Page 40 of Second Draft

I swallow hard and try to get those damn walls back up, but the way he’s watching me, it’s like he has the ability to bore through all my defenses with a single look.

“You can do that?” I turn my back to him. “Just work whenever you want?”

I hear the creek of the bed behind me.

“Hockey season is over. I won’t have any work that can’t be done from home until September.”

“Home?”Is he planning on staying here?

When he comes up behind me, I turn slightly and look up at him.

“I have an apartment in New York.” A muscle in his jaw bunches, and he looks like he’s restraining himself from touching me.

If I was smart, I’d take a step away. Instead, I just stand there, silently begging him to pull me into his arms.

He rubs the back of his neck. “But if you want me to stay…”

I swallow hard, not sure what exactly he’s asking.

“This is your house, you can stay here whenever you want.”

His mouth tightens in a thin line, but he doesn’t say anything, just keeps watching me.

I shift uncomfortably under his gaze. “I need to get ready for work.”

“Right.” He sighs. “There are some things we should sit down and talk about when you have some time.”

A knot forms in my throat.

“Okay,” I say, frowning. “Have you heard anything from him? From Travis?”

The muscles in Carter’s face tense and I think I see a flicker of guilt there. “Yeah.”

“Oh.” Even though I’d asked the question, I hadn’t expected that answer. But why should I be surprised that he’d contacted his brother? Of course they still spoke.

“He got a job up north. He…” Carter looks up at the ceiling briefly, the muscle in his jaw pulsating before glancing back at me, gaze now full of sympathy. “He had some paperwork drawn up by a lawyer. About giving up his paternal rights. He asked me to give it to you.”

“Of course.” Even though I’d expected as much from Travis, it still makes my insides twist knowing that he’d so easily give up his rights.

“I’m sorry–”

“You need to stop doing that,” I snap. “Apologizing. You’re not the one I had sex with, and this baby isn’t your responsibility.”

Carter winces like I’ve physically slapped him. If my emotions weren’t so twisted, and I wasn’t so confused, I’d feel bad for my words. But we can’t keep walking around pretending that this is anything other than it is.

Sure, it was a bitchy thing to say, especially after how nice he’s been to me, but I need those barriers back up, or else I’m in some serious danger of falling for him.

I think he’s going to walk out. Actually, I hope that he does. Instead, he just stands there, looking at me with way more compassion than I deserve.

All the pent up feelings that I’ve tried to bury inside bubble to the service, and I can feel my throat tightening. My hands start to shake, and tears blur my vision.

Don’t cry, I warn myself, but it’s too late.

He takes a step toward me. “Layla–”

“No.” I shake my head and put my hands up to stop him from coming closer. One touch and I know I’ll lose it completely.

“I’m trying to help.”

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