Page 15 of Second Draft

His dark brows are drawn down, blue eyes full of concern.

I can’t do this right now. My hands are already shaking, and tears burn my vision. I still can’t believe that he’s Travis’ brother. I swear fate has it in for me.

Almost a year I’ve spent dreaming about those eyes, the taste of his lips on mine.

I’ve never been kissed like that.Ever.

I’d been on a high for days afterwards, debating whether or not to call him. A week later, I finally built up the nerve to dial the numbers. But his damn phone had either been disconnected, or worse, he’d given me fake digits.

In a way, I believed it was for the best. I didn’t expect to see him again. But here he is, standing in front of me, all sexy and brooding – and the brother of the man whose baby I’m carrying.

Fucking perfect.

“Are you all right?” He tilts his head, studying me.

“I’m running late.” I fidget with my keys, and look down at my hands.

“What’s going on?”

My back teeth grind together and I look away. “You should ask Travis.”

“I’m asking you.” He leans in, so close I can smell his scent, feel his warm breath on my cheek.

“It’s…complicated.”

“Yeah.” He rubs the back of his neck. “You said that last night.”

“Look. I don’t want to get in the middle of you and Travis. You’re his family, and I’m…” I swallow hard and look away. “I’m just some girl that got mixed up with the wrong guy.”

Or more specifically, the wrong brother.

Carter’s nostrils flare and he glances back at the house, eyes narrowed, like he’s ready to beat the shit out of his brother. “I don’t know what he did–”

“He didn’t do anything.” That’s not technically true, but it isn’t my place to tell him what happened. God this is awkward. “You really need to talk to Travis. I know you two aren’t that close, but–”

“He told you that?”

I shrug. “It’s kind of obvious. But you’re still brothers. And this whole situation is just going to get more difficult once…”

Shit.

“Once what?” he demands.

Once I have your brother’s baby.

“Just give me a couple days to get my stuff together and I’ll be out of here.” I open the driver’s side door, then get in.

Carter shoves his hands in his jean pockets, but doesn’t move, even as I start to pull out of the driveway.

Once I turn the corner, far from Carter’s prying gaze, I let out the shaky breath I was holding in, and with trembling fingers, I pull out my cell and dial Kira.

“Bar guy is back,” I say when she answers, trying desperately to suppress the emotions that stir in my chest.

“Really? You saw him?” Of all the people in this messed up world, Kira knows me the best. She also knows what that night in the bar did to me. For a few short days, it made me believe again. Believe that life isn’t always so cruel, and that maybe there really are happy endings, even for girls like me.

What bullshit.

“So?” Kira pushes.

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