and judge me,” I hiss, aware that Libby is watching and listening to everything.

“Judging? Are you being serious? I’m worried, Leon. We’re all worried.”

“Yeah well, you don’t need to be. I know what I’m doing.”

“I hope for everyone’s sake that you do because if you hurt anyone I care about, an innocent girl who believes you’re something you're not, then that family you were just talking to Libby about, may no longer exist for you.”

A bitter laugh rips from my throat.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I really hope you’re right, Leon. I really do.”

She steps aside so I can pass and after a brief look back at a very confused Libby, I take a step forward to leave, but Peyton’s tiny hand wraps around my bare forearm.

I pause beside her but keep my eyes locked on the door.

“I’m sorry, Lee,” she whispers. “I…” She sucks in a breath, giving herself a moment to gather her thoughts. “You're my family, my brother. I love you and I’m worried about you. I know something is going on and it’s killing me that you won’t open up to any of us.”

My chest aches as her words flow through me.

I have no idea how it’s happened, but I lived for years with no one knowing there was anything up with me. Even Mom never really questioned me, she probably just believed I was a grumpy teenager. But the last few weeks something has changed. I’ve got no idea if I let my mask slip or what but people are starting to see my cracks and I fucking hate it.