Read Lasting Attraction (Cassie Series) for Free Online Page B

can't.
                  I try to coo her as she shakes within my arms. After a few minutes I pull us both towards the hallway. She doesn't fight me off, which surprises me. When we get into my room, I lay her down on my bed and kneel down next to the bed, running my hand down her arm. She turns her head to face me with pleading eyes. "Don't tell anyone, please."
                  "I won't, but don't you think you should?"
                  She slowly closes her eyes and starts to chew on the dry skin of her bottom lip. "I did." Her voice is soft and I almost missed what she said.
                  "Oh. I guess I just assumed."
              Her eyes open and they're filled with water. "Well not really. You're the only one that knows. But its someone. Right?" Her lips quiver and tears start to fall on the blanket under her head. I run my finger under them and watch the terrified beauty lying before me.
                  I ignore her question and decide to be the friend she so obviously needs right now. "How far along are you?"
                  "I don't know, a few weeks... months. I think maybe in my second trimester already."
                  Instinctively I run my hand over her stomach, under the oversized tee-shirt she has on, and I can feel the smallest hard lump in its place. "Have you not been to the doctors?"
                  She shakes her head no. Her hand comes up to pull my hand away but I don't let her. No, instead I place her hand under mine and I make her take notice. I don't know much about pregnancies, but she is way too small to be as far along as she thinks she is. She also should have been to a doctor by now.
                  "I'll go with you," I tell her.
                  Her eyes widen and she softly gasps. "Avery, I don't expect you to go with me. This isn't-"
                  "I know," I tell her. "I know, Cassie. But I do love you and I want to be here for you, anyway I can." I can't help the emotion inside me right now. I've lost her as my future, but I'll always have her as a friend. I guess being her friend is better than nothing. Its a sad, cruel reality, but I'll take it. Hell, I deserve it.

                  I wake up just after four in the afternoon. I stare at the blinking red dots between the four and the zero on the alarm clock while I think about my life. All the shit I've been through. All the shit I've done. When I came to college, I came to get good grades, a great degree, go to some parties, make friends, and yes, to sleep around a little. I never wanted to fall in love. And I sure as hell never wanted to get knocked up.
                  The fact that Avery settled me down earlier meant to world to me but it also broke my heart. No, it shattered my heart. I've been in pure panic mode all day. I still am, but I have to admit, with his arm wrapped around my waist and the comfort he was giving me earlier is what is keeping me still.
                  I've been wanting to tell Pierce. I've been wanting to tell someone, anyone, but I haven't. I've been too scared. I haven't wanted to face my crazy reality. I didn't want to face the fact that I've done more than messed up- I've altered my entire life. Pierce's life. Avery's life. A child's life. A child I have yet to meet, yet a child I already love. A child I've created out of jealously, rage, and lust.
                  Avery stirs behind me and I quickly close my eyes. I don't want to move, not yet. I don't want this to be over yet. His friendship, his sorrow, his regret, his love. It can't disappear, not right now. Five more minutes, it's all I ask. Its more than I deserve, so I'm taking it. I've learned long ago I'm a very selfish person.
                  I feel Avery's lips upon my shoulder, lightly brushing kisses down my skin, heating it under his touch.