WHEN THE RAIN STOPS- Scrutinized [TANNER x LUNA] 2 IN 1

SIDE STORY PT. EIGHT

|LUNA|

I answered the phone, it was Anthony my eyes widened. "Hello?" My shaky voice and hands did not go unnoticed. Laurence stood right behind me and held my shoulders, leaning down to the side of my ear to hear the other line. "Heyyy Luna. I had fun last night...even though you fell asleep before I could do anything more. I'm not a monster." He chuckled I covered my mouth in shock and started tearing up. Leaning back onto Laurence before I fell. "You still got it ya know. I'll go to my grave saying 'Luna Youngman is the best kisser on this planet.. and moon.'" He snickered as if someone had just said a hilarious joke. I scoffed "y-you.." my voice was aching, I couldn't bring myself to say it. "But the only thing that bothered me was that you called me." He groaned, annoyed "Tanner." Laurence grabbed the phone and Layla comforted me. "LISTEN HERE YOU SON OF A BITCH. IF YOU EVER COME NEAR LUNA, OH JUST YOU WAIT."

I cried into Layla's arms as Laurence hung up the phone. It was around 6:30 and I had to go to work in an hour. "I-I have to go to work," "can't you call off?"
I shook my head Layla rubbed my back. "We'll leav you to get to it then.. call if he comes around again." "Ok..thanks." They left and I was alone again, in the cold house. I went to my room and tried to get some extra sleep. It was no use, I couldn't. I got back up and got a drink of water from the kitchen. I sat there thinking on how I was gonna hide the marks.

I rubbed my temples and went to put on another jacket. I could wear my hair loose, to cover up the sides of my neck. Once I left I got in my car and drove to the station. I saw Jared and Nicole give me a look. I waved but they just looked away. I saw everyone was giving me a look today, besides one person. August. He came up to me in my office "good morning Ms. Youngman." "August.. I already told you, call me Luna." We smiled and he nervously chuckled. "My bad." "Anyway what's up? Need help with something?" He shook his head "there's a rumor.. Going around. About you." My interest was peaks and I gave him my full attention "what is it?" "Just for that you know... I won't judge. I mean like you do you." Another nervous laugh came out "Travis said..you cheated on him...with a wanted criminal..." my eyes widened into a shocked expression. "He said...What?!" I got up with an 'ughh' and went to his office to confront him.

The door swung open "YOU PIECE OF SHIT." "Luna?!" "YEA, WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT ME? THAT I CHEATED ON YOU?!" I scoffed "WE WERE NEVER EVEN DATING YOU SICKO." "WE HOOKED UP. BETTER?!" " NO! AND YOU KNOW WHY I DID IT? BECAUSE I FELT HORRIBLE THAT YOU MISSED MY COUSIN, THAT MUCH."
He scoffed "AND TANNER ISNT WANTED!" "YES HE IS YOUNGMAN! HE MATCHES THE DESCRIPTION, AND HES SUSPICIOUS! SO BRING. HIM. IN." I slammed my fist on his desk "Look I've had a bad say today, so BACK OFF." I walked back to my office and slammed the door.

Laying my head on desk always helped when I was stressed. It let me take a break from the world. I sat there rubbing my temples when August knocked. "Come in." "Are you ok? What's wrong? Besides the douche bag problem." We laughed at his joke. "Wait.. are those?.." he pointed to my neck. I gave him an ashamed look "someone...roofied me, last night.." August stood there for a moment then came over to give me a hug. "I get it now... I'm sorry." "It's just been..hard. Travis and Anthony won't leave me alone." "Wait was this Travis?" I shook my head on his chest "it was Anthony. But it almost happened with Travis..the night he accused Tanner of being a criminal. Thank god Tanner was there that night." I scoffed a laugh with August. "Sounds like Tanner is a nice guy. I would like to meet him someday." "That would be nice. But thank you for believing me..and for telling me instead of just judging like the others."

