Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
I stay stubbornly silent, but Sal isn’t done with me. “If you commit to that baby, that means Bodie can stay, too. Doing a job he loves.”
My head snaps back to Sal, and I narrow my eyes. “Isn’t it enough I’m carrying this baby for him? Now I have to give up my life, so he can have his career, too?”
Sal stands from the bench and chuckles. Giving a shake of his head, his eyes glimmer with sage wisdom. “That’s the thing, Hart. Having a kid isn’t about giving up your life. It’s about having a better, more complete life. You’ll be gaining far more than you’ll ever give up.”
I grind my teeth, knowing if I try to continue arguing with him, I’ll probably end up screaming with bitter frustration. These are decisions I never wanted to be faced with, and there are many people this is going to affect.
“I’m gonna jump in the shower,” Sal says as he steps over the bench. “Just think about things, okay?”
“Yeah, sure,” I mutter, just so he’ll leave and I can be done with this.
I sit there for a few moments, staring blankly at my tennis shoes. Finally, I glance at my watch and see I have to get going to make my doctor’s appointment.
I quickly get on one shoe, then another. Picking my gym bag up, I head toward the exit. Just as I make it past the end of the lockers, I’m brought up short by Cage, who steps in front of me.
Startled, I curse at him. “Fuck. You scared me.”
He gives me a tight smile and leans against the edge of the locker, folding his arms across his chest. “Didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but you and Sal were loud enough that I couldn’t help it.”
My body locks tight, not only because Cage is getting ready to get into my business, but also because his allegiance is to Bodie as his best friend. I can tell by the look on his face that what he’s going to say isn’t going to be nice.
“Don’t fuck with his heart,” Cage says in what can only be termed a menacing tone.
“Why would I fuck with his heart?” I ask sarcastically. I mean… it’s my heart I’ve been focused on, knowing it was going to break at some point in the future.
“You wouldn’t do it intentionally.” His tone is bland and unenthused. “But you’re so focused on yourself and the decision you have in front of you. I don’t want you to lose sight of the fact that Bodie cares about you.”
This isn’t a surprise. Of course I know Bodie cares for me. If there was ever any doubt, it was put to rest when he ordered me to go to bed while pirates were attacking the ship. He was worried about me, and couldn’t be effective.
Worried.
About me.
My fingers rub at the bridge of my nose. I let my eyes close in a brief moment of respite from Cage’s accusing look before I let out a sigh and open my eyes. “I won’t hurt him. I care about him, too.”
“Yeah,” Cage says softly… in agreement with me. But then his tone hardens, “But not enough. Make it so you care about him enough so you make a better effort not to hurt him. Either go all in or cut him loose, but this in-between shit spells disaster.”
A lump forms in my throat that has nothing to do with shame or anger. Instead, it’s a knot formed from cold hard truth. I’ve let myself get close to Bodie. He’s come to care for me, and me for him. But I keep that barrier up, knowing I can’t give much more without sacrificing my own heart.
I also know that’s not fair to Bodie.
Swallowing, I level my eyes on Cage’s. “I won’t hurt him.”
CHAPTER 17
Bodie
I purposely wait until eight PM to call my parents. I’d come home after our appointment with Dr. Anchors, riding high on the thrill of an ultrasound we hadn’t expected. It only came about because I was bitching and moaning having to wait another four weeks, and Dr. Anchors had laughed at me.
“We’re actually going to do a vaginal ultrasound today,” he told us, and I had a zing of pure electrical excitement flow through me. “We really only use it in higher risk situations or to pinpoint conception date, but you’re pretty clear on the date it happened. Still, let’s check your baby’s heartbeat out.”
And then he did.
It was amazing. While he gently circled a wand inside of Rachel, I practically leaned all the way across her on the examination table to get my face as close as possible to the screen. Rachel sort of grunted and pushed at me, but then I grabbed her hand and squeezed so hard she let me be.