Lasting Attraction (Cassie Series) (21 page)

             
I turn around to tell my brother the news and my bliss comes crashing down on me as I look at Miah laughing alongside Evan. Fuck, this is going to ruin us, whatever this is between us. Of course she knew most of the situation, but I'm pretty sure reality hasn't quite hit home with her over it.

             
Walking back to them, I slide the phone in my pocket and realize I'm ready to call it a damn night. I can't sit here with Evan and Miah, laughing and joking. I need some time to process this all. I need to think long and hard what this means for me. What it means for Miah and I, Cassie and I, my family and I. Shit, I'm going to a father. A fucking father! And I'm not even man enough to still be with Cassie.

             
I should have never left her.

             
I stand behind Miah's chair and face Evan, who stops talking to look up at me questionably. "You okay? You look pale as fuck."

             
"Yeah, yeah. I'm ready to head home, how about you?"  I look down to Miah, who has her head tilted up to look at me with a small smile upon her beautiful face.

             
She nods her head and looks back towards Evan. "Good catching up. I'll talk to you soon, Evan." She stands and starts walking towards the house.

             
"Hey, Miah, give me a minute? I got to talk to Evan."

             
"Of course," she answers, before walking through the door, closing it softly behind her.

             
I look over to Evan. "The test results came in."

             
"I assumed. And?"

             
I clear my throat and look away from his disapproving face. "I'm the father."

             
After a moment of complete silence, I face Evan again, who is just shaking his head slowly. He doesn't look disappointed, just maybe sad for me. Sad for the situation in general, I'm sure.

             
"You'll make a damn good dad, that is for sure."

             
"You think so?"

             
"You're a Danielson, I know so." He winks at me with a small grin. "I'm happy for you, even if its not the best circumstance. I hope you and Cass can stay civil through everything."

             
I raise an eyebrow. "And Avery."

             
Evan starts laughing while slamming his hand down on his knee. "Right, fuck, ha. That is awesome. Well, no, not really. I do hope it all works out. I'm glad to be an uncle though."

             
"Thanks man."

             
"Anytime."

             
We say our goodbyes, and I go inside to say bye to my mom as well, who is currently involved in a meaningless conversation with Miah. Miah seems to be a good sport about it though, and is keeping the conversation flowing. The more I see Miah laugh and talk with my family, just in these few minutes, the more I hurt for her. I'm ruining our relationship before it even starts.

             
In the truck, I decide not to say anything yet. I want to process the information myself before I bring this drama in between us. Miah, however, doesn't have the same plans as me. "You okay?" she asks after only a few minutes down the road.

             
"Yeah, fine."

             
"Pierce, really?"

             
I glimpse over at her and force myself to smile. "Yeah. I'm fine. Why, what’s up?" Stupid question to ask, but I don't think it through beforehand.

             
"Maybe because you got a phone call and have been acting weird sense. I don't like thinking that something is wrong."

             
"Nothing is wrong. Just complicated. Don't worry about it."

             
The silence that comes after has me thinking she is giving up, but I quickly dismiss that idea when she blurts out randomly. "I like you, a lot. More than I expected to."

             
I look back over at her, confused. "I actually really like you a lot, too." And its the truth.

             
"Are you getting back with Cassie?" She looks down at her lap and I have the urge to pull her close and hold her, but I don't because I’m driving.

             
Focusing on the road once more, I shake my head, even though she isn't looking right now. "No, I'm not. It's just-"

             
Fuck! It happens so fast, I don't even know its happening until its too late.

             
The feeling of my head slamming against the glass burns like crazy, and everything becomes blurred between lines of white, black, gray... and red. Lots of red. Where is all that coming from? Why can't I focus? Damn, this shit really fucking hurts.

             
The screaming of a female comes from the right of me and I try to reach out, but a sharp pain comes shooting through my wrist. I can't tell what it is, but I can feel warm liquid trickling from around it, falling to my face. More screaming erupts and I hear distant voices asking how everyone is.

             
How am I? I'm not sure! I can't answer. I can't talk. I can't focus.

             
"Pierce?" I hear a weak voice call out. I think it's Miah, but I'm not sure.

             
"
She's losing a lot of blood."

             
"Nine-one-one is on its way, sir. Please stay with us."

             
I don't know where these voices are coming from, but they are getting blurred as well. My vision is practically gone and I try like hell to call out for Miah. For someone. I just want to know why it hurts so damn much. Why all I can see is a face of an angel.

             
"
I'm not sure he is going to make it!"

             
"Pierce, Pierce, wake up. It's me, wake up."

             
"Ma'am, please back away and let us do our job."

             
It hurts to breath. It hurts to think. It hurts to feel. So I let it go. I stop feeling, I stop thinking, and I stop breathing.

