Page 17 of Second Draft

“I’m twenty-two. Not fifteen. There’s no reason I can’t raise this baby on my own.”

“You know I’m here for you no matter what you decide.”

“I know. Thank you.” I end the call as I pull into the parking lot of the Animal Shelter.

I’ve already made my decision. I know it isn’t going to be easy, but the choice is mine to make. I’ll sign whatever paperwork Travis wants me to sign to relieve him of all obligations. It’s probably better that way.

I can do this.

Without Travis.

Without Carter.

It’s the second one that makes my throat tighten. Because I realize now that despite everything, up until the moment he told me he was Travis’ brother, I actually believed that one day my Bar Guy, the guy who’d saved my life, my own dark hero, would walk into my life again, and maybe – just maybe – I really would get my happy ending.

I swipe my tears away with the back of my hands, and look in the mirror at the blotchy face that stares back at me.

Time to toughen up, because the reality is, there’s no white knight coming to my rescue this time.

Chapter 5

Carter

“She’s pregnant?” I stare at my brother, unbelieving. Jealousy wars with anger. And that fucking caveman inside me beats his chest in outrage.

Every possessive, territorial bone in my body wants it to be a lie, but looking at my brother’s pathetic, guilty face, I know it’s the truth.

“Yes.” He paces the living room, and his fingers curl into fists at his side.

He looks like he’s ready to hit something.

In a way, I wouldn’t mind if he took a swing at me. At least it would give me a reason to hit him back. Because right now, I really,reallywant to.

“And it’s yours?” I growl out, my throat constricting over the words. I doubt Layla would lie about something like that, but I have to ask.

“If it was any other fucking girl I’d wonder, but Layla doesn’t sleep around. Shit, I practically had to force her to sleep with me. It was like trying to get Mother Teresa to spread her damn legs.”

“Did you force her?” I take a step towards him, and there must be murder in my eyes because he quickly takes a step back, hands raised, palms towards me.

“What the hell, Carter? It was a joke.”

“Not a funny one.” I narrow my gaze, not knowing what to believe from him right now.

The thought of him forcing himself on her makes me see red. He may be my brother, but I’m pretty sure I’d go to prison for the things I’d do to him if I ever found out that was the case.

“The totally messed up part about this whole thing is that I only fucked her once. Who gets pregnant after one lousy screw?”

I have to shove my hands in my pocket to keep myself from knocking the pitiful look off his face.

“I can’t do this,” Travis wines, sitting down on the couch and placing his head in his hands.

“Then you should have kept your dick in your pants. You’re going to be a father. It’s not like you have a choice.”

“She said she’s giving me one.”

“What do you mean?” Something dark stirs inside of me.

“She’s going to talk to a lawyer. I can waive my rights and–”

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