"No problem. They're all just toxic." "Even Jared and Nicole. I thought they were my friends.." "yea..me too." He patted my head and we let go of the hug. After chatting for a few more minutes, August had to go to a crime scene. Whole for me, it was lunch. He walked me out and I decided to walk that day. I saw him drive off as I went to get a salad and water from the corner store. I also bought some flowers. I drove and drove til I was finally at the place I could talk to someone alone. The cemetery. I grabbed my food and water and walked to Sarah's grave. I sat down next it and started talking out loud, as if she could talk back. In my mind she did talk back. She would give me the best advice and we would recall fond memories together. I asked her what I should do.. for once she was quiet "Cmon Sarah, I can't do this alone. I need someone to help me. I was never good with this boy stuff, I always had you or your mom to help me..so please answer.." nothing.

I sighed and got up. "Fine I get it. You want me to figure it out by myself. Well...thanks anyway.." I patted her tombstone, and with a hushed voice I told her "I..miss you..." and left. I drove back to my job and once again Jared and Nicole stared at me. But this time it was with pity. I waved and the waved back. I walked into my office and August came in "how was lunch?" "Heh, it was nice. I went to go visit Sarah." I smiled and he gave me a warm smile back. August had red hair with light blue/green eyes..maybe hazel, and he had freckles. He was nice and kinda adorable. Like a puppy. "That sounds good. Hey uh, I told Jared and Nicole." I nodded "alright and what did they say?" I was close enough to them so it didn't bother me that he told them. "They felt bad for staring at you and giving you the death glare."

I laughed "how bad?" He chuckled "to the pin to where they wanted to buy you a gift card." I cracked up at the irony. "Oh god, that was funny. Good job August." He smiled like a kid and said "no problem!"
Before going back to his desk to work. I was cheered up enough to do work. I started with some files, then I worked on more reports. A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts. "It's 9:30 Luna." August had a slight look of concern on his face I checked the time, I was way over my shift. Usually I'm here til 7:30. I got my stuff and walked out with him. We said our goodbyes and I got into my car. I leaned back and rubbed my eyes. I was exhausted. "Ohhhh goddd.." I exclaimed to myself in a sleepy voice. "Having a rough night Luna?" I show up and looked behind me. It was Tanner "Tanner! Again?! THE Fuck?!" He giggled then looked in my rear view mirror. He saw the hickeys.

He moved my hair out of the way and looked over to them "weird.. I don't remember leaving those there." He leaned into my ear and asked "Who's been playing with my Luna?..." he licked his lips I cleared my throat. "It's a long story." He rested his chin in his palms "go on." "Ughhh, fine get in the front seat then." He got out and came to the front. I told him everything on the drive home. His smile turned sinister. "Hmmm was it the same Anthony I told you was bad news? Or a different one you haven't told me about?" I sighed "the same one. But it was out of the blue. I thought.. I thought it was you." His ears blushed pink "well then I don't suppose I can blame you for that." He chuckled. "And what about Travis today? You told me you went back to work. How was it?" "Travis told everyone I cheated on him with you, a wanted criminal." He clenched his pant leg "You just love making men in your life mad, huh?" "Hey! It's not like I want them to be. They just don't like it when I stand them down." "Then you have nothing to worry about. I'll take care of them." He smiled wider. "Please don't." "Hm? And why not?" "Because I'll probably get dragged down with you. And if I'm being honest I don't want to be in the car with a murderer." "But you already are. You see I'm not going to change just because your a cop, and you wont change just because I'm a murderer. Therefore we shouldn't get in each other's way."

Another exhale left my mouth "fine. But next time in the future, don't tell me beforehand. It makes me involved." He nodded "tomorrow then." "Tomorrow what?" "I'll have my food." I parked on the side and went in with Tanner. It bothered me that he was doing this. But what else could I do? I smirked as I got an idea. I put down my stuff and grabbed Tanners hand. "C'mere." I dragged him to the room and slammed him on the bed. "Luna.. what are you doing?" "Just watch.." I went in my drawer and brought out 2 sets of handcuffs. He looked pleasantly surprised. I crawled up to his face and sat down, straddling his lap. I leaned down and made out with him as I put the handcuffs on his hands. Then I cuffed him to the bed. I massaged his shoulders, then broke the make out session. I held the back of his head, lowly playing with his hair. I came down to whisper, while looking at his lips. "Now...you can't leave...til the day after tomorrow."

He did a realization chuckle, "ohhhohooo, you sneaky little mutt...you tricked me." He smirked and I nodded. "You we're getting pretty excited. I could tell." I giggled. "Yes I was..but I have one questions."
He whimpered "please..." then he sorta moaned out "f-fuck me..."