             
"Well, he is a fucking loser, Cassie. Don't worry about it. I'm here for you."

             
She pushes at me and shakes her head. "No shit Avery! I know you are, and thank you, but you don't understand! I wish you did, but you don't. He hasn't answered my damn calls in three days. I tell him he is the father, he promises to be the best dad, and then nothing!"

             
I wish she could see that he is just a deadbeat, like many other father's out there, but I won't be. I won't pull away from her or this child, they're both mine. Mine forever. It'll always be that way. I don't care about the blood relation. It hurt like hell when I was told I wasn't the biological father, and I admit, I cried like a bitch after I found out, but I still have Cassie, and I'll still treat this baby like my own, every damn day.

             
Cassie goes into the bathroom and slams the door. I really can't blame her. I don't blame her. I give her the space she needs, and from my own damn phone call Pierce. Nothing. Of course nothing. It just goes straight to voicemail. What is this bullshit, seriously? Who does that!

             
I call up Mason and head out into the hallway of the complex, not wanting Cassie to hear the conversation. "Hey man," he answers.

             
"Hey, what is Aubrey up to?"

             
"Uh, on the couch sleeping, actually. Dakota kept us up all night. She's teething and its ridiculous."

             
"I don't know what to do. I was hoping to get some of her advice. Pierce won't answer his phone and she is freaking the fuck out. I don't know if to comfort her or leave her alone. I don't know if the hunt the cock sucker down, or let him continue his damn charades."

             
I can hear as he snorts out dry laugh. "Well, damn. I didn't peg him to be that much of a tool. I thought he cared enough about her. I don't know, but I can have Aubrey call you when she wakes up. Or better yet, I can have her head over there, give the girls some time to vent or whatever it is they do."

             
"Thanks Mason."

             
"Yeah, listen. If Aubrey heads over, why don't you come over here? I'm sure you could use some beers and to shoot the shit. I'm sure this has taken its toll on you as well."

             
"Damn right it has. Give me a call when she wakes up and let me know."

             
I walk back into the apartment after hanging up the phone and walk towards the bathroom. I can hear the water running in the tub, so I open the door and peek my head in. Cassie is lying in the tub while it fills with water and she just stares blankly at the wall. "Can I get you anything?" I ask.

             
She looks over at me and shakes her head softly. "No. I'm sorry, Avery. I always take my anger out on you."

             
I walk into the bathroom, closing the door behind me because I know she likes when the room fills up with steam. I bend down next to the tub and run my fingers through her hair. "I can imagine you're stressed out, babe. I'm sorry you have to go through this all. Just be careful, I don't want you stressing the baby out too much." I rub my free hand over her belly, which is anything but submerged in the water like the rest of her body.

             
She smiles softly at me. "You're way too good for me, Avery. I don't deserve you."

             
"Stop," I interrupt. "I'm far from perfect. We both are. But we're perfect for each other."

             
She rolls her eyes and smiles even wider. "I love you so much."

             
"I love you, too," I tell her.

             
I turn the water off when its filled to the limit, then I lean against the wall, watching her relax in the water. My phone goes off, so I reach into my pocket and pull it out. "Hey," I answer when I see it's Mason calling already.

             
"You didn't hear, I take it."

             
"Hear what?" I ask, confused.

             
"About Pierce. Dude, apparently his truck was totaled the other night. I don't know many details, but I guess its not good."

             
I can feel my face pale. I didn't know I'd care this damn much, but knowing how this will effect Cassie and the baby, fuck, this shit is destroying me. "Thanks." I reply quickly. "Do you know who I can call for more information?"

             
"I'm assuming his family."

             
I hang up without saying anything more and I look over to Cassie. She is already so stressed out, I'm not sure if its the smart thing to do or not. I don't know if I can freaking say anything. "Get out, and get dressed."

             
I stand up and walk out of the bathroom. I hate myself right now, but I can't look at her. I can't look at her and know that I'm about to break her damn heart. I need to get ahold of someone in his family and get more details. This isn't good, not good at all.

             
When she comes out of the bathroom in her towel, she tilts her head and just stares at me, confused. "I'm sorry, Cassie. Just get dressed and I need your phone."

             
"Are you going to tell me why?"

             
"Not until after I call someone. It's real quick, babe, I promise. Get dressed, get your shoes on."

             
Her eyes start to well up, almost as if she is sensing what is going on, but she doesn't say as much. "Its on the kitchen table."

             
I walk over the kitchen table, grab the phone, and walk outdoors. Once I'm in the parking lot, I scroll through her contacts. I don't fucking know Pierce's family's name! Danielson... there has to be a Danielson in here somewhere. "Evan Danielson," I say his name out loud. I can only assume he is related somehow.