Page 12 of Gunner

“From the party?” I nod my head.

“That’s him. Good kids, too.”

“You don’t want a baby again.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But you don’t want one with a woman you barely know.”

“Didn’t say that either. I’m not one to walk away, Nat. I’ll be here for whatever you need.”

“I don’t know what I need,” she confesses. I don’t blame her. I wouldn’t know what to do in her situation either. This is a lot to deal with right now.

“Well, I know you need to see a doctor, and I’ll cover that. We have one who works with the club, or I can get you insurance. Your choice.”

“I can’t afford insurance,” she whispers.

“I said I’ll cover it.”

“Gunner? What would you do if you were me?” she asks. I don’t know how to answer that. I don’t know what to say to her.

“I honestly don’t know.”

“What if a part of me wanted to keep it? Would that bother you?”

“No.” I don’t need to think about it. It’s a life. It’s a small life growing inside her. I just don’t know how I’d handle a baby at my age. How would this work out?

“I should go.”

“You should stay,” I tell her. She shakes her head and stands, sighing.

“I need to go. I think we’ve had enough excitement for the day.”

“You have nowhere to go, Nat. Stay here. I’ll get you a room for yourself.”

“I can’t do that. Thank you, though.”

“Why not? You need a place to stay. You can’t live on the streets like this,” I point out to her. I’m about to protest. I’m about to throw my weight around, but I don’t know this girl. I don’t know anything about her and I can’t just force her to do something.

“I get it. I do, and I’m working on saving enough money to get a place, but for now, this is what I have to do.”

“No, you don’t. You can stay here.”

“I’ll come back. I promise.”

“Nat, come on. Think about this.” I want to know she’s safe. I want to know she isn’t hurt, and the only way to know that is if she stays here.

“I will. I promise, but for now, I need to go,” she says. I nod my head, knowing I can’t make her stay. I wish I could, but I’m not that kind of guy.

“You need anything, you come back, yeah?”

“Okay. I will. I won’t disappear on you, Gunner.”

“Good. That’s good to know.” I shove myself up and walk over, pulling her into my arms. “It’s gonna be okay.”

“Thank you.” She pulls away, and I watch her walk down the driveway, and something in my chest aches. How can she not want to stay here where she’d have a bed and food? Why wouldn’t she take me up on my offer?

I run my hand through my hair when Hodge pulls in on his bike. He shuts it down and climbs off, walking toward me.

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