Free TROUBLE, A New Adult Romance Novel (The Rebel Series) by Elle Casey Page B

what you’re going to do, whether it’s to keep the baby or give it up for adoption.”
    “She’s not giving the baby up for adoption.”   Colin sounds angry.
    “Whatever.   It’s her choice, not yours.”   Teagan’s voice goes softer.   “But whatever you decide to do, you have to let the father know about the baby.   That’s the only fair thing.”
    My blood pressure goes up into the roof.   I can’t help but glare at her.   “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    “Whoa, ease up there, cowgirl,” says Quin.   “She’s talking about the legal reality.   Regardless of how you feel about it, he has a right to know.”
    I stand, unable to remain seated while listening to their well-intentioned baloney.   “Don’t talk to me about legal rights.” I practically spit the next words out.   “Legal rights, my backside.”   I stop myself before I go into a rant about people who don’t deserve to have the privilege of certain rights.   My newfound friends are already way too far up into my business as it is.   I am not going to share what they would need to know in order to agree with me, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to change my mind about it.   Charlie deserves nothing from me except maybe a two-by-four slammed up into his junk.
    And yes, they are my friends.   I’m looking at all their faces staring back at me, even Rebel’s, and all I see is concern there.   It takes some of the fight out of me.
    I swallow what little pride I have left and put everything I have into my apology. If it were just about me, I’d bail.   I’d tell them to kiss my grits and disappear into the horizon.   But it’s not for me.   It’s for my baby.   I have to do the right thing by her, even though it’s the hardest thing to do.
    I clasp my hands tightly under my belly.   “I appreciate what you’re trying to do here.   All of you. Your support is awesome. And … needed.   So if it’s okay with you, I will go to the new house with you for a little while.   I’m going to work on finding something else, but in the meantime, it would be good to have a roof over my head and some food.   And I promise I’ll pay you back, every single cent.   I’ve been keeping track of everything.   As soon as I can get a job, I’ll start giving you part of my paycheck.   And I’m sorry for being rude before.” My face is burning.   This is so hard.   I just want to run away.
    “This isn’t about the money,” says Teagan, sounding tired.
    “For me, it is to some degree,” I explain.   “I don’t like owing people things, and you guys just stepped in and took over my life.   I appreciate it and I will pay you back.”
    “No one’s taken over your life,” says Quin.   Her tone tells me she’s disgusted.   “You’re in charge of your life, even when you’re fucking it up.   At least have the decency to not give people who are helping you a hard time over it.”
    I breathe in and out a couple times, trying to calm myself.   Reacting to her the way my first instinct wants to would be a mistake.   I know she means well, and I have been kind of rude.   “You’re right.   Absolutely.   I’m going to work on that.”   My face burns with unspoken retorts.   I just have to suck it up and take the abuse.   I need these people and so does my baby.   I’m going to do whatever I have to for my child.
    For some reason, this thought makes my heart lighter.   It makes this whole event just a tiny bit less awful.   I’m still trying to figure out why when Quin starts talking again.
    “Good.   Because seriously, we can be fun if you just let us be a part of your life.”
    My smile is watery.   “I’m sure you can.   I’m just … too pregnant maybe to appreciate it right now.”
    “I think you guys need to just stop being so fucking pushy with her,” says Colin.
    I finally look at him, surprised to see his jaw muscle twitching like mad.
    “Ease up, dude